Let
me start by saying that I do not know when, or where, I
was born—only that I was all alone, and very frightened.
Suddenly, I was being picked up by a two legged giant
and taken to a place where there were many animals.
I was told it was an animal shelter, where I would be fed and
have a safe place to sleep.
I was placed in a small concrete kennel, given food and water,
and more of the two legged giants came and looked at me. They
seemed quite excited to see me and talked of having found one
of my siblings—who had gone to a ‘home’.
I was there for several months as there
had been an outbreak of an illness
and I thought perhaps this is where I
would always stay. The people were
all very kind to me, but I remained
afraid as I had never been inside a
kennel and I missed the open space in
which to stretch my legs. I was taken
for short walks on a leash, but found
it very restrictive.
Early
one morning, when one of
the people brought me some food,
three new people came to see me. I
was terrified! I knew they had come
to take me away—but to where? I was
put on the leash and taken outside,
put in a much smaller cage and then
into a strange room, called a van, that
started to move!
One of the new people sat beside me
and talked to me very gently. She explained
that I was to join her Pack and her name was Janet.
I was confused! I had seen cats and dogs at the Humane
Society (where I had received so much kindness)
but was never part of a ‘Pack’.
When the van stopped, there was a strange noise—and a strange smell;
not dogs, cats or people, but….WOLVES!
They
were HUGE! Surely, one of these
was not the ‘sibling’ to whom they referred?
Shivering to my claws, I was taken closer
and closer—right up to where an elderly,
and very large, wolf was waiting for me.
I held my breath! Was my fate to be
eaten? The people were all making encouraging
noises and suddenly I knew that they were ALL
part of my Pack. My new family!
I was introduced to Wacipi, who ignored me.
However, I noticed that he showed no
hostility and seemed to be waiting for me to
say something. The words did not come
out quite right.
I heard that wolves were very, very strict regarding
courtesy to Elders, but had no way of knowing what
this meant as I do not think I am a wolf,
but nor were the two legged and they all seemed to be
very friendly. Certainly Wacipi showed no signs
of wanting to eat them.
Left alone with Wacipi, I hid!!
He came and found me and I backed
right up in the corner of the kennel.
These kennels are different from others.
Each is set in a large Enclosure—
occupied by one or two wolves or wolf
dogs. The kennels are our homes and
have two openings—one at either end
and on opposite sides, but no doors, so
we are never confined in a small space.
Wacipi
told me that his previous
companion had been very old and,
some months earlier, the time had
come for her to leave her body and
move on to where she would feel
young again. He told me that she had
been very respected and was always
addressed as ‘Grandmother Timbre’
by the entire ‘Hybrid Pack’.
Well, that introduction to the pack
was several months ago.
I now accompany Wacipi on walks,
both inside and outside our personal
Enclosures. Outside, we wear leashes and
always take one or two of the two legged with
us. They seem to enjoy this as do we.
I have noticed that several of them
now call Wacipi ‘Grandfather’. He told me
that it made him very proud. To read Wachipi's tale
and see his pictures click on his name.