Comments on: Wamaka http://earthfireinstitute.org/2009/11/wamaka/ Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:00:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Earthfire Institute » The Challenge of Meditating with Wolves http://earthfireinstitute.org/2009/11/wamaka/comment-page-1/#comment-47849 Earthfire Institute » The Challenge of Meditating with Wolves Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:15:27 +0000 http://earthfireinstitute.org/?p=428#comment-47849 [...] toll otherwise. Wamaka has to come in. But Wamaka is a very big and somewhat rambunctious wolf and, from past experience, known for leaping on desks and table tops as if he is made only of air and huge paws, and the [...] [...] toll otherwise. Wamaka has to come in. But Wamaka is a very big and somewhat rambunctious wolf and, from past experience, known for leaping on desks and table tops as if he is made only of air and huge paws, and the [...]

]]> By: Connie Eastman http://earthfireinstitute.org/2009/11/wamaka/comment-page-1/#comment-1041 Connie Eastman Tue, 01 Mar 2011 01:04:35 +0000 http://earthfireinstitute.org/?p=428#comment-1041 I will not forget, for as long as I live, when Wamaka walked up to me as we were all seated with our backs to the middle of the circle. I wondered if I should be afraid as he came to me,but I didn't move. Without hesitation he met me eye to eye and licked me three times on the left side of my face. I was Giddy, and overwhelmed with honor. "See,Connie, you are loved." Penelope said to me that night. It still brings tears to my eyes. Isn't this what it is all about-loving and caring for each other? I will not forget, for as long as I live, when Wamaka walked up to me as we were all seated with our backs to the middle of the circle. I wondered if I should be afraid as he came to me,but I didn’t move. Without hesitation he met me eye to eye and licked me three times on the left side of my face. I was Giddy, and overwhelmed with honor. “See,Connie, you are loved.” Penelope said to me that night. It still brings tears to my eyes. Isn’t this what it is all about-loving and caring for each other?

]]> By: Anne Johnson http://earthfireinstitute.org/2009/11/wamaka/comment-page-1/#comment-905 Anne Johnson Sat, 23 Oct 2010 12:55:46 +0000 http://earthfireinstitute.org/?p=428#comment-905 I love that expression, "joyous destruction". It would be interesting to know her age now. Also it would be interesting to know just how they arrive--like do they hobble in on their own or does someone bring them in or through ads in the paper or magazine. Its surprising to me that animals run into such problems. Its a bit disheartening I'd say. I previously thought they were all just perfectly made and lived out their lives. I knew the odd one might have handicaps or some type of limitation but not as many as they actually do. It's the cutest thing to see a wolf right in the house. Each is special in its own way I guess just as people are..... From Ontario, Canada I love that expression, “joyous destruction”. It would be interesting to know her age now. Also it would be interesting to know just how they arrive–like do they hobble in on their own or does someone bring them in or through ads in the paper or magazine. Its surprising to me that animals run into such problems. Its a bit disheartening I’d say. I previously thought they were all just perfectly made and lived out their lives. I knew the odd one might have handicaps or some type of limitation but not as many as they actually do. It’s the cutest thing to see a wolf right in the house. Each is special in its own way I guess just as people are…..
From Ontario, Canada

]]> By: Connie Glavin http://earthfireinstitute.org/2009/11/wamaka/comment-page-1/#comment-856 Connie Glavin Sun, 26 Sep 2010 13:48:22 +0000 http://earthfireinstitute.org/?p=428#comment-856 I do volunteer work at our local humane society and one of my trainees (we do obedience training for our shelter dogs to make them more adoptable) had a jaw defect which hindered him from eating certain foods but it was nothing like you describe for Wamaka. When I was with my trainee, I would think of the Japanese artistic concept of WABI-SABI which refers to the glory of imperfection and I would bless that little dog by glorying in his imperfection and expressing gratitude for it because it was HIS glorious imperfection which evoked a deep-seated willingness in others to reach out in unexpected ways with unexpected emotion. No, it is not a simple problem for Wamaka or the caregivers but it is rich in blessings as it is embraced and, in a strange way, acknowledged for its positive contribution to our humanity. I do volunteer work at our local humane society and one of my trainees (we do obedience training for our shelter dogs to make them more adoptable) had a jaw defect which hindered him from eating certain foods but it was nothing like you describe for Wamaka.

When I was with my trainee, I would think of the Japanese artistic concept of WABI-SABI which refers to the glory of imperfection and I would bless that little dog by glorying in his imperfection and expressing gratitude for it because it was HIS glorious imperfection which evoked a deep-seated willingness in others to reach out in unexpected ways with unexpected emotion.

No, it is not a simple problem for Wamaka or the caregivers but it is rich in blessings as it is embraced and, in a strange way, acknowledged for its positive contribution to our humanity.

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