W.O.L.F. received a call from Wolf Haven International in Tenino, Washington. A young male wolf dog named Dakota needed placement.  In January of 2018, Dakota had been seized as part of a criminal case and was placed in a shelter in Olympia, Washington. By August, the young wolf dog was still sitting in the same small kennel with limited human contact and no outside time or animal companionship. He desperately needed to find a placement that would suit a young wolf dog who required exercise, a proper diet, and the companionship of another animal. When W.O.L.F.’s staff heard about Dakota, they were concerned about his physical and mental health due to his long confinement. W.O.L.F. made the decision to rescue Dakota.

In mid-September, the rescue team took a flight to Seattle to rescue Dakota. After a brief night’s rest, the team went to the shelter in Olympia and met with Dakota. He was a friendly boy who was to begin his new life at W.O.L.F.  The rescue team was prepared to begin their nineteen-hour drive from Olympia, Washington to Wellington, Colorado.  When he arrived in Colorado, he was given a full veterinary examination and neuter surgery.

Along with getting a new home at W.O.L.F. , Dakota was given a new name to celebrate a new life. After receiving numerous suggestions from W.O.L.F.’s social media followers, the young wolf dog was renamed Takoda. It means “friend to everyone,” which is so fitting for this boy. He is very social and friendly, enjoys meeting new people, and loves getting attention.

After Takoda had a full veterinarian examination and neuter surgery, he was ready for the final leg of his journey. He made the short drive to the Sanctuary and was placed in his new home with his new companion JJ. The two had a slow introduction. Takoda spent his first night in his new habitat separated from JJ by an internal fence. Once the two were introduced, they quickly began to bond.

Unfortunately, JJ passed away of cancer less than six months after Takoda arrived at the Sanctuary. While giving Takoda the time he needed to grieve, W.O.L.F. searched for an appropriate companion and learned about a small wolf dog in Pennsylvania. The decision was made to rescue Kira as a potential companion for Takoda.

The first interactions between Kira and Takoda were not successful.  Staff moved Kira into a new habitat, and Takoda was brought in on a leash. There was no fence between them.  Initially, the interaction was standoffish.  Soon after, Kira dropped into a play bow and raced around the habitat. This created a change in Takoda’s behavior, and he immediately wanted to join in the game.  The two raced around the habitat, playing nonstop before collapsing next to each other to take a nap.

Since that day, the two have been inseparable, fun-loving companions. They wrestle and play chase around their habitat. Takoda is very outgoing and is one of the most friendly and social wolf dogs at the Sanctuary. 

In August of 2023, Takoda and Kira were moved to their forever home at Red Feather Lakes.  They immediately made their habitat their own and created a summer and a winter den in the rocks and trees.  Takoda loves interaction with his caretakers.  He is mischievous and likes to try to steal hair ties and sunglasses from staff and volunteers.  Takoda and Kira are the perfect social duo and are irresistible to staff and volunteers.