Three Iowa Puppies Were Mistaken For Coyotes Until Someone Questioned One Crucial Detail
Abandoned at an Iowa shelter and mistaken for coyotes, three puppies were out of time. Then, a wildlife sanctuary intervened and discovered exactly what they were.
A Life-Saving Intervention
The shelter staff believed the tiny orphans were actually coyote puppies. Because of this mistaken identity, the helpless litter was scheduled to be euthanized.
Just before it was too late, a local wildlife sanctuary caught wind of the unusual litter. They had a strong feeling these little ones weren’t coyotes at all.
The sanctuary immediately stepped in and asked the shelter to pause their plans. "We don’t think that’s what these are," they told the staff, requesting permission to run a DNA test.
When the results came back, everyone was stunned. The tests revealed that the orphans were actually wolfdog puppies, and the sanctuary quickly began facilitating proper homes for them.
Finding A Forever Home
One of those puppies, named Frazier, found his way to a woman named Nicole. A DNA test specifically showed that Frazier is 58 percent gray wolf.
Nicole brought the striking pup home to New Hampshire, where there are no restrictions on owning a wolfdog, though breeding and selling them is strictly prohibited.
Adjusting to a domestic life wasn’t immediately easy for the wild-looking puppy. In the beginning, Frazier was highly skeptical of his new surroundings and the people in it.
He needed to learn that he was finally safe. Nicole knew she had to find a special way to break through his walls.
Building A Gentle Bond
To earn his trust, Nicole started a heartwarming routine. Whenever the young wolfdog fell asleep, she would gently pick him up.
She made sure he slept directly on her, allowing him to feel her warmth and hear her heartbeat. This quiet, consistent comfort created a profound bond between them.
Even today, she gently comforts him when he whimpers in his sleep. "Did you have a bad dream?" she whispers to him softly, reassuring him that he is safe.
That early dedication paid off, turning a fearful puppy into a loyal companion.
The Silent Observer
Physically, there is no denying Frazier’s heritage. When Nicole takes him out in public, strangers constantly stop to ask, "Is that a wolf?"
He carries himself with a wild grace and loves to find the highest vantage point in any environment. He frequently climbs on top of large boulders around their property.
From his rocky perches, Frazier calmly surveys his territory. He likes to sit quietly and watch everything that is going on around him.
He is incredibly observant, rarely missing a single detail in his environment.
A Cunning Problem Solver
Beyond his striking looks, Frazier possesses an intense, quiet intelligence. Nicole notes that he is incredibly cunning.
You can actually watch his mind working as he tries to figure out complex problems. He doesn’t just react to obstacles; he studies them.
This intelligence makes him quite the escape artist when he wants to be. He can silently unlatch and open a gate, slipping through it before anyone even realizes he’s moved.
He moves with a stealthy grace that is entirely unique to his breed.
A Very Specific Vocabulary
Unlike a typical dog, Frazier rarely barks. In fact, Nicole recently heard him bark for the very first time.
Instead of barking, he communicates through a complex series of huffs and howls. He has a highly specific vocabulary for different situations.
When emergency sirens wail in the distance, Frazier joins in. He carefully adjusts his pitch to mimic the exact tone of the sirens.
If a specific neighbor drives by in their truck, he uses a completely different mixture of huffing and howling to announce their arrival.
The Lonely Soft Howl
Frazier’s most endearing vocalization happens when he wants to be close to his mom. If Nicole is inside the house and he is out on the deck, he uses a special "indoor voice."
He lets out a soft, gentle howl to get her attention. It’s his way of saying, "I don’t need to be too loud, but I’m kind of lonely."
He just wants her to open the door so he can make sure she’s still there. It’s a sweet reminder of the deep bond they share.
Despite his wild exterior, he still needs the reassurance of his favorite person.
Love On His Own Terms
Frazier isn’t a dog who wags his tail or seeks out pets from strangers. However, if he leans into someone while sniffing them, Nicole knows it’s safe for them to scratch him under the chin.
He is fiercely affectionate, but only to the people he has made a true connection with. He loves to run free, doing wild zoomies before carefully checking to make sure he hasn’t left his scent behind.
He isn’t the type to offer comfort if Nicole is crying—he mostly just looks at her in confusion—but he loves her deeply in his own unique way.
From an abandoned puppy facing a tragic end in Iowa to a majestic, loved wolfdog in New Hampshire, Frazier is finally living the beautiful, free life he was always meant to have.
