Menemith

sex: female
born: 12 December 1999~
birth place: Wisconsin

deceased: 28 August 2008

given sanctuary: 01 June 2006

 

Menemith's Memorial
see Newsletter - Summer 2008 (click)

Menemith's Story

No one knows how old she really is, or how long she was forced to live her life on a chain. That information went with her previous owner when she died unexpectedly in May of 2006. Menemith, was not alone, there were twenty-one additional wolf-dogs living on chains in intolerable conditions. As time went on the circumstances grew worse. No one, it seems, realized that their owner was ill for several weeks before her passing. As the days passed the water ran out, there was no food and the animals’ situation deteriorated.

This was all taking place in Wisconsin. Finally, a friend of Jaime's arrived to check on her when he couldn’t reach her on the phone. What he found when he arrived was horrendous. His friend was close to death. The wolf-dogs were dehydrated and malnourished. Several of the animals were also close to dying. The small Wisconsin town rushed emergency service to help Jamie but was ill-equipped to handle the rescue of that many animals. It was at this point the Animal Humane Society, from a neighboring town in Minnesota, was asked to help with the wolf-dogs. Jamie did not sur­vive her illness. Sosity died from starvation, Trekker and Lance were so ill from dehydration and malnutrition it became necessary for the Animal Humane Society to euthanize them. In addition to all this horror, Happy the youngest of the wolf-dogs was missing.

Wolf received a call from the AHS to ask if we could take the wolf-dogs and the WideAwake Rescue was begun. Menemith would be one of eighteen who would make the long trip to Colorado from Minnesota. Unfortunately, even rescue would be a horrible experience for Menemith and the others. During the catch-up of the animals the group, hired by the Animal Humane Society, found it necessary to use a catch-pole noose on all the animals. Based on photos of this event, taken by local newspapers, it became apparent that the animals were not treated very well. One of these photos showed two very large men holding Mucqua four feet in the air suspended by a noose around his neck and his back-end being held up by his tail. At this time Mucqua weighed all of 38 pounds, was terri­fied, very passive and totally blind. We can only imagine the terror, physical abuse and pain inflicted on the animals who were not so passive. It became even more obvious that these captors had little or no regard for these beings when they transported them to Colorado crammed so tightly into a stock trailer (not air-conditioned), that it was impossible to even get water to them.

Now at nearly 7 years of age, she was in a place where nothing would be required of her. She had space to move around and would be paired up with Webster, who would be sterilized and only there to provide companionship. They would receive fresh water every day, have dry food available constantly and also receive fresh meat. Hopefully in time, they would come to understand that not all humans are insensitive to their needs or want to exploit them.

As the universe usually works, Menemith’s trials were not over. Sometime shortly after a major early Fall storm, dumped 18” of snow on her new home in the Rocky Mountains, she broke her leg. It is assumed that she somehow got her leg caught in an obstruction hiding in the deep snow. Again, she would need emer­gency help from her new caretakers.

The team was quickly put together to dart her and get her transported to the CSU Vet Teaching Hospital. By the time she arrived it was nearing midnight. Pat, Kiley and several volunteers met the group transporting Menemith at the door. After a full exam and x-rays, it was determined that she had a very severe humeral oblique fracture and further decided to keep her stabilized until the follow­ing day, when an orthopedic surgical team could be assembled. Two of our volunteers, who work at the hospital, took turns staying with her in intensive care. Her surgery went well, but the amount of fur removed for the surgery was extensive. It would be necessary to provide her with a much warmer area in order to prevent damage from the cold. Menemith was secured close to the house and receives warmth from it. Unfortunately, she was very stressed by the new surroundings and the activity around the house. A self-contained heated dog house was built and she was moved to a remote enclosure and her companion was moved in with her.

She has adapted quickly to this new arrangement, has been recovering well from her injury and enjoying her being with her companion -- Webster.

 

 

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