We learned patience from our Whiskey and also learned that he is full of love, caring and understanding. We even made the numerous phone calls about problems that we were sure we would never have to make!! Although we had been told that there were many things to watch out for and that we would experience and learn we didn't really believe it. Needless to say, the woman that we bought our Whiskey from was right. He became the child that we didn't have.
Candy became pregnant. Whiskey was never far from Candy during her pregnancy and many times I would find him sitting next to her with his head against her stomach. In March, we became the proud parents of a baby girl. We brought Alexis home and introduced Whiskey and Alexis to each other. During those months of pregnancy, Whiskey must have become acquainted with Alexis, and I would imagine she with him.
From the first night that we were home, Whiskey had this miserable habit of waking us up many different times during the night. We were not allowed to just go back to sleep. Even though Alexis was quiet, we had to get up, walk over to the crib, pick up Alexis and say, "See, Whiskey, she is just fine." At that point, Whiskey would lay back down and go hack to sleep.
After about a week of very little sound sleep, we made another one of the "numerous" phone calls. We were told that it was a big possibility that Whiskey was trying to tell us something. What he was trying to tell us, no-one could say, except that it must have something to do with Alexis. Great, in our opinion, this person was definitely a "bit crackers", so what was he trying to tell us? Now, Whiskey didn't just bother us at night. He continually came and at either Candy or myself to check on Alexis several thousand times each day. Or at least it seemed to be that many times.
When Alexis was about two and one-half weeks old, Whiskey once again pestered us to check on her. Grumbling, complaining and dragging our feet, we went over to do his bidding. ALEXIS WAS NOT BREATHING!!! We immediately panicked, called the doctor and raced her to the hospital.
Alexis spent several days at the hospital with various tests and other deplorable things happening to her. One or the other of us would drag ourselves home to be greeted by a very concerned Whiskey. He would sniff us all over and search for Alexis.
We explained to Whiskey that she was in the hospital and what was happening to her. Whiskey would shuffle off and dejectedly lay down by Alexis' crib. He no longer wanted to play and seemed to be as worried as we were.
It was finally diagnosed that Alexis had symptoms which lead to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). If she had died, the doctors would have pronounced that SIDS was the cause of death.
We brought Alexis home two days after that, along with her medication and all the mechanical contraptions with bells and whistles that we had to hook her up to that would alert us when or if she quit breathing again.
Whiskey was overjoyed, to say the least, that "his" (and he does consider Alexis as his) little baby girl was back home. He wasn't too sure about the bells and whistles, so we went through the explanation of what we were doing, and why, so that he would, hopefully, understand. Whiskey has yet to wake us up in the middle of the night anymore.
It is our conclusion that if Whiskey had not been so alert to Alexis' manner of breathing, or lack thereof, she would no longer be with us. If Alexis is sitting in her baby swing; however, Whiskey comes by and stops it from swinging. He then lets us know that he does not approve of this swinging stuff. Does he sense something that we don't? We're not disputing his judgment on this matter. Whiskey is currently watching over Alexis right this minute.
We felt that with the controversial issue of owning a Wolf Hybrid, and individuals along with the media constantly downgrading them, that we would share our story. We won't say that all Wolf Hybrids are like this. Maybe Whiskey is unique.
We still don't totally trust him alone with Alexis, however, we would never consider getting rid of him either. We sure as heck listen and pay more attention to him when he starts "talking."
What do we honestly think of this whole situation? THANK GOD THAT WHISKEY CAME TO LIVE WITH US!!!
It is with great sadness and tears streaming down my face that I write this story to the list.
Six year old Whiskey died Sunday Night. In the cold rain on Monday, here in Virginia, Wayne Young buried his friend. (October 6, 1996)
Whiskey had been shot in his left side and had crawled up onto the front porch waiting for Wayne to arrive home from his night job and died. A thoughtless person had shot Whiskey with a 22-caliber rifle.
May 4, 1990-October 6, 1996
Whiskey... May he rest in peace and be waiting over the Rainbow Bridge
with the rest of the Angel Pack in heaven.