Sometimes when people call us in the morning they comment 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 until 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. . .
Susan, the founder of Earthfire Institute, just published an article “The Wisdom of the Wild” in the Institute of Noetic Sciences Journal – Noetic Now. You can read it here:
Pat Hager used his experience at Earthfire retreat as a stepping stone for volunteering in his area, helping preserve wildlife corridors. A participant at the Connecting with Wildlife Heart to Heart retreat he wrote:
My son Patrick & I attended the June retreat. I found it to be a very nice experience and particularly enjoyed visiting with the animals and hearing Bernie Krause the bioacoustician. It certainly “opened my ears!”
I was struck by the concept of wildlife corridors being maintained as a way to ensure genetic flow to maintain species viability and health. I had not previously considered that as a real issue, nor the concept that such work is already underway in different places. This experience led me to look locally in Minnesota for similar ideas, which in turn led me to Minnesota’s Superior Hiking Trail Association. This is a volunteer nonprofit organization established to create and maintain a continuous backpacking/hiking trail that currently stretches from the Canadian border to Duluth, MN.
I ended up taking a weeklong backpacking trip on the SHT, which beyond the initial goal of providing one of the best hiking trails in America, has also served as a wildlife corridor itself. Although narrow and crossed by roads in places, the Trail allows a pathway for animal movement, and much wildlife is indeed abundant there.
I guess my thinking about all this comes down to the idea that ”dual user” parkways, pathways and trails might be a good step toward serving the needs of people and wildlife without the need for conflict.
Connecting with Wildlife Heart to Heart was a retreat held in June of 2011 at Earthfire Institute. With the help of the animals of Earthfire and co-founders Susan and Jean, participants were able to live more deeply and more “in the moment”. There was time for truly meeting the animals in the wildlife garden, contemplation, storytelling, deep conversation and celebration, with the magnificent Grand Tetons in the background. Watch as retreat goers worked towards healing themselves and the planet.
The bears are pining for their gardens so they can go out daily. It breaks our heart that they can’t. Due to the generous efforts of one caring donor from last year we have $3000 towards this.
Diane Fuller has given a $5000 challenge grant for the bear gardens in memory of Windwalker the cougar. She writes: “For quite some time, I have known that my passion is around the human-animal connection, although I have not known where my journey would take me. I truly believe that if I open myself to the universe, the right path will present itself. Last August’s “Call of the Wild” Retreat at Earthfire was just that path. . . and then, among all the other amazing animals at Earthfire, I met Windwalker.
“I would have to say that this was one of the most profound and emotional experiences of my life. It reawakened some parts of my being that I have lost over time and is helping me focus on who I am and what I am fundamentally about. It was amazing, and my connection to this new community runs deep to my core.
“Earthfire is a valuable treasure, and I challenge you to “keep the EARTHFIRE alive” through your support.
Diane Fuller & Jenny the Donkey
“As a result, our community will continue to grow, and together we can make a positive difference!”
We have no place to house and care for sick, old or dying animals in our long and bitter winters. It is from the sick and dying that we have received some of our most profound insights and we want to give the opportunity for them to be heard; to share their gifts before they leave the earth. In general, our philosophy is not to cut an animal’s life short but to let it go in its own time unless it is clearly suffering. Thus we would deeply appreciate funding towards a barn/infirmary building. John Towner, board member and professional surveyor, donated his services and did a complete detailed survey of the property. This will serve as the physical basis for a master plan, and gives a physical size and placement for the bear gardens and barn/office/infirmary. This means the minute we receive funding we can begin construction. Donations of $30,000 will enable us to complete the first phase of construction, which would give us a functional unit that can be added on to later.
Here is an opportunity to be a essential part of a passionate team working to make a global impact for wildlife; our mission is to Awaken Ecological Advocacy through the Wild Animals of Earthfire.
Earthfire Institute is currently accepting resumes for a part-time (approximately 25 hours per week ) Office Manager in Tetonia, ID. Position may lead to full-time work. Please forward resume, salary requirement and a professional letter of reference to marie@earthfireinstitute.org as soon as possible for consideration. We will remove this post from our blog once the position has been filled.
Ideal candidate must have a general interest in wildlife conservation and ecological advocacy and be comfortable working in an open office environment in a log cabin located on our 40-acre grounds in Tetonia, Idaho. For more information, see our website (www.earthfireinstitute.org).
Required skills include a H.S. diploma, strong PC skills, the ability to multi-task and organize, knowledge of software programs such as Quickbooks Nonprofit, Word, Excel, GiftWorks and the ability to quickly learn new software as necessary. Ideal candidate should enjoy working with others but also have the ability to work individually and enjoy growing, learning and adapting within a dynamic, informal nonprofit organization. Flexibility and a sense of humor are essential.
Willing to train for the right candidate.
