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Thoughts about Nira from others.....

As time permits, I will include thoughts about Nira from others, as I receive them.

 

"Thank you for allowing me to spend some time with Nira in some of his last hours. I will always cherish that memory. Please accept this small donation to Wolf Timbers. Please put it to the best use as you see fit. I'm sure the medical expenses for Nira (and Ingo) have been substantial. Maybe this small donation will help a little. But use it where you have a need.

Thank you for all you do for the wolves (in captivity and the wild) in helping to educate the public about these magnificent creatures. I'll visit the Wolf Timbers website for your future updates. I hope to visit again in the future. I had forgotten what a sense of peace I feel when I visit Wolf Timbers and the wolves.

Wishing you much success with Wolf Timbers and with the hope that there will be wolf puppies in the future at Wolf Timbers."

Judy

10/06/2012

So sorry to hear about the passing of Nira. I just read the news today and my heart sunk. My wife Bea surprised me a few years ago by doing the adoption of Nira for me as a birthday gift, because she knew I always loved wolves. Getting to spend some time with him and actually having him approach me and kiss me was a once in a lifetime experience. Shortly after my visit I went in and got Nira tattooed on my arm and enclosed is a picture of the ink I got. I would love to be there for the memorial service for him so I will be keeping my eyes posted, but I know the site mentions doing it closer to his birthday. Blessings to you all that made his life a good one while there!

Peace and Light,

John

10/07/2012

Marty,

I don't know that I've ever really properly thanked you for all that you do and for the opportunity that you gave me that's helped sculpt many of my beliefs and who I am now. Thank you. Thank you SO much. When Ingo passed away I was shocked, and very sad. I guess I hadn't
realized how frail he really was when he always seemed so strong. I love Ingo very much, and there's always a special place in my heart for him. Nira and I were a little different, though. He's the one that I remembered most from my first visit to Wolf Timbers when I was 16.
I'd loved wolves all my life up to that point, but he set me on fire. I remember sitting on the bleachers, listening to volunteers talk when he came bounding up and jumped on the fence. I was struck by his size, those paws were huge! I was struck by how graceful he was when he moved (he had his moments!) but mostly I was struck by his spirit. He was absolutely brimming with life. I felt like I could have stayed there forever watching him. I remember the first time you took him for a chain walk to greet Olivia and me. Again, I was struck by his size, and again, by a little more than that. I was thrilled when he face greeted me. I mean, it was a wolf licking my face. At this close proximity I could see more of his subtleties. I was able to appreciate and feel a level of trust.

He had seen and smelled me several times through the fence before and I suppose he
figured I was okay. So I was struck also by his intelligence, and the complexity of wolf society. (He was teaching me from day one.) Then there was the first time he submitted for a belly rub. I know he was a mooch and he did that a lot, but it was only my second time in the enclosure, and I still felt so special that he felt comfortable enough with me to expose himself in such a vulnerable position. He stole my heart and ran off with it, and cached it under a leaf, like he would with apples he wasn't ready to eat just yet. If I think about it, I can put myself back, sitting on the log with Nicolette and Beth and see Nira prance up to face greet me and sit on my feet. I can bury my fingers in his fur and feel his soft undercoat on my fingertips, and I can rub his furry ears, and I can feel privileged that I am a part of this animal's pack. That he knows me, and I know him, and he will turn his back on me and let me pet him. (and of course now the tears are
flowing)

He's a very special wolf to a lot of people and that's no accident. He was truly a perfect ambassador to his species. You couldn't design one better yourself if you tried. He wasn't shy about coming around when the bleachers were full of people, acting like a ham, and causing them to fall in love. He enabled hundreds of people to see a real live wolf up close. He educated those people, and he inspired those people. I am devastated by his loss. When you truly love someone there is no amount of time that will fill the hole left in your heart when you are parted
from them. There's a big Nira shaped hole in mine, and someday I know
I'll see him and dear Ingo again.

Marty, if it weren't for you, for your dream, and all your hard work,
I would never have 7 years worth of these sweet memories. I can't put
into words how grateful I am for that. I've been wanting to get up to Ohio so badly for a long time, but I'll be able to make it in the spring for Nira's memorial service.

