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Wednesday, November 11, 2026Nov 11

A field guide to falling in love: The story of a North Carolina couple’s whirlwind romance and their crusade to save misunderstood wildlife

Dale Weiler and Loti Woods pose with a casting of Weiler's red wolf sculpture, "Just Settling In," depicting a mother wolf with her newborn pup. / Photo contributed by Loti Woods
Dale Weiler and Loti Woods pose with a casting of Weiler's red wolf sculpture, "Just Settling In," depicting a mother wolf with her newborn pup. / Photo contributed by Loti Woods Dale Weiler and Loti Woods pose with a casting of Weiler's red wolf sculpture, "Just Settling In," depicting a mother wolf with her newborn pup. / Photo contributed by Loti Woods

Five years ago, Dale Weiler and Loti Woods met at an art show in Tryon, North Carolina, which neither of them had particularly wanted to attend.

Weiler, a sculptor, had planned to be at a New York gallery, displaying one of his pieces. But when that piece broke in transport, he decided to attend the local opening instead.

Woods, a retired insurance broker, had been dragged to the show by her sister.

“It was love at first sight,” Weiler says.

Eight days later, the couple was engaged.