Wolf Timbers

Keeley Update Page

On this page, we have put up past updates of the wolves. A significant portion of the update page includes updates that the wolf sponsors receive.

Fall Update on Keeley, 1999

Keeley (KY) is doing fine and continues to assert herself against Ingo (IO). However, we were faced with some troubling times the first few weeks after we brought IO here (8-8-99). At this time (8-12-99), KY weighed 75 pounds. KY began to regurgitate food for IO and this continued and actually became such a concern for us that we wondered if there was something wrong with her. KY was loosing weight at a fast pace and although we were sure that it was because she was constantly regurgitating food for IO, we were not 100% sure. We then began to feed more and although KY ate more, so did the other two wolves. The more we fed her and the other wolves, the more she regurgitated and lost, and the more the other two gained. Through correspondence with Wolf Park, it was decided to draw blood and to check for any obvious problems. About that same time, a few long-standing volunteers and myself thought that we noted a swelling under her left eye. The same day that we thought we noticed this swelling, we also took her for a leash walk and noted that she did not appear to chew any treats using the left side of her jaw. On this day, she weighed in at 64 pounds. We then videotaped her and took this to our vet who then decided that she might have a fractured tooth. He came to this conclusion because of what we had told him and because we also noticed that KY would take raw burger from us but we did not see her eat off the deer carcasses or the frozen Nebraska Brand food that we also fed. We also relayed to the vet, Dr. Duerr that her left eye was draining. So, plans were made for an examination of her mouth under anesthesia. On 9-14-99, we had numerous volunteers here as well as our vet, Dr. Duerr, an assistant of his and Monty Sloan, from Wolf Park. Monty just so happened to be taking IO littermates to New York that week and agreed to stop and assist us in examining KY. We gave KY the shot and Jen McDougal, a long time volunteer, walked KY until she became unsteady. We then carried KY into our medical room at Wolf Timbers where everything was all set to examine her and to remove any fractured teeth. We were happy to find that she had no fractured teeth and that she was as healthy as possible. We then gave her a shot to reverse the effects of the anesthesia and within 10 minutes, she could be returned to the pack with no obvious signs that she had been under anesthesia. On October 2, 1999, KY weighed in at 67 pounds. On November 14, she weighed in at 70 pounds. She has not been observed regurgitating for IO for the last month and IO has not pestered her to regurgitate. During this period to keep her weight level and to actually increase it, we gave her bacon grease, which she loved and also a diet higher in percentage of fat. This all contributed to her keeping her weight level and to cause an increase. The biggest reason for her increase though is her reluctance to regurgitate for IO and his maturing out of his puppyhood. Keeley has been the unfortunate recipient of IO pranks. However, KY can only take so much of the younger wolfs` exuberance and rowdiness. An example of this is described in my notes: 11/6/99…NA also wanted to get involved and it appeared that he was also tormenting KY. All of a sudden, KY began to growl and took off after IO. KY did not seem to care at that time about anything else except to get at the pesky mass of wolf fur and really teach him a lesson. At this point, NA sensing that this was "fun" also took part in the chase of the pre-teen wolf. I imagine that if IO were caught, he would face a strict reprimand. After about 7 minutes of the two adults chasing the "firecracker" (IO), they were able to corner him against the fence. Although we could not see what happened next, we surmise, by IO actions later, that he was thoroughly chastised and "put into place" by the alphas. After the high-speed chase was over, the adults freely took drinks of water while the accused stood about 10 feet back, watching. As the adults approached us, IO gingerly made his way to get a cool drink. After interacting with the humans, both NA and KY went to rest. It was then, and only then that IO decided that it might be safe for him to approach us". KY is becoming better at meeting new people. She is also inviting IO at times to chase her. Within the past two weeks, we have noted an obvious increase in her attention to NA. The breeding season is around the corner and it is obvious that the adults have entered into pre-breeding season rituals. This is where an increase in courting can be observed in wolves. NA is becoming more interested in KY hindquarters. KY is also showing more active submission to NA, rolling on the ground in front of him, licking his muzzle and showing an obvious affection to him. KY still continues to be the last to eat however, her social freedom has not been hampered by IO. Many behaviors or "privileges" characterize dominance. One of those privileges that indicate high status is the freedom to move about where and whenever a wolf desires. In KY, we see this by growling and agonistic puckering (baring of the canines - a way of saying "leave me alone or I shall whip you one") directed at IO when he approaches her as she is being groomed by humans. A few growls and agonistic puckering by KY at IO are usually sufficient to send IO on his way to other mischief. KY still continues to be our primary instigator of howling sessions, usually as the siren in the town of Strasburg is sounded. She still whines and whimpers at Shadow, our directors dog - as if to say to him "come here, I want to court you". KY is up to date on all vaccinations and although not a heavy wolf, appears to be in excellent condition. She is scheduled to have her weight checked the week of December the 12th. Although not as outgoing as NA or IO, KY still remains our most affectionate wolf.

