The Faithful Wolf

It was with sadness that I read in the June [2002] issue of the Newsletter about the hunter and his two sons who searched for a wolf. Having found her they killed her and the two cubs she had been protecting.

This did not seem to be a case of self defence - but hunting in order to kill. It is a form of blood sport which is cruel. I am well aware that wild animals are dangerous; but there are always two sides to a coin as the following true story will show.

I read recently of a wolf who had been very badly wounded. He found his way to a ranch where he sought refuge in the hollow of an old oak tree which was near the house. Mary, the three year old child of the house found him, gave him bowls of water and cradled his head on her small lap.

Her mother and one of the hands came to see him; they did not kill him but sent for the veterinary surgeon who injected him to deaden the pain. He returned the following day and operated on his shattered hip. Ralf, as Mary named him, recovered but was lame for four months. He was devoted to Mary and they went for short walks.

Ralf was sad on the day the bus came to take Mary to school. He lay in the yard till the bus returned and Mary came out. Great was his joy. He lay in the yard like that all the years of her school life. He and Mary were inseparable When they were both 15 years of age, he returned from one of his spells away - again wounded but not so seriously as when he was a young wolf. He did not recover and was buried in one of the fields. Mary missed him as she would have missed a faithful dog. He had however, brought one of his cubs to the ranch where he had been loved and cared for. There the cub grew up in safety.

To my mind - this is a TRUE heart-warming story - a story I will never forget.

Author: V.M.G.C.
Issue 266 - July 2002