Ancestors - Wolf Connection

Ancestors

WOLF CONNECTION ANCESTORS

(These are beloved pack members who have passed away)

RYDER

Ryder joined Wolf Connection® at the age of just a year old. A young woman adopted him after seeing a post on Facebook that someone was going to take him to the shelter. Knowing that he would be euthanized, the young woman took him despite warnings that she would not be able to contain him. Ryder escaped many times and walked the neighborhood until the neighbors began complaining. After threats from neighbors and complaints from Animal Control, the woman asked Wolf Connection® to take him in. Ryder is young and spunky. He has a very sweet way of gently jumping up and placing his paws on staff! He has a way of doing so without much impact and he gives sweet kisses. When he is not acting that way…he is generally pushing boundaries and inciting mayhem with his habitat-mate.

MAGGIE

Having lived the first year of her life underneath a porch, Maggie was rescued and kenneled at an east coast wolfdog rescue where she was brought to health and spayed. Maggie was then taken into the care of a military couple, who would become Maggie’s owners for the next 4 years. At 6 years old, Maggie’s family was deployed and Wolf Connection® was honored to help Maggie in her continued healing as a wolfdog – to begin a new life with a safe, healthy pack that can be trusted and bring infinite joy. Maggie found her life partner in Koda and the two couldn’t have been more perfect for each other.

MALO

Malo was a very energetic pack member. At the owner’s dying request, a hospice worker agreed to adopt him. Though well loved, Malo challenged the neighborhood with his howling and escapades. After Malo escaped to chase a few chickens and threats came in from the local community, the owners feared for his safety and found Wolf Connection. When he first arrived, Malo assisted with the training of new volunteers since he liked to block them from leaving his kennel. Because his previous owner had encouraged him to wrestle, it was a challenge to sufficiently ignore his poor behavior so he would lose interest and they could easily exit the kennel. Ultimately, Malo taught about wanting to “connect” and the opportunity to explore the ways in which one might choose to express that connection. Learning balance with connection and boundaries was a great place to start.

SHIMA

Shima, whose name the Wolf Connection team gave her upon arrival, means ‘mother’ in Navajo. Though she was only with us for a short period of time, Shima shared youthful wisdom and depth with the entire Wolf Connection pack. It has been said that “The flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long.” ~Lao Tzu

Shima came to us while being pregnant, but lost the pregnancy soon after. There may be various underlying causes for a wolf mother to absorb her pups, one being that the mother is under too much stress. Shima overcame this adversity with strength and openness. Every day she spent continuing to express herself, shining with curiosity, playfulness, and confidence. She embraced all with a wild heart and a glorious wholeness of knowing who she truly was.

Once her body had healed enough to be spayed, unfortunate circumstances occurred during the procedure that could not be prevented and she needed an emergency blood transfusion. Her recovery was very difficult and ultimately her body could not survive a serious infection that developed. Many thanks to all of Shima‘s sponsors and supporters who helped us undergo all of her emergency surgeries and transfusions. We couldn’t have given her so many fighting chances without your love and support.

BANDIT

Bandit, an original pack member, was high energy, good-natured and very playful. Packed with attitude and known as the James Dean of the pack, given the opportunity, he would run around and rile up the rest of the pack! Often when teenagers came to Wolf Connection®, they really enjoyed Bandit because he was outspoken and spunky. When training new volunteers to feed the wolves, Bandit was the first lesson – because he would generally challenge new volunteers by refusing to sit when asked…. He inspired tons of smiles.

OMAK

Omak was a gentle giant and Alpha of the pack until March 2019. He was abandoned by his owner and taken in by a neighbor. Unfortunately, Omak escaped and roamed the neighborhood and hillside for a few months despite animal control’s efforts to catch him. Eventually, Animal Control did confiscate him and wanted to euthanize him because they feared he was too aggressive. Omak was darted, caught, placed in a metal box and driven five hundred miles to reach Wolf Connection®. Needless to say he was not very happy when he arrived…..After a few weeks, he began to trust. There seemed to be an overwhelming sense of loneliness about him….Staff soon realized that Omak was not accustomed to receiving loving touch. Slowly and surely, he began giving and receiving loving nuzzles and became an amazing Leader to the pack. Omak’s cancer diagnosis in 2018 resulted in an amputation of his front, left leg and gave his pack the gift of 5 healthy months with our beloved Alpha. During this time, Omak and rising Alpha, Kenai, spent much time communing through their habitats and mirroring each other in howl. A good Alpha knows that the health of the pack depends on his ability to prepare the future Alpha for the challenge.

