Yesterday, Don and Jean came out to spend a number of hours with Nira and Keeley. Nira did get up and move some. In the evening, after I arrived home from work, we visited him and he was doing ever-so-slightly better but in terms of "microscopically" better - if that is even a word. I put Keeley in the holding pen to allow us the time to evaluate Nira and to give him food without having Keeley eat it all.

Nira did get up and walk with us but he is still dragging his rear legs at times and is still wobbly. He did eat a half pound of burger and one Vienna sausage. He seems reluctant to eat food he has to chew, so, off to the store I go after work tonight to buy some ground beef. Sure wish we had ground venison left...I am going to try to get all next week off - hopefully my employer will grant my request...

This morning, I got up again at 4:15 am, turned the enclosure lights on and went up to see them. Keeley was up and about as usual and after I entered, I found Nira was standing. I gave Nira his medication but Keeley was right in the mix of things and, I soon realized that I would not be able to do much with Nira with Keeley being present, so, off to the holding pen Keeley and I go.

He proceeded to walk a few feet and then tripped over a log and obviously feeling comfortable there, he did not get up. I went to him, opened a can of Vienna sausage and he ate them all with more vigor than I have seen in a while.

If any of you wish to donate ground meat, please let us know. Call the office and leave a message. Right now, Nira seems to only want food that does not need to be chewed.

Thanks.

08/16/2012 SECOND UPDATE

The volunteers report to me while I am at work that Nira is up and about and walking better. He even took and ate an ice treat.

8/17/2012 Am

After putting Keeley in the holding pen this morning, I checked on Nira. He was sleeping soundly. I wonder if he will ever know how many times we just either sit or stand there, watching him sleep. They look so peaceful and content, not a worry in the world.

They were fed beef liver, hamburger and small hot dogs last night. Both ate pretty good but they now pick around the food that has the medication "hidden" inside. Keeley even was observed caching some of the leftovers. Nira went back to the dinner plate for another helping. Nira was more active last night, doing more standing and walking ever-so-slightly better but still in obvious discomfort. I can tell though that the medication is working.

I gave Nira his medication this morning. He really seemed at peace. It is neat to watch him wake up from a sound sleep. Like humans, it takes a moment of time for Nira to gather all his senses when we wake him and for him to realize that I am there.

08/17/2012 PM

On returning home from work, I checked on the wolves. Keeley was up, walking around. Nira was lying down, watching me. I prepared his medication as well as a little bit of burger. I approached the enclsoure and Nira came down to the fence, walking pretty good. I sat down on the ground a plate for Keeley and took another plate to Nira. He sniffed it and took a few bites and walked away. I sat down with him and petted him for a while. He then went back to the food, ate it all - which was between a quarter and half a pound. I then gave him his pain medication, which he does not like. I waited until he opened his mouth and squirted the medication in. I then went to give him an antibiotic shot and he whimpered at me. I stopped trying then to give the shot, figuring I would have another opportunity.

Later, I seized that opportunity but as I went to locate the spot for the injection, he gave a half gowl at me. I sensed then that he did not want to be messed with. I then walked away and went back later and sat next to him, petting him.

Looking from the house, he is walking around better, his cough has diminished somewhat even though I was unable to administer the shot this evening.

Last night, there was a pack of coyotes howling in the area - nice to hear some wild canines that still can howl.

08/19/2012

Nira is doing better, up more than lying around, more active. Yesterday we had a howl program we canceled but we still ended up with 10 visitors...we tried to improve the wolves comfort level by placing padding on the floor of the hut. We also built up both entrance to the hut with dirt making it easier for the wolves to enter. Nira's cough has decreased and he even rolled over for a belly rub for Nicolette last evening but in the process, we think he experienced some discomfort as he became grumpy when rolling over.

Keeley is doing fine, trotting along the fence, patrolling as an Alpha wolf might...maybe she senses Nira's injury or him being less active and is now filling that role? It is subjective but I have noticed Keeley staying closer to Nira during the periods of time that Nira is less active. I even noticed her bringing him a hot dog a few days ago...Usually one would be concerned about a less dominate wolf taking advantage of a situation where a more dominate wolf is injured or ill. We were watching this in our situation but noted no intentions on Keeley's part to follow through with this.

8/19/2012 PM

Went in to check on the wolves - Keeley doing fine, Nira was sleeping or so I thought. I sat down to pet Keeley and Nira came over to me, wagging his tail. I petted him for a while and he went off to eat a few bites and drink water.

We do not know what the days ahead hold for us but we sure cherish each and every day we can get a face greet from either of the wolves. They have truly been marvelous to be around and to watch grow.

08/20/2012 AM

Cooler weather moved in during the night and we also received some light rain. I was wondering if Nira would use the hut with the new padding we placed on the floor Saturday. Now was the test to see if he would. Nira uses the hut more than any of the wolves when it rains.

After turning on the enclosure lights, I went up to check on them. I could already see Keeley out on patrol and she met me at the gate, taking one of the Glucosamine and Chondroitin tablets easily. I then heard a few "thumps" and knew that Nira was in the hut - YAY!! He was standing inside, looking at me. He then proceeded to meet me halfway, wagging his tail. This reminds me that a number of years ago, I was told that wolves do not wag their tails...hmmmmm....maybe Nira was wagging his hind end which made his tail wag? Anyway, he did not take the Glucosamine and Chondroitin tablet like Keeley did...Both wolves seem content now...which makes me content. Nira is little by little beginning to show a little more spark.

We cleaned up the enclosure by gathering as many of the lose rocks and sticks as possible and placing these in piles. This is our attempt to reduce the tripping hazard these items cause.

8/21/2012 AM

Went in this morning and Keeley met me, wagging her tail. I found Nira and he was sound asleep. Since he had a busy day yesterday, I did not wake him. Jean, Christina and Karen Davis and myself were all in with him yesterday. He had a good day, was up and about. Karen suggested to me that Nira is still exhibiting a sore back, and I agree.

Last night Nira actually puckered (bared his canines) at Keeley as she approached too closely to his food. I watched Nira do the "wolf trot" through the enclosure later that evening.

It is amusing, in a sense, that when I enter in the morning or really at any time of the day or night and Nira has not met me, after greeting Keeley for a few minuets, I then proceed to locate Nira. I am not sure if Keeley has become used to this or just what is happening, but as we begin our walk together to find Nira, she will go ahead of me and all I need to do is follow her and she brings me to where he is. Most of the time she will look back at me when she has reached the point where he is, wag her tail and begin licking Nira.

Both ate some ground burger. All in all, it was a good day yesterday.

