Farewell Hudson

Our beautiful Hudson was 16 but even 16 years never feels like enough time.   The heat of this year was too much compounded by his age and failing hind quarters.  He laid down where his brother had lain in January of 2015 and prepared to leave this land.  To avoid prolonged suffering our vet came to him and helped him cross over mid-afternoon on August 11, 2016.   Even the skies broke with thunder and a brief respite of rain as our Hudson laid down his burdens and passed on to be with his brothers.

Hudson was born at the sanctuary and helped his brothers as they ruled their pack with strength and understanding.  Leaving the alpha and beta responsibilities to his brothers Murphy and Winston, Hudson focused on strengthening the bonds between his family members and was ever ready to protect and defend them at all costs.

As he aged, Hudson became a respected elder and even after his brothers had passed on, he still retained a high rank during meal times and occasional disputes.  He could be seen right alongside Lincoln, given uncontested preference for the choicest parts of the meal.

His pack always showed him respect.  When the howl would begin, his family would gather around him in a circle, requesting permission to join in with excited wagging tails as they kissed up to his lower jaw.

Hudson’s pack stayed with him until the very end, especially his nephew Lenape who had a particularly strong bond with his older uncle.  Being a lower-ranked member of the pack, Lenape had looked to Hudson for guidance and reassurance.  Lenape and all of the members of the Big Pack will greatly miss their wise and noble elder.

To Hudson:

“Named for the river that flows from Lake Tear of the Clouds in the Adirondack Mountains to Manhattan New York.  Born here, you grew with your family, never having to be separated from those you love.  You lived your life in the same majestic style of that mighty river.  Calm and serene, even tempered and at times tempest and fierce but never hateful.  You were an elder in your pack.  Always respected.  Hudson of the Big Pack!  In my mind’s eye I remember the first time I saw you.  Beautifully stoic in your stance, yes even as a puppy.  You seamed to look upon your world through a unique and philosophic gaze.  How you cared for all in your pack.  Not the Alpha, you were their sentinel and their elder.  The young would depend upon you to teach them and how you did that with such grace and dignity. How I will miss your bear-like looks and your steadfast way.  Always there when I would walk the grounds and you would listen when I cried.  You were always there for me too.  You would tilt your head and look at me and somehow that made me feel better. I always thought you the most beautiful in the park.  I will miss you, we will all miss you.  I know you are at peace and there is no more pain.  I understand that, I just wish I could explain it to my heart. 
Hudson, all that have met you through the years are better for having known you.  We all love you.  I will listen for your howl in the winds.  Run free with those that have gone before.”

May you have peace now, Hudson, and know that we will all remember your honorable and dignified presence.

   

IN LOVING MEMORY HUDSON OF SPEEDWELL

February 15, 2000 – August 11, 2016

Farewell Jerico

Tempestuous heat and humidity worthy of the tropics filled the air this August and brought with them an air of sadness.  Jerico passed naturally in early morning August 11, 2016.  We never knew his birthday, but estimated him to be somewhere between 12 to 14 years of age when he arrived here two years ago.

Jerico had tread a difficult path before coming to the sanctuary.  He spent many years in a small concrete area with the sounds and smells of dozens of other animals.  His living conditions affected his health, as tumors grew on his hind quarters and there were problems with his teeth which can be particularly damaging for a wolf.  Our vets worked quickly when he arrived and brought him back to health so that he could move to his own territory and meet his new pack-mate Sophie.

Sophie and Jerico quickly became a well-loved sanctuary pair.  Sophie brightened up his days and gave him over two years of happiness in a beautiful forest home.  The two spent all their days together, in the snow, sun, and shade.  Jerico always held himself with a graceful poise.  If volunteers came to clean his water buckets or brought guests up for a tour, he would politely come to the fence for a brief greeting until retiring again with Sophie into the shade of their woods.

To Jerico:

“You came to us April 2014 from St Clair New York.  There was a sadness in your eyes.  Your health was hindered by several tumors on your rump and rear.  We quickly got you to the vet for surgery and the next day you came home to us. Your new forever home awaited you with trees and flowing grasses and Sophie- a she-wolf also from New York.  You two hit it off immediately, and it wasn’t long before you were acting like an old married couple.  Your sad eyes went away, replaced by a mischievous smile.  You had this somber way about you.  Always quick to kiss a hand if offered.  A beautiful yet quiet howl.  I will miss you Jerico.  I imagine you met Hudson on your way to the hunting grounds.  Now both of you are running free.  Young again and full of wild abandon.  While you did not stay with us for many years, I am happy to have met you and I am happy to have been able to have given you a home free from worries.”  

Rest easy Jerico, your life and character will not be forgotten.

.      IN LOVING MEMORY JERICO OF SPEEDWELL

Born: est. 2000 – Rescued: May 10, 2014 -- Died: August 11, 2016