The World of Computer Software/World_Of_Computer_Software-02-386-Vol-2of3.iso/m/man-wolf.zip/MAN-WOLF.TXT

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WOLF MAN AND TRUTH, by Gordon K. Smith, transcribed by Kent Dorsey,
transcription version 30 October 1992.


The following document contains information concerning the behavior of wolves
and wolf-hybrids, as related by the late Gordon K. Smith.  Its primary focus
is upon issues relevant to the private ownership of these animals.  Other
than Gordon Smith's privately published book "Slave to a Pack of Wolves", the
transcriber is not aware of the existence of any other similar collection of
information pertaining to the private ownership of wolves.

Prior to his death, permission was granted by the author, Gordon K. Smith, to
transcribe this document from an original and to distribute it without profit
for the purpose of conveying information about wolves and wolf-hybrids to the
general public and interested parties, including prospective owners.

This document was originally transcribed by Kent Dorsey.  Some changes in
wording were made to increase the readability of the document, along with a
complete revision of its punctuation and capitalization.  The writing style
remains essentially unchanged from that of the original.  Liberty to perform
this type of change was granted by Gordon K. Smith.

The original section headings were revised and numerous new ones were added.
Some outdated information was updated with information in bracketed comments,
along with additional notes by Kent Dorsey.  These notes were based in part
upon personal experiences of the transcriber in raising wolves and hybrids.

It is the hope of the transcriber that this invaluable first hand information
will be met with an open mind by all readers.  From personal experience, he
affirms the applicability of the majority of this knowledge to his own pack.

However, the transcriber merely conveys the words of Gordon K. Smith, their
meaning as he understood them, and notes based upon his own personal
experience and knowledge, without any claim that this information is correct
or applicable in any way at all to any other animal, person, or organization;
he accepts no liability for this information or its use; he makes no claim of
fitness, merchantability, or warranty concerning this information, its
accuracy or possibility of use; he makes none of these claims and none are
implied, either explicitly or implicitly, or by the fact of their existence;
this information is provided "AS IS" for the sole purpose of relating certain
personal experiences of Gordon K. Smith and Kent Dorsey, and the transcriber
claims immunity to all forms of legal prosecution under any principle of
freedom of information that he may choose to invoke.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.Wolf, Man, and Truth
2.The Predator-Prey Relationship
3.The Wolf Anthropomorphized
4.How Industrious is the Wolf?
5.How Efficient is the Wolf?
6.The Adult Wolf: Food Consumption, Digestion, and Waste
7.The Intelligence of the Wolf
8.The Use of Symbolism and Rituals
9.Natural Selection and Compatibility with Man
10.Abuse Recovery
11.Why Wolves?
12.Bad Breeding
13.Wolves and Dogs: Different as Night and Day
14.Selecting a Wolf or Hybrid
15.The Care and Feeding of the Cub
16.The Care and Feeding of the Youth and Adult
17.Breeding the Wolf and Hybrid
18.The Whelping
19.Love Your Wolf and Hybrid
20.Notes on Feeding the Pregnant Mother
21.The Bonding Phase
22.The Psychology of the Wolf
23.Can the Wolf in Captivity be Happy?
24.Behavior Changes Associated with Breeding
25.Fear in Man: Cause and Cure
26.Failures: Probably Caused by Fear
27.Body English, Facial Expression, Interpretation
28.Mate Selection, Individual Compatibility, Pack Formation
29.The Wolf as Teacher and Student


FROM THE DESK OF...
Gordon K. Smith


To the general public --  So many of you are embarking upon the effort of
raising wolves or wolf-hybrids.  Many of you are starting out with very
little knowledge of the creature.  I admire your wishes to promote a better
psychological climate for the Wolf throughout the USA.  I am positive that
most of you are truly dedicated and really love the Big Bastard.  It's
beauty, intelligence, and complex social order are certainly fascinating.
However, so many of you are finding out that you have bitten off a big
mouthful and consequently become baffled and discouraged after delving into
Wolf needs and behavioral traits.  Thus the reason for my publishing this
little "How To" booklet.

I must assure you that though I DO want to help you and do wish to see you
become knowledgeable of old Canis Lupus, it is rather a hardship upon me to
get up in the middle of the night, or some other inappropriate time when I
might be working with my own packs, and spend an hour or so trying to
straighten out your little or even major problems.  This plus the fact that
you are spending far more than what this booklet costs to feed Ma Bell, plus
the fact that I am only reaching one individual case each time, compels me to
look for a better way to communicate with you, via the printed word.

Enclosed within this missive are the answers that I have arrived at from 50
years of studying, hands on, the Wolf.  Also, the answers to the most
frequently asked questions from you.  Perhaps this booklet will ease the cost
and time for you and the costs and time for me in detailed one-on-one phone
or postal inquiry.  I do hope so.  These words are written in very clearly
and easily interpreted Man to Man phrases.  I am sure that your 6th grade
child can fully understand them.

Now I do not wish to appear here as an expert (there are none).  I do not
tell you that this knowledge is infallible.  I merely contend that this is
the way that I did it.  This is what I have learned from my own success.
This is the way I am doing it now.  And though I might interpret a "Know It
All" attitude to you, this is not my intention, and I write ONLY of what I
have learned personally.

I will not give you what someone else does.  No other opinions, only mine.
You evidently WANT what I have learned in the past one-half century, or you
wouldn't come to me when you have problems.  Therefore, here they are.  I
shall begin with some straightening out of what the Wolf really is.  How
dangerous he is.  How compatible he is.  How intelligent, how complex, how
really easy to get along with, with just a bit of Lupus psychology.  Then we
will dig into his requirements.

Don't misinterpret my calling it "HE."  I am not a sexist and only use the
male analogy for convenience and to avoid the he or she, extra effort.  I,
like the Wolf, seek the easier way out and abbreviate as much as possible
without detracting from your expected know how.

However, there is very little equal rights movement in the Lupus breeds and
poor old Mom must stay home and tend the kids usually, while old Dad is out
scrounging and salvaging in order to sustain his family and Mom has to kind
of kneel down and plead for her place in the pack, BUT in return she is given
the best of everything.  Like a big belly full of semi-digested meat from the
leader's stomach and she gets the best.  Like protection.  Like even a semi-
reverence during the reproduction cycle.  Plus doting on, and babying from
ALL the pack members, so though ERA doesn't fit very well into Wolf Society,
at least dear old Mom and Grandma have got it pretty soft, huh?

Hang in there, don't let my analysis discourage you.  I did it and I'm just a
dumb old country boy with a high school education.  Right?


1. Wolf, Man, and Truth

The question arises again and again.  How dangerous is the Wolf?  Is its
predation really so terrible?  Perhaps it is time to get some facts on the
table as opposed to the wild speculations, the mythology, and the often
prejudiced closed-mindedness of his enemies.

In a period of fifty years of close up handling of wolves, plus the study and
observation in the wild when I was much younger, I have arrived at some
definite conclusions concerning the big fellow.  Here are a few of them.

Yes, the Wolf is a dangerous animal.  Under certain circumstances he is quite
capable of inflicting serious injury or even death upon his adversary.
Properly bonded psychologically and in the hands of a knowledgeable handler,
he is hardly more dangerous than old Shep.  Unfortunately, too many wolves
are falling into the hands of incapable people; thus the end results:
injuries, escapes, and yes, in a few cases, death.

However, there has never been a proven case of a healthy, free running wolf
ever attacking a human in the western hemisphere.  It is only when in the
hands of an insensitive, poorly instructed individual that the Wolf ever
inflicts injury on a human.  For instance, staking it out in a yard on a
chain, confining it in a too small pen, teasing excessively, failure to
enforce pack leadership upon it.  Starvation (Yes, there is a lot of this).
Abuse, both physical and mental as well as emotional.

Now lets sum it all up and compare with old Shep and yes, even the Collie
dog, especially the Shepherds as well as the Danes and Dobermans are
sometimes very dangerous under these environmental factors.  So, [is the
Wolf] dangerous?  Not a whole lot (if any more) than any large animal.  Pick
up the paper -- a Shetland pony killed a child at so and such a place.  A
Bull killed its owner.  A Stallion injures its handlers.  A Moped "Accident"
kills a couple of children.  Two Danes in Maryland kill a 14 year old boy.  A
Shepherd in Illinois kills and partly eats a baby.

These tragedies hardly make the front page.  They are barely mentioned on
radio, TV.  Yet, let a poor old badly maligned wolf inflict injury on ANY
"poor helpless" person and it makes all the news media and is repeated time
and again, and the Wolf is a wanton killer in the eyes of the general public.

Trace the events leading up to the injury or death by the Wolf and you will
find that the creature was not properly controlled.  That the fault is in the
owner or handler, due to one or a combination of the neglect and errors above

mentioned.

So what shall we do?  Ban the ownership of Canis Lupus?  Impossible.  There
will still be those who will acquire them.  There will still be those who
will own and keep hybrids which when "poorly bred" are just as dangerous as
the pure bred Wolf.  Or shall we embark upon an educational process and use
careful regulations concerning the control and care of both Canis Lupus and
Canis Lupus-Lupus Familiaris?

I myself have spent a half century and thousands upon thousands of dollars in
education of the public and breeding and distributing a near perfect High %
Cross/Over--Cross/Back Hybrid to carefully educated people with nearly
perfect compatibility between my product and Homo Sapiens.  Unfortunately,
there a lot of you out there and my limited resources (without those big
government grants that my critics get or have received in the past) has
limited my ability to provide education to as many as I would have liked to
reach.  However and now, many of my erstwhile pupils are now carrying on my
work and quite efficiently, too.  Thus hope for the future of the Wolf.

We need more.  We need many dedicated people who can see farther than the
price of a pelt.  Farther than the predation upon the now carefully
cultivated big game herds.  People who can see far enough ahead to realize
that the weeding out of the inferior game animals, thus leaving strong and
intelligent to breed with their peers, has produced our fine game animals
that the sports person and meat hunters now enjoy.