PLEASE keep me abreast of what's going on with Keeley and what I can do to help with everything that will be going on at Wolf Timbers in the future.

You and the staff and sweet Keeley are in my heart, thoughts, and prayers.

With love,
Cyndi

 

10/08/2012

Marty

10/10/2012

This isn’t so much about Nira as it is about a decade and a half of Wolf Timbers in operation and all the countless lives that have been positively impacted by this wonderful cause. Lives both in terms of human and animal, old and young, educated and not so. A quest that from its very beginnings wasn’t, and still isn’t, financed as the pet project of a wealthy philanthropist – looking for recognition in return. Rather, this quest was started as a humble dream. A dream to educate those willing to listen and “to provide an opportunity for the public to see the wolf in as natural habitat as possible so that the many fears, myths, and superstitions that have been attributed to the wolf for many years can be offered a chance to be put to rest.” A dream started, and one that continues, with limited financial resources, but one that has thrived in its mission since 1996 due to the passion, love, desire, blood, sweat and, now, tears. Tears shed by its founder Marty Huth, countless others, including mine, in the loss of Ingo on August 18, 2011 and now Nira on October 1, 2012. Both Nira and Ingo succumbed to the ultimate reality and ultimate tribute of old age – natural death.

From the very beginnings of Wolf Timbers, Marty, our parents Ted and Angie, and scores of volunteers and friends have devoted so much of their free time and limited financial resources in the building of this mission. Although Nira and Ingo are now forever resting in the wooded hills of Wolf Timbers overlooking Keeley, they won’t be forgotten. Nor will the lives of our Dad and several notable volunteers who have also passed during the past decade be forgotten for their unrelenting time and dedication given to Wolf Timbers. Time and dedication given without any expectations in return knowing the affection given back to them from Nira, Ingo and Keeley is all that is needed.

As I sit here writing this from 1,200 miles away, I can honestly say that I regret being so uninvolved in this mission. A mission so near and dear to the life of my brother. A mission so needed, so rewarding, and a mission I vow to become a part of, in which ever way I can, for as long as the mission continues.

My hat, and my heart, go out to you Marty and to all of you volunteers that have given so much of your time and dedication to Wolf Timbers.

Marty, I know your heart is broken due to the loss of two of your beloved friends, but know you are fighting a good fight and a fight worth fighting. I am so proud of you for following your dream and the impact you have made on the lives of so many, especially the lives of Nira, Ingo and Keeley.

Love and God bless you,

Tom

My triubute to my beloved friend, mentor and confident and now, spirit on the wind - Nira

I want to open my heart and in my grief try to explain to the world what you meant to me: I am overjoyed that I had the honor and privilege of meeting you and of caring for you and of just knowing you. I am saddened for those who did not know you and who might not understand. But for those who knew you, they will understand and can relate to what I write. Your goofiness in all its splendor melted my heart, etching your way into my being, my soul. The way you ambled, at times, so uncoordinated, towards us with a sheepish grin, tongue hanging out and tail wagging just to be near us, we the humans, the very species which so indiscriminately for centuries and without cause labeled you and your brethren as demonic, devilish, blood thirsty, vermin and with uncontrolled trigger fingers killed your brothers and sisters without remorse. Without reason. Without cause. Without right. This continues today, for the most part, and is a sad and troubling commentary on us, as humans.

There is a deeper and more meaningful side to our relationship which no words can describe. But I will try. Peaceful. Relaxed. Respectful. I grew to know you. To gain from you. To understand you. I shall long remember those days of yore when as a puppy you would, with a huge grin and smile on your face, run to me, jump on my back and face greet me as if I had smeared your favorite food all over me. Your forelegs would cross in front of me and you would "bear hug" me. Hanging on to me for as long as I could support your weight. Or the day when a huge horse fly landed on my thigh with you sitting right next to me, that, probably is what I miss the most - you coming up to me and sitting right next to me, waiting so patiently for me to pet you. You looked over at the fly, looked away and then, so quickly, your head turns and you snatch the fly right off my leg. Not a sensation of your teeth was felt on my leg as you removed that fly from existence.

