TEDDY BEAR
FAREWELL TO AN OLD WOLF FRIEND
By, L. Shoemaker

   December 1, 1992.  Once again I find myself saying good-by to an old friend. This is something I guess one never gets used to but I guess this is a blessing. If you grow use to the death of those you love and those that love you, then perhaps you aren't worthy of having that love to begin with. When I reflect on my memories of Teddy I see a very noble, and loving wolf but, more so a very forgiving wolf. Teddy taught me the power of forgiveness. A lesson I hope to never forget.
  Teddy Bear came to us from a terrible roadside zoo where he was abused. It was the desire of this roadside attraction to show people what they had come to see and that was the big bad wolf. Growling and snapping as each person approached him. The spectators would shiver in fear at the site of the vicious wolf.  Then each would go their own way never knowing that the real villain was the one to whom they had paid admissions. Teddy Bear and the other 4 wolves that he lived with were teased and mistreated by the staff that housed them; so when the traveling guests would stop by the poor animals would snap out in fear and most people did not know, or care to know the difference between fear and aggregation would go away satisfied at what they had come to see.
  Teddy Bear alone survived this ordeal to someday find a home with us.
Through love and patience, that only a wolf like Teddy could teach, he began to once again trust humans. He taught us no matter how bad someone has treated us there is always room for forgiveness.
  On September 1st 1992 already blind and about 80% deaf Teddy started experiencing problems with his sinuses. This problem increased until it had turned cancerous. Although treated with medications this problem increased until it had taken its toll on Teddy.
  This morning when I checked on Teddy he came over to me and put his side to the fence so I could pet him. Teddy had not done this since he lost his sight to cataracts. Perhaps it was his way of saying thank you for being there or good-by. This I will never know.  At 10 A.M. I gave Teddy an oral drug to help him sleep. At 12:30 the vet arrived and at 12:47 Teddy left this world to be with the one who created him.
  We left Teddy in with his mate Sung, so perhaps she could understand that the one she loved was no longer here, and just perhaps she could understand he was never coming back. This was a private moment for the two of them, there last moment together. Sung smelled Teddy and then the ground where the animal care staff and the vet had stood. Then she kissed him good-by, then slowly turned and walked away. As I watched this, my thoughts go to Alaska. I cant help but wonder how many times this scene will be repeated, when the wolf kills start in March. How many times!
  It had been customary to place the animal's body into the back of the van to be driving back to our cemetery, for burial.  But for whatever reason this time I needed to carry Teddy out in my arms. With Teddy pressed tightly to my chest slowly I walked him through the compound. The wolves where quite each coming up to the fence of they're enclosures watching me walk by. Staff and guest who never knew Teddy Bear wept as I passed by.
  After his burial, feeling sorry for myself and Sung I walked back down to the compound that housed the wolves.  As I approached the gate still silent the wolves eyes where all on me.  As I open the gate and stepped in all the wolves ran in the opposite direction. They made me laugh it was though they were saying "Oh God he's back for another one" Who knows why they ran. But once again the wolves gave my life a purpose.
     Teddy's old worn out body now lies in our cemetery, but his soul lives on as does our love and memory of a wolf named Teddy Bear.
Teddy Bear, we miss you and we will always love you.
Copyright© 1992 L. Shoemaker Revised edition Copyright© 2000 L. Shoemaker