Many of our extended SOLO family who have either taken a course at, or visited our New Hampshire campus will remember Saxon, the Mexican Gray Wolf-hybrid that followed Ted Walsh everywhere. It is with sadness that we report that on May 15th Saxon passed away.
She was almost fifteen years old, and as the picture below shows, taken three days before her death in the SOLO shop, she was still in pretty good shape.
Saxon, still on the job three days before she died.
With little warning, age suddenly caught up with her and over a forty-eight hour period, her strength failed, her system failed, and she was gone. She passed away quietly in the living room of the cottage where she lived with Ted and Judy, surrounded by the people who loved her, and without suffering.
During the twelve years that she was with us, she had an impressive career. While at SOLO she participated in many of our Advanced Leadership and Emergency Care (ALEC) programs, numerous advanced WEMT Modules, Navigation courses, boat building courses, staff trainings, she was on the search committee for a time, and she was a regular proctor at EMT exams held at the New Hampshire campus in Conway. She attended numerous evening gatherings in the Roundhouse, where she met many students over the years. In Addition she oversaw the complete renovation of the offices of TMC Books, the building of three sea kayaks, a 24 foot open pulling boat, a 16 foot sailing tender, the building of the boat shed, and the complete renovation of a 35’ Friendship Sloop. She had sailed the entire length of the coast of Maine from Kittery, into Canadian waters and back three times (the first time she needed more papers to cross the border than the boat did) and has been on cruises too numerous to count all along the coasts of Maine, New Hampshire, New Brunswick, and on Lake Champlain in Vermont. From 2003 on she was a regular at the annual Friendship Sloop Homecoming in Rockland. In 2005 she was the Boatyard Dog for the 2005 May issue of Maine Boats Homes and Harbors magazine. She was one of the main characters of the children’s book Merlin and the Black Star, and the SOLO Field Guide to Wilderness First Aid Afloat is dedicated to her.
Ever watchful.
She was such a ubiquitous figure on the SOLO campus that we all catch ourselves expecting her to appear around the corner, but we are so grateful that her end was swift, and grateful to have shared such a large life lived by such a small creature. We miss her a hundred times a day.
Saxon 1997-2011
Goodbye old friend.
Dear Ted, Judy and all of Saxons friends,
We are terribly sorry to read this. I can only say that Saxon had been truly blessed in her life while at the same time blessing those around her. I will miss seeing her when I visit the Hill.
All the best,
The Braches
I met Saxon at a WFR course. She was unique and she was special. I’m sorry to hear of her passing.
Greg Chokas
At the round house session she took a liking to me as I sat on the floor and gave her an ear rub. When I stopped she gave me a kiss. Imagine being kissed by a wolf? It was magical. She must have remembered me the next night, as I visited the wood shop she greeted me by coming to me quietly and rubbing her ears against me. Needless to say, she got another good rubbing.
I’m sure the memory “triggers” are everywhere…losing such a faithful friend. Saxon was such an integral part of the SOLO family and was truly loved.
Blessed Be – she is waiting on the other side of the rainbow bridge for you…
I guess I am a little late but my condolences to you Ted. I know that the little bit of time I was able to spend at Solo was better because of Saxon.
Blessings to you all
I just found out today about Saxon, while I was up taking a course. Saxon was very special and it seems so different to not have her walking by. She will always be with Solo and her family, though, as her spirit continues on. I am glad that she was at home with her family when she passed. My thoughts are with you all.
Susan Darrell
Very sorry Ted and Judy. She was wonderful.
Willie and Jeanne