In Memory of Nika

Just one very short month after the loss of his sibling (Sequoia) Nika Shaga, known simply as Nika, left us to join her. Nika was one of the nine siblings that came to Wolf ten years ago at two and a half weeks of age. When these pups arrived we needed to call them something to distinguish which pup we were talking about. Nika was a very active pup. Before his eyes were open he would grab his litter mates by the scruff and shake vigorously. We jokingly started to call him “Killer”. Of course, this was not a good name for a wolf-dog. We started searching for a proper name for him. One of the volunteers told us that Nika Shaga meant killer in Osage. It was, for us, perfect and from that day on he was known as Nika. In actuality Nika grew up to be a gentle, giant, fuzz ball, often referred to as the Lion Puppy because of his fur mane.

Like his Sister, Nika had a very important job in his pack. He was the Guardian of the Meat. It was his job to protect the meat from any interlopers, be they furry or feathered. This insured that his pack would have enough to eat. This was a position he inherited from Zeke, the previous Guardian, who taught Nika.

Nika was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer which had metastasized to the lymph system and spine. Once again, we experienced the shock of realizing that this amazing soul had hidden his illness from the humans who loved him. The Veterinarians told us to take him home, nothing could be done. “Keep him comfortable, you’ll know when it’s time” We have all heard this too many times before. We brought Nika home to be with his remaining siblings and the rest of his pack. Nika stayed with us for another four weeks. During that time he taught one of his sisters, Rami, how to guard the meat.

The disease progressed quickly and he began losing control of his back end. It was more and more difficult for him to even get up. Going up and down the steps became impossible. He learned that eliminating on the porch was OK. As the lymph nodes close to the colon became more enlarged it also was getting more difficult to defecate. Special medication aided in the process. Nika also seemed to realize that he needed a more liquid diet and began just licking the juices from his food. We could take a hint and began boiling his chicken and then running it through the blender. Mixing the juice
and the puree was ideal. He loved it.

As humans we believe we know what is best for these creatures. We really don’t. About 2 weeks into caring for Nika, we were getting mixed messages from him. At times it seemed like he was saying he was ready and at other times, he seemed great. We called the vet and asked if she could come and help make the decision. Euthanization is, for us, a way to help our friends pass when it truly is the right time.

The Veterinarian arrived and was prepared to Euthanize Nika if it was the right time. She went into the bedroom to “talk” to him and explain what was going on. As she started to explain, Nika first growled and then continued to talk back. Little growls, woofs and whines. This went on for about five minutes. He let the Vet and us know, in no uncertain terms, that he was not ready to go anywhere. We all were amazed. The Vet agreed that it was not Nika’s time. She would return when it was “time.”

Nika continued to teach Rami what she needed to know as Guardian of the Meat. Rami and Chocolate, his sisters, started to sleep next to him in his special place under the steps. They took turns just being with him. We believe they knew he had to leave. We also know in our hearts he stayed longer to explain to them that he needed to pass on and join Sequoia. Two weeks went by.

On the morning of September 19, 2005, Nika let us know it was his time. The Veterinarian was once again called and this time helped our Lion Puppy leave this life to join his sister.

Nika passed peacefully held by Pat and surrounded by his family. Everyone, canine and human, misses you so very much. Special love and wolfie kisses from Rami and Chocolate.

Volunteer Spotlight
Mary Eaton

Mary lives in the Denver metro area, which makes this quarterly recognition that much more difficult to achieve. When we accumulate volunteers hours spent on behalf of Wolf, we do not include travel time to the sanctuary. Mary has probably double the hours we track when you include the approximately 2-hour one-way drive to the sanctuary.

Not only does Mary put in a tremendous number of hours at the sanctuary, but has also been a regular on Public Events and Educational Programs. One of our Information Tablings is how Mary found out about Wolf in late 2001 and she quickly became active in the cause.
Even when she is not at a Wolf venue, she is always pressing the issue of wolves. She initiated a number of ‘Howl-Ins’ around the Denver area to raise awareness about the Aerial Hunting of Wolves in Alaska. This has led her to indoctrinate a number of other individuals to
the cause. Most notably, Hailey Metzer, who wrote an
article for last months issue of our
newsletter -- “A Teenager Supporting
Wolves.” She also has raised awareness for Wolf in her place of business and was responsible for a sizable donation to the Wolf Educational mission. She also makes sure that all of her donations to Wolf are matched through her employer’s matching gift program. Her efforts in raising funds for Wolf has earned her the number one pledge-raiser position in our yearly pledge drive that is associated with our Howl-O-Ween Run For The Wolves. She has taken first place in this effort in the last 3 years, before matching funds.

Not only is her dedication to the cause notable, but her personality delights everyone. Her sense of humor makes
any task undertaken enjoyable. For this
year’s Run she dressed up as a
Parrot-Head, complete with grass skirt and tape player belting out Jimmy Buffet music. Oh, I guess we forgot to mention that she is a card-carrying member of the Jimmy Buffet fan club and attends all of their yearly get-togethers.

Mary has also taken it upon herself to help distribute surplus cat food that Wolf receives in some of its donations from WalMart. She has taken literally tons of cat food to a number of cat rescues/shelters in Denver.

We feel very gifted to have found Mary and not only count her as one of our best
volunteers, but also count her as one of
our dear friends. Thank you Mary!