Towards the middle of January 2003, we were alerted that the Union County Humane Society needed help with what would become the most educational rescue we have ever helped with. They had taken in a high-content Wolf hybrid, and she needed a place to stay until she could be accepted into a sanctuary in Tennessee. Otherwise, she would have to be destroyed. Since COSR has high fencing and has handled nordic dogs before, it was decided that she'd be safe here for a few days, to maybe a few weeks at most. After all, we have helped some pretty feral Samoyeds in the past. How much worse could a wolf be? We would soon learn the answer.......

Mischka turned out to be a shy 8 month old that needed some quality food, and plenty of exercise. And the drive back home taught us lesson number 1: Wolves -smell-. Not just a little.... a lot! She had just received a bath, so it wasn't something on her fur. Maybe we are just spoiled having owned Samoyeds all these years, but she seemed worse than any dog I've ever been near. Fortunately, it is amazing what a little spritz of Drakkar can mask.

Upon arriving home, we introduced her to one of the 3 small groups we had on location at the time. She seemed to fit in, so we felt that things would be ok. But how would Kimba take to her? Kimba hates black dogs..... And this was no exception. Kimba, Echo, and Stormy all decided that she didn't belong here. This was odd, because Stormy loves everything and everyone. We decided just to leave her in with the older pack of rescues, and let her play with a youngster we had recently taken in from Animal Control.

Lesson number 2: What do you feed a wolf? Would you know if faced with this situation? We tried Purina ProPlan Performance. She looked at it, and proceeded to roll her head in her bowl. We thought she was trying to tell us she didn't want it..... enter lesson 3. She was telling us that she was marking it for later.

This brings us to lesson 4: Wolves do not like men. Maybe it is because we have hunted them into near extinction and through the generations they have learned not to trust us. Or maybe she had been abused by a guy, somewhere along the path of her short life. No matter; she wasn't about to trust me. If I tried to let her out of her crate, she'd cower in the back and growl softly if I tried to get anywhere near her. Yet when Karen tried..... she was out of the crate like a rocket, and asking for hugs. This was the start of a close friendship between Mischka and my wife. One that Karen will never forget.

Since we could not allow her to be free during the day, it was necessary to place her into one of our two indoor isolation kennels. Mischka began her mournful howl..... and that was lesson 5: Wolves attach themselves to other animals quickly. We put Jasper and Pearl downstairs, in the medium security pen. She calmed down because she was no longer alone. Oh, lesson 6: Wolves are probably not house trained, and when they go.... it -smells-. Whew.

Meanwhile, I had gotten in contact with the sanctuary, and I was assured that everything was ok. Mischka would only be with us for a week or two at the most. This was good news, because I couldn't imagine what the neighbors would think of her. So, I emailed Janet White to let her know what was going on, and Janet sent us some very good sources of information. Between those contacts and a man named Jim Willis (published author, a wolf's best friend, and founder of the Tiergarten Sanctuary Trust), we felt like things would work out well.

A few weeks passed, and we still had Mischka. The sanctuary she was destined for was having problems with a local situation where they were trying to assist a large number of animals that had been taken in a raid. We understood. Besides, Mischka was doing ok. A few weeks more passed.... more problems in Tennessee. Then a few more......

By now, Mischka and Karen had formed a strong bond, although she still did not trust me much. She was starting to warm up, but I could tell it would be a long process. Mischka's instinct was telling her no, while her eyes, seeing all of the attention the dogs were getting, told her yes. She'd send me little signals.... like the time I was outside washing the patio door, and Jasper came running up behind me and pushed his head under my arm so he could have a hug. I laughed... and then I felt a gentle tap on my back, and a cold nose. It was Mischka saying hello. Ever so slowly, I slid a hand backwards toward her, never turning around..... she gently licked my hand, and then took off to play.

One evening, Karen went to go outside to bring in the dogs. She slipped on the stairs, and down she went, face-first towards the concrete. Mischka came running, and covered Karen with her body, as if to keep the dogs away from her. Karen stood up as best as she could on a totally messed up ankle, and hobbled inside. That was when we realized she had lost her glasses. Fearing the worst, I went outside to check. Mischka had retrieved them, and was ever so gently carrying them in her mouth, keeping the dogs away from what would have been a new toy for them to tear up. Mischka never left a single mark on the plastic lenses.

By now, Mischka was growing stronger with each passing day, and she really needed a place where she could run and play to her heart's content. She was starting to learn how to trust, and I was worried she'd become too domesticated at this rate. If she was returning to the wolf pack in Tennessee, she'd need to remember that part of her. Yet she wanted so much to please.... even when we were visited by our local Humane Society officials for a site inspection, she didn't raise a fuss. The officials liked how well-adjusted all of the Samoyeds here in our care are, and they listened with interest when I told them Mischka's story. We did the usual card-swapping, and they left happy. But I knew Mischka needed a place of her own, now more than ever.

