Sassy joined the Big Pack in the Sky on July 26th, 2015.
She passed at 9 years old due to cancer.
Sassy was born in April of 2006, and arrived at Wild Spirit in June of that same year. Shortly after we rescued the litter of Arctic wolf pups (Alice, Thunder, Sabine, Sugar, Storm and Powder), a friend of Wild Spirit called to see if we were interested in more puppies. A litter of 8 Arctic-Timber crosses had been born in Oregon to a man who did not know what to do with them. We explained that we really had our hands full already and wouldn’t be able to take them. However, a former staff member who was planning to open a sanctuary in Ohio was eager to take the Arctic-Timber litter.
Out of the 8 pups in the litter, 3 were sold to private owners and the other 5 were brought to Wild Spirit for temporary housing while their rescuer made arrangements to come to pick them up. Unfortunately, his plans to open a sanctuary fell through, and Wild Spirit ended up keeping the 5 puppies: 3 boys and 2 girls, named Forest, Dakota, Brutus, Savannah, and Sassy. Since they were only a week apart in age from our Arctic puppies, we put them together and let them grow up as one big family.
As the Arctic-Timber puppies grew up, it became clear from their behavior and appearance that they were not pure wolves, but rather high-content wolf-dogs, meaning they were ~85-95% wolf. Despite this difference, they lived happily with the Arctic wolves, and eventually all divided into independent packs, each made of a combination of the two litters. It was at this point that Sassy joined her two Arctic friends, Flurry and Frost.
Unfortunately, Sassy battled with cancer as she started to get older. We were able to have her first tumor removed, but in 2015, it returned and was growing aggressively. Following another trip to the vet, it was determined that nothing could be done at that stage, aside from keeping her comfortable until she passed. Our darling Sassy drifted off to an eternal sleep overnight in her favorite place to rest, in the company of her closest friend, Lakota.
Personality
Sassy had a gentle nature, and preferred to snuggle up in a cozy place, rather than play or fence-fight with neighbors (like some of her siblings). Even in her youth, she got along better with our seniors, rather than the rambunctious youngsters. She was an old soul, who knew the value of peace, quiet and calm.
Relationships
Originally our Arctics and Arctic-Timbers all lived as one group, and were raised by Raven and Cheyenne. When they separated into smaller groups, Sassy elected to join Flurry and Frost. However, this did not last long, as she was eventually kicked out by the two Arctic brothers. Sassy then chose to be with someone more her speed . . . one of our seniors, Lakota!
Likes & Dislikes
Sassy liked curling up in the snow, watching the ravens circle the sanctuary, and resting in the shade.
Fun Facts
Sassy had a very distinct scar on her face, which made her look a lot tougher than she actually was! This bluff definitely worked on Lakota, who never challenged her when it came to food.
As an added fun fact . . . Sassy was actually short for Sasbarilla!
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