Dioute

Art by Ember#11315

Dioute's life started off rocky; he was born to a sickly litter that all died, leaving him as the runt of all the pups in the Sen Pack.  Old Sen was a cruel leader, often finding excuses to attack other packs or to kill prey for no reason. When Dioute took too long in becoming bigger and healthier, Sen left him to die in the forest. The Pack moved on and Dioute was left alone as a young puppy. 

Luckily for Dioute, he was found by the Hemlock Shade Elk of Wapiti Run. They took pity on him and his plight; bringing him in, they made sure he ate enough (a variety of small bugs, berries, and scavenging) and kept him warm. As he grew older, he ventured further and further, learning to hunt and feed himself. He remained loyal to his adopted Elk family, but he understood better the way in which he was to live. He longed for companionship, for wolf friends and wolf family. So, he went to the Elk and offered them a truce and peace with him and his future pack, if they would only help him find lost and wandering wolves. 

They agreed with him and so the Pack of Wapiti Run was formed. Dioute leads now with a kind and generous paw, offering help where it is needed and regarding the Elk who raised him with respect and compassion. 

He currently has a friend barn owl known as Kukhus, who is very protective of his friend and his wolves. He serves as a sentinel of the skies and a helper on hunting trips. 

Mate(s) : Oaken (left him and the Pack), Appalachia

Offspring : Conoco (Oaken), Pocono, Kia, Sipo, Tio (Appalachia), Kinzua (adopted), Tionesta (adopted) and Allegewi (Adopted)

More recently, Dioute has been climbing in age, as has his mate Appalachia. While a bit more slow and gray, he still makes a formidable leader and his elk friends visit often. He has ensured to himself that his Pack will be safe once he is gone, under the humble lead of young Nanoak. When his mate retired to live in Great Oak Down, he finds himself leaving Antler Ridge most nights to sleep with Appalachia. His heart is heavy with the knowledge that they are growing much older, but he has been grateful for the full lives they have lived.

Now that Appalachia has moved on, passed in her sleep next to him, Dioute has slowed down extraordinarily and rarely leaves camp. Though he keeps his spirits high for his Packmates, he feels the oldness of his bones and ache of his spirit. He hopes to join his mate soon, though he is torn to leave his pups and Pack behind. He spends most of his time with his youngest daughter Tio, who is still quite young. Dioute passed on in the early spring, asleep in his den. His elk friends mourned his death greatly and came together with the wolves to celebrate his life for the season. He left a long lasting legacy and his Pack will continue on in his honor.