Chief and Amaya were long-time favorites of volunteers and guests. They were usually the first ones new volunteers worked with and always happy to greet anyone coming to visit. Chief was a bit shy but such a handsome boy that he was always one of the favorites in our sponsorship program. Having come to us as an escapee mislabeled a wolfdog, Chief spent his life at Shy Wolf despite our best efforts to find him a home. He very much needed a canine companion and could not be adopted as a single dog. We really didn’t see any “wolf” in Chief but becausee he had been labeled one he was unadoptable at any shelter. Amaya came to us at 18 months of age after someone took her in to keep her from going to a shelter. We thought she’d be adopted very quickly being a sweet, smaller dog that was great with kids. Her high prey drive made her somewhat challenging to place with anyone that had other pets and even her ability to connect with autistic individuals didn’t win her a home. Chief and Amaya had as good a life as we could provide with lots of love and attention, but they are also thte epitome of the problem with dogs being labelled wolfdog inappropriately and adoptable animals being overlooked because they are “safe” in sanctuary. If people would adopt animals from sanctuaries, they would open up spots for other rescues while providing homes to great animals with known behaviors and needs.
Chief and Amaya are the old couple who couldn’t live without each other and are running free and celebrating with our pack on the other side. We will forever hold them in our hearts and remember the lessons they had to share.
11/22/17
We were contacted about Amaya several years ago when she was about 18 months old. Her owner was moving and couldn’t take Amaya. Another lady tried taking her in, but she had no fenced-in yard for Amaya and felt she needed more room to run. During that time, however, Amaya slept on the bed with her young son. Amaya’s breeder told us she is a wolfdog and was born on April 19.
Amaya is a real sweetheart and has an amazing connection to individuals with autism. We’ve had people with autism come through and not react to any animal EXCEPT Amaya on their visit. Somehow she brings certain people out of their world and into hers.
The perfect home for Amaya would be as an only pet (other animal aggression noted), with a family that has kids (especially an autistic child). In the interim, we are endeavoring to set up a program with the Autism Society or a school where Amaya can be a therapy dog. Amaya has now become “middle aged” while waiting on her forever family, but could still have many good years left with her family. She has the energy and attitude of a young dog and deserves to spend whatever time she has left loving and being loved in a home environment.
