Blog, Wolves | July 15, 2010
Perhaps because of relentless hunting, wolves are extraordinarily hardwired for fear. If you are not able to bond with them very early, a window is closed and humans are forever something to be scared of. Some wolves seem to be extra hardwired for fear and there is little you can do even if you do get them early.
In the case of Uinta, we didn’t get him early, and he was by nature an especially fearful wolf. He was presented to us as a high content wolf hybrid but his behavior was all wolf. He was unbonded, untrusting, and unhandlable.
Seeing him day after day, in fear; unable to run free because we were unable to get him to the Garden was a constant ache for us. Unwilling to see him consigned to a life in his enclosure, we decided to try something radical. We would tranquilize him, always a risk in a panicky animal - their fear pumps the adrenalin counteracting the drug if one gives too much trying to overcome it and they could die. Once down, we would put a short chain around his neck. That would give him a chance to get used to it and adjust himself to the feel, the drag, the sound of it, thus reducing some of the overwhelming stimuli when it came time to move him. Then when appropriate, we would clip on a longer chain with which we could walk him to the Garden.
We consulted with our vet for the best medication and dosage given the situation and his temperament and used a tranquilizer gun to give the medication. Finally we were able to fasten the chain.
He woke up and predictably panicked but as he wasn’t restricted by it, over the days we could see him adapting to it and easing. When the time felt right we entered and fastened a long chain to the short one. Enough for one day. We took it off and let him digest what happened – that in fact he lived and was unharmed. After several days of this we brought out his companion, Cucumber the self-styled House Wolf (see story). He adores her and we hoped her total trust in us would give him courage. I stood outside the enclosure with Cucumber while Jean put on the long chain and went out the gate. Utter panic. Four paws pushing frantically back against the gate and a tug of the chain. Suddenly, a great leap through and he was out! And – wonder of wonders - relatively calm. He sort of walked, with fits and starts and startled leaps, following Cucumber as she happily trotted towards the Garden. Then another gate. Cucumber jumped through and waited on the other side eager to be let free, but she had a job to do - she needed to stay near to let Uinta know it wasn’t a trap. More chaos, panic, Jean entering the gate with a leaping twisting panicked wolf behind him saying NEVER!! Then with a great leap he was in! And immediately in a state of wonder. It was as if he had suddenly entered another planet - one with soft, moist green grass; trees waving gently in the breeze, and freedom to run. There was such a look of amazement and joy on his face that I spontaneously started to cry. It was unbelievably poignant and beautiful. Cucumber raced around the Garden and he, despite the macho animal he was, looked to her for guidance in this new world as he explored, bit by wondering bit, getting into it more and more.
The next day there was a profound change in him. There was a light in his eye that was dramatically noticeable. There was a spring in his step and he was warmer towards us. I would like to report that it has gotten easier with time but it is sporadic. Some days it is relatively ok, and other days we have to leave it. But once out, he walks as if he had always walked on a leash, and once through the Garden gate there is sheer beauty and graceful running and unbounded joy. We will stick with it until the whole process is pleasurable for him. We will share the video with you when we get there.
Wolves | May 18, 2010
She was in her 17th year. We brought her in to our cabin several months ago to winter with us because she was so old and winter was so cold. She looked like she was pretty much done with life and we expected her to pass on in a matter of days, or a week or two. That was 5 1/2 months ago.
After a few days indoors she apparently began to trust that these were her new, luxurious living quarters and that life was good. She perked up. She explored. She ate with great interest (we must admit that we did feed her the tenderest juiciest morsels of a variety of treats). She took long, long naps ensconced on several layers of soft blankets on a heated floor. When she woke and struggled to her feet, her nose led her directly to the kitchen and the refrigerator. She was very surprisingly quick for someone who could barely walk, see or hear. Unless, of course, she wanted to … Several times when I opened the refrigerator, a roast was snatched before I could catch her and it was quite a big deal to get it back. A lot of determination.
We put her out for a few hours each day to get fresh air and she soon learned her way to the pen and back – mostly back. Then she began to discover that as we guided her back and forth, if she wandered a bit, we indulged her and she began to take advantage of it. Because she couldn’t exactly wander fast or far, or do much damage to anything, we were able to give her a freedom not possible when she was more mobile and alert. She took to wandering all over the ranch, we keeping an anxious eye to retrieve her in case she got into trouble as she was a bit “Alzheimerish”. Her very favorite wander was to the chicken run where she would stand on her rickety legs for hours watching wolf television.