We need people who accept the Wolf for what it really is.  A big capable
canine that has the ability to psychologically bond with we humans.  Not a
super race, not a little Bambi, but just a big friendly ancestor of our dog,
that requires a lot of red meat.  Yes, he requires red meat and intestinal
fat and quite a lot of it.  But properly managed our environment can supply
plenty of it for both Man and Wolf.

Control?  Yes.  Any animal can during the course of a high % birth and
survival cycle over populate to the extent that some control measures will
need to be used.  Unfortunately, and in the past as well as sometimes in the
present day thinking, the powers that be as well as public opinion swing
rapidly to the same old theme (Kill Em All).

"They are trash."  "The world don't need or want them."  It took evolution
one hundred million years to develop the Wolf to what it is today.  Would we
even suggest that it does not have the right to exist?  Even if it must be in
the control and handling by the well screened and instructed public?

Some of my adversaries to the breeding and distribution of my successful
hybrids claim that the hybrid doesn't have the right to exist, that it isn't
needed in the crowded world.  Not being able to realize that the advanced
educational process of owning and handling the hybrid is the one necessary
element leading to the preservation of the ancestral species.

Too bad that this RACISM as well as the ELITISM involved in the scientific
field (which says that THEY can own them, they can keep them, they can
torture them with their damnable "so called" research, but you and I cannot
because we are just commoners and serfs) must be supported by big government
grants that come directly out of your pocket and mine.

Now a question to my readers.  Why and if the Wolf is such a damned killer,
such a terrible predator, have I never been injured in the fifty plus years
that I have been in close contact with them?  Then why did a certain and I
quote, "Mild Mannered Scientist," end of quote, get all living hell bit out
of him "temporarily" in front of MGM's cameras?  Now I hear that his big
government grants just aren't so big now.  Maybe he will be curtailed in his
massive propaganda that would forbid confinement raising of meat animals,
forbidding hybridization, forbidding ownership of pure wolves, as well as
many other little oddities brought here from the Old World in 1962.

Now I'm not an overnight expert, I'm not even an expert, but I do and stand
ready to prove to anyone that I handle, pet, feed, breed and live with pure
bred and hybrid wolves and that not a day passes that they do not come to me,
submit and beg for domination (mild shaking of neck and accepting their front
paws in "so-called" handshaking).  So why?  Why all this big hullabaloo about
how mean and macho they are?  Let's tell it like it is.  Not a Devil, not a
Saint, but instead just a big friendly, capable canine, capable of doing
anything the dog does, except to run free next to mankind.


2. The Predator-Prey Relationship

Now about predation.  Yes, the old boy has to eat.  He, according to our
standards, is cruel.  He according to our standards is vicious.   But when he
is in his own world he complies with the most dominant law of all, "Survival
of the fittest."  He is no worse or better than any other meat eating animal,
including Man.

The food chain begins with the tiniest swamp creatures, the insects, then the
tiny reptiles, the tiny rodents, the smaller birds, then to the larger
reptiles, the larger mammals, the larger birds, both waterfowl and land based
birds.  From there we must go to the larger mammals, the deer, the moose, the
goats, the elk, all preyed upon by both Wolf and Man.

Man, being the more indiscriminate predator, oftentimes taking the very
finest trophy animals as opposed to the Wolf's being unable to prey upon this
category of game animals due to the fact that the game has evolved to outrun,
outfight, and evade them with their very primitive natural weapons, which are
opposed to our modern hunting equipment.  Thus the only vital difference in
Man's and Wolf's predation.

So let's face it.  Let's put the truth where it belongs.  Predators?  Yes,
aren't we all?  From the tiny North American Shrew, weighing a quarter of an
ounce to the North American Eastern Timber Wolf, weighing from 75 to 100
pounds at maturity.

Now, who needs first shot at the prey animals?  Man with his domesticated
meat animals, cattle, hogs, chickens, turkeys, etc, or the evolutionary
ancestor of the dog, the animal that developed the game animals to their
finest?

True, it is sport to pursue the game animals, but aren't we using an unfair
advantage when we use high powered telescopic sighted rifles?  The
snowmobile?  The aircraft?  Personally I believe that the use of the bow and
arrow give the game a much more sporting chance, as does the Wolf.  This is
not to say that I am anti gun hunting.  Far from it.  But shouldn't we share
with the natural predator, rather than envying and deploring his meager
borderline existence in the only stronghold he has left in North America USA?

Do you scatter your camp leavings of edible content?  Do you scatter your gut
pile so as to feed the gnawing pain in the little predators and scavengers?
I hope so.  Each is a vital link in the food chain.  Each does as evolution
has dictated that it do, without malice.  The Wolf does what it must do,
without malice.  Man tends to do what his conscience or lack of conscience
dictates, AND, in many cases, with malice.

Is the Wolf really so inhumane?  I don't believe so.  Go to any packing house
where food animals are butchered for meat.  Observe certain methods of
killing.  Observe them shackling a sheep or cow through the hamstring,
swinging the utterly terrified creature up with its head just off the floor,
then the cutting of the jugular vein, while the creature bawls and bleats in
absolute knowledge of the fact that it is being killed.  Am I against this?
No, people must eat.  Nothing can replace the fats and proteins from animal
carcass.

But why condemn the Wolf because it sometimes is not even so efficient as
mankind?  Oh yes, the little Bambi worshipers cry out against killing such
beautiful creatures.  Yes, they sob big tears of sorrow and recrimination,
and sordid self righteousness.  But put those dear sweet little Bambi lovers
out into the wilderness, let them go hungry for a week and by God they will
kill and butcher little Bambi and eat from him before the meat is cooked and
growl just like the Wolf as they forget the dear sweet little guy.  Don't
tell me about me about the primitive.  I've seen just THAT, and I didn't tell
you the most gruesome details of these happenings either.

Dangerous?  Yeah.  Predator?  Yeah, but so are YOU.  Just because humans can
get into a fine automobile, burn the precious contents from the bowels of the
Earth and dash down to the supermarket, plunk down some worthless tokens of
Man's greed and risk injuring or killing someone or somebody, both going and
coming, is no true sign that we are innocent little Bambi lovers.

Instead, in each of us under a thin, yes a very thin veneer of supposed
civilization and domesticity lurks the yet Neanderthal Man -- the Cro Magnon
Man -- just as much a predator as ANY wolf.  Believe it.  I have seen the
most sensitive, most kindly, dear little old lady revert right back to the
"Wild Ones" when the chips were down and nature required it for survival.


3. The Wolf Anthropomorphized

What about the Wolf?  Want to get anthropomorphic?  Ok, he bonds permanently
with his cubhood associates.  He marries for life.  He accepts his pack
leader for life.  He hurts just like you do.  He grieves just like you do.
He worries just like you do.  He protects his children just like you do.  He
feeds his family just like you do.  He suffers from some of the same little
phobia as we do.  Only in most of these seeming anthropomorphic behavioral
traits, he usually excels the human race.

He has the ability to adopt the human family when taken from his mom at 17
days and raised away from others of his kind until 6 to 8 months of age.  He
doesn't kill his pack leader; he doesn't kill his mom or pop.  He doesn't
kill his brothers or sisters, aunts, uncles, or cousins.  So why should he
wish to kill his adopted, two-legged family when properly raised?  Hells
bells, he doesn't.  I stand ready to prove by visual display that the Wolf in
the proper hands is not even as dangerous as an old shepherd dog.

Now this big issue that the Scientific Field, the Bambi Worshipers, the Game
Hogs are trying to bring to the forefront, through DOI, State Conservation
Commissions, Humane Societies, so called, is going to be met HEAD ON.  We are
not fighting alone now.  Too many people, John and Jane Doe, the salt of the
Earth, have seen and heard and understood the TRUTH, and the folderol of the
ELITES is now falling on deaf ears.  No longer do we need tolerate the lies,
the myths, the mystery makers, the propaganda of TV, movies, and
sensationalistic publications.  From now on, we are serving notice.  When you
come out with that maligning, misleading propaganda, be damned sure that you
are ready to back it up and PROVE IT.

All is not bad.  We have allowed our captive packs to convert thousands of
cynical agnostic people.  One can hardly deny what one sees with one's own
eyes.  The public is becoming aware of the truth.  God willing and in just a
few more years, "We Shall Overcome".


4. How Industrious is the Wolf?


Just how industrious is the Wolf?  This is a question that comes to me quite
often.  Really not that industrious.  Actually, he would much rather loll
around camp all day, playing, pestering the more dominant ones, getting into
little squabbles, getting his neck chewed for pestering the wrong one.
Recycling the fecal matter that came through from too much meat and guts from
a recent big kill.  (Oh, yes. The experts tell us that this feces eating is
from lack of minerals and boredom.)  Let's tell it like it is.  Even in
domestic canine it is derived from the latent ancestral urge to save
everything.

Yes, the Wolf is lazy, just like so many of us.  Take the easy way out.  They
go back and scrounge bones, hides, cleaning up the last tidbits from their
last kill before gut wrenching hunger forces the more submissives to dare the
wrath of the leaders and nag he or she into gearing up and beginning another
hunt.   However, when with cubs to feed or a den tied new mother, he is not
so lazy and will exert himself to the utmost to care for and feed the young
and their mother, as will most of the rest of the parent pack.  So in
summation, let us say that he is industrious only as need arises.

5. How Efficient is the Wolf?

Just how efficient is he in procuring game?  Usually not very efficient when
pursuing the larger game.  For every deer, elk, moose, etc, that he is
fortunate enough to catch and kill, try recording how many hunters and
poachers carcasses he has cleaned up.  How many gut piles he has salvaged.
How many snowshoes he has caught and eaten.  How many beaver and muskrats he
has taken.  Then how many chases that he had to give up because he just
couldn't out run the animal as well as how many wolves got an antler run
through the guts or the lungs, or how many skull fractures he sustained from
the lightning fast kick or strike of a moose or a big white tail buck.

Oh yes, I myself witnessed a buck deer getting a buck wolf up on his antlers
and dashing him against a tree and cliff till that wolf was sick as hell of
deer and lay around for a week or better while he healed up.

