M'ijo's Page
M'ijo
The underground pet trade in wolves tragically continues. Many well-meaning people do not know the consequences when they purchase that cute, wriggling little bundle of fur. Then when the pup grows into a large adult wolf, they discover too late that wild animals do not make good pets. M'ijo (pronounced mee'hoe, which means "my son" in Spanish) was the victim of this pet trade. He grew up into this handsome, powerful wolf with a gray and tawny coat--and in time became too much for his owners to handle.
Born in Spring of 1993 to a breeder in Canada, he was separated from his mother and siblings when only ten days old--before he was even old enough to see or hear properly. He therefore accepted his human owners as his pack. Through his growth into adulthood, M'ijo had behaved well with his owner but appeared only to tolerate the man's wife. Since wolves are very territorial animals and will drive out or even kill a wolf not belonging to their pack, a "pet" wolf will view neighbors or any visitors as intruders. Inevitably, M'ijo became aggressive to the neighborhood's children. He had been with the family for six years but now could not remain. Luckily his owners had heard about Wolf Haven.
Meanwhile, back a the sanctuary, we had a young female wolf named Angel who would soon be entering her second breeding season as a lone wolf. She had been very unhappy during the past season and desperately needed a companion to ease the burden of loneliness. We hoped that she would accept M'ijo in that role when he arrived on 2 November 1999.
He spent the first few days in a deck pen which led into her enclosure so that the two could get acquainted without being able to hurt each other. Angel was very curious about this muscular and somewhat overweight (he had eaten a bit too well in California) male and sniffed at him through the fence. But M'ijo moped at the back of the deck pen, depressed and very confused at being torn from the only "pack" he had ever known. When we released him into the enclosure, the two wolves' physical introduction went smoothly. To call Angel's reaction to her new companion ecstatic would be quite the understatement. While M'ijo concentrated on exploring his new surrounding and rolling on the remnants of an old deer leg, she danced around him in virtual paroxysms of joy. He even had to snarl at her a few times when her enthusiasm led her to literally bounce on his head.
Once he adjusted to his new enclosure his new enclosure, M'ijo became equally enthusiastic about his slender young mate. This past breeding season has sealed their bond, and the two are now playful and affectionate companions. Exercise and a more judicious diet have reduced a bit of his excess girth (though we doubt he'll ever be truly wolf-slim), M'ijo has now adjusted to his three caregivers enough that he plays with them through the fence, play-bowing and chasing after them as they walk around his enclosure.
Thanks to your generous support, we have been able to give M'ijo a safe home with a life-long companion of his own species. His story also helps us to continue teaching people that wolves and other wild animals should never be treated as pets. Thank you for your help in this important work.
------Taken from Wolf Haven
