Uintah: The Transformation of a Wolf, Part 1
Animal Story, Animal Tales, Blog, Medical Journal, Wellness & Spirtuality, Wolves | October 16, 2011
Uintah in the Wildlife Garden. (C) Earthfire
We were never able to handle Uintah. We couldn’t overcome the hard wiring of fear of humans. Some wolves have it more than others.
He was afraid. He was afraid of humans; afraid of being touched; afraid of any fast movement, especially afraid of having a leash put on him, and despite all our efforts he remained that way. We asked an animal communicator if perhaps she could find a way to connect with him. She said he got a glimmering that humans might be a source of companionship – that had never occurred to him before. But whether that glimmer was too brief; or that through the unhappy reality of not having enough time to take advantage of that brief opening, I don’t know, but between his reasons and ours there was no change in his behavior.
This went on for several unsatisfactory years. He lived with Cucumber, that determined self-transformed little wolf with a huge spirit. We hoped that her change from fearful, to outgoing (for a wolf) would influence him. It didn’t but he loved her and howled for her whenever she came in the house (her personally earned right, from her perspective). The only other connection that lonely wolf had was Boychuk, our German Shepherd, whom he adored. But Boychuk wasn’t actually that interested in Uintah. Seeing him trying to get Boychuk to come visit always made me sad.
Then one evening Jean called me …Uintah seemed to be colicking. His belly was swollen and he was obviously in severe distress. Colic is a veterinary emergency in any animal. You have only a few hours before it is fatal. How to get him into a crate and drive the 16 miles to Jane, the vet on emergency call? With the help of Boychuk we managed.
Uintah, fresh from the emergency vet visit and into the office. (c) Earthfire.
We were at the vet late into the night as Jane tried to diagnose him without success. She called in a sonogram specialist to help. The specialist kept saying “I’ve never seen anything like this,” until I thought I would scream. His stomach was so distended that it squeezed all the surrounding organs against his ribs, blocking off blood flow to his heart and brain. He began to have violent seizures. Jane finally passed a tube down his throat and instead of gas, out came pints and pints of liquid. That relieved the pressure and later that night we were able to bring him home, though with no answers as to what was caused the problem or if it would happen again.
Because he was so ill we wanted to keep him warm. Our cabin was currently occupied by a shy coyote with a broken leg so the only other option was the office. He entered without much fuss. He was exhausted and the medication against the seizures made him pretty out of it. Boychuk helped babysit him through the night, keeping him calm.
Uintah beginning to relax in the office. (c) Earthfire
In the morning, I called my staff to warn them that there would be a wolf in the office. It was Marie’s first day of work and I felt it only fair to tell her she didn’t have to come in. Then we then brought in Cucumber to help ease him. His whole limited world was now with him – Cucumber and Boychuk. We hoped their being totally relaxed would give him a point of reference about the danger level.
Marie arrived at 9 am, slowly opened the door, went to the desk and quietly started to work. As the morning progressed and Uintah began to feel better, to our utter surprise, he started to tentatively explore the office, with what I can best describe as the feel of a kid in a candy store. His life had been so circumscribed because of his fear that he had been exposed to very little. He explored with a combination of curiosity, fascination with this new world, and caution. He accepted the presence of Marie. When I finally thought about a camera I was able to get a little of his reaction on film. You can see the sense of dawning aliveness.
Something had shifted in him. Perhaps the original message from years ago along with the fact that when he was most vulnerable and helpless we were there for him and he was safe. All I can say is that there was a dramatic shift. Though skittish about it, he actually allowed me to stroke him all over. He clearly enjoyed the contact, though it was a bit much for him and it could only be a few moments at a time. But it was astonishing.
Jill's first moments with the reluctantly reluctant Uintah. (c) Earthfire
The next evening I had dinner with Jill, the energy healer who had helped Apricot, a wolf with neurological symptoms from having had distemper in her brain. I mentioned the puzzle of Uintah. Jill’s specialty is paralyzed human nervous systems, and her immediate reaction was “it’s the vagus nerve.” She explained that the nerve ennervates the stomach muscles, making them contract. She guessed that for some reason it had apparently stopped sending signals to the stomach, thus it stopped moving and that might be one reason it filled with fluid. She also said that the vagus nerve runs from the brain through the heart to the digestion and in her understanding, is associated with the emotion of feeling connected and cared for.