Some say the Wolf harasses the game.  Nonsense.  I have witnessed a wolf pack
jumping a herd of deer and after selection of the individual deer, usually
defective, the rest of the herd went right back to their browsing, seemingly
not even disturbed.  I have seen caribou jumped by wolves circle away from
the wolves line of travel and go right on feeding.  The selection of
individual game animals is no more traumatic than a sudden thundershower is
to us.  They have lived together for about one hundred million years.  Why
not?

Efficient?  Hardly.  Of some fifty-one moose chases that I recorded, there
were 6 kills and 2 injuries that were either harvested later or died from the
effects of the attacks.  Not really a very high percentage of harvested prey
animals.


6. The Adult Wolf: Food Consumption, Digestion, and Waste

Many people ask how much red meat and intestinal fat it requires to sustain a
wolf?  Unfortunately, there is not absolute in this field and we must go to
our captive and psychologically bonded packs.  In arriving at an average of
what the little Eastern Timber Wolf and the great Northern Arctos and
Tundrarum Wolves will consume without waste or weight loss, it comes out to
be 2 pounds 14 ounces each day.

True, a hungry wolf of the Great Northern Sub-Species can eat 12 to 14 pounds
in one twenty-four hour period.  One must take into consideration the fact
that it might not eat another bite for three to five days.

Feeding of chicken or poultry parts, or beef parts, requirements may be more,
but where the wolf is allowed to eat from the entire carcass, thus getting
every element found in the wild killed carcass, 2 1/2 to 3 pounds is usually
sufficient to hold weight and nutrition, except in unusual individual wolves.

The Wolf has a unique digestive system as opposed to the domesticated canine.
They use very little bacteria in it and much more acids and enzymes, thus
their need for meat.  In fact the fecal matter from wolves and my high
percentage hybrids has so much acid that it kills the action in the digestive
compounds that are manufactured for fecal eliminators that the dog breeders
use.

About the only fairly successful compound that I have found for digester
systems is the same as the ones used in the treatment of confinement swine
raising facilities, deep pits, sealed off, temperature kept at above 60
degrees.  Even then one must use about twice the amount that is used for
comparable numbers of two hundred pound hogs.

Though some GOOD dog food (dry) can be self fed to wolves, they must have
nearly a pound of good processed horse meat each day.  This horse meat is
processed from old, sick and infirm horses, unfit for human use, thus every
element as in the wild killed game.


7. The Intelligence of the Wolf

One of the most common questions that is asked of me is how intelligent is
the Wolf?  My answer is VERY INTELLIGENT.  Intelligent enough to use symbols,
rituals, and common sense reasoning powers.

It is difficult for the layman to credit the Wolf with reasoning powers.  In
fact, many of the present day writers fail to credit him with anything more
than blind instinctive reaction.  Under surprised stress the Wolf does use
his lightning quick reflexes from instinct, but in ordinary circumstances he
resolves most of his dilemmas by quiet thought.  Not as we do nor to the
extent that we are capable of, but he does think.

I have observed my wolves piling snow and straw up against the compound fence
with nothing else in mind except a nice free run.  I have observed wolves in
our compound reaching through the mesh of the fence and fumbling with the
double latches, sometimes quite successfully, too.  Some wolves are more
mechanically inclined than others.

I believe that the Eastern Timber Wolf is one of the more clever in opening
gates, figuring ways to get over, under, or through the compound fence.  They
are also one of the more proficient in playing hurt feelings, great joy,
buttering one up in order to get their way.  They also display more
sullenness after being denied their wishes, but this is not a lasting thing;
they toss this emotion aside very quickly.

They, the Wolf, does not allow any emotion to become an anxiety unless the
cause is prolonged and extreme.


8. The Use of Symbolism and Rituals

The Wolf is one of the few animals that uses symbolism.  Often times when a
young addition to our breeding staff is introduced to the pen it will be
ingratiating to the extent that it will pick up a bit of shed hair, a stick,
or any small object and carry it from pen to pen, presenting it to its adult
peers as a peace offering, hunkered down in the submissive role, tail low and
tucked but valiantly wagging, ears flattened to the head, lips retracted
horizontally.  They will also present these little symbols to two-legged
wolves who have come to see and learn.

This same process is used by a pregnant female when about halfway through
gestation.  Though she might be quite dominant at other times she becomes
quite submissive in begging for the other pairs to approve of her symbolic
cub that she is presenting to them.  There are several other forms of
symbolic behavior but these are the most important and most often used.
Pretty sharp, huh?

In ritualistic behavior, the Wolf is rivaled by NO animal.  It hikes to mark
its fence, either natural or manmade -- both male and female do it; then they
scratch vigorously to scatter the scent to supposedly impress the next wolves
in line of their high rank and dominance with the poor submissives not being
allowed to hike.

Ritualistic foot races -- a determination of inferiority or superiority.
Growling to impress their peers of their determination is ritualistic.
Raising the full back length of hackles, inflation of entire body mass, every
hair in standing position is usually ritualistic and bluffing posture.  The
ritual of gathering together, heads over each other for a sing, for a hunt,
for a seemingly decided direction of travel and many others.

The ritual of rolling in anything that has a strong scent, wallowing on a
dead fish, and catnip stalk, or fly repellent -- this is ritualistic to the
times when they had natural enemies and need to camouflage their scent.  Even
some individual dogs indulge in some of these rituals, so I hazard a guess
that we haven't quite bred all the Wolf out of our dogs as of yet.

He is smart enough to direct a game animal toward boulder strewn ground with
a couple of wolves up at higher elevation so as to both blow the scent above
the prey and to use the down hill gravity for the pass and the wounding and
weakening of the animal.

He is smart enough to herd a deer into a swamp while it is swimming and
plowing its way across and send a couple of wolves around the perimeter to
meet it when it comes out of the water.  He is smart enough to hold the head
of a swimming deer under water as long as he can hold his breath, then turn
the neck hold over to a fresh wolf.

How can we deny the intelligence of the Wolf?

He is smart enough to pretend that his foot hurts just because I am limping
from a corn on my toe.  He will offer sympathy and compassion when I don't
feel well.  He can count to twenty by mental subtraction or addition from
original volume.  Don't tell me about Wolf intelligence.  Hey man, I've seen
it all and it constantly amazes me even after these many years of observation
and handling.  This should be enough to convince you, and I stand ready to
prove it all to you.


9. Natural Selection and Compatibility with Man

The Wolf has evolved through natural selection.  Those that were unfit for
the "At that present time" environment simply perished and their genes became
a lost thing.  Survival of the Fittest prevailed.  Natural selection of
mates, usually dominant dark wolves, selecting from agouti typical colored
wolves, keeps the domination factor at a moderate level.  The weaknesses of
the race was bred out as far as survival in that phase of ecology was and is
concerned.

However, while evolution and selectivity was producing this superior race,
Nature forgot to put any semblance of compatibility with mankind in the net
results.  Man himself alienated the Wolf by striking back against the
harvesting competition and as Man developed more and more modern weapons, the
Wolf became pathologically fearful of Man, thus setting up the instant
response of escapism.

The one and most important psychological factor that makes it possible to
attain a good relationship with pen raised wolves is the supplanting of the
parent-infant bonding with the creature before it has ever consciously known
its natural parents and/or been warned by them.  Thus, in its development it
either considers us as wolves or itself as human.

Wolf cubs in the right hands can and do adjust to human society to a
tremendous degree; in fact, much better than we can adjust to their few
necessary evolutionary behaviors.  However, cubs must be isolated from the
adults from 4 to 6 months of age or they will learn that they ARE WOLVES and
begin training as a Wolf, leaving us as just friendly suckers, and not pack
leaders and parents.  This isolation does not bend or maladjust the
psychology of the wolf unless it is neglected, abused, or teased excessively.

In fact, it can achieve a bit of superiority in reasoning powers by this
process.

They must have company, either human or a compatible animal of comparative
size and age.  They CANNOT live happily alone.  This is due to their
evolutionary pack society.  Once psychologically bonded to humans, dogs, or
wolves, these bonds cannot be broken but are retained for life.  Much more
than we can claim for us humans, eh?

Being isolated from compatible companions will usually warp the personality
of a wolf and it will become neurotic and either become withdrawn and timid
or sullen and aggressive.  Thus, the success or failure in hand raising
wolves is really within the knowledge and caring of its human counterpart.

There are people who claim that the only good wolf is a dead wolf.  I say,
"There are NO bad wolves, only people fit into that category."  Taken at 17
days at the latest, raised according to my instructions -- THERE JUST ARE NOT
ANY BAD WOLVES.  One does not need to be a genius in order to raise a wolf
right.  One needs only to sensitive and well instructed and adhere to the few
simple absolutes that are needed.

As one goes along with an observant eye and follows the simple rules that are
needed, the Wolf itself becomes a teaching experience.  Through this, one
should keep in mind that there are slight moderations of treatment and
handling between individuals and comply with these differences, adjusting
somewhat as the Wolf adjusts to our differences of personality.


10. Abuse Recovery

I have seen maladjusted wolves in the hands of brutish people, confined to
small, filthy pens or on chains, poorly fed, parasite ridden, and the people
call me to ask me to take them off their hands.  Many times they accept me,
with absolute devotion and sudden transition to security, emotionally.

Others will be very distrustful and may NEVER trust a human again.  Others,
after a trial and analysis period and final assurance of my caring for them,
become psychologically bonded to me but never quite trust me implicitly.
Thus again the variables.

Some wolves are so grateful to get a secure home with plenty of food, love,
and care that they become overly emotional and quite rough in trying to pull
me into their pens after a run in the compound.  This over-emotionalism
cannot be discouraged as it can in a well adjusted wolf, and one must be
careful not to make the animal feel rejected.

Instead of the rough demand that it release my arm from its carefully
inhibited bite, I gently take the upper jaw in my hand and lift up, then pet
lavishly, rubbing the ear base and allowing it to mop my face with its
expression of love.  Before long it will be assured that I DO love it and
that I WILL take care of it always and that I WILL always keep it in mind.


11. Why Wolves?

Now the question arises and is many times asked of me, What earthly good are
they?  While it seems incredible that the question need be asked, I suppose
that to the uninitiated it is plausible.

