Wolf Thoughts

As you can probably imagine, the debate about what to do with the wolf situation goes either way depending on who you talk to. What I find interesting is that people seem to find the need for action first and reflection later, much later, if at all...

Heading out to drop off an order at Pleasant Valley store in Two Rivers allowed for much reflection to our current situation. Too often we remember the stories of how a pack killed a dog, a moose stomped a dog team or a bear mauled a hiker in the woods. Not often do we hear, or remember, the more gentle stories of nature.

Spock, my 100+ pound German Shepherd, has filled many roles in my life. A leader to my dog team, a protector against wildlife intruders, a patient teacher, guardian of my vehicle, home, kennel and myself... I could go on and on listing how much help he has been to me, how dear a friend he is and continues to be... there are no words to describe how important this wonderful soul is.

Many years ago a moose cow and her calf came close to our dog yard, not close enough to be a danger to the dogs but, as was our custom, I called Spock out to chase her off. It was a simple job and Spock had performed this task flawlessly countless times. Occasionally he had back up of the other dogs, some times not... either way, he was a pro and always extended just enough aggression to get his point across and nothing more.

But dogs age fast and Spock started to become slower on his feet. I thought nothing of this when I set him off after the moose and her baby, another simple job... but this moose stood her ground, more so than the others he had chased after, calf or no calf.

I watched the whole scene play out before me as if in slow motion, Spock charged, dodged the cows attack but slipped on the snow right in range of her strike. She reared up and plunged both feet hard on top of his rib cage as he fell. I screamed out his name, time stopped and felt a moment of powerlessness that seemed to last forever. There was absolutely nothing I could do but call him back and hope that he could still walk or that the moose would move along without causing any more damage.

It was in that moment that I realized how fearless he was. Countless times before I had seen him charge and win his fight over and over again but when I was faced with the reality of charging in to save his life... I couldn't do it. I was struck totally dumb with fear...

Eventually the moose and her calf did walk off and Spock got up and walked into the house. I was shocked that he could move and plans of taking him to the vet and how to go about stabilizing him rushed through my head. As soon as I shut the door I laid him down, putting pressure everywhere over his body to try and feel the broken bones... there was none... nothing broken, nothing bruised, absolutely no injuries at all.

I had seen both of the mother's cloven hooves come down on him, she did not slip, the blow was direct and calculated. I had no doubt of how powerful she could be if she were able to catch him as she did. As I kneeled there beside him my thoughts stopped, the wonder of how he wasnt hurt raced through my head, the realization of this so implausible I couldn't think straight.

After many hours of running the scene over and over again through my mind I finally came up with a conclusion... it seems that the mother calf showed incredible compasion. She could have killed Spock in defense of her calf, could have killed him in a heart beat, but she didnt. Her hooves locked onto a critical area of Spock's body but she did not exert enough pressure to create even a bruse. I checked Spock over many times in the days that followed... no tenderness appeared what so ever.

Now it could be said that Spock is just one tough dog, which he is, or it could be believed that this was a miracle... which I also believe, but what has shocked me the most about this situation was the compassion this mother moose gave at that moment. She had every right to take Spock from me, every right to kill him right there and then but she didnt. She gave him grace, a kind of warning to him to be left alone but nothing more.

Dont we owe everyone that kind of respect, human and animal alike?

Nature and my dogs have taught me the most important lessons of my life. These two elements are the reason why I am the person Ive become and why I continue to improve everyday in this beautiful land.

I see the wolf situation as another lesson for all of us humans to learn and improve from. As diverse as we all are, the wolves will touch us each in our own individual ways offering up their own unique lessons. I'm right in the middle of my own 'lesson' at this point so I'm not entirely sure what I think about the whole picture.

What I do know is that I am having incredible compassion for the wolves plight and I wish I could help them in some way. We are all together on this little blue planet and it is fortunate that we have evolved the means to keep ourselves fed in times of famine. Unfortunately the wolves must deal straight with what nature delivers and take the good with the bad. Its a shame we cant help them in some way, even though they are abundant in Alaska and hunting them is entirely legal... it just seems there should be more we could do than to pick up our guns in defense of our homes and pets.

I would defend my dogs if I had to against a starving wolf but I realize that in all the years Ive shared their space out in the forest and on the mushing trail they have always respected my space and never harmed the team and I in any way. We have been followed a few times, serenaded as we pulled away from the forest, surprised a few on the trail and have seen evidence of their existence every year. With every trail, every trip into their territory we return unharmed and everyone a little bit better after our direct visit in natures wilds.

The wolves are my brothers, my sisters, not because they are majestic or so popular in today's society but because they make up such a huge part of my life. I exist with them and they exist within me, within my mind and soul...

It is the same with the moose, the bear, the fox, even the little voles we see on occasion. They are all my brothers, my sisters and we are all trying our best to survive and make the most of the life that has been given to us.

Every one of these creatures are quite intelligent, even the moose which many believe is a dumb animal. I have seen the intelligence of this species first hand and up closer than I ever imagined I would be...

But that is another story for another time... another lesson that I hold close to my heart with a sense of honor that I was chosen to be in that moment, in that space, at that time...