Position tasks are listed in no order of importance, and include but are not limited to:
Accounting Administration o Maintaining data entry, accounts and reconciliation of Quickbooks Nonprofit and creating and maintaining accounting systems to support organizational needs.
o Tracking expenditures and multiple sources of income through a donation software.
o Organizing and filing expenditure and income receipts.
Income Administration: o Ability to track income from multiple sources including online donations , retreat income and merchandise sales.
o Develop avenues to pursue income collection for merchandise sales (i.e. Earthfire mugs, books, art work).
o Collect and track multiple sources of income including retreat income, foundation and individual donations.
Yurt & Retreat Coordination: o Work with retreat facilitators to coordinate and manage participation payment, travel arrangements, catering and materials organization.
o Organize and maintain printed visitor materials, media resources, and yurt inventory. Ensure that visitor yurt is organized and clean and ready for retreat participants.
o Maintain correspondence with retreat participants and facilitators.
o Ensure that all guest information of visitors at Earthfire is entered into donation software.
Office Correspondence:
o Maintain network computer filing system.
o Write thank you letters, author e-mail, fax and written correspondence.
o Have a basic understanding of monthly e-newsletter format and distribution.
o Organize bi-annual hardcopy newsletter distribution, including mailing and printing.
o Ability to identify and correspond with important resources as tracked in GiftWorks (donation software).
Office Filing: o Be able to work efficiently in a quiet environment.
o Keep office organized and tidy.
o Keep track and re-order office supplies.
o Stock stationary (make sure stationary, envelopes, visitor policies, brochures are printed and stocked).
Evaluate Systems: o Work with Earthfire staff to periodically evaluate office procedures for their efficiency and effectiveness.
o Create filing and archiving systems that allow staff to easily access information.
Permits & Licenses: o Maintain federal and state licenses.
o Ensure that wildlife care logs and veterinary procedures are organized.
There are parts of me I miss, terribly. At an early age, I understood my relationship with animals. With unapologetic certainty, I knew we were kin, that our lives were entwined, our destinies connected. I spent hours in a tree in my grandparents’ garden talking with birds, communing with spiders, feeling the joy of being alive with them.
As happens to all of us, I grew up in a world that looks at animals differently, and I changed. I never completely lost my core, but I learned to hide it, sometimes even from myself. It happened in increments, but I remember moments. When I was in third grade, my father went hunting and brought home a pronghorn antelope on the roof of the car. I looked into that animal’s still bright eyes and sobbed. In a futile attempt to comfort me, my mother assured me that he – the pronghorn, not my father – had no soul, so he had nothing to lose. I knew better than that, and silently apologized to him, and to all animals, for human ignorance. I vowed through my tears to somehow make it up.
Entering adulthood, I chose to pursue another passion, and became a fiber artist. But I never forgot my pledge, and when the longing to be with animals became too sharp to ignore, I left my studio a few hours a week to volunteer at a zoo. Those hours stretched, turned into a job, and inspired me to incorporate abstract animal imagery into my art. In turn, the images became more realistic, and by the time I accepted a job at a wildlife rehabilitation clinic, I had written and illustrated two books about wildlife. Those books were for children as much as they were for the pronghorn. Getting them published was a step back to myself.
Constance Perenyi - Apricot, 6.5x5 paper
And still, I was in hiding. The wildlife center where I worked strictly limited human interaction with the animals in residence. While I respected the need to keep wildlife wild, I grieved many missed opportunities. I secretly took many of those orphaned or injured animals into my heart and did my real work with them in the quiet of night. It was in that safe space that I could explore the deeper meaning of our intersecting lives. I reached out, and they were there, just waiting for someone to initiate the connection.
During my third summer at the clinic, the director made the decision to cover the cages where young crows were kept indoors until they were old enough to join others in an outdoor aviary. Of course, the idea was to keep them from bonding too much to their human caretakers, but the edict was unbearable to me. I argued that these birds needed exposure to the busy clinic. Most basically, they needed light, and in a state of deprivation, many weakened and some died. I fought until I lost my voice, literally and figuratively. With resignation and a feeling of failure, I left my job.
I’ve carried that painful memory for almost two decades, and along with it, a deep desire to find a different way to work with wild animals. A few months ago, a friend introduced me to Earthfire Institute through a link to the video of Apricot. I blinked through tears as I witnessed a healing collaboration done with integrity and skill, and so much love that I felt my own heart begin to heal. In that moment, my earliest understanding of life came rushing back. It is so simple: we are one, and we help each other.
I also knew that I wanted to honor Apricot with a portrait. Paper is my medium, and I work in a form of collage most like the traditional Japanese art of chigirie. With my background as a fiber artist, I am suited to working with layers of paper, and over the years, my work has become increasingly painterly. It is also a profound way to connect with animals. Even when my only source is a photo, as it was with Apricot, I can step aside and let the animal come through. It may take days to get the details right, but the hours are suspended, as they are when I am in the company of animals in so-called real time.