8/21/2012 PM

Well, all I can say is that mothers are wonderful!! My dear mother, Angie, called me today while I was at work and she asked me to stop on my home to pick up some chicken breasts and a pork roast that she had prepared for no one other than the wolves! Hmmm...I get peanut butter sandwiches. Oh well...I am just teasing. Back to the chicken breast and pork roast.

I stopped at mom's and she had prepared 5 chicken breasts and a medium size roast. She then proceeded to get out old pictures of the wolves when they were a tad bit newer (younger). My, they sure have changed on appearance.

As I got home, I thought to myself, "the wolves have basically just sniffed and turned their noses at ground burger, boiled pork, steak trimmings, bacon grease, beef liver, chicken parts (not sure what), ice cream, cool whip (Ready Whip in a can) - they will never eat the roasted chicken breast and pork roast."

Anyway, since my dearest mother took the time and labor of love for the wolves in making this dinner, I had no choice but to offer the meal to them. I took up two chicken breasts, thinking that one of two things would happen, I would leave them in the enclosure for other animals to eat or they would travel with my back to the garage and be placed on the refrigerator for later attempts.

As we approached the enclosure, both wolves were up, moving about. Keeley met us at the gate, as usual. Nira saw us and he slowly began trotting towards us, then he went faster and ended up at the gate before I could unlock it. Wow!

I then offered one piece to Nira and before I could think my next thought, he had downed that chicken breast. Wow! I then offered him another, and the same thing happened - he didn't even chew it - just swallowed - as is the normal thing for wolves to do. I then had to go and retrieve the other pieces - bringing up the whole roaster pan. By the end of the meal period, Nira had consumed 4 large chicken breasts, Keeley two. Keeley carried around the pork roast and cached it.

This was good! Now came the time for me to give Nira his medication. I have noticed that as the distance increases from the date of injury, administering the medication to Nira has been getting more difficult because he is feeling better and gets wiser in how we try to trick him into taking it.

I put the medication in honey, Nira just looked at it, sniffed and then looked at me as if he were saying "what - do you think I am stupid or what?" I eventually did get about a quarter of the medication in him...will try again later this evening.

We continued to watch Nira and he began digging - unusual for him since his injury. What was he digging? As we watched him, we realized he was digging up the cache that Keeley had placed the pork roast in - he even ate most of that. Keeley then came up and Nira bared his canines at her - telling her that the remaining roast was his and for her to leave it alone - which she did.

Nira is feeling better and seems to enjoy the well padded hut. Comfort! Now to trick him into taking the medication....

08/22/2012

Once I started checking on the wolves in the morning on the 5th of August, I seem compelled to continue this - no exception this morning. With older wolves (approaching 16 years), going in at times to check on them is not as much an issue as it would be with younger wolves or more wolves than the two. Also, having an excellent relationship with the wolves helps but this also can cause concern when one becomes overconfident in one's ability to "read" wild animals. Only after consultation with other professionals and in the necessary actions to administer medication to Nira was this decision arrived at. There are times that I have entered through the holding pen, secured Keeley there, then entered the main enclosure to check on Nira.

This morning, both wolves were doing fine. After failing at three attempts to get all the dose of metacam in Nira, I thought this morning would be better - not. I shall try this evening.

I had a lengthy discussion with our USDA inspector today on the phone. I have been keeping him up to date on all activities, progress, intentions with respect to treatment and in obtaining any suggestions he has on how to successfully administer the medication.

I also had a lengthy discussion with Pat from Wolf Park - where Nira, Keeley and Ingo came from. She offered different techniques we could employ to get the medication in Nira. We also discussed geriatric wolves and how they work with their older wolves. Thanks Pat!

This morning, Nira was soundly sleeping in the carpeted/padded floor of the "Nira Inn." I had to throw a hunk of food that Nicolette had bought (chicken roll). A few seconds after I tossed in the food, Nira's nose started to go in circles, his eyes open and rather quickly he devoured the food. Thanks Nic! Keeley also ate the same amount.

Tomorrow's plan is for me to draw blood on the wolves for analysis.

08/22/2012 PM

Not much luck at getting the medication in him. He eats around everything we put the mediation in. He did get some though.

08/23/2012

Well, because of Nira's continued improvement, he has declined somewhat today. This being because the better he becomes, the more difficult it is to get the medication in him. Last night did not go too well. He had probably 1/4 to half the normal dose. The same for the evening before. He is enjoying the padded floor "Nira Inn" a lot though.

Today, I had visions of obtaining blood from both wolves, and having a little easier time in getting the medication in him. Who's keeping count, right?? Wolves 3, Marty 0.

Nira did eat pretty good today and apparently he thought I was going to take food away from him so he gave a moderate warning to me in the form a "woof." At least he is still feisty.

I attempted draw blood on them both...will attempt Tuesday when other volunteers and Dr. Duerr is out. Nira is grumpy today - every time that I try to get the medication in him, he gives a quarter snarl...time to back off a little.

Later today, I bought him chicken breasts and Alpo canned dog food and one of our volunteers, Matt, brought me out some ground Elk...I think I will save that for an emergency...

So, up we went this evening...I had put the medication in the Alpo dog food and mixed it in real good...Nira did eat some as did Keeley. Not satisfied with how much he took, I then put half a dose in a large chicken breast and smeared that with juices from the canned dog food. Finally, some success! He ate the whole chicken breast and followed that by some water. He then visited us for some petting.

It is obvious that he is still in discomfort, law back, hip area and also possibly his mouth. As I look up at them now, they both seem content.

08/24/2012

Finally! Some success - up at 0430 this morning. Turned on the enclosure lights...prepared a half dose for Nira. As mentioned in my previous posting, Matt had brought out some ground Elk. Elk are a member of the deer family being much larger than white-tailed deer. I put the metacam inside the ground elk and smeared some of the juices from the burger all around the outside of the "elk ball."

I then went in through the holding pen, "sweets" AKA Keeley greeted me and I sequestered her there for the time being and went on my search for Nira. Why I kept her there was because I was carrying a ball of meat and wanted only Nira to get it and the medication. Having one less mouth to worry about is relaxing...

As I went on my search, I began to check in places I had found him before...and kept checking...and kept checking...I even retraced my steps. Not finding him in his favorite spots and even in not-so-favorite spots, I then did a wider sweep of the area. Finally locating him in an unusual place. I watched him for a second, noticed he must have been dreaming because his rear legs were twitching.

I placed the hard plastic plate down in front of him and then, using a small branch to tap him on the head, I woke him up. I talked to him and waited on the cob webs to clear from his brain. Finally, his senses also awoke and now that we have his brain and senses working together, he looked around for a few seconds. Then, he realized I had brought him breakfast - he speedily ate the elk and metacam.

