I have raised two pups over the years, both came and went as they pleased, and ultimately chose the local pack probably the one they came from. I miss them both and wonder all the time about them. I had even put florescent collars on them, but removed them when the spells of being gone started getting weeks at a time.
The point is I don't speak for a wild animal, If I couldn't raise it with it having a chance to live free I certainly wouldn't put it in a pen for the rest of it's life under some bogus notion it was an ambassador for others.
I don't think any animal would choose a pen for life over death, would you?
I have a heart of gold when animals are concerned, I've certainly tried to save many over the years. Some made it back to the wild some were put down from injury.
I won't change you're opinion and you won't change mine.
It's too bad you can't understand that Sandy was already doomed in a number of ways. Or that we chose a life at Southwest instead of death. In fact, we chose to save her. We chose to let her live instead of killing her or letting her die, or letting someone else kill her. It obviously doesn't match your values, but it was a good choice for her and all others involved.
If you ever decided to meet her and see how she lives you might re-think your position, but I doubt it. It's too easy to stand on a pre-conceived notion without much basis or thought. And, in fact, that goes to the heart of the whole story, namely, a pre-conceived notion of how coyotes must be. This with no real experience or sympathy for their plight. Meanwhile she is sensitive, fun, smart, well balanced and healthy. It may be hard for you to understand that, but it's true.
So, as you say, you won't change your opinion and I'd be surprised if you did because this story is an opportunity to look at something we know little about and actually learn something. Or to see an intelligent animal and find out there is much more to them than we thought. It requires some thought and some empathy.
There will always be a percentage who have their minds made up and are not interested. You represent that segment well. And that is part of the reason for telling her story. I'm not willing to let those who don't know, or have no experience, or who don't care, dominate the conversation. That is part of the reason that coyotes suffer as much as they do. Her story is for those that are curious, intelligent and caring. I will never declare that they are always good and always safe to be around, or that they are never a menace, but there is more to them than many realize.
Fortunately, there is a large majority of people that love dogs, is interested in survival against the odds and is interested in learning about wild dogs that they will never have first hand experience with. People interested in animal intelligence and animal behaviour. Sandy offers this story for those interested. She is alive and well to meet and learn from.
Perhaps you missed the point that Sandy was always free. No collars and no pens. She chose to be with us and we became her pack. She loves us, lived with us, taught us, learned from us, played with us, camped with us and traveled with us. She was about to be killed by animal control and we saved her by sending her to Southwest. Somehow, that message seems lost in your story about being free.
So, you can continue to not get it if you wish. Or try to declare, for her, what she would chose if you want. But you weren't there, were you. You haven't met her, have you?
