News, E-News, Sanctuary/WideAwake Update

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Sanctuary/WideAwake Update
(sent 06 Feb 2007)

C.C. In Her Younger Years	Sanctuary - C.C. Passes (see details below)

The Road To WideAwake Drifted Closed Again !	WideAwake - Winter Is Not Done With Us Yet - Love Girl's Condition Worsens (see details below)
C.C. - The Sanctuary's Token Dog
Although Noticeably Grayer, C.C. Aged Very Gracefully	Her Presence Will Be Treasured It could be said that CC (short for Chocolate Chip - Frank’s favorite cookie), was actually the first resident at the Sanctuary. In reality, she was a stray that adopted the Wendland’s before the Sanctuary ever began. She showed up on their doorstep in town and when the door opened, she trotted in, jumped up on the couch and seemed to say OK, I’m home now. All attempts to find her previous caretakers failed and indeed she was home. At the Sanctuary, she had the run of the property and did not have to be confined to an enclosure. She enjoyed running the property, chasing coyotes, exploring, swimming in the pond, mousing and seemed to know she had a special position — she was the ‘house’ dog! Estimated to be working on her fifteenth year, she started to have trouble with neurological messages to her hind legs at the beginning of December. She had been diagnosed with a rapidly growing lypoma in her abdomen that was growing inwardly and starting to effect her spinal cord. It was not operable. Within several weeks she could no longer use either of her legs. It became necessary to wheelbarrow her around by lifting her back end off of the ground. She didn't seem to mind the extra attention and a special pad to lay on in the house. Her zest for life did not seem to change much and she also seemed to enjoy being waited on hand and foot. After her periodic trips outside, to the front porch, she had no problem screaming for someone to bring her back inside. This was great fun . Over the next six weeks, she slowly became worse and finally on January 24th let us know that it was time for her to go. She was helped to pass in the company of her human and 4-legged friends.
WideAwake - Winter Continues To Challenge
The Bobcat Working To Get The Plow Truck Out After An Arduous Mile & A Half Hike, Steve Starts Working On The Snowmobile	High Winds Close The Road Again Although we have continued to have one storm per week push through the area, at least the last two were only measured in inches and not feet. Then on Thursday night (Feb 1st), the winds began to blow (measured close by at over 100mph) and by Friday afternoon the road into WideAwake was drifted enough for a wayward driver to get their vehicle stuck in the middle of the road. Saturday morning our onsite caretaker, Charlie, was able to get the Wolf snowmobile out and pick up the volunteers coming to care for the wolves. He then began in earnest to plow the road and ended up getting the plow truck stuck. Unfortunately we were never able to have the large piles of snow along the sides of the road moved and there was just nowhere to move the snow, which had accumulated on the road. He went back for the bobcat to continue the snow removal and get the plow truck out. Yep, you guessed it -- he got the bobcat stuck next to the plow truck. That afternoon while taking the snowmobile down the 2.5 mile road, the machine stopped and refused to restart. Nothing would make it start again. The road was beginning to look like a used vehicle convention. What could we get stuck there next. By now the drifts were reaching five feet high in some of the areas and the wind was not stopping. Plans were quickly made for a team from the Sanctuary to get up to WideAwake to get the snowmobile working. This was no simple task either as the road to the Sanctuary was also drifted shut and required half a day to get it passable. It was imperative however, that we get volunteers into the site to accomplish the chores and check on Love Girl, who was beginning to have trouble with her rear legs again (see below). Unfortunately we did not have the money available to hire someone to clear the road again. The team left the Sanctuary at 6:30 am on Sunday for the 2.5 hour trip. By the time they reached the access road another volunteer had tried to drive in and yes, her truck was now stuck in the middle of the road as well. The volunteers who had assembled at the beginning of the road began the 2.5 mile walk into the site. They left Steve about half way up the road, where the snowmobile was stuck, which he would attempt to repair. He accomplished his task and made it into WideAwake about an hour later. Charlie, meanwhile, was busy getting the bobcat working and beginning again to move snow and move the other stuck vehicles. He was making progress, but it was slow going. By dark the road was still blocked and the volunteers