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In We used to call them “Sweet Little Wolves”, then they got teeth and started to grow. Shaman and Kasha arrived at the Sanctuary 3 full years before Tunyan. Both of the “boys”, although active, were rather gentle for wolves. If you don’t count almost losing fingers when you fed them or having your personal belongings destroyed.
Shaman was 3 weeks old and weighed about 3½ pounds. Kasha was 2 weeks old and weighed in at 2½ pounds. They lived in our bathtub but, quickly out grew it. Within a matter of weeks they had to be moved outdoors. The House Pack , especially Sara and Mesa, immediately took over the education and raising of the two little wolves. They grew rapidly. As they grew they became inseparable. These two had become Spirit Brothers.
As the cubs grew, Kasha developed Para Hyper Thyroidism with Degenerative Bone Disease. Major surgery was required to correct the deformity in Kasha’s front legs. It took nearly 2 years for both legs to be operated on and for Kasha to recuperate. During this time he and Shaman became closer than ever. The House Pack became Kasha’s protectors and treated him gently.
Due to very sad circumstances, it was about this time that Cheyenne passed away. Spirit needed a companion, quickly, but that is another story. It was at this time that Tunyan, pronounced Too Yahn, came to Wolf.
With Tunyan’s arrival there was a renewed interest in the joy of life shown by all the wolves, and of course all of the humans. At this time Indigo also arrived as a companion for Spirit. We were immediately able to place Indigo and Spirit together but, Tunyan was only 4 weeks old and needed to remain in the house until she was big enough to be left outside by herself. Tunyan started to grow. She also lived in our bathtub until she was able to climb out. Shaman, Kasha and the House Pack fell in love. At this time she still had no name, we had decided we needed to know her before we could name her. As we observed this wonderful bundle of fur we realized that she was going to be an Alpha. At 4 weeks of age, she always carried her tail in the straight up, “I am special”, position. We also noticed that even though she was an infant the other animals showed her great deference. Weeks went by with us and volunteers bottle feeding her, she continued to grow and get into more trouble than Kasha and Shaman combined. I started to call her the little brat and as we all quickly learned, she would live up to that term of endearment. A native American friend said that although the Sioux do not really use negative terms like brat, there was a word in Lakotah that meant pain and bother. That word was “Tunyan”. She has definitely earned her name. Loosely translated Tunyan means Brat and Tunyan lives up to her name on a daily basis.
One day we noticed that “Too” was very lethargic. She had stopped eating and was just not her active self. Immediately she was taken to the vet. Although she had meat, cereal, canine milk replacement and vitamins along with all the other ingredients included in her formula, Tunyan was anemic. Her red blood cell count, which should be 40 to 45 was indeed only 7. Apparently she lacked the necessary digestive enzymes to digest and absorb the proteins from her food. Tunyan was immediately given blood transfusions, iron shots, iron supplements and acidophilus supplements.
She was so ill, that she remained with the House Pack and bonded with those animals. Kasha and Shaman became her brothers and the “Brat Pack” was formed. As Tunyan grew stronger she also grew in status. Born an Alpha, she began to assert herself. Her favorite target was Shaka. It became necessary for us to monitor where both Tunyan and Shaka were at all times. Rather than have Shaka intimidated by “Too”, fences were built, enclosures enlarged, animals moved and new stairs placed on the other end of the deck. This enabled the Brat Pack to have 1/3 of an acre for themselves and still be allowed access to the house. This is necessary because all three pups were hand raised by humans and still visit every morning and evening. They come to receive their treats, spend time with the rest of the House Pack and their people. This also gives the “Brats” a chance to be as natural as possible. The top of their enclosure is a very steep climb for us humans but, the wolves can reach the top in seconds allowing them to have private time away from people.
The “Brat Pack” lives up to its name everyday. They are thieves and will steal anything they can, to the point that they will double or triple team you. One of them will distract you and the others will be running off with something. It could be a rake or a water bottle, your dinner, the couch pillows, the carpet in front of the door or important papers. Grocery bags are a favorite. You never know what kind of goodies there are in grocery bags. Nothing is safe, and you must never leave anything, anywhere for even one second. If you do, it will be gone and more than likely, never returned. You will have been seduced and tricked by the “Brat Pack”. But please don’t worry, you won’t be the first and I can guarantee that you won’t be the last. The “Brat Pack” strikes very quickly and without any warning.
Helping Wolf Continue
Into The Future
What happens when the founders of an organization, such as Wolf, pass away? Will the organization continue on? What happens to the animals that are living at the sanctuary at that time? Will any other animals ever be offered a safe place to live out their lives with dignity?
