I wondered what all the howling was about.  There were no ambulances and no tornado sirens, both of which hurt our wolf hybrids’ ears.  Sometimes they howl for reasons unknown.  I cannot remember if I have mentioned this in writing before so forgive any possible repetition.  Dakota (our boy who is pictured here smiling) has the highest, purest howl and likes to sit and throw his head back on the long notes.  He’s like a lead soprano in a choir.  Then his sister Cheyenne joins in with the lowest bass you have ever heard.  It’s so funny; I have often said it is like God switched them.  Dakota looks more like their 75% Canadian Timberwolf ancestry but his mannerisms are all Texas dawg.  He will kiss any human if given the chance … and at 6’4″ he’s got a pretty good one.  Cheyenne’s looks favor more their 25% Siberian Husky lineage — but she’s all wolf and very shy.  Something magical happens when they howl; they start to harmonize — with her deep voice rising almost to a husky alto to meet his.  Sometimes Dakota will even come down a bit to a mezzo soprano for her.  When they get going their “sessions” can last for about five minutes.  I just love them:  they are sometimes hauntingly mournful, sometimes excited, but always unforgettable.  Oren Lyons, a Native American Faithkeeper of the Turtle Clan of the Seneca Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy, said this:

“Listen to the howl of our spiritual brother, the wolf; for how it goes for him, so goes the natural world.”

My father always said to look to the animals.  All of you, wherever you may be, watch out for our wild brethren.  The wolf’s song is connected with our own.  We must be ever vigilant to protect, preserve, and propagate them so that we all may hear the voices of wolves for many Full Wolf Moons to come.