at WideAwake walked out with the body of Love Girl. Monday again required the Wolf volunteer to walk into the site and Charlie to work again on clearing the snow. By day’s end the plow truck was again stuck in a drift and the bobcat had mechanical problems and could not remove any snow. Likewise the snowmobile’s start mechanism was broken and it was of no use. The extraordinary efforts of Rhonda insured that the wolves were cared for. We again have a team heading to WideAwake to get the snowmobile repaired and help, if possible, with the other equipment. We will keep you informed on how it goes. Heavy Equipment Is Still Needed There is some serious concerns that additional storms may again fill the road with snow that has nowhere to be pushed. The piles along the sides of the road are still excessive and prevent plowing with a normal plow. If anyone has or knows of individuals who might be able to help with the heavy equipment or might have some other ideas for clearing the large piles of snow, please call: Frank or Pat Wendland 970-416-9531 Thank you to everyone who has already helped with this very expensive undertaking. We truly appreciate your concern for the wolves in our care.
WideAwake - Love Girl
Love Girl Her Back Legs Were Just Not Working Correctly	Love Girl’s Condition Worsens As reported in our last update, Love Girl had been taken to the CSU Vet Hospital for an examination. (to view last update—click) Although the medications she was being given had some initial improvement, it became apparent last Thursday that the problem had resurfaced and she was again beginning to have trouble with her back legs. On Friday it was apparent that the symptoms were progressing much faster than last time. On Saturday, her medications were increased and it was hoped that she would be improving by Sunday. This of course, was all occurring during the heavy winds and closure of the road into WideAwake. The volunteers who went to WideAwake that day, walked the 2.5 miles to the site. One of these individuals was Christina who wrote the following: Yesterday (Sunday) was a very sad and hard day. Rhonda, Karen and I all found her not only to be struggling physically as she had difficulty controlling her hind legs and kept slipping or dragging them, but she also seemed to be in pain and very obviously "disconnected." Whereas before, even when she still seemed weak in her legs, she would still eagerly approach each of us and take her treats by hand. But the past few days she was not at all interested in us or the treats. After much coaxing and finally taking the higher prednisone dose Sat, she was found yesterday to have vomited it up and to have had dark runny stools. She wouldn't even look me in the eye, as she usually does and she refused the treats (meds) from all three of us separately. Steve and Kiley were present and agreed and were prepared for the worse. We all clearly knew in our hearts that it was time. She was given a sedative beforehand. When we came back to find her sedated and curled up in the back of Bootsy's usual corner, Bootsy immediately curled up beside her and stared back up at us. It was the most sad and yet amazingly beautiful sight. It stopped all 5 of us in our tracks; we let him stay with her for awhile as we sat there in tears. Love-Girl had always been so sweetly motherly to him. She passed very peacefully. We left her inside with Bootsy, for a time that we hoped was enough for him. Just as it was getting dark, the 5 of us hiked out of WideAwake together, pulling Love-Girl's beautiful long body along in the sled. All of the other wolves came up to the front of their enclosures to look as we walked by. I’m so sorry to have to share another passing of one of these magnificent creatures with all of you. I don't pretend to have any understanding of why these Sacred Wolves were so clearly meant to be rescued, and yet two of them have already passed in just these 8 months. I do know, however, that when they first arrived they were all so broken, in body and spirit. I remember how all but Lucan would run past each of us humans with glazed eyes and intense anxiety. I remember how Jack and Bootsy would fear-bite. Well, in these past 8 months I've seen Love-Girl in her elegant feminine way sit with her beautiful long legs crossed, relaxed and licking and cleaning herself as I'd sit beside her and Bootsy. She'd eagerly take treats from Charlie and all of our hands. I've seen Bootsy let Rhonda, Karen , Steve and others pet him without a single snap. I know that we have witnessed great change in their behaviors. My hope is that everyone's tremendous love and caretaking has helped mend these creatures. And even if they must pass, then hopefully their spirit is re-united with their bodies before they lift off for their Grand Journey.

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