Remember that Wolf Pack speech from The Hangover? Zach Galifianakis was hysterical, right? Don’t worry, I’m not going to do some lame attempt at being as dry, clever or funny.
Last weekend I went running with a real wolf pack. Maybe sitting is a more accurate verb. It was amazing.
The Wolf Creek Sanctuary and Rescue is in Indiana, about an hour away from Cincinnati. They have 28 wolves in their rescue right now and visitors can be in pens with most of them. I visited with a large group of people, some of whom had been and there and most of us who were newbies. The woman who runs the sanctuary took us to one of the larger pens with my right behind her and said, “You know the drill, right?” Then she walked on in.
Um, I didn’t know the drill.
Turns out it was easy. We all walked in and sat down. The wolves walked around our pen and once they got used to our presence we could move around. We got kissed my wolves, were able to pet them and run their bellies.
Despite all the dog-like love, there were carcasses and bones all around us. Some wolves were chewing on what was distinctly a deer leg – fur, hoof and all. Between that, the size of their paws and glimpses of their very large teeth, we were constantly reminded of the fact that wolves are powerful animals, wild animals, and not pets.
That aside, I’m going back to the rescue. For sure.
Mandy
Were there any children there?
Kate
Maybe 12-year-olds? I’m not good at ages — at least junior high. The woman who runs the place said she’s had kids as young as three but she leaves letting them in 100% up to her discretion and it is based as much on the parents as the child. So more of a case by case basis.