by Rose De Dan

Note: This is the third in a series entitled “Answering the Call of the Wild.” You can read the beginning under the Articles section on this website. In Part 1 I struggled to understand what a wolf in the Woodland Park Zoo was trying to communicate to me. In Part 2 I tell the story of "Two Wolves" and "The Wolf and the Mesa Stone."

If I had a quarter for every time I have been asked if my dog, Puma, is part wolf I would have a tidy sum.

I always answer, “Not as far as I know.” My best guess is he is an Anatolian shepherd/Malamute cross. But, being a shelter dog with no known history adopted from a shelter in a rural area of Montana, he could be any manner of mixes including wolf.

Not long after I adopted him I was awoken in the night by stampeding cats and an unearthly sound that seemed to come from all directions, filling my living space. It was a primeval wolf howl, something my urban cats, who had never set foot in the wilderness, instinctively seemed to recognize as danger.

Wiping the sleep from my eyes I realized that we had not suddenly been transported during the night to the woods; Puma, head hanging over the edge of his dog bed, was howling in his sleep. The wooden floors made a perfect sounding board, carrying his vocals throughout the house. And impressive vocals they were. Up until that point I had not realized he made any sounds at all as he never barked.

Several days later I decided to try an experiment. Dragging out an old album, "The Language and Music of the Wolves” narrated by Robert Redford, I put on a track of the pack joining their voices in a group howl.

Puma’s ears went up, and with head cocked, he listened carefully for a moment. Then, tilting his head back and closing his eyes, he joined in, full-throated and beautifully voiced, his howl was an awesome sound to hear. The cats were less thrilled, this time they did not ricochet off the walls, but they certainly did give me the stinkeye!

He carried on for a few moments more, and then stopped, embarrassed. I praised him for his voice, but he seemed to feel that he had done something uncivilized and declined to give voice anymore that time. From time to time I repeated the impromptu concert opportunity, feeling that it was something he needed to express and that I wanted to share with him. I would often join my voice with his to share in the experience and to help him feel that it was okay. By this time the cats ignored us.

One warm, early summer evening in urban Alki, I felt inspired to prompt a pack howl. Putting the album on, Puma and I raised our voices together, and this time he felt comfortable enough to really lay on the vocals, drawing out the howl and adding embellishments. It was a privilege to hear him. But I had forgotten that the windows were open.

Suddenly there was a knock at my door, and when I opened it I saw the concerned faces of three of my neighbors, who immediately wanted to know if I was okay. They told me that knowing how strong my bond is with Puma, and hearing him howling, they thought that something had happened to me! I was touched that my neighbors would run to my rescue, and hastened to reassure them. I invited them in to hear the concert up close and personal, but Puma was having none of it, apparently our concerts were only for the immediate pack.

And I realized that in considering the call I was hearing from the wolf at the Woodland Park Zoo, the question was not whether Puma was part wolf, but that ALL dogs are part wolf. In considering my relationship with wolves I realized that I also needed to consider our relationship with dogs, for they are the very direct descendants of the wolves.

To be continued...

The image that accompanies this article, The Wolf Within, is of Puma, and is available for purchase as greeting cards or note cards.

If you would like to read more musings by Rose De Dan, sign up for our newsletters, or visit Articles or our blog posts.

An early pioneer in the field of alternative healing for animals since 1996, Rose De Dan, Wild Reiki and Shamanic Healing LLC, offers a unique perspective on animals and the natural world through her writing, art, sessions and classes. As an animal shaman, voice of the animals, and author of Tails of a Healer: Animals, Reiki and Shamanism, she views her role as a healer as one of building bridges between people and animals, and of empowering them to reconnect with Pachamama, Mother Earth.

In partnership with her animal companions she teaches Reiki and shamanic classes in Seattle, WA and offers private consultations for both humans and animals. For individual sessions and phone consultations reach her at (206) 933-7877 or send an email.

Rose De Dan©2009