Maine Wolf Dog Lost His World Overnight, But A Special Sanctuary Uncovers The Gentle Giant Hiding Inside
In Maine, after his owner was no longer able to care for him, Trouble, the 160-pound wolf dog, had nowhere to go. Fortunately, a specialized sanctuary stepped in to give this gentle giant the life he deserves.
A Heartbreaking Loss
In Maine, when a beloved pet loses their owner, their entire world is turned upside down in an instant.
For a massive, 160-pound canine named Trouble, that heartbreaking reality came with an extra complication. Because of his unique breed, his future was incredibly uncertain.
Trouble and his mother, Breeze, suddenly found themselves without a family and in need of a very specific kind of rescue.
No Place For A Hybrid
Regular animal shelters are wonderful places, but they aren’t equipped to handle every type of animal.
Trouble is a wolf hybrid, meaning he couldn’t simply be placed in a standard shelter and adopted out to a typical home. His wild roots required a specialized environment where he could safely be himself.
That’s when Wolves of Maine, a dedicated sanctuary for wolves and wolf hybrids that were formerly owned by humans, stepped in to help.
Meeting The Gentle Giant
Sarah Hannaford, who works at the sanctuary, welcomed the towering canine with open arms.
Trouble is a striking mix of Timberwolf, Czechoslovakian wolfdog, and Shepherd. Despite the intimidating name he arrived with, it didn’t take long for his true personality to shine through.
He quickly proved to his new caretakers that there was a massive, gentle heart beating inside his 160-pound frame.
The Mayor Of The Sanctuary
At the sanctuary, Trouble quickly appointed himself to a very important leadership role.
“Trouble is the mayor of Wolves of Maine,” Sarah explained. He loves to wander the grounds, greeting everyone and making sure his majestic presence is known.
He takes his daily duties very seriously. He even takes it upon himself to test all the food first, just to make sure it’s safe for the rest of the pack to eat.
Earning His Trust
While he loves everyone, Trouble is smart enough to evaluate newcomers before letting his guard down completely.
When he first meets someone, he carefully checks them out to decide if they belong in his inner circle of friends.
But once you earn his trust, the giant wolf dog completely melts. “He is just the biggest teddy bear and he is so full of love,” Sarah shared.
A Massive Marshmallow
The massive canine is actually a huge cuddler who loves nothing more than flopping over to be babied.
Sarah describes him as a “big marshmallow” who will happily roll on the floor and allow you to rub his belly.
His physical size is breathtaking, with paws about the size of a human hand. If he stands up on his back legs, he easily towers over Sarah, yet he remains incredibly gentle.
More Than Just A Cool Pet
With his gorgeous coat blowing in the breeze, Sarah compares his majestic look to a model in a commercial.
However, she is quick to remind people that caring for a wolf dog is not a simple task. Many people acquire them thinking they are just “cool pets,” only to realize they require an immense amount of work.
Their inherent wildness means they often end up needing specialized sanctuaries like Wolves of Maine when their owners can no longer manage them.
A Pack Of His Own
Working with Trouble has taught Sarah a valuable lesson about never judging an animal by its appearance.
Today, this massive marshmallow of a dog gets to enjoy every aspect of his unique personality in a safe, understanding space.
He is surrounded by a pack of his own kind, receiving all the love he deserves. Thanks to the sanctuary, Trouble gets to live out the rest of his life exactly the way he should.
