A sheep in wolf’s clothing: Gentle family pet mistaken for dangerous animal
Calf, a 7-year-old husky and yellow lab mix, had been missing since April 9 from his Loudonville area home. When the house dog jumped the five-foot-high fence in his backyard, he lost not only his way but his collar.
The members of Calf’s family were surprised not only to find their family pet had wandered 50 miles away from home, but that he was mistaken for a dangerous wolf.
“He’s the sweetest,” said Kristen. Her husband, Russell, described Calf as “a big baby, he’s a sheep in wolf’s clothing.”
“He loves kids and any type of animal,” added Clinton Frederick, their nephew. “I’m getting ready to leave for the Army so this was one of my big goals, to find Calf for my aunt.”
Calf got his name from the calf-like noise he made when he was given a bath.
“We spent $400 in gas driving around looking for him the first month he was gone,” said Russell.
The family learned of Calf’s location on Monday evening, July 18. As soon as Russell got off work on Tuesday, the family traveled to New Philadelphia and met with Tuscarawas County Assistant Dog Warden Terry Warner.
“Terry is very good at his job. He was tracking (Calf) and he knew right where he would be,” said Russell. Warner showed the family several areas on the south side of New Philadelphia where Calf had been spotted. In his determination to find his friend, Russell hiked through unfamiliar woods, poison ivy, and was soaked to the skin by a sudden heavy cloud burst.
The family was calling Calf’s name while checking an area where cattails grow behind South School. They were about to leave to check another area and were walking toward their cars when Calf made an appearance. “He came out and walked up to Austin (the couple’s 2-year-old son) and gave him a kiss, then he went over to my wife,” said Russell, adding that the dog was tentative in his steps and was looking around to make sure no one else was there.
The couple also has a 4-year-old daughter, Alesha, who was thrilled to see her friend return.
The dog had lost a lot of weight, had ticks, and a nick on his ear but he’s settling into being home and wants to play with the family’s other dogs.
“He perked up as soon as we got to the Loudonville city limits,” said Russell. “He knew he was close to home.”
“He is happy to be home and we’re happy to have him,” said Russell. This adventure marks the second close call for Calf, who was the runt of the litter and wasn’t breathing when he was born. Russell reported a buddy did CPR on Calf and revived him. The friend still visits Calf each year on the dog’s birthday.
“We’re extremely grateful and thankful to Terry (Warner), the police department, and the community,” said Russell. “We never gave up hope that we would find him, but we never expected to find him that far away.”
For now, Calf will have to put up with some extra restrictions at home. “We haven’t let him off the leash outside yet,” said Russell.
Published: July 21, 2011
