A Visit to the Shy Wolf Sanctuary
By Shirley Woolaway
Coastal Breeze News
We could hear the wolves howling as we arrived at the Shy Wolf Sanctuary, parking off the highway on a grassy area. The sound only increased my anticipation, as I’d been curious to see them for several years. Every time family members from the north would visit, I’d check the availability of space at Shy Wolf and none were ever available. This time, I’d signed up months ahead of time with the Environmental Committee of League of Women Voters.
Once everyone in our group of eleven had arrived, our greeter led us down a path to a patio area surrounded by benches. We were formally welcomed there by Deanna Deppen, Executive Director and her companion, a singing dog named Seger, who is also a member of the dingo dog family. She explained that the sanctuary is a haven for injured, abandoned, or neglected wild and captive-bred animals including foxes, prairie dogs, coyotes, wolves, wolfdogs, bobcats, gopher tortoises, and cougars. She explained that many of the animals are sociable, saying we could choose whether to interact with them. Seger, who is only a year old, is often taken to schools where children can pet him while a staffer presents educational aspects about animals. Although Seger didn’t sing during our visit, I learned later that he is a one-note singer while wolves sing on various notes when howling.
