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JunryouOkami — Lakota Boy

Published: 2008-05-15 22:12:32 +0000 UTC; Views: 821; Favourites: 22; Downloads: 0
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Description This omega ham is known to all at the sanctuary as "Lakota Boy". It is so hard to capture a good photo of him, since he constantly moves from person to person, looking for attention (in most cases, someone to scratch his behind).

Here is Lakota's story:

"Lakota was given the nickname "Lakota Boy" to differentiate him from another animal at WOLF, named Lakotah Sioux. He was approximately one year old when his people decided to move from Oklahoma to Colorado. At the request of his owners, their neighbors agreed to care for him for approximately one month. Supposedly, this was so Lakota’s owners could move and find a place where Lakota could live with them. As is the case with numerous wolf-dogs, his owners deserted Lakota, and the neighbors were in custody of an animal that they never had any intention of having.

Lakota was luckier than most wolf-dogs. He was left in the care of a mother and daughter who felt a responsibility to this animal, kept him and cared for him. Things were going well for Lakota, he had a home with two loving people, but, as often the case with wolf-dogs, Lakota was an escape artist. Houdini would have been proud of Lakota’s abilities.

Lakota was kept in the backyard and he was happy there. Then, one day, he discovered a small vent into the crawl space of the home. Digging at the vent, he worked it until at last it popped out. Lakota bit and dug at the hole until he was able to squeeze through and into the crawl space. Now, let me tell you that most animals would have probably been confused, but wolf-dogs learn from new experiences, and Lakota was no exception. Finding another vent across the other side of the house, Lakota immediately started working on that one. Within a short period of time, Lakota was free! Free of the confining yard and the crawl space, free to roam the neighborhood and discover all kinds of new and wonderful things, including new animals, trash-cans, gardens, and, of course, people. Lakota was having a great time, but the neighbors didn’t appreciate his explorations. The police were called, and Lakota was picked up by the local humane society. The two ladies that were caring for him were told to place him at a rescue or destroy him. It turned out that, like many wolf-dog owners, they had purchased the animal unaware of the fact that their local jurisdiction had an ordinance against the ownership of wolves and wolf-dogs. No matter what, Lakota was to get out of town.

After significant searching and perseverance, the ladies contacted WOLF. Arrangements were made for Lakota to be driven to the sanctuary by his current caretakers.

Lakota is supposedly a German Shepherd mix, and it was decided he would be placed in the same run as Sami and Kenai. Lakota had been raised by humans from a very early age, and therefore had absolutely no wolf manners. When puppies are left with their mothers or packs, they are taught appropriate behavior within that pack environment. Kenai and Sami immediately went to work teaching Lakota how to behave as a wolf should. With an extraordinary energy level, it takes both Sami and Kenai to keep him in line. Lakota still lives with Kenai and Sami, but occasionally he must be reminded of his manners."

You can view Lakota Boy's story here: [link]

Lakota is still doing just fine with his pack mates, despite his getting on in years. His favorite thing to do is push his butt in your face and make you scratch it. That is what I was doing as I snapped this picture. Obviously, he was quite pleased.
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Comments: 8

Jezza-Chan [2008-09-15 12:43:28 +0000 UTC]

wow Lakota is beautiful, he is such a lucky boy now xD. when i go to America i must visit these places. i love wolves but i never actually seen one up close...dingoes i have though

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JunryouOkami In reply to Jezza-Chan [2008-09-15 15:14:20 +0000 UTC]

See, I've been to Australia, but I never got to see a dingo up close... ;^; I wanna pet one...

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Jezza-Chan In reply to JunryouOkami [2008-09-16 04:48:56 +0000 UTC]

i know one place that i did workexperience at a few times, its called Marapana Wildlife Park (just near me) they have hands on tour/talk. they have lovely dingoes that they bring out to show tourists for their talk.

thats the best place to get to see one up close and pat them....im not sure of any other places.

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JunryouOkami In reply to Jezza-Chan [2008-09-16 13:24:23 +0000 UTC]

;^; I'll be sure to look it up the nest time I go to Australia (hopefully there will be a next time!)

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the-reader [2008-06-01 01:47:58 +0000 UTC]

It takes some really amazing people to do what the people at the WOLF sanctuary are doing. Kudos to them, and to you as well, for sharing their stories!

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JunryouOkami In reply to the-reader [2008-06-01 17:27:01 +0000 UTC]

Thank you so very much! We appreciate it!

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AcalaRae [2008-05-15 22:16:06 +0000 UTC]

Awe, he was a lucky pup! He looks happy and aged now!

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JunryouOkami In reply to AcalaRae [2008-05-15 22:17:50 +0000 UTC]

That he is! He loves life at the sanctuary!

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