A Touching Reply to Jenn's Letter

I know, I know. Long time, no hear! And where have we all been?

I had been working a long season with the American Empress, a smaller version of the American Queen only this one floats up and down the Columbia. I was driving a large Prevost motor coach for the guests of that riverboat.

Many of you know that Jennifer has taken leave for about three weeks. She may be able to write to you at some of the port stops, but for now, has left the fort for me to hold down in her absence. On her trip, she’s taken with her Vlad, Trixie, and Gladys. Safe travels Jennifer!

She asked me to finish up on yesterday’s subject about our wolf knockoff program. It amazes me how kind a person can be until you oppose them and their real demons come out. I want to share with you a response Jenn received right away to yesterday’s article that articulates how alike our Dire Wolf community can be in relation to us.

I’m not going to share with you this person’s complete letter, just the part that’s relevant. Here goes:

Good for you on standing your ground, Jenn!

Before I neutered Lestat (Captain), an acquaintance of mine and his girlfriend wanted me to breed him with their wolf hybrid (I think they said she was 90% wolf; the poor girl lives on a chain in their yard because she’d jump over their fence). I, of course, told them no and that part of the agreement in acquiring Lestat was to not breed him.

Lestat is doing amazing and is a big, snuggly, happy, lovable dog who is 120 lbs of lapdog. Everyone loves him, asks questions, and slows their cars down to look at him as they drive by. He’s so handsome, majestic, mysterious, and strong that all of the female dogs in our apartment complex swoon over him when they see him. He is so special! He’s very gentle with smaller dogs and children, and is naturally very mindful around people with injuries such as broken ankles, elderly people using canes, etc. He actively chooses to give up his food to offer it to my partner’s sister’s senior dog when he visites, and snuggles with her to keep her frail old body warm.

I share this portion of his letter with you, because like so many of you whom I share this with, this owner gets it. The letter goes on to describe how a neighbor’s German Shepherd dog showed some aggression to Lestat who showed no aggression in return. Instead, this dog utilized his size and weight advantage and pushed the shepherd off the sidewalk with little effort.

In light of the horror stories Jennifer has been sharing with you these past few weeks, our dogs are an intense contrast. Which means WE are all in contrast to the hybrid wolf owner who feigned sincerity, but like the hybrid wolf, turned and snarled!

Guess who the smart ones are! The owner of Lestat, I believe, speaks for all of us. It could have been any one of you replying to Jennifer with your own tale. We all have them—a proud moment when our American Dirus impressed us beyond our expectations.

If God created dogs to be the greatest companions to human beings, He created the American Dirus to be the greatest of great canine companions. Ours are the lambs in wolf’s clothing!

So, hats off to all of you. You found us. Most of you proudly own one of our amazing dogs. With that, you always share in a unique and incredible belonging. And if you are new to our inner circle, welcome! Your dog may be coming your way before you know it.

Jennifer is already in the middle of Montana. You can follow her in real time using the free tracking app we use:

https://direwolfproject.com/direwolf-dogs/direwolf-express/direwolf-express-tracking/

In tomorrow’s letter, I plan to catch you all up on the newborn puppies, Jenn’s progress cross-country, and my ongoing work toward readying the dogs against the impending winter cold.

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.