The Ultimate Adventure Dog

Apollo was born at a wolf sanctuary  when SoCal sanctuary’s attempt at recovering/repopulating the Gray Wolf numbers for Yellowstone National Park went awry. An all black Siberian husky was recovered and being treated and rehabilitated and long story short a litter of wolf/husky mixes were born. Solid black coat patterns are very rare for huskies and she was located in a forest injured and needed sanctuary. Unfortunately, pups not meeting DNA requirements had to go. Not only did Apollo not meet the DNA requirements to stay, he was the runt and had failure-to-thrive. He was essentially discarded… that was my last volunteer day and I took home this pup that I had no business trying to care for at the time.

Apollo spent the first weeks of his life in my hoodie/kangaroo pocket attending nursing school with me. Creating separation anxiety that spanned 3/4 of his lifetime.

I’d have to write an entire novel to explain the chaos and adventures that Chance and I experienced with this pup and I honestly am struggling to even put some of it into words. The loss of this good boy definitely left a void that can’t ever be filled. Apollo’s adventures started off rocky and this chaos was maintained until he FINALLY calmed down around 10 years of age. I was constantly burned out but this was my doggo and I wouldn’t have traded it for anything in the world.

Being able to destroy any crate, gate, cable,  door/trim/molding  or even security doors in his way, Apollo quickly began purveying loving relationships with all people who came in contact with him whether it be a new neighbor, jeep convoy, animal control, park services, unsuspecting hikers or random people on whoever's property he found his way onto for an unexpected rollick.

FYI: did you happen to catch ‘security door’ in the list of things unable to stop Apollo from going on his romps? That was not a typo, this dog chewed through a standard wooden door… then proceeded to gnaw his way through a metal security door in order to get out of the house to sun bathe, nap, or just because… who knows. Wild. insert facepalm here

This good boy had been the ultimate adventure buddy. Apollo has been to 11 states, many national parks and forests, and has accompanied Chance and I on countless adventures and trips. He was content on off-road adventures, multi-state trips, camping trips, hotel stays, all of it. As far as water sports go though, he really disliked being on the water… but he disliked being any significant distance from us so much more so he would board the kayaks/SUPs with us much to his chagrin.

Once Apollo started slowing down/calming down and became less Houdini-like/flight risk, he really made it known a that THIS IS APOLLO’S WORLD AND WE WERE LIVING IN IT. I was okay with it and had very few boundaries set on that.

The start of what created a devastating and  bottomless void: Apollo began having seizures in October 2024 possibly due to a plant toxin and possibly due to the aftermath of that and suspected liver failure , on the eve of his 15th birthday leading into the morning hours of his birthday he was barely hanging on with overnight treatments and observation… he was unresponsive to treatment and unresponsive altogether.

Apollo is survived by hims hooman kid brother Chance, hims Mom, and hims step-family.

At the wishes of Apollo’s  family it is asked that you give your pups some extra lovins in the form of ear knucklins, some good ol’ belly-rubz , and some extra treats.