Shana

In 1999 Norman and Eve Fertig rescued a puppy. It was around two weeks old, sickly and a poor prospect as a pet due to the fact that this was not a run-of-the-mill dog. This puppy was a hybrid. Shana was not a normal dog, she was a cross, half wolf and half canine. It has to be said that under normal circumstances, this is not a pet for the average household. Its behaviour could have been unpredictable and erratic. For Norman and Eve, this was not a consideration as they ran the Enchanted Forest Wildlife Sanctuary in New York  At the time of this incident, the couple were both 81 years of age and had been married for 60 years.

Before we start this, we need to appreciate how big Shana was. A normal female German Shepherd Dog weighs in at around 70 lbs (32 kilos), but Shana wasn’t normal. She was a GSD / Wolf cross weighing in at approximately 160 lbs (73 kilos). She was a massive animal. According to Eve Fertig, her back was wider than the shelves in her kitchen.

Shana weighed as much as a fully grown male St Barnard Dog.

A violent storm

On the 12^th of October 2006, when Shana was seven years old, at around 7 in the evening, the Fertigs were doing what they did every evening, they were feeding the animals, including a number of injured birds, it was a balmy evening, and the couple did not consider it necessary to wear heavy outdoor clothing, gloves and scarves as they were not expecting to be ok for long. Without warning, a sudden storm arrived, so violent was the weather that trees were uprooted and, within minutes, one of which fell whilst the couple were attempting to return to their home. They became trapped. By 9.30, huddled together for warmth and comfort, they realised that they may not survive.

There was no escape, their clothing was inadequate, they were wet and cold, they were in danger of hyperthermia, their age was against them, no assistance was within reach, and the situation was critical.

They had not reckoned on Shana. The 160 lb giant followed Eve habitually, so much so that Eve was reminded of the children’s nursery rhyme “Mary had a little lamb.”

For the next two hours, Shana dug a tunnel under the fallen trees, using her paws and teeth, barking as she progressed. Finally, she grabbed Eve by the sleeve, and with Norman hanging on to Eve’s legs, Shana dragged them both to the house, which was 200 feet away. The journey took another 2 hours, so the Fertigs finally got indoors by around 1.30 in the morning. They had been outside for 6 hours in the worst storm to hit New York in years.

Their ordeal was far from over. The electricity was down, no heating, no lighting. The three of them collapsed with exhaustion; Shana stayed with the couple as they pressed together to preserve the warmth.

In the morning, the fire department arrived, having been alerted by concerned neighbours. The Fertigs were offered the chance to spend the next couple of days at the fire station with others whose properties were not habitable, but there was a problem.

No dogs allowed

Unfortunately, due to the number of people, no dogs were allowed.

The Fertigs politely declined.  “Where we go, Shana goes too.”

The fire department visited each day following the storm to assist with tree removal and to bring food for Norman and Eve, plus food for Shana. After all the other folks had returned to their homes, the Fertigs spent a couple of days at the fire station and, as Eve revealed, the fireman.“ Spoilt Shana rotten.”

According to the fire chief, Shana’s exploits gave the fire crews inspiration and rejuvenated the exhausted fire crews. To the outside world, the hours that Shana spent rescuing the Fertigs were incredible. Her ability to think about what was necessary and how to achieve it. Shana became a hero, but to Eve Fertig, whilst acknowledging she owed her life to her unusual pet, had a slightly different view.

She stated: “If you are vicious to humans, they will become fighters, but even wolves, once you treat them right and raise them in your house, they are magnificent.”

This is from a lady who had spent decade’s observing, learning and teaching others about wildlife.

In her desperate attempt to rescue Norman and Eve, Shana’s paws were severely damaged, and it took months for them to heal.

Recognition

Citizens for the Humane Animal Treatment’s Hero’s Award is something that is normally given to humans. However, an exemption was made, and one was given to Shana. The award, including a photograph of this extraordinary animal, was hung on the wall of the Fertig’s house.