Isis-A Constant Reminder of a Wild Spirit

Yesterday morning, Isis passed away. As one of our founding animals, Isis has been a staple of the Sanctuary for many years. At almost 18 years old, she has surpassed the normal life span of a wolf-dog by many, many years. Her spunk and feistiness was with her to the end.

Only a year ago, Isis displayed herself as the only animal at the Sanctuary to ever tair through a capture net. While normally easily leashed and walked, when Isis realized an examination was in order, her stubborness came out, and she made it perfectly clear she was not going easily. With the only answer being netting, Isis proved us incapable of stifling her nature once again. Her wild spirit may have been tamed by domestication enough to keep her in captivity, but it was never dulled enough that she became accepting of our human ideas. Isis was a constant reminder to everyone at the Sanctuary, visitors, friends, volunteers and staff members, that a wild animal can not be tamed, not even with time and age.

As Isis aged and became physically defeated, her mate, Napi, became more food aggressive. A couple of months ago, he began to eat her food as well as his own. Seeing this, caretakers, knowing Napi is people-shy, would stand over Isis's food to protect her as she ate. Although previously Napi had come up to me for attention on a regular basis, after only one day of standing guard over Isis, he made it perfectly clear that he was upset with me. It was as if he was saying, "Come on, I've waited all these years for just a piece of control, and now you come in and take it away?" After only a few days of guarded eating, Isis was rejuvenated and returned to her alpha position, eating in peace without disturbances from Napi, after re-establishing her dominance. Honestly, I believe this event is what gave Isis her last good weeks... Living as a dominant animal, full of spunk and filled with pride, when this position was taken away, it left Isis without herself. When she was reestablished, it seemed that her inner-spirit was replenished and she was given life again.

Toward the end, we all became sorrowfully aware that Isis's spice was all that was keeping her alive as her health depleted and body began to cause her more and more pain. It seemed that her relationship with Napi was all that was keeping her, and the life that she was giving herself because of this was not fulfilling. We moved Napi next door with Shunka, allowing Isis to leave us in peace. We all took some time to discuss things with Isis. And each of us in our own way told her that it was okay to let go now. Two days after Napi's move, after much pampering and attention, Isis passed away peacefully in the night.

Canine deaths are not always a pretty sight. In my work at other shelters, with my own animals, and my experiences I've seen here, I've seen that the last moments of an animal's life can often leave them with aneurysms, convulsions, or other not-so-pleasant side effects. Isis was found with a peaceful smile on her face.. As though she simply laid down, let one breath out and said goodbye, completely sure of herself, and her time being well spent.

There are many, many stories that Isis has left behind, filled with the passion and wild spirit that these animals cannot help but express. Although we have all shed tears at her loss, one thing is always true when one of our animals pass away: Only in death can these animals, forced into captivity, let their wild spirits roam freely.

Cheyenne the Movie Star Part I

Last Wednesday afternoon, I received a phone call from Bill Swartz, a locations manager for movies. Bill was frantically trying to get ahold of us to see if we had any wolves that would be able to play a part in a movie. It seems as though while filming for "The Flock," (starring Richard Gere and Claire Danes), the group of movie-trained Canadian wolves scheduled to shoot, had backed out of their last end of the deal. Catching wind of our Sanctuary from locals i Albuquerque, Bill had called to see if we were interested.

Due to previous filming, only a certain color of wolf would do. The only of our animals that fit the part and is leashable, was little miss Cheyenne. Cheyenne, our youngest resident, is an energy-filled little girl who loves people... almost too much! While we have constantly toiled with the idea of making her an ambassador animal, Cheyenne has always seemed just a little too high-strung. She loves to pounce people, play-bite, and generally, destroy any items brough near her. However, after sending the pictures of her to Bill and receiving enormous amounts of encouragement, we decided to try out miss Cheyenne.

The next day, at 4:30 in the morning, there we were, Leyton, myself, and Gary, waking the compound and sneaking into Cheyenne and Raven's enclosure to get a harness on Cheyenne. With all the excitement, Cheyenne took Gary for quite a run to the van, and with some coaxing, we had Cheyenne loaded up, and Leyton, myself, and our soon-to-be movie wolf hit the road to Albuquerque.

Within moments, Cheyenne had begun destroying the van. Within the first half hour of the trip, the air-conditioning had been ruined. But, when you're transporting a wolf, this is something to be expected... While we attempted to discourage such destruction, Cheyenne was too busy having the time of her life with her new "chew-toy" to be dissuaded.

