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Wolf � Loki�s Story

I have known John Mattson for several years. His love and respect for animals has profoundly touched me. I deeply admired his relationship with his wolf Loki. I know you will enjoy John�s insight on wolves and his delightful humor! Enjoy the four part series beginning with Wolf � Loki�s Story.

Wolf � Loki�s Story

The series will include several important aspects such as training the wolf.

I love the article John. Didn't you post here when Diana was at Bellaonline last time. You had a bird, right? I have sun conures and a bearded dragon. Loki sounds amazing. I can't wait to hear more.

Wonderful article! Thank you, Diana and John David.

Thank you Phyllis. Hopefully we will hear from John who lives in a timezone far far away His deep love for animals permeates throughout his writing.

Hello everyone :), Yes Calla, I have posted on here before. and I also have ( and have had) exotic birds. Currently I am graced with a most cheeky and fun loving Green Cheeked Conure, named Sam. He is currently on my shoulder as I write this. Loki was the first animal companion I have. What I mean by companion, is a level and relationship above that of a pet. There was / is something more evolved, deeper then just a pet. ( Yes, I also have had many pets through my lifetime.) I noticed she was different in the way she actually chose me. Demonstrating there was some kind of bond, I would even say more spiritual like in how she reacted to me. Not only when she first saw me, but in the years I spent with her. It was like on some level she all ready knew me. I know some people will totally understand what I am saying, and others will say, Your a nutter. That is ok too, one day if you are lucky you will have that kind of relationship with a animal companion, and totally understand what I mean. She was a total dream as a companion; she never chewed anything of mine, never had an "Accident" in the bedroom, and was the most easiest to train. SHe would wait till I was just about to wake up, and start poking my cheek with her cold nose; " WAKE UP, WAKE UP!!!!" Then jump on the bed and wrestle till I was awake. This was immediately followed by her impatiently walking to the back door, and asking to be let outside, while I got ready for the day. The funny thing was, she would let me sleep in on Saturday and Sunday, I never had to teach her that. she somehow just knew. :P That is why I call her my first animal companion. She was more of a best friend then a pet... :)

It's interesting how language defines us. Ludwig Wittgenstein, I suppose, refined much of that. I agree that non-human animals may provide rich and deep relations, possibly because they are devoid of that most human vulnerability - vanity! Best wishes, Z. G. Standing Bear at The Flash and Thelma Memorial Hedgerhogf Rescue in Divide, Colorado USA

SO very true MGSpikers!!

This is a beautiful piece and I look forward to the next installments. My introduction to animal rescue came about when we moved to Colorado and could not keep our two eastern timber wolves confined to the backyard of our rented home in Fort Collins while we bought property in the mountains and planned to build a home there. They shoot wolves in Colorado. So I became involved with the local wolf rescue (Wolves Offered Life and Friendship - W.O.L.F.) and wound up on their board of directors because I spent so much time up there interacting with "my girls." My girls were two littermate sisters and were high percentage eastern timber wolves with about 25% of Belgian Malinois Shepherd on their father's side. I named them Akwe:kon (in Mohawk - "everyone, all of us, related") and Iot'kon (in Mohawk - "spirit woman"). The names were pronounced Ak-WAY-go and Yo-go. They did not like being indoors, even in the cold of Colorado. When the Colorado winter in the Rockies approached you could literally see them concentrating, hunching over, and telling themselves to "GROW FUR!" Which they did, luxuriantly and amazingly. Having lived free-ranging in the Okefenokee Swamp in south Georgia for the first six years of their life, what a surprise for them to move into the mountains. Akwekon was the skittish one of the pair, and she would only approach my wife or I, and no one else. Iotkon was just the opposite and would greet anyone, any time, and lick you to death. They both passed on from complications of old age illnesses nearing the age of 15 - considerbly aged for wolves. Best wishes, Z. G. Standing Bear at the Flash and Thelma Memorial Hedgehog Rescue in divide, Colorado USA

Loki sounds more like lot'kon. She was very gregarious when we were out on our travels. But she was slightly different if you just walked into the back yard and she wasnt sure if you were supposed to be there. She would let anyone in the backyard, but would not let them out till I or one of my roommates told her it was ok. She wouldnt actually bite or even touch them... But she would lower he head, straighten out the tail and growl if you tried to approach the gate, door or wall, ( the few times it happened, they got the message quickly). Yet, when we had BBQ's or get togethers at the house, she somehow instinctively knew it was ok for people to be wandering around. I have ot say Loki was unusual in one aspect. She loves veggies. Her favorite treats were carrots, celery and pickles. This was discovered on accident. I had made myself a rather large hamburger withh all the trimmings with carrots and celery and a large kosher dill pickle on the side. Of course just as I sat down, the phone rang. Not giving Loki any commands, and truthfully not even thinking about it, I ran to get the phone. Couldnt have been gone more then a few seconds to a minute, and when I came back, The hamburger was untouched, the carrots and celery were gone and she was working on the pickle. She stopped as I came in, tail wagging, and half a pickle in her jaw. All I did was thank her for leaving me the burger, and we enjoyed our lunch :)

Z.G.Standing Bear, I know exactly what you mean about the "Growing Fur". It was amazing seeing the differences between winter and summer coats. She would get combed thoroughly several times a week... Have to say I think I enjoyed combing her coat as much as she loved the attention. My favorite "look" was when she had her winter coat fully grown in. She would make a great pillow, or she would lay on my feet and keep them warm when we relaxed in the evening. My first "shock" at the change of seasons came when spring came along.. and she had her first "molt". Oh My, I was gob-smacked. I had never seen so much fur just clumping off her. Each swipe of the brush would yield enough fur for 3-4 generations of poodles. I literally filled 3 grocery paper bags on the first day. While they dont shed much hair if you keep them regularly groomed, just be prepared for the spring molt!!! Your two litter mates sound like they shared a wonderful life - with a truly amazing family. Thank you for sharing some of your stories :)