Speak! Jennifer McCarthy's Blog: August 2009 Archives

August 2009

More Pictures...

Posted by jennifer on August 31, 2009.

Henry: Boulder-

Henry-

Hiking With the Wolves & Dogs-

Hiking-

On the Road-

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Posted by jennifer on August 31, 2009.

Las Vegas-

Getting Hair Done In L.A.-

Got Snow?

Lola & Elvis In Beverly Hills-

On the Strip...

Elk- Yellowstone

Elmo & Ghandi- Phoenix, Az.

Jumping Out of the Jeep...

Elvis & Mitten-

Elvis & the Wolves-

Elvis & Henry Chasing Max: Living With the Wolves-

Elvis Swimming-

Elvis-

Max Following Elvis-

Elmo & Ghandi- Phoenix

Ghandi-

Grand Teton-

Grizzly: Yellowstone-

Grizzly-

Life On the Road-

Henry & Clide: Boulder

Henry & Elvis: Living With the Wolves

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Posted by jennifer on August 31, 2009.

Cowgirl & Juno- Phoenix

Coyote- Lamar Valley, Yellowstone

Daisy- Mission Wolf, Colorado

Daisy

At Home In Colorado...

Elvis & Lola Searching For Mountain Lion Tracks-

Elvis & Lola Hiking-

In Vegas-

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More Excerpts From My Journal Writing...

Posted by jennifer on August 31, 2009.

What I'm doing with animals acendes many levels. My communication to them is a feeling, sixth sense or psychic connection. I believe this to be true as I feel a lot of things from the core of my being when working with them.
Everything is nothing. Not controlling is freedom when working from an equal plane. Doing things from the feeling creates success. This is how I feel instead of "dominate" or control the situation- it's not written in a book rather a learned mutual conversation whether it be a horse, wolf or dog. - May 22nd, 2009 Hiking Alone In The Woods

Fresh mountian lion kill- deer near barn on property. Second kill within months, same general area. Possible habitual route lion is taking on property. Tomorrow going to kill site to investigate. Fascinating that these kills are taking place so close to the house and this one in broad view. Wondering if lion would have the same response to wolves as the coyote but that us unlikely as it has no fear entering captive wolf territory. Our hikes venture on the property line or outside of it in national forest. Lion kills seem to be more centrally located. Deer seems not as present the same as when my property was occupied by many deer visits until they realized dogs lived there. If lion is consistantly seeing wolves and humans, the potential for attack on an animal other than deer down the road would be likely if this is using as it's hunting grounds.

Going back to the lion that ate 7 dogs and a horse near my home two years ago, eventually killed by a neighbor, Dept. of Wildlife refused to kill such an animal. If a lion is that easily transfering from deer to dogs, cats, a horse, what comes next is a child or a human being. Where do we draw the line in the habituation with wolves and other animals? What constitues killing vs. Protecting? Educating people on how human behavior influences wildlife is key. Hunting may be a nessasary messure to allocate certain predators from uprising too far. Hunting interest has fallen however by 8%? Where do we find co-existance with mother nature is key question. Watching the scales tip could be dangerous: too much love of animals could backfire just as eliminating a predator altogether.

There was another attack by a coyote on a man recently here in Colorado. This is the second attack I've heard about within a matter of 3 months proximity. The way nature is rapidly growing out of allignment without the wolf is evident. However what if the wolf down the road becomes habituated to humans? Can we become friends with this predator and live in harmony is ultimatly a question that will effect the very future of our land. There is the very real possibilty the wolf will loose it's fear of us. - 6/10/09 Living With The Wolves

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Cell. Phone Notes & Quotes...

Posted by jennifer on August 28, 2009.

Running in the rain, sifting back & forth through the Aspen's & Ponderosa Pines, I was one with the beasts of nature.

"In Europe people talk a great deal of the wilds of America but the Americans themselves never think about them; they are insensible to the wonders of inanimate nature and they may be said not to perceive the muighty forests that surround them till they fall beneith the hatchet." - Alexis de Tocqueville

"The most remote location in the lower 48 states is the southeastern part of Yellowstone. There is not another location that will take you more than twenty miles from a road." - Beast In the Garden

"Animals normally flee when exposed to unusual, potentially threatning situations, such as people approaching. However, repeated exposure to such situations, if not followed by negative consequences, may result in an animal that does not flee as readily. Behavioral scientists refer to this warning of response upon repeated exposure to potentially threatning situations as habituation."

- Board of inquiry, 1986 on bear #59 attack in Yellowstone National Park

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Posted by jennifer on August 27, 2009.

Black Bear Cub: Yellowstone

Boots In Tent:

Buffalo Chasing Off Lone, Male Wolf: (I followed this wolf for three hours)

Late night sending out e-mails after arriving at my hotel:

Elvis Chasing Max the Wolf:

Washing Equipment:

Lab Puts Wolf In His Place...

