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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.

 

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