All the indoor animals respected her age. Boychuk the German Shepherd; Talkeetna the malemute who took to giving her little licks on the nose, and even Cucumber the Bad Little House Wolf who had moved in two years ago and refused to leave. She would gladly have done in Talkeetna as a rival female, but was patient and accepting with Windsong. It was partly her age, but also because Windsong had always been a gentle soul. Not something to be said of Cucumber for example!
She settled smack in the center of the living room and into the center of everything, making it very clear that she had no intention of ever spending the night in the roomy cage we had placed there for her. She was stubborn in her old age. Very stubborn. She developed a look I have seen in elderly humans – a sort of not-to-be-deterred will as they wander their homes, cane like a warrior weapon, determined to get everything they can out of life. Some older beings get spiritual, some concentrate on eating and bodily comforts. That was clearly where Windsong was focused. I don’t mean to imply that there was little spiritual life – just that the focus in her old age was clearly physical enjoyment – she was going to get everything she could out of this unexpected windfall, and thoroughly enjoy all physical pleasure available to her during her last days on earth.
She left three days ago, unexpectedly. We got used to the idea of her wandering around so long that on some level we believed this was the way it would always be, fluffing her blankets, feeding her treats, retrieving her from corners of the property. Her energy is still here, but there is a void …
Windsong was Earthfire’s sister, one of a litter of seven that moved me; directed me, to found the Institute. No more will she raise her muzzle and sing to the winds of the earth. But we have these lovely images of her running and playing with her six brothers and sisters who left before her, the full pack once again reunited in joy. And we have Earthfire Institute to honor her and carry her voice onward to any humans willing to listen, be moved, enriched.
Animal Story, Blog, Earthfire Stories, Wolves | April 27, 2010
Watch this video of amazing healing sessions between humans and a resident wolf with a neurological disorder. One of many interactions at Earthfire Institute that deepens our understanding and connection with wildlife.
Deceased, Wellness & Spirtuality, Wolves | March 23, 2010
This is the story of Thunder, a timber wolf, who’s passing illustrates the mystery and wonder of nature and the strong bond between members of his species.
Blog, Wolves | March 11, 2010
Cindar was a 7 year old, beautiful black female wolf. She was very sensitive and smart. Jean and Susan called me because she was depressed and seemed ill. When I arrived she was weak and was breathing very rapidly. When I listened to her lungs with the stethoscope she had very little air moving through them. I was immediately concerned as to why such a seemingly healthy wolf was losing lung function so quickly. We decided that to get a better idea as to what was going on with her lungs, we needed to do a chest x-ray. The x-ray revealed fluid in the chest and very limited lung capacity. Some of the lung had no air in it at all. It was clear she had pneumonia but what would have caused it? Cancer? What sort of infection would be that rapid? We started treatment for pneumonia and I went home unsettled in my mind. In the middle of the night I suddenly sat up from a deep sleep and said – It’s a torsion! Lung torsion is quite rare and is seen mainly in very deep chested dogs like Afghans, which are similar to wolves in conformation with their narrow deep chest cavities. What happens is that one lobe of the lung twists around its base, which includes the airway and all the blood vessels. In a very short period of time the lobe starts to die. This process causes toxins to build up, and fluid to accumulate which further decreases the animal’s capacity to breathe. The only treatment is surgery, which is very complicated and has to be done by a specialist. Unfortunately the closest hospital able to perform the procedure on Cindar was in Salt Lake City. As soon as I realized it was a torsion we were dealing with Jean was in the car on the way to Salt Lake as Susan made arrangem
ents, but it was too late. Cindar died before reaching the hospital. This was a very difficult case to diagnose and to lose. Cindar’s lung had twisted well before she was showing any outward signs of distress. Wolves are so strong and so capable of hidingpain and illness it makes it very difficult to know if something is wrong until they are very ill. This was a very unfortunate case and I may never see another lung torsion again in my career because they are so rare but I will always keep it in the back of my mind because of Cindar and maybe I can save the next one.Maybe this article will help save an animal too. – Summer Winger DVM
Blog, Wellness & Spirtuality, Wolves | February 26, 2010
Whenever we lose a wolf from unknown causes we do an autopsy, to be sure our other animals are not at ri
sk and to learn what we can about better care. Cindar, a young, healthy wolf, died of a twisted lung – the equivalent of a colic in a horse. It is very rare. By the time it was diagnosed, though we rushed her off to Salt Lake City to a specialist, it was too late. As with any colic it is a true medical emergency and chances of survival are slim if not treated immediately. It made we wonder – why would a healthy young wolf die of such a rare illness? In discussing the loss with a healing practitioner, she told us that in some traditions each organ does not only its own job, and has its own vibration, but also carries the energy of a specific emotion. That emotion for the lung, is grief.