Upon arrival and after breakfast, Cheyenne made her grand entrance in the base camp. Here, we were warmly greeted by Tony, the stunt coordinator, Bill, the director (Andrew Lowe--I believe), one of the producers, and many of the other actors/crew members. She was definitely the center of attention.

She did fantastic, right from the start. It seems that while still interested in people, the large groups and busyness of the city were intimidating enough that Cheyenne was slightly sedated and not nearly as rambunctious as expected.

While we were unable to film the first day, she did the whole meet and greet, destroyed the make-shift enclosure they had built her, and enjoyed being the center of attention.

Jan, one of our board members, also came along to assist, and throughout the day, the three of us took shifts in the enclosure with Cheyenne. Although she was missing her companion animal, she got three to make up for it!

That night, although the movie had paid for hotel rooms for Leyton and myself, Leyton was so nervous about leaving Cheyenne alone, he ended up returning to stay with her for most of the night.

While Cheyenne ended up making it through her first day/night of being a movie star just fine, her human companions ended up all lacking sleep, exhausted, and still semi-nervous about their little girl.

Manu

Manu,
originally uploaded by Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary Wolves.

Currently, Manu is suffering from the lacking of Sequoia. Time will tell how returning Sequoia to the containment area will effect the two of them.

Endless Suffering and the Recollection of Scarring

Sequoia had 7 of her 10 stitches out today. Apparently by the time she was finished with the 7, she decided that she had had enough for the day. We'll remove the last three tomorrow, and then, move her into the containment facility in her old enclosure.

Manu has not been doing well at all without her. His past has made him into an extremely unstable animal and now, without Sequoia, he seems to spend much of his day wandering around aimlessly and looking very confused. He also has become exceptionally testy with his care-taker, Gary.

We're semi-nervous about moving Sequoia to the containment area. While currently we believe it would be better for both of them to have some company, there is the possobility that it will make Sequoia too active as well as cause further stress to Manu. However, right now we believe this to be the best solution and it will only take time to find out if we are correct.

Watching Manu the last few days has sparked a new hurt and anger inside of me. While I grow furious each time I repeat his story to a tour, watching the long-term effects causes much more inner fury. Manu was originally bought by a young couple who thought it would be "cool" to own a wolf-dog. For the first two years of his life, he was loved. However, as he matured, they decided they no longer wanted to deal with him and so locked him in a 3x5 shed where he was pretty much left to die. By the time he was found, Manu was severely malnourished, his muscles atrophied, and his body covered in infections where he had chewed on his own skin attempting to gain nourishment by eating his own fur off of his body. Because of the severity of his neglect, Manu has suffered long-term brain-damage and will never be a normal animal.

Without Sequoia, Manu's one comfort and stability is missing. He wanders through his enclosure as though having no sense of balance. He refuses to come to the fence to receive his daily medication and food from his caretaker. He shows signs of increased agression.

While a normal animal would show some amount of discomfort at the loss of a mate, Manu is a special case. His entire world has been turned upside down once again, and the only other creature he has been able to consistently count on is missing.

One has a hard time beleiving that humans could be so cruel. Could neglect an animal to the point where he loses pigmentation in his eyes, and can no longer even lift his head from the pavement... To listen to his cries and whimpers from a shed in their backyard and completely ignore the pleas for help...

But Manu is not the only case of abuse here. All of our animals have been rescued from abuse and abandonment. People jump into the "owning" of a wolf-dog, only to find themselves overwhelmed with the complexities they did not make themeselves aware of prior to purchase. When the animal expresses the wild nature that is bound to take form, they turn to abuse to discipline the animal, or abandon the animal. In the good cases, there is an endless search for someone to rescue the owner from their new found problem... But even here, the animal is suffering.

This is why we exist. This is why our mission is to educate the public against wolf-dog breeding and ownership. While there are some responsible owners out there, they are still adding to the epidemic when they purchase a wolf-dog. If there were no buyers, there would be no breeders. And only in that case could an end be put to the 100,000's of euthanizations per year in the US alone.

Manu is a constant reminder of the suffering these animals face. Constantly we see the never-ending aftermath. And perhaps, if nothing else, this is these animals gift to us. A reminder, a rekindling of passion, a surge of emotions that help us to hold strength in our quest.

New Volunteer Initiation: Meat Separation and Loaf

Our new volunteers had their real initiation today and yesterday: Meat Separation and Loaf. These two things are always the real test as to a volunteer's longevity.