My reasons for wishing to keep and raise wolves and near wolves are:

1.their incomparable beauty
2.their dignity and lack of subservient, slavish obedience
to anyone or anything
3.their exceptional intelligence
4.their ability to bond with us frail humans
5.their expressiveness
6.their unique and superior family society
7.their ability to compete with just about anything except man
8.their hardiness
9.their sensitivity to needs of their peers
10.their devotion to their family, be it biped or quadruped
11.their loyalty to those they love
12.their seeming lack of holding grudges
13.their magnificent size
14.their instantaneous response to their instincts
15.the fact that they can bridge 100,000,000 years of wild evolution
to live a happy, unstressed, life in captivity with us

I have many more reasons for being a "Wolf Lover" but these are the most
important ones.  Unfortunately, many people want wolves and hybrids for other
diverse reasons.  I shall name a few of them:

1.Some people want them to use as a status symbol,
others for an ego trip.
2.Some to be able to own or possess a creature that
"just everyone doesn't or cannot have."
3.Some for their own curiosity.
4.Some for the urge to allay their inferiority complexes.
5.Some want them in order to be ultra macho and dominant
over their peers.
6.Some for the genuine desire to protect and sustain the genes.

I assure you that it is difficult to peer into the skull of some of these
freaks.  Some of the most deplorable motives of these people are hidden
behind natural con people and they will snow job one into thinking that their
motivations are legitimate.

Fortunately, in order to become a good wolf psychologist, it has been
unavoidable that I have become a pretty darn good human psychologist.  These
must go together with each other.


12. Bad Breeding

There is nothing I detest more than my inadvertently making the mistake of
allowing one of these con persons to deceive me, then hearing later that my
wolf, which I have worked for a half century to perfect, is not being treated
right.  Thus, my harshness and rudeness in screening applicants for my stock.

This question is then asked, "How do you sell and distribute your cubs if
using these screening processes?  I admit that it is difficult.  Perhaps for
each applicant accepted for adoption I have turned away 20 to 30 inquiries.
Even then, one gets into the wrong hands once in awhile.  Fortunately, there
are still a helluva lot of good people out there who have the right motives
in wishing to own and raise a wolf or two or a dozen.

So much trash is being peddled to the public.  So many pseudo hybrids.  So
many wolf/dog crosses, half of which are mongrel dogs and half of them
primitive Wolf throw backs.  Too many unplanned and poorly selected genetics
from just any old wolf and any old dog.  These breeders disillusion the
general public as far as either the Wolf or the hybrid is concerned and then
the unfortunate owner will bad mouth both and never own EITHER again.

These breeders also sell to just anybody with money enough to interest them
and the creatures are staked out on chains in yards to kill every cat or dog
that gets within reach, to bite humans, to wear the chains through and escape
along with the predictable results.

I believe it is time for us to be more responsible for policing our own
ranks, and that we should and must have some adequate form of causing these
fast buck boys and girls to cease and desist or clean up their acts
immediately.  Almost every thinking wolf and hybrid breeder knows that with
all the enemies in high places we surely do not need enemies within our own
ranks.  It has been an uphill battle anyway in convincing the general public
that the Wolf and the good hybrid have a fundamental place in our society.

As we have progressed in this area, our fast buckers have arisen as an added
attraction and are ultimately going to be the hand writing on the wall for us
if we don't grasp the situation and do something about them.  I have 96%
wolves here that I would rather trust with children than some of those 1/4
breed wolves floating around over the country.  Not that I would trust ANY
wolf, or any large breed dog alone with small children.  Just too many things
COULD happen to trigger an assault by either the Wolf or the child.  The net
results would of course be the same.

I do not wish to make the good animal appear as a killer.  In fact, it is
good for the Wolf or properly bred hybrid to have a close relationship with
children, but by the good Lord, it better be under the absolute and constant
supervision and control of the dominant figure within the human family.  Many
a time I have observed an old untouchable pure wolf bitch or stud roll
abjectly upon the ground, peeing into the air for a little child or a woman.
But that doesn't surely mean that I am not going to be right there with full
control.


13. Wolves and Dogs: Different as Night and Day

Some people harp upon similarity between Wolf and dog.  These people are
difficult to reason with and probably will never be wolfers of good quality.
I suppose that the similarity in size of the larger breeds of dog and Wolf,
plus the fact that the conformation, physically, is identifiable between the
two sub-species triggers a thought syndrome making the two as one in their
minds.  Actually, some similarity in physical attributes is just about the
only major thing that the two have in common.

Firstly, the dog is a relatively domestic creature having been under the
supervision of humans for about 160 centuries.  Also due to the fact that man
has shaped the dog, through selective breeding for special duties, special
attributes, special conformations, special social functions, it has little in
common with its ancestor.

It does not panic as quickly as the Wolf, it has better emotional control,
except among the little Fifis, Poodles, etc.  Whereby the Wolf, through the
first and foremost instinct of self preservation derived from its millions of
years as a wild and persecuted animal, will unless absolutely correctly
raised bite and escape or just escape from a crisis.  Remember that a crisis
in the dog's instincts and a crisis in the Wolf's instincts are utterly
different from each other.

Actually, though closely related, the dog is absolutely different from its
ancestor in its thought processes, its behavioral traits, and emotional
status.  Even the most devoted, slavish, obedient dog is far less emotional
than even a perfectly raised wolf.  Neither are they so expressive of their
emotions.  My most gentle hand raised, perfectly bonded bitch wolf is
determined to get close to my face when expressing love.  Any attempt to
avoid this determined assault from her will cause her to leap at my face,
snapping those big teeth very close to my nose or ear.

The best way to counteract this display is for me, upon perceiving her

intent, to just stoop down where she needn't leap for me and hold my cap on
tight with one hand and allow her to express her deep emotional ties with me
by mopping my entire face and plucking a few of my whiskers.  This need is
quickly satisfied and she might not demand close up, one-on-one expression
for several days, but to deny this display by grasping the front legs and
holding her off only intensifies her desire to express her love.

Now what about the wild, untouchables?  Yes, I have a couple.  Ok.  Macada,
pure bred pure strain ETW [Eastern Timber Wolf], comes to me for love.  I pet
him extensively.  He must come up on my lap; he must lick my throat; he must
press against me.  Then he is reassured that I still hold him in high esteem
and returns to his mate, Neshka, pure bred pure strain ETW and wild as Hell.

What does she do?  She immediately gets my love from Mac second hand, fawning
on him, kissing him ecstatically, licking and rubbing against the portions of
Mac's body that I have petted and becoming ecstatic in her expression of love
for me, through her mate.  Figure it out and ask yourself, does that sound
like a dog's behavior?  No, I'm afraid not.

People come here to see our animals and to learn about wolves.  So many of
them exclaim, "Oh, what beautiful DOGS."  God, how this infuriates me.  I
would rather they call me a son of a bitch than to hear that expression, but
I must be tolerant and merely correct them mildly.  A person approached
Edie's pen the other day and said, "What kind of dog is that?"  Edie is pure
strain Griseolbus Wolf.  Oh, Lord; give me patience.

We yet have a lot of work to do in order to give people the proper
perspective concerning the two species.  We have but scratched the surface.
This fact is driven home to me every day.  So let's work harder.  Don't let
my 50 years to have been in vain.  I started it.  I converted YOU.  I have
done all I can.  Now, YOU do it.  You carry on.  You withstand the now
lessened persecution, the discrimination, the outright hostility which has
not been completely eradicated.

Present the Wolf to John and Jane Doe as it is -- not a macho bastard, not a
Bambi, but an honest to God superior canine who has just as much right to
exist and live peacefully in your jurisdiction as ANY OTHER CREATURE ON THIS
PLANET.  What about it?  Can you stand the heat?  If not, better get out of
the kitchen.  If so, do it kid, do it.  I'll help you all I can.

Wolf and dog alike?  Just about as similar as DAY and NIGHT.  Don't you ever
believe it.  Make them see the Wolf as a wolf and a dog as a dog, but never
the twain as one and same.

14. Selecting a Wolf or Hybrid

Okay, so you still want to raise a bunch of wolves or hybrids.  Well, there
are a few things that you must become familiar with.  Here are a few of them.

When selecting your breeding stock and unless you try to build your own
lines, shop around for the right parent stock.  Don't just buy from the first
set of genetics offered to you.  If you are a bit uninformed of what
constitutes good animals, obtain close up photos of pure stock of diverse
sub-species.  Get the picture in your mind of hybrids, 1/4 breed, 1/2 breed,
3/4 breed. 7/8ths, 15/16ths.  Familiarize yourself with the leanings toward
dog, the leaning towards the Wolf.  Look for and avoid those in which there
is much diversity in appearance, size or human compatibility in a litter.

Note the attitude of the cubs toward their owner, handler, and their family.
If there is extensive fear, beware.  It could be from poor handling or it
could be from bad genetics.

Note the owner's attitude toward the entire pack.  Does he/she show
favoritism?  Does he neglect some of the pack?  Does he or she show any fear
of ANY of the animals?  Differentiate from fear and respect.  Respect is
good.  Fear is bad.  If the handlers show weakness in any of these behavioral
traits, beware -- there is something wrong.

Question the owner concerning his reason for raising the Wolf or hybrid or
both.  If the motivation is seemingly commercial, watch out.  People who are
in the game primarily for money are usually not the best breeders.  Of course
one wishes to at least break even or pick up a few extra dollars now and
then, but you can tell the differences between these types.

Note the rapport between wolf and owner.  Is it friendly but firm?  Does the
pack show eagerness to please him?  After assuring yourself that the animals
have been blended correctly and comply with what they are represented to be
and the type and percentage pleases you, don't try to beat the guy down
unless he is pricing exorbitantly.  You will have to pay for good stock.

Make sure that they are not in-bred extensively.  In-breeding does bring out
weaknesses -- bad eyes, bad hips, hernias, bad psychology, etc.  Acquire
explicit instructions on how to care for, feed, doctor, and bond the stock.
If the person cannot give you this fully documented information, better just
move on down the road.