08/24/2012 PM

Volunteers out throughout most of the day while I am at work. They report to me that the wolves are lying around, not too active. This makes sense as it is warm out.

When I get home, I prepared a chicken breast with a spice of Metacam. I then garnished this with juice ala can of Vienna sausage and let the chicken breast marinade in the juices for about 5 minutes. I was hoping that this process would hide the metacam odor from Nira.

I also had to prepare something for "sweets." She received the Vienna sausages and about half pound of ground burger. Up I went to the enclosure...

Keeley was put in the holding pen and Nira was right there as well. I kept him in the main part of the enclsoure. Usually, when I get home from work, both wolves are at the lower end of the fence now, waiting on me to enter...if I do not enter for a while, they sit there, looking right through the windows and into the house. I feel guilty if I do not immediately go in with them, especially when they are watching me...

Anyhow, after getting Keeley in the holding pen, I then put down the stainless steel bowl with the chicken breast inside near Nira. He began to lick it and I thought he would pick up on the metacam odor. I first draw up the 80 pound dose in the dose syringe then I transfer this to a syringe with a needle attached. I then inject the medication into the breast.

Keeley was busy eating the burger and Vienna sausage. While Nira began to lick more and more and eventually, he picked up the whole breast and ate it all! Good. Feeling that Keeley was not getting enough, I went back to the garage and fixed her some more food in the form of another can of Vienna sausages and some of the Biotonic food that Nic had bought.

I took this up and Keeley didn't want much of it. I then put it in the pen with Nira and he proceeded to lick at the meat and then, picked up the whole bowl with his front teath and attempted to empty the contents on the ground by turning over the bowl. It took him two tries to be successful at this. Now he had all the contents of the bowl on the ground and the bowl was upside down on the ground. He proceeded to flip the bowl upright using his nose, checked to see that all the contents were out of the bowl and he then walked away. But before doing so, he urinated on/near the bowl. This process of him urinating on/near the bowl and food was Nira's statement that he was claiming the food. He really did not have much to fear from me....

Later that evening, I went back up with the plans of listening to their lung sounds. Keeley was right there, wagging her tail. We then began our search for Nira. Once Keeley and I found him, we watched him and just let him sleep. He looked so comfortable. No way was I going to wake him up. No obtaining lung sounds this evening....

Later, I watched Keeley running around the enclosure like she was 5 years old....

08/25/2012

Up at 0430 hours............prepared food...chicked breast for Nira and a little more burger for Keeley. I put Keeley in the holding pen and heard Nira coughing...he must be up. As I looked over towards the coughing sound, I saw him. He was almost at the gate by now. I put the food in and he ate it all again!

I have been noticing that Nira, after being up on all fours for a while and walking around, will all of a sudden lay down and just seem to relax. He also coughs but does not appear short of breath.

After Nira was done eating, I opened both gates so that Nira and Keeley can do the switcheroo - this being that each wolf thinks the other had better food and will go and check out the "others" dinner table. In doing this, both wolves met and a slight wag and face greeting was given and received by each wolf. I just smiled.

08/25/2012 PM

Arrived home, ate and as I was eating, both wolves were staring into the window...Nira was up and about. He had received ice treats earlier. I was told that Nira began licking his ice treat and Keeley walked away from hers. Nira then went to Keeley's ice treat, sat on it and proceeded to eat his. When Keeley came back to get hers, Nira growled at her. Good - signs that he is feeling better.

So, we then prepared food for the wolves. Chicken breast for Nira and an assortment for Keeley. To me, Keeley appears to have gained weight as does Nira. I injected Nira's chicken breast with the metacam and garnished this with Vienna sausages and the juice, put a few foot long hot dogs in the pan and finished that with some more beef biotonic food.

Nira continues to improve in his movement but still tires easily. He is standing more now and for longer periods of time. As we approached the enclosure last evening, Keeley was running to beat us to the gate and right behind her, at a slightly slower trot, was Nira.

Keeley was put in the holding pen and given food while the same was done for Nira. Covering up the odor of the medication has been trying at times but I think we have finally found the method that works the best. Nira at a lot last night.

08/26/2012

Up again at 0430 - prepared food, as usual, chicken breast for Nira and and since Keeley did eat last night and actually cached more than she ate, I did not prepare any for her. I put some hot dogs, a can of Spam and the chicken breast with metacam in the pan. Nira ate almost all of it, Keeley finished.

Today is an open day.

08/26/2012 PM

This evening, Nira and Keeley both semi-active The weather is warm and humid. Took up food, the same menu for both as in days past. Both wolves are active and Nira even seems to be getting a little spring in his step. I am a little bothered by his cough but this evening, he had none. During the open day today, Jean told me that his cough sounded deep.

After he ate, I was able to listen to his lung sounds but unable to listen to all areas. In the areas I was able to listen to, I did not hear any abnormal sounds. I also heard no murmur in his heart sounds. Keeley sounded the same as Nira did.

Both wolves ate the food and drank water.

08/27/2012 am

Took up breakfast this morning - chicken breast and ground burger. If anyone has any ground venison they do not know what to do with, let us know...

This morning, Keeley was a little late getting up, probably a late night. Put her in the holding pen and went in to check on Nira. As I entered their pen, Nira was up. moving. I sat his food down, petted and greeted him and eventually he ate the chicken. He seems more alert now. During the day, they both sleep a lot. Nira spends a lot of time in his hut during the day.

Tomorrow, Dr. Duerr comes out for an inspection.

08/28/2012

Big day - Dr. Duerr came out to do his inspection and to evaluate Nira's progress. Dr. Duerr is extremely good with the wolves, is a kind and compassionate man and is always ready to help when needed.

Dr. Duerr and I went into the enclosure along with Rachel and other volunteers. Dr. Duerr and I discussed sedating Nira for an exam but we decided to evaluate him first to see if Nira could handle the sedation.

After entering, we decided to sedate him to continue the examination. After giving Nira the shot, he was sedated enough to draw blood, examine his mouth and teeth, inspect and examine his head, neck and back. Dr. Duerr then listened to Nira's lungs and heart sounds, took his temperature, administered an antibiotic, applied Revolutuon for heart worm preventative. His ears were also checked as his eyes. A stool sample was also obtained. A needle biopsy was also obtained from the lump on his right side which had been present for 10 years or more.

Nira's temperature was 100.7, no problems noted in his mouth, no cracked teeth, no obvious abscess in his mouth. No irregularities were found in his neck. Spinal examination showed chronic osteoarthiritis with degenerative disease with his spine. Lung sounds were fine except for a few small pockets of decreased air movement, probably due to a small pneumonia. No signs of heart failure were obvious.

