Kodama was never just a puppy. She was a presence - gentle, and curious about the world. From the moment I began sharing her story, people connected with her. They watched her grow, experienced her beauty, and followed along as she became a quiet ambassador for something bigger than herself: hope, understanding, and a different way of seeing wild wolves. She came into the world carrying that purpose effortlessly. Where others saw fear or division, Kodama met with softness. She taught people without knowing, allowing them to understand that even something born of the wild could choose trust, and connection. I imagined her growing old the way her grandparents had, surrounded by familiarity and care..

But one night, the unthinkable happened…

Whether it was a faulty latch or something else entirely, I may never know. What I do know is that sometime late in the hours or early morning, Kodama slipped out. She did what young pups do - her smart and curious ways led her to go exploring in the dark. Unknowingly, it would be her last adventure.

Kodama had been taught one thing above all else: people are safe. So when she found herself lost in the woods, she didn’t hide. She went searching for the familiarity of warmth and kindness she had always known. Sadly, the things that made her so special also made her vulnerable to the wrong people.

By 4 a.m, I was already searching. Calling her name into the dark, reaching out to neighbors, alerting everyone I could. People nearby knew me. They knew my animals. This is no secret life hidden away - I made sure of that. Within hours, everyone around had been told Kodama was missing. At first, I didn’t believe she had gone far. But by afternoon, reality set in… she must have left the property. I contact Living Waters Bible Camp, but what I didn’t know then was that earlier that same morning, around 6 a.m., while I was still out searching and calling for her, Kodama had already found her way there. She had done exactly what she was taught to do - build connection with people.

I was later told she lingered there for hours, curiosity about her new found connections kept her there. She showed no aggression. None. That was her nature: submissive and gentle, even with children. But fear overruled understanding.

Instead of calling me, despite knowing who I was, and despite being told to reach out if she was seen - they chose another path. They put a lead on her, led her away, and while she stood there, calm and trusting, they shot her at close range.

Then they discarded her. As if she were nothing.

When I called, I was told they had seen nothing… nothing at all. But that wasn’t the truth. They covered up their actions rather than offering neighborly support like Kodama and I had hoped. The RCMP wouldn’t investigate, and I continue to fight for her justice every day.

Kodama lived her life building a bridge between two worlds. That was her gift. She wasn’t just my puppy. She was my heartbeat. My world. And for so many others, she became something meaningful too. She made the toughest kids smile, and was a beacon of hope for some of the most vulnerable and lost in our society.

She changed people.