15. The Care and Feeding of the Cub

The Wolf and over 1/2 hybrid must have about a pound of good meat each day,
preferably horse meat and with a good dry dog food (I recommend Waynes Pro
Mix, which is modified a bit for a meat and gut animal, Puppy O's, till 6
months).  [Note: Eukanuba is currently best, high protein and fat, no soy]

I recommend taking a pure bred litter at no later than 17 days, no earlier
than 14 days unless absolutely necessary, and feeding them 5 times each day a
mixture of Gerbers Baby Food pure strained meat (ours seem to prefer ham or
veal) mixed with oatmeal gruel, about 1/2 and 1/2, with a bit of brown sugar
blended in, and fed at 75 to 80 degrees.  [No, bottle or tube feed Esbilac]

Then, after they are eating well for about 5 to 7 days, begin introducing a
bit of soaked Puppy O's and mixing it with processed and canned horse meat,
but not too fast, intending to be converted to the latter by two weeks to 17
days after adoption.  [Note: wean using an Esbilac/red-meat/Eukanaba mix]

Soon one can be feeding them 3 times daily and stay with Puppy O's and 1/3
horse meat, with some reconstituted, non-fat dry milk mixed in with it.  By 6
weeks of age the little guys will be nibbling some self fed Puppy O's and you
can be feeding the horse meat from a spoon, twice a day -- early morning and
late evening is preferable.

Cubs should get a DM shot and a Parvo vaccine shot at about 4 weeks or 2 to 3
weeks after being taken from the mother, NO MORE shots until 16 weeks of age,
and NEVER a hepatitis shot as this has tendency to congeal the reflective
beads in this nocturnally sighted, primitive eye and cause damage if not
blindness in many cases.  [Note: These warnings aren't applicable in the 90s,
except hepatitis shot which is sometimes still a problem with pure animals]

Do not ever use TASK as a wormer.  Even dogs fall over and never get up from
this wormer.  I personally use Piperazine for rounds and Dnp for hooks, but
now I am trying a drug called Thenatol which seems to be good and takes care
of hooks, rounds, and tape worms, but is just a bit difficult to use with
real small cubs.  [Note: Pyrantel Pamoate aka Strongid-T is probably the
safest canine wormer in the 90s, almost universally used by veterinarians]

Check a combined sample of feces for worm eggs as soon as possible after
taking cubs and treat immediately.  Just because they are negative at that
time, don't quit.  Check them again in a couple of weeks as there could be
eggs in the litter or in an individual or two that were fetus induced and
will hatch.  Don't just worm automatically; all wormers are toxic, especially
to young animals -- if not necessary don't do it.

Cubs should be housed in cribs while young, and until 5 weeks should be on
1/2 inch hardware cloth metal with 1 inch chicken wire sides, 2 feet high,
with a 4 to 5 inch cup in at the top to keep them from climbing out.
Absorbent material under the crib will take care of the urine and feces till
4 to 5 weeks of age.

One must be careful to avoid frightening the little fellows, especially until
they are fully bonded with the entire human family.  Do not walk up to their
crib rapidly, neither sneak up to it.  Get them used to a silly little phrase
that identifies you as you approach.  "Hi there you little rascals.  Hello
little guys, how the hell are you?" in a natural and consistent voice.

As strangers are introduced, use the same procedure as the visitors approach.
Do not isolate the cubs, either Wolf or hybrid.  Get as many children as
feasible to visit them.  Allow them to pet the cubs under close supervision.
Soon one can have even pure bred Wolf cubs that trust everyone, which is the
only way to raise them.

In a kenneled situation, and if not programmed as I dictate, the animal will
become kennel shy and distrustful of every new visitor.  The warning snort or
bark of an older animal will cause them to retire to the farthest corner of
their pens and watch carefully.  But, if you have programmed, yes I said
PROGRAMMED, the cubs as I have told you, they can be just as friendly and
gentle with new people as ANY dog.

Remember that the cubs should not be introduced to the main pack until fully
bonded and socialized.  This takes from 5 to 8 months, to completely
psychologically bond and program (IMPRINT) them.


16. The Care and Feeding of the Youth and Adult

Mate-pair them at an early age.  Wolves or high percentage hybrids do not
readjust to new mates well after 6 to 12 months of age.  Do not attempt to
run them as more than pairs.  One can do this in a non-breeding environment,
but never in close confinement where the submissive cannot escape from the
dominant and feeding correctly is impossible where more than two are confined
together.  [Note: This is not entirely true, but it is EXCELLENT advice]

Self feed your dry food so that if one of the pair is less dominant than the
other, it can eat when its turn comes.  Feed your canned (or otherwise) meat
from a garden trowel, cut off squarely at the end.  This allows one to get
the last bit of meat from a can, and it is large enough that one's fingers do
not inadvertently be mistaken for meat.  When a wolf or high percentage
hybrid bites meat, one surely doesn't want a finger in there as it is snatch
and grab and get it quick before the other guy does.

They quickly learn to stand and wait at their appointed meat hole in the mesh
fence for their turn at a spoonful.  If one tries to take its bite then grab
the other guy's, a quick slap of the flat side of the ladle, across the
tender snout, soon discourages the robbing instinct.

Now the Wolf, and in all cases I refer to my high percentage hybrid also, is
not just for everyone, but to the sensitive, emotionally controlled, firm,
loving people, it surely isn't a tough assignment.  My hybrid is nothing in
God's Green Earth except a wolf that has been mellowed a bit, and with less
fear status, thus more stable and predictable.  If you want less, I suggest
you shop around and settle for less.  If one wants an animal that truly
represents the ancestral tree, I've got it and it doesn't bite the hand that
feeds it either.

BUT, get it into your head and get it in there good, this creature CANNOT RUN
FREE.  If you have any ideas of ANYTHING less than a big, maximum security
pen, with adequate primary housing, forget it; I won't sell to you.  Sure,
one can take them out on leash and lead them, or be led around, but after 9
or 10 months, just make damned sure that you have a good heavy choke chain on
it with a non-bitable leash looped around your wrist and are in full control
at all times.  [Note: READ THIS, LEARN IT, LIVE IT!]

Not that it is so dangerous, but because it might see, meet and love 1,000
animals, 1,000 people and than that ONE, either human or animal that for some
deep seated instinctive reaction, IT DOES NOT LIKE, and you've got a lawsuit
on your hands.  Nor should they be raised in the house.  After sexual
maturity, that house is theirs, and if that person comes in that they
instinctively DON'T LIKE, again the aforementioned net results.  Besides,
they are destructive and must be chewing on something when relaxing and don't
ordinarily housebreak worth a damn.

Hey now, I'm writing about not only my stock but also about the thousands of
my genetics out over the USA, where the genetics have been held reasonably
close to my percentage.  Also, of the pure bred Wolf.

I, though not deploring, am a bit discouraged by those who purchase my
genetics and then breed down to dog.  It seems that we lose so much of what I
have worked so hard for, in so doing.  Not that the results need be
defective.  Bred to the right dog, our genetics hold to what I have bred for,
but one loses so much in conformation and in genuine Wolf behavioral traits.
However, they do make a very mellow and sometimes superior family animal.

One should also avoid breeding to a wild or intractable animal, either Wolf
or hybrid.  Do you know that a bad fright or traumatic experience for a
mother wolf or hybrid after 1/2 way through gestation can cause the cubs to
be born wild and be very difficult to socialize?  Better believe it.  My
research has proven this beyond doubt.  Selectivity, selectivity, then more
SELECTIVITY.  It's the only way.


17. Breeding the Wolf and Hybrid


Wolves and high percentage hybrids do not come to sexual maturity until about
17 to 23 months of age.  They only breed once a year, normally in the late
fall to late winter months.  Estrus and spermatogenesis are normally
controlled by the daylight hours of the day.  However, there are exceptions
to both the age of maturity and the period of fertility.  I have a rather
unorthodox breeding cycle in my controlled and housed packs.  By using a sun
lamp, heat bulb in the center of each 8' x 36' pen, I extend the daylight
hours quite a bit.

Also in the controlled pack with pairs of wolves right next door in sequence,
the rivalry of pairs stimulates each other to estrus and spermatogenesis
earlier.  This factor plus the fact that they have access to all the good
nutritional food that they want, 24 hours each day, also causes earlier
fertility.

Male wolves usually are not fertile through the warm months.  After shedding
in Spring (molting), one will notice that the heavy fur covering of the males
is gone, leaving the scrotum naked as a dog's.  Thus and then no more sperm
building until the Fall molt and again the testicles are covered with a fine
covering of fur.

Now the fact that a male has produced full spermatogenesis during winter
months, and has not had the opportunity to expel it during the mating season,
might cause him to remain fertile a month or two more than his peers who had
mating privileges during the rut.  This sometimes leads people to dispute my
analysis of breeding periods of fertility and infertility.  Plus the
incidents of a few male wolves that do remain fertile seemingly year round,
for mating with dogs whose cycle is much different from the Wolf's.

So one can readily see that the USUALLY as opposed to the ABSOLUTE must be
maintained in nearly all facets of Wolf breeding.  As in human societies,
there are no fast and hard rules that one can go by.

As we well know, most dogs of the larger breeds gestate 59 to 61 days before
birthing.  Hybrids of over 75% Wolf usually gestate 62 to 64 days.  Whereby
most pure bred wolves gestate 63 to 66 or even 67 days from the date of the
first coupling or tying.


18. The Whelping

Although the female wolf might express desire for her human counterpart to
stay with her until one cub is born, she usually will tell one to leave
immediately after.  It seems that they might feel insecure until she has
whelped the first one; then confidence returns and she just doesn't need
anyone.  I comply with these wishes completely, making sure that the
temperature is just right, 65 degrees at floor level and no draft.  Dog
whelping temperature will stress a wolf till she will hyperventilate
excessively and might even abandon her den.  [Note: This warning is not as
applicable in warm climates]

My dens are 3 feet by 3 feet by 6 feet long, rugs on floor, protected from
digging instinct by 1" x 1" 12 gauge wire stretched taut and fastened
securely around the entire perimeter.  1" boards for floor so I can use nails
to hold the wire, small large headed nails to hold rug solid.  The bitch will
keep this den immaculate, and it will need no human attention.