Our immediate thought went to possible causes here, but there were none that we could see. No recent losses, no changes. Then three of us looked at each other with the same thought – they started shooting wolves here in Idaho. And not just shooting them mindlessly, but rejoicing in their deaths, undisturbed by the obvious deep distress they are causing in the rest of the pack. Wolves are telepathic across distance among their own pack. We have clear evidence of that here. Is it possible they are feeling the distress of their kind in the vicinity as well, on another level? Death is one thing. Mindless death cruelly inflicted with intent is another, much harder to accept and heal from.
A further thought occurred – some animal communicators believe that illness and death can be a non -verbal communication. (Many psychologist believe that children who are not listened to communicate this way as well). Did she pick a devastating illness for which there was no cure, to emphasize that we need to do what we can to stop the shooting? And taking it even further outwards, to stop what we are doing to wild animals in general?
Animal Story, Animal Tales, Wolves | February 16, 2010
We brought gentle ancient Windsong into the cabin to ease her aching limbs from the cold. She likes it Quite well. She has yet to give any
indication that she is willing to leave. We take her out several times a day for exercise and sun but she makes it clear that she is ready
to return at any time. She races as fast as her wobbly back legs allow, directly to the cabin door. Not much doubt about her preference.
It took her a while to settle into, to believe, her good fortune. That it wasn’t going to be taken away. She was dazed and out of it when
we first brought her in, acting rather like a wolf with Alzheimer’s, going vaguely and woodenly wherever we gently physically directed her,
eyes vacant and uncomprehending. She had had that vagueness about her for about 6 months, so much so that she gave the impression
that she was going blind and deaf. We thought she would have only a month or so more to live, another reason we brought her in , to give
her comfort and care. But we were radically fooled. As the days and weeks rolled by she began to realize that she might be staying
and she allowed herself expand into that sense of trust and belief. This16 year old wolf, 112 years in human terms, began to regain her
youth! Rather than fading away she had somehow retapped into her life force. She became increasingly alert, her eyes bright and curious.
She was clearly not blind. And she was clearly not deaf. She had just disconnected.
Her energy level increased and she wallowed in the delights of the cabin, investigating smells and potential sources of food with proper
wolfly interest. Coming back in she stretches luxuriously on her soft bed, enjoying the floor heat as it seeps into her old bones.
We have created a monster – a wolf so obviously enjoying her new life that we will not have the heart to put her back out until late spring.
How can you give a creature a second life and then take it away? Now that she is in, it would be like putting a relative out on the ice.
The disappointment would kill her.
We brought gentle, ancient Windsong into the cabin to ease her aching limbs from the cold. She likes it quite well. She has yet to give any indication that she is willing to leave. We take her out several times a day for exercise and sun but she makes it clear that she is ready to return at any time. She races as fast as her wobbly back legs allow, directly to the cabin door. There isn’t much doubt as to her preference. It took her a while to settle in and believe her good fortune. That it wasn’t going to be taken away. She was dazed and out of it when we first brought her in, acting rather like a wolf with Alzheimer’s, going vaguely and woodenly wherever we gently, physically directed her, eyes vacant and uncomprehending. She had had that vagueness about her for about six months, so much so that she gave the impression that she was going blind and deaf. We thought she would have only a month or so more to live, another reason we brought her in, to give her comfort and care. But we were radically fooled. As the days and weeks rolled by, she began to realize that she might be staying and she allowed herself to expand into that 
sense of trust and belief. This 16-year-old wolf, 112 years in human terms, began to regain her youth! Rather than fading away she had somehow reconnected to her life force. She became increasingly alert, her eyes bright and curious. She was clearly not blind. And she was clearly not deaf. She had just disconnected. Her energy level increased and she wallowed in the delights of the cabin, investigating smells and potential sources of food with proper wolfly interest. Coming back in she stretches luxuriously on her soft bed, enjoying the floor heat as it seeps into her old bones. We have created a monster – a wolf so obviously enjoying her new life that we will not have the heart to put her back out until late spring. How can you give a creature a second life and then take it away? Now that she is in, it would be like putting a relative out on an iceberg. The disappointment would kill her. So we now have another wolf resident in the cabin.