We then reversed the sedative and slowly but surely he woke up. The blood results should be back in a few days and fecal analysis should be back tomorrow as the heart worm result.

This evening, Nira is doing fine. He seems slightly more alert and a little more peppy. Dr. Duerr said that basically, except for waiting on the blood results, that Nira is doing as well as an older wolf might do.

Thanks Dr. Duerr and thanks to the volunteers.

08/29/2012

This morning, both wolves overslept - meaning that I was able to enter the enclosure before they got up...Keeley greeted me first and she was all wiggly, tail wagging, a lot of face greets and kisses. We then went to check on Nira - well, apparently at that same time, unbeknown to me, he was looking for me and we both went in a circle trying to catch up to the other - finally, I headed back to where he was walking towards me, greeted, gave him and Keeley some "wolf" bones. Nira sat down and I petted him as did Keeley. Both seemed as good as older wolves can be.

08/29/2012 PM

As soon as I got home from work, both wolves were at the lower part of the fence. I took up some food and neither wolf really ate that well. I put the food in a stainless steel bowl. Nira has some difficulty in getting the food out so he has started dumping the contents of the bowl on the ground.

Earlier in the day I had received a call from Dr. Duerr about Nira's test results. Nothing alarming. Heart worm was negative. No parasites in the stool. His white count was one above normal indicating a small infection somewhere, Dr. Duerr said probably in his lungs. Other than that, the only other abnormal reading was a slightly low glucose.

I administered half the normal dose of metacam because Nira has caught on to all of my tricks. We are looking into a paste which is applied to this ears. Nira did do something amazing tonight, and I took pictures with my cell phone camera. He jumped up on the platform next to the hut - "Nira Inn." He laid there for about 5 minutes then jumped down. No stumbling.

He then want back to the food pan and proceeded to cache it by pushing leaves with his nose. This went on for about 5 minutes. He then came over to me and laid down right beside me for about 10 minutes. Tracy then came in the enclosure, both Nira and Keeley perked up. Nira went over to her, wagged his tail and gave her a good face greet and kiss. He then proceeded to walk away and do some patrolling near the top of the enclosure.

After he was done patrolling, he found a comfortable place to sit down and rest.

08/31/2012

On the morning of 8/30/2012, I went in the enclosure. Keeley greeted me and then trotted off - I followed. Sure enough, she stopped when she reached Nira. He was sleeping. We woke him and after the fog cleared, I tried to give him his medication. He gave me a slight growl. Needless to say, the syringe was placed back on the desk, full. I did not feed them as they both have gained some weight. Off to work I go.

Arriving back home, both wolves are at the lower part of the enclosure. I watch them and decide that if Nira could jump up on a platform yesterday and that if he can growl at me, he must be feeling better. I did take a picture of him on the platform and will post it here soon.

Today (08/31/12), I went in during the day and both were sleeping. It is hot and humid. Keeley meets me and after a barrage of face greets, she leads me to "the ol man." He is sleeping. Keeley and I wake him and he is excited to see me. As he begins to yawn, I squirt the metacam in his mouth - success! He does not need the metacam to live but it does decrease the pain he is in. After that, I left.

Later, I take up turkey breasts and legs for the "kids." Nira and Keeley both eat well as they have not been fed for on one (1) day - oh my!!! Spoiled!!! They both eat well, are given fresh water and I leave.

I love these guys!! See you tomorrow!

09/04/2012

Sunday was an open day and we also used the day to accomplish some jobs around Wolf Timbers.

Nira and Keeley are doing fine. Nira has recovered from his injury to the point to where he probably is at or near his activity level prior to the injury. His cough has diminished and activity level has, for the most part, increased. Wolf Timbers' very first volunteer, Jen, visited on Sunday and spent a lot of time with Nira and Keeley. By observing the behavior of the wolves, they both recognized her. Nira wanted a belly rub from her but we decided against this. Keeley offered a lot of face greets. Jen was able to give Nira his medication, relieving me of that duty.

Nira did not seem bothered by the visitor's but he did not approach the bleacher end of the enclosure.

Yesterday evening, we went in and both were active. They met us near the holding pen and both wolves were "wolf trotting" along the lower portion of the enclosure Each received a "ham hock" and a turkey carcass as well as a number of foot-long hot dogs.

This morning, I checked on the wolves before work and both were up but not moving about yet.

09/05/2012

Last night, I went in and Nira was less active. I sat with him and petted him for 20 minutes. He did get up and made a new bed by digging with his front legs and flinging the dirt back to me, covering me with each paw full of dirt.

Checked on the wolves this morning and Keeley met me at the gate and Nira was sleeping. I approached him and he woked up. I sat with him and petted him. Really humind this morning. Nira is a little less active this morning. I have not fed them in two days. Tomorrow they will get a quarter deer.

09/06/2012

Checked on the wolves this morning, later than usual because I did not have to work today. Both are doing fine, Keeley is doing exceptional, running around the enclosure at a pretty fast trot. Nira was sleeping when I went in. Keeley and I approached him and I woke him up by petting him on the head. It takes a few seconds for him to realize who is there, in front of him - this is why I am careful waking him up.

He seemed to be relatively "ok." After checking him out, I brought in some roasted pork - thanks to some friends that hold an annual neighborhood block pig roast. Both wolves devoured this and then Nira rested.

I was able to get medication into him today,without much fuss - I just waited for him to yawn or open his mouth wide. Both drank from the two fresh pails of water I brought in.

Later in the evening, after returning from a meeting, I checked on the wolves again. Nira was up on the platform next to his hut. To me, this is a good sign as he is able to use both front and rear legs to get up on the 18 inch tall platform. I was hoping that he would not get down to meet me, but, as has been Nira's "MO" from the past, he did get down to greet me, stumbling somewhat but never falling to the ground. We met and greeted with a little tail wag and Keeley then got into the mix of things and it felt somewhat like "old times."

09/07/2012

Fed the guys a quarter deer and some boiled pig today - Nira and Keeley both ate. Picked up another bottle of medication for Nira - cost: $95.00 - ouch! But he is worth it.

He has received his normal dose of metacam two days in a row - I don't press the issue but if given an opportunity, I will give it to him. I usually wait until he yawns and seize the opportunity. This is much better than pulling his lip up and putting the syringe in his mouth or between his cheek and gum. I do like my fingers - not that he would bite me just to bite, but he does not like the taste and has emitted a slight growl.

09/08/2012

All I can say is HEARTWARMING!!!

We went in the enclosure last evening. Keeley met us at the gate and after the usual customary greeting involving face greets, kisses, tail wagging, we started to walk and told her to "find him for us." With that, she trotted slightly ahead of us and every 5 feet or so, she would turn around as if to see if we were still following her. We entered from the corridor (opposite side from the bleachers) so we did not have a great view of the enclosure and could not see where Nira was.

