mackenzie – Jul 29, 2002 12:00 AM

This log entry is in 2 parts: Part 1. The following list outlines several issues under consideration in the management of the situation between MacKenzie and Shadow: a. MacKenzie's role as a dominant female is her identity with the pack, and changes in her status will affect her psychologically, Mackenzie isn't likely to give up and become a lower ranking pack member without a fight. b. MacKenzie is fairly old for a wolf. She is over 9 years of age which equates to 63 human years. Shadow and Malik are 2 years of age, which in human years equates to 14. It's only a matter of time before age slows her ability to keep up with the younger wolves. Wolves in the wild may not live much past 8 or 9 years of age. c. MacKenzie has had several minor health problems in the past few years. These health issues include lipid deposits in her eye and the beginning of cataracts that will continue to progress making vision difficult, mild arthritis in her hips, and an abdominal tumor (fatty tumor) that could require surgical intervention in the future. While these ailments are not major impediments to her living, they do indicate her advanced age and could be viewed as a weakness in the eyes of the younger wolves.