If you're considering getting a domestic pet, your first thought might not be a pack of wolves. But this California couple have no fear about living with the powerful predators.
Paul Pondella and partner Colette Duvall have formed a bond with the animals over the years and, as these incredible pictures show, are very happy to share their lives - and their sofas - with them.
It all started when Paul rescued a female black Alaskan timberwolf hybrid, Shadow.
The product of a mating between a male domestic dog and a female wolf, she was welcomed into the house in Studio City, near Los Angeles, that Paul shares with Colette and is now the oldest wolf resident and alpha female of the pack.
The couple were so in love with Shadow and the idea of living with wolf hybrids that they introduced more of the animals - Allie and Takoda, who had seven newborn pups.
While they look as soft and cuddly as any pooch in these pictures, Paul said that they have needed to dedicate thousands of hours to train the animals because of their wild and fearsome nature.
Wolf at the door: Colette pets Shadow, the female black Alaskan timberwolf hybrid who was the first wolf to enter the house
One man and his wolf: Paul Pondella and his Alaskan timberwolf hybrid Takoda, play with the newborn pups on in Studio City, California.
He said: 'It is a fact that when wild animals become habituated to people, they may lose their fear of humans, especially if they are fed or if they associate humans with providing food, but like any large predator, wolves are perfectly capable of killing people.'
But now that they have been integrated into their unusual living arrangement they are completely at home with the humans - so much so that they are more than happy to slouch on the chairs, sofas and even the couple's bed as if they own the place.
The extraordinary half-wolf half-human family has become so large that it has outgrown its current home and Paul and Colette are now looking to move to a large ranch that will give them all enough room to play in.
When they move home they will carry on a project that has been a passion for the couple ever since Shadow first came into their lives.
When they began caring for the wolf dog hybrids Paul and Colette set out on a mission to educate children about the fabulous creatures and debunk some of the myths surrounding them.
Their program, the Shadowland Foundation, involves a variety of activities to highlight the plight of wolves and educate about nature through first hand experience.
SOURCE
Puppy love: Paul and his partner Colette Duvall have 10 wolves in the house, including a recent litter of puppies
Play time: Paul shows his trust in the wolves by placing his hand in Tokoda's mouth
coolio
This is Totally Awesome in what these two are doing ! This sounds like an awesome program in edgcating people on the matters that surround these Beautiful Majestics ! <3 It Thank You Both for Your Kindness & Love & Compassion.
They are beautiful animals, and I congratulate these folks on their good work educating kids. However, these are hybrids, and probably should be neutered - how many more pups do they really need?
Wonderful story. But be very mindful, these people have dedicated a LOT of time and effort for these animals, and they are not just 'some cool pet'.
All too often, people think they want something like this in their house because it looks interesting. And way too often it's the animals that suffer at the hands of a human that doesn't have the dedication needed to care for it.
It is great to see a couple doing so well with their pack though. I really hope they can find their place to expand!
yes their can be big babies,,,, so loving,,,,
These are amazing animals and it's not like having a pet dog, wolves require more of your personal time as you are their pack and you must be there to direct the hierarchy, if you have the time then these are the animals for you!
You are great and so are the fury friends..xxxx teresareilly1950@hotmail.co.uk.
Thank you for loving, working and debunking the myth of these animals as life threatening predators. Man is the most dangerous predator on the planet.
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Thanks for this very informative article on the difference between wolves and wolfdogs. I hope anyone considering either will become very knowledgeable before embarking on such a venture. Congrats to those who take and have the time and knowledge to dedicate to caring for these beautiful beings.
I love hybrids and they have lived in my home for 20 + years now. I have one amazing white male currently.
I also have HC WD's. They are TONS of work but oh so worth it. We have lived with and raised wd's for 13 years, our children were raised with them so are educated and also have educated many children in our area just because they come over to see the kids. It got to the point that they would just drop by to see the fur fam, lol. NO, they are not for everyone and take extra special training and time but if you have it and the education you will lose your heart furever <3 Keep up the good work folks! Educate, educate, educate, it's the ONLY thing that is going to save this species.
If there is love ,passion and mind everything is possible!!
I have a hybrid wolf named Draven. He's a big lover. Doesn't know his own strength when he try's to play thou. Wish we could of kept him in the house but as a pup he chewed everything. So now we blocked off half the basement and fill it with a lot of hay in the colder months and he has his own den type layout.
Me and another person had this and we found that we could not have any other animals around or they would kill it. They are great with children we never had to worry about them because she kept a close eye on them,It is nice to know that they have a good home and people to care about them; Congrats: to you both.
Love
We have 6 full blood wolves and 1 wolf hybrid and 3 cubs at the moment, they are our whole lives and we wouldn't be without any of them.
