In Ahzeem’s situation, his owners purchased him to use as an educational animal. They were supposedly starting a wildlife rehabilitation facility in Arizona, and were going to do educational programs in conjunction with it. They believed that Ahzeem’s training required him to be isolated from other animals and to spend extended time periods in a travel kennel. They would keep him in a travel kennel while they were at work. Needless to say, this approach had the reverse effect. His howling and agitation at being confined soon raised the wrath of neighbors. They contacted the landlord of the property rented by this family, and Ahzeem’s owners were given an ultimatum:“Get rid of Ahzeem, or move.”

Ahzeem’s owners asked Wolf to keep him until they were ready to move from Colorado to Arizona. Wolf does not provide boarding, and believes that once they accept an individual, it is for the life of that animal. The main mission, once an animal is accepted, is to provide a healthy life, both physically and emotionally, as quickly as possible. This requires veterinary exams and treatment to insure physical health and, then, to match that animal with one or two companions in a large enclosure to insure emotional health. This was communicated to Ahzeem’s owners; however, one of Wolf’s volunteers had an empty enclosure, and agreed to keep Ahzeem temporarily.

It appeared that everything was going to work out for Ahzeem’s owners, until it became apparent that Ahzeem had an alpha personality. He would relentlessly fence-fight with the volunteer’s dogs. It became obvious that this arrangement was not going to work. Ahzeem’s owners again approached Wolf: “Could you please just keep him for a month?” The owners were supposed to move in that time-frame. Wolf re-explained its policy on kenneling, agreeing, however, to take Ahzeem. The isolation period of four to six weeks would allow the owners to reclaim him, before it was time to move him into a large enclosure with companions. Even though this was not normal operating procedure, we did not want to penalize Ahzeem for the lack of responsibility of his owners. We explained that we would treat him as an owner-surrendered animal and begin his acclamation into the sanctuary.

Six weeks came and went with no word from the owners. Wolf finished all of the precautionary measures to insure the physical health of Ahzeem and the other residents at the sanctuary, and then moved him into a large enclosure with companions. Ahzeem blossomed. Although still an alpha personality, he adapted to his new companions (Akewkon and Iotkon) well and showed an exuberance for life that was wonderful to watch. As the weeks turned into months, two younger animals (Sky and Nugget) were introduced into the pack. The older Akewkon and Iotkon were moved to their own enclosure when they began showing intolerance for Sky. We were sure that we had heard the last of Ahzeem’s owners. That was not to be the case.

Four months after accepting Ahzeem, we received a phone call from his owners, suggesting that they were ready to pick him up. We were absolutely flabbergasted. After such a long period with no word from them to check on Ahzeem or keep us abreast of their schedule, they were now ready. We explained again the policy of the sanctuary and Ahzeem’s adaptation to his new companions. We were chastised by the owners for our insensitivity to them and Ahzeem. How could we possibly not understand how much they loved him? “He is like a member of our family.” Although Frank usually has a pretty long fuse in these types of situations, this attitude pushed him over the edge. He responded with an indictment on the quality of their "love", and something about “hell freezing over.” The owners' final words threatened legal action, and Frank encouraged them to pursue it.

Wolf has never heard from them again. Ahzeem is doing wonderfully with Sky and Nugget, and continues to dominate the two larger animals.

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