My Life Coaches are the Seven Deadly Sins

"No way… really?" I asked as Jake gave me a deadpan look while rolling his eyes.

"Yeah, it's a generational thing. Anyone born between 1990 and 2000 has a name that starts with J. Pups are the same." Jake answered taking a swig of his water.

"How old is he?" I asked scratching along his nose. His eyes shut, but he didn't pull away. His coat was healthy, not excessively greasy like some outside dogs, no bald spots, no matting. He was very well taken care of.

"Turning 8 this year." Jake informed tugging on the dog's tail.

The growl was very intimidating. Like, if I heard this growl under any other circumstance, I'd back away.

"Don't be such a baby, hogging all the attention." Rusty complained but she reached out to give him pets.

"He's beautiful, how much does he weigh? Actually, is he a wolf dog?" I asked hiding my smile as the tail whipped Jake hard enough to send his water flying.

"Brat." Jake snorted as he leaned over, reaching for the bottle. Alas, it was out of reach. "Fetch boy." Jake said with a cocky grin as he smacked the dog on the rear.

The dog growled, whipped its head around. Jake just pointed at the bottle of water. With a huff, the dog trotted the three steps to pick the bottle up.

I was amazed when the dog dropped the bottle in Jake's lap, then returned for more pets. "Who's a good boy? Yes, you're a good boy." I praised as he at my feet, head again on my lap.

"He's pure wolf. Though, we're looking for a mate outside his pack. Don't want them to inbreed you know?" Rusty explained as she leaned over to pet him.

I glanced up, "I heard this area is off limits for poaching, but they just come up to people?" I asked. Rose shrugged.

"Sometimes, only a few, they know we check on the pups, a few years back half the females caught something. Of the thirty healthy females, not even half survived. Their hasn't been much success in bringing females over either." Rose said with a sigh.

I glanced up as I heard lots of barking. More than a dozen wolf pups were tearing their way through the area. Leaping in the kiddie pools, pulling on clothes, tugging on the ears or tails of a few wolves who were laying near the treeline.

There were half a dozen wolves just as big as Jack. Just watching as the pups wreaked havoc. Soon a few pups came bounding over. Tugging on Jake's tail, giving yips, demanding attention.

"Can, I pick them up?" I asked whispering as I offered my hand to one of the more adventurous pups. "Come here sweetie," I crooned.

"If you can catch one, you hold them. The adults only get involved if you try and leave with one." Rusty giggled teasing one of the pups by dandling a chicken bone.

"We have a vet come give them check ups once a month so they're pretty used to us. We also have lots of parties, the kiddos with often accidentally drop treats for the pups. Now they come around whenever there's a party. Who's going to turn down free food yeah?" Rose added tossing a pup a meaty bone. The pup darted away, the others not far behind as they fought over the bone.

I watched them run off, then turned my attention back to the big boy still resting his head in my lap. His tail was hitting the ground hard. Not in excitement… but demanding attention. "Aww, guess I get you all to myself huh big boy?" I asked rubbing his face. "Is there anything to feed them?" I asked scratching down his back. Yeash, I could barely reach his shoulders!

"No feeding the big ones until the whole pack accepts you. Safer for everyone." Jake informed giving the wolf a side eye.

"That's fair. It's just… so amazing. What kind of wolf is he?" I asked as I continued scratching. One because the only other exotic animal I'd ever pet was a giant python at a zoo, two because… well who could say no to that face?

As the night continued I got to watch the pups try their sneak attacks on unsuspecting victims, human and wolf alike. Sometimes stealing food, sometimes demanding attention. I really, really, really, want to try picking one up.

With the giant wolf by my side, others came up to chat. I met Rusty's mom who pinched my cheeks like I was a toddler. I learned Rusty had an older brother, who stuffed three bags of left overs into my arms. I wasn't sure if there was enough room in my fridge for anything.

I couldn't stop my longing looks as one of the wolves howled, a call no doubt as all the wolves ears perked, then they bounded off into the woods. If I could have taken pictures… I would need extra storage… who was going to believe a wild wolf made me his personal ear scratcher?

"Don't look so sad, I have no doubt you'll see him again. Looks like all the pups are in bed." Rose added nodding to a group of men coming back, jostling each other with loud laughter.

"It's pretty late, you have work tomorrow right Max?" Rusty asked with a sigh as she slumped on the table.

"Yeah, wow, where did the time go?" I asked shocked it was already almost nine.

"Time flies when you're having fun. You should definitely come to the next one!" Rusty added as we started to stand. People were starting to clean the chairs, coolers, kiddie pools.

"I can help with clean up." I offered as I folded the chair I'd been sitting on.

"No worries Max, better get you home before it gets much later." Jack insisted grabbing two of the bags.

"Yeah, let's head out." Jake agreed with a smirk.

We didn't even grab the coolers they'd brought. We chatted on the drive back, no wonder everything was named after wolves. Jake and Jack's great grandmother had started the sanctuary. All the proceeds from their businesses went to funding the sanctuary. They didn't allow corporations to donate to ensure the wolves and land stayed safe.

Part of their PR was helping at the local hospitals, elderly homes, and orphanages. Jack volunteered two nights a week watching and tutoring middle schoolers. Jake was a carpenter, he helped make shelves, beds, cabinets, tables, desks, all sorts of things for the orphanage.