Wolves II

IMG_4114, a photo by ms. smartypantz on Flickr.

Dakota

I adore wolves. I know that there are terrible stories out there about them, born of fear and loathing for a creature that's misunderstood, but they're mainly just stories and have little truth in them.

Wolves are predators, yes, like humans. However, they don't eat people or their babies! They are a social animal with rules within their communities. I went to college with a man who got lost in the tundra in winter, and he was saved (literally) by wolves. They fed him and they kept him warm. His art thesis was on his experience with these wild friends. I may have mentioned this in my older post, I don't remember. But it's important to note: we feared wolves for so long because they were after our livestock. That's the only reason our species hated them, as a species. They hunt the sick and weak of wild and domestic flocks of animals like elk, sheep, cattle, etc. We were in competition with them, but we needn't have been. They only hunt when they're hungry, and their predation actually keeps flocks healthy. Without their natural culling, grazing animal populations grow out of control and ecologically devastate the environment. (There are many examples of this in Colorado, where wolf hunting is deplorably legal, as well as the widely publicized problems in Yellowstone National Park after wolves were killed to extinction there. They've been reintroduced, and their presence has been the cause of major debates.)

I've visited the wolves at Wolf Mountain Sanctuary a few times. They are amazingly loving animals. When you look into their eyes, you can see their wild spirit, but it's not frightening at all... it's wonderful. They are caring creatures. They mourn the loss of their life mates. They have integrity and nobility. They embody traits that we wish to see in all humans, but rarely do. I love these beautiful creatures. 

I encourage you to set up a visit, if you're ever in Southern California, to go to Wolf Mountain Sanctuary. They ask for donations, if you want to go into the wolf compounds. It all goes to helping care for these wolves, some of whom were being used by drug dealers as "guard dogs," though they aren't dogs at all. Dogs are canines, wolves are lupines. They're the same species, but different family. For more information about their differences and similarities, you can read about them here. 

It is in my humble opinion that humans should never have messed with the setup that Mother Nature put in place in the national parks humans have created and called their own. They pulled out important animals, thinking that they would "save" the parks, only to find out that those animals they removed served a vital purpose in those wildlife systems. Then they introduce a different animal to take the place of the ones they removed and are surprised that things change. Well, it's not nice to mess with Mother Nature, and now everything is unbalanced where there was once stability. People should learn to leave things well enough alone. Say what you will, animals kill other animals, just as humans kill animals, to eat. But at least wolves only kill as much as they need to survive, whereas humans kill to extinction or, at best, endangerment. So who's the scariest predator? Humans.

Wolves

Me with Segoni

I just want to share with you a little about wolves. They are amazing creatures. They are predators, like us. However, despite popular beliefs, we are not their prey. They prefer the same type of creatures that humans have always enjoyed hunting and eating, which is why they have been persecuted by our species. Wolves have intricate social interactions. They work together, as a pack (a family) to survive in the wild. They are not dogs, nor do the have the same requirements as dogs. They're not meant to be pets, as they are not domesticated. This doesn't mean that they aren't bred with dogs. I used to have a dog, Jake, who was 1/4 wolf. He was a brilliant creature, very wise, whom I loved for the entire time that we were together. He was so smart and at times very moody. He didn't bark like dogs do, unnecessarily. He only barked when there was a reason. This is a very wolf-like trait. Wolves mature, like people, whereas most dogs don't mature past what we'd consider a teenage mentality. Wolves require all the bones, organs, etc, of their prey. They can't survive on dog food, or just beef, or just meat of any kind. They need the bones, etc, to help their digestion. They need pack life to feel complete. Anything else would make them less than what they are meant to be.

When I visited the Wolf Mountain Sanctuary the first time, I was brought into the main wolf compound with the woman who runs this non-profit wolf rescue site. She told everyone who was visiting that the wolves needed to be introduced to us by her. She's considered part of the pack, and only when she brings people in, are they considered "okay" by the pack. Then each of the wolves greets us, starting with the Alpha, and working their way down the pecking order. Dakota and Durango were the male and female Alphas, and they each had to sniff each person. If they liked you a lot, they would rub themselves against you, getting your scent on them, and theirs on you. When the wolf in question weighs around 150-200 pounds, this can be quite an experience!

Tanya and Dakota

Wolves are really misunderstood creatures. You really understand that when you visit and spend a day with the wolves, which I've been blessed to have done twice now. The second time I visited, it was really interesting because the wolves I had met the first time all remembered me by scent! They gave me a cursory welcome, and then were immediately comfortable around me. I was allowed to be in the compound without Tanya, the care-giver, along with others who had visited before. It was wonderful! The wolves each have very distinctive personalities and quirks. Istas was just a puppy the first time I met him, and he was very mischievous and funny. The next time I met him, he was older, but just as mischievous and with the same sense of humor as before! It's really amazing!

If you are ever in Southern California, near Lucerne Valley, you should call up the sanctuary, and schedule a visit. They ask for donations in order to go in and see the wolves, as they need the money. They don't get any money from our government for caring for these wolves. Some of the wolves were rescued from drug dealers, who were using them as guard dogs. They were in sad shape! Tanya brought them back to health, and introduced them to the other wolves, helping them to find their place in a pack, and become healthy wolves again. Once you go, you'll want to return. Being around the wolves is a real spiritual experience that I think everyone should feel at least once in their lives. It will connect you to the universe in a new and special way. Believe me.