Because western medicine could give no cause, we didn’t know if or when it could happen again. I asked Jill if she would work on him from her alternative healing framework.
She entered the enclosure with Jean. Cucumber and Boychuk were in there to calm him and Jean did the magic thing he somehow does whenever he takes an animal to the vet - he goes into a state where his presence reassures them.
Uintah finally giving in to Jill's healing touch. (c) Earthfire
Gradually, Uintah accepted Jill’s hands on him. Slowly, slowly, he began to relax as she gently sent information to calm and connect up the nerve with the stomach, and from her point of view, address the emotional lack of connection as well. He was sitting on top of his box bolt upright as she worked. You could see him fighting the relaxation as his self preservation instincts kicked in – he would not let himself lie down. But you could see also see the relaxation taking him over more and more deeply. Any of you who have had energy work and suddenly startle awake as if not knowing where you were going and coming back for momentary reassurance that you are still embodied, can understand what we saw as he would relax, then jerk awake, relax, then jerk awake. But Jill kept patiently at it and gradually he succumbed to a deep trance. While still sitting! Survival runs deep in a wolf.
For 45 minutes Jill worked on him, moving her hands around his head, neck and stomach as she felt the flow, he allowing her to move her hands wherever they needed to go, obviously enjoying it. It was stunning.
Part Two: So far Uintah’s stomach has been working well and he is alive and vibrant, thriving on the extra care. The next step in his amazing transformation came when we held a retreat the following weekend. But that is another story. Stay tuned!
Nomad Lives by Jennifer Sauer
I cannot wait to hear the second part of the story!
Earthfire is a place of miracles.
Comment by Hannah — October 17, 2011 @ 6:21 am
I hope to one day make the trek from Ontario to your magickal place to connect with all those animals I hold dear and those that have yet to connect with me. Such wonderful work that you do. I am awed.
Comment by Ing — October 17, 2011 @ 7:18 am
Yet another story of your amazing dedication. How wonderful to see his progress, you really are wonderful. One day I will make the journey to your very special centre. I will watch for Unitah’s progress report. Judy
Comment by Judy Webber — October 17, 2011 @ 8:39 am
Thankyou God for friends of yours that care so deeply for your creatures…haveing said that…I love what you do for these beautiful beings…God bless you and your wonderful work…thankyou for the stories and I will love to read the rest of this story…Thankyou agian…
Comment by Jane — October 17, 2011 @ 8:54 am
I felt deeply touched by this story! Thanks for the pictures, too.
The last picture, showing Uintah in surrender, really moved me.
Like Ing, I also hope to make it one day to your wonderful place.
Yes, great work that you do!
Blessings, Verena (Austria)
Comment by Verena — October 17, 2011 @ 9:12 am
Indeed, a deeply touching story and set of eloquent pictures, with many lessons ..
So few people would keep such a deeply troubled and troubling animal, say nothing of going to such trouble to save him from a natural death. It doesn’t surprise me that that depth of love and caring could help break through his strongest barriers and help teach us all the power of that love and patience.
It is also a good lesson that it was Jill, the energy healer, who also could give a scientific explanation of this very strange phenomenon of the stomach full of liquid — moving back and forth between two world views as she worked to help the healing at multiple levels, reinforced by all of you to reach where she had been unable to go alone before this trauma.
Comment by Betty Kutter — October 17, 2011 @ 9:38 am
So happy to read that Uintah is getting better, thanks so much for sharing this story. This story also validates that energy medicine can help us and our animal friends to heal. much love, light and many blessings to you and all the annimals
Comment by Cathy — October 17, 2011 @ 10:26 am
Well, I sat at my computer in floods of tears! One of the the most moving tales I have ever heard. I am looking forward to part 2!
I am an ‘apprentice’ animal communicator and animal/human healer. Animals have so much to show us, they are my teachers, and I am frequently in awe of the wisdom I hear from them.
God bless you Uintah.
Comment by Gillian — October 17, 2011 @ 11:36 am
I can only echo the other beautiful comments… thank you for sharing this heartwarming story and I, too, look forward to part 2. Love, light, healing and balance to you and all of the amazing beings in your life.
Comment by Maureen — October 17, 2011 @ 11:36 am
I have seen that look on animals after energy work before but not a wild one. You captured it perfectly. Thank you for the cleansing tears.
