A Lesson in Hypocrisy

Here is the before promised post! But warning, I may be a day behind from now on. 

Day 1 at Mission:Wolf

     I am still trying so hard to process everything that has been going on. Yesterday was one of the most incredible days and everything I learned has only confirmed my beliefs in this organization. I feel so small compared to this grand and massive place. Only one word really comes to mind when I think over everything that has been going on - WOW! Yet, this word doesn't even begin to cover everything that I am feeling and experiencing.

     The day started out super early but it was far worth it. Despite the zero degree weather, we drove the hour and half to the sanctuary from our hotel where we were greeted by an enthusiastic and passionate staff. These people are heroes, all of them volunteer (some for a year or more) with no pay, living in teepees (because they have practically no environmental impact), and working for something they believe in. As soon as we unloaded from the van we went into their small loft for a question and answer session. There is not enough time in the world to listen to all the wonderful things these people have to say. I have pages upon pages of interesting notes from this one or two hours of talking. About half way through the Q and A Kent, the founder and director, walked in and joined in on the conversation. As soon as he walked in everyone just knew who he was. He is an amazing and powerful individual filled with an infectious passion for what he believes in. 

     So we come to the title of this blog - A Lesson in Hypocrisy. This is the whole point behind Mission:Wolf. They are not breeding wolves, they will not release these wolves back into the wild since, we learned, this is nearly impossible to do. Mission:Wolf is about "education vs. extinction." All the wolves and wolf-dog mixes are rescues. They were saved from horrible situations and brought to the sanctuary for a second chance. They have to put wolves in cages to teach people wolves should not be in cages. Americans want a dog that looks like a wolf but when the dog ends up acting like a wolf, they can no longer handle them. Currently there are over a quarter million wolves in cages and most die within two years. Mission:Wolf gives these wolves a second chance and even have wolves living at their facility that are over 14/15 years old, over double their natural life in the wild. 

     This wasn't even half of what we learned. As I said, I have pages of notes just from a little while of talking. Here are just a few things we learned that made me love Mission:Wolf even more:

• Mission:Wolves long term goal is to put themselves out of business. They want to educate the world enough to where facilities such as this one no longer need to exist.
• The facility is nearly 100% sustainable! They use solar panels for about 96% of their energy, have an underground well and rain barrels for all their water, and even grow a bunch of their own food. 
• Most sanctuaries run on millions of dollars where Mission:Wolf is able to run on about a quarter of a million a year. 
• The sanctuary has very good relations with the near by ranchers/farmers. Some were initially concerned, however, they have assured the farmers that if the wolves were to get out (which has never happened) they would compensate for the losses. Plus, they also aid the farmers in disposing of sick/dead animals which they use for the big feed they give the wolves once a week. 
• Mission:Wolf does not breed their wolves. They want to end the cycle of wolves being in cages and since once the wolves are born in captivity, they cannot survive in the wild.

I could keep going on and on but I'll get on with the rest of the day, all this was just the first couple hours.

     After the Q and A came to an end (though it could have kept going), we went and toured the facility. The sanctuary has over 30 wolves/wolf-dog mixes and we were only allowed to see a handful. If the wolves do not want to be seen, they don't have to be. This sanctuary is by no means a zoo. The enclosures are natural and the wolves can do as they please. However, there are a few wolves that love human interaction so they were happy to come out to see us. What's even more incredible is the story that each wolf has. Some are so very heartbreaking. Once a wolf bonds with a human (It's "pack") it will bond with no one else. So when they're given up for the sanctuary they become anxious and depressed. 

     By the time all this happened, it was time for lunch. We sat down to eat our PB&J's with the most amazing view to look at. Then we got down to the real work. Half of us went and fixed fences around the horses enclosure and the other half of us tore down a fence that was no longer needed. This is where the only downfall of our entire day came into play - altitude sickness. What would normally be the simplest of hikes left us all out of breath and dying. But the serenity in working in such a great place made the work go fast and none of us minded the labor at all, despite the heavy posts and hills. Since we finished before the other school, doing an alternative spring break as well, did we went and joined them on their project - picking up carcasses. It was gross but I forced myself to do it, thank goodness for good gloves. Here the circle of life became very evident. 

     Now for the highlight of the day - wolf interactions! Mission:Wolf has three ambassador wolves which they bring around the country to educate people. We were able to go into the enclosure with them and pet and interact with them. It was the most surreal experience I have ever known. These wolves can literally see into your soul, you can't hide anything from them. What makes this experience even more amazing is the staff teach you how to be the trainer while interacting with these amazing creatures. For instance, they don't bite out of aggression. They will lightly nibble out of fear or affection and it by no means hurts. When first entering the enclosure you have to ignore them, act like the boss, and stand straight and tall. Once your seated then you can look at them. They  way wolves greet you is by looking into your eyes then sniffing your teeth. So you can't shy away from them. They will greet you and move on. That's just the way they are. Occasionally they'll circle back for a scritch but once they greeted you, they know who you are and move on. They are not like dogs what so ever, they are not people pleasing animals like we've trained dogs to be. 

    Wow, I could write an entire book! I feel as if I have barely touched the surface of what happened yesterday. I have currently misplaced my camera cord, so I will upload pictures later which will hopefully tie all of this together. It's an even earlier morning tomorrow since we have to arrive in time to help with the morning feed! So I will put up today's happenings later. Goodnight!