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WideAwake Update
As reported in our last newsletter, the WideAwake Pack has made huge strides in their recovery and is beginning to trust their dedicated caretakers. We are thrilled to inform you even more amazing progress has occurred! It all started when Pride came to the fence and let a volunteer scratch her. Kasota became jealous, and ran between the person and Pride for her scratches. Now, Kasota, Lucan, and Pride line up for loving from their favorite humans. Shortly thereafter, Hammer took his meds from a caretaker’s hand. Boots and Lena started playing “chase you, chase me” around their enclosure. And then JJ, the most fearful and traumatized animal, began sniffing the hands of her humans. This quickly led to her becoming a love maniac. She now jumps all over a volunteer, gives kisses everywhere, and flops over to get her belly rubbed. We are beyond ecstatic to see the changes in these special creatures, and thank everyone who has assisted in their care and rehabilitation since their rescue. |
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On a less happy note, WideAwake has again received a tremendous amount of snow and wind this winter, unlike the main facility suffering from one of the most dry winters in years. The road was shut down twice again, but luckily a road-blower was available to reopen it. However, the snow and high winds left mounds in the enclosures creeping closer to fence lines and making daily chores a grueling task. Emergency snow removal from inside the enclosures was necessary to allow the animals better access to water buckets and feeders, as well as to make chores possible to complete. Nine volunteers were rounded up to accomplish the daunting mission. Five left Ft. Collins at 5 am on February 10th, and arrived to find feet of snow blocking access into the enclosures and volunteer work areas. They sure had their work cut out for them! After a punishing 17 hour day, all drifts were removed from inside and around the enclosures (including “Pee Mountain” -- pretty self-explanatory), work areas, feeders, buckets and gates. The volunteers left exhausted and sore, but proud of what they were able to accomplish. The animals were no worse for wear, but we’re sure they enjoyed the ease they could now move around with. A huge thank you for all your hard work and dedication to all who survived the day: |
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Gead, the mother of most of the WideAwake animals, came to us at age 17. She was a lucky one, not infected with heart worms, but had some sort of head trauma that caused issues with her hips. Our limited understanding of her life before shows she was a “prized” breeder for her former “owner”, lived most of her life on a 6 foot chain, and had many litters of puppies taken away too young. Her beautiful eyes burned with intensity and knowledge deeper than humans can comprehend. It was apparent Gead had severe trauma inflicted on her at the hands of humans. For months, she avoided human contact at all cost, and we respected her wishes by swiftly completing the daily chores in her enclosure. She quickly gained weight and shed her matted coat. Fear was slowly replaced by curiosity towards the humans. Then one day, she walked up to a volunteer and allowed a quick scratch. Everyday after she became more confident with people, eventually sitting down next to you for scratches and eating all the treats she could. She became Mucqua’s companion, caretaker, and seeing-eye dog, as Mucqua is totally blind. We watched in amazement during the big snows of last winter as she created paths in the snow and gently lead him around the enclosure. |
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Gead’s hip issues worsened last fall. She began falling down quite often, but always picked herself back up and didn’t let it slow her down. Pain killers kept her comfortable, but one day a volunteer found her in agony. After a course of antibiotics and higher pain killer dose, she was back to herself and doing great for 18. Weeks later, on the morning of November 19, she was found stuck and unable to stand. We helped her up, but it was all too apparent that the back end was not cooperating as she fell down hard every time. Worse yet, she was in obvious pain. The vet was called. Gead was examined, but it was clear she was ready and we placed her next to Mucqua to say goodbye. Her passing was very peaceful, and we are sure her spirit is doing great. However, we miss her physical presence and all-knowing eyes. |
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WOLF, Post Office Box 1544, La Porte, CO 80535 - USA