WMS staff and friends went to the Cinemark Movie Theater on Bear Valley Road in Apple Valley CA to boycott the movie “The Grey.”

The reason for the boycott is simple.  The storyline of “The Grey” is erroneous and portrays wolves as vicious man-killers.  The CGI made the wolves look like giant robo-wolves.  For anyone unfamiliar with wolves, they might think that this is an accurate depiction of these animals.

Further, it has become known that the director, Mr. Carnahan, had his cast and crew eat wolf meat/jerky.  It is said that 4 wolves were killed, 2 used for carcasses in the movie and 2 slaughtered for their meat (I am currently unable to complete back up that claim, but will update this post as I find reliable information).  According to reports, the wolf meat made most of the cast and crew sick.  Yet Liam Neeson is on record as saying that he liked the wolf meat, equating it with chicken, albeit more gamey.

It is unbelievable, in this day and age, that anyone would consume wolf meat.  There is a reason why we do not eat the meat of a predator.  Predators, including human beings, mostly eat animals that graze.  The grazing makes for good, nutritious meat.  The grazers (elk, cattle, deer, etc.) are able to digest grass, which we cannot, and pass on nutrients that we need.  The meat of a predator is not nutritious to us … hence why we do not usually eat the meat of bears, lions, cougars, and wolves (among other predators).

So, the very idea that Liam Neeson is on record that he ate wolf meat and compared it with gamey chicken is reprehensible.  It is just the sort of information anti-wolf folks will take and use in their campaign to destroy all wolves.

Add to that the fictitious storyline of man-killing wolves who are gigantic and vicious … well, you have a cauldron of misinformation that is damaging to the already precarious political and social environment concerning wolves.

Tonya, Danna, and others braved the cold and long day to enlighten a few people about wolves and convinced them to NOT see the movie!  Every person who choose a different movie or learned something important about wolves … thank you.

PS I know Danna took photos of the boycott, but I have not yet received permission from her to put those photos in this blog.  Once I do, I will add them!

http://petexpousa.net/holiday-pet-expo/

Please come visit Wolf Mountain Sanctuary at the 2011 Pet Expo at the Pomona Fairplex!  We will be there November 5th and 6th, 2011.  The show hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.  Building 7 is the place to be!

The Fairplex is located at 1101 W. McKinley Ave, Pomona, CA 91768.  Check out their website at: http://petexpousa.net/holiday-pet-expo/

We will be doing a raffle and will have loads of merchandise and good cheer to share!

Come see us!

P.S.  If you have any questions, please call Tonya at 760-248-7818.

Tonya just learned that her dear friend, Christel Hunsaker, passed away recently.

Tonya and Christel met through the Wild Wolf Women of the Web and created a strong personal bond.

Christel supported Wolf Mountain Sanctuary for years.  Christel, her husband, Gary, and daughter, Karen (“Little Sister”) were so kind and loving.  They always made Tonya laugh and relax.

Our sympathies go out to Gary and Karen and the rest of the Hunsaker clan.  We love you and miss you.

O, our Father, the Sky, hear us and make us strong.
O, our Mother, the Earth, hear us and give us support.
O, Spirit of the East, send us your Wisdom.
O, Spirit of the South, may we tread your path of life.
O, Spirit of the West, may we always be ready for the long journey.
O, Spirit of the North, purify us with your cleansing winds.

(A Sioux Prayer)

Mr. Boo Blue (that’s what I call him!) had surgery on October 12, 2011.  Blue has suffered for years with glaucoma in his left eye.  The swelling has waxed and waned over time, but it became obvious that the best thing to do was to have the eye removed.  Tonya originally told the vet would be able to do an eye transplant from a dog.  While that would have been groovy, the surgery, the recovery, and the possibility of transplant-rejection made that decision less appealing.

Blue, feisty big man, was not excited about being muzzled and put into the van.  Wrestling an unwilling 180 pound wolf into a van means that the human beings sometimes get in the way of flailing paws!  Tonya, Stephanie, Bob, and Michael each have some bruises to proudly show for their efforts.

The surgery was a great success!  The vet was concerned that there might be a mass behind the eye, but, blessed be, no mass was found.  The eye has been sent to the pathologist for testing just to make sure there isn’t anything else we need to address.

When Blue came home, he was not interested in being sequestered on the front porch (the usual “hospital” spot) and wanted to “get home” to his girl, Niwah.  Tonya described Niwah as being very excited to see Blue, quivering and sniffing him.  According to Tonya, Niwah was saying, “Where have you been?  What were you doing?  You smell funny.  I’m glad you are home.”  Nonplussed, Blue walked over to the water tub and laid down on the cool dirt.

Tonya, Stephanie, Bob, and everyone else will be keeping their attention on Blue during his recovery, but we believe that he will come through with flying colors.  We can only imagine what a relief it was for him to have the eye removed, as it was caused pressure.

The veterinary surgeon did the surgery for FREE (I will get the vet’s name for proper praise)!!  While WMS saved a lot of money because of this vet’s generosity, the animal hospital did charge a $1000 facility fee.  Needless to say, WMS needs donations from our friends to help pay this bill … please visit http://www.wolfmountain.com and click on the Donate page to set up a one-time or recurring donation through PayPal.

As a side note, on the way to and from the animal hospital, Tonya’s van was leaking gas.  She thinks her mechanic fixed the problem perhaps a fuel line leak), but Tonya is really hoping that someone out there has a large van (like an Econoline or Caravan) to donate to WMS for wolf transport.  If you have a van, small bus, or school bus that you would like to donate, please contact Tonya at 760-248-7818.

Tonya would like to thank the vet surgeon, the staff at the animal hospital, and all of you wonderful supporters.  It definitely helps to have so many people concerned about Blue and the other wolves.  Times are hard right now, but Tonya knows she can always rely on you to help her help the wolves.

A special big howl from Blue!  Come visit our One-Eyed Captain Blue the Pirate Wolf soon!