The Challenge of Meditating with Wolves
Animal Story, Animal Tales, Blog, Wolves | January 17, 2012
Sometimes when people call us in the morning they commen
t we seem rushed. This is our current early morning schedule, which starts about 7 am – we are at the moment a two-wolf two-dog cabin.
Every winter Wamaka the wolf loses the hair on his back end, loses weight and goes into depression. We just can’t leave him out in the below zero cold half naked and sad. He has to come in to the cabin for warmth, love and light. But we have learned from bitter bitter bitter experience and the cost of thousands of vet dollars that if Cucumber the wolf doesn’t come into the cabin every morning for love and treats and a dollop (small but it’s the principle) of organic heavy cream she starts to fade, droop, lose weight, go into dramatic physical decline. She used to be very clear and assertive about her annoyance when we left her out, but she is now 14 and her response is drooped patheticness. A beaten-down displaced wolf. We have learned, and paid for, the consequences. . .
Our “infirmary,” especially in winter, is our cabin living room area 15×18 feet in which we have Jean’s desk, my desk, bookshelves, a couch, a dining room table, a wood burning stove, two dogs, ferns, orchids and barely enough room in which to turn around. Cucumber has to come in every morning – no option. It’s too expensive in vet bills and psychic 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 computers, papers and plants don’t do well. Part of the cabin concrete floor is still pink from where he spilled paint last time. Also, this is Cucumber’s special, high status lair and she doesn’t tolerate anyone else. So we brought in an oversized portable cage for Wamaka to protect him from Cucumber (1/3 his size but she is fierce) and the cabin from Wamaka. We made it into a cozy nest for him.
Our mornings consist of putting Talkeenta the malamute out in the Wildlife Garden (she is a runaway and can’t be let loose), because Cucumber sees her as competition and wants to do her in. Because Wamaka has a jaw deformity and can’t eat easily he gets crazy around food. So we put Wamaka out in the enclosure back of the cabin with a treat, and prepare Cucumber’s special breakfast: high quality dog food (she can’t digest raw meat any more) mixed with Joint Aid, protein powder, digestive enzymes and salmon oil, and bring her in. Or rather we let her out of her enclosure and she races to the cabin, slams open the door and is into her breakfast so fast you see only a blur. Jean and I have a standing joke: “Did you see a wolf come in?” “No. Whatever it was it was too fast.” Or “Oh my god there’s a wolf in the cabin!”
Once she has wolfed down her breakfast, had her cream and been properly greeted and petted, I take her out and distract her while Jean brings Wamaka back in. Once he is safely ensconced in the cage and settled to his satisfaction we bring Cucumber back in to join us in our morning meditation. She insists on it – has for the past two years. She has taken over from where Stardance the wolf started us on our meditations u
ntil she passed away two Novembers ago. All this time Boychuk our German shepherd whom all the animals love is sleeping peacefully on a mound of cushions under the table. His presence is a reassurance to all our animals, from wolf to bear, keeping them calm (er). We can’t leave Wamaka alone in the cabin even in his pen. He would destroy it, tear it apart, and let himself out into the cabin; then start tearing the cabin apart in his attempt to find companionship. So poor Boychuk is sacrificed as babysitter.
Figuring out all these arrangements took a while. At first we didn’t know if Cucumber would attack Wamaka. She wasn’t happy about the intrusion and for several days circled his pen menacingly, stalking, prowling, patrolling, letting him know who was boss, making herself very large on tippy toes. There is only perhaps a foot of space between the table and the pen where she manages to squeeze herself through on her patrol emanating domination from every pore.
It took a few weeks for things to settle down. Eventually the arrangement was accepted – as long as it was very clear that Cucumber was top wolf and #1 special wolf and Wamaka stayed in his pen. After properly dominating Wamaka she eventually settles herself under the table near Boychuk. We have to push the pen with Wamaka in it toward Jean’s desk to make enough room for Jean to sit so we can meditate. When we signal the beginning of the meditation by ringing the Tibetan singing bowl Cucumber gets up and begins to circle us several times, pushes her nose vigorously into Jean’s armpit as she goes around, then lays down peacefully under the table, joining Boychuk, her paws or head on his paws in loving companionship.
Finally, things settle down. Wamaka curls comfortably in his pen. A deep peace reigns. There is a sense of enjoyment from all the living beings around us including us. We invite in all the spirits of the animals and trees and land around us.
We signal the end of the meditation with the singing bowl. Cucumber rouses herself, gets up and circles us again several times, pushing her nose again into Jean’s armpit or my lap, giving quick little licks as she passes around us. This is her ritual- she developed it and does it absolutely without fail. Then she gets her second breakfast, we put her back out, and bring Talkeetna back in. Another story. . .
So now what? Wamaka is positively delighted with the new arrangement, and has settled in as if it were permanent. If we put him back out we fear he will go into depression. Perhaps not as intensely as Cucumber, a highly emotional wolf where it basically turns into a matter of life or death if she comes in or not, but still, if you “promise” in effect, something really important and then take away it can have a major impact. On humans too. And now Uintah, Cucumber’s companion, howls mournfully, longingly, aching, when Cucumber comes in and leaves him alone. He needs special attention too, after nearly having died as well. How do we manage three wolves? Or five wolves?
By now it is usually 8:30 in the morning and we need to start the day. . .