Imagine if you will, 8 trash cans full of various ungualte left-overs, including inedible parts such as eyes, skulls, traumatized flesh, and parts still with fur. Volunteers and staff diligently squat on tarps outside, digging through these items, separating bones from meat and edible from inedible. After the meat has been separated, the non-bones are then packaged into forming trays and then carried to the freezer. Bones are relocated for future feedings, and waste is loaded into a van and driven to "The Pit."

The Pit is an experience all of its own. Here, an enormous hole previously dug by other diligent voluteers, is now the dumping ground for all bio-degradable waste including inedible meat donations, and animal fecal matter.

The entire process is horrific to some. But those of us who make it through do so knowing that meat separation is both a necessity and a blessing.

Obviously wolves are not vegetarian by nature, and in fact, can only survive by a carnivorous diet. We understand that no matter how disgusting the process may be, it is necessary to keep our animals happy and healthy. Also, though purchased meat can be much less time-consuming and, well, less disgusting, the generosity of Green Valley meat and other donators is tremendous. In the Summer, when we are not blessed with such donations, the Sanctuary must purchase chicken quarters from Walmart. Feeding 60 animals 4 pounds of chicken 5 days a week is not a small expense. Winter especially can be a slim time of year for donations/tours, and so, without the donations of meat and the tireless efforts of meat separation, we would not be able to provide for the animals as well as we are able.

Loaf, not quite as graffic, is still quite the process. Loaf is prepared each Thursday by animal-care volunteers, frozen, and then served to the residents each Sunday. The process begins with two large tubs filled with 45 pounds of raw hamburger each. Rice, green beans, carrots, garlic, barley, oats, and a ton of various supplements such as Diatamaceous Earth, Amino Acids, and our own blend of Nutritional Powder, along with many other "secret" ingredients, are then added to the mix. This thick, dense and sometimes smelly mixture is then constantly neaded by volunteers for the next 20-45 minutes until completely blended. After this, loaves are made and weighed, then assembly-line-style carried to the freezer to be prepared for Sunday.

Loaf is something that has been created here at the sanctuary and since, Nutritionist approved. 100's of wolves can't be wrong. With our animals being in the controlled circumstances of captivity, they end up living much longer, (up to ten years longer) than they would in the wild. As they age, it is important for them to receive vitamins and supplements to keep them healthy. Loaf has become our way of doing this. In the future, when monetary funds provide proper equipment, we hope to be able to market this product as high-end large dog food.

Hallie and James both survived their initiation, and didn't even seem to flinch at the process. They too understand the importance, and just like the committed volunteers we expect, they have held through their first few days of animal care.

Winding Roads and Howling Greetings

Today I went into Albuquerque to pick up two new volunteers, Hallie and James. These two 20-somethings are both students at the University of Bennington, in Vermont, where they are studying biology.

Sometimes I wonder what a new volunteer thinks as they are first introduced to their "taxi-driver" and the Sanctuary. Imagine leaving the baggage claim to hop into a dust-coated camry, driven by a tangled-haired, meat-separation-stained- jeans-wearing, wolf-caretaker. As the sun sets, you watch as you leave Albuquerque, and civilization, behind. An hour into the trip, as city lights completely fade out of existence, and the road beings to climb higher and higher into the mountains, all scenery becomes dark except for the dusty road ahead and the star splattered sky. Surely we must be there soon... As time goes on, and we pass through the small complex known as Mountainview, you wonder if this is where we are going, but no, your newly appointed escort keeps driving, driving, driving until finally you hit a dirt road. Eight or so miles down this road, you pull into a gravel parking lot and are greeted by the sound of 50+ wolves howling. You're driven to your new residence, perhaps known as "The Dome," or "The Black Box," or "Hogan #2." Back up in the dirt roads of the sanctuary, you're taught at 12 at night how to build a fire to keep warm, shown where the nearest outhouse is, and then, instructed to "follow the wolves" down the path to the kitchen for the meeting the next morning "and don't stick your fingers through the fence."

As I left James and Hallie this evening, I couldn't help but smile to myself remembering my first day at the Santuary back in May, and the feelings and thoughts I was overcome with. As soon as one hears their first howl, it is certain that he or she will become filled with a certain passion, joy and change of spirit. However, at the same time, the brutal reality is also setting in: You are an hour and a half from the nearest Walmart. The nearest place to buy a box of Cheerio's is a 20-minute drive. To go out for dinner, at least 40 minutes. To make a phone call from a cell phone... if you're lucky, an hour. To keep warm through the night, you now have to constantly check that your fire is burning properly. You might as well be lost to the stone ages, in this world.