I have been honored to do portraits of animals, both companion and wild, for humans who want to remember. I chose to portray Apricot so I could remember. It is an honor to share this little collage with my kin at Earthfire Institute. I will visit someday soon, but this place, these people, and these animals already burn brightly in my imagination. I am grateful beyond words.
Caitlin and retreat leader Polly Klein, returning to the yurt. (c) Hershel Klein
In August, I was honored to be invited with 10 other students to a retreat at the Earthfire. We were brought there by our Reiki teacher and animal communicator Polly Klein. I am still figuring out what happened. Still journaling, meditating, singing, and whispering about it to myself, a few others. One thing I learned: right after, I should have gone into silence, as befitting any sacred encounter. But I also felt a deep need to tell people about it. Somehow.
It was the sentences that got me, later. Impossible ones. “If you’re done with the wolves, we can bring in a coyote if you’d like.” “The bears are too intense so we’ll just have you sit near them first, then we can bring them into the garden.” “If you just move with them they’ll come up to you.” “If you feel a lick, just turn around slowly.”
These were said quietly and without irony by caretakers and founders Jean and Susan. How do you integrate those into your usual sentences, I wonder? Even with such a strange internal dialogue as mine? I had thought, before I left, that I would get to stand really, really close to a bunch of cages with wild animals in them. I had no idea that I would not only be able to touch some of them, but give one of them a massage and a Reiki treatment to another.
Bramble Bear enjoying his time in the Wildlife Garden, showing off for retreat participants. (C) Hershel Klein
I keep trying to interpret but I’ll just tell this one thing: I sat on the grass watching Jean pet ancient cougar Windwalker until he purred. (Again with the sentences.) Behind me I heard a huff-huffing, which turned out to be the large grizzly, Huckleberry Bear Bear. Poking his giant snout under the bars of his enclosure, followed by more of his head until I could see his eyes. Following instructions, I looked at him briefly, then looked away. I looked back and he was still gazing at me. I looked away again. Then I trusted my instincts and looked back. We gazed a long time. And I heard, clear as a bell, a question from him:
What kind of animal are you? I knew instantly that this is the question I’ve been answering all my life. I told him that, awkwardly.
Polly was also deeply moved by her encounter with another grizzly, Humble Bumble, the “specially abled bear.” We struggled to articulate what it was exactly that had moved us all. It came to me: in zoos, which I cannot visit anymore, even if they are good ones, the animals are simply “not there.” You look into their eyes and they are gone. At Earthfire, it is immediately apparent: the animals are completely there. And they are completely taking you in. They see you, they are seen.
Caitlin and Firefly getting acquainted. (c) Hershel Klein
It took me a full three days to realize that Jean and Susan weren’t kidding: they really do mean to be creating something new (or very old) with animals. A connection. How it used to be or how it could be or something else that I won’t diminish with words. But to be with wild animals who are perceiving you as a fellow critter, to be sniffed and possibly touched by them, is to restore the animal in oneself. What a gift.
Contributed by Caitlin Sullivan, participant in Polly Klein’s Retreat, Call of the Wild, August, 2011.
The following story is a good reminder that you can have an Earthfire experience anytime anywhere. If you just go out into nature, be it in a city park, a favorite trail by your house, or a trip into the mountains, there is wonder to be found.
I sometimes frequent nature trails here in Florida. I just love walking with nature and enjoying the peacefulness and spotting animals in their natural habitat.
As I walked one trail in northern St Lucie County, a few beautiful blue scrub jays flew over me and landed in a tree just ahead of me. While a couple of them flew away as I approaced; I notice one stayed on an outside brach as if it were not afraid of any interaction with me.
When I got close to the tree; I greeted the bird with a simple “well…hello my friend”.
He flew to the ground right at my feet and looked up at me. All I could think to say was “well…aren’t you friendly”. Just for the heck of it I stuck out my right hand and extended my index finger and invited it to my hand. It actually landed on my finger. I was totally astonished that this beautiful little bird took to me so quickly. As he was perched on my finger, he just pecked around gently at my hand and finger as I spoke to him reassuring it that I was a friend. It was amazing how long he sat there just looking at me as I spoke to him. I have never had such a feeling of oneness with nature. After about 5-10 solid minutes of speaking with my new friend; I lifted him to the air and he flew off. The feeling inside of me can in no way be described in words alone. My whole day after that could not have been ruined by anyone nor anything. I have returned to that spot several times in hopes of a return visit from my friend; but have been unsuccessful in finding him. I hope that one day, I might share another experience such as that one with one of my brothers in nature. It was an experience I will never forget.
Named after a passionate earth-mother wolf with a fire in her belly to protect anything vulnerable, Earthfire was founded in 2000 to develop a new model of relating to nature through the voices of the rescued wildlife>
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.
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.
The bears are pining for their gardens so they can go out daily. It breaks our heart that they can’t. Due to the generous efforts of one caring donor from last year we have $3000 towards this.
Earthfire’s Mission in Action by Pat Hager
