Today, myself, my husband, and my friend Mallory helped transport a needy wolfdog across state lines. He was an absolutely beautiful animal named Keeyani - likely a mix of Samoyed and Malamute with possibly a little wolf thrown in.
This beautiful young boy had been found languishing in a shelter in Illinois, a state that bans the ownership of wolfdogs. Without transport out of the state by a reputable rescue group, he would have been euthanized without a second thought (whether he actually had wolf or not). So, we agreed to be part of a relay from Chicago all the way to New Jersey, where he would find safe haven at Howling Woods Farm, a sanctuary for wolfdogs and wolves.
We drove up the highway to meet Denise Kinsey, the amazing woman who had brought him all the way to Ohio from Chicago to save his life. Denise and Keeyani shared a heartfelt goodbye before we coaxed him into our truck and took off for Pennsylvania.
The ride wasn't long, but proved to be eventful; somehow we got turned around in PA and ended up going a little out of our way. Still, before too long, we met up with Dan and Tricia, the dedicated volunteers who were taking the "graveyard shift" to drive Keeyani from western PA all the way to New Jersey.
To say that Dan and Keeyani hit it off would be at tremendous understatement.
Mallory and Keeyani were also fast friends.
There was a distinct sense of comraderie among all of us as we completed the transport; mutual admiration and respect for our involvement in the work. Keeyani seemed to be truly grateful, and that's not something I say lightly. As we parted ways, Keeyani came to each of us in turn, placed his paws on our shoulders, and looked at each of us squarely as if to say, "thank you".
