When the Imagination Runs Wild

Long before Jennifer and I met (approximately 1995 for those of you who are curious), I recall meeting a wolf hybrid. He was owned by a private citizen no different than you and me. I don't have a clear recollection of the meeting, I just remember being amazed by what I was seeing before me.

The wolf dog stood by his master's side, tall and gray, and full of life. His owner was just taking his prize dog out for a walk and I happened upon his path. At least that's how I vaguely remember it.

What I do recall with clarity, though, was the pride this man manifested as he told me about his canine.

"He's half wolf!" he declared.

I stood there in awe of his bounty.

Such a beautiful creature!

What moved me was not the beauty or the animal's majestic presence. It was how the reality of him stirred my imagination. I thought about the Native American traditional tales about Brother Wolf. I thought of the Wolf of Gubbio in the St. Francis story. I thought about myths and legends that span almost all cultures in the northern hemisphere.

The wolf hybrid had captured my heart.
I wanted to have one too.

This is the reaction I think that a lot of people have when they see wolf hybrid dogs or puppies advertised. I believe they share that same experience when they meet one for the first time.

The simple ingredient of wolf in the canine recipe instills something deeper. Our imaginations run wild. We know no one will mess with us with a wolf dog by our side. Perhaps even, we too, will become legendary by default of having a wolf.

Like those who have experienced the downsides of hybrid wolf dogs, I did not understand the reality. I would have purchased one for myself without a second thought. What disturbs me just as much as the reports of people becoming injured is the reality of how long a hybrid wolf lives on average. I hate the thought of a healthy animal being put down by no fault of its own.

The genius behind designing a dog to resemble the prehistoric dire wolf is that a person walking down the street and encountering one of our dogs, can have that same imagination run wild, the same impressions of legend and protection without the dark sides.

This morning I had the task of feeding and walking the dogs. I took the puppies out first. I take them for a short walk and then place myself on a park bench sitting on a small hillside. The puppies like this space, because there are so many things to do in a wooded area.

Most of them will find sticks to chew, run and chase each other, and even explore a bit. Turn by turn, each of them will come up to me. They demand affection both given and received.

The wolf follows a prehistoric instinct. He must remain wild, to bond to their pack, to hunt in order to survive.

Our dogs also follow a prehistoric instinct, but one very different than the wild cousin.

Our dogs' instinct is to the human.

They are fascinated with us.

Their hearts are designed to bond, to show unconditional love, to snuggle and allow us to love them back. We are the center of their universe, the gods of their existence.

From its inception, the Dire Wolf Project has never been just a business.

It was designed to change lives.

For people whose imaginations draw them to the wild, the ancient legends, and the wolf. We offer them the perfect alternative to the wild and unpredictable nature of canis lupis. We give them a forever companion who will wrap their existence around you and you alone.

If you are curious about the truth surrounding wolf dogs, we created a YouTube channel for that purpose.

Here’s the link to subscribe:

https://www.youtube.com/@wolfdogchannel

Remember: The Dire Wolf Project is vehemently opposed to wolf dog breeding and ownership.

That is why the American Dirus dog is:

100% dog, 0% wolf

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.