Your passing has left a HUGE hole not only in my heart but also in my soul. I can choose to drown in that self-made turmoil or teach others what you have taught me. Patience. Living in your world was awesome and, with Keeley, continues to be. Many people are surprised when I answer the question of "don't you carry a gun with you when you enter their cage?" My answer being "no" - I tell them that the biggest thing I fear is not from you or other wolves. What I fear the most is my human counterparts. Never, ever, was I afraid in your presence. You relaxed me. calmed me. At times, yes, you were a handful. That is what made you Nira. But never once had you ever growled, snapped or snarled at me. I am not counting the times I tried to medicate you with metacam or tramadol or when you were so sick, you couldn't see right. I forgive you for the last days, for you knew not what you were doing. I strive to remember you when you were healthy. When Karen would visit and you would be so happy and look so goofy because your puppy mother had retuned, how excited you were to see her. Or the times when your uncle, Monty would visit. He spoiled you as a grandfather would spoil a grandchild.

What amazes me is that for all the horrid stories of your kin attacking and devouring us humans, you never once, even in a dream, ever displayed any aggressive actions towards us. The reason - because you and your fellow pack members are not an aggressive sort. It is we humans who are the aggressors. I can remember when the three of you would be "roughing it up" and somehow, the pile of Keeley, Ingo and Nira moved towards us humans and somehow we got into the mix of things. I, on a number of occasions, would feel your teeth on my hand. But what happened next???? I was amazed when, after feeling your teeth, I immediately felt that you had sensed a human hand in the commotion and realized this was not Keeley or Ingo but me and you relaxed your jaw and removed it. Not a scratch on me.

Gentle. relaxed. You trusted me. I trusted you. We built a relationship that most humans would be envious of. Remember the fallen tree and when we made a walking plank for you? The tree was cut and the lower portion was notched and fitted into the trunk. How we would teach you to walk up the log to the end, about 5 feet off the ground. At the end, on the ground, I would be standing and pat my chest and hold my arms out. I couldn't believe it but one day you jumped into my arms. I caught you. Wow! We had and still have something that no one can ever take away from us. For that, I am indebted to you.

I remember so vividly - this past spring, as I was feeding you and Keeley at the big gate, I heard you scream a horrible scream. I looked down and noticed your paw was caught between the two gate poles as they narrowed. Without a moments hesitation, I grabbed your paw and pulled it towards me and up, freeing your paw from the gate. Not for a moment's hesitation was I concerned that you would bite me. Or when, a long time ago, I sensed something was not "right." I went up to your enclosure, noticed that you were pawing at your jaw. I sat down, you came over to me and sat down still pawing at your jaw which you let me open. I looked and felt inside. You did not bite. I found a bone lodged lengthwise between your upper canines. I tried to pull it out but couldn't. It was lodged in way too tight. I then got my Leatherman tool. Opened your jaw again and pulled that bone out. Trust. Sincerity.

Yes, you could be a handful. Ask Jen. This is what amuses me about you. You never really picked on me that much. But you did on others, in a playful way. Case in point, it was dark out, Jen and I were in with you and Keeley. You were chasing each other at almost full speed. The laps you were taking around the enclosure would lead right past Jen and myself. On about the fifth time of passing us, you surprised us by jumping right into the middle of Jen's back.. Jen remembers. Nira, there are so many fond memories. Cherished memories. I thank God that Dr. Klinghammer, Pat, Monty and Dr. Davis had enough faith in me to entrust you with me. Hopefully, one day soon, they shall trust me with another chapter in Wolf Timbers.

I could be myself around you and you could be yourself around me. No displays, no egos, just a genuine and mutual respect. And understanding. I could "read" you and you could read me. Awesome! I remember in awe as Dad, Carl and myself watched you push planks off of concrete blocks and as you so successfully defended "your food" from Keeley and Ingo. Food and belly rubs were a hallmark of your personality. Changing the attitude and perception of others was also a hallmark of yours. As others have written, you were and shall forever continue to be an ambassador of your kind. Others became upset with me. They thought I should do this or do that. You, Keeley and Ingo have never been about me. It has always been about you and the good I hoped would come from this endeavor, this life long dream and passion. As Garth Brooks song fully illustrates in "The Dance." This is one Dance I would do again, and again and again. Even through the sadness, I see you and I smile. I remember. I Shall never forget.