Winter Update on Keeley-2000

Keeley has maintained a weight of 70 lbs. for a few months now and has completely stopped regurgitating for Ingo. If you remember from our last update on Keeley, she had lost weight and the lowest she was at was 64 pounds. She is now actively disciplining Ingo and will sometimes eat first, not allowing Ingo to chase her off. All of us are very happy to observe this. We are glad to report that she has had no injuries or sicknesses the past few months. She continues to whine and whimper at our director's dog, Shadow. In December, we were taking the wolves for a walk. We took Keeley through the garage to habituate her to entering the garage in case of medical necessity. We then proceeded out of the garage and around the house. She was very cautious but at the same time had a very powerful desire to explore. When we rounded the house to the point that she could see Shadows pen; her nose caught the scent of Shadow. She went right to Shadows pen and entered without hesitation. She then sniffed both doghouses and attempted to enter one of the houses. After allowing her to explore, we returned her to her enclosure without any problems. After getting her inside, she drank some water, sighed and found a comfortable place to rest. Keeley does really well on leash walks, she is probably the easiest to walk and she clearly enjoys this. Her curious nature really shows during the leash walks. Keeley remains our most cautious and wary wolf. Building her trust takes longer, but she is definitely worth the time and effort. She is extremely affectionate to people she is comfortable with. Keeley's health has been excellent these past few months and she is up to date on all of her vaccinations. Keeley did go into heat in the beginning of February, with noticeable bleeding present. Keeley was guarded by Nira from Ingo. We did not observe any ties; however, we do not have a 24 hour breeding season watch. It is amusing to watch the wolves during the breeding season. Keeley not only had to contend with Nira, but also Ingo. As soon as Nira grew tired of courting Keeley, Ingo would attempt to follow, but he fared no better. Their howling also picked up substantially during the breeding season with some howls lasting five minutes in duration. Keeley was the instigator of most of these howls. Towards the end of Keeley's cycle, Nira seemed to lose interest and didn't seem to mind if Ingo was around Keeley. Keeley is no longer in heat, and everything is back to status quo in the enclosure. Keeley has maintained her sweet nature, but she can be territorial and doesn't like items she considers hers moved or taken without her consent, especially by people she doesn't know well. The Christmas season arrived with gifts for the wolves. Ruetenik Christmas Tree Farm generously donated leftover trees. We took these into the enclosure and hid the treats that the volunteers had brought out among the branches. Keeley enjoyed poking her nose among the branches, trying to get as many biscuits as possible. On Christmas Day each wolf received a 2-½ pound roast, pig ears and various "canine treats". Keeley is still the recipient of Ingo`s pranks, more so than Nira. However, she is no longer inclined to "lay there and take it" from Ingo. As the days progressed on since late fall, you could see a gradual change in her interaction to Ingo. She will take almost any opportunity to dominate him. In December, Ingo had an injury to one of his legs. Keeley picked up on this and together with Nira, they harassed Ingo and we are sure that if we did not keep Keeley and Ingo apart, Ingo would have wound up in the intensive care room of our veterinarian's office. Keeley was very deliberate in her harassment of Ingo during this period. This was the only time since Nira and Keeley arrived here that the adults were kept apart for a whole night. Ingo and Keeley continue to "square off" for the beta position of the pack. I must say that when we refer to the beta wolf (second ranking wolf), it is the second ranking male that usually will hold this title. However, with our pack of three, the beta position still needs to be filled, whether by a male or female. We shall see whether it is Keeley or Ingo that fills this spot. Keeley is also doing quite well at meeting new people. Since December, one of Nira's sponsors has been out about every two weeks and this has resulted in Keeley feeling very comfortable around him. On 3/4/2000, Keeley face greeted this sponsor, who is now a board member. Keeley feels comfortable around him as a result of his frequent visits and his non-threatening attitude and very neutral approach to the wolves.

