"Twelve Years With a Wolfdog"
by Nicholas Powell
Drawing, painting, clay, photography, drumming - I've been a jack of all trades and master of none, but one talent has always fascinated me... and that is writing.
A writer can take you places you've never been before. They can show you landscapes and they can show you mindscapes. They can introduce you to incredible people - some good, some bad and some just plain ordinary folk, like us They can make you laugh, make you cry, make you mad as hell - then make you feel all the things in between. To me, that is a form of magic.
I was going to tell you that I'm not a writer, but a friend who previewed my forward said, "Don't you dare say that." She pointed out that we are all writers, we just have varying degrees of talent.
I thought about that for a while... and she's right. If you've ever written a letter or a love note or even a 'What I Did Last Summer' paper for school, then you my friend, are a writer.
So this writer has a book he would like to share with you. It's nothing fancy, but it's from the heart. The story begins on the first day I met Cody and it ends... well, you'll have to read the book to find out, but I promise you it's not a sad ending. Cody and I have parted paths for now - but not forever. In the meantime, life goes on...
Thanks to Cody the Ambassa-Dog, I am now married to my best human friend and the love of my life. Cody introduced me to Leahsandra in the wilds of the North Carolina mountains many years ago. It took us a long time to finally realize we belonged together and it was a rough, bumpy road, but Cody made sure he left me in good hands.
We currently live in North Florida with two rowdy, teenage wolfdogs and two finicky felines. I really did not intend to get another wolfdog, much less two, but fate had different plans. Niko and Najy came to us as puppies from a rescue shelter. We couldn't say no... but we've questioned the sanity of that decision many times.
Cody was the perfect gentleman with impeccable manners - Niko and Najy are polar opposites. Potential wolfdog parents - heed and take warning! We love them and would never give them up, but I don't know of many people who would've survived the trials and tribulations they've put us through. Maybe that's why they were destined to be ours - because anyone else would've taken them back or to the pound by now!
They've dug holes to China, have chewed up everything in the yard, have played King of the Hill on our poor car, covering it with scratch marks... and the list goes on. We are completely tied down, since NO one I know would dare wolfdog-sit. Boarding them is out of the question for two reasons. They would feel abandoned (wolfdogs never forget) and reason two is I wouldn't want to pay for the damages at the kennel. We haven't been on a real vacation in over two years, but at least that leaves a lot of time for writing.
We bought a house on a hill in West Virginia that we hope to move into one day, but for now we're stuck in hot, humid, buggy Florida... dodging hurricanes and swatting mosquitoes. (I've lived here all my life, so I have earned the right to gripe if I want). We're stuck here until UPS loosens the noose on my retirement fund, or we hit the lottery, whichever comes first.
We are currently in search of a publisher or agent. My wife is also a writer. One of her books, Woman Speak is the true story of the years spent with her abusive ex-husband. We met somewhere in the middle of both books and they dove-tail together. I think if you read one, you will want to read the other.
About the author...
Niko & Najy - don't they look sweet?
Check out the chair on the front porch...
Potential wolfdog owners beware!
Me and my beloved lady, Leahsandra
