Lark and Lena are a pair of gentle and timid wolfdogs who were born to a back yard breeder and spent the first several years of their lives in small, crowded spaces with many other dogs. Eventually, the breeder was raided and charged with hoarding, and the two sisters (along with the other dogs) were taken into animal service’s custody. From here, the two girls were adopted out to an individual in the community who was unprepared for their severe undersocialization and needs. Both girls experienced neglect in their new home and did not progress in their socialization or health.

 

While they lived with this individual, Lena escaped their enclosure and sustained a wound on her rear leg that was so severe she could have lost the limb. Jolly Tails was able to work with a local trapper to set up a large trap and eventually catch Lena - the first of multiple midnight rescues. Jolly Tails vet partner made a rare housecall to assist on the fly with Lena’s injury and was thankfully able to patch her up. Jolly Tails was then tasked with the difficult job of helping Lena heal while also working with her through her severe fears and sensitivities. Eventually, Lena was healthy enough to return to the legal owner and to her sister.

 

Later, after two hurricanes (both of which the sisters were left outside in their enclosure during) both Lena and Lark escaped. The two girls were afraid and spent almost a month on the run in the woods, being threatened by neighbors who were more than willing to shoot them. Their owner again contacted Jolly Tails, who over the course of two nights was able to set up traps and secure both girls. The owner agreed to sign the girls over to Jolly Tails, and the next chapter of their life finally began.

 

While physically uninjured, both pups were underweight and matted. In fact, Lark was one of the most severe cases of matting the team had ever seen and had to be sedated and shaved because the matting was so intense and widespread. Along with vaccination and treatment for heartworm (for Lena, who tested positive) the girls now required intensive work on basic socialization to help reduce their daily stress load and help them learn to feel safe in a human world. Lena’s head start with Jolly Tails had stuck, and she was able to continue progressing from where she had left off. Lark on the other hand was extremely sensitive and timid. She had a preference for the outdoors - possibly all she had ever known - and ate through drywall and tore through chainlink in attempts to escape indoor enclosures. Thankfully her foster never gave up on her, and through creative housing was able to make a safe and comfortable place for Lark while they utilized medication and force free behavior modification methods to build her confidence and establish trust. After months of searching and loving labor, Jolly Tails was able to find permanent placement for both Lena and Lark. The girls traveled with their Jolly Tails friends to Tennessee where they then settled into their forever homes. Thanks to the team at Jolly Tails, Lena and Lark finally have the lives they deserve.