Training Protection Dogs: Colorado

Cleaning the Chucks For a Meeting:

Cowgirl: Phoenix

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Some Pics. To Go Along With Type...

Posted by jennifer on August 27, 2009.

Inside my tent at night...

Artic Wolves: Grizzly Wolf & Discovery Center, Montana

Baby Bison: Yellowstone National Park

Research Study: Living with the Wolves
Hiking off leash with 2 wolves and 3 dogs...

Big Horn Sheep: Yellowstone

Boots:

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Jillian Michael Radio Show Pod Cast:

Posted by jennifer on August 27, 2009.

Hey! Someone just brought this to my attention after it appeared on-line from my interview on Jillian Michael's show... Thanks Molly's Mom!

"Your Dog as a workout Partner - Interesting Pod Cast

Molly's Mom:

I listen to Jillian Michael's podcast whenever I'm working out - normally it's just fitness and eating tips, but the week of December 15th - she had a segment on dogs as workout partners. She had Jennifer McCarthy on to speak about how to make your dog into the fitness buddy that you need. It was a very interesting segment. She talked about how training needs to be done between the owner/handler and the dog, that you can't just ship your dog to a trainer for a month and expect it to be well behaved. She also had an interesting talk about protein and how too much protein can be like caffeine to a dog. I had never heard that before. But probably the most interesting thing she talked about is that going on walks with your dog is the most important way to bond with the dog. She said that by moving as a "pack" the dog learns its place and it strengthens the bond between pet and owner. Here's the link in case anyone is interested.

http://kfiam640.com/pages/jillian.html?page=2"

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Old Writing, New Format: Posting Excerpts From Book Proposal Notes...

Posted by jennifer on August 27, 2009.

Beautiful blue skies in the mountains today. I went out & gathered some kindling for the fire pit this weekend. Saw a fawn- she saw me, dogs saw her and into hunting mode they went- ears up, tail wagging but no chasing as she took off. They know not to disturb the wildlife.
Today I am posting some old writing excerpts from my notes. I have so many notes that are very unorganized- usually chicken scratch on anything available and journals worth of entries from my trips into the wild. My experiments are endless- I thrive on inventing and creating new ways to understand and work with animals. I hope this helps you understand that I don't just sit around- I have been in research mode for over three years now. Many ask why my prices are so high. Actually, there are other trainers who charge the same amount however my time is extremely valuable and the cost that goes in to bring this information to your doorstep is unbelievable.
So here it is. These notes may be random thoughts, facts, quotes, experiments, findings or personal thoughts on my life traveling, searching and coexisting. There may be the occasional spelling mistake, etc. but whatever it is, I hope you'll enjoy them...

Living With The Wolves: June 10th, 2009:

"What is being alone? Harry Truman once said "The only fear we have to fear is fear itself". In 3 years living in Colorado and in the wild, I have spent countless hours, days and weeks on end alone. Yesterday as I was driving myself down the mountain 45 min. away from the hospital, throwing up in a garbage bag, feeling like I was going to faint did this point really come through. I thought back on the time two years ago when I was living in the country surrounded primarily by cattle & horses. I went skiing by myself demoing new skiis, slid half way down a black run and tore my MCL. That day I was taken down by a sled but still managed to drive myself home and use my ski poles as crutches for two weeks. Again- there I was alone. Just me and my dogs & cat. So although I have truthfully found that spending time by yourself can be good, my research in this department concludes that humans (being pack animals) do better when around other humans. The lengths to which I have traveled by myself can seem a little scary. And with good reason, they are. There is only so much interaction between a human and another species before one truly yerns for same species companionship. I have seen some of the most beautiful sights and sounds of nature but I always think it would be so much more beautiful to share this with someone. I do not fear being alone no longer as there's no where else to go. My fear now is how to incorporate other humans into my world and I do not fear dying for what I do. I fear not being remembered for my accomplishments. My soul, my passion, my art and my life reflects upon those I have educated, animals I have saved and lives I have touched for the greater good.

Later that evening I dressed once again for another potential trip to the emergency room. I decided prior which arm would be sacrificied for another IV, looked myself in the mirror and realized that I have many stories far beyond wild nature that are still left to be told. Fortunatly by 5 a.m. I was able to get some sleep and slowly start to feel better the next day.

The "no service" signal... Sometimes can be the sign of doom. Hence when my Truck broke down in the middle of Fish Lake Forest in Utah at 2 a.m. Walking highway 70 for miles (this stretch in Utah runs over 120 miles with no gas stations) I hitched a ride with an old oil man delivering a part across the state. I figured with a knife taped to my inner right leg, I could take him if I had to. The tow truck operator however put me in a bad situation taking me to his trailer home to apparently pick up his license. As a female, we are wiser in our intuition being often times feeling like prey. Our senses stronger in a dark parking lot or back alley at night, reading body language and sometimes having to prepare for attack. I was lucky.

