Namaste' all I got some free time so I can finally get to another post here :0) for all those posts I have missed on some others great blogs, and not commented. I'll get to you! Walt ever the sweet heart of an angel, YES I'm alive and well THANK YOU! every few weeks due to a disease I have lived with in harmony ;0) since I was a teen, I am taken out of general mainstream life momentarily, and it takes all my life source and energy to make sure all the daily chores that go with operating a large ranch get done. (Work doesn't stop! sick or not, *enter here a huge chorus* The Show Must Go On!) Then when I come back to the land of living, I have to climb back up that mountain again ;0) the last thing I think of doing is writing a blog :0)
It is very costly Walt yes to operate a facility that does not for profit work, along with the time factor as it has to fit in alongside our actual paying jobs to keep operating the outreach and building it up.
BUT you really cant put a price on education, and teaching from your heart. I have had a lot of youth that come out here from very poor backgrounds, I certainly don't want anyone seriously interested in coming out not be able to just because they could not afford to.
It is more than teaching about wolves , it comes down to teaching compassion and empathy via *experiencing* the wild lands, and all wildlife, and it's very essence. Allow them to *touch* *smell* *embrace* LIFE. That they can give themselves permission to LAUGH and NOT WORRY who may be watching them or judging them. Empowering a young person with experiences will strengthen their confidence, and a confident child, will become a successful adult. :0)
SO for example if you teach a young girl how to change a tire, or how to survive off the land itself, through them learning what every plant is, and tree and their life giving properties, or making their own flute through a flute making workshop, or making their own boomerang and painting it up YUP we have done this out here, they are but a few little examples of how each accomplishment a young person succeeds at, will go towards building up a powerful energy within that youth, and THAT will teach in and of itself, something that cannot be via words alone.
A little bit ago I brought pookie the shih-poo down to visit northern lights legend the arctic wolf, so they could have a special visit together. Legend was co-raised by Pookie and remains steadfastly dedicated to her, extremely gentle and careful with her, for he knows he is much bigger than her.
I know the wolves here don't live a typical *wild* life, they get to see the doctor (vet) when they need to, they get good regular meals, are protected from various diseases, never have to worry about *surviving*, and their upbringing helps to *influence* their behaviors to a certain degree, but when I see animals whom don't pace, whom I swear are smiling, and show that happiness in their behaviors, I know I am doing something right by them, as best as any human possibly can for their well being, and contentment in a captive situation. After enough years of studying and most importantly *listening* to what *they NEED and want*, it helps to create an atmosphere of calm. It becomes all about doing everything by them in the very best, and most respectable of ways.
Here's a happy face to brighten your day I am laying on my side with him. The smaller pen he is in is called a separation pen (it is not occupied full time) I did not want two wolves together with pookie at the same time, it is ONLY used during breeding season to separate a bonded pair, so no unwanted pups are born. So I used it for special time between the two friends this day. It is built right off the main habitat and double gated entry area.
"Reach Out"
"nose to nose"
"revere"
"play time, your it!"
"eye 2 eye"
"teacher"
"follow the leader"
"leap dog"
"sweet kiss"
"king of the mountain" (actually once legend jumped up there, and saw pookie down below he started crying till I picked her up , so he could jump off again, he refused to jump down till I did in case he accidentally jumped on her!!!)
"mirror"
