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Thread: Hobo vs. Wolf..

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Northern Canada
    Posts
    5,530

    Hobo vs. Wolf..

    Some of the long time posters might remember this....9 years ago today, a wolf attempted to turn Hobo into his dinner. Hobo wasn't even my dog at the time; I was taking care of him and 13 of his teammates for an injured musher. Going to the hospital to tell Jim about the attack was not fun! I believe that Hobo saved all the rest of those dogs when he ran. The wolf did some damage to one other dog, Diesel, who made a complete recovery and went back to British Columbia with his team. Hobo slipped his collar and ran for all he was worth. The wolf chased him, leaving the other 13 dogs and the 18 I had at the time alone! Hobo ran well over a mile and hid in someone's porch!

    Hobo suffered horrific injuries. He was basically gutted. We wrapped him in a blanket and I held him all the way the vet to keep his abdominal contents inside his body! His tail had been pulled repeatedly and all the muscles were torn; he was missing part of an ear; he was covered in large wounds where the wolf had bit and torn away the flesh.

    We didn't know our Dr. Candace at the time; our vet was Dr. Rick Brown. For years, if we had a crisis after hours, Rick was on-call. Even now, if I can't find Candace, Rick's the vet I want in a life or death 3am emergency! When he first saw Hobo, he wouldn't even give me odds on his survival. He very gently suggested putting him down, but Hobo made it clear to us that he wanted a chance to fight for his life. He's already beat the odds once by escaping the wolf. She ate over a dozen dogs in our area that winter, Hobo is the only known survivor! And fight Hobo did. He spent a week at the clinic. After that Rick said he'd likely make it, but he would not fully recover. The damage to his back end was so severe that Rick expected Hobo would never have bowel control, might have on going mobility issues. He'd certainly never be a working sled again. Hobo's owner was a very competitive musher and he decided that given that prognosis he couldn't keep Hobo. So Hobo became our dog!

    I was a stranger to Hobo at the time & every time he saw me, I was shoving pills down his throat, cleaning wounds. Every time he saw me, he'd try to stand up and wag his tail. He seemed to understand that I was trying to help him even though I was hurting him at the time! The wounds on his back legs took months to heal. There was no skin left to stitch together. We ended up resorting to sugar packing them to get some skin to grow. The fur still doesn't grow properly on the scars. He developed a bone infection in a front leg that almost led to an amputation. To this day, only time I've ever heard Hobo screech in pain was from that infection.

    Hobo bears the physical scars from the attack. There's a perfect half moon bite shaped chunk missing from his ear; he can't be outside in real cold weather as he has very little fur on his belly and even less on the scarred spots. He's afraid of the dark which is an issue up here in the winter when it's only light for a few hours a day! But he has no bowel control issues; he gets around just fine and happy dances for his dinner every night.

    The next winter, Hobo returned to the harness with much delight. He had to run without a partner as he would get too excited waiting and all hell would break loose! A 7 dog team with Hobo in it was more powerful than 8 without him! He was used to sprint mushing, we were far too slow for his liking! He often ran looking back at me and barking! He wanted to go faster!

    Hobo is 16 now and still defying the odds. His vision is cloudy and he doesn't always hear the treat bag anymore, but he still happy dances for his dinner every night. He'd still pull if I'd let him! He still enjoys a walk to the lake, although I see more of him now as he stays closer and doesn't dash down the trail! He's got multiple small lumps and bumps. I'm sure some of them are bad news, but he is unaware that anything might be wrong. He's senile and gets lost in the yard when he goes on patrol. He doesn't always sleep through the night, but he remembers the magic doorbell bark! When he was recovering, he was allowed outside for only a few minutes at a time. When he got tired, he'd bark three times and I'd open the door for him. That habit persists!