And so, while the rewards of volunteering at a rescue facility for wolves are never ending, it does take a special, strong-willed individual to "hack it" here, especially in the winter. There are so many new things to learn, animals to meet, and changes to adjust to, all while you have lost almost all contact with the "real world." Even some of the best volunteers haven't made it through their expected time periods. However, there are some of us, myself included, who at one point referred to ourselves as city-slackers, media- fiends, and social-butterflies, that later realize that this is where we belong.

Time will only tell with James and Hallie, and I'm interested to see how they do, as well as how their impressions of the Santuary change as they adapt. Somehow, after that first interaction with an animal, everything normally turns out to be okay.

--Angel

Sequoia

One of the most difficult things to deal with as an animal caretaker at the Sanctuary is watching a sick or injured animal deal with pain. While with our older residents, we expect some deterioration of health and are always cautiously observing, sometimes younger, healthier animals shock us with health problems. Sasquatch for example, appeared in all aspects to be as young and healthy as ever until he began to limp. When we received the doctor's diagnosis and learned Sasquatch had developed bone cancer, we were shocked to say the least. Perhaps one of the most important things to remember working with these animals, is that in the wild, showing weakness can be a death sentence. If a member of the pack begins to show signs of injury or sickness, they are then seen as a weakness and sometimes detrimental to the pack.

Recently, our young, frisky Sequoia shocked us as well. A few weeks ago, we noticed Sequoia had begun limping. For the following week or so, she was observed carefully as well as thoroughly examined by Leyton, our Director, and Gary, our Animal Care Specialist. While they palpated the leg, cautiously observed, and thoroughly examined Sequoia daily, it seemed as though nothing was wrong. It was believed that it may simply be a pad bruise, and that it would go away on it's own. However, Sequoia's limping did not relent and concerned, we made an appointment and took Sequoia for a vet visit.

After being examined, we were told that Sequoia had an ACL injury and was going to need an operation. Sequoia's surgery went smoothly, and it is expected that she will be fine. However, in order for her to heal properly, she must be kept mostly immobile for six to eight weeks. Telling a wolf-dog that she can't move for a long period of time, is not an easy task. Especially with Sequoia, who is normally very young and energetic, as time goes on this is going to prove even more difficult.

Currently Sequoia is in a small isolation enclosure we set up directly outside the office. A low-content animal, Sequoia is extremely social, and each time someone so much as looks in her direction, her tail begins wagging and she begins whimpering softly. While we all know how important it is for her to heal properly, it's constantly heart-breaking to walk past and not be able to return her to the large enclosure she is used to running in freely.

For Sequoia, this must be a very confusing time. How do you explain to a wolf-dog that she has an old football injury which requires so much time to heal? The sad look in her eyes makes me wonder if she thinks she's being punished for something. I often wonder what's going through her head, and if she wonders why we've made her live in such a small space now.

Tonight, after I finished work and everyone had already gone home for the evening, I stepped outside of the office door and sat by her tiny enclosure for a while. I reached my hand in through the opening and scratched her ears, while discouraging her from getting up excitedly. I sat there and talked to her for a long time and tried to explain, and in some ways, I think she understands.

Each member of the two-legged team here has been constantly giving her extra attention to make sure she knows she's not being punished. The first day she was back from the vet, I watched from the picnic tables as Leyton went in to greet her. As he squatted down, she became excited and started to try to jump up to lick his face. I smiled as I watched Leyton telling her "No, don't jump up, you can lick me from where you are, but don't hurt yourself," and Sequoia consistently whimpered, wanting to be her normal energetic self. Even Jim, our assistant to outreach, who normally keeps his animal contact to a minimum has been sitting and talking to Sequoia reguarly. She is definitely well loved here, and everyone is trying to make this as easy for her as possible.

Manu, Sequoia's mate, is also lost right now. With his special, pup-like personality, Sequoia was his constant comfort and stability. Without her, now, he seems to pace around his enclosure as though he is still looking for her and wondering what happened. Both seem so distressed without the other, we're hoping that within a week or so, we'll be able to move Sequoia into the containment area of her old enclosure. At least then she will be near Manu, even if she's still separated by a fence.

I suppose this is always one of the hardest things when working with animals. While we know that we are doing what is best for Sequoia and that this is simply part of the process to help her regain her strength and health, it is still difficult to watch the anxiety that it causes. We hope that she understands when we sit next to her and explain she's not being punished, but it is still a constant wondering that she may be feeling admonished and neglected. With time, as she feels better, but is still healing, it will become more difficult for her to remain confined. But hopefully, with all of the love and concern her care-takers hold for her, she will realize what is happening is for the best.

--Angel

Appalachian Greens: A Howling Report

Appalachian Greens: A Howling Report