I am trying to figure out what to write without becoming emotional...not going to work. I have tried. So, here goes. For myself, each of the three wolves we have had at Wolf Timbers represent a commonality between them. That being the culmination of years of research, visiting wolf enclosures all over the Eastern United States and into Canada, expensive fencing material, concrete, purchase of books and videos, freezers, lighting, courses and seminars at Wolf Park, being "grilled" by the late Dr. Erich Klinghammer, visitations from Pat and Monty, interactions (always pleasant) with the USDA APHIS, visitations from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, application process for obtaining the wolves (Endangered Species Permits), investigations of myself by the Fish and Wildlife Service, Internal Revenue Service dealings, veterinarian expenses, yearly shots, inspections, establishing a not-for profit, volunteer recruitment and retention, newsletters, videos, cassette tapes, wolf howl programs, answering to Karen and all those at Wolf Park and to all sponsors and members of Wolf Timbers, board members, policies, procedures, visitations from members of the public when we were not open, preparing road killed deer, the physical and mental welfare of the wolves themselves, the list goes on and on and on...

That "commonality" ends with why Wolf Timbers "is" and the steps that had to be accomplished to "realize the dream". All of the above represent the hidden or maybe more obscure elements of Wolf Timbers. What was not hidden or obscure was the wolves themselves. As I have mentioned, the commonality between the wolves themselves ceased at being a connected part of that dream. Sure, Nira might have been related to Keeley who might have been related to Ingo - through blood lines, but as we all know, even with human families, there are some brothers and sisters that although related, behave and look differently. No exception in the world of the wolf.

All three wolves have their special side that somehow endears you to them. For each of the volunteers, they too have their "special wolf" - maybe the first one to face greet them or to make them laugh. We are all different. We all say that we love each of the wolves the same, I do believe this to be true but what we won't say is that somehow, we have an attraction to one wolf or the other over the other.

Ingo inspired me with his magnificence, his attitude and his calm yet authoritative mood. Until the last two years of his life, Ingo and I were not that close when you discuss "relationships" between human and wolf. There was an obvious respect for one another but we never really "melted together." During the last two years, he would come up to me, grin as only he could and perform a moderate attempt to get me to rub his butt. Our relationship started to expand and become somewhat deeper. Then he became sick with cancer and passed away on August 18, 2011.

Keeley, well, she is an enigma. I am not sure what to write about her as she currently (10/03/2012) is going through a change. Prior to Nira's passing, she was a different wolf. Hopefully she will return to her old self. Keeley is a very "emotional" wolf and would allow you to pet her but not for very long. I feel my relationship with her is very close and we get along great. Keeley would run by you, face greet you and be on her way, a kind of "run by kiss" as some volunteers coined that behavior. Keeley is more comfortable being by herself in the presence of other wolves.

Next comes Nira...Lets start out with some easy scientific measurements. After Nira passed, Nicolette, Rachel and myself carried Nira to a table in the garage. There, we measured him and verified the readings by two different persons. The reason we measured him was twofold, one to obtain length, width and other measurements. The other was because I am hoping to have a sculpture made of him and Keeley. This will be placed at the new education building when it is constructed.

Tip of nose to end of tail: 5'

Left Shoulder to left underside of paw: 2' 10"

Circumference at muzzle (3" from tip of nose): 1'

Space between eyes (inside corner to inside corner) 3"

Outer eye to outer eye: 6"

Ear width: 3.5"

Notch on skull to tip of nose: 1' 1"

Tip of ear to skull base: 5"

Circumference of head: 1' 7"

Circumference above left elbow: 9"

Circumference of neck: 1' 11"

Hip to end of back left leg terminating on underside of paw: 2' 9"

Circumference of chest behind shoulders: 2' 5.5"

Tail base to tip of tail: 1' 7"

10/05/2012

Now that we have some of the scientific information out of the way. I am going to begin my ramblings about Nira this way. I shall begin from the beginning and over the next unknown amount of time, continue until either I pass on or I run out of things to write about Nira. I have elected to write in different color to help distinguish what is old and new.

I first heard of a liter being born on April 9, 1997. Monty Sloan had arrived (at Wolf Timbers) that day to inspect the area for the enclosure. It was also at that time that Wolf Timbers received the endangered species permits from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to obtain the wolves

10/06/2012

In talking with Karen Davis (Nira and Keeley's puppy mother), she reminded me that Nira was not my "first pick" when we went over to Wolf Park to visit the pups back in 1997. I had been looking at a larger wolf pup, named "walking stick." My idea of having "Walking stick" soon changed to another male wolf named "Fleece." Fleece was shy and every time I went in the puppy enclosure to see him, this other little, black phased male wolf pup always greeted me and sat in my lap. As I continued to try to get Fleece to greet me, the other little guy stayed around me, greeting and wanting attention. As time went by, and as Fleece paid me no attention, it was suggested by Wolf Park for me to consider the "other" male wolf pup.

I guess that what I was wanting was right infront of my eyes all along. This little other male pup was named "Stitchy". He soon became my friend, Nira.

As I have mentioned, Nira never once growled at me or made me feel the least bit uncomfortable. Over the years, our relationship solidified into an exceptional state. He would always come over to see me, face greet and sit right next to me. We enjoyed each others presence. I can remember him hanging off my back with this forelegs around my neck, as maybe a kid would do for a back ride.