Wolves Like Massages Too
Animal Story, Animal Tales, Blog, Wolves | March 16, 2011
Midnight Journey is a big and extra-intense, extra high energy wolf; rangy, long legged and active. His emotions are filtered through a strong masculinity and dignity – he does not wear them on his sleeve, entirely unlike that passionate little wolf Cucumber for example. He is go go go go go go go, looking about, looking for food; restless unless he is moving, searching . . . exploring. He is so handsome that he was selected to be in a photo shoot. We are glad for these opportunities as they help feed the animals.
The set up took forever from our point of view and even longer from Midnight’s. Wolves are not the most patient beings and he was pacing back and forth in frustration as Chimayo, the other excellent wolf on the shoot, was getting treats, a lot of them, and he saw Ev-er-y- One – Of – Them. To ease him I started to massage him … inside his ear, back of his ears, back of his neck, down his spine to his hips and lower back and then up again, feeling each vertebrae as I went, taking my time to dig in just so, feeling where there was tension and just enjoying his wolfness. That big restless wolf with enormous pent-up energy, with strangers doing strange things with lights and cables and things and another wolf getting treats…. this wolf suddenly stood still, got an inner look in his eyes, quieted, then melted into the massage. Just melted. He turned his head just like a dog does when you get the best spot on his rump, communicating to me through his body just where to stay longer. Go deeper. For 15 minutes I massaged him and for 15 minutes he stayed stock still, melting against me, receiving the sensations. It wasn’t just the massage he was enjoying – he was sucking in the attention. As I mentioned, he does not wear his heart on his sleeve, but in his own dignified removed masculine way he accepted and (dare I say) loved it.
I like working with photo crews because it is an opportunity to show people who often know nothing about wolves, something beyond the clichés. The wolves do the teaching, by who they are and their unexpected sweetness and responsiveness, their usual state when they feel safe. One of the crew looked over wonderingly and said “He is really enjoying that!” A wolf, enjoying, accepting, a massage from a human … allowing it to calm and reassure him … more effective in changing minds and hearts than lectures about their habits and nature; than the philosophy that they have a right to live; than the fact that they are vital in the ecosystem, important and true though all those are. If only decision makers could see their unexpected sweetness and responsiveness; their intense enjoyment of life, their fear and vulnerability, their grief … I keep hoping we will reach a tipping point of numbers of people who value them so we can create a more humane policy.
I was invited to dinner the other night and the guests next seated next to me turned out to be a hunting guide. He was a nice man. We were talking about wolves and I described how they rolled over for tummy rubs. He said “really???” in astonishment. Obviously that aspect of wolves had never occurred to him. He just saw them as two dimensional; as fierce predators and rivals for his prey, the elk. I wish he could have been there. It just never occurred to him before that they are living feeling beings. He never had to a opportunity to meet them that way, and it might have changed his mind.
Nomad Lives by Jennifer Sauer
…as a massage therapist for over 22yrs now, and having “loved-on” every animal i have ever been able to get my hands on my entire lifetime…i have never found a single living creature that didn’t respond to love…
i admire your mission and the animals there,
much love…
Comment by Tess — March 17, 2011 @ 8:41 pm
If you want to get on the good side of a bird, don’t pet it (they hate hands coming in overhead, like a hawk) but rather groom its vent feathers.
They get dingleberries and new feather-shafts there, and they can’t reach them. If you want to see a bird’s equivalent of the dog’s leg-jerking, or the wolf’s trance, scratch a bird’s vent. I have made a lot of chicken friends that way. I bet it will work for hawks and owls too.
Comment by Katha Sheehan — March 18, 2011 @ 8:11 am
I am so grateful that you are publishing the stories about the animals. To see, hear, & feel the God in all things, the sacredness of all life is the truth of how to be. Thank you for this thread of connection that reaches out all around the world. May you know that you are making a difference in a good way, in a beauty way.
Comment by Shanimah — March 18, 2011 @ 10:35 am
It was good to read your little anecdote about the hunter who listened to your story about how wolves roll over for tummy rubs. More hunters and more people detached from wild life (politicians, consumers, parents and their children) must hear many more such stories. There are plenty to be told.
Lately, I have thought that people who care and respect animals may be the only ones that read these types of stories. But how do we get such stories told or published in hunter magazines or in any other magazines that are consumed in mass by the general public? It is the general public that need the exposure of such stories so that they are given opportunities to reflect and hopefully change how they think about animals.
I hope to visit Earthfire in the near future!
Comment by Cecilia — March 18, 2011 @ 2:40 pm
Thank you for caring for such magnificent creatures are for working so hard to get the message out that wolves are special creatures and they deserve to be here as much as we do. I know in Idaho it’s much like my home state of Montana. There’s a lot of old stagnant beliefs about wolves and the common solution is to hunt them. So sad!
Thanks again, Carol
http://www.creatorscreatures.blogspot.com
Comment by Carol — March 18, 2011 @ 3:15 pm
What a beautiful story beautifully told.
I compliment you on the simplicity and directness of your writing style. Thank you.
Comment by Connie Glavin — March 18, 2011 @ 8:11 pm
Another beautiful story Susan. Like the comment of Cecelia above, I wish your tales reached a wider audience; I’m doing my small part by telling as many people as I can about Earthfire. About your story- what a privilege (hard-won, I know) to be able to massage a wolf. All life needs love, as you so often say Susan, wild animals are so different when they feel safe and loved. Even just looking at my little cat, she is a totally different being depending on whether she feels secure or afraid.
One last thought: what perfect beings animals are, every hair/scale/feather on them is laid out in perfection (stare for a while at a cat or dog’s face)- how can we treat the animals of this planet so badly in our “need” for entertainment, medical research, sport, food? it makes me cry. Thank you all at Earthfire for the work you do.
Myles Maloney, Edmonton, Canada
Comment by Myles Maloney — March 19, 2011 @ 2:38 pm
Thank you for this story, showing how wolves are sensitive to human touch, our gentleness, our attention, just like any other animal on this Earth. We are all living beings and deserve the same respect.
Comment by Kathy @nativegardener — March 19, 2011 @ 2:47 pm
I so enjoy reading your stories of the animals they are so moving and heartwarming. The work you do is wonderful and I’m sure so rewarding. I volunteer at weekends at a wildlife hospital in the UK and really hope to be able to visit Earthfire one day. Thank you for everything you do for the animals. Judy Webber
Comment by Judy Webber — April 22, 2011 @ 3:05 am