How did we meet? For those who do not know, our first meeting occurred in May of 1997. At Wolf Park. Karen Davis, then a student at Purdue, now a Ph.D in animal behavior, was your puppy mother. She had the daunting task of socializing you and Keeley and the others in the litter. As Karen recently reminded me, I had my eyes set on another male wolf pup. She remembers me entering the puppy pen and trying so hard to get the other male wolf pup to interact with me. All along, you were right there, sitting in my lap, greeting me, possibly teething on me, trying to get me to notice you. In the end we were connected as in the beginning. You must have known something I did not at that time. We were inseparable. We continue to be inseparable. Your memory will remain as alive and vivid as it is now and shall continue for the time God has left for me on this earth.

In closing, what you gave to me shall forever be with me. Your spirit invaded me. Soothed me in tough times. You made me laugh, you taught, you listened. We howled together. Deep down, way deep in me, in my soul, you are there. Still comforting. Still making me smile albeit through an anguished heart. I now understand: Live life, enjoy, eat, be petted, protect but do not dominate beyond what is needed, be patient, perceptive, funny, aware. Recognize those fights that are worthy or sacrifice and those that are not. It is the survival of the pack, in the end, which matters. Not the individual. Give to others.

I shall forever remember and never forget your gentleness. Your confidence. I am proud of you. I am so thankful that Wolf Timbers had you and Ingo and Keeley as the original Wolf Timbers pack. Future Wolf Timbers' pack members will also know of you.

With nothing but love and respect in the purest form, your friend and companion, Marty.

10/11/2012

I just want to let you know how glad I am that I took my daughters and 3 granddaughters to your place. It was on Sunday, the day before Nira passed. We were so taken by the beautiful care this poor Wolf received from all of you. We will certainly come back next summer to maybe see the new pups !!

Loni

10/13/2012

Memories of Nira

When I used to volunteer at Wolf Timbers, I remember Nira and Keeley in their younger years taking turns crowding each other out of the "swimming pool" tub that used to be in the enclosure. Nira would hog the tub and do goofy things when jumping half in and half out of it. Sometimes a treat or an apple would land in there and he would go after it. I know I have pics somewhere of him looking all soaking wet and shaking himself off- all over the volunteers.

He had such a great personality and was an- "in your face" kind of wolf. To me he sometimes seemed more like a big goofy dog..but if you over-stepped your bounds, then he would let you know it."Hey man..I own this territory, you human"!

It was an honor and previledge knowing Nira...and he made sure you were aware of that. lol Each time I took the long drive back home..I would always have a few chuckles on the way (which of course was usually because of something funny Nira did).

Nira always had what seemed to me like a kind of "wolf grin" on his face. He gave the best wolf kisses ever! I think he didn't want to leave because he had a good life at WT and he didn't want to leave Keeley alone..but it was finally "his time" to go.

Thanks to Marty's complete dedication of taking special care of Nira, Keeley and Ingo all these years, and WT every single day..that's part of why Nira lived a long and good life. We will certainly miss him, but we will all have our fond memories of Nira forever in our hearts.

Nira was a very Special Wolf. Even though his Earthwalk has ended here, now he will Run Free with all his brother wolves.

Let's hope we as humans can continue to live in peace and harmony with our brother wolves in the future, and continue to learn from them instead of the terrible slaughter.

Mallory Kitts

October 2012

10/16/2012

Where to start? There are so many memories from the time I first met Nira at Wolf Park as a puppy to the day before he passed away. I was lucky to have some wolf interactions with a few other wolves but Nira, Keeley, and Ingo were the main ones to teach me what wolves were all about; particularly Nira. Through my observations, if you went into the enclosure believing you knew a lot about wolves, Nira would make sure he taught you more. If you went into the enclosure feeling cocky, Nira made sure when you left the enclosure you were not. I think he will be remembered for his belly rubs and peeing on you in the process (you knew you were part of the pack then). Nira was a wolf in every sense of the word, he didn't know any other way to be, and he was good at it. He was also good at showing humans what a wolf is.....simply a wolf!

Jen

 

 

 

 

 



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