It all started when I picked up a directory for volunteer opportunities, and saw the insert for Wolf. As a new retiree, I needed something to keep me busy but also give me a sense of accomplishment and something to volunteer for that I really believed in and wanted to help out as best I could.

My first visit to the sanctuary, after filling out the application and talking with Brandy and Kiley, was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Akyra was my first actual contact, and I fell in love with her! I remember saying to Kiley, “She is biting my hair”, and I never will forget that feeling, both a little apprehensive and yet thinking how magnificent she was. I also remember Kenai “pressing” his full body against my back, and feeling the strength and yes, how strong he was, but also how amazing an animal he was. As I saw the animals and what had been done for them and how they were treated, I was totally “hooked”.

Realizing that actually “hauling the water” and “chopping the beef” and walking up and down picking up the you know what, I realized that it was hard for me, at my age, to be at the sanctuary as much as some of the volunteers, but I knew in my heart that I wanted to become someone who could help out in other ways. I became the “Community Outreach Coordinator” for Wolf, and have so much enjoyed talking with people, explaining what we are all about, and promoting the Sanctuary and its success. I still, however, need to get my “animal fix” every so often, so I go visit.

In Memory of Samantha

Sami stayed with us for another day before she was no longer able to walk. The vet was called to help her on her journey. We went out to ask Sami if she was ready to see Kenai. Sami got up, walked into the house, and laid down in the same spot Kenai was euthanized. Her passing was very peaceful, but we are still struggling with the reality of her physical form being gone.

In Memory of Nugget

Nugget is one of the sweetest animals we have ever had the honor of knowing. She had a very fast tongue, which she would manage to stick into your mouth without you knowing how. Nugget loved attention; she would sit in your lap, roll onto her back and kick you in the face if you dared stop petting her.

Her story begins as a puppy in 1996 in Arizona. Her family adored her, until she started growing up and acting like a wolf-dog. She ended up being chained in the backyard, and steadily the attention, food and water stopped coming. Nugget was finally confiscated by animal control at only 1.5 years of age. This landed her at the local humane society, but no one wanted to adopt an underweight neglected wolf-dog. The day before she was to be euthanized, her champion arrived, a kind hearted animal lover named Carol Penn. Carol looked into Nuggets eyes and had to adopt her.

Carol regularly visits the humane society to save some of the animals from death row. She already had 14 other animals, including dogs, cat and ferrets. A wolf-dog did not fit nicely into the situation, even one with Nugget’s sweet temperament. Carol tried very hard to train Nugget for months before turning her over to Wolf. She raised all the necessary funds to have her transported to Colorado and her new home.

Nugget had a great life here. She was paired with 2 males, Ahzeem and Sky, for many years until Ahzeem passed away. Sky and she had a very strong bond, with Nugget behaving much like a mother to him. In March, the pair was moved to The Wild Animal Sanctuary, where they were doing outstanding in their new home. Nugget thoroughly enjoyed all the extra volunteer time she had to get attention.