shadow – Jun 27, 2000 12:00 AM

Nancy Gibson writes: The wolf pups made their final trip to the vet on June 27 in the Twin Cities in preparation for their journey to the International Wolf Center on June 29. The pups are seven weeks old and Shadow weighs 14.2 pounds. Malik weighs weighs an even 14 pounds. They received their first distemper vaccination in combination with parvovirus, coronavirus, adenovirus and parainfluenza. This is the same protocol for domestic dogs. They were wormed and given tablets for heartworm. They were listed in excellent health and the staff at Oak Knoll Animal Hospital is to be commended for their excellent help and guidance. Health care will be transferred to the local vets in Ely, Minnesota. The pups are spending most of their time outside except during the night. They experienced their first major rainstorm by sleeping through most of it by a large tree. Their guard hairs are an effective raincoat. A small pool of water has attracted much of the pup's attention. They use it to cool their feet then splash the rest of the water underneath their body. The pups will quietly meet the adults at the International Wolf Center is a series of controlled sessions with a fence separating them. All wolves produce a nuturing hormone called prolactin in the spring and summer to stimulate all members of the pack to help rear the pups. We expect the adults and the pups to be excited to see each other.