Spring Update on Keeley-2000

Keeley is looking sleek and relaxed as the summer month's approach. She is in good health and is up to date on all her vaccinations. As of 7-14-00 she weighs in at 74 pounds. She is no longer regurgitating food for Ingo, which has helped keep her at a healthier weight. Keeley remains our most cautious and wary wolf, but she has made great strides in the past 6 months and will now approach closer to human males. She remains extremely affectionate with people she is comfortable with. Her ongoing attraction to our director's dog, Shadow, is evident in her whines and whimpers she exhibits when she sees him. Keeley's physical appearance is typical of an average adult female Gray Wolf. She seems to possess greater speed and agility then her male counterparts. Keeley is graceful and seems ladylike in some of her actions. She is a beautiful wolf, with striking colorations and piercing eyes that seem to change color depending on the day. Keeley has seemed to let go of her maternal behavior in allowing Ingo to eat first all the time. Now she and Ingo compete with each other to see who will get second place seating at the dinner table. At times, it appears that Keeley seeks Nira's assistance to eat when Ingo is around. Keeley has seemed to learn that having Nira close to her is akin to having a big brother or sister on the playground. She also seems to be the primary instigator in the wolf's rompous chases. Usually these high-speed chases end up with Nira and Keeley cornering Ingo. She is definitely less lenient towards Ingo, and will often times let out a deep growl when Ingo approaches. Curiously, we are still a bit mystified at Keeley and Nira's interaction towards each other as evidenced by them both submitting to each other at the same time. Keeley is the last to molt in the spring and will not part with her "used" fur easily. She does not have the amount of winter fur that Ingo and Nira do. She also seems to be a bit particular about where things belong in "her" enclosure. At times, she has not approved of people moving objects within her enclosure without her permission. Keeley has been bothered by biting flies this year. At one point, she had lost some fur around the ears. In the past, the flies have not bothered the wolves much but this year we had to apply some fly cream to their ear tips. The cream is a brilliant pink color. Once the pink creme was applied to her ears, it gave her a punk look. Since the application of the cream, her fur has come back. Keeley really seems to enjoy being scratched and petted and will readily submit for a belly rub to a few individuals. She has been doing remarkably well on our open days. Last year, she had a tendency to stay towards the back of the enclosure, farther away from the public. This year she seems much more relaxed and will often times lie within view of the bleachers. Keeley is a favorite of all who meet her. Wolf Timbers is fortunate to have her.

This update on Keeley covers the late summer and early fall months, 2000.

