In the wilds just beyond Henderson, locals spotted a single white pup living amongst coyotes in a sun-soaked desert for months. Every so often, it strays into the Inspirada neighborhood with its newfound family.
The mysterious creature had not only been accepted by the pack but is believed to be leading them, according to some accounts! It’s suspected this one-of-a-kind creature was discarded in the desert as an infant, yet instead of being cast out by nature – these kind coyotes adopted him like he was their own.
“It seems like he may have been put out there between seven and eight months, and somehow or another, the coyotes just accepted him,” explained Susan McMullen of the Southern Nevada Trapping Team.
“It seems like he may have been put out there between seven and eight months, and somehow or another, the coyotes just accepted him,” explained Susan McMullen of the Southern Nevada Trapping Team.
McMullen informed FOX5’s Kim Passoth that the initial sighting of Ghost was posted on social media in July. Since then, locals in Inspirada have been keeping an eye out, and any sightings have been promptly reported to various neighborhood groups over the past seven months.
True to his name, Ghost would vanish whenever someone came near him.
Upon realizing that he might be hurt, McMullen and her partner Timi Zondiros decided they needed to come to the rescue and give him assistance.
“He was actually just running with them and eating with them, but then he started to limp, and we were afraid limping that the coyotes could turn on him,” McMullen shared.
Maps of Ghost’s routes were shared among neighbors, so McMullen and Zondiros scoured near homes and the barren desert for hours upon end in hopes of finding him.
“We were very nervous about where he was, how he was,” recalled Zondiros.”We were very nervous about where he was, how he was,” recalled Zondiros.
The Southern Nevada Trapping Team eagerly came to the rescue and applied crowdsourcing tactics in order to locate Ghost’s living area.
They eventually were successful in coaxing the pup into a crate filled with food.
“It is just that adrenal and excitement and relief… it was just a relief to get him out of there,” McMullen contended.”It is just that adrenal and excitement and relief… it was just a relief to get him out of there,” McMullen asserted.
“When he got into that crate…. He just sat down. I think he was also relieved,” Zondiros recounted.”When he got into that crate…. He just sat down. I think he was also relieved,” Zondiros recounted.
Unfortunately, Ghost’s seven-month experience among the coyotes came at a price. He has multiple scars across his face and body from fights; he is also dealing with an ear infection, eye infection, and skin problems, plus his scrotum needs to be removed entirely, while one of his toes requires amputation.
During a medical examination, the rescuers were horrified to discover that due to his extreme hunger while living on his own in the wild, Ghost had resorted to eating rocks.
“He’ss got some rocks in his belly because he was probably hungry and ate some rocks, so we are just going to watch those, and hopefully those will pass so we don’t have to have yet another surgery,” McMullen added.
“He’s got some rocks in his belly because he was probably hungry and ate some rocks, so we are just going to watch those, and hopefully, those will pass so we don’t have to have yet another surgery,” McMullen added.
The surgery and treatments needed for Ghost’s recovery have led to some pretty hefty medical bills. As a result, a GoFundMe account was set up to fund Ghost’s medical expenses.
Despite spending months in the desert with a pack of coyotes, Ghost remains incredibly friendly and warmly greets each person he meets.
“He is the sweetest, most loving dog… he comes up to you he wants to be petted, he wants to be held,” Zondiros asserted.”He is the sweetest, most loving dog … he comes up to you; he wants to be petted, he wants to be held,” Zondiros asserted.
Three days after his rescue, FOX5 found Ghost happily accompanying Zondiros through At Your Service Pet Supply in Henderson. He acted as any other dog would have and easily explored the store’s aisles.
Since Ghost is still a puppy and displaying no hostile behavior, he will be eligible for adoption once his medical treatment is completed.
Ghost’s gentle behavior and tender age make him an ideal candidate for adoption. It may take some time for him to adjust from living with coyotes to the comfort of human companionship, but it’s well worth the effort!
Ghost is gradually acclimating to his new life, though the nights can be a bit of an adjustment for him.
“He is not crate trained. He is not leash trained … he doesn’t sleep at night. He paces; he pants, nighttime is really hard for him,” McMullen described.”He is not crate trained. He is not leash trained … he doesn’t sleep at night. He paces; he pants, nighttime is really hard for him,” McMullen described.
Ghost is none the worse for wear, even after being abandoned in the desert. He’s eager to find a family who loves him and provides them with loyalty and affection in return.
He yearns for a forever home where he can settle down and put his nomadic days behind him.
“We would like for him to be adopted in a loving home where he is going to have a bed, a couch, people to hold him… I believe he is going to be the best dog because they are the most grateful, the ones that are rescued … they feel it.” Zondiros said.
Featured Image Credit: Fox5 Vegas
