Adian – Back in the Mix

After the removal of Aidan’s mast cell tumor, it took him some time to feel well enough to fully engage with the pack. Based on experience, the 14-day course of antibiotics didn’t help him feel any better either.  Initially, he stayed in the upper part of the enclosure, usually resting with Grayson.  Within a few days, he started to localize on the pump housing where the layer of sand and metal housing offered a cool place to lie and catch a breeze. He would watch and only intervene on pack issues when the activities reached a certain level.  On the 24th of June, we began a weekend program called “Pups at One Year”; Participants not only observed the wolves during the day, but had the opportunity to stay overnight and watch the pack during their most active sessions.  Participants commented that their observations of Aidan changed from more reserved behavior on Saturday to a more interactive pack leader by Sunday morning.  They commented that even when Aidan was more reserved, his presence was powerful.  Without physically interacting, he could walk up to Denali or Boltz who would be asserting dominance on the yearlings and with one look, Aidan could stop the interaction.  On Sunday morning, the pack had a portion of a deer carcass left in the pouring rain and the yearlings were taking tidbits from the carcass despite the rain.  Aidan definitely thinks smarter and not harder,  dragging the deer carcass under the eaves of the building for his Sunday feeding.  The yearlings seemed to take advantage of that move, learning from the pack leader is an ongoing thing for yearlings.