Healing Animal Voices by Rose De Dan
I just wanted to say what a wonderful story this is. You are doing such a superb job. It sounds as though you need some more indoor space! Thank heavens you understand the animals’ needs so well and love them so much. So now it’s making sure Uintah spends enough quality time with Cucumber. How do you ever manage to have a life of your own? with much love and thanks for all you are doing for these wonderful creatures x
Comment by Veronica Potts — January 19, 2012 @ 5:10 am
What a lovely, loving story. The wolves are so blessed to have you in their lives. I companion others on their spiritual paths and was so touched by your meditation – how you invite the spirits of the trees, animals, land – I would so love to meditate with you! I will do so in my imagination.
Thank you for your beautiful work. I hope to meet you some day.
Comment by nancy cannon — January 19, 2012 @ 10:46 am
No wonder you’re “a little rushed” when the phone calls start coming. Understandable. I love the description of how the wolves trained you and how it took awhile. They are very patient with us, aren’t they? And how you showed them the ritual of the bowl, enhancing their firm grasp of meditation. Boychuck is a Boddisatva, no doubt. Thank you so much for creating this place for them and the world. I miss you all very much.
Comment by Caitlin — January 19, 2012 @ 11:25 am
Susan thank you for sharing your story regarding meditating with the wolves and describing the routine and rituals you and Jean must go through every morning. I love the picture of you and Cucumber. Please give her a hug for me.
Many blessings to you, Jean and all the animals.
Comment by Cathy — January 19, 2012 @ 3:57 pm
Susan,
you have such a wonderful way of making us feel that we are with you participating in these magic moments. I had the honor of meeting Cucumber at the first ‘Walk on the Wild Side’ and just have a funny mental picture of her trying to make herself bigger. Thank you for sharing with us.
Comment by kathy dunn — January 19, 2012 @ 7:25 pm
I love your stories! You have a way of bringing me right into your midst with a smile! Thank you!
Comment by Nicola Karesh — January 19, 2012 @ 10:40 pm
Susan, you are such a gift of Spirit! There are so few who advocate for our animal brothers and sisters, but you and Jean are creating some daily with your modeling behavior. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and soul.
Larry is computer illiterate, but he would like to talk with you about your memorial garden; he has some ideas. Can you email me a time and day he might call you and discuss his vision? It is so interesting that he only came to Penelope’s workshop because I was going, but he was captured by you and your interest in his art.
Comment by Elaine Livingston — January 19, 2012 @ 11:56 pm
Well actually, Veronica, we don’t manage to have a life of our own – that IS our life! And yes – Uintah is the next “issue”. . . we have been brainstorming on how to bring him in.
Comment by Earthfire — January 20, 2012 @ 4:58 pm
Susan, your stories are a treasure. Over the years, you have refined your writing style and opened your heart, mind, and life so gracefully to share with us all. Thank you.
Comment by Penelope Smith — February 6, 2012 @ 2:19 pm
Great blog article. Fantastic.
Comment by Raul Six — February 7, 2012 @ 12:51 am
[...] want to. He had adapted just fine to the attention and warmth and being in the center of things. He and Cucumber had reached an accommodation. He loved the meditations. He had fallen in love with Talkeetna who came in each after Cucumber [...]
Pingback by Earthfire Institute » A GMO Fox? — February 17, 2012 @ 10:12 pm
I could substitute the names of the wolves in this story with the names of several of my cats. I spend a minimum of 2 hours setting up feeding stations inside our home knowing only certain cats can/will eat together, some need loving attention before they’ll touch their food even though they are very hungry, and others need extended eye-to-eye silent communication yet others need the verbal connection. Then there are those that need to venture out into the woods at the back of our house (safely contained inside a Purr-Fect fenced area) where their natural feline instincts kick in to climb, run, stalk, and threaten the quirrels who know the cats won’t harm them. It’s a woodland ballet. After connecting with their natural spirit in the woods, those few will come in and need to eat but they will only eat at certain parts of the kitchen/sun room. LOL I love the dance of pleasing each of them – and pleasing myself knowing we’re communicating our needs to one another. Bless you for caring for the animals you have at Earthfire Institute! One day, one day, I hope to visit.
Comment by Jessicfwa — May 11, 2012 @ 6:49 pm
How blessed you are to have such a dilemma! I am sooo looking forward to joining you in June and meeting these wonderful souls you speak so lovingly of. Becoming one with the animals is the best kind of way to be.
Blessings…….Maxine
Comment by Maxine — May 14, 2013 @ 11:01 pm
I love this story ~ I go through a similar ritual here in Brush Prairie, WA with all the feral neighborhood cats. We have four indoor cats, all rescues. Two old ladies, 14 and 15 yrs of age,Boo-kitty and Sweet Alice, whom I’ve had for 11 years and two young boys, now 5 yrs of age, Oscar and Felix. There are currently six outdoor kitties, that I juggle with beds and food (also several raccoons and possums ~ whom I feed, not shelter). One kitty, Judy Blue Eyes, has been de-clawed and cannot hunt or defend herself well, so she has a special place on our back porch, up on a table, under a huge umbrella, where I’ve put a heating pad under her kitty bed. The others, Thumblina or Mistletoes (her little front paws are white and look like she has mittens on, complete with opposable thumbs), Mr. Tumnas ( a huge, magnificent orange Tomcat), Cleo, George and Butter Pecan. I’ve set up beds for them on the front porch, where I sit on my bench to read, meditate and smoke my pipe. I’ve created two shelters out of large covered cat litter boxes with cozy beds inside to protect them from the rain, snow and wind, where the roof line doesn’t quite cover. Under the roof line there are sweet, soft beds with layers of blankets underneath to pad the concrete, which gets icy cold. I’d love to attach some photos, but not quite sure how to do this here.
In Gratitude for all that you and Jean do ~
Jill Brady ??~
Comment by Jill Brady — May 18, 2013 @ 1:35 pm