He didn't blink as we approached the fire engine
By Jennifer Stoeckl, MAT - Dire Wolf Project CEO, Aug. 22, 2024
A few days ago, I received an email from an American Dirus dog owner asking if her dog had a wolf mask.
Her handsome boy, Finn, comes from the Mr. Rogers Litter (Essex/Meriwether); one of my favorite litters of all time.
Maggie (one of our beautiful females here at Dire Wolf Project headquarters) is the one we kept from this litter.
(FYI: Cookie Monster and Clementine have the exact same parents from a different litter.)
I still remember the thrill of finding that “wolf mask” gene in the breed hiding in the recessive all these years!
Well, as you probably know, we DNA test each and every dog born into the Dire Wolf Project.
We do this for various reasons, but one of them is to keep an eye on the recessive traits that still linger in the breed from the myriad crossbreeding throughout the years.
The wolf mask was one such recessive being passed down generation from generation.
We actually found the wolf mask gene before any other DNA testing facility formally identified it.
Pretty cool, huh?!
Wisdom Panel now distinguishes the gene, but Embark still hasn’t officially identified it.
They continue to lump the wolf mask in with the recessive ancient white mask gene (eA) that is so distinctive to the Alaskan Malamute and the Siberian Husky.
When I checked Finn’s DNA, sure enough… he shows the wolf mask!
I guess his family had a little bet going, because this is the response I received.
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“You’ve no idea the satisfaction I felt when I marched over to [my husband] and said ‘I WAS RIGHT!!’ I’ve thought for a long time Finn had a wolf mask but I kept forgetting to ask you about it. I think it adds to his grandeur. He truly is such a looker. I can’t tell you how many people say to me ‘I can’t stop looking at him he’s so beautiful!’ I believe them because I’m one of them.
“A couple of weeks ago there was a fire engine at the Korean restaurant next to our glass shop…they were having trouble with a fire alarm. I decided to take Finn out to see the fire engine. I love exposing him to new things. He’s been fearless with all the loud noises in the shop…drills and saws. We have large trucks out in the parking lot daily. Nothing bothers him. He didn’t even blink as we approached the fire engine. The driver, an adorable young woman, popped her head out the window excitedly and asked if she could pet the dog. I was thrilled. ‘YES…of course!’ Georgia, the driver, was originally from New Zealand…she had the loveliest accent. Georgia fell instantly in love with Finn. When her partners exited the restaurant, in full firemen gear, they all had a lovefest sitting with Finn on the ground. Mr. Finn was in his glory, licking them and sitting between them like he was one of them. Of course my phone was back at the shop so I was unable to get a photo. I simply reveled in the moment, watching Finn enjoying life. I gave Georgia info about the Dire Wolf Project, and you in particular Jennifer, after she repeatedly said she’d love to have a dog like Finn.
“I hope you have a great day!!”
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How fun!
What a looker, too, right?!
Well, Finn’s brother, Cookie Monster, is about to have puppies arrive any day now.
and
I can’t wait to meet them!
Jay returns from the latest DireWolf Express trip TONIGHT, then it’s all about the upcoming litters for the start of the fall season.
We’ll be busily prepared their whelping spaces for the big day to arrive.
So, here’s what you should do next.
If you are on the waiting list, simply reply to this email to let us know you want to go active for this litter.
If you have been approved for puppy adoption from the Dire Wolf Project, but haven’t yet put down your $600 non-refundable deposit to get on the waiting list, do so now and we’ll get your name on the list and star you as active.
If you have not yet been approved for puppy adoption from the Dire Wolf Project, click the link below to get started:
https://direwolfproject.com/puppy-application/
Jennifer Stoeckl is the co-founder of the Dire Wolf Project, founder of the DireWolf Guardians American Dirus Dog Training Program, and owner/operator of DireWolf Dogs of Vallecito. She lives in the beautiful inland northwest among the Ponderosa pine forests with her pack of American Dirus dogs.