Hello from some sleepy “Seattleites”! Guess what?! It’s snowing!! It looks beautiful out there, and I know my dad’s enjoying it!! He’s half watching “Frasier”, half staring outside at the snow. Laura leaves tonight, so hopefully there’s no problem with her flight. I’m going to miss her, but again, I know I’ll be home in two weeks. We had a wonderful couple of weeks, and yesterday we were able to go to Wolf Haven, which was my original idea of an activity to do on her birthday (but they were closed due to snow—they had 18 inches up there).
I included a huge number of pictures of the wolves (some taken by yours truly, some by my dad and some by Laura)…don’t be overwhelmed, but there are some great pics in there!!! On our way there, we stopped by “Tully’s” to pick up some coffee (Seattle has taught us that it is better to travel with coffee than without), we passed both Tacoma and Olympia, and we ended up in Tenino, WA.
It was an amazing morning. Apparently the wolves hadn’t seen many people because Wolf Haven was closed to the public for a couple weeks due to the weather, and they came right up to the front of the enclosures to greet us. We even got to hear them howl!!! Pretty cool, huh? We also saw them eat. I even adopted a wolf (well, technically, my mom adopted her for me). Her name is Ladyhawk…here, check her out: http://www.wolfhaven.org/our_wolves/ladyhawk.php — what a cutie, huh? She reminded me of Jameson, wanting to play all the time, and loving the attention of all of us on the tour (when I say “all of us”, there were only two families, including ours, that braved the snow to be there!!).
It was pretty crazy, because when we got home, there was a message on our machine from someone trying to reach a man who breeds wolf mixes. He bought a pup from him years ago, and he’s interested in getting another one….what are the chances he would accidentally call our number and leave that message on a day that we spent watching wolves?!! Weird, huh?
Today was a good day too. I woke up late, ate some breakfast (still enjoying your blueberry muffins, Katie!), and my dad, Laura and I went to Greenlake Park with Hollie and Kona. It started snowing halfway around the lake, and it was definitely cold, but it was good to be out. Halfway around, we got some hot chocolate from a stand…never has hot chocolate tasted so good! It was almost three miles around, so it was good exercise, although I admit, I’m pretty sore now…my whole body feels a bit bruised, and I think it’s probably from the steroids because they can make your joints sore. I also have a headache, and I’m not sure if it’s from having a low blood count or the medications.
Anyhoooo, all in all I’m good. I’m feeling more tired, so I’m worried about going back to that fatigue feeling I had before the steroids…remember, the magnet feeling? I’m not that tired yet, but I’m just worried, I guess. I don’t want to feel that tired again. I took naps both yesterday and today, which I haven’t done in a while.
I’m not too worried about it, just disappointed in having a lower energy level. I meet with my team on Tuesday, and I’ll be able to ask all the questions I want.
OK, I’m off! Laura’s getting ready to leave soon.
Hope everyone is doing well!!
Love,
Julie
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Here we are!! Ronnie and Kathy, I think you guys should put this up near your house, 'cause Vladdy looks like a wolf! :)
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There was still snow up here (it's located in a place called Tenino, WA), and it was a chilllllly day!
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The guide said the wolves hadn't seen many people in 2 1/2 weeks because of the snow (they got 18" up there)....look how beautiful this guy is!!
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Don't worry--I won't put descriptions on each one, but look how fuzzy this one's fur is! He looks friendly, like I could just reach through the fence and tickle his chin (don't worry---I didn't!). :)
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I see you back there, buddy!!
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You know it's cold when Mom is wearing a hat and scarf!!!!! :)
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Hi baby! Awwwwww...you want me to let you out of that enclosure?!!
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They are separated into enclosures depending on who they get along with...usually two or one in each area. There are about 50 wolves at Wolf Haven, but not all of them are on the tour--they're either pups or too shy to be in front of the public (from what I understood).
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What do you smell in the air, buddy? Apparently their smelling is 5 times better than dogs!!!!!
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hahahaha what a cutie!
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See the one on the stump? I adopted her! :) Her name is Ladyhawk, and she was so sociable! That's her dad on the right...apparently Ladyhawk misplaced her mom as female leader of the pack.
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"Julie, please don't leave! Can't I come home with you?!!" :)
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Look at those eyes.
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There's my girl!
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Dinnertime! They just threw raw chickens over the enclosures.
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Laura took this one--I love it!!!
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You know, I felt sad that they were inside enclosures, but lots of these wolves were rescued from bad situations, many from private homes, so they probably wouldn't do well if you put them in the wild.
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Mom, Dad and me, braving the cold and enjoying the wolves!
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"Don't even THINK about coming near my raw chicken!!"
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I'm so glad we came here--Happy Belated Birthday, Laura!
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Laura and friend
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Good buds.
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"I thought I told you not to come near my food?!!!"
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"I just have this little itch.....if only this darn fence wasn't here and one of these visitors could give me a little scratch!!"
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This pic's for you, Norma and Steve. Laura took it and we all think it looks like Bayla.
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Laura poses by a pretty waterfall and the Wolf Haven sign....we had such a wonderful time!
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Oh my gosh....this little girl was adooooooooorable!!
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Laura captures some images, many of which are on this post!
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A Mexican gray wolf
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One of the coolest parts of the day was when they all started howling--I got a video, and with Ronnie's help, I'll put it up on the blog as soon as I can!! (he and Katie=my techno gurus, as you know)
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Looks like my wolf likes showing off for the crowd!
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Another shot of her---I wish I could have done a little photo shoot just of her, but I don't think her parents would have liked that! She was hysterical!!--very expressive and quite determined to walk by herself.
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It's Bayla again!!!! (some of our friends have a white German Shepherd that looks like this wolf)
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Here I am by the sign!
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A pretty bench :)
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Laura and I
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OK, now blow this up and look closely...Katie took this a couple days ago and sent it to me....it's a squirrel eating an orange!!!!!!!! Doesn't it look funny in its little hands?
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I thought this was adorable. Katie greets Ronnie and Kathy's pups, Vladimir and Klaus, when she gets back to Richmond....look at Vladdy's ears, all the way back. They certainly love her!
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All bundled up and ready to go!
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We walked about 3 miles, so that was good!!!
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Hollie and Kona at Greenlake Park
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Does it look at all like I'm forcing her to look at the camera? :)
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Look at how gorgeous it looks out there---those are my dad's feet in there....and we're watching "Frasier"!
5
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I just love those wolf photos! You didn’t tell me before about that voicemail at the apartment–that is so crazy! You should call him back and say “Wrong number, but so funny you called…”
I wish I had been there when it was snowing!
5
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Happy New Year to the Matthew’s Family. Looks like you are having a wonderful time. Thanks for all those great photo’s especially that white wolf that looks like Bayla. We all miss you …you too Carol and can’t wait until you are all back in Virginia.
See you all soon!!!!