The opening in front of the dens are 13 inches wide and 22 inches high, and
one can keep a swinging piece of rug over it for a day or two, so that it
swings inwards when the bitch enters and outward when she exits, but drops
back to cover the entry way.  In a day or two after whelping, she will rip it
off as she knows instinctively when her body heat, along with the electric
heater, can supply the correct ambient temperature.

I mount my 1,500 watt heaters in a plywood box near the rear of the den with
a wire mesh protector in front of it at least three inches away, so that the
bitch cannot stand unsuspecting until the direct heat penetrates the winter
fur and burns her.  I have my ambient temperature adjusted at least 3 days on
a gentle wolf.

A week ahead of time, I also have a 10 gallon garbage can, upside down,
mounted near the front of the den with a circular hole just smaller than the
rim of the inverted can and a 250 watt heat lamp mounted in the new top
(formerly the bottom) of the garbage can.  Thus the cubs can instinctively
creep to this source of warmth or move back away from it as need be.  They
are infallible in being able to select their needs in heat or cold.

Now with a gentle bitch, I will sometimes make a tentative attempt to go back
and peek in to see the cubs.  If she objects by barring my way or shows
displeasure or fear for their safety, I desist and try to wait patiently
until taking time.  Most of my bitches show pleasure at my interest in them
and encourage me a bit to observe them.  An exclamation of "My, what
beautiful cubs, they are the finest," will cause her to wag tail and show
great pleasure at my interest.  Why not?  After all, I am the pack leader and
this is the way of the wild after the cubs are a few days old.  I do have and
have possessed a few bitches that did not, nor never would, tolerate my being
even close to the den unless I was bringing food or cleaning.

One must know the individual.  After maturity, wolves seldom change
philosophy very much.  One must bend or mold the future psychology while the
cubs are young.  We begin by petting and handling without fear trauma as soon
or before the eyes open at 9 to 12 days, and WE KEEP IT UP FOR THE LIFETIME
OF THE ANIMAL.  Though so much is not needed as it becomes more mature, BUT
never a days passes that each and every wolf doesn't have the opportunity to
kiss our cheeks and be fondled and praised -- NO, NEVER A DAY.  This is so
very important.


19. Love Your Wolf and Hybrid

Security of love is a must in Wolf psychology.  Now you should be getting a
picture of what is inside of this incredible animal's head.  Now you should
be able to understand the workings of these superior instincts.  Now you
shouldn't need to call me up in the middle of the night and beat my ears with
your problems.  I am putting some things into this little mini "How To" book
that NO ONE ELSE CAN OFFER TO YOU, that not many know.  Do not consider the
first cost on this booklet; consider only that there is a MILLION DOLLARS
WORTH  of information in it IF YOU INTEND TO RAISE A WOLF, WOLVES, OR
HYBRIDS.

Now I have fully covered the essentials to breeding and caring for the
creatures.  There are many minor things that money and time will not allow me
to cover.  These things will readily come to you as you are educated by me
and Canis Lupus.  Don't ever forget it.  If your mind is open and you REALLY
love this magnificent bastard, YOU ARE GOING TO GET A LOT OF FREE LESSONS
FROM HIM.  I can only give you the DOs and DON'Ts.  Now get with it.  It's
not that tough.  Don't kneel down to the elites.  They crap between a pair of
boots just like we do.  They just got a lot of useless documentation from
helter skelter (would-be PhDs and Drs).  There is no truth like the PRACTICAL
KNOWLEDGE TRUTH.

Be awfully careful where your little guys go.  Make sure of the motives of
your prospective customer.  It is better that a wolf be not born than to go
to a brutish, unappreciative family.  Do not be totally devastated if you do
accidentally let one go to the wrong owners.  One must consider all those
that went to GOOD people.  We win a lot.  We lose a few, we get a draw now
and then, and a few of you will be rained out.  Let's hope it isn't many,
huh?


20. Notes on Feeding the Pregnant Mother

Screen the heaters, screen the light bulbs, as recommended.  By the time the
heat penetrates the heavy insulation of a wolf, she or they are burned, as
they have no way of extinguishing the heat immediately.  Double the meat
ration of the bitch at the latest half-way through pregnancy.  Use some
oatmeal gruel mixed with her meat to keep bowels open and disallow blockage
of birth canal by hard fecal matter.  Feed her twice a day till cubs are
born; then three times till cubs are taken.  Use a little reconstituted dry
non-fat milk on her food, not a lot, just enough to make the food nice and
mushy, not liquefied.  Hey now, guys and gals, you are getting it.


21. The Bonding Phase

Self feed those little guys as soon as possible as outlined.  Let them eat
ALL they will.  Keep the bugs out of them, use appropriate inoculations, and
handle them too much.  Spoil 'em.  But let them know that you are STRONG and
capable of taking them down and holding them helpless when they try to be top
dog.

Never temper.  Never grudges.  Always forgive instantly as soon as the
strength is asserted.  Never strike; this is a challenge to combat to the
Wolf.  Do it like Dad and Mom wolf does it and NOT TILL it is necessary, and
don't nag.  Seldom is dominance needed in a female.  Sometimes it is in the
male.  Seldom is it needed in MY HYBRIDS AT ALL, but stand ready to lean on
it if it does need it.  It's pretty damned hard to dominate it after it is 30
inches tall and weighs near 100 pounds.  You have to do these things while
they are YOUNG.

Northern breeds of Wolf are usually the more dominant.  Eastern Timer Wolf,
Griseolbus, etc, are normally more compatible.  Thus, my blending of north
and south; blending of Collie, Malamute, Shepherd, and Alsatian; a little bit
of this, a little bit of that, and select, cull, select; keep on selecting
for perfection in genetics.  You can do it.


22. The Psychology of the Wolf

Okay, I have taken you through the care, feeding, housing, and bonding of the
Wolf.  Now I believe you are ready for a more in-depth analysis of the
behavioral traits (psychology) of the old boys and girls.

I shall dwell upon the modified traits of the bonded, captive bred and raised
Wolf.  I firmly believe that the slight differences from the wild-raised Wolf
will mean very little to you; plus the fact that many scientists have covered
the latter fairly well.

So you have raised the little fellows according to my instructions.  They are
coming to you for petting, and are totally unafraid of you, except when you
are disciplining them as I recommended.  As the pack reaches for adolescence,
you will notice that especially the females come to you more often, flopping
on their sides or backs for your touch and your fondling.  You will also
notice that the young bitch urinates a bit at your touch, after she has
flopped down in anticipation of petting.  Now one must be very discerning.

You will see that there are convolutions of the exterior sex organs.  Why?
Okay, touching of the creature, it matters not where, induces extreme
ecstasy.  Why not?  You are the most revered one.  You are the pack leader.
They worship NO other God.  You are their protector, their leader.

Embarrassing?  Yes, sometimes, but this trait must be recognized and dealt
with.

One will also notice that the males, though not so obvious as the females and
not so absolute in the trait, achieve erection of the external organ and
become quite excited at the touch after a prolonged absence from you, and at
your grasping them near the scruff of the neck, ejaculate a few times.  Same
reasons, though not so predominate among the leader sex in Wolf society.

How do I cope?  I simply explain to my visitors as I have to you, unless they
are too young to comprehend.  Most young adults nowadays have a very calm and
sensible approach to sex after 14 or 15 years of age, and it is not shocking
or gross to them.  In fact it is a learning experience that causes them to
take an entirely new approach to sex, as opposed to the strictly physical
approach that has been taught them.

I remember one group of rather straight-laced elderly people, mixed company,
that were highly offended by my explanation and requested to be released from
their pen so that they could leave.  I declined, and as a captive audience,
caused them to sit through the remaining sections and sequences of my running
the wolves in pairs and explaining the behavioral traits.  Consequently, they
were soon the original curious group that they began as.

Jealousy is a dominant trait in wolves, especially the females.  Intentional
slight by the dominant leader sometimes causes a feeling of sadness and
rejection that is sometimes vented upon their peers.  Thus I try very hard to
give each wolf the same love, the same spoonfuls of precious meat, the same
attention and praise in the compound.  Thus very little actual jealousy of
me.  However, peer jealousy because of sexual rivalry is rampant, again
especially among females.

In the wild this poses little problem.  If a certain young female is courting
a dominant male that is already mated, the other female simply rushes up to
the invader and forces submission, sometimes with injury to the intruder or
both.  The males gets heck chewed out of his neck for this flirtation, and
thus very little polygamy in the Wolf races, and adultery is certainly no
dominant factor.

In penned pairs that have never been allowed to assert their rank to the
others and are traveling on their inherent rank, the jealousy factor can be a
problem.  During rut or breeding cycle they ALL want to subdue each other,
and the yar-yarring, even between the walled pens, becomes quite a noise
factor.  However, this is the only successful method of raising wolves in
captivity.

So many parks, zoos, and captive Wolf compounds where the packs run together
show the fallacy of attempting to full run the animals.  Lopped off ears,
cripples, toes missing, yes, even amputations; bobbed off tails, etc.  Of
course, where the animals are free running the submissives can escape.  They
can sneak in and eat a bit.  But in captive pack running, the poor
submissives are either eliminated or starved beyond ever breeding or
attempting to breed.  Thus the only reproduction is from the most dominant,
mean, and aggressive.

Net results?  Overbearing, intractable, no good cub or cubs.  Opposed to
this, I try to mate my dominant males with moderately submissive agouti
females, thus producing a compatible offspring.  Never allowing conflict
between any of my mating pairs with their peers.

Figure it out.  Who is right and who is wrong?  The success that I have had
in using my time proven methods has caused much human jealousy among the
ELITES, PhDs, etc, and they have come down on me rather harshly.  I have
fought back, sometimes with my back to the wall, and the slander and
maligning has died off somewhat.

23. Can the Wolf in Captivity be Happy?

How happy can the Wolf be in captivity?  Answer:  Probably much happier and
content than in its natural habitat.  They do not need to worry about food,
shelter, protection, and have or show very little anxiety in a comfortable
pen and compound.  Very little anxiety about their young.

