And Then There Was Seven
They say that every story has a format; a beginning, a middle, and an end with a life lesson that everyone can and must benefit from. Easier said than done, right? Well, what people don't fully realize is how unique a story can be if done right. Such is the case of a pack of seven canines (lupines to be precise) of unusual backgrounds to come into a world not like their own, and in turn help create something of their own: a bridge of understanding.
As it all goes, it began on sunny midsummer day in June. Upon a little clearing in a forested part of Montana we find a little and humble wolf sanctuary named 'Haus der Wölfe' (German for House if Wolves). Owned by a lovely couple who had much interest in preserving the species, this sanctuary was just staring out with three wolves: Meika, a beautiful female Artic wolf; Achak, a gray wolf; and Elda, a large Canadian Timber wolf.
Staying with the husband and wife was their 'kid' Duke, a wolf-dog they took in after a family couldn't handle his wolf side anymore. Where he lost a home he gained a new one, a better one. Though it was first rough trying to get acquainted with his lupine brethren, they in time warmed up to him. He may have enjoyed running with them and learning to hunt with them, but he still had his inner dog and loved to cuddle with his adoptive furless parents and looked forward to them visiting his pen. During the times before and after he arrived at the sanctuary, he acquired an approximate amount of logic and knowledge from his owners by listening and watching all that he could.
Upon a particular day of play, the four wolves caught ear of a truck coming up near the main gate. They all came up near the visiting area to see what the commotion was. The previous three had seen this truck before. It was green with words spelled out 'DNR' and it was backing up towards the gate. The back of the vehicle opened out came three new wolves one at a time: an Eastern wolf, a red wolf and an Arabian wolf that seemed like a dwarf to the other two. While the Eastern wolf was eager and hopped off, the other two were unsure of their new home. After some coaxing, the two eventually got off the truck.
Soon the three newcomers were greeted by Duke who took it upon himself to be the mediator for today. "Hiya fellas. Welcome to Casa de Lupine or simply just home. I'm Duke and who are you fellas?"
The first to step forward was the Eastern wolf who spoke with confidence and a slight southern accent. "Howdy and salutations, my hombre. The name's Colt, I came here from ol' Mississippi from another preserve."
The next was the red wolf. He too had a slight southern drawl. "The name's Radolf, just came here from a nature preserve along the two Carolinas." And then finally at last, there was the Arabian wolf. "H-h-hi. Boris is who I am. I'm not from any reserve or preservation. I'm actually...well was formerly a pet."
"Get out of here! You were some humans' pet?" Colt exclaimed. "Shoot! I bet you never had taste, if not, a mere nibble of the slice of life we wolves have."
"Probably for good reason," said Radolf. "What happened, did you get flirty with neighbors' dog or something?"
"No! No! Nothing like that honest!" Borris panicked, his ears folded back and his tail between his legs. "I guess...they just didn't want me."
"It's nothing to judge you on, Borris," said Duke. "I was fine at my previous home until they decided to send me here. I believe they said something about me being too big, but anyways let's get you guys introduced to the other two here."
"And who they be exactly?" asked Colt, his tail wagging in hopeful happiness.
"You'll see. Follow me, gentlemen." As the owners opened up the gate to the main part of the sanctuary, the wolves led by Duke explored the vast spacious acres of forest with pines erect like solitary guardians. They all took in the smell of fresh pine sap leaking from bits and parts of the trees. After a bit of trotting, they finally came across his three other friends. "Achak, Meika, Elda meet Colt, Borris and Radolf."
The wolves all exchanged greetings with each other as normal wolves do, as Colt was trying to make moves on Meika. "Well hello beautiful. What brings a pretty little snow angel like you to a nice outfit like this?," he said flirting with her.
"Just well and fine, thank you," she replied, accepting his flirting with ease. Unnerved, she turned to the small Arabian wolf. "So who brought the coyote in here?"
"Actually ma'am, I am a wolf; an Arabian wolf to be precise." Borris said nervously. He had his head lowered in a show of submission hoping that the three wolves would be friendly with him. Her eyes softened as she greeted him.
"I do apologize Borris. I've just never seen a wolf so little," said Meika.
(Little known fact: Coyotes stand at 21-24 inches tall at the shoulder, while wolves grow to 26-32 inches tall. Arabian wolves stand on average 25–26 inches (64–66 cm) at shoulder height. Talk about being an in-between)
"Neither have I," said Achak who padded on over with Elda. He had a bit of a scar along his cheek. "You could have been easily mistaken for one."
"It's not a big deal really," said Borris, still acting a bit shy. "I guess I'm not all that accustomed to the outdoor life just as much."
"You'll get pretty use to it," said Elda towering over Borris like he was a young cub. "The three of us were relocated from our homes here. Weren't too sure what to make of it at first, but we got comfortable once we got settled in. This place is kind of the same as any other forest. Just with some slight differences."
"What kind of differences?"
"Like wired fencing for one thing." Radolf spoke out. "To try to keep any unwanted humans from hunting us or taking us, well so said the human that I was left with."
"So far, we haven't had any trouble like that here," said Achak. "Just peaceful living hunting prey, simple life for wolves like us. The humans that care for us aren't so bad either."
"Humans? Here?," asked Borris, nervous just from his past experience with humans.
"Don't worry Borris." Meika reassured him. "There are only two here but so far they've been the best as far as we're concerned."
"If you say so darlin'," said Colt. "So what exactly we got here in terms of food?"
"Well, we got the occasional moose we often track down," said Duke. "Several various small critters too but mostly deer. In fact, it's almost about time for a hunt. You three game?"
"Sure," barked Colt enthusiastically.
"As long as we're all pitching in," replied Radolf.
"Borris, how about you?" Duke asked Borris who picked his tail up a bit.
"Well...I suppose I can give it a go."
"Don't worry little buddy," said Elda as he nudged the little wolf. "It'll be fun I promise. We'll think of something for you to do."
Hesitant for a moment, Borris reluctantly agreed and all seven took off on the hunt for food as one pack.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone