Zeus 1996 joined the Big Pack in the Sky in August of 2007.

He passed at the age of 11 due to loss of mobility/old age.

Zeus was born on Wild Spirit property on April 7th, 1996, near the beginning of the sanctuary’s’ “conception” itself! He was one of seven pups in a litter that was bottle raised by staff, and born by Ammon Ra and Nashoba–two other wolves residing at the sanctuary.

The litter, which included Shakti, Ghengis, Zeus, Taza, Lycea, Selena, and Chaka Zulu, spent their first weeks outside being raised by their parents. However, tragedy struck, and Nashoba died soon after birth due to gastric torsion.

The pups were quickly moved indoors, and staff took on the responsibility of bottle feeding the litter! It was tireless work with little rest, especially given the staff’s efforts to ensure that the pups had enough access to their father to be raised by both humans and wolves. Once they were old enough to survive, the pups were moved outside into suitable groups.

Ghengis , Shakti and Zeus all split off to live with their Aunt Natasha and Uncle Nootka, who were rescued from the same breeder in Washington as the litter’s parents. Zeus and Shakti had a very close and loving relationship, but the same could not be said for the two brothers. They had the kind of relationship you would expect from most brothers, constantly challenging one another and pushing boundaries. As the two matured and dynamics began to shift, they were eventually separated to avoid rising tensions and a possible conflict.

In time, Zeus also kicked out Natasha and Nootka, preferring to share space with Shakti only. The two remained a happy pair until Zeus’ passing in August of 2007.

Photos by:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/kamia_the_wolf/