This update on Keeley covers the late summer and early fall months, 2000. Keeley weathered the spring and summer months well. Luckily for the wolves, a breeze always seems to be present at Wolf Timbers - to keep the hot and humid air moving. Add the shade provided by the many trees that surround Wolf Timbers (this is where the name "Wolf Timbers" came from - all of the timber on the property) and you have a relatively cool place on even the hottest of days. Keeley has maintained her weight very well and has gradually, with Nira's help, exercised more of a role as the "beta" wolf in the pack of three that we have. Although her "official" status is ALPHA female, the reality that she is the only female kind of makes this point moot. Therefore, we are looking at pack structure in terms of total pack hierarchy. Currently, this places Keeley, in addition to her status as alpha female, as the overall beta wolf (as long as Nira is near her). As you know, there are two alphas (generally) in a pack, one female, and the other male. There are also beta wolves, generally referred to as "second in command". Keeley would fit the role as beta wolf, at least for now. However, the literature does not generally support the concept of a female "beta" wolf. I do not know why this is. We must also mention that it is only the presence of Nira that has allowed Keeley to attain this ranking. This will be a very interesting situation to watch as we progress through this winter and into spring. Keeley is becoming more used to visitors. During the past summer, she did not exhibit as much tendency to run for cover on the other side of the enclosure when we had visitors during our open days. Rather, she would seek shelter at the first hint of visitors, then, as the visitors settled down, she would come over to the fence in front of the bleachers and "eye" the humans. She had also on a number of occasions, lain down next to the fence, looking at an interesting human or two on the bleachers. Keeley also continues to display "interest" to Shadow, Marty and Michelle's domestic canine - which brings one to mention that we also have a new four legged "friend" at Wolf Timbers - a rebellious feline named "Spooky". Keeley remains in good health and is vigorous, energetic and fun to be around. She is eager to "hand out" wolf kisses to those that she is comfortable with. A Keeley wolf kiss can sometimes substitute for a bath - she really gets into greeting the volunteers. Keeley seems to enjoy exploring us humans to the extent possible. I can remember one day when Keeley had her nose down Marty`s left boot - which is an old fireman's boot. Obviously the odor must have been intriguing to say the least. She will also try to stick her nose into an open jacket or coat and pick up all of the interesting odors. Keeley seems much more confident and relaxed, now that she has had a few years at Wolf Timbers. She is no longer bothered by strange cars driving down the lane, unusual noises in the woods or even a bleacher full of children. Keeley is very interesting to watch. At times, it seems as if she is the instigator in many of the "play" situations that come about at Wolf Timbers, much to Ingo`s disadvantage. Keeley will entice Ingo to chase her - which he does. Nira will then get involved in the chase but not to chase Keeley. Nira will intercept Ingo as he is unaware that Nira is watching him. Keeley will then turn around, see that Ingo is no longer chasing her but to find Ingo running from Nira. Keeley will then reverse the role and begin to chase Ingo. On August 18th, Keeley received her vaccinations. This went really well and quick. Dr. Duerr also made a visit and gave Keeley a clean bill of health. On October 29th, we had a "pumpkin party" for the wolves. We had people fill up pumpkins with wolf treats and then they placed their pumpkin in the enclosure. The wolves seemed to enjoy this, once they were shown that the pumpkins held treats for them. From all of us at Wolf Timbers, we wish you and your loved ones a safe and happy holiday season.

