In Memory of Willie and Waylon

Willie and Waylon

Today’s Inner Circle newsletter portrays a sort of “passing of the guard.”

I recently felt a tear in my heart when I received the news.

That’s because this even signifies an end of an era.

A time when my naive younger self felt a high enthusiasm for the road ahead.

Lois had just introduced the breed’s first Labrador Retriever mix cross, Princess, into the breed.

And I was there at Lois’s home to birth those babies into the world.

You see, this was one of those times when two females were birthing puppies on the same exact day.

Lois was laying on a mattress on the floor next to the newborns in the living room, trying to get as much sleep as she could before the puppies woke her.

And I was in the back room, up through the night, delivering the colorful litter from the excellent-tempered Princess.

She didn’t know me from Adam.

But she trusted me to guide her and help her with her new little ones.

I remember this litter specifically because one of the puppies, a black female, was born with a serious birth defect that allowed her to live only a few minutes after birth.

It was the very first time I had experienced such a thing, and the sadness of it affected me greatly for many years afterward.

But there were two very special boys in that litter that went on to have the greatest life.

And today, we celebrate their precious memories.

The following is from a post written by their owner.

In Memory of Willie & Waylon (2014-2026)

We said goodbye to our beloved Willie on January 26, 2026, and then sweet Waylon just 13 weeks later on Monday, on April 24.

Littermates of an F-1 generation, they were born to Princess & Storm on July 24, 2014. Siblings to Huck, Nyomi and others from a very colorful and affectionate litter! We were planning to welcome Waylon home once learning of our time to pick, and decided to take the sole remaining pup, Willie, at the literal last minute, too!--our family's most cherished spontaneous commitment to date! We can't imagine the last 12 years of adventuring as our family grew without these two at our sides, and will always be thankful for the gifts and memories we shared for their blessedly long lives of 11+ years.

Both were suspected to have had hemangiosarcoma. Willie passed suddenly with only minor lack of appetite, decreased energy and urinary incontinence in final months, and Waylon was first diagnosed with heart arrhythmia in February ('26) before we opted out of pursuing more invasive tests to keep him comfortable and calm at home through his final months. He passed peacefully via humane euthanasia on our front porch once he let us know it was time, and was surrounded by our family of 4 and his remaining canine buddy Gravey, all reminding him what a remarkably good good boy he is, always has been, always will be...

No two like these sweet brothers, no dogs like these direwolves of ours. Our family is so grateful for the years we shared with The Outlaws, and it has been a joy to share their life and adventures with you all, too. They'll be forever missed...

And that, my friends, is why we go through the hardships that come from being a dog breeder.

There are moments in this calling where everything just falls into place as it was meant to be.

These two had the great fortune to have each other their entire long and fulfilling lives.

What a blessing!

And don’t forget, you, too, can experience such a loving bonded relationship.

All you have to do is reach out to me.

I’ll work my matchmaker magic and whip you up the perfect companion blend that’s just right for your family.

Here’s to the Outlaws!

And to all the puppies still looking for their happy ending.

https://direwolfdogs.com/dogs-for-sale/puppies/

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.