Keeley led us around the hut and into the thickest part of the enclosure. About 15 feet above the hut, she stopped, looked at us and lowered her ears a little and made eye contact with us then she moved to her left 5 feet and it was then that we located Nira with our eyes.

He was sleeping and what happened next was truly neat, heartwarming and amazing to see. She looked back at us, looked at Nira and lowering her ears in a submissive position and lowering her body she reached out with her left foreleg and tapped Nira to wake him up.

He woke up, looked around, saw us and then began the tail wagging and face greeting. Even though wolves and other animals do not posses "human emotions," my observational experience with these animals over the past 15 and a half years, I can say that the wolves exhibit similar physical behaviors which humans exhibit, in an emotional sense, which might be driven by the mental state of the wolf at that time - emotion.

We stayed with him and Keeley and he soaked up all the petting and even wagged his tail a number of times.

09/13/2012

All status quo as of last night. Fed the wolves turkey breasts. Both wolves' appetites are somewhat decreased due to having food available to them almost constantly. Nira remains alert and as active as an older wolf might be. His periods of activity are usually in the mornings and evenings.

09/19/2012

Nira continues to improve and is back to where he was before the injury. His appetite has improved and he is much more mobile. He just does not get up all the time to investigate something like he (and even Keeley) once did. My thinking is that after investigating the noise, movement or other distraction many times over the past 15 years, he has become somewhat used to that disturbance. But, food has always been a powerful motivation for Nira.

Ever since his injury, he has been reluctant to eat like he has before, I am sure that the older age accounts for some of this. Last night, I took food in. No longer are we putting a whole deer or for that matter, even half a deer in - the wolves just do not eat like they used to. So, I usually take food in a stainless steel bowl up to them and feed them in different areas. I do hope to feed them together soon but right now, I am still noting how much food he eats. If Keeley were in the same area, she might steal some of Nira's food.

What they received last night was beef and venison. Both ate all they were provided with. After putting Keeley in the holding pen, I heard a commotion behind me and it was Nira - he was coming to find me, not the other way around!! I sat the bowl down and watched for a few minutes then went off to change water and gather up the other bowl from yesterday.

I am pleased with Nira's progress and now we can get ready for pups next year - hopefully.

09/20/2012

After giving the wolves a break the past week of my early morning intrusions into "their territory", I decided that I would surprise them this morning - well, surprised Nira, Keeley met me at the gate as typical.

After the usual much face greeting and tail wagging, Keeley and I went off in search of Nira - it would really help me out if Nira snored a little. I do turn on the enclosure lights and take a flashlight in with me which helps but with all the shadows and low light conditions, an audible "Nira locator" would really help. Keeley also helps me by pointing me in the right direction.

We located Nira and he was sleeping so soundly, even with much "begging" of Keeley, she still would not wake him up this morning. Hmmmm....

So....I talked louder, not really useful and I felt like a fool knowing that he is deaf....but, old habits....anyway, I decided to use Keeley as a blocking tool. When she stepped between Nira and I, I reached out and petted Nira. He still did not wake up....but he was twitching like having a dream. I then began to shake him a little and finally, his eyes opened, had a look of bewilderment on him with a side dish of "surprise" and finally, lifted his head, looked around and in his own little way, begged me to pet him.

Cool to slightly cold out this morning....I petted him for about 10 minutes then gathered up the dishes from last nights dinner. The menu was one raw egg, a piece of cooked chicken, mixed in some Metacam and finally, Mac and cheese dish....after eating that, I finished Nira's dinner with dessert in the form of a hog hock. Keeley ate a more bland diet of raw beef and venison.

09/20/2012 - PM

Went in with the wolves when I go home, Keeley and Nira both resting. Both then got up and proceeded to face greet me for an extended period of time. I later brought up a cheese stick for Nira with Metacam hidden inside. I thought for sure that he would devour this in two bites, but...yea, Keeley ate it....Ugghhhh!!

Eventually however, I was able to get metacam in Nira - he yawned at the wrong time for him but right time for me and in it went. No Mac and Cheese tonight -

09/21/2012

After arriving home from work and eating (with Keeley looking through the window and into the house), I went up and visited with the wolves. Surprising, both wolves met me at the gate. I had apples for them. They really have not had apples in a good while. I cut up Nira's and kept Keeley's whole. They both eagerly ate their apples.

As Nira was eating his, he did lay down. He gets either real tired or needs to take the stress off his spine and will lay down. I am not sure how long he will be around, at times, he gives me the impression that he is just tired and wore out. He is approaching 16 years old.

I am enjoying spending as much time as possible with the wolves and every chance I get, I spend it with them. Keeley is doing really well, at least from all outward signs. No one truly knows though what is brewing inside. I did catch her digging at the "hole" the other day. I am going to fill the hole in with straw, a suggestion from Pat over at Wolf Park. The hole is not that large but any modifications we can make to prevent Nira from falling is prudent.

The one thing that I really miss is hearing them howl. I have not heard Keeley howl since Ingo passed away. For Nira, it has been years. I am hoping we are able to obtain three pups next year. We are currently in the process of doing what is necessary to accomplish this. Hopefully, this will happen.

Getting back to the present. With Nira lying on the ground, taking a rest from eating his apple, Keeley came over and he growled at her for approaching too close to "his" apple. Earlier, I watched Nira as he was eating his apple. He ate the smaller pieces first then concentrated on the larger one. The larger piece rolled away from him - now we have a dilemma (not really though) - he made a few attempts to get the apple and each time he reached out further, he pushed the apple further away. I grabbed a 5 foot long stick, pushed the apple back to him and he again began to lick and nibble on it.

As Keeley went off into the enclose, Nira again pushed his apple away - I used the stick to push it back to him and he thought that the stick was going to take his remaining part of apple and growled. Still has spirit left.

I came back to the enclosure later to give Nira his medication. I put this in a cheddar cheese flavored hamburger. Nira readily ate 3/4 of the burger until he must have tasted the medication. He eventually did end up eating all of it.

After that, he and I just sat together for a while. I walked around the enclosure for a spell, having a personal talk with my father, basically telling him that sooner rather than later, he and Nira will somehow be reunited in The Almighty God's presence. All depends on your belief. Since God made all on Earth, my feeling is that God will take care of all as well. All acquaintances you have had in life that GOD feels worthy of a reunion for you will occur after we pass on. Since animals were important to my father and since he and Nira had a special relationship, I am sure GOD will reunite them.

