What's Going On at Wild Spirit?

July 22, 2008


Talking Talons Wildfest Head over to Tijeras for this year's annual Talking Talons Wildfest! Our outreach team will be there with one of our wolf ambassadors and merchandise table for you to take home a wolf-themed souvenir. There will be several other animal organizations, including birds of prey and reptiles. There will also be magicians, face painters, dancers, a car show, a Star Lab from UNM observatory, and music. We hope to see you at this family-fun event! Date: Saturday, July 26th Where: Roosevelt Middle School 1179 Highway 337 (South 14) Tijeras, NM Time: 10 am - 4 pm Website: www.talkingtalons.com	Fire and Ice has come and gone, so we should now be able to get a good idea of our inventory in preparation for the online gift shop. Even if it is only a few items, we hope to have the online gift shop up and running in a few weeks.
	What a weekend! With two events that went on, we were kept on our toes! On Saturday, the outreach team headed over to Show Low, Arizona for the Torreon Wild Fest. Instead of Storm going, as we originally planned, our ambassador veteran, Raven, decided he wanted to go! Raven had a great time greeting the public and hanging out with our director, Leyton. Over in Grants, the outreach team prepared for an intense three day event at the Fire and Ice Motorcycle Rally. Forest was there not just one day, not two days, but all three days! With this trip being his third year around the motorcycles, Forest is use to the commotion and gladly volunteered to attend all three days. Although everyone had a fun weekend, we are glad for the rest!
Goodbye Nakona We say goodbye to one of our oldest residents, Nakona. When younger, Nakona proved to be something of an escape artist. She managed to find her way out of many different backyards, which usually meant she would be passed on to a different home. Finally, she ended up at an animal shelter since no one could contain her in their yard. Luckily, the people who worked at the shelter fell in love with Nakona because of her sweet personality. She eventually was brought to the Sanctuary by a woman who befriended her in Colorado. Nakona became one of our first ambassadors, and was the first animal to work with Leyton at outreach events. Throughout the years, she remained a sweet lady who loved people of all ages. She liked the smell of any sort of body product, and would scent-roll on volunteers if they wore deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, perfume, or anything else that smelled good! She retained a taste for coffee (with cream and sugar) and donuts from her ambassador days. Nakona lived with us for many years, even after the love-of-her-life, Mr. Shyloh, passed away. Old age caught up with her, and she passed away peacefully after being cared for diligently by the volunteers. We thank everyone who gave Nakona lots of love during her long years at the Sanctuary. She enjoyed all the enrichment treats people provided her, and was thrilled when new volunteers would come to care for her. We give a special thanks to Diane, who gave Nakona special love and care during her final months. We will miss you, Nikky. Goodbye Princess The month of July has not been good to our animals. We say goodbye to another old lady that passed away last week, Princess. She originally came to the Sanctuary with a staff member who owned Princess and her offspring, Duchess and Geronimo. The staff member has since left the Sanctuary, but the trio remained with us as we accepted responsibility for their permanent care and sanctuary. Princess had a liking for certain people, but for everyone else, she usually remained aloof or a little hostile. She stayed by herself in an enclosure for a while until we received a handsome new male, Axel. Happy with a trophy boyfriend, Princess spent her last months very content. When she felt like it, she would receive attention from a caretaker, otherwise, she would keep to herself in the back of the enclosure. Princess was one of the oldest residents at Wild Spirit, and we were always surprised how spry Princess acted in her old age. She passed away quickly and unexpectedly one afternoon, not showing the usual "last days" signals that most the of animals show. Although her death was quick, we imagine that is how she would have wanted it. We thank everyone who supported this Golden Girl through her last months living at the Sanctuary. A big thanks to Susan Kline who made sure to swing by often to say hello to Princess, and to Mae Jackson who made sure Princess always felt loved. We will miss you, Momma.	Work is still underway on the fox enclosure. The ground wire is all covered, top wire is being hung, and the back is completely fenced. Now, the team is mortaring the back fence after it was covered with cloth to create a faux rock wall. Monsoon season has slowed some of the work, but we put up giant tarps to cover the enclosure to prevent the rain from getting through. There is still a lot that needs done, but we are working hard!
	All of our animals receive special vitamins weekly, while others get more specific supplements on a daily base. 3v Caps combine fish oil, Omega 3 fatty acids, and Vitamins A, B, and E, to help with an animal's skin and coat. We have been giving 3v Caps to Cove and Lucian, Iowa Trio, and Forest Pack, and all of their coats are looking much better! They are hoping that you can send some more! We need more Large/Giant Breed 3v Caps for our four-legged critters. For more information, please visit our Wish List
	"Waya - In the Trees" - Kathryn Milligan Visited the sanctuary and have a great picture to share? Send your photo to webmistress@wildspiritwolfsanctuary.org and have your photo featured as Photo of the Week!
I Need a Home! We have a low content wolf-dog that needs a home! She came here with her three pups, and now that her kids have been adopted out, we need to find a home for Momma! She is sweet and social, and although she has been spayed, she has not had all of her shots yet. We do not know her exact age, but we believe she is at least six years old. She would be a great companion in an adult home. If you have any questions or have an interest in adopting this sweet girl, call us at (505) 775-3304 or email us at info@wildspiritwolfsanctuary.org.	Another way mating pairs form is called "budding", which is when a dispersed wolf and a wolf from an established pack make their territory along the edges of one of the wolves' natal pack.