OZZY

When Ozzy came to Wolf Connection, he found “home”. Ozzy was rescued from death row at a shelter. Because of his wolf content he was immediately slated for euthanizing. Luckily, someone from the shelter knew one of our volunteers and Ozzy joined Wolf Connection. When he arrived, he was malnourished and suffered from infected skin conditions. He is fully recovered and was healthy and full of love! He was known for his dreamy green /golden eyes. When out hiking, he had a penchant for stopping and taking in the vista. Often, staff wondered what he was thinking during those moments. He taught his handlers to stop, take in the scenery, and just be. When Ozzy transitioned, his heart just kept beating slowly and faintly, but strong – the heart of a wolf.

MAYA

Maya, an original pack member, was the quintessential alpha female: She was the wise teacher. Maya spent her first few years reared by her mother ensuring that she would learn the way of the wolf. As a result, one of her gifts was to nurture new pack members when they join Wolf Connection. Several of the younger males were kenneled with Maya who quickly instructed them in proper wolf etiquette. Maya also exhibited true alpha behavior: she simply WAS alpha. She didn’t have to prove it. Her presence was as serene and expansive as one might imagine the silence of the Arctic to be. During the summer of 2012, while visiting the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers in Lame Deer, Montana, her sacred spirit joined the festivities as she was heard to howl, often alone, during times of prayer and ritual. Her howl, and the rest of the pack that joined her is said to have inspired the return of the wild wolf to the Cheyenne people.

CHANCE

Chance and his brother Koda are high content wolf dogs that joined Wolf Connection after having been rescued from a roadside attraction in Alaska. The State of Alaska condemned the attraction and criminally charged the owner and ordered the twenty-six wolves to be euthanized. Chance suffers with anxiety after enduring years of life literally tied to a post with a chain around his neck so that people could pay money to drive by and throw treats. During winter the chain froze into his fur and eventually grew into the skin of his neck rendering him sentenced to walking in one direction so as not to rip the chain through his skin…..Despite Chance’s fear at the sight of man-made objects and the physical neglect and abuse he endured, he has learned to walk on leash. He is full of love and he shares it. In fact, the very strong-bodied Chance is affectionately known as the Linebacker of Love! He tackles staff with playful kisses and bosses around his younger sibling, Koda, as big brothers do.

LOBO

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DAKOTA

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LIWANU

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MISHA

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BARON

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REZZY

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ABEKA

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MOONSHADOW

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CLOUD

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LUCAS

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ROCKY

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MIKO

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SMOKEY

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KYRA

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LOGAN

Logan was the Grandfather of the pack. Living a full life up to age of 18, Logan was original pack member who was well-balanced and loved by all. After the passing of his kennel mate Lucas in 2013, who demanded all the attention…Logan was able to come into the spotlight! He freely gave love and snuggles, but when it was time for a meal, he was very outspoken as if seniority warrants being fed first! When Logan went to visit children at a school, and even though it was a challenge for him, he would carefully walk across a tile floor just to greet them. In his later years, Logan was no longer able to go on hikes as far as his pack mates, but he would love to go for short romps to the creek to get his paws wet. Thank you for all of the lessons you have taught us and the love you so freely gave, Ancestor Logan…

ZIMBA

An original pack member and brother of Rocky, Zimba was one of Wolf Connection’s first program animals and wolf ambassadors as he has a strong love of people, making Wolf Connection what it is today. As he got older, he dealt with some health issues that “retired” him as a program animal but he was still a wonderful ambassador, greeting everyone with his regal stance. Zimba loved to go out on walks with staff with whom he bonded. Show him the leash and he, despite his physical ailments, would run around the kennel with joy! He loved to go down to the creek and splash in the water with his brother Rocky. With soulful eyes, he is truly to be adored, admired and missed.

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TALA

Tala is the co-founder of Wolf Connection! She warmed the hearts of all she met and was usually the first face they saw when entering the Wolf Connection Ranch, our official greeter. Before Wolf Connection started, Teo Alfero, the founder, was searching for a playmate for her and discovered 16 wolfdogs in need of a home from a dire situation. Tala then inherited an entire pack, who then became the 16 original pack members, and Wolf Connection was born! That event changed Teo and Tala’s lives. Tala now rests at the new Wolf Connection Ranch, overlooking the pack she created and welcoming those who are about to have their lives changed forever. The loss of Tala is incredible, but the gift of her presence continues , she is our guide and her dream is our mission!

SISSY

Sissy joined Wolf Connection along with Shadow following the passing of her owner. When she arrived, she was obese and could barely walk. After starting a diet catered to her needs, she released about 90 pounds and is now a vibrant elder over the age of 14 years. She has quite a loving and feisty spirit that keeps her going strong.