Farewell Sophie

It is a blessing and an honor to spend time with each of the rescues who call Speedwell home. Some we are only blessed to know for a short time, while others we have the privilege of knowing for many years. We were honored to have shared fourteen years with one such elegant soul: Sophie. Our hearts were broken on April 29, 2024 when we made the difficult decision to bid her farewell. We are so grateful to have known her for many years.

Sophie arrived at the sanctuary as a young adult with her companion at the time, Ginny. Since they had both lived together in an apartment in New York, they remained together at first once they arrived. However, it soon became clear as they grew more comfortable here that they preferred to be apart and so Ginny and Sophie began separate life journeys here at the sanctuary.

Sophie had several companions over the years. She was always open, loving, and playful as she got to know them, and she stood by their side as they aged and faced health issues, right to the very end. She loved each of them differently, but wholly. Jericho was noble and stoic, and Sophie kept his spirit young. Bear was dignified and could be grouchy at times, but Sophie kept him lighthearted. Sullivan was playful and joyous, and Sophie loved to run and play alongside him. She stood vigil with each in turn when it came time for them to pass on, and though she mourned their passing, she remained open to sharing her life with someone new. Sophie spent her last few years with her beloved pack-mate Nanuq. He was quite lonely when he first arrived and she made sure to pick his spirits up. She would paw and prod at him to get him playing, and she brought him a great deal of joy. Nanuq greatly misses his beautiful girl, as do we.

Sophie aged gracefully. She was lively and active through her later years and always carried herself with an elegant, bright demeanor. She was sweet and friendly with all of her caretakers. She was proud and independent, and walked with her head held high and a lighthearted joy in her step.

During her last few years, Sophie began to ever so slightly show her age. Arthritis in her joints began to take a toll. Medications helped to mediate the pain for a time, but in the last few months it became clear that she had started to decline. Recently, she was no longer herself and medication and treatments were no longer working. We assessed her quality of life and with great pain made the difficult decision to bid our Sophie farewell.

Sophie lived a long and happy life at the sanctuary. At the time of her passing, she was our eldest resident at sixteen and a half years old, quite a significant age for a wolf. She loved many companions through the years, and they loved her back very deeply. We are so blessed to have known such a magnificent soul.

Farewell Sophie, we will greatly miss your dignified grace and your noble spirit. We will hold the memory of your beautiful soul forever in our hearts.

IN LOVING MEMORY SOPHIE OF SPEEDWELL
Born December 1, 2007, Rescued November 12, 2010, Died April 29, 2024