You're all welcome. I tend to get carried away as I'm also a writer so when an idea strikes, I run with it, but the whole experience at Yamanuska was rewarding. Birgit
There are 3 phases...1) you sit as a group under specified area with a roof while he gives a 'talk' about the wolfdog in general and the ones they have in the sanctuary. He gives you some treats to throw out onto the ground. There were 3 high content wolf dogs in this first enclosure. Alpha male, female, and a young male. They would come only so close to get the treats but it gave the audience a good look at them. They were gorgeous. The female was white and her name was Nova, so coming from Nova Scotia I thought this was neat.
The second phase ... the group gets to wander through the sanctuary to see the various medium content wolves...all colours...distinctive yellow eyes. One very dark wolfdog followed me as I walked along, and when I stopped to talk to him, I asked 'So what are you saying to me?' He looked right at me and howled, so then others in nearby enclosures echoed his howl. It was awesome!! Then when I turned back he continued to follow me, periodically looking in my direction. The owner said that this was unusual for him to do so...but hey, I'm a devote animal lover and they sense that.
The third phase...the group enters another enclosure with low content wolfdogs and interact with them. The leader of this group was named Loki...same scenario with treats but this time we were given a signal to issue to them so they could come and eat out of your hand. They had a new member...a female called Rue...she was very timid but eventually she came over to me. The owner told me to forget the signal and just let her eat the treat because she had never ventured close to a visitor before. He was actually quite surprised that she came right up to my hand, ate the treat, and let me stroke her head. But again...I'm an animal lover and enjoyed this interaction so much. It was then that I told my son and daughter-in-law who had arranged this visit that I wanted a wolfdog of my own. I spoke to the owner and he said that they did occasionally have low content wolfdogs up for adoption but the scrutiny of the person was detailed. Didn't bother me at all...I know I'd pass, so who knows, maybe one day. I don't know what the vaccination alternative is but as the data states, there is something out there.
Sorry for the diatribe but I thought you might be interested in hearing about the sanctuary. So if ever in Alberta, especially the Calgary area, make sure you book a visit to the sanctuary near Cochrane, I think. Birgit
According to old data … nothing more current than 2019 … the rabies vaccine is not approved for wolf dogs but there are legal alternatives. Also, Yamamuska Sanctuary is owned & run by a biologist and he has place low content wolfdogs as pets and has never had any problems. Medium or high content wolfdogs remain at the sanctuary and people can book tours. It’s a fascinating experience.
I hope that you can do this someday, it sounds like you would be the right person to be able to have one. Not too many people would consider this. Good luck to you Birgit! ❤︎
They don't usually have very many wolf dogs up for adoption...very rare occurrence...and then they screen the application thoroughly (which is great). Right now my studio landlady does not allow pets so I'll have to wait until I find appropriate lodgings to see if the sanctuary has any up for adoption. :0}
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