Animal Tales, Blog, Children & Families, Retreats and Workshops, Wolves | February 16, 2010
Fortunately for us Windsong is so gentle that Cucumber, who long ago decided she was to be a permanent fixture in the cabin,
has accepted her presence ( after a few dominating growling sessions to assert her place and superiority). This is quite a statement
of not only her age but also the softness she has always projected.
It was this combination of age and innate gentleness that made us decide to invite Windsong to host our very first parent-child retreat
in the yurt, lending her wolf magic and energy to the event. On a splended winter day in January three sets of parents and their children
visited the coyotes and foxes and badger and wolves and buffalo and wild burros. When finished we all entered the warmth of the yurt for hot
chocolate, homemade animal cookies and storytelling around the woodburning stove. Then we brought in Windsong and the kids
were electrified. Tentatively at first they came over, their parents with camera in hand as the children made her aquaintance. Soon she was
surrounded by kids, covered by little hands as she stood there patiently allowing them to feel her, explore her. Two mothers, watching this,
were crying. It was quite something.
For information on our family retreats this summer visit the calendar on the website.
Fortunately for us, Windsong is so gentle that Cucumber, who long ago decided she was to be a permanent fixture
in the cabin, has accepted her presence (after a few dominating growling sessions to assert her place and superiority). This is quite a statement of not only her age but also the softness she has always projected. It was this combination of age and innate gentleness that made us decide to invite Windsong to host our very first parent-child retreat in the yurt, lending her wolf magic and energy to the event. On a splendid winter day in January, three sets of parents and their children visited the coyotes and foxes and badger and wolves and buffalo and wild burros. When finished we all entered the warmth of the yurt for hot chocolate, homemade animal cookies and storytelling around the wood-burning stove. Then we brought in Windsong and the kids were electrified. Tentatively at first they came over, their parents with camera in hand as the children made her acquaintance. Soon she was surrounded by kids, covered by little hands as she stood there patiently allowing them to feel her, explore her. Two mothers, watching this, were crying. It was quite something.
For information on our family retreats this summer, visit our calendar.
Animal Story, Blog, Deep Ecology, Ethics & Whole Community, Wolves | February 10, 2010
We lost Cindar the wolf a few hours ago, a vibrant brilliant black wolf. I can feel her still here. She didn’t want to leave. She was so scared when the vet came, but let us handle her in any way we needed – x rays, pulling fluid from her lungs, putting in an IV. This is a wolf we are talking about, allowing all this without a tranquilizer. Trusting. Sweet. Cooperative. Looking to us for help, pleading in her eyes. The contrast between a cooperative scared creature wanting so to live, and the vicious image of wolves here in Idaho or Alaska as we shoot them for sport suggests an utter madness, the image is so far removed from the fact. Yes wolves are predators – but so are dogs and cats, and we accept the predatory instinct in them. Feral packs of dogs hunt and kill livestock and even kill humans. That doesn’t change our view of dogs, nor do we kill them for fun. Dogs come from wolves and everything we love in a dog is there in a wolf even more intensely – the love, loyalty, sweetness. But if an animal inconveniences us, we demonize it and then feel free to do to it what we will. Wild animals are not convenient. Coyotes, grizzly bears, buffalo on grassland wanted for cows, black bears in our backyard – not convenient. Animals that scare us – not convenient. But that doesn’t mean we need to demonize them or not see the beauty in them or deny them the right to live. To be on this earth with us. What kind of species are we that some of us are devastated by the loss of a single wolf and others take pleasure in killing them? How do we move ahead to become more “human” as a species, in the best sense of the word?
Animal Tales, Blog, Seen Thru New Eyes, Wolves | January 28, 2010
A wolf pair often moves in perfect unison. In one photo I took, the wolves are in full run, the left front paw of one in precisely the same position as the left front paw of the other. The first time I caught it in a photograph I thought I was brilliant, but since then realized it is a frequent form of communication. They hunt as one unit, in some wondrous form of exchange with one another. Stunning harmony. It is a beautiful thing to see. 
Seeing him day after day, in fear; unable to run free because we were unable to get him to the Garden was a constant ache for us. Unwilling to see him consigned to a life in his enclosure, we decided to try something radical. We would tranquilize him, always a risk in a panicky animal - their fear pumps the adrenalin counteracting the drug if one gives too much trying to overcome it and they could die. Once down, we would put a short chain around his neck. That would give him a chance to get used to it and adjust himself to the feel, the drag, the sound of it, thus reducing some of the overwhelming stimuli when it came time to move him. Then when appropriate, we would clip on a longer chain with which we could walk him to the Garden.
Earthfire Experience with Bob Tondro
Penelope Smith Retreat Comments
