Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary, Ramah, NM

I’m backing up a little bit here. When we were in El Morro, NM last week, we visited Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary. This is a wonderful 80-acre refuge at the end of a 9-mile washboard dirt road for wolves and wolf/dogs. It is a non-profit organization where currently 62 animals are cared for, having been rescued from a variety of circumstances. The all-volunteer staff befriends these animals enough to care for them. Most of the volunteers are young people many of whom visited the sanctuary on a vacation and came back. They live in rustic accommodations (trailers and hogans) in this dessert terrain – literally in the middle of nowhere!

The day we were there, garden areas were being sectioned off, and large rocks dragged in, trenches were being dug and these young people gave tours. They love what they are doing and love being there.

The story: Insane families search out breeders (also idiots) of these wolves and wolf/dogs paying upwards of $3000 for this exotic pet! At 6 months, they are 75% full grown (85 – 115lbs). At almost 2 years (when most puppies are still growing and bouncing around being trained) they have “mature instincts”. This would include wanting to be the “alpha male” totally in control and tend to become aggressive and behave what is considered having turned against their owners.

This is when the disillusioned family calls Wild Spirit and asks for help. They receive between 1-7 calls each day for help. In many cases, the sanctuary arranges for transportation for these poor animals – the few they can help. The animals end up in wonderful spaces – usually with a companion or mate. They are fed 3.5lbs of fresh meat 5 days a week and the other 2 days receive vegetable and grain meals. This is in sharp contrast to the once a week meals they would receive in the wild.

They are beautiful animals you just want to climb inside the fence and rub. OK, not on the agenda. Contrary to popular belief, wolves do not like new changes – including people. They told us we have a greater chance of being killed by a coconut hit on our head than being attacked by a wolf!!!! They do have a couple of wolves that accompany them on community outreach field trips. But it takes the volunteers months to gain the confidences of the animals to be able to enter their space and take care of maintenance.

Crazy me loved the part when we (there were only 4 of us on the tour) started howling so the wolf (Ace - see his picture) would sing along. The longer we howled, the longer and harder he joined us. I probably could have stayed by him all day! A few of you will know of my problem at zoos trying to do this at any animal cage we approach!!!! I am proud to say, I usually have positive results! Now the rest of you know. Sorry, kids – the secret is out.

They do take short time volunteers, but since the space adjacent for camping is also within earshot of the half night sleeping animals (and the washboard entrance road) we decided not this time. Howling half the night . . . I was very close . . .

Now, as all public touring places tend to have, there was a gift shop. They actually SOLD little clumps of wolf fur. HA! I outsmarted them by collecting my own little stash as we walked along, stuffing it in my back pocket. I know, so weird! I had to have some!

In closing, I feel they were doing a great job with their resources. I really believe any $ or physical donations (see their website) are being used for the good of their cause. This is one of those places I put on my list of return and help out. The only drawback is you have to commit to many months before you will be trained to have close up contact with any of the animals.

You never know . . . it is a beautiful part of the country.

I’ll fill you in on The Grand Canyon and historic Williams, AZ tomorrow.

We leave in the morning for Searchlight, NV (50 miles south of Las Vegas) to visit Vic and Carol, our friends from Titusville. The campground is right on the Colorado River (!) but no cell service.

Have a great Memorial Day weekend. I’ll be posting a tribute to Kady and (even though she graduated early in Jan. taking extra classes) her UDEL graduation!!!!! Whoooo Hooooo! Congrats Kady!!!!! We are all so proud of you! We will see you soon.

Don’t make me feel guilty – she said she wasn’t “walking” though with all the festivities she is feeling lonely.

More later – thanks for checking in.

Jody

PS: If you want to post a comment (please do) click right here under this post. Thanks for all your thoughts!