Darrin's Wolf Wish

Darrin, 13, has cystic fibrosis, and he had thought a long time about his opportunity to have a dream come true. After more than a year of careful consideration, he chose to experience wolves in the wild. Darrin’s wish granters understood the importance of finding the right environment for Darrin’s wish experience—one that could guarantee plenty of interaction with wild wolves, and would also provide a relaxing retreat for Darrin’s family of seven.

When the day arrived for Darrin and his family to depart for the International Wolf Center in Ely, Minnesota, carefully laid plans unfolded into a magical getaway amongst the uncharted forest and frosty frozen lakes where a pack of wild wolves made their home. Darrin, his parents, and siblings interacted with this pack of wolves every day of their trip, but always came home to their roomy private cabin, gourmet meals, and the tender care of a staff that magnified the magic of Darrin’s wish. Darrin even got to "adopt" one of the wolves, Shadow, and return home with a special picture of his adopted wolf and a certificate to share with friends. The family especially recalls the incredible experiences of driving dog sleds pulled by Alaskan huskies across the frozen lakes, and going up in the plane that tracks the wolves with radio signals.

Darrin fondly recalls that, under the careful eye of the professional staff, the wolves came to within a few feet of him, where he could see every detail of the animals’ strong, noble bodies. He will never forget how he howled his greetings to the pack, and they, with a clamor of wolf voices, answered him.