A sign reading Free Puppy caught the eye of a young man in Tuscon, Arizona this summer. When he met the gangly, big eared pup he fell in love right away.
The full-time college student named his new friend Neo. Although the pair bonded quickly, there was just something about Neo that seemed a bit…wild.
He was abnormally nervous and skittish, soiling himself every time he rode in the car. Despite his affection for his new dad, Neo avoided all other humans which is quite uncommon for a young excitable pup.
His owner had a full-time job on top of his college course load, so Neo found himself alone in the yard often. He would dig underneath or climb over the fence time and time again in order to play with the neighbor’s dogs. Even a higher fence was no match for Neo – he chewed through it to get to his canine playmates.
The neighbors also noticed Neo’s strange behavior during his frequent visits. He was friendly and playful with their dogs, but cowered away from them, avoiding eye contact and hiding in the bathroom. He even refused to take treats from them – also rare for a rapidly growing puppy.
One day the neighbors became fed up with Neo’s yard hopping. They decided to take him to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona for safe keeping until a solution for his frequent escapes could be found. A staff member instantly noticed that Neo was unique when she saw him loping towards the entrance with the neighbor couple.
She told The Dodo that it wasn’t so much Neo’s appearance with his long legs and intense amber eyes; it was more his behavior. She could see right away that the pup was anxious to avoid all human contact. She approached the couple and confirmed what they had been wondering for weeks – Neo is no domestic dog, he is a high-content wolf-dog.
The helpful Humane Society staff member researched the laws regarding wolf ownership in Arizona and found that only Native Americans and those with a special permit may legally own them. It could even be a liability to allow Neo to stay at the shelter without alerting authorities.
Luckily a wolf-dog rescue center in California called Wolf Connection agreed to take custody of the pup. Neo’s owner struggled with the decision to say goodbye, but ultimately agreed that Wolf Connection was the right choice.
The kind folks at Wolf Connection have rescued more than 50 wolf-dogs like Neo over the past 7 years. They provide them with enriching habitats, proper nutrition, and a pack to call their own. But Wolf Connection is more than just a safe place for wolf-dogs to live out their lives, it is also a youth empowerment program for at risk youth.
Per Cathy Salansky, Lead of Grant Development and Donor Relations:
“Neo is helping young adults learn to heal from their own trauma by hearing about his past, respecting his energy and anxieties, and learning how to give themselves the same patience and empathy that they can give to another being.”
Although Neo’s story has a happy ending, according to Wolf Connection more than 70% of wolf-dog hybrids are euthanized each year because irresponsible, unprepared owners try to keep them as pets.
Even though they may look like dogs, wolves are not meant for life in a home. They are pack animals who need constant company and naturally fear new humans. Keeping a wolf-dog as a pet is illegal or restricted in most states and could be inhumane to the animal.
You can support Wolf Connection’s animal rescue and youth outreach missions by donating here.
H/T to The Dodo
