Kai

Kai, March 15 2006 - July 19 2020

Late 2020 I created a portrait in commemoration of a very special canine for a very special human. Kai, a beautiful German Shepherd, much beloved companion of Rebecca Bose, Curator at the Wolf Conservation Center (WCC) was WCC's remarkable Nanny dog. He raised three of the center's ambassador wolves, Zephyr, Alawa and Nikai as well as a host of other animals including, pigs, ducks and even an emu! Kai sadly passed away peacefully in his sleep July 19, 2020. 

Kai with Nikai

Over the years with grace and gentleness Kai was a “bridge between canine and human worlds,” nurturing his young charges to adulthood. Friend to many including WCC's legendary Ambassador wolf Atka, Kai was also best friends with Kooney, a Kunekune pig (below).

This fitting tribute by TAPinto North Salem relates Kai's extraordinary gift of friendship:

www.tapinto.net/towns/north-salem/sections/community/articles/honoring-the-life-of-kai

Kai WCC's Nanny dog

It was an honour to work on the portrait of Kai and to commemorate his exceptional life and legacy. Kai's soulful eyes spoke volumes and mesmerised throughout the making of the drawing. 

The void his passing has left those that adored him cannot be filled for Kai is truly irreplaceable but he remains forever by the sides of those he loved.

Kai and Rebecca