WideAwake - The Never-Ending Challenge

As reported in our last two newsletters, we are in the middle of one of the largest rescues we have ever attempted. We have been sending out periodic email updates to all of our supporters whose email addresses we have. If you have missed any of these installments, you can visit our web site to read them or request copies by calling 970-416-9531.

The following account of these events picks up where the last newsletter left off. If you would like to be included in those peri odic e-mailings, please send your email address to: wolfsash@aol.com with that request.

THE SECOND ROUND OF NEUTERS

As reported earlier, the first round of neuters were com­pleted successfully on September 4th. Hammer, Webster, Jack and Atlantis were all neutered and are recovering well. All of these males are now paired with a female and their lives are becoming much more normal. Hammer and Gina have been paired and are doing great. Likewise, Webster and Menemith, Jack and Pride, as well as Atlantis and J.J. have been building bonds with their respective companions and learning how to live like real wolves. Although this process has been much slower than we are used to with less traumatized animals, it is very rewarding to see them starting to play with each other and actually being rela­tively calm when humans are present. There is still a long way to go and many more challenges to successfully solve.

The second round of neuters was scheduled for October 1st and preparations were made to again set up a MASH-type opera­tion at WideAwake. The day arrived and volunteers began arriv­ing at WideAwake by 9 am. The surgical tent was set up and preparations made to finish the last three neuters -- Boots, Lucan, and Lance. Although the logistics and timing went much smoother this time, we all failed to have a photographer document the event. The photos presented here are a collection of other pho­tos taken on different dates.

The catch-up team, pre/post op team and surgical team were all ready. Boots was caught up and taken into surgery at about 11:00 am. All of the surgeries went flawlessly. General exams were also performed and blood was drawn for testing. Each ani­mal was returned to its enclosure and monitored during recovery.

The decision was made to catch up Love Girl, as well, who had very concerning test results on her last blood work. A general exam determined that she was doing much better now, but would continue to be monitored closely. All of the blood samples would be taken to the CSU diagnostic labs for processing. The team was finally finished, packed up and leaving WideAwake at 6:00 pm.

Weights on all of the animals recently caught up showed marked improvement from the weights they were at when received on June 1st. Some of these results were so dramatic that it made us wonder how close some these animals really were to death when they arrived at WideAwake.

Likewise, the results of their blood tests showed significant improvement as well. Mucqua was also neutered at the Sanctuary and was paired with Gead, who is also at the Sanctuary.

THE DAY AFTER

As the universe usually works, just as we were celebrating the dramatic improvements in the health of all the animals, it deliv­ered another challenge. The morning after the second round of neuters we were informed that our full-time caretaker at Wide­Awake had an unexpected personal situation and was no longer available to care for the animals. We were in emergency mode again. Numerous phone calls were made. Logistical considera­tions were adjusted and rearranged and finally many wonderful people stepped up to carry on the chores necessary to insure the well-being of the wolves.

Just as it appeared that everything would run smoothly again, winter decided to make an early appearance. On October 17th, WideAwake received 18” of snow. Although we had been planning on getting some tools up to WideAwake for winter, we were still several weeks away from accomplishing these tasks. We now needed to set that plan into emergency mode as well. We needed to get an ATV (to haul water and plow snow), a heated shed (to keep the water and meat for the animals thawed) and a heated area for volunteers (to work in), set up immediately.

It would also be necessary to get someone up their immediately to handle the chores. Frank began preparing to leave for WideAwake, while Steve began the plans for the heated shed and ATV. Just as things appeared to be under control again, we received an emergency phone call informing us that Menemith had somehow broken her front left leg in the deep snow.

The team was quickly put together to dart her and get her transported to the CSU Vet Teaching Hospital. By the time she arrived it was nearing midnight. Pat, Kiley and several volunteers met the group transporting Menemith at the door. After a full exam and x-rays, it was determined that she had a very severe humeral oblique fracture and further decided to keep her stabilized until the following day, when an orthopedic surgical team could be assembled. Two of our volunteers, who work at the hospital, took turns staying with her in intensive care.

By the time Pat and Kiley were returning to Wolf at about 3:00 am, Frank was getting up and heading to WideAwake. He spent the next four days, caring for the animals, organizing, clean­ing and, because it snowed every day he was there, shoveling snow. Steve spent this time building both a heated shed for Wide­Awake and preparing a special shelter for Menemith. The special shelter was needed because the surgical team who put her leg back together shaved a significant amount of fur from her body. It would be necessary to provide her with a much warmer area in order to prevent damage from the cold. Menemith was secured close to the house and receives warmth from it. Unfortunately, she is very stressed by the new surroundings and the activity around the house.

Steve arrived with the heated shed, ATV and other supplies on Sunday, October 22nd to relieve Frank and get all the new equipment and procedures set up. Unfortunately we did not have the resources to purchase a new ATV, so we actually took the unit from the Sanctuary to use at WideAwake. This will unfortunately, require the Sanctuary volunteers to revert back to carrying water buckets by hand. Steve was there for five days. Although there are now much easier procedures to follow in caring for the Wide­Awake animals, it still requires the commitment of a dedicated team of volunteers. We are very grateful for their efforts:

WHAT'S NEXT

Steve is currently building a heated dog house for Mene­mith, so we can move her further from the activity around the house. As soon as we can, we will be moving Webster (her companion) to the Sanctuary as well.

Unfortunately our efforts to secure additional property, to move these animals to permanently, has not yielded any results. We are therefore, progressing with our plans to secure an amended special use variance from Larimer County, to allow us to bring them to the Sanctuary. Again, unfortunately this option takes a great deal of time and resources to pursue and then does not necessarily guarantee that our efforts will be successful. We will be keeping all of our E-News contacts updated on this situation. As we get closer to the public hearings, which will be a part of this process, we will need letter-writing help from everyone we can find, to persuade the Commissioners to grant our request.