Surprise Switcharoo!
By Jennifer Stoeckl, MAT - Dire Wolf Project CEO, April 21, 2025
Just when we thought the spring winds would carry us gently into the season of new beginnings…
Surprise!
A plot twist worthy of an Ice Age flood burst onto the scene.
As you know, last week, Jay was gearing up to deliver a fresh bundle of fluff from our Cherry Blossom litter to their forever dens all across our great country.
The DireWolf Express was polished and primed.
Our route mapped like ancestral hunting grounds.
But then, word came howling through the grapevine that one of our older, fourth-generation American Alsatian™ dogs needed us.
And not just a little nudge.
He needed a full-blown rescue mission.
Awe… Henry!
Henry—bless his big ol’ sensitive heart.
He is a giant six-year-old silver son of Buck and Sela, born of the founder’s nobility from the Dire Wolf Project’s long line of emotional giants.
Though his massive frame might speak of power,
His soul is made of whispers and stardust.
His first few seasons on Earth weren’t easy.
A terrifying tumble off a vet table as a pup and too many lonely nights tied up alone under the Louisiana stars gave him a wary eye toward sudden movements.
He’s been through more than most ever will.
From bayou breezes and crawdad dinners to aching silence and longing for companionship.
And while this gallant creature had found a measure of peace in his second home.
Now his current momma must work long days away from the den.
Poor Henry!
His emotional radar has gone into overdrive.
He’s worried.
He’s pacing.
He’s... waiting.
And so, just like that—my role has shifted.
Jay, our silent scout, the unwavering backbone of the pack, will now take the reins of our daily updates.
While I hit the trail on a journey we’ve dubbed The Cherry Blossom Trip, Jay will be the voice behind the curtain, sending our dear Inner Circle subscribers updates filled with his poetic musings and dry wit.
He may not bark as loudly as I do, but every member of the pack knows:
Jay is the steady paw guiding this whole endeavor.
For two decades, he’s been beside me.
Through every howl and heartbeat, whelping pen and road trip.
The pups know his touch.
The mamas trust his presence.
And now, you'll get to read his perspective in all its charm.
Meanwhile, I’ll be out on the trail.
Not just delivering wide-eyed pups to their future, but circling back for one who needs me.
I’ll meet Henry soon.
I’ll earn his trust, evaluate his needs, and decide how best to help him write a new chapter.
There’s still half a life left in that boy.
And by the bones of the Ice Age, he deserves a second act drenched in peace and devotion.
That’s the heartbeat of the Dire Wolf Project.
Not just the birthing of countless litters.
Not just the tracking of bloodlines and the shaping of future companions.
But the sacred promise to each pup that we will never leave you in need.
No matter the years.
No matter the twists.
Once you are born into our pack, you're part of the family until your final breath.
So, stay tuned, dear packmates.
Watch your inboxes for Jay’s tales from the den.
And if you’re curious where I’m roaming on this latest adventure—delivering joy, forging bonds, and cradling the soul of a wounded one—follow “Jennifer Stoeckl” on the free PolarSteps app.
https://direwolfproject.com/direwolf-dogs/direwolf-express/direwolf-express-tracking/
The Cherry Blossom Trip is already blossoming.
We’ve got the cutest puppies to deliver.
And Stanley’s going to his new furever home!
So now let’s make Henry’s next life the one he always deserved.
Because here at the Dire Wolf Project, we never forget our own.
And don’t forget…
It’s MOVIE MONDAY!!
This week we feature young Alice in her first ever film debut.
She’s adorable… she’s loving… she’s a beauty…
But she’s also an ONLY CHILD!
Learn how things drastically change at the Dire Wolf Project when raising a singleton puppy.
And for the next two weeks, I’ll see you on the road!
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.