News, Fall 2001, page 5

Volunteer Spotlight

Leighton & Gaye Millar have been volunteering at Wolf since December of 1998.

They retired to Loveland from careers in the Wisconsin school system and were looking to remain active and integral in their community. Boy, do we keep them active and integral. On many occasions they have been heard to exclaim that "we are working harder now than when we had paying jobs."

The Millars' dedication and willingness to do almost anything has made them a regularly used resource for Wolf. They show up at the facility at least once a week for regularly scheduled feeding, watering and of course poop-scooping. They have made themselves available, sometimes at a moments notice, for educational programs and public events.

Their background in the school system has prepared them extraordinarily well for these interfaces with the public. They have enhanced the benefit of the Wolf program to hundreds of school children as well as adults. The Millars' have helped to alleviate the misconceptions, at one extreme or the other, about wolves and wolf-dogs.

Their knowledge and understanding of each animal at Wolf has grown and developed. They are counted on to provide training for some of the new volunteers and explain the unique personality traits and characteristics of each animal. The Millars' have formed an exceptional bond with Mesa and decided several years ago to do an adoption membership for him. Mesa returns the affection with unbelievable energy and excitement every time they arrive at the compound.

Shaman has also demonstrated a particular attraction to Leighton. He will follow Leighton around during watering chores and wait for an opportune moment. During the colder months we use a strainer to remove ice from the waters and refill them with warmer water. The opportune moment is when Leighton blinks. Without hesitation the strainer is gone and Leighton is yelling at Shaman to return it. Fat Chance! The games begin and so far they are about 50 - 50 in the win/loss equation. We are convinced that Leighton allows this to occur to break up the chores and provide a little excitement. We figure, what the heck, it's only a strainer and it is really fun to watch.

Gaye has taken on the extremely time-consuming task of answering the hundreds of e-mails received by Wolf. These communications run the gamut from the ridiculous to the life threatening. She has maintained a positive and professional approach no matter what the situation. We believe she has personally been responsible for the placement of scores of unwanted animals that were doomed to death.

We cannot thank the Millars enough and continue to be amazed at their dedication to the Wolf mission. Even during the last several months when Gaye has been diagnosed with, and battling breast cancer, their devotion has not faltered. Suffering from the usual side effects of chemotherapy Gaye continues to perform facility chores and attend public events.

Thank you, both.

Chana Memorial

We are saddened to report the passing of Chana. She was battling Cushing's Disease for a number of years and was almost 14 years old. (see Chana's Challenge) Due to her disease she had been extraordinarily heavy and had difficulty breathing with ease, especially during the warmer months of the year.

On Sunday, June 10th, it was noticed that she was having trouble getting up and walking. This would, of course, affect her ability to access water (another side effect of the Cushing's required her to drink a tremendous amount). Chana was moved from her normal enclosure with her son, Peter, and Bacchus to an adjoining enclosure that was more level and had easier access to water. It became very apparent that she was struggling to maintain normal elimination functions. A blood sample was taken and the results indicated that all of her body functions were shutting down. The decision was made to help her pass.

On the day before Chana left us, she started to sing many beautiful wolf songs. She continued her singing all morning. Occasionally one or two of the other wolves would join her but mostly she sang alone. We believe Chana was letting her family know that it was time for her to go.

Peter and Bacchus were taken to visit with her Wednesday morning. By noon there was no doubt in anyone's mind that she was ready to go. She was still very happy for volunteers to sit and scratch her and she still gave her huge smile and enthusiastic licks. Chana was struggling to breathe and could no longer get up to urinate, she greeted our vet with huge kisses, even though she seemed to know why the vet was here. She struggled to get up and seemed to be indicating that she wanted to be out of the main compound and closer to the pond. We obliged her, having to carry her most of the way. She chose a very green grassy area with pansies all around her, laid down and looked up at us as if to say this is where I choose to die.

The two-leggeds that loved her said their good-byes and she smiled and gave kisses to each of them. Before the entire dose of drugs could be administered to her she was gone. The happy smile and peaceful demeanor that were her trademark were still on her face. Although we will miss her we are very much at peace with the timing and method of her passing.

At Wolf we believe the wolves must say their farewells as well as the humans. Each wolf that knew Chana was given an opportunity to say goodbye. We watched in awe as the other wolves approached her now peaceful body. The reactions were different for each of the wolves. Some gently nudged her, others gave a gentle wolf kiss, and some sniffed and went away with resignation. Others cried, giving out long soul wrenching howls.

It is our opinion, anyone watching this display of emotion, would never have doubt again that these are not "just animals". They would know in their hearts that these are sentient beings worthy of our respect.

We, two-legged and four-legged, will miss your joyous and gentle presence Chana.

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