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| The past few years have been very hard on Wolf, both from the standpoint of animal health issues as well as our Application to expand the Sanctuary. These challenges make us feel even more fortunate to have a new generation of “young guns” who bring a new energy and crazy puppy antics into our lives. Who needs TV when you can watch the wolves play from the back window? We would like to highlight a few of the experiences they have given us so you may enjoy them too. |  |
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| He shares a beautiful relationship with his companion, Kiki. Watching them play is such a joy, although there is no question Kiki is the boss. They run around the mountain and bounce all over each other with an energy level humans can only dream of. It is quite obvious the two adore each other. |  |
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| Pride, although still timid of most humans, seems to really enjoy being at Wolf . She loves her companion, Kai, but is much more energetic than he is at 14 years old. So she follows him everywhere he goes, constantly nipping his butt. Kai responds by jumping around and giving a threatening low bark. Pride jumps away, pretends to have learned her lesson, then goes straight back for more. She is also developing a habit of stealing his prize chunks of meat, thus forcing him to chase her around the enclosure. |  |
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| However, Pride’s favorite game is fence fighting with Sigmund in the next enclosure, especially at 5 am when Frank is trying to sleep in a bit. If Sigmund so much as looks at the fence, Pride charges it with hackles raised, teeth out and ears back. She looks very intimidating considering her tiny, 60 lb. frame. Of course, Sigmund responds by charging the fence and screaming his fool head off. The duo will race the fence line from top to bottom, stopping occasionally to growl and show teeth at each other, all with tails wagging wildly. Their respective companions follow along without growling and fighting. This is all in good fun though. They are separated by 2 fences (intentionally), and this daily exercise is great both physically and emotionally for them, releasing pent up energy and allowing them to act like real wolves protecting their territory. |  |
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| Besides fence fighting, Sigmund loves to play fight with his companion, Tunyan. They jump on each other’s backs, grab each other by the neck, and push each other to the ground. Sigmund usually ends up on top, but we think Tunyan lets him win. A true lady always lets her man win, or at least think he’s won. Siggi also goes nuts for stuffed animals. When in the house, he will collect all of them and stretch out on the couch. He doesn’t destroy them, just chews on them and throws them around. If they fall on the ground, he demands one of the 2-leggeds pick it up and give it back, as long as they don’t touch any of the other ones. |  |
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| Perhaps Sigmund’s most treasured pastime is his swimming pool. The second you fill the 75 gallon water trough up, he works diligently to kick every last drop of water out again. Once he and the ground are sufficiently soaked and muddy, he trots around his enclosure like a king, oblivious to the fact that he looks like a drowned rat. It always ends up that at this moment, he wants to sit in your lap or rub up against you, just to share the love, aka mud. |  |
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| Isabeau is still the reigning master of puppy craziness. Her loving demeanor and complete lack of social skills has captured the heart of anyone she has ever met, yet still shows very well why wolves and wolf-dogs do not make good pets. After 2 years, she still has not learned that humans are not toys, jumping on people is inappropriate, and some people really don’t want her tongue in their mouth. She considers the backs of her two companions to be launching pads, anything you’re carrying hers, discipline to be play, being ushered out of the shared section of her enclosure to be unacceptable, and the top of her feeder a great place to stand, if she hasn’t removed the lid. |  |
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| She constantly harassed Shaman until Nashoba arrived. Nashoba is a year younger, but already bigger than she is. Fortunately, Shaman now gets time to rest and a break from the maniacs. Nashoba is very curious about people, but still too nervous to approach them. So when Isabeau is getting attention from a human, Nashoba comes up and yanks on her tail, pulls her back legs out from under her, or whatever he has to do to prevent her from getting human time. If this sounds familiar, it is. These are the same tactics Isabeau used to prevent Shaman from getting people time too! Did your mother ever tell you that all the trouble you put her through would come back on you three-fold? Maybe no one ever told Isabeau that. |  |
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| Nashoba’s shy curiosity gets him into situations where he isn’t sure what to do. He will eagerly take food from your hand, but if you try to touch him, he’ll get scared. Then Nashoba will either run away or play-bite your hand. Eventually, he learned play biting was more fun. So now, every time Frank, Steve or Kiley walks around him, he gives a quick nip to a pant leg, butt, sleeve, or even a pony tail. If the humans are very lucky, they can get a quick scratch in while he is nipping. |  |
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Nashoba and Isabeau really make a good pair, and have an unparalleled energy level. When chasing each other around the mountain at top speed, you barely see a blur as they pass. They also try incessantly to steal things that don’t belong to them, like hummingbird feeders and window screens. They play all the time, with Nashoba being the main instigator. In fact, he will force Isabeau up at 6 am for playtime. Like Sigmund, they love their pool. They prefer not to kick out all the water, but rather jump in, splash and bite it. Watching them play out the back window is beyond entertaining. Unsuspecting visitors to Wolf are always shocked to use the restroom and find a wolf or two watching them through the window. |
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WOLF, Post Office Box 1544, La Porte, CO 80535 - USA
WOLF, Post Office Box 1544, La Porte, CO 80535 - USA