Love,
Comment by Caitlin — October 17, 2011 @ 11:40 am
What a wonderfully beautiful and moving story! Hearing about and seeing Uintah ‘surrender’ gives hope that we can all let down our guard and accept the healing energy that is really all around us. Love to you all,
Comment by Diane — October 17, 2011 @ 11:49 am
This is such a beautiful story. Prayers for continued emotional and physical healing. We have a rescued wolfdog that was basically tied on a rope to die as his owner had many problems. Dogger was very anti social and had life threatening medical problems. He quickly bonded with me. He liked my husband but would absolutely not allow my husband to unsnap his leash and he would not allow my husband to scratch his belly. I had to go on a trip and we made it easy for my husband to get his food in and out of the enclosure. I had no choice but to leave a short leash hooked to his collar so my husband could handle him. The. Breakthrough came one day when my husband sat beside Dogger and shared about how much he missed our Grizzy, our wolfer who had lost his battle with cancer. My husband told Dogger how much he reminded us of Grizzy. Dogger put his head under my husbands hand and their relationship totally changed that day. Animals know more than most would ever admit. We have another rescued wolfer named Lobo. One night we were sitting in our favorite grassy area after dark. My husband was out of town, at a funeral. Lobo was gazing up at the sky and it went on so long that I started snapping pictures with my phone because he was acting so odd. In one of the pictures there is a beam of light, bathing his face, from the eastern sky. Thank you for letting me share and I just love reading your wonderful stories about the wonderful things we can all learn from God’s creation!!
Comment by catherine — October 17, 2011 @ 11:51 am
WOW!!! What else can one say that has not already been said by the previous comments. The work that you do with animals is beyond wonderful. You are a miracle of God’s hands to animals. I praise you for ALL you do for our friends in the animal world. I am especially attracted to wolves for some reason. They are a magnificent creature. Uintah is a beautiful specimen of God’s creation. I look forward to hear part 2 of his progress. And from my heart I thank you for the work you do with our brothers of nature.
Comment by Dennis — October 17, 2011 @ 12:28 pm
I was just missing your email when i opened my mail & was so happy to receive this. I felt the reactions, as tears fall down my face, as I read. I give much Thanks to the Creator for your sactuary and all the animals that are there. Uintah has transformed and he shows his beauty. Trust is earned threw love, even for animals that read energy. Thank-you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Your Blessings are many and many you all have many more!
Comment by Rev. Cindy Norlinger Spirit Hawk — October 17, 2011 @ 12:32 pm
Love how energy works! We are energy beings! Blessings to Uintah and all you do at Earthfire –
Comment by Nancy — October 17, 2011 @ 1:18 pm
How touching. Tears welled up reading this. I hold much gratitude to you all for the TRUTH that you bringing forth. Looking forward to the update and all the news which I always enjoy reading. One day, I will make the trip.
Comment by Susan McCauley — October 17, 2011 @ 1:26 pm
I so love the healing touch and response of this dear Wolf–much loving energy to fully experience. Thank you!!!
Comment by Marilyn — October 17, 2011 @ 4:19 pm
such love. thanks for sharing, and i look forward to part 2 of the story!
Comment by Susan — October 17, 2011 @ 11:22 pm
this also reminds me, a bit, of the day i finally bonded with my cat, jacko. i had rescued jacko a couple of years earlier, and while he was appreciative, affectionate and loving, there was still a barrier between us.
then, during a routine vet visit, i offered him what i always offer: to wait in the carrier, in the room, or on my lap before the vet entered the room. for the first time, he chose my lap over the carrier. while he shivered and “blew fur,” i held him, talked to him and reassured him he was very loved, and safe.
i noticed a change in him that very day (or was it in both of us), and our bond has remained very strong. he’s a love bug.
Comment by Susan — October 17, 2011 @ 11:34 pm
What a wonderful gift! God Bless Uintah and to her healers. May this dear wolf find peace and give in to the love that you are all showing. xoxoxo What a wonderful story.
Comment by Robin Bush — October 18, 2011 @ 2:49 am
I just wanted to say that I found this story AMAZING. I only stumbled upon Earthfire Institute on Facebook, but am Very glad that I have. I am entranced by wildlife, Wolves in particular, and am astounded with the things you are doing there. I hope one day to be able to visit and see first hands, the WONDERFUL things you are doing for all your animals!!!
AWOOOOOOO!!!!
Comment by Raymond Hay — December 28, 2011 @ 9:00 pm