by Elizabeth Gray
Anyone who cares for a loved one with special needs knows that a roller coaster of experiences and emotions accompanies that relationship. Daphne, our special needs coyote, arrived in August of 2023. Mostly blind and plagued by a neurological disorder, Daphne’s well-being presents in fits and starts.
Caring for our other residents brings great fulfillment. Their interactions with each other and their environment is joyous. We have built relationships with our resident foxes. We look into their eyes and see a variety of emotions: happiness, anticipation, curiosity, and recognition. Caring for them requires dedication but it is usually much simpler.
Daphne, however, is a challenging puzzle. There are times when she does seem content, sunning herself on her hay bale. She is a good eater and loves to toss around her plush toys. It is heartwarming to see her do a big downward dog stretch and yawn after a long nap.
And then there is the circling. Why she does this is uncertain. Is her brain short circuiting? Is she bored and struggling to cope? Is she scared? Is circling just a habit like nail biting? When we look into her eyes there is no recognition; and no clues as to her state of mind. When her senses are heightened and her circling is frantic, it is difficult to watch.
Daphne’s well-being and future is a frequent topic of conversation. We have been on the verge of determining that Daphne’s quality of life is deficient, despite all of our efforts. Then she surprises us. Daphne is seen on video exhibiting the traits of a ‘normal’ coyote, enjoying her environment and tugging at our hearts.
Daphne recently had a severe limp. This is the leg she broke and had surgery to fix prior to arriving at Wild Paws. If she rebroke this same leg, amputation is recommended. With her physical and mental challenges, living life with three legs is unfortunately not feasible for Daphne.
We transported Daphne to Homey Gnome Veterinary Clinic and gathered for what we thought might be to say our goodbyes. We waited while she was sedated getting her x-rays. We braced for the tragic news and the doubts started creeping in: Have we done enough? Did we ignore signs and extend her torment needlessly? Was she ever happy at Wild Paws?
We are so prepared for the bad news that it takes a moment to process that her leg is only sprained. We were all so relieved yet know how quickly an accidental injury could turn into an extremely difficult decision. Providing proper quality of life is one of the most challenging parts of rescue, rehabilitation and sanctuary. The animals in our care deserve to live their lives as wild as possible, but also with a life that is fulfilled not just extended. Having this happen to Daphne reaffirmed this.
Daphne in recovery after examination at Homey Gnome Veterinary Clinic. She was very calm and both she and her next door neighbor did not seem to be bothered by each other’s presence. This was a very positive thing to observe!
Daphne is back at Wild Paws, and her sprain is healing nicely. We are hopeful again that Daphne enjoys more sunny days, and that we find more solutions to minimize her mental angst. Our sweet Daphne continues to be top of mind for our Animal Care team and Board of Directors, and we will continue to update you on her life at Wild Paws.
Elizabeth Gray is a Wild Paws Board Member, Treasurer, and part of the animal care team. She has dedicated much of her time to Daphne's specialized care.