Wednesday, March 21, 2007

Yesterday afternoon, we lost Vangogh. Vangogh was an old wolf-dog. During his long life at our Sanctuary, he’s had many health problems, including obesity. Many diets were tried in an effort to help him lose weight, but unfortunately, nothing seemed to help.
He, however, did seem to be a fairly chipper fellow, and was a well-known character around the Sanctuary and among our members. Named for his one floppy ear, and combined with his plump “tub on legs” appearance, he was an easily recognized face. His antics, such as chasing (think: waddling) his caretakers around his enclosure each morning, kept everyone entertained, and gave volunteers something to look forward to in the morning.
It was only the day before his passing that Vangogh showed signs that he was not feeling well. Unfortunately, with some of our animals, it seems the dying process can take days, weeks, even months in some cases. If nothing else, it was certainly relieving to know that Vangogh when peacefully and quickly.

Left behind, however, is Waya. Waya & Vangogh had each had one previous mate prior to one another, however, the two had been together for many years. While there’s was never an extremely affectionate relationship, after his passing, Waya is certainly showing signs of stress.
It is difficult to say, a lot of the time, especially with shyer animals such as Waya, what it is they may be feeling. With her, I feel as though she is mostly concerned as to what happens to her now. I can only imagine the stress, confusion & concern of an animal who has been here as many years as Waya and never felt comfortable with humans. She has seen a previous mate and other animals pass away around her many times. She has moved enclosures, been introduced to a new fellow, and watched all kinds of changes happen throughout her years with us.
I wonder, is she concerned that she, too will pass away shortly? Is she afraid that we will move her to a place she is not as comfortable? Does she fear an introduction to an animal that she doesn’t want to spend the rest of her days with? Or, perhaps, she is truly in mourning for Vangogh.
Waya has always been a mystery animal to me. She is quite shy, and when many people are around, she spends most of her time pacing the enclosure boundaries. When a person is alone with her, however, she will stealthily sneak up and scent roll on their back side as long as they hold still – sometimes so fiercely a person feels as though they may fall over! Is she so intensely curious that it overrides her fear?
With such curiosity in little things, I imagine her curiosity in the absence of her mate and her own future must be overwhelming.
I don’t know what Waya’s future is, at this point. She, herself, is an older wolf-dog, and to place her with another animal would be difficult at best. She may spend the rest of her days alone. On one hand, I think this may be just as she wishes it. On the other, my own curiosity overwhelms me.