Wolf has been operating for almost eight years and we could not have managed without the help and dedication of our volunteers. We will be featuring a volunteer in each newsletter from now on. This edition our featured volunteer is Lisa Ritter.

Lisa started with Wolf over 3 years ago. The first thing she said to us was that she would be one of our best volunteers. Lisa was true to her word, coming to the Wolf facility both days of every weekend. She also included some holidays and was ready to assist when there were emergencies. Lisa would do the work that no one else wanted to do. She supported us through the years of conflict with the county. If we needed something special or out of the ordinary Lisa was there. Because we are so far from town, Lisa also become our personal shopper, bringing any supplies we might need to save us the 20 plus mile trip into town.

Lisa took on the job of volunteer coordinator because it was needed. Even though one of her stated objectives in volunteering at Wolf was for the peace away from humans. She took on the updating of the old web page because it was needed. This again not her cup of tea and without any training in that area. More importantly, the wolves and wolf-dogs love her. She has a kind and gentle manner with all of the animals. Because of this they all trust her. This was extremely important during the fire evacuation when the only person who could approach a terrified Ashley and Jasmine was Lisa.

We want to thank you Lisa for all of your hard work on behalf of all of the sprits at Wolf, four-legged and two-legged.

 

As most of you probably know Wolf has a "token dog." Her name is C.C., which stands for Chocolate Chip. We believe that C.C. is a Chocolate Lab/Doberman cross and she adopted the wolves and us about seven years ago. She showed up on the doorstep and was never claimed missing at the Humane Society or through lost and found posters.

C.C. has been a loyal and loving friend to all of us at the sanctuary, so when her knees started failing we immediately took her to see Dr. Dressen. C.C. was diagnosed with arthritis and a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament).

Surgery was scheduled which C.C. came through just fine, better in fact than Eric who had to carry all 77 lbs. of her up and down the steps while she recuperated.

This surgery was about $800 including all of the anesthesia and medical supplies needed. Dr. Dressen was kind enough to donate her surgery fee bringing the tab down to $460. That was the good news, the bad news came about six weeks later when C.C. tore the other ACL and had to have that one repaired.

We waited until she was able to walk on the original leg well enough to support her weight. Her second surgery went very well also and C.C. is now almost her old self. We hope she will soon be chasing chippies (chipmunks) and ravens around the sanctuary.

 

Priscilla Dressen DVM was graduated from Colorado State University in 1993. After taking a brief break Priscilla started her career as a Veterinarian working in a Clinic in Fort Collins. Approximately 1-1/2 years later she joined the staff at Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, where she taught exotic animal medicine in the Department of Wildlife and Zoological Medicine.

Dr. Dressen left CSU in July of 1997 to give birth to her son Alex. In November 1997 Priscilla opened her own clinic, (North Star Veterinary Clinic) located at 4848 South College Avenue in Fort Collins.

Priscilla practices traditional veterinary medicine and acupuncture; with a special interest in exotics, wildlife and domestic animals.

Priscilla has been involved with Wolf from the year it incorporated and has served on our Board of Directors. She is one of the most caring and capable people we have ever met. Dr. Dressen can be reached at:    970-282-9719.

 

First a Thank You to the following people who donated items from previous lists. We appreciate your generosity and it helps keep cash for those items that we can not get donated.

If you know of any sources for these items that can be contributed or acquired at a significant discount, please contact us.

Bookkeeper (to help with data entry)
Fundraiser (to help initiate and organize events)
Water-Well Drilling

Travel Kennels (Large/Extra Large)
Horse Leads (to be used as leashes)
Motor Home Tires - 7.50 x 17.0 (so we can use it for programs)
Pick-up Truck-4x4 (in good working condition)
Generator (the bigger the better)
New Storage Shed 120 Sq. Ft (or materials to build one)
ATV - (Four or Six wheel drive)

Benevolent Multi-Millionaire (we're still looking)

 

Sorry we missed our Winter newsletter, but with all the county mess (see article on county) we ended up without time or money to get one together.

All of the chores around the facility are slowly getting caught up and we have produced a new web site that is more thorough and representative of Wolf (see article on new site). I hope you will give us your thoughts about it.

Unfortunately the administrative chores of bookkeeping and communications with our supporters always seems to get pushed to the end of the list.

All of the animals are doing well. C.C. has had two ACL surgeries (see article). Rami is giving us a scare as she started showing extreme sensitivity to being touched around the head and neck. A preliminary exam showed nothing wrong. All we could figure out was that she had two broken canine teeth that might be sensitive but the roots were not exposed. We had root canals done on both teeth anyway and during the procedure she was on a heart monitor which showed a cardiomyopathy in her rhythm as well as a left anterior fascicular block. Blood work is being analyzed and hopefully will prove that there is nothing seriously wrong. She does seem to be less sensitive since the root canals and we are very optimistic. Nanook is being treated for a bacterial infection on his nose (probably from burying bones). Chana (with Cushing's disease) keeps chugging along. She has more good days than bad ones and we are thankful for that. Kasha is getting video-taped moving around so we can consult with the orthopedic surgeon before he operates on Kasha's left leg (see article).

Needless to say vet bills are taking over where legal bills have left off (see article on the county).

In our Fall newsletter I went through a litany of challenges that didn't seem to end. We have recovered from the fires and are much better prepared for this year. We have put hydrants in to access the water from the pond and hopefully will not have to use them. The pond has filled up very quickly with the spring snow storms and run-off. Our leak reappeared but in a different place from last spring. We have worked for several days utilizing bentonite and for the last 24 hours there has been no leaking. Keep your fingers crossed.

We have gone round and round with the repairs to the backhoe and the new transmission that was put in. As of last week it is working but without the neutral safety switch which prevents you from starting it in gear. Bills for those repairs have exceeded the original estimates by $3,500. We should be able to get the new culvert put in within the next few weeks.

We have settled the issue of one of our neighbor's dam encroaching on our property in an amicable manner. Hopefully we will be able to get the new fence put up soon.

The personal injury lawsuit (that was filed against us when the daughter of one of our neighbors was over for dinner with her parents and she was supposedly bit by one of the animals) was settled out of court shortly after our last newsletter went out in the fall.

We have another benefit concert planned for June 30th with Sunny Waters, Melanie Trondson and a few others who have yet to commit, in Old Town Fort Collins from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

We are working on two books, the first is "Animal Stories" which will include the stories of every animal that is at the sanctuary. It will include photos of each one included with their story. The second book is for children and is titled "Wolf Tails." Shaman is writing this book in collaboration with Pat Wendland. They are currently working on the illustrations and photos. We will let you know as soon as they are available.

Thanks to everyone who has helped get us through this past year.

 

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WOLF, Post Office Box 1544, La Porte, CO 80535 - USA