Wolf Kisses

Today Ross and I splurged on an outing to the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center in Divide CO. It is primarily a rescue shelter. They house several wolves, a couple coyotes, a few foxes...all from various backgrounds. Fur farms, photography farms, zoos, rescued pets...and the odd few born on site. Arctic wolves, timber wolves, Mexican wolves, red foxes and swift foxes, one hybrid rescued from a college dorm...

One of the volunteers took us and three others on a tour of the faculty. Most of the enclosures only house one or two wolves. Many of the wolves were incredibly socialized and came right up the to fencing without the prompting of a treat. They even treated us to not one, but two howls. Hearing that sound from over a dozen voices surrounding us was incredible. Eerie. Haunting.

After the other three departed the owner and one of the Center helpers took us into one of the enclosures with two of the younger wolves: Micah and Nakai. Both are only ten months old, born on site by accident...they spare and neuter all of their animals as the Center does not have the space for anymore. One of the 'pups' (already at about 130 pounds) immediately jumped up on my shoulders to greet me with a sloppy kiss. And proceeded to push his muzzle in my face. They are HUGE up close, even at only 10 months. And have no idea of their strength. After a few minutes of such an enthusiastic greeting, the owner managed to pull him down, after giving me a slight bloody lip. And Ross thought he'd be the to be eaten.

They let the wolves acclimated themselves a little more, then sat us down for a few photo ops. Paws as big as my hand. Jaws as big as our head. But gentle when they took the frozen treats we proffered. We were just terrain to both of them.

After years of a fascination from afar, to be in the same space with them...petting them even...a belly rub non the less! A belly rub on a wolf! Words can't describe how awe inspiring the trip was.