Stardance is a wolf, black, with yellow piercing eyes. She is the epitome of our mental picture of evil.
In actual fact she is a charming clown. When you approach, she flops on her back, paws waving, belly up for the scratching. Should you want her to go somewhere or stop something at your request she resists by flopping again, going completely limp so whatever part of her you try to touch eludes your grasp. She delights and excels in this. The only recourse is to pick her up wholesale and fling her, limp, tongue lolling in good humor, across your shoulders to carry her back to wherever you want her to go – or out of whatever mischief you have found her in. It is impossible to get mad. As you put her down she gently grasps your hand in her mouth, asking you not to leave. She could also have been named Flopover.
But she is both – an exquisite creature and wolf, and a “flopover”. Wolves, or any creature, is not well-served by a simplified, two-dimensional caricature of their ”nature”, or an application of unreasoned prejudice about black animals or piercing eyes. That should belong to the past, to medieval times of primeval fears about the nature of evil, before we had the possibility of good education that encourages careful reasoning. Facts are now available from the relatively new field of science to help us add reason and perspective to emotion. And in this case, knowledge of a specific wolf to modulate our picture.
We are particularly prone to apply prejudice when we know little about or have little direct experience of another being, in this case wolves. Even biologists, who study a species rather than an individual, may miss some crucial aspects of an animal or accord them little importance. They may not realize what a species is capable of, as expressed through an individual because that is not what they are looking at. The question determines the data found; and may give only a partial picture or a distorted view.
3 Comments
Earthfire’s Mission in Action by Pat Hager
You folks must have very highly specialized connections to wolves–and animals. I’ve never heard such expressions spoken on their behalf as is explained here–to see their individuality. That is most meaningful I’d say. It seems people see other people this way too-in groups and they are judged. This bit of news should get out worldwide so maybe people will “see” more clearly and that we can all learn to see a person as an individual, not in a “group evaluated” sense. And that animals are given their rightful respect individually. By us all.
From Ontario, Canada
Comment by Anne Johnson — October 23, 2010 @ 9:24 am
I grew up with Wolves from 5yrs old to 15, my parents breed them. Tema our female looked exactly like Stardance! Wolves are the most amazing, beautiful, loving, intelligent animals ever! I’m glad you have so many and take such good care really understanding them and caring for them!
Comment by Crystal — November 27, 2010 @ 6:12 am
Thanks for the kind words Crystal — what an extraordinary experience to be raised with wolves. You had a very special upbringing. You are blessed.
Comment by Earthfire — December 2, 2010 @ 3:29 pm