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…

Somehow, when we weren't looking, 11 balls of 3lbs of fluff have turned into 50 lb mini wolves...

What an amazing experience the last four months have been, and each and every day, there is more change, more growth, and more to learn....

A little back history:

Almost a year ago now, we at Wild Spirit all came to the very solemn realization that Raven, the miracle he is, was reaching the end of his career as our ambassador. It is amazing for any wolf to be in the public as a spokes-wolf at all, let alone as consistently and for as many years as Raven has been gracing the public eye. At 11 years of age, Raven has put in nine longe years of ambassadorship, and after all this time of thousands of hands rubbing across his body and many long hours standing on concrete floors, it is time for some peace and quiet.

Unfortunately, along with this solemn, realist though, came another difficult one... Raven was a miracle. Wolves & wolf-dogs in captivity are hardly ever so sociable, outgoing, and patient. The chances of another Raven falling into our lap are 1 in a million at best. And so, the other realization came that our best shot was to find a pup to start working with at as early of an age as possible.

At first, this idea seemed impossible as well. Afterall, as pups, wolves too are cute, malliable balls of fluff that no one wants to get rid of... It's not until they are full grown, and starting to mature that the myriad of problems associated with ownership begin to surface.

However, a friend of the Sanctuary put us in touch with a breeder in Oregon who had had a litter of Arctic wolves. While he had decided to get out of the wolf-breeding business, the breeder still had a pair of unaltered wolves who did in fact end up having a litter of pups.

Originally, the breeder agreed that five pups would come to Wild Spirit. The idea was exciting to all of us. Now, there were five possible chances at finding an ambassador. There were five pups that would never have to enter into the open market for captive wolves. And then, somewhat disheartening to all, we heard that the breeder had in fact decided to sell the pups, and only two were still coming to our Sanctuary.

While this was a disappointment of course, we all stomached the idea, knowing that this was originally the plan, and of course, two was much less work than five.. Then, two days before Leyton & Georgia left for Oregon, we got a call saying to plan on bringing six pups back with them. That's right, from 5 to 2 to 6...

And so, 6 little Arctic wolves came to the Sanctuary... Dark gray & fluffy, crystal blue eyes, held in the palms of our hands... 6 little Arctics came to Wild Spirit, and thus began an adventure that had barely begun...