In fact, some of my bitches start carrying their cubs to me after 14 days of
age.  The only thing wrong with this is that they just bring one or two cubs
up each morning, and place it in the feed pan, sometimes keeping two or three
for themselves.  Thusly I have to turn her out with her mate in the compound
and take the remaining cubs.

Seldom does a pure bred bitch even cry or howl after giving up her cubs.
Whereby in the wilds after robbing of a den, the mother, father and other
pack members hang around the den and howl and cry till they are so hoarse
that they sound little like their original voices.

Okay, what is the predominant shortcoming in keeping captive packs?  Answer:
A softening of the ability to survive.  A moderation of their inherent
hardiness.  A moderation of their breeding cycles.  A lessening of the
tremendous fur coat, priming out.  But, this is quickly offset by the fact
that they CAN SURVIVE AND BE HAPPY AND REPRODUCE.  To the best of my
knowledge, seldom does a wild raised litter bring to adulthood over 3 to 4
cubs.  In confinement my yearly average is 6.9 on pures and 7.1 with hybrids.


24. Behavior Changes Associated with Breeding

So many dogs, both individuals and breeds, become morose and overly emotional
during and after gestation.  Seldom does one see much psychological change in
the Wolf except more dependence upon the peer group and the leaders.  Both
Mom and Daddy wolf show distinct pride in achievement after their cubs are
presented and expect, if not demand, the very best of food and lots of it.

Bitch wolves who have been fed meat once a day since cubhood demand three
meals a day.  Evidently this is from the wild raised packs where everyone
chips in to feed her and the cubs.  She becomes quite spoiled and a bit
overly expectant.

Fortunately, after the cubs have been taken, she immediately reverts back to
the same routines of feeding and care that she had beforehand.  This is not
to say that she won't make a few attempts to con you, then grin and kiss when
it doesn't work.  Okay, are you beginning to see inside that massive brain
cage?  I hope so.


25. Fear in Man: Cause and Cure

They are all, more or less, CON artists.  They work their psychology on you
for their own benefit.  Pretending that they don't feel well in order to get
a bit more love and attention.  Buttering you up to get their wishes, etc.
Don't ever make the mistake of thinking you are ahead of them.  Never
underestimate their capability.  Many a would-be wolfer has considered the
Wolf stupid and later found out too late that the role should have been
reversed.  [Note: Think of them as Court Jesters]

Their uninhibited displays of emotion sometimes totally discourages close
relationship with them, and brings to the surface the almost pathological
fear that lies hidden underneath our exterior bravado.  Perhaps this
undercurrent of fear that lies within us was derived from the days past when
we with our primitive weapons were a target of their predation.

This plus the fact that the Wolf has been used as a Bogey Man to scare
children into behavior which we think appropriate to the extent that some of
this fear is engraved in most of us.  Actual contact.  Actual confrontation
with incorrigible wolves will quickly dispel this fear.

I was rather respectful and a bit fearful of the Wolf until I had a one-on-
one confrontation with a big old trap caught wolf male.  After flooring him 9
times as he leaped for my jugular, I realized that if not caught unawares I
could punch out ANY wolf.  Certainly did away with my fear of the Wolf.
Though I hasten to add, it also accentuated my respect for the big lightning
fast creature.

However, properly raised, such confrontations need never occur.  BUT always
be aware that circumstances could cause a reversal of compatibility and lead
to a confrontation.  I never allow a WILD wolf to get behind me.  I do allow
ALL my home raised wolves to get any damned place they wish and NEVER try to
watch them as I go about my chores.  Instinct will tell you which ones are
utterly incapable of bringing themselves to hurt you intentionally and those
that might have a hidden desire to puncture a leg.  Hand raised according to
my instructions, old Canis Lupus is more of a pussy cat than a killer.

A wolf that has been mistreated by other owners is hardly a pussy cat.  Some
will wait years for the opportunity to inflict punishment or death upon the
human race.  Not necessarily for revenge as much as to replay the same type
of afflictions that it had been accustomed to receiving and that had become a
way of life.  Deplorable?  For God's sake, yes!  This awful thing must be
eradicated from Wolf owner society.  So, best get your wolf or wolves at 3
1/2 to no later than 5 weeks of age, and shape those little minds and
emotions to the proper perspective, huh?  [Note: 3 to 5 weeks, got it?]


26. Failures: Probably Caused by Fear

Yes, we have had a few.  Here's one.  A person out on the Eastern Coast
purchased a male cub from my genetics through a breeder that I had started.
He took him back east and seemingly got along with him real well.

However, at about 10 months of age, the male took a dislike to the man's wife
and even though she was very kind and attentive of the wolf, he showed every
evidence of wishing to hurt her.

He called me and, after carefully questioning him, I deduced that in spite of
the lady's love for the wolf, she had a strong fear and distrust of it.
Thusly I advised just keeping her away from the wolf.  This worked out okay,
only the lady felt bad about not being able to have a close relationship with
the wolf.

Then when the male was a year old, the fellow came back here and purchased a
female cub for his mate.  The male became very possessive of the bitch cub
and didn't want anyone to pet her.  The owner insisted and there was some
confrontation.  Though he swears he didn't strike the wolf, I believe he had.
The wolf became antagonistic toward him and couldn't even be petted without
threat of (or) biting.  He called again and again.  I had him try several
methods.  Nothing worked.

This man weighed over 200 pounds, stood over 6 feet, was an ex-football star,
and headed his company and was evidently a dominant though intelligent man
with plenty of inherent rank and leadership.  WHY?  Well, distance and time
kept me from investigating, but persistent questioning brought forth the fact
that while the lady was deeply fearful of the wolf, attempts to get a
compatible relationship with interference from the man put the wolf on the
defensive and he expected a battle at each attempt.  Thus he [the wolf] came
to expect only confrontation at each meeting.

Then when he acquired his mate, he made his mind to combat any and all
interference from even the owner.  Finally, I could only advise him to have
the male destroyed or castrated.  God, how I hated to do this, but I couldn't
afford to worry about the possibility of someone getting injured or killed.
The guy castrated and that's the last I heard from him.  Though he did
express a desire for another male, I declined and refused unless he would
come here and study and learn something and BY GOD FOLLOW MY INSTRUCTIONS
IMPLICITLY.

Another parallel case -- Failure was traced to the fact that the owner had
been severely injured in an auto accident and was constantly on pain killing
prescriptions and that the wolf had NO TRUST in his ability to care for him.
Plus the loss of respect of being handled by a person who was emotionally and
physically incapable.  Weakness in any animal, including man, is readily felt
and discerned by this superiorly instincted creature.  Warning:  If you have
a deep pathological fear of the Wolf that is reflected at all, better stick
to old Shep, huh?  [Note: This wolf was probably a fairly dominant animal]

Respect and momentary fear are essential.  Dreading fear or constant fear are
just NO GOOD.  Sure, when I have to separate a pair of raging pure bred
wolves (rare occurrence), I am scared.  Accidents do happen, and when they
do, it is then and only then that I'm scared -- I'm just as scared as anyone;
this is a necessity.  Without an honest momentary fear, we couldn't survive.
But the instant the crisis is over, I no longer fear either it or any of my
wolves -- I just respect their capability.

Fear, yeah, you're damned right I am [scared] when I reach into that den and
take hold of a big cub that won't emerge without help [breached birth].
Yeah, then after the cub is out, and Mom is clipping the cords and the eating
the waste, my fear is gone immediately -- just a mild shaking and knocking of
knees for a few moments.  Yeah, you'd better be scared when forced by
circumstances to break evolutionary law, BUT then it should be gone and NO,
ABSOLUTELY NO, HIDDEN FEARS, except in crisis.

Hey, still want to be A WOLFER?  Shucks, they ain't so bad.  I've done it all
and never let a raging buck wolf get ahold of me.  Had to do a quick
backwards running World's Record upon our bleachers once, but came right down
and met "Old Bob-Tailed Joe" head on and kicked the big beautiful son of a
bitch upside down, and though he weighed 150 pounds and stood 33 inches at
the shoulder, he had sense enough to NEVER TRY THAT AGAIN.

Why did he try me?  Well, his rivals had their winter mates and I hadn't
given him his "Pretty Girl" because he scissored the hair on her back so
badly.  What did I do?  I gave him his bitch, scissors or no scissors.  Yeah.
Dammit, you have to comply with THEIR law a bit, too.  Live and learn.

Hey now, these are rare extremes.  Don't judge old Canis Lupus by them.  Go
along with the thousands that NEVER cause any trouble to anyone, huh?  After
all, who or what really provoked these extremes?  Yeah, you're right.  MAN'S
LACK OF (OR FAILURE TO) RESPECT THEIR EVOLUTIONARY LAW.  Right?

[Note:  Think of how many "bad" dogs there are -- a much higher percentage of
dog population than "bad" wolves in the captive Wolf population, I'm sure]

So be ye not discouraged.  You can do it.  Hell, I did and there wasn't
anyone to help and advise me either.  You have ME.  THE GREATEST, ha ha.

[Note:  Don't laugh.  I have never seen anyone who was in such harmony with
their animals as was Gordon Smith]

27. Body English, Facial Expression, Interpretation

To anyone who has ever handled a wolf, some body English is readily
understood.  After turning a pair out in the compound and after they have
made the rounds, hiking and urinating, checking our scents, defecating, etc,
usually they will approach my seat and express friendliness by retracting
their lips horizontally, with licking intent, tongue extended and then
retracted rapidly.  Tail dropped to vertical position, hair on back flat,
tail wagging vigorously.  Mischievous glint in the eye, ears nearly flattened
against the head.  These are symptoms of friendly feeling and desire for
bodily contact with their leader or his or her two-legged pack.

I reciprocate in kind, whistling and whining to them as they do to me.  Their
taking ahold of my hand or arm with gentle, inhibited grasp is expression of
love.  Their licking at my cheek and mouth is carried over from their infant
days, and is ritualistic to begging for regurgitated meat.  Unfortunately I,
being domesticated, cannot puke on command as they do.  These actions show
the definite desire to communicate and should be acknowledged.

