Run free dear friend
In Memory of Raven
April 5, 1995 to April 12, 2009
Rick and I only met Raven a couple of times and even in these brief encounters he touched our lives. To know Raven is to know that he was an exceptional being who was able to bridge the chasm between man and wolf and rebuild the relationship between the two. Raven lived most of his life as the chief Ambassador Wolf at the Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary. His best friend was Leyton Cougar and the two of them worked side by side for many years to improve public education about wolves. Raven passed away this morning in Leyton’s arms. He was 14 years old. This is nearly double the average life span of a wild wolf and, while it is very sad for all of us who will miss him, we must take heart in the fact that Raven completed the work he came here to do and his spirit is now uninhibited as it was always meant to be. Run free dear friend, we will miss you.
Most sincerely,
-DeAnna Dimmitt and Rick Meiers
Dry Heat Photography
Our last images of Leyton and Raven together. March 5, 2009
These are very dear… Makes me wish I had met Raven – and glad Leyton was holding him.
Deanna,
This is fitting tribute to such a beautiful wolf. I am so very glad and honoured to have met Raven and been a sponsor of him for the last couple of years. I am deeply saddened by the news of his passing. I am so glad Leyton was with him.
DeAnna, I am sharing tears that flow in two directions. I had great honor in the privilege of meeting Mr. Raven and Leyton. The experience to be graced by both, especially, at this time of loss leaves my heart quite saddened but with awesome memories. Thank you for the beautiful tribute to both.
With our heads and hearts and souls together, we all go forward – many blessings to Raven as he flies free in the sea of Love, never far from those with whom he shares love.
Beautiful tribute – thank you DeAnna and Rick
Raven….we will grieve forever.
I was blessed to know Raven his entire time at Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary. As a long time member and on/off volunteer I also know Leyton. What a team they were!
This is a wonderful tribute.
Thank You!
I did know Raven most all of his life, he always showed me love,gave me courage to be in this world,and respect.I was blessed and will always be blessed for him having beem in my life. I am sure all Wild Spirits met you at the crossroads and you are running free.I am crying big tears for the loss of my friend and also for your freedom.
Leyton and I had a talk about this day some time last year, I am sorry for you loss brother, thanks for being there for him and me and Chey Every time I call my Chey I will have wonderful memories, thanks Leyton
LOVE AND LITE MY WILD FRIEND
I did know Raven most all of his life, he always showed me love,gave me courage to be in this world,and respect.I was blessed and will always be blessed for him having beem in my life. I am sure all Wild Spirits met you at the crossroads and you are running free.I am crying big tears for the loss of my friend and also for your freedom.
Leyton and I had a talk about this day some time last year, I am sorry for you loss brother, thanks for being there for him and me and Chey Every time I call my Chey I will have wonderful memories, thanks Leyton
LOVE AND LITE MY WILD FRIEND
Bobbi & Terry Shelton
Om Shanti – Rest yourself and live free dear Raven – I remember you from a few years past. I have heard Leyton speak of your service and teachings throughout your life with us here on Earth. I have spoken off you often – in fact, I was speaking of you on the 11th and 12th of April, while doing my workshops, here in Tokyo, Japan. You will be missed and most of all by Leyton, who loved you so. We shall send him love and light so he might heal this wound quickly. Please stay close and dance upon us – so we might experience your grace.
In love and peace,
Paul
It’s horrible to hear about Raven’s passing, but I’m glad to have known him.
I’m sincerely hope that he’s now running with the big pack in the sky, and will keep his beautiful soul for all eternity.
Blessed be, wonderful one!
Dear Leyton, and all at Wild Spirit. I knew before I opened this e-mail the sad news that it held……. and the tears started streaming. I had the great privilege of meeting Raven and being kissed by Raven last fall when he traveled to El Paso. What a wonderful wolf he was……. so very gentle. I know he will be deeply missed.
Now he is running free in God’s great outdoors and for this we must accept his passing even though the tears are still flowing………..
Farewell dear Raven, until we meet again.
I met Raven when he was about four years old. He was an amazing wolf. I will miss his howl, his kisses and his gentle nature. The sanctuary will not be the same without him nor will anyone that has ever had the privilage of meeting him. I do not even have words to describe how much he meant to me nor how much he will be missed. Thank you for putting together this tribute to him. Run Free my Beautiful Prince Raven.