KEELEY UPDATE WINTER 2001

"Whew! I am glad that's over". We are sure that this is how Keeley would respond if asked, "how did the breeding season go?" Although we did not observe any tying, this years breeding season was, to say the least, very intent. Nira and Ingo were certainly interested in Keeley, although she rebuffed them both - at least while we were watching. At times, Keeley couldn't find a moments peace without her shadow, Nira, hovering two feet away. Research at Wolf Park has shown that there is a period of about one week when the female produces a particular pheromone. Conception has a higher probability of occurring if breeding takes place during this time. The research has also shown that at this time the alpha male will guard and attend the female - preventing any other suitors near her. This is what happened here at Wolf Timbers. Recently we had a gentleman from Florida come up to do a photo shoot with the wolves. Keeley was lying on the ground, catching some sleep while he stood 15 feet away snapping pictures. If any of you have witnessed Keeley's obvious shyness towards visitors, more importantly male visitors, you can understand how happy we were with her relaxed attitude. She will still keep her distance as visitors initially approach, but she will calm down after a few minutes and actually take an interest in what is taking place. She especially enjoys when the director's dog, Shadow, is brought up during programs. Many times Shadow is brought up so the public may see the physical differences between wolves and dogs. Wolf Timbers volunteers also know that this is a good way to bring Keeley closer to the audience if she is having a particularly "shy" day. She never misses an opportunity to catch a glimpse of Shadow. New sponsors may not know, but Keeley seems to have a "crush" on the director's dog. One thing we have noticed about Keeley is how she displays apparent affection and "tweets" at those "close" with her. "Tweeting" is a term our director concocted to describe the sound that Keeley makes when she is greeting someone with whom she seems to have a relaxed and "close" relationship. She does this with humans as well as the other wolves, and Shadow. We urge you, as a sponsor of Keeley, to visit as often as possible so that you may also potentially experience this. Being able to have an up close and personal experience with Keeley is something that few people tend to forget. She is a gentle, lovely wolf who has all the charm of a lady. Saying that, we must also attest to the fact that she has her wild side and is first and always a wolf. Keeley has been in wonderful health over the past year and she is up to date on all her vaccinations. She has maintained her weight and seems to be actively gaining weight over time. Her coat is more dense and luxurious this year than in previous years. The eating order is about the same as she is still able to eat before Ingo as long as Nira is around. This seems to change if Ingo is the only one present, as he tends to take his fill while making Keeley wait. She and Ingo do share a fondness for howling and don't mind sharing it with us. Many starry nights we have been serenaded with the "wolfie" version of row-row-row your boat. Keeley, as well as wolves everywhere is the reason Wolf Timbers exists and we are privileged to be able to care for her. As her sponsor, we encourage you to come and visit her as often as you like. Please feel free to call us to make an appointment or just to see how she is doing. The 2001 season at Wolf Timbers is going to be a great one! There are several new programs in place and also a few howl nights have been added. Hope to see you sometime in 2001!

Spring Update on Keeley-2001

Spring is a time of newness and wonder. The buds on the trees bring forth leaves and the scent of flowers is everywhere. You feel the urge to slip off your socks and run barefoot through the grass. Here at Wolf Timbers, Keeley runs barefoot 365 days a year. "Miss Keeley" as she is occasionally referred too, is having a great spring season. Unlike the boys, she is shedding her fur gracefully. Keeley always seems to be the last one to shed her fur, and looks the best doing so. She tends to be a little itchier at this time of year, but she has plenty of helping hands to get to those hard to reach "itchy" spots. There is still some thickness to her coat, but within the next few weeks she will display her streamlined summer look. Keeley is our Alpha female, being the only female in the Wolf Timbers pack. Although she is the Alpha female, she still is usually the last of the three wolves to eat. This doesn't seem to bother her, and she never goes away hungry. Her favorite thing to do with a new deer carcass is to run over, snatch off the tail and retreat to a quite corner to chew on her prize. She is a very shy and reserved wolf, especially to those new to her. But, once a human has gained her trust, she is a very generous giver of wolfie kisses and tongue baths. She is in excellent health, weighing in at around 85 pounds at her last checkup. She is currently up to date on all her vaccinations. As Keeley gets older, she seems calmer and more confident. A few years ago, with each open day or program, Keeley would often hide towards the back of the enclosure, unsure of the new people. It is a wonderful thing to see her now, perched upon "her" platform, calmly surveying the visitors who have come to see her. Recently, the wolves at Wolf Timbers celebrated their birthdays with a party. All the wolves were born in April. Keeley was born on April 21st, 1997. Wolf Timbers invited all wolf sponsors and the general public to come party with the wolves. Each wolf was presented with a frozen birthday "cake". This consisted of chicken broth and ground, cooked deer meat frozen into a circular form. Topped off with softened vanilla ice cream and hot dog for candles, it was the highlight to the day. Keeley relished hers, and made sure the boys didn't bother her while she was eating. Ingo will occasionally make off with a Keeley treat, such as a cantaloupe, sardine etc. There are a few treats that she will stake her claim too, one of these being apples. She loves her apples and makes it clear to both Nira and Ingo. Wolf Timbers has had a very busy 2001-year to date. During the earlier part of the year, we hosted several school groups who came to visit Keeley and the boys. Keeley will still, at times, hold back at the beginning of a program. By the end, she will be participating in scent rolling or howling with Nira and Ingo. Keeley is all that the spirit of the wolf embodies. She is beautiful, graceful, soulful and wild. As her sponsor, you help us care for her and keep her content in body and spirit. We invite you to visit her and create your own Keeley experience.