    The world would be a better place if more people were like Hobo. He never holds a grudge. He lives in the moment and all the bad stuff in his life doesn't matter anymore. He's grateful for every little thing; the same kibble he's had every night for years is still worthy of celebration! He is the happiest being of any species that I have ever known. He delights in a treat, a sunbeam, his comfy crate, sneaking up on the couch. Hobo understands better than most people that his time here is limited and he truly lives every day of his life. He's an inspiration and even when he wakes me up at 2am, I am glad of him!
    If you are lucky enough to find a way of life you love, you must find the courage to live it.
    --John Irving

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2000
    Location
    Windham, Vermont, USA
    Posts
    40,828
    Awww, what a sweet old dude! Give him a good skritch for me, okay?
    I've Been Frosted

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Cincinnati, Ohio USA
    Posts
    11,467
    That was so powerful to read. What an awesome doggie Hobo is, and what an awesome teller of stories you are.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Delaware, USA - The First State/Diamond State - home of The Blue Hens
    Posts
    9,321
    What an amazing story of courage, bravery, and determination! Hobo can truly be called a miracle dog - a true survivor against all odds.

    Hobo - you rock!
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Wolfy ~ Fuzzbutt #3
    My little dog ~ a heartbeat at my feet

    Sparky the Fuzzbutt - PT's DOTD 8/3/2010
    RIP 2/28/1999~10/9/2012
    Myndi the Fuzzbutt - Mom's DOTD - Everyday
    RIP 1/24/1996~8/9/2013
    Ellie - Mom to the Fuzzbuttz

    To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.
    Ecclesiastes 3:1
    The clock of life is wound but once and no man has the power
    To know just when the hands will stop - on what day, or what hour.
    Now is the only time you have, so live it with a will -
    Don't wait until tomorrow - the hands may then be still.
    ~~~~true author unknown~~~~

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Location
    California
    Posts
    11,778
    Wow! That is an amazing story. You could write dog stories and I would buy all of your books!

    Hello to handsome Hobo!
    Our goal in life should be - to be as good a person as our dog thinks we are.

    Thank you for the siggy, Michelle!


    Cindy (Human) - Taz (RB Tabby) - Zoee (RB Australian Shepherd) - Paizly (Dilute Tortie) - Taggart (Aussie Mix) - Jax (Brown & White Tabby), - Zeplyn (Cattle Dog Mix)

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2001
    Location
    indianapolis,indiana usa
    Posts
    22,881
    A wonderful tribute to a unforgettable dog.

    Please give Hobo a loving pat on the head from Lizbud. Thanks.
    I've Been Boo'd

    I've been Frosted






    Today is the oldest you've ever been, and the youngest you'll ever be again.

    Eleanor Roosevelt

  7. #7
    You're amazing Hobo!
    http://petoftheday.com/talk/signaturepics/sigpic9646_1.gif
    Forever in my heart...
    Casey.Ginger.Corey.Mandy.Sassy
    Lacey.Angel.Missy.Jake.Layla

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Northern cyberspace
    Posts
    1,967
    What a fascinating story of a brave courageous fighter. Amazing how he not only survived a horrid attack but lives on to this age. I hope he continues doing well and has more yrs left-- he has such happy eyes.
    Asiel

    I've been frosted--- thank you Cassie'smom

    I've been Boo'd----

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Midwest
    Posts
    3,928
    Blog Entries
    3
    Hobo is a hero & a miracle dog. He is so lucky to have survived the wolf attack & saved his buddies lives. He is looking so handsome & happy at 16 years of age.
    The frost is on the pumpkin & I've been BOO'D by two pet talk ghosts.
    Thank you Fritz & Cassiesmom

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Markham, Canada
    Posts
    203
    I remember the wolf attack so well as we all held our breath, praying for a good outcome. It's wonderful to get an update and hear that he is still doing so well. I just love that happy face. Thanks Glacier.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2000
    Location
    Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
    Posts
    5,207
    What a wonderful tribute to Hobo! I remember that time, and it was so touch and go for him ........... and he pulled through.
    He sure is a wonderful dog ...
    M!
    "No dog is born either vicious or friendly, but rather a blank slate that is moulded, for better or worse, by the owner."

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