I checked on the wolves once more before calling it a night. Both again met me at the gate and since all was as well as it was going to be, I let them rest. "I shall return tomorrow" is what I told Nira and Keeley.

09/22/2012

Went up to the enclosure after getting home. I had hid the metacam in deep fried chicken thinking that Nira would take one whiff and poof!! it would be gone....NOTTTT! - He delicately used his incisors on the chicken as if he were dissecting the meat...probably a recent new addition to his method of eating to weed out those particles of food that had hidden in them that nasty metacam! After a few bites, he just looked at me...I dared not approach him because the food was between he and I...

On to Keeley - had hre in the holding pen. I gave her a slab of beef ribs and could hear her crunching away. Back to Nira...

Threw him a slab of ribs also and he seemed to like those. He stood up to use his forelegs to tear off the meat and after a few minutes of eating, he laid back down and rested his head on the meat...uggggggggggghhhhhhhhh!!! I can remember years ago all this food would be gone before hitting the ground....Anyway, back up he gets and resumes eating. This time, he stood for a while. I did not like how he was breathing, short, forced pants but those quickly subsided to a more rugular rate and depth.

Had rained almost all day and Nira felt a little cool to the touch. He had been in his hut during the rainy periods today. He did feel dry however. Back to Keeley. Let her in the enclosure with Nira. She went right up to him and I followed, making my way behind Nira so as not to provide back up to Keeley in her soon to be attempt to steal his food. I positioned myself behind Nira, 5 feet away and stooped down. Keeley approached and Nira let her have it with a pretty good growl, AP and bark. At least the spirit remains.

I decided to let Nira and Keeley alone and retire for the night. Not sure what I am going to find in the morning...

09/23-21012

Went up to see the wolves this morning. Keeley met me and I gave her an apple treat. Time to find Nira - we both went up towards the top and I was lookign for him to be sleeping...I did not notice that he was standing, looking right at me. Whewwww!!

Gave him a few treats and petted him and told them I would see them later today!

09/23/2012 - Evening

Went up to see Nira and Keeley - Nira had been up a number of times during the day, trying to keep in the sun as it traveled across the horizon. I may be too close to the situation, but I just have this feeling inside that...the time is near. Again, it is hard to be objective when you have so much emotion in you for an animal that has been with you for almost 16 years and means so much to you in many different ways.

Anyway, like I said, Nira was up and met us at the gate. This presented us with an issue - I had Swiss steak, chicken and the hidden (so I thought) metacam on a hard plastic plate. For Keeley, she was getting canine food that Nic had bought. Before all you Keeley supporters begin calling me names for not giving her the "good stuff", read on.

Both wolves were at the gate and upon entering, we threw an apple to try to get Keeley's attention so that she would go into the holding pen. Well, really didn't work but in the end, what we tried to accomplish did in fact happen but the end result (Nira getting the medication) did not.

I sat the plate of steak, gravy and chicken and metacam down for Nira. He sniffed, licked and then looked up at us saying - "nice try Marty but I am on to you." After giving him 15 minutes or so to eat the food and realizing that was not going to happen, we let Keeley back in. Food is now gone.

So, back to the garage we go, brought back another slab of Swiss steak and fried chicken. Also brought in fresh water. Nira did eat the chicken but not the steak. But guess who did eat the steak? - Yes, Keeley (probably going to have to put her on a diet soon).

We sat with Nira for a while, he got up, moved and sat down again. We followed him. He appears to get real tired easily and had obvious problems sitting down. It usually takes a while for him to get his rear on he ground Once on the ground, he looks around alert and aware.

We went to him, sat down again with him and I was looking for an opportunity to get the metacam in him by squirting it in his mouth. No go.

He got up again and proceeded to bite on a piece of wood - which I have not seen him do in long time. Not sure why he did this. He then went and sat back down. We then left them hoping to see Nira in the morning...alive.

09/24/2012

I went in this morning. Not sure what to expect. Unusual in that Keeley did not meet me at the gate. Went in deeper to the enclosure and spotted Nira, he was lying down, looking at me. Keeley was about 8 feet away from him. When she saw me, she got up and came over to me, giving me face greets and kisses.

I petted Nira and he laid his dead down. I was able to give him the metacam and he shook his head trying to get it out of his mouth.

I petted him a few more times and told him I would see him later today.

I am wondering what I will find when I get home...

09/24/2012 PM

Came home from work and Nira was standing, looking around....hmmm....not what I expected but much better than what I expected. We stayed with them for an hour. He seemed in pretty good spirits. Just when I think the end is near, he once again surprises me.

09/25/2012

Finally, a day off...visited the wolves 6 times today, bringing up fresh water, spending quality time with them. Gave Nira his metacam. Both wolves lying in the sun, eyes closed, peaceful looking. For the most part, all through the years the wolves have been here, the distance between the wolves as they slept was around 5 to 15 feet. Today was no exception. Nira and Keeley were about 8 feet apart, facing towards one another. This may be a protective behavior so that the other can observe what is happening behind the other. Even when Ingo was walking the Earth in physical form, the three would arrange themselves the same way.

Nira still coughing at times, usually when we wake him up. Really have not heard him cough while he has been up waking around. One point today, Nira was lying in the sun and I just laid down next to him, petting him. He closed his eyes, sighed and seemed to enjoy this. I petted him between his eyes, rubbing his forehead. This is a relaxation technique used on humans as well. At times, Keeley would come over and get all wiggly and kiss us both and Nira would even respond by kissing her back. I would not do this with younger wolves as I would be putting myself in a possibly subordinate position. There are certain circumstances and situations with older wolves that allow you to modify your own behavior that you would not change with younger, more active wolves.

After spending time with them, I went to Dr. Duerr's office. He has two offices, one in Bolivar the other (main hospital) in New Philadelphia. They now have 5 veterinarians working there. Dr. Duerr and I discussed Nira for about 15 minutes. The man topic was his breathing and pain management.

Nira appears to use his abdominal muscles to force (rather passively however) air out. Does not seem to have difficulty taking air in. Kind of like asthma. He does wheeze at times which tends to signify a narrowing of the airway. When he sits down, he usually takes a rather long time doing this. Dr. Duerr and I both agree that besides the arthritis and back injury, there is a process occurring in his pulmonary system. He did have small areas of decreased air movement in his lung fields when Dr. Duerr examined him in late August. Nira will also stop while walking, take a few minutes then proceed on. He does not seem to be short of breath but anyone that has worked closely with these animals realizes that the ability to hide illness/injury probably has no other equal than wolves. After resting a few minutes, he will go on his way.

Dr. Duerr increased his metacam to a 85 to 90 pound dose and we also put him on Tramadol to help bring the discomfort under control.