Raven redefined the perceptions of many humans and this is nothing less than a miracle. Albeit small miracles, there were thousands of these life-changing encounters, which is exactly what will change the plight of all wolves for countless generations to come. His absolute acceptance of and dedication to his mission, while in the physical form, is a role model that very few humans can accommodate. It was accomplished without ego or hidden agendas and is the purest form of love and purpose. That this sage teacher should come to humans from a different species is testament to the interconnectedness of all beings.
.
Raven runs in our hearts and it is an honor.
Goodbye Raven. You were an inspiriation to so many, myself included, and I will miss you dearly.
That’s so sad. I am very glad to have met Raven. I have a picture of Raven kissing my granddaughter. I am very glad to have visited Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary. I encourage everyone to visit the Sanctuary and see the wonderful work they do there.
Leyton & All those touched by Raven (his kid),
Words cannot express the grief we all feel when one of our “kids” passes from this world unto another. You’ve been with me through a few of my kids passing and I only wish we could be there with you and your family to give you big wolf hugs.
A poem that makes me think of all things wild for you all.
The Peace of Wild Things
When despair for the world grows in me
and I wake in the night at the least sound, in fear
of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake rests in his beauty
and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought of grief.
I come into the presence of still water
And feel above me the day-blind stars waiting
with their light. For a time,
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.
— Wendell Berry
To Raven,
I remember the first time I saw you years ago and you planted a seed. Because of you, animals are my passion and my life and I will be proud to always work in your honor.
Be at peace and at rest, knowing how much you gave to so many and what it meant.
To Leyton,
As I am sorry for your loss, I also know that Raven will always be with you and thank you for caring for him and sharing him with all of us.
Adrienne
To Raven & All at WSWS,
Run Raven Run, you are totally free to roam the heavens and be with your buddies that have passed before you and watch over your buddies you have left behind, 2 AND 4 legger’s!
I was very blessed to visit WSWS and meet Raven in person. And what a beautiful animal he is. He went above the call of duty representing the sanctuary and educating humans young and old. He has left his footprints in this world.
For some reason I think Nana the Saint Bernard is still working, doing her thing with the wolves, now she will have another too look after!!! I am sure she is happy too!
Goodbye Raven.
Goodbye Raven,
I am so sorry I never made it over to see you before you passed on, but a spirit like yours is so great it can never die and I will always see you alive and vital in my mind. You have done so much for your fellow wolves by showing people what truly amazing, beautiful, and special creatures wolves are. By reaching so many hearts, I think people are more aware of the need to conserve your species and are apalled even more so at things like the aerial killings of wolves in Alaska and the unreasoning hatred some continue to have of your kind. I hope you are somewhere playing with Steve Irwin; you are both wildlife heroes.
Thank you for all you have done,
Valerie Seymour and New Mexican Horse Project
Dear Wild Spirit staff,
I had never met Raven but I know all about him through Christina, who loved him so.
I am saddened by his passing and your loss of a wonderful
friend.
Raven was the Best of the Best both to his 2 legged buddies & four legged friends, he helped with the raising of all the pups who are all now in their young lives,and his penmate Cheyenne who he cherished. His demeandor was the Best among all. My thoughts and prayers go out to Leyton his best friend, what other wolf gets to be the Best Man at his buddies wedding. Cheyenne will definitely miss Raven and her sorrow is probably being heard throughout the Sanctuary. Raven will never be forgotten by anyone who has had the pleasure of his company and kisses. All of the previously gone wolves are rejoicing that the Majestic King of WSWS is with them. To all of the staff, this has to be the hardest period of time for you, but keep the faith and continue to do the wonderful things and experience and knowledge that are past on to the rest of us by all. God bless and the spirit of the wild be with you all 2 legged and mostly the four legged friends.
Sharon Wanamaker
My dear one
I would walk into the ghost lands to see those ever knowing ancient eyes, to hear your wonderful song. I would want to bring you home to Layton. To start all over again! The eyes always said So Much.
If your measure is in your footprints; the Legacy OF Raven’s LIfe has sustained our lives many times over. As well as lives to come!I have known wolves before. But Raven taught me “WOLF”.-My Friend,My heart, My love, My Pack. I will look for your eyes in the nite skies & remember!
Thank You- I like many know that we have stood in the presence of one of the great enlighteners of this time, we have truly been blessed!
Layton,My friend, my heart, when you are ready for healing touch.I will help in any way I can. Many prayers of strength go out to you and hopes to see you soon.