The threat postures are turning to face you from a distance of escape,
lowering of head in a rattlesnake, looking up posture, hackles as high as the
intent is, seeking for eye contact and scratching with first one front foot
then the other.  This threat posture can be serious or it can be a playing
posture.

I don't quibble.  Usually a refusal to meet the eye for contact, an ignoring
of the wolf, though not turning the back on it, will as one goes about one's
business, completely disarm the intent, and this seldom if ever happens with
hand raised, infant bonded wolves.

Sometimes just for fun I will meet eye contact with the usually, mature wild
wolf.  Crouch over in a half stooped position and snort in imitation and
scratch backwards as he did.  Usually this will cause the wolf to rethink his
invitation for combat and in order to save face, [the wolf will] suddenly
become interested in something else even if it has to be invented.

[Note: Wolves often begin 'searching the ground for bugs' as a ploy to ignore
or flirt; often when ignoring a greeting to flirt or retreating from a
challenge (even in play).  I have never observed any challenge of my rank by
my wolves in this manner, except in an innocent, playful way]

Sometimes quite rarely he might try to carry out his invitation to a duel by
exaggerating the primary posture and actions.  This then that and let out a
helluva roar and charge the arrogant bastard as fast as I can run on the
inside circle of the compound.  Let me tell you mate, it just takes one dose
of that medicine to totally demoralize the poor bewildered devil, and though
no more afraid of you than before, his respect goes up about 100% as far as
challenging that 6 ft 190 lb humanoid wolf.

Sometimes when a wolf, usually a female, is both a bit afraid of you and a
bit defiant, she will hackle up full length of back and raise all the hair
she can, arch her back like a big cat, and snort like a bronc horse.  I just
laugh this off unless there is an actual approach; then I repeat as I do for
a defiant male.  By running the inside of the compound with the wolf on the
outside running around the fence, I can sometimes get a grab at her tail and
flip her.  This makes her ki-yi like a puppy, crap all over herself, and she
damned well won't try it again.

An angry wolf's lips are lifted vertically; a peaceful wolf's lips lift
horizontally.  The Wolf's barking at one is only bluff; gaping of the mouth
and circling in front of you is a definite attack intent.  Gaping at one on
friendly approach with tongue lolled out means love and friendly intent.

Hey, don't get me wrong.  These threat poses and postures have only come to
me rarely and then only from wolves that someone else brought to adulthood
before I obtained them, and from a few wild caught wolves that I have taken
off the hands of people who found out too late that A WOLF IS A WOLF.

The Wolf is very vocal; its whistlings and whinings and meows can readily be
interpreted after awhile.  Their happiness howl is simple to understand.
Their grieving cry is easily interpreted.  One just knows the interpretations
because they convey the same moods that we humans display orally.

The love whistle is a shrill sweet murmur that rises to a crescendo then
diminishes to a whisper and is made by contracting the vocal cords, perhaps
involuntarily, till the intake and output and depth of emotions causes the
variables in running the Do-Re-Mi's.  It excites the male wolf sexually and I
must admit that it is very pleasing to the human ear.

Wolves in friendly gesture sometimes present the genital region of their body
for the touch.  This is an infantile ritualistic seeking of the assurance
received when they were cubs, and Mom cleaned up the waste urine and feces by
licking.  A touch of the flank or belly of the wolf will satisfy the inherent
longing to return to infancy.  I indulge them this way and along with feeding
from a ladle these factors help keep the pack dependency alive and well.

[Note: Sometime after the 'shy period' (6-8 weeks) of the young Wolf, it
begins to eat much more ravenously and roughly.  This corresponds to the age
when competition begins between siblings for regurgitated food.  By forcing
the young animal to eat out of your hand (be careful) for the next few weeks,
you will have an adult that will *usually* be careful when taking food from
your hand UNLESS you cause them to revert by not feeding them enough]


28. Mate Selection, Individual Compatibility, Pack Formation

A Wolf breeder in Alaska calls me up.  His bitch wolf goes into season and
goes out.  Though he has tried three males and they are friendly and
compatible, she still won't accept them.  I tell him to try another male.  He
does.  He succeeds.  Why?  Wolves have instinctive desires as far as mating
is concerned.  My attempts at mating sexually incompatible pairs have proven
that THEY know best.  There are fewer defective cubs when they choose their
own mates.

Mating for life is easier when the cubs are near the same age.  In-breeding
is the cause of white cubs being produced.  In the wild they seldom survive;
thus, the reason one seldom see wild white wolves except where the packs are
geographically controlled.  Hernias are often predominant among in-bred packs
as well as abnormal psychology.  Avoid it.

One can breed a daughter back to her father one generation to set desired
confirmation, or personality traits, but that is as far as one should go.
In-breeding in wild pure packs does not have so many adverse effects, or at
least they do not survive to be observed.

In trying to mate a pair, it is best to be sure that one of the animals is
agouti or wild grey colored and the other of a darker phase.  Though white
mated with dark does produce nice colored cubs, usually grey.

Oftentimes when strange wolves or hybrids are placed together, one might kill
the other.  When attempting to mate adults that are strangers to each other,
I pen them side by side for a month or two before fertility time.  Even the
first time or two that I release both of them into the compound, I stand
darned ready to interfere with the garden hose in case one attempts to injure
the other.  [Note: Don't count on water to have any effect]

Males are quite aggressive even to females until compatibility has been set
up as directed.  One can easily see if they are compatible by the male's
stiff leggedness and refraining to bite or nip and by the female's coquettish
approach to the male.  If they are friendly for five minutes one can begin
betting that they will remain so.  If one attacks the other, one can bet that
they will never be compatible.

Wolves do not readily accept new pack members.  Usually only the dominant
pair are allowed to mate in a family, though there are exceptions to this
thought.  How do they keep from in-breeding in the wild?

Many times, shortly after the pack has ceased carrying food to the cubs at
about 5 to 7 months and they are following to rendezvous points, a cub will
get lost and its howling and crying will attract cubs from other packs.  This
is the time that strangers are more readily accepted and the cubs bring in
these strangers and due to intermingling of scent, they are usually accepted.
It is at this period that the cubs are the most ingratiating, also, and this
helps them to be adopted.

These factors can also be interpreted towards the reasons that the outlying
geographical areas between different sub-species are sometimes populated by
an inter-species sub-species.  Thus the reason for there having been so many
sub-species.  I have seen Nubulis wolves that interacted close to the
Irremotus that were neither but retained some conformation to both.  Usually
this inter-pack inter-sub-species NEW Wolf was held to a minority by the
brushing against two hostile sub-species and never gained enough numbers to
become a permanent sub-species.

Take a look at our native Eastern Timber Wolf, Lycaon.  Then step across the
border into Canada.  Go up into north western Ontario and north eastern
Manitoba.  These wolves are just an overgrown Eastern Timber Wolf with a
totally grizzled face.

So, mating of wolves or high percentage hybrids is tricky to say the least.
Many a planned mating by me has been thwarted by the selectivity desires of
one or both would-be parents, probably with better results than if I had
engineered the matings.  So, if you intend to mate, best get both cubs the
same season.

I will not furnish stud service.  One reason is a bitch wolf that has been
raised as a pet will come here, see and hear these big strange studs and be
lonesome for home and just "sit on it."  Another is that I cannot be
responsible to the owner that it won't be injured or killed.  Another reason
is my packs are permanently mated; it disrupts the harmony among them.

Another reason is I've been screwed out of the stud fee too damned many times
by supposed friends and trusted people.  I can give you a few more.  What if,
and it has happened, some frantic bitch ripped the testicles out of one of my
$3,000 studs?  Hey man, I sure as Hell wouldn't be very easy to get along
with, huh?

29. The Wolf as Teacher and Student

I believe I have given you the essentials.  I know I have not given you a
complete biography of the Wolf.  That would take a book of over 1,000 pages
and I cannot afford to make that book.  With actual contact, actual hands-on
raising of the Wolf, this booklet should provide the essentials.  The
learning process provided by the expressive creature should give you the
rest.

Let it be a LEARNING PROCESS.  Study the individual.  Remember that they are
all a bit different from each other as we are all a bit different from each

other.  The generalities are expressed here with minor variables.  Don't let
my emphasis concerning the important facets of Wolfology discourage you.  By
quietly observing the complexity of Wolf ownership, you will become very
proficient.  It just isn't that tough.

Follow the evolutionary, instinctive laws of the Wolf.  Modify those a bit;
observe the important ones completely:

1.Don't run up and grab a possession.
2.Teach them to release the object at an early age.
3.Do not expect immediate obedience while they are performing
a natural function.
4.Do expect obedience after the natural function is completed.

I, after observing that, for instance, JR is defecating, and upon wishing him
to return to his pen, simply state, "JR, when you are finished there, come on
in."  This method works very well.

Deliberate disobedience is met by a rapid walk towards the creature and a
harsh command of, "Better get your ass in there you bastard or I'm gonna get
you."  A few of these lessons are enough to instill the obedience factor and
I have very little need for the threat of discipline after 5 to 8 months of
age.  Don't overdo it.

Don't expect constant impossible compliance to every little whim that one
has.  Don't nag; when you say it, mean it, but avoid too many demands.  They
are not servants.  They are equal or slightly less dominant in their needs
and desires.

They want to get along with you.  You want to get along with them, but our
differences in social order and expectations  do remain a slight gulf between
us.  You do your part in bridging the gulf and I assure you that they will
meet you more than half way.

The rewards are great.  To think that this magnificent creature will and can
bridge one hundred million years of wildness towards our expectations with
only MINOR differences of status and opinion is absolutely miraculous.  You
should feel honored that this can happen.  Could you go to the wilds and bend
your abilities and psychology to living with and being adopted by our wild
creatures?  I am sorely afraid not.

These are the DOs and DON'Ts -- your success or failure now is your
responsibility.  Don't let old Canis Lupus down.  Don't let Mankind down.
Don't let our environment down.  And don't let me down.  I've spent too much
time and money and sacrifice for you to let us down.  Hang in there.


Sincerely,
Gordon K. Smith
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comments and criticism always welcome ... [e-mail]
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