Cheyenne's Howl

Printed in Mountain Messenger on Friday - September 12, 1997

"Hear ONLY EVIL, See ONLY EVIL, Speak ONLY EVIL"

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In the world of the wolf, there are no lies. In fact, in most of the entire animal kingdom there is no word in their languages for lie. Then along comes man and for whatever reasons, he blatantly lies, or misinforms, or provides only a half truth. He twists things around to suit his own personal needs and desires without taking into consideration the negative consequences that might come to others. Man so often takes what he wants for his immediate satisfaction without realizing the harm done to another or even the price that he himself may some day end up paying. Sometimes things are said and done out of fear and ignorance, but I notice that too often it is out of pure greed and selfishness. This I don't understand. The other thing that bothers me is the ease at which others jump on a band wagon as it goes by. Don't people look before they leap anymore?

America used to be a nation of people who looked out for one another. People were allowed to live their lives as they saw fit and as long as no harm was done to anyone else they were left alone. It seems that these days, Americans are becoming slaves to special interests. Instant gratification overrides common sense. Respect for the rights of others seldom is shown. No one takes responsibility for their own actions. It is always someone elses fault. Your governments have created so many laws to protect you from yourselves that you live in a sterilized society. Most of you have no control over your own lives, let alone your TV remote control.

So what is all this leading up to? As most of you know last week I was upset with Louis Sahagun, a reporter with the L.A. Times. I had intended to address some of the issues this week but instead I would like to chew a little on fellow reporter, "The Old Timer" who writes the column " A View From Outwest" in the Messenger. It appears that he is upset because up in Canada two people were killed, and one was injured, by a bear. This bothers me too because no matter what the circumstances were, in the eyes of you humans it is always the animals fault. Now think about this for a minute. First off, we were here first. You're the ones encroaching into our homelands. Second, if you are hiking in bear territory, take appropriate precautions. I personally don't care for bears myself, but I would much rather walk a trail and meet up with a bear, than walk alone down some of the streets in your cities.

Next he said that along with other animals, wolves "are very dangerous to people who go hiking in the back country". Old Timer, I think senility must be setting in. You must not have gotten the message that Little Red Riding Hood lied. If you check out the facts, there has never been a documented case where a wild wolf has ever attacked a human being unless it was provoked or rabid. Why are you trying to spread fear where fear does not belong?

It appears Old Timer that you have decided to jump on the anti wolfdog cross band wagon and condemned an animal that you know little about. You even propose regulations against them. You claim that they are "more dangerous". I challenge you Old Timer to show me the facts where a wolfdog cross when turned loose is "more dangerous" than any other feral canines that have formed a pack. This includes Chows or Cockers, Shepards or Labs, Wolfdogs or Poodles, and all other breeds of canine. Old Timer, Dad and I will continue to hike and camp out in the wild. We have no fear of the animals, wild or domestic. The only thing we fear are the humans that speak out when they should be listening, close their ears when they should be learning, or shut their eyes when they should be seeking out the truth. I encourage you to become a responsible leader and to help others to become responsible companion animal owners. Put the blame where the blame belongs, not with any animal, but with the irresponsible persons that own them.

Cheyenne