Lone Wolf

Beneath the morning shadows of Hueco Tanks lies an old wolf dog. May he be resting in peace in this sacred place in the desert. Hershey is his name. Hueco Tanks and the surrounding area are rich with an indigenous history of various Indian Tribes, Conquistadors, the Butterfield Trail, the US Calvary, and then, us. The resting spot falls in a basin of fertile loam surrounded by rocky desert mountains, serene, always a breeze, native plants and numerous game trails.
Wolf Dog Hershey was a true individual amongst domestic canines. Most people who have pet dogs usually acquire their animal by going through a search for a certain breed, or to the pound to rescue, or a friend who has a litter, or some other form of hunt. But Hershey is the one who chose where he was going to live and who he was going to live with. He was wandering the streets close to the desert when he made a stop for inspection at Marcy’s house. That’s where he decided to stay. He wasn’t always obedient, and his want for roaming was always important to him. He had a knack for coming home moments before Marcy got home, to be peering through the mesh gate as if he was waiting innocently for her to get there. He always knew about three of four minutes before she got home. The dog catcher could never capture him. Even when he was too old to jump the fence and wander, he would go to the gate and look out in wait for her because he knew she was getting close. You must understand that Marcy’s daily arrival home was not by any means a regular schedule. There was no telling when she would get home.

Hershey helped raise Matthew and April, Marcy’s two youngest children. He was good to people and children in general, but he could bark and look mighty dangerous. No stranger dared to get close to him. He was dangerous though to unsuspecting doves and other birds. He was even known to be dangerous to a cat or two. After all, he was a Wolf Dog. Towards the end he had thoughts of days gone by with brief romps pretending to be young again. He never complained about the pain in his hind quarters. He went naturally and bravely in the night at the onset of northern colder weather blowing in.
Rest in peace Ole Wolf Dog, you will be missed.