Although informal wills currently exist, Frank and Pat Wendland, cofounders of Wolf, are in the process of setting up a trust leaving their entire estates to Wolf. The estates are not large; the most valuable part of the estates will be the property that Wolf is located on. The trust is being formed in order to insure the animals will always have a safe haven. The property is un-encumbered and will be made an asset of Wolf. It consists of 182 acres. There are other personal assets belonging to Frank and Pat, which will also be left to Wolf.
As a nonprofit corporation, Wolf is a legal entity that can continue without the original founders. Although Frank and Pat have been planning for years how to keep Wolf alive after the founders are gone, it occurred to them they needed to discuss it with you, the members and supporters of Wolf. Therefore, they decided it was time to discuss the means available to you, which will help Wolf survive after they are gone. Loving and caring for these animals is something that must continue, and it can only be accomplished with your help.
There are many different ways for individual members and supporters to help insure that Wolf will continue into the future. There are Endowments, Life Insurance Gifts, Annuities, Bequests, Charitable Remainder Trusts and Retirement Plan Gifts just to mention a few. A brief overview of the Gift and Legacy Plans mentioned above follows.
CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUNITIES:
A charitable gift annuity is a gift to Wolf from which you or a loved one (or more than one), will receive a fixed income, starting immediately or on a future date (deferred gift annuity). Annuities are easy to establish and usually offer a high rate of return. A charitable gift annuity can be established with cash, mutual funds or appreciated stock. One of the benefits to you would be an immediate income tax deduction for a large portion of your gift.
BEQUESTS:
If you include Wolf in your living trust, will or other estate plan, you can be assured of Wolf’s ability to continue to rescue and offer sanctuary to many more wolves and wolf-dogs over the years. There are various was to leave a bequest to Wolf. You can name Wolf as a beneficiary of a portion or all of your estate. You can also bequest a particular asset to Wolf. A bequest to Wolf, would pass through your estate, tax free, so the entire amount would be used to help the animals.
CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST:
This type of trust also can be used to establish and pay an income to one or more surviving loved ones. The trust can pay the income for the life of the surviving beneficiaries or for a particular period of time, after which Wolf would receive the principal. Many types of assets (including cash) can be donated to a charitable remainder trust, some of these items include; appreciated publicly traded stock, mutual fund shares, closely held C corporation stock, real estate, collectibles (art work or antiques), IRA’s or qualified retirement plans.
VACATION HOMES OR PERSONAL RESIDENCE:
Tangible property such as homes can be gifted to Wolf. If you have a remaining spouse or child for example, you can reserve the right for that person to remain in your home for the remainder of his or her life.
STOCKS, BONDS, MUTUAL FUNDS:
Portfolios can be willed, or put in a trust or an annuity naming Wolf as beneficiary.
CONTINGENT BEQUESTS:
It is very important to consider what will happen to assets that are earmarked for family members if they are no longer living at the time of your death. Wolf would be honored to be named a contingent beneficiary to receive assets designated for people who may not survive you.
LIFE INSURANCE:
A very easy way to make a substantial donation/gift would be by naming Wolf a beneficiary of a life insurance policy. Life insurance can be a very important part of helping Wolf continue well into the future as it does not pass through your estate. If you donate the policy itself to Wolf you will also get a tax deduction. If your policy is not fully paid up, you can make tax deductible donations to cover the cost of future premiums. To make Wolf a beneficiary of a life insurance policy already in existence simply fill out a change of beneficiary form.. Of course, you can always purchase a new, additional policy naming Wolf as the beneficiary and owner.
GIFTS OF RETIREMENT PLANS:
IRA or 401(k) plans can be gifted by making Wolf a beneficiary, or contingent beneficiary in the event you are predeceased by a loved one.
WOLF’S LEGAL DESIGNATION:
Below is the official legal designation for including Wolf in your will, trust, life insurance, retirement plan or other planned gift.
MATCHING GIFTS:
For those of you who enjoy instant gratification, check to see if the company you work with makes matching donations.
W.O.L.F., A Nonprofit Corporation
Organized under the laws of the State of Colorado,
With its principal office at
15711 Rist Canyon Road,
(County Road 52 E)
Bellvue, CO 80512
(not a mailing address)
WOLF’s tax identification number is 84-1314893
For more information please call us at 970-416-9531 or you may write to us at:
Wolf
Post Office Box 1544
La Porte, CO 80535-1544
WOLF, Post Office Box 1544, La Porte, CO 80535 - USA