I have had a wolf hybrid for almost a year now. He is 92% wolf, and 8% malamute. I have had him since he was 5 weeks old, and got him from a guy who lives in my neighborhood who bred the 2 hybrids he has. Tuck (my hybrid) is a big momma's boy. BUT, with strangers, he is timid and stays away from them. He howls instead of barks, and will chase rabbits and birds when he can. I also have a female german shepherd that he loves. Infact, she is now pregnant with his puppies. I am looking forward to seeing how they look. With her protectiveness, sweetness and both of their loyalty to home and me, they should be great pups for anyone. Tuck is very smart too. I trained him to follow had signals and he does great with them. Also stays close to me off leash. He sleeps right next to me and will cuddle with me all night. I can hug him like a teddy bear with out him trying to get away. Where I live, there is a high demand for these types of wolfdogs (as some are calling them). I know mine is very loyal and sweet, and as long as you get them young, they will act like a dog. Oh and he was housebroken faster than any dog I have ever had. (2 weeks and he never had an accident in the house or his crate)
LOL, what is Canis lupus familiaris subspecies?? "familiaris" would be the subspecies in that nomenclature...
These animals are mutts...I mean what wolf has a piebald coat like the puppy in that picture LOL!
So interesting and fascinating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All messages are so interesting, very civilized and educated people. Thank you all.
Regardless of wolf or dog please do not breed, rescue. Million of animals each year are killed in shelters.
you and your family are a credit so please keep up the good you`re doing.
Wishing you success, love, more strength, and long life. God bless you!
I agree that what they are doing is fabulous. But with one Caveat....They need to neuter them. There are millions of homeless canines that are euthanized each year. Thousands every day in fact.
I have a wolf\hybrid . Her mother is a white German Shepherd and her father is pure Timber Wolf . She looks more like a wolf but if you look for the signs you can see some shepherd in her . The comment 'they are not wolves or dogs ' is very true ! You can see the traits of both in her . I love her more than anything in the world but I completely understand when people object to the mixing of the two . A wolf is a unique animal that should be protected and never changed ! Because of mixing hybrids do exist and need families to but there is a difference . Don't take it on if you do not understand this !!!
We own a malamute/wolf dog. We got him when he was 5 weeks old, he is now 13 years old. He has ben the gentlest dog we have owned, has a very outgoing disposition. I wouldn't advise just anyone to go get a wolfdog, though, as they take a lot of time. You have to show them right off the getgo who is alpha, and you have to socialize them constantly. But if you do, or have owned one, you will find they are one of the most devoted animals you can have. And to hear them sing..............awesome. Ours talks to the "wilds" that run through our area every once in awhile, and it is amazing how beautiful that singing is.
Your doing a good job with the wolves keep teaching about wolves i have a wolf she 80 percent wolf love her so much she my family
I would like to correct you on angola prison. It is not a federal prison. It is la state high security prison. Yes they have gone to hybreds for guarding. But have not fired any guards. they are hiring guards all the time. I have friends who are guards there and some who were guards but quit for better jobs.
I agree with you.. Amazing.!
I love this. i am a very big wolf lover. i have been around many.
This is amazing! i had a hybrid as a child and unfortunately a neighbor, who was ignorant and whose child didnt get along with me, shot her and claimed she was a coyote.....to this day ive always wanted another, but with the fear of that ignorance I have held back..........so glad there are people like you guys out there teaching others!
What is being taught here?
The animals in this picture are doing well in that environment because they are significantly influenced by domestic dog looks and behaviors.
Inb4butthurtactivistscomplain
Wolf hybrids, makes since, the domestic side won out here. Roflol! Looks almost exactly like my husky. They say all dogs came from wolves and if one is kind to most any animal they will return the kindness. I believe wolves are like gentle giants and intelligent enough to do what they need to to survive which in this case, like their ancestors before them, befriending man for food and protection. It warms my heart to see people who still care enough to share with these magnificent creatures.
just want to say that i think you guys are great to have the wolfs part of your family because they will be taking care of well. and hopefully safe as well god bless you both.
Awesome the world needs more people like you guys to educate as to the wonders of these magnificent creatures!
I like reading all of the above comments.. Everybody thinks they are an expert without knowing or going to see what these people do. work with these animals and they are wolves they are wild animals but they have been associated with humans due to hours and hours of dedicated training. This is not a rescue for abandoned wolves or wolf dogs as you call them...This is a trained intact pack that are educating children and adults to the fact that they have been being massacred and that the wolves in north america are being hunted for the sake of cattle and other livestock....Maybe it is not the perfect way to educate people. But what have any of you done to help the plight of these beautiful and sacred animals????? Dont criticize until you know more than this article talks about!
Yes! excellent story! I really want to have a white baby wolf! help for me, please!
First of all, get facts straight, wolfdogs are NOT hybrids!! Hybrida are sterile, like a donkey and a horse creating a mule! Whitch is sterile!! Wolf and dog mixes are no diffrent genetically than a cocker spanial and a golden retriever, they produce fertile decendants!! Second of all, its all about instincts and breeding wild with domesticated confuses rje animal and is not fair! A wolf mix should ALWAYS be honored as a wolf because the genes are more dominant. Unless they are at least 5 generation and only 1/10 part wolf, but still, they do need alot of stimulation and exercize and are not to be kept in apartments or the city. Considdering the totally effed breeding of pedigree dogs today, due to puppy mills and the showring, we still might need the geneticts of the wolf to make our own more healthy. Love dogs? Protect the wild wolf, do not mix and breed for money, show or selfish reasons!!
Wolves are wonderful animals I have 3 of my own. Have been raised with my daughter since birth. Trust them with my life. Very protective!
they are good dogs after all when i was 10 i played with a wild pack of wolves. I was no threat to them so they took that.I played with the adults and pups.Those were fun days for me.