After talking with Dr. Duerr and Pat from Wolf Park and Karen Davis, I then went back in with the wolves. I put Nira's Tramadol in a large burger and he ate that up quickly. Earlier in the day, I had opened the freezer to get out food and I looked up and Nira was standing looking at me. This is good. It then began to rain and he went to the hut to keep dry.

I am more relaxed this evening than I have been in a week or so.

09/26/2012 AM

Raining and some lightning this morning at 430...took me a while to get moving. I guess I know how Nira might feel. Anyway, Keeley met me at the gate and we went in, providing Keeley the customary kisses and attention. I kind of laugh, the whole episodes reminds me of security at a convention regarding me entering the gate, getting screened by Keeley (the guard) before being allowed to see the "boss" - Nira.

The "boss" was in the "Nira Inn" and peacefully sleeping. I sit with him and pet his nose, he wakes up, begins to cough. Keeley comes over and we all have a "meet and greet" episode. I then pet Nira more and he lays back and presents his belly, as best as he can, for a belly rub. Eyes now half closed, I reach over and pet him for a few minutes. I then pet his face and rub his jaw. He seems to enjoy this as his eyes close again. I then put the metacam in between his lips.

I then left and Nira was still in the enclosure. As I walk out and check the gates to make sure they are all locked, I can barely see the tip of his ear, in the hut being illuminated by the enclosure lights. Neat.

Can't wait to get home.

09/29/2012

Have not put up any recent logs about Nira because the situation looks like it has went downhill faster than what I can keep up with. I will try to bring it all up to date but for now, our veterinarian, Dr. Duerr, thinks Nira has liver cancer with a prognosis of days left.

When I got home on the 26 of September, I was told that both Nira and Keeley were standing near the bottom of the fence, I thought - WOW!!! YAY!!!

Went in with them and Nira did not eat much, if any. No biggie as his appetite has been slowly going down. He was still walking around at times and wagged his tail and lowered his ears. I took up some venison meat scraps, chicken breast and an apple for each wolf. Nira ate a little of the chicken, no venison scraps and ate almost the whole apple.

The next morning, 27 of September, It was again raining. I went in the give him his medication. He was lying in the rain, not unusual. I went to him, petted him and sat with him for about 10 minutes. Have to be at work at 6 am so I got up around 410 am to accomplish seeing Nira and Keeley and getting ready for work.

When I gave him the medication, he shook his mouth and what looked like puss came out of his mouth. Hmmmmm....I petted him a few more times, told both Nira and Keeley that I would see them later.

I went to work and developed GI issues myself. Came home early sick, not feeling well. I have been handling a lot of raw meat the past few weeks. I was able to talk with our veterinarian and he prescribed two doses of baytril. Later, after giving this to him, I notice that Nira will constantly fidget with his mouth. Called Dr. Duerr again. Arrangements were made for him to come out Thursday afternoon evening. A couple quick calls to some volunteers and all was set.

It was raining when Dr. Duerr came out but Nira had moved to the hut - perfect! I secured a few items to help make Dr. Duerr's visit a little more easy for him. The hut Nira is in has a front and read entry. The front entry is about a little over a foot off the ground and the rear is level with the ground. Nira usually uses the rear door as he does not have to jump up.

I gathered a tarp, flashlights, other tools - Dr. Duerr came out - we made some bite sticks to help hold open Nira's mouth. I was sure that Nira had something going on in his mouth. Dr. Duerr came out, we talked a little and gave Nira the sedative. Dr. Duerr is a wonderful person, I am pretty sure he is one on a million when compassion and veterinarian care is in need.

Nira was sedated, we moved to examine him. Nothing in the mouth or throat. Dr. Duerr did not like the looks of Nira's abdomen. More distended. The liver edges could not be palpated. Abdominal distention had increased since the last time Dr. Duerr was out. Dr., Duerr extracted some fluid from Nira's abdomen. Slightly cloudy with tinges of red. Not good. Going to send the specimen out to the lab.

We also gave another antibiotic and took him off the Tramadol. Put him on Torbugesic. A powerful pain medication.

Last night, 09/28/2012, Nicolette came out and we gave Nira the pain shot. Wow - knocked him out for good. Nic sat with him for about 3 hours. He did eat 5 meatballs, a lick of vanilla yogurt, a while apple and drank water.

09/29/2012

Woke up, Nira had moved through the night. Went in and covered him up. Sat with him all morning, it is now 12:20 and we have been with him almost all morning. Volunteers are out sitting with Nira and helping him. He did get some metacam this morning. He drank but has not eaten any, even turned his nose up at Chicken and Dumplings that Tracy had fixed for him. Nira did get up and walked a few feet then became weak and sat down.

More volunteers are expected today. right now, unless we see a change, Nira will be with the wolves spirits this Monday or Tuesday.

09/29/2012 PM

Well, busy day today. Had volunteers present all day to be with Nira and Keeley. Had a few laughs today in an otherwise solemn day. Nira did not eat today despite our best efforts. We spared no tidbit of food, good or bad for him. In the end, no food was eaten by Mr. Nira. He did drink though. He offered up a few face greets and a few "please rub my belly."

"Nira is the beginning of the dream, not the end" is Wolf Timbers new motto. I just need to find a way to get through this.

Right now the time is 11:03 PM and Karen Davis decided to drive all the way from Knoxville, Tenn to see her beloved Nira. She has to return tomorrow to Tenn. I am waiting on her to arrive so we can go "pester Nira some more."

Gave Nira a pain shot a while ago while Nic and Beth were here. Relaxed him. He tried to get up a few times today but could not stand and a few times, he fell over. We have a huge amount of blankets, carpet padding, towels, a few pillows, a canvass - all to help us make us think we are making Nira more comfortable. Except for the pillow, all the other props are probably useless to him.

We called Nira's sponsors today and told them of the plans to retire Nira in the physical form Monday or Tuesday. I have been in contact with Wolf Park, Monty and Pat about what is happening.

Just to let all those that are reading this - we will someday have a memorial service for Nira but please do not expect this soon - possibly next year, around his Birthday - but not any sooner.

For those that know me, you know how I feel about the wolves, and Nira. You understand. And I thank you.

Nira, Keeley and Ingo have given me, and all that have met them, a glimpse into their world. No words can describe how I am feeling right now.

09/30/2012

Currently I am watching Nira who is 7 feet away from me - I am on the outside of the enclosure. Karen, Nic, mom and others are in sitting behind Nira. Keeley is currently taking some meat we put in for Nira this morning.

Nira received a pain shot not too long ago. I made the call to Dr. Duerr - it is time to allow Nira to rest in peace for ever. Hard to do, very hard but it is best for him. Not for me but this has never been about me, it has always been about them, their brothers and sisters in the wild and in captivity all over the world.

