Taking on any pet is a big responsibility, but when the dog you buy turns out to be an actual wolf, you might be faced with a difficult decision on whether to keep it or not.
That's exactly what happened to a family when they took on Yuki. After taking him home after buying him off a breeder, they started to realise they had bitten off more than they could chew when at eight months, their puppy was too big for their home and too much for them to handle.
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I can't imagine it was an easy decision, but as 9gag reports, the family chose to leave him at a place grimly described as a 'kill shelter' - luckily, this is where Shy Wolf Sanctuary comes in.
Based in Naples in Florida, US, Shy Wolf Sanctuary takes in exotic animals that can't be adopted, and by doing so with Yuki, it has truly given the animal a real home.
Yuki's DNA testing came back as 87.5% percent Gray Wolf, 8.6 percent Siberian Husky, and 3.9 percent German Shepherd, meaning he's unable to be rehomed as he's classed as a wild animal. However, he has made himself part of the furniture at Shy Wolf, where his favourite carer Brittany Allen has made him Insta famous thanks to his slightly scary looks but loving nature.
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Speaking to Bored Panda, Brittany said: "Wolfdogs are a bit more difficult in my opinion because you don't exactly know how much wolf behavior vs. dog behavior they will have.
"Yuki isn't necessarily more social vs. the pure wolves. We have pure wolves who will run away when they see new people because they are generally shy, curious animals. Yuki, however, will run straight to a new person and if he doesn't like them will become aggressive towards them."
She added: "They are very selective but when they bond it is pretty unique."
Yuki is a real character too. He is very selective about who he lets into his enclosure, with only a few women allowed in, which the sanctuary has nicknamed his 'harem'.
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Another of Yuki's carers, Jeremy Albrecht said: "Today, Yuki is one of the most interesting animals in the sanctuary. He is not an easy guy to get to know, but he does have a small number of volunteers he has bonded with.
"He has gained the nickname 'Woowoo' because when he sees any of his chosen volunteers that is the noise he makes, beckoning that volunteer to come spend time with him."
In a tragic turn of events, Yuki has been diagnosed with untreatable blood cancer, meaning he will spend the rest of his life at the sanctuary, until his carers think it has become too uncomfortable for him. But there's no doubt he's in the best place to spend his final days, with loads of unconditional love, attention and care.
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Talk about an emotional rollercoaster.
Featured Image Credit: Shy Wolf SanctuaryTopics: Dog, Feels, US News, Animals