News
Update on Wolf Dogs Rescued in 2006
April 05, 2008, 7:52PM MT
By Danielle A Engle
In Memory of Gead
Posted by Danielle A. Engle, Best Friends Network
Gead is one of the wolf dogs recovered from the deceased Wisconsin breeder Jami Willard’s property. The Animal Humane Society (AHS) of Golden Valley, Minnesota paid Gary Tank, an unlicensed transporter, hunting guide, and elk farmer to transport the pack to WOLF Sanctuary in Colorado. The animals arrived in kennels stacked one on top of the other inside a horse trailer. They were dehydrated, frightened, and suffering from injuries.
An investigation into the files and photographs at the Burnett County Sheriff’s Office revealed a startling truth. Atlantis suffered a head laceration some time between the day he was photographed at AHS and the day he was delivered to the sanctuary by Gary Tank. We cannot begin to know what happened to Gead and other members of the pack; however, we can honor her journey and remarkable spirit.
Story and photographs by Frank Wendland, WOLF Sanctuary
Gead, the mother of most of the WideAwake animals, came to us at age 17. She was a lucky one, not infected with heart worms, but had some sort of head trauma that caused issues with her hips. Our limited understanding of her life before shows she was a “prized” breeder for her former “owner”, lived most of her life on a 6 foot chain, and had many litters of puppies taken away too young. Her beautiful eyes burned with intensity and knowledge deeper than humans can comprehend.
It was apparent Gead had severe trauma inflicted on her at the hands of humans. For months, she avoided human contact at all cost, and we respected her wishes by swiftly completing the daily chores in her enclosure. She quickly gained weight and shed her matted coat. Fear was slowly replaced by curiosity towards the humans. Then one day, she walked up to a volunteer and allowed a quick scratch. Everyday after she became more confident with people, eventually sitting down next to you for scratches and eating all the treats she could. She became Mucqua’s companion, caretaker, and seeing-eye dog, as Mucqua is totally blind. We watched in amazement during the big snows of last winter as she created paths in the snow and gently lead him around the enclosure.
Gead’s hip issues worsened last fall. She began falling down quite often, but always picked herself back up and didn’t let it slow her down. Pain killers kept her comfortable, but one day a volunteer found her in agony. After a course of antibiotics and higher pain killer dose, she was back to herself and doing great for 18. Weeks later, on the morning of November 19, she was found stuck and unable to stand. We helped her up, but it was all too apparent that the back end was not cooperating as she fell down hard every time. Worse yet, she was in obvious pain. The vet was called. Gead was examined, but it was clear she was ready and we placed her next to Mucqua to say goodbye. Her passing was very peaceful, and we are sure her spirit is doing great. However, we miss her physical presence and all-knowing eyes.
To learn more about or pay tribute to the pack, visit the web site at http://www.wolfsanctuary.net/index.htm.