Keeley Fall Update-2001

We've all heard the saying that little boys are made of assorted parts, which include snails and puppy dog tails. Sounds a little icky to me. Little girls, of course, are made of sugar and spice and everything nice. This can be applied to little "wolf" girls too. Keeley is a wolf, but she is also female. This entitles her to a few more of the "social graces" that Nira and Ingo don't seem to possess. Keeley is a graceful wolf, and she exhibits this to her best ability. She can precariously balance on the edge of an old log, or make a long, lazy stretch and look like poetry in motion. The boys, on the other hand, seem to have two left feet at times. Keeley is preparing for the coming winter snows by dressing in her best "winter coat". She looks a little plumper around the edges as her winter fur fills in, insulating her against the frigid temperatures. She still weighs in around 75 pounds and is current on all her vaccinations. As Keeley gets older, she seems calmer and more relaxed then she did as a pup or yearling. This has been more evident during this last open season. She has come to accept the visitors who come to Wolf Timbers to meet her, Nira and Ingo. Many times you could find her lounging in the shade while the visitors took pictures of her and told her how pretty she looked. Women love flattery. She is, as before, alpha female of the Wolf Timbers pack. She also has the distinction of being the Omega of the pack, or the lowest ranking wolf. Ingo is the Beta wolf, and thereby generally eats before Keeley, even though she is the Alpha female. Keeley would probably not be the Alpha female if Wolf Timbers had an additional female in the pack. She is a low-key wolf and does not like much confrontation. Breeding season and the coming cold weather makes for some happy wolves. The pack has been howling more often lately, and the howls are for longer durations then in the summer. Keeley will be a key factor in determining who will be the Alpha male this year. Whichever male she decides to "court" will get her support in maintaining that status. We feel that Nira will remain Alpha, but now that Ingo has reached sexual maturity leaves that to be seen. Keeley will have her hands full with two males wanting her undivided attentions! Wolf Timbers is closed for the 2001 season. We do have one additional Howl Night on November 16th, starting at 7:30 pm. We encourage you, as Keeley's sponsor, to come and visit for the evening. Through you generous sponsorship and other monies, we have been able to give Keeley the best of care, both physically and mentally. We hope you have a wonderful holiday season.

May 2012

Keeley seems to be doing fine. Her coat is a bit more grayish and whiter than years past. She moves a little slower and has not howled in a while - probably approaching a year now. However, even with all the aches and pains I am sure she feels, her mental and emotional health seem to be as good as ever, if not slightly better. No longer is she always looking over her shoulder to find that pesky Ingo. Keeley and Nira can be seen interacting with one another and wagging their tails. A few weeks ago, during a work day, we noticed Keeley biting at some twigs. Nothing unusual. The exact turn of events have been slightly clouded but, as you become used to watching others and their expressions when working with the wolves for 15 years, I noticed one of our volunteers stopped in their tracks and looking up into the enclosure - I followed and there was Keeley, pawing at her mouth. We watched her for a minute then entered the enclosure. We approached her and she did not run away and exhibited no signs of difficulty breathing (nothing lodged in her throat). Nicolette came in the enclosure to assist and although Keeley did not become anxious or run away, she was still pawing at her mouth and at times, actually had her whole paw in her mouth. Nicolette sat down and Keeley approached her. At that time, Nicolette wanted me to sit down to see if Keeley approached me as she did with Nicolette. Sure enough, Keeley came over to me and I began rubbing around her ears then forehead, then neck, then mouth and finally, I opened her mouth and looked inside. At first, I could not see anything, then, as I remember a similar event years ago with Nira, I looked up into the roof of her mouth and there the culprit was - hiding! A small twig, about an inch and 3 quarters long was lodged crosswise in the roof of her mouth between her canine teeth. I slowly reached in and grabbed a-hold of the slimy piece of wood and yanked it out.

We will be putting up more updates on Keeley throughout the year. Please check back often. Thank you for visiting.