Found a coyote, I think

RandyBell · Jun 6, 2013

Hey John just got a new Picture of Sandy and thought I would send it.

Depmandog · Jun 6, 2013

Great picture. Thanks for posting.

Raspy · Jun 7, 2013

Thanks Randy!!

Liye is really excited and keeps looking at the picture.

Looks like she's doing well. Curious and involved. Well cared for.

RandyBell · Jul 13, 2013

Well John the unthinkable happened, we lost our female wolf Shadow! She got a tumor the size of a basketball in her abdomen, this thing grew in like 3 months. The Vet said when she was in March getting her teeth cleaned and toenails clipped there was no sign of anything! She was not showing any symptoms of anything till the last day, the day previous she was playing with the grandkids following them around, then the next morning she went out to "potty" and got down and wouldn't get up and squalled when she was touched. She spent the day at one vets having tests run, they decided she needed x-rays and they didn't have the ability, so I got her into our old vets. They found a tumor in her abdomen the size of a basketball pressing on all her internals. They gave a less than 30% on surgery due to it growing into her lungs and spline, kidneys and liver. She was vomiting blood by this time so we did the best thing for her, we let them put her down! That was the first of the month, She was only 11

Mace Canute · Jul 14, 2013

Randy, I'm very sorry to hear that. At least her suffering was very minimal and her time with you I am sure was the best that any dog, or wolf, could hope for. You have my heartfelt condolences.

Raspy · Jul 14, 2013

Randy,

Thanks for letting me know. What a heart breaker.
Our dear friends find a way into our hearts that is so powerful and touching. I have thought about it a lot. It seems their vulnerability, purity, joy and simple acceptance of life as it is, brings out such an unconditional love. A simple relationship with such depth and trust.
Find peace in the fact that you gave her your best and lived in the moment with her. She obviously loved you very much. Yours is the only story I know of a wolf being successful in a domestic world. You've done something very special and reaped high rewards for it. Not many of us have known a wild dog, much less gained their trust and their love. Thank you.

Raspy · Jul 14, 2013

Randy,

I just told Liye about Shadow. She and I have talked about you and your story many times since this thread started. She wants to know if you've considered writing your story about your dogs. It would be a great story and a great value to the rest of us and all those who haven't had a chance to know a wolf. I hope you'll consider it.

I now realize that Sandy's story will take a while longer than I wish it would. This year has been harder than expected and I've been very distracted. Even so, progress is being made and she lives vividly in our minds.

As I write this, the wild ones are out on patrol and the yipping is coming from close by. Bei Bei rises and listens intently for a few minutes, then relaxes. Then listens again with ears up and eyes wide. The warm high desert night is alive. We go out for a few minutes and marvel at the sky and the coyotes. Beautiful. It never ceases to amaze me that wild dogs are all around. The few that are their descendants and get invited into our homes and lives, reveal the beauty and intelligence of these wonderful animals. Where would we be without them?

Take care.

DABSGT · Jul 14, 2013

Randy sorry to see you lost shadow. John is on the money I'm sure like myself many would like to see your story. What a tribute to shadow.

Sent from my iPad using TractorByNet

RandyBell · Jul 17, 2013

Thanks guys it is tough to lose a companion in any circumstance, it is amazing how those little bundles of fur can work themselves into your life!
I will have to put some thought into the writing of Shadow's Life, my fear is that I can tend to get off subject. The wife says I have ADHA, sometimes I agree with her, but I will see if I can work something up.
Thanks again

Raspy · Jul 18, 2013

Randy,

With me and Sandy's story, I want it to be as good as I can make it, interesting and accurate, etc. But sometimes the story can be lost because of wanting perfection or worrying about saying it in the right way. I see her in my minds eye, and wonder if I can ever convey the emotion or make the point.

