"It was never my intention to have a Sanctuary for Wolves and Wolf-dogs. However, my experience is that there are
no accidents, and even coincidences may be best described as situations in which God chooses to remain anonymous."

Our Sanctuary

:Wolf Tributes

Prior to her arrival at St. Francis Wolf Sanctuary, Spirit was training as a narcotics dog working with the police force to sniff out drugs. Spirit could perform this task with ease as long as she did not have to give the retrieved drugs back. She didn’t quite make the cut with this playful attitude and was sent to a wolf sanctuary to live out her days. Spirit then came to St. Francis in 2003. She came with her companion, Yukon. Due to the closure of a wolf rescue facility, the U.S.D.A. and experienced wolf volunteers sought placement for approximately fifteen wolves who needed new homes. St. Francis Wolf Sanctuary was contacted as a safe and reliable place to serve some of these wolves.

Spirit’s name is very fitting because of her constant ability to keep hope alive. She has had very severe bouts with allergies to the point where she was losing fur and her eyes were nearly shut with mucus. She nearly gave up but with the love of the volunteers and supporters here at St. Francis Wolf Sanctuary, Spirit has held on and persevered. She is a very small wolf with a large heart. With her ‘spirit’ and the constant affection she received, she has almost fully recovered. She seems to wake up every day with a desire to make the world around her light up and she succeeds!

update September 2010:

For those of you who don't already know, it is with great sadness and grief that I bring you news of our little Spirit's passing. She had a very long life and, as best we can guess, she had to be at least 15 years old, if not a little older.

I know she was one of the sweetest and wisest animals I have ever had the privilege of having in my life. Spirit was aptly named as she possessed such a wonderful one. You could look into her eyes and get lost as she looked right back into you, and you could feel her reaching to the very depths of your soul and she knew you. And what's more, with all the faults she must have seen, she loved you. Her spirit reminded me very much of Grandmother's (Timbre's) - for those of you who knew her.

I know that we shall feel her presence for a long time to come as I am also sure she will continue to watch over her Luke. I went to visit him after Spirit's passing last night and he welcomed some petting and consoling, and then just leaned against me for about ten minutes - asking for some hugging and loving - needed a little reassurance I'm sure. But, as we've learned with these magnificent creatures, he will grieve for awhile - and needs to be allowed to - and then he will be all right.

Though my heart aches, I am consoled by the knowledge that Spirit is now frolicking, leaping and trotting along with her beloved Yukon - with clean ears and bright, clear eyes, while sporting a wonderfully fluffy fur coat that covers her entire body! :) I am also sure she is being welcomed by all the others that have gone befor her: Timbre, Wacipi, Bianca, and of course, Khan. Just think of all of them together - what a magnificent pack!

For any of you who would like to visit her, Spirit has been laid to rest near her long-time companion, Yukon, and Grandmother. I will cherish my memories of her along with the others that have passed on, and I will miss her terribly as we all will.

With love and sympathies overflowing to you all for this loss to the sanctuary and to us all,

Janet