Buku

Male Wolf-Dog

Born on April 19, 2009 at Wolf Creek Habitat and Rescue, IN
Arrived at Mission: Wolf on April 27, 2009

Passed Away 12/18/2024

Lived with Oreo, Asia, Batman, Valley Spirit, Talon, Kiya

Buku’s Story

Buku was born en route to Mission: Wolf in the spring of 2009 with his siblings, Oreo, Batman, and Asia. The pups and their mother, Valley Spirit, arrived at the refuge with a male wolf-dog named Talon who had been confiscated from the same property. Valley Spirit and the pups were taken to an enclosure. When we opened the kennel, Valley almost immediately began to explore her new home, and within a few minutes discovered an old den. She cleaned out the den and, one by one, carried her pups down to it. For the next few weeks, staff did not see any of the pups, though Valley was starting to become very friendly.

When the pups finally did emerge, the staff were shocked to see what looked to be four Labrador puppies stumble out of the den. We had assumed that since he came from the same property, Talon was the pups’ father. We have since learned that the pups’ father was in fact a pit bull.

As a puppy, Buku proved to be a bit mischievous and would occasionally try to take items from his siblings, mother, and even human staff. He was also one of the bravest puppies and would regularly approach staff to be pet. As Buku grew older, he became more wolf-like – very shy and timid of humans. For many years he lived in the most secluded section of the refuge with his brother Oreo. The two brothers were extremely close and always followed each other’s lead.

After the recent loss of his brother Oreo, Buku’s quality of life declined significantly and quickly due to grief, old age, and neurological challenges. Staff made the difficult but compassionate decision to help him cross the rainbow bridge.

Buku will be deeply missed. We are so grateful he lived a life of peace and happiness with his brother, and grateful they are surely reunited now running free and barking to their hearts content.