I know nothing about Shadow, but I'd love to hear of her ways and how a wolf could live in your world. Please don't worry about the structure. If you feel like it, just tell us about her as a wolf. Who was she? How did she work her magic on you? Why did she, as a wild thing, choose to live in your world. Remember, I've been asking the question all through this thread: What is the difference between a wild dog and a domestic dog? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

On a PBS special recently, they stated that all domestic dog genes can be traced to the Mexican Grey Wolf. Hmmmm. Interesting.

A few things I've learned is that wild dogs cannot digest grains, that they cannot understand human pointing and that they are not programmed to please us, so they don't really care about coming when we call or doing what we ask, etc. Barking is more of a domestic dog trait and may reveal that they have adapted to our language methods more than we have adapted to theirs. All things that were, or seemed true with Sandy. What about Shadow?

Feel free to share if you'd like.

Take care.

Iplayfarmer · Jul 18, 2013

For those of you thinking of writing a story about a dog, you should watch the movie "Red Dog". It's on Netflix if you have it. It's about a red dog that really lived in Australia and touched the lives of many people. That movie is so well done. I actually cried during the movie, and I didn't even cry at my own grandma's funeral. It's a great story and might help you understand better how to write your stories to really inspire people.

Raspy · Jul 18, 2013

Iplayfarmer said:
I actually cried during the movie, and I didn't even cry at my own grandma's funeral. It's a great story

There you go. Exactly. Dogs! Sheesh.

Liye and I have been laughing and laughing. We get it!

RandyBell · Jul 18, 2013

John I need to figure out a title and work some things worked out in my head. I may have to have Tracey write some because the first 6 months she was home with her all the time.
I think when I do I will start a new thread and I want to link to it from this one. How do I go about doing that?

Raspy · Jul 19, 2013

Randy,

There is a lot to think about when you start to put it together. Keep it simple and let it take on a life of it's own. Just share some interesting traits or games or, whatever. I'm very curious about her personality. I remember one thing you shared, not sure if it was Shadow, about not liking to be brushed. Running off and then coming back to let you know you were forgiven. I think you also mentioned getting hamburgers at the drive through for them. See, I would never have imagined a tolerant and forgiving wolf that rides in the car and gets hamburgers! It's like Sandy! In some ways, dogs are dogs, wild or domestic, wolf or coyote. They have a strong family structure and need to know their place in the group. They anticipate. They express interest in something they want. They remember events and develop habits. They are so much like us in their ways.

When you get a thread started you can copy and paste the link into the "quick reply" window. The tool bar in the quick reply window has a tool for it also. Each thread can link to the other and it's a good idea because both stories show wild dogs interacting with us and how much we cared about them.

Take care.

RandyBell · Jul 19, 2013

Thanks John I am trying to get some notes together so I won't lose track. The one that runs of then comes back is Weasel, when Shadow saw the brush she would run and hide.

RandyBell · Jul 27, 2013

Ok guys here is the link to Shadow's story
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/rural-living/286825-living-wolves.html

RandyBell · Aug 13, 2013

Hey John just ran across a new pic of Sandy!

Raspy · Aug 23, 2013

Randy,

Thanks for the picture. You always seem to see them before me.

And thanks for the link to Shadow's story. Beautiful.

Raspy · Aug 23, 2013

Here's an earlier picture of Sandy and Herbert, right after her arrival at Southwest.

They became instant friends and are seen here stopping to look at one of the cats. Two new friends that are already of common mind, joyously playing. They were running around the building together until the staff decided that it was time to calm down because Herbert might not be able to take the excitement.

Herbert had a heart murmur and died recently. He was not supposed to last as long as he did and he managed to touch everyone he came in contact with during his life. Even Sandy. His loss seems to have broken the hearts of everyone there.

GPintheMitten · Aug 23, 2013

Just came across this thread. Day before yesterday we were baling hay at the neighbors and a coyote came out of the brush along the fence row to watch us. It would retreat to the brush when we got close to that end of the field and come back out and lay down and watch us again after we made the turn and were part way back to the opposite end of the field. Took a picture with my phone while on the tractor but you can hardly see it. Too far away.