by Nancy Todisco

Created on: May 09, 2009

Arctic Wolves, Eastern Timber Wolves, Russian and Mexican Wolves, Tundra Wolves, Red Wolves, Eastern Canada and Indian wolves....the breeds and species are as diversified and perhaps as numerous as the Human Race. Wolves have long been endangered, feared, honored, and truly noticed throughout the development of Mankind. Folk tales have been written, legends have been documented, and ferocious encounters have been recorded regarding man's relationship with the wolf.

Why is mankind obsessed with the existence of the wolf ? Why do parents pass on Fairy Tales about "Big Bad Wolves" ? Even Hollywood glamorizes the relationship between the white man, the Indian tribes and the wolf in the epic movie/novel, "Dances with Wolves". Why are we fascinated with the wolves predatory-like existence while simultaneously outraged with the endangerment of these magnificent mammals ?

Perhaps it is because Humans can directly relate to the lives of wolves, their packs, and their genuine struggle for survival. Wolves have long been given the dismal reputation of being ravenous and beastly, but in fact, they are more like humans in their cautious instincts to socialize and meet strangers. Their behavior is shy, avoiding eye contact, even hiding when strangers approach. How similar the human race, when faced with situations outside of our comfort zone. We don't attack, and neither will an unprovoked wolf. We retreat and seek the familiar; the "pack" of humans we are comfortable among. The same is true of our friends the wolves. They also leave a room to avoid unknown eye contact , and even have been observed to be "shy" when faced with an uncomfortable situation. Wolves, however, take commands from their owner, much like a child looks for approval from their parent by conforming to their commands.

Wolves live in packs, allowing one male to assume leadership, make decisions, and take control of the family. That one dominant male wolf is determined to be called the Alpha Male. He will lead the pack and make critical decisions within the pack. In the human race that is called a parent; in Government, that is called a President and chosen via an election.

Just as humans rely on their senses to guide them, so too, with our wolf counterparts. The have keen senses of sight, smell and hearing. They live in wolf packs which consist of communities of wolves, each with its own nuclear family, just as humans strive for a nuclear family. Together the packs care and protect their pups, just as humans bond together in an effort to raise our children. Authors have published books encouraging our nations to bond together in an effort to raise our "pups" as a community; larger than just our nuclear families. Take for example, Hillary Clinton's book, "It Takes a Village". Of course the author doesn't illuminate the lives of the wolves and their packs; but she does suggest the importance of a Democratic nation, joining together as a "pack" to ensure a brighter, more functional future for our children.

Yes, our human families have genuinely reflected the wolf family in caring for our youth, in searching out opportunities for ourselves, in hunting for our food; our futures. Even religious references are made regarding the wolves, whether genuine or fictional. Mathew 7: verses 15-16 states, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing,but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits."

Humans fascination with the wolves may proceed our likenesses to these packs. But one thing remains true; in a civilized society we all remain related somehow to our animal nature, our love for our families, our loyalties and our hunger and thirst for survival.

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