Curious about the status of the Tennessee sanctuary, I went on-line and looked it up. Much to my shock, it had closed at the end of January, and the number was disconnected. Concerned for Mischka and aware that we were not qualified to place a wolf, I contacted Jim Willis, once again. Within a matter of hours, people began emailing me with offers of advice, and places that might take her. I talked with many of them, and decided to visit one in particular. In the meantime, the former director of the Tennessee sanctuary called me, and we talked about the situation. While I'm sure her heart was in the right place, I had already decided that Mischka would be going with me to visit a sanctuary in New York. If that didn't work out, then I promised to contact the Tennessee sanctuary (now in North Carolina) again.

Eight weeks had passed since we first took Mischka into our home. It was time to make a decision. And not being able to find qualified people who could help transport her, I decided to do it myself. Karen and Mischka had bonded so much that if I had returned her to the Humane Society, it would have sent waves much farther than just that action. I wasn't going to do that to either of them. So I rented an SUV, packed her up, and headed for New York.

I hadn't gone 30 miles when Mischka vomited. I pulled over at a roadside rest, and placed her flexi-lead over a pole that was nearby while I cleaned up her crate. People kept stopping.... never getting out of their vehicles, but I could see the look of shock on their faces. I'm surprised the highway patrol didn't stop by to see if I was abandoning her there or not..... she was a mess by now, and I'm sure a few folks were on their cellphones. People mean well... they just don't bother getting the whole story, usually. But back in the SUV she went, and once again, we were on our way. Into the road construction where it is impossible to pull over..... And she vomited. Again. And again. And again...... And again.....

I finally managed to pull over near the Perkins in Ashland. She had planted herself and wasn't going to move for anything.... I could see the fear in her eyes. I tried to clean up her crate, but she wouldn't budge. The only humane thing left to do was to return home, but that would mean turning away from the one place I felt could help her. I thought for a few moments... looked into her scared eyes.... and headed for home. That's when I realized I wasn't feeling well either. And it dawned on me..... carbon monoxide. It affects animals faster, and I was not feeling well at all either. So much for my belief that a new 2003 Explorer would be safer than my own vehicle.

Karen and I talked, and I could see the tears in her eyes. But by now, it was late. Leaving would mean I'd have to drive all night, and turn around to drive back with no rest. Karen understood..... but I knew it had to be done. So I loaded up my old conversion van that doesn't even have a spare tire, loaded two crates into it, and decided to take a companion for Mischka, so she wouldn't be alone on the trip. Then off we went, into the night.

About halfway through Pennsylvania, it began to snow. Increasing in intensity, until visibility was becoming rough. Then clouds, fog, or whatever it was began to form, and I had to try and stay up with the trucks so I could follow their lights. Finally, the day began to dawn, and I saw the sign saying "Welcome to New York". I looked at all the marsh land, and could have easily thought I was back in Louisiana. I continued to Pets Alive, and pulled into their driveway. It was 6am. I shut my eyes, thinking I would at least get a couple of hours worth of rest.......

What a silly thought that was! I should have realized that in order to feed and care for that many animals, people would have to be up early. My phone rang. It was Sara Whalen, director of Pets Alive. "Where are you?" she asked. "In your driveway..." She would be there in 10 minutes. The day was about to begin...... so I let Mischka and friend out to stretch their legs (on flexi-leads, of course).

Sara escorted me back to the main building, where I met Mischka's new playmate. He was also about 10 months of age, and just the most silly, sweet guy I've ever seen. From there, I got the tour of the grounds. Carriage horses that were retired and would have been destroyed. Horses that were going to be slaughtered. Cats that had been nursed back to health. Even a group of cows that know their names.... I wondered if this was how Dr. Dolittle felt when he talked with the animals. So friendly... so well cared for. And most important: They all seemed very happy.

I got the chance to meet some of the staff as they went about their assignments, and the more I saw, the better I felt about leaving Mischka here. Then came the time to introduce Mischka to her new home. She took to her surroundings quickly, and she genuinely liked Sara. I packed up the Samoyed companion, and after Sara loaded my van with fresh farm eggs, off I went. Sad, but happy at the same time.

Mother Nature decided I hadn't been stressed out enough, though. By the time I arrived in Pennsylvania, it was snowing again. I was so tired that road signs looked like a cluster, not just one. But I was determined to get home as soon as I could, because I absolutely had to be to work the next day. Road signs in the mountains began flashing "Winter Storm Warning" messages. The snow was increasing. Winds picked up. I fought to stay alert. A few drivers were not so careful, and ended up in nasty crashes. 3 times, the road was delayed due to accidents up in the mountains. But finally, I managed to arrive home. I slept soundly, with the Samoyed rescue pup curled up on my feet.

This week, I've finalized the adoption of one rescue, and will be placing 3 more. Then there is the IX Center event over the weekend. I guess you could say life is getting back to normal. But we will always remember Mischka, and fondly recall the lessons she taught us.

Have a beautiful life, dear Mischka. Maybe we can visit you again in the Spring.

Jay & Karen
Central Ohio Samoyed Rescue