Rescue wolfdog has heartwarming response to new human friend
Rescue wolfdog has heartwarming response to new human friend
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00:00 Cassian was at risk of being euthanized.
00:02 He had health issues.
00:03 He was very shy, wasn't social.
00:06 It's okay, Cass.
00:07 I'm Katie from Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary, and this is Cassian's story for GeoBeats.
00:12 We take in animals that need a safe place to live out the rest of their days.
00:16 Hi.
00:17 Cassian and five other animals needed rescue in March of 2023.
00:21 We were notified of a situation in Pennsylvania.
00:24 Former owner was no longer able to provide care for them.
00:27 It was clear they weren't being taken care of really at all as their owner's health began failing.
00:32 This was an incredibly sensitive situation because Pennsylvania is a state where wolves
00:37 and wolfdog private ownership is completely illegal.
00:40 Had this owner passed away before the animals obtained a safe place to go,
00:46 they all would have been euthanized on the spot due to their illegality.
00:50 We ended up driving all the way to Pennsylvania to bring him to New Mexico.
00:54 It was over 20 hours of driving just one way.
00:58 When Cassian first arrived, he and his companion, Nesta, were very shy and anxious.
01:03 He was completely hands off.
01:05 He had eye issues.
01:06 At two years old, an animal should be able to see completely, but he's unable to.
01:11 Hi, kid.
01:11 Come here. It's okay.
01:14 It's really hard for the animals when they first get here, especially because a majority of them,
01:19 like Cassian, come from situations where they weren't well taken care of.
01:23 (howling)
01:25 Kiss.
01:29 So when they get to this new environment where they have a lot more space,
01:33 a lot more animals around them, and then new and different interactions with people,
01:37 it can take them a while to adjust.
01:39 Cassian gradually started becoming friends with caretakers.
01:44 It's a boy.
01:49 Come here.
01:52 He's actually evolved into a really social and sweet animal.
01:55 Cassian is a high content wolf dog.
02:02 Wolf dogs are anywhere from 85% gray wolf to 99.9% gray wolf.
02:09 Oh, did you pause it?
02:15 We are not entirely sure about Cassian's eyes at this point.
02:18 They've been evaluated and he isn't able to see 100%,
02:22 but he seems to be doing well.
02:24 If people are interested in wolf dogs,
02:27 I like to say they're a hybrid between a toddler and a shark.
02:30 Imagine spending your life with a three-year-old for 20 years
02:34 that has very, very sharp teeth and strong opinions.
02:37 Cassian is a bit of an enigma when it comes to wolf dogs.
02:40 He's a very affectionate animal.
02:42 He absolutely adores giving face kisses,
02:45 but that's certainly not the case for all of our animals here.
02:49 Cassian and Nesta are a really wonderful pair.
02:52 Nesta's still really shy, but she likes to follow Cassian around.
02:56 So when Cassian comes to say hello to his people,
02:59 she'll typically be right behind him.
03:02 Good job, buddy.
03:03 We actually gave Cassian and Nesta a puppy a few months ago
03:07 when we rescued several puppies,
03:08 and they immediately stepped into the parenthood role completely natural.
03:12 Cassian regurgitated his breakfast for her,
03:15 which sounds a little gross,
03:17 but in the wild, that is what parents and elder wolves will do for their puppies
03:21 before they start going on hunts to make sure they're able to survive.
03:24 It was just a really amazing thing to see and something we've never seen before.
03:28 Most of our wolves and wolf dogs here are very noisy.
03:31 They don't howl at the moon, which is one of those myths,
03:34 but if there is anything interesting going on at the sanctuary,
03:37 we say they like to tattle-tale and gossip.
03:39 So the whole sanctuary will start howling.
03:46 Cassian's howl, even though he's a large, tall animal,
03:50 is actually very light and dainty.
03:52 Yeah, I see you howling.
03:53 Several of the females we rescued alongside him
03:56 have deeper, louder howls than he does,
03:59 but that goes along with his very gentle, soft presence.
04:02 Handsome is not a word that a lot of people
04:05 in the wolf and wolf dog community would use for Cassian.
04:08 I think he's gorgeous. We love him.
04:10 Handsome man.
04:11 We certainly do tease him about looking like a llama more than a wolf.
04:16 It's almost impossible to describe how it makes me feel
04:20 that Cassian allows us to have a relationship
04:22 and trust me as a human near him.
04:25 Don't eat it.
04:25 He came from a situation that was not ideal,
04:28 and he has every reason in the world to not like people,
04:31 but he still wants friends and he still wants to give love.
04:34 And our hearts can't handle it because it's just so sweet
04:38 and so rewarding to see that the work that we're doing here
04:41 enables these animals to heal from their trauma
04:44 and live their best lives.
04:46 (howls)
04:51 (howls)
04:56 (gentle music)