Thanks to all of you who have written or called to let us know you enjoyed the new full color news letter. We are happy you enjoyed it as much as you have and we will continue to print in color.

The Howl-O-Ween Run was fun for all. Please see the article on page 4. Of course, we are still finishing up the paper work and mailings associated with it. Steve and the volunteers are almost done with this year’s outside projects. The weather has been just wonderful, but we know the snow will begin to fly soon. A special thanks to the CSU Chapter of the Society for Conservation Biology. An officer of this organization (Sharon Poessel) arranged to have 21 of their members help with winterizing enclosures and dog houses. Our sincere thanks to each of you; Sydney Sheedy, Alycia Knutson, Jeremiah Johnson, Amanda Sutton, Ryan Bagg, Vid Rowan, Kara Rowan, Nathan Muhn, Hayley Crosby, Lauren Burton, Amy Graham, Jean Gilson, Tirrel Grovenstein, Ali Eccleston, Natalie Kirk, Claire Schumacher, Brittany Mendelsohn, James Cook, Ginny Sednek, Amy Nesler and Sharon Poessel.

Our volunteer appreciation picnic on September 18th was wonderful, even though our concerns for Nika’s health were at a peak (see page 6). A good number of the folks who work hard for the animals had a chance to visit and have fun with each other.

The wolves are loving the cooler weather and have already put on winter coats. Most of the animals are doing very well, but there are some exceptions.

Nanook is quickly approaching 14 years of age and is experiencing problems with his spine (due to boney spondelitis) and some form of old age dementia. He doesn’t always know what he wants to do or where he wants to go. He occasionally becomes a little disoriented but seems happy and not in pain. We have been supplemental feeding him as he seems to have lost interest in ordinary food. Frank has been sautéing bite size pieces of red meat and chicken in butter and olive oil which he seems to enjoy. No, he is not spoiled at all, he is family.

Xavier has recovered very nicely from his ACL surgery and will eventually need the other knee operated on to correct the same problem.

Ashley is doing very well since she had her minor stroke and shows no signs of physical or neurological problems. Jasmine is also continuing to do well and deals with her blindness amazingly well. Our veterinarian has done a physical exam and reports Jasmine has clear lungs and a very strong heart. As he said, “old age is not a disease”.

Ghost has been prescribed Zubrin®, a new generation drug used for osteoarthritis, and has responded very well to it. He is walking better, even trotting in his enclosure. Sabastian is holding his own, please see article on page 8.

We continue to search for an insurance company that will issue liability
insurance for the animals when they
are off-site. Unfortunately, we have not
been very successful in this area. Not being able to take the animals with us to educational programs has a detrimental affect on our ability to raise funds. Most of the schools, groups, etc.,
want to have hands-on experience with
an animal. Lately, I have heard from several people that another group takes their animals out to educational programs without insurance. Wolf cannot in all good conscience do this. We have never had any type of problem with an animal at an educational program but, in the event there was a problem, it would place the entire Sanctuary in jeopardy. Also we have
heard from some of our supporters that pure wolves are being brought into schools and other programs on leashes. Our Division of Wildlife license
prohibits us from taking a pure wolf
onto any school property unless the
animal is in a cage. Wolf will not put a wild animal in a cage. This is why we do not take pure wolves out to programs, it is unfair and very
distressing to the animal in question.

When we find an insurance company willing to insure the wolf-dogs off-site we will consider taking an animal with us again. Until then, if you know of an insurance company willing to issue liability insurance for animals off-site, please contact Pat or Frank at 970-416-9531.

Again we ask that you bear in mind that many wild wolves are being ruthlessly killed through aerial hunting in Alaska.
For more info please visit the following web sites:

Defenders of Wildlife - http://www.savealaskawolves.org
Friends of Animals - http://www.friendsofanimals.org
Alaska Wildlife Alliance - http://www.akwildlife.org

Thank you for your help with this issue and your continued support for Wolf. We wish for you;
The Happiest of Holidays &
A Joyous New Year!