Matoskah

sex: male
born: March 2000
birth place: Washington

given sanctuary: 28 July 2000

 

 

Matoskah's Story

Matoskah was received in a fashion that breaks all of our rules for potential placement. His owner had called, inquiring about placement possibilities. It appeared that he had several wolf-dogs he believed to be pure wolves, and was getting a considerable amount of grief from his neighbors. It also appeared that in the jurisdiction which he lived, the laws allowed animal control to confiscate and kill an animal for any reason when called to a disturbance. He was desperate to find some place to put them. We explained our current situation and the lack of space for another animal. We gave him the names of some other sanctuaries and an Internet site to check out for a listing of rescues.

Several weeks after this call, we suddenly find him driving into the Sanctuary with Matoskah. He was adamant about the peril the animal was in and the absolute need to get him placed now. Although we were hesitant to respond to this type of approach, our situation had changed slightly, as we had lost Cherokee due to stress during our first fire evacuation. It appeared that we possibly could include Matoskah in Bear's enclosure. We also did not want to penalize the animal for the actions of the human, and we accepted him and moved forward with that plan in mind.

We had already accepted Kiki as Bear's new companion animal, and she was in the isolation enclosure getting acclimated to her new surroundings. We put Matoskah into the other side of the isolation enclosure and began his acclamation, as well. We had volunteers spend as much time as possible socializing with the two, as well as feeding them meat by hand. Everything was going very well. Both animals were checked, vaccinated as necessary, and Matoskah neutered. As they both started to calm down, we noticed some attempts to play with each other across the dividing space between the two enclosures. This was great to seeed and we proceed to open both doors between the two enclosures for them to meet.

Kiki was a little too forward at the beginning, and we think she scared Matoskah. She seemed to realize her mistake, and backed off some to allow him more time. It worked, and within a day or two, they were playing like they had known each other their entire life. It was great to watch. It also satisfied another concern we had for the relationship between Kiki and Bear. Sometimes, the exuberance of puppies makes adults somewhat nervous and temperamental. It becomes important that the relationship starts off well and builds slowly. With a love starved pup, it is difficult for them to show that level of restraint. Two pups being introduced at the same time to an adult allows the pups to expend their energy on each other and build the relationship slowly with the adult.

When we were convinced that the pups had bonded well, we prepared them for the move to Bear's enclosure. They were both put into travel kennels, and the kennels moved into their new enclosure. We positioned humans at the corners of the new enclosure to observe behavior and prepare to break up any uncomfortable situations. The doors of the kennels were opened, and everyone held their breath.

Kiki was the first one out and headed to the top of the enclosure, trying to stay away from the humans. She saw Bear, and Bear saw her, but they were both more concerned about the humans than each other. Matoskah then came out and, like wise, headed to the top of the enclosure, trying to stay away from the humans. On the way up, however, he ran across Kiki, immediately did an about face, and proceeded to follow her where ever she went. After approximately 30 minutes the two pups had calmed down and suddenly they seemed to instinctively understand what they were supposed to do. They took up positions behind Bear, first Kiki and then Matoskah. This parade went on for quite awhile and, at one point, Bear unexpectedly turned around and headed directly at Kiki and Matoskah. Kiki jumped out of the way, but Matoskah was not as quick. Bear growled and snapped at him, and he jumped out of the way and never let that situation happen again. Bear has become very protective of his pups, and they very responsive to his lead. They all appear to have bonded very well together.

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