It is not a waiting game. Nira does not seem to be in a lot of discomfort now.

Still watching Nira - he lifted his head a few times, seems relaxed. He has had a lot of visitors the past two days. His eyes are open and he is surrounded by a lot of peole he knows.

10:46 PM 09/30/2012

Nic, Megan and Rachel are taking the night shift being with Nira. We gave him a pain shot a little bit ago. He is resting comfortably. Dr. Duerr will be out tomorrow morning to euthanize Nira - our beloved Nira. As mentioned, Nira is the beginning of a dream, not the end.

We had a lot of volunteers out the last two days. We also had 16 visitors today. Volunteers also finished roofing the gift shop. I would guess in the last two days, around 60 people have paid their respects to Nira. Now we have to focus on Keeley and continuing the dream of Wolf Timbers. That dream will survive. I personally need to extend a huge amount of gratitude to present and past volunteers for their unselfishness and love for Nira.

10/01/2012

Nira was euthanized today, at 9 am by Dr. Duerr. Since Saturday, I would say around 50 or 60 people have visited Nira and Keeley, including 16 public visitors on Sunday. The strong support from Wolf Timbers volunteers has not went unnoticed.

Volunteers from the past and current volunteers came out to sit with Nira, and pamper him .He was not the Nira we knew from old on Sunday. I had increased the frequency of his pain medication to about every 12 hours up from every 24 hours. This medication is 5 to 28 times more powerful than morphine.

Last night, Nicolette, Megan and Rachel took the night shift - giving me an opportunity to take a shower, eat and try to relax. This has been unbelievably stressful on all of us.

Saturday was not really that bad of a day - Nira did not eat Saturday but he would allow us to pet him and hold a water bowl so he could drink. We basically deluged him with love Saturday, old volunteers came out, new ones came out - all for Nira - people drove as far as Tennessee to see Nira.

Comforting.

During all of this, Jim and Ray worked on the gift ship roof which had been damaged by a tree that fell over in strong winds. They worked for 8 hours. Again, on Sunday they and other volunteers worked on the gift shop roof till they had it completed. I thank you guys and gals from the bottom of my heart. Wolf Timbers shall survive - especially with the volunteers we currently have.

Saturday night, Rachel drove from Pennsylvania to help take over the night shift. Nicolette also stayed that night. Comforting.

Karen Davis, Keeley and Nira's puppy mother drove 10 hours to be with her beloved and goofy Nira on Sunday and she had to drive home knowing what was going to happen Monday. She, along with all the other volunteers are amazing humans that inspire me.

I really cannot write much about Nira right now, the difficulties of the situation prevent me from doing so. Susie and Gary, I currently have two pictures that I am looking at that melt my heart - one is of Nira's paw in my hand (we are holding hands) and the other is I am giving Nira a belly rub, just him and I, and we are looking at each other. Thanks so much for those pictures. They are heartwarming.

So, back to present day...

At some point in the future, I will try to thank each and everyone of you for coming out and for your condolences. Other people not associated with these wolves do not understand what we are going through. Those that have been this close to wolves know what we are going through.

When Dr. Duerr came out today, he said Nira's abdomen had gotten larger and the edema in his legs worse. I made sure that Dr. Duerr, in his professional medical opinion, had no doubts what so ever about euthanizing Nira. He did not. Time to go big guy. If it were up to me and my emotions, I would keep these guys around me forever but that would not be right.

Nira, to me, was more than an animal, more than a "wolf" - he was funny, at times he was cranky, other times he was jovial, a clown (to use Beth's words) other times, he was a pistol, prankster and at other times, he could melt your heart with his eyes, his emotions, his trust in you. I never once felt uncomfortable at all, not the least, around Nira. Of course, you have to behave in a way that he expected - as is the case with all wolves. To me, Nira and Keeley have been slightly different - probably to the excellent job Wolf Park and Karen Davis has done with them while they were at Wolf Park. Okay, I am getting a little emotional. What an amazing ride, Nira. I thank you from the depths of my shattered heart. Nira was perceptive, insightful, funny, relaxing to be around. Nira was not always that gifted in the walking department. Meaning that at times he would trip over the air that was present - when he did this, we would catch him looking up at us to see if we also caught him tripping over the air - if he saw we were watching, he would sulk away and hide for about 15 mnutes.

A huge part of me has passed on along with Nira. Dad and Nira were buddies. Nira was more than "just a wolf" or "just an animal" - for those that have not experienced a wolf in the situation like Wolf Park or Wolf Timbers, you do not know what you are missing.

Nira never once, not even half a once, ever, ever growled at me (when he was healthy). He never exhibited all the demonic and devilish, blood thirsty, man-killer instincts that so many people attribute to wolves. The reason - simple, wolves are not that way at all. I am more afraid of a football than any of the wolves I have ever met.

Okay, I will write more later, even thinking of posting my notes from days gone by. Nira, I honestly and with no regrets in a public format, thank you for the last 15 and half years and can tell you how much I respect you and love you (in human terms) and just so how much I shall miss you.

10/06/2012

On 10/02/2012, I had a long conversation with Dr. Duerr at his Bolivar office. He went over the results of the fluid drawn from Nira's abdomen on 9/27/2012. Basically, without the lab results in front of me, I can remember Dr. Duerr saying that around 48% of the cells contained in the fluid were mutated cells. He further went on the explain that the cancer was probably still encapsulated within the liver and had not yet spread. This would account for no cancerous cells being found in the free floating fluid.

Yesterday, 10/5/2012, our USDA APHIS inspector called and we had a long talk abut what happened, our treatment and other issues. Every time the wolves get sick or are on medications, or worse - pass away, we notify our USDA Inspector. Records then need adjusted.

I need to thank Carl for buying food for all the volunteers present on Sunday - that was awesome Carl! Thanks!!

Nira was cremated this past Monday. He will be buried in the enclosure along side Ingo in concrete vaults with the wooden urn placed inside. We will mark those areas with "head stones."

10/08/2012

One week ago today we lost Nira. Looking up into the enclosure and not seeing him there is difficult and at the same time, really weird. It is like "wow" - had this really happened at all? Nira being here. I will just say that I realize Nira was not a human yet at the same time, for me, and most of the volunteers and people that knew him, he was just as important and represented something much more than just a "wolf." For those that know me and understand what I mean, we can comfort one another. For those that don't understand, there is noting else I can say but that I am sorry.

Today ends the book on Nira's injury. Any additional postings will be put elsewhere. I will be sure to inform everyone of when additional postings are made and were they may be found on the web page.