NAKIPA
In LovingMemory
First Official Ambassador of Shy Wolf Sanctuary

Our beautiful, sweet Nakipa crossed over the Rainbow Bridge on Friday, September 16, 2011. She served as Ambassador for over a decade and has also been a regular "Meeter and Greeter" with her companion Bear, right up to the end. She will forever be etched in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to meet her, know her and love her. She is now an angel and has joined the many other beautiful souls who have passed through our gates and now live on the other side of the bridge. THANK YOU, Nakipa for your loyal service and loving friendship.

BIO

In 2000 Michael and Nancy got the call to rescue Nakipa or she would go to the shelter when she was only six months old.  At that tender age she had already been bounced around to four different homes.  The last straw was when she turned her owner's pool into a slimey green pond by shredding the pool furniture and clogging the filtration system.   Most shelters, especially back then, would not even consider adopting out a wolfdog.  Today many of the shelters will work with rescues to try and re-home animals deemed adoptable or place others into sanctuary.  What once was a certain death sentence is now, sometimes, a gateway to a new life and other opportunities.

 

Nakipa can be in a house, is good with other dogs and cats and is a great ambassador, loving to give everyone kisses.  She is our official "meeter and greeter" and still loves to interact with guests.  She's less enthused about going off-site these days, however, and prefers to leave that role to someone else.   

We guesstimate Nakipa to be in the 70% range wolf content mixed with white shepherd.  She is fairly "wolfy" looking in build but has shepard ears (larger and less furred) and a doggy personality.  She mostly wants to please but likes variety.  The one time we tried to adopt her out as a pet and companion to Yukon, a male we knew she got along with well, she did great for three days and on the fourth decided she was bored, pulled down curtains and planned her great escape.  She was brought back to the sanctuary at that point and we found a new companion for Yukon that was more than happy to have sofa time.  Nakipa resumed her role as hostess and Queen Nakipa without missing a beat.

Nakipa and Bear have formed a bond that is interesting to watch.  Just when you think they aren't that close or attached they show you otherwise.  All you really need to do is try taking Nakipa from the enclosure to see how Bear reacts.  He talks and paces until she comes back and then he tries to act like he never really missed her.