Cheyenne's Howl

Printed in Mountain Messenger on Friday February 28, 1997

Hybrid Bill of Rights

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     Ever since I came to work at the Gallery, I have been asked if we wolves and wolf hybrids make good pets. The answer is far from a simple yes or no. You may have the right to "own" one of us, but if you do it only to boost your own ego, neither you nor your pet will be pleased with the relationship. We also have rights. While we will talk about this subject off and on over the next few months, today I would like to share with you the Wolf Hybrid Bill of Rights written by Dr. Tom Gier.

WOLF HYBRID BILL OF RIGHTS

I am a Wolf Hybrid, whether I am 98% or 2%, I am still a wolf hybrid. I am not a dog and I do not act like a dog, I act like a wolf. I am an intelligent, loving independent-minded creature and as such have certain rights. The following are ten of those rights:

1)   I have the right to permanent companionship of other wolf hybrids or dogs. I do not wish to be separated from my own any more than any other creature wishes to be so separated.

2)   I have the right to human companionship on a daily basis. If you do not want to spend time with me, then you should not own me.

3)   I have the right to seek safety and protection. I have the right to be protected from humans and animals alike. This protection should be in the form of an enclosed pen or yard.

4)   I have the right to try to escape from my pen/yard BUT I have the right to be kept from escaping by my owners daily monitoring of my "great escape" activities. I have the right to expect my owners to perform the necessary maintenance to my pen/yard to offset my attempts at escaping.

5)   I have the right to the proper amount and kind of food plus fresh water. I also have the right to a clean and safe pen/yard.

6)   I have the right to regular and proper medical attention. I also have the right to be treated by a vet who likes, respects and has the knowledge about wolf hybrids. I, furthermore, have the right to have a vet who I feel comfortable and safe with.

7)   I have the right to daily exercise and play time with both the animal and human members of my pack.

8)   I have the right to be treated with respect and dignity even if I am doing something "wolfish". In other words, I have the right to have my kind of fun, such as chewing, digging, stealing, howling, etc. After all, I am just being me. Isn't that why you bought a wolf hybrid? I do not mind being reprimanded but if you yell and scream and/or beat me, I may start to fear and distrust you; I may also start behaving in an even more unacceptable manner.

9)   I have the right to adequate shelter and protection in all kinds of weather. I know that as a wolf hybrid I am pretty tough, but I need some way to keep dry when it rains, to keep warm when it's cold, and to keep cool when it's hot.

10)   Most importantly, I have the right to be loved and cherished for the intelligent, loving, independent-minded creature that I am.

Cheyenne