Rain, a beautiful 2 year old, mid-content wolf-dog who’s been at our Sanctuary less than a year, now bares a pretty hefty battle wound. Our stunning “super-model” wolf-dog, lost a pretty large chunk of her ear to her new, quite feisty neighbors. Ear nips are a pretty common thing around here. Reinforcements are hung, great lengths are taken to find proper, safe “fight-wire,” and in some extreme cases, even plywood is placed between certain enclosures. We have great debates over how to position animals so that not only are they in compatible pairs, but in compatible “neighborhoods” as well. But, no matter what great lengths are taken, there’s always the occasional accident or unexpected incident.
This evening, as a bunch of the volunteers and staff members got together for a campfire, we got a bit silly and started discussing writing a local radio station who’s doing a $10,000 plastic surgery give-away, to plead Rain’s case. Of course, we wouldn’t mention the fact she’s a wolf-dog!

You see, living in the middle of the woods, surround by wolves, anthropomorphizing is sometimes taken to the next level; We talk about Ghengis having a secret tunnel inside his cave house that leads to a huge “Player’s Suite” complete with heart-shaped bed. We discuss Raven being the “James Bond of Wolves” and imagine him in human form, wearing a tuxedo and talking in a British accent. In the early morning, while we drink our coffee at the picnic tables before beginning the work day, sometimes great debates are held over what Cove & Shakti are grumbling at one another about through the fence that day, and whether the girls will insist their respective partners stand up for their honor as well. Of course, it’s all in good fun.
What I do find myself seriously considering, however, is what exactly the pre-ear-nip, cheek-bite, etc. discussion is like. I can’t imagine it’s premeditated, and so, what kind of wolf-world conversation lends itself to ending in a small-body-part removal? And in retrospect, is Rain now self-conscious around her handsome pen-mate, Ashlar? When Ghengis removed the majority of Artemesia’s ear several years ago, was there a fatherly lesson being taught? Or does there relationship lend itself more to a marital spat?
I’ve worked with a lot of canines in my young life, and though I’ve always felt each and every animal has his or her own personality, the wolves & wolf-dogs seem to have even more going on – through the fences, in the “neighborhoods” amidst the Sanctuary… In some cases, it seems as though intricate social networks are formed even throughout the compound.

If nothing else, I’m certain that when Nakona down front lets out a howl, she’s making sure Princess on the hill know’s exactly what’s going on in the parking lot. And soon, of course, the

chain reaction begins, and all the neighbors are gossiping…