War= fear of being devowered by a force greater than ourselves. In ancient times, this would be refered to as a beast. (Humans that once feared a monster of nature.)

"December 8,1990- Glacier National Park: Scientists observe a black wolf urinating on a cougar's head."

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Gila National Forest/ Autism/ Feral Children Research: Aug. 27th, 2009

Posted by jennifer on August 27, 2009.

Some people forget to ask the most important questions. I often see humans who look beyond the simple answers. Animals are simplistic. Humans are complicated. There are though many things we share in common. Here in lies the question: If a child raised by animals is so developmentally behind, not socialized around her own kind, what happens to the dog who is raised strictly around humans? Both feral child and dog could be aggressive to their own species. How many traits here do we have in common? What have my experiments taught me about acting like dogs around dogs? These are questions I am answering.
I broke into the Gila National Forest today thanks to Rich :-) (Thank you Rich). I will be heading down there sometime in the next two months. For anyone interested, the L.A. Times wrote an article recently on the over management of the Mexican Gray Wolf: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-wolves26-2009jul26,0,181839.story
How are these wolves doing affecting the balance of the eco-system since being released? Why are they being stopped from migrating to Arizona?
Speaking of Arizona, does anyone realize how hot it is there? I mean seriously. It's so hot, I have a permanent third degree burn from my seat belt. I guess I'm from the mountains and not used to it but jeeze. I have had to do indoor stuff since arriving for my first trip in August. I am preparing for more filming next month also filming on my own constantly. This video camera is getting a lot of use.
I have seen stuff working with a psychologist and an amazing autistic boy that I can apply around full circle to my work with dogs and wolves.
There are two research projects underway, I'm working consistently on my book proposal and guess what? There's so much info. I think I may have to write two books. Yes two. I think I've been holding out so long from divulging information, that I am over flowing with notes, e-mails, video footage and stories of my documentation.
So here's to day one of my new blogging phenomenon. I hope you'll stick around to enjoy more to come ;-)
Best from Boulder,
Jennifer

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Hello From The Forest...

Posted by jennifer on August 27, 2009.

Hi Everyone-
Well, I certainly have been busy lately. As you may know, I'm in about 4 different places each month on top of my various research projects. However, for the first time I have decided to start unraveling my mysterious journeys right here on my blog. I won't disolve all of my secrets but you will now have an inside look into what I'm doing and the advancements I'm making in different fields of wolves, dogs and dog crosses. I won't say it's been easy. I drive thousands of miles every month. Not because I want to but I just can't leave home without my two side kicks- Elvis & Lola who go with me everywhere. On average, I can be anywhere from the back country of Yellowstone, the Gila national forest, working with the autism community in Phoenix to training protection dogs off the Vegas strip. My nights consist of research, sending e-mails and days could be spent transporting a wolf across the country or doing a mock break in with a ski mask on in a celebrities home. The most severe cases are what I thrive in and most do not know that I actually research all sorts of predators from sharks to mountain lions and believe it or not, this knowledge has made me a better dog trainer. I love my job and I love helping animals.
So, with that said- please stick around as I uncover the latest information from the border of New Mexico & Arizona on the Mexican Gray Wolf. See how my research into feral children & autism could very well help save a dog's life and brace yourself for behind the scenes info. directly from wolf management in Yellowstone to a rancher in Oregon. THIS IS MY WORLD...

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Healthy Spot Lecture: Los Angeles Aug. 5th 7-8 p.m.

Posted by jennifer on August 5, 2009.

Tomorrow night (Wed. Aug. 5th), I will be giving a free lecture about wildlife and nature- not so much dogs. The reason is this: Over population that is causing such things as urban sprawl, loss of habitat, depletion of fish in our oceans, erosion, global warming, etc. is greatly impacting the very wildlife that lives on planet earth. Predators are trying to be successfully re-introduced while still being hunted down in planes, shark fins offer up a multi- billion dollar business and more and more people are moving out of our cities and into wild nature wanting peace and tranquility from the big city.
Here's the scary truth: you cannot go within 20 miles from a road anywhere in the lower 48 states. The more you move up to the mountains, into the country- the more wear you are causing on the environment. The more kids you have, the more cars they drive, the more electricity they use and lines they may toss into the ocean or credit cards they may use to pay that expensive sushi bill. The Mexican wolf re-introduction plan you happily supported has killed more wolves than they have saved, the coyote that you see is now looking for you to feed him instead of going through your trash or seeing you as he becomes the predator, you become the prey, the male mountain lions that would normally travel hundreds of miles to claim a new territory can't because they are hit by cars and the snipers that are hired to go into Rocky Mountain National Park at night and kill the deer because the wolf isn't there, drag the carcusses out before daylight.
Yes, this is the sad state of nature and the more we try to manage it, the more un-natural it seems. No one seems to be talking though about the big elephant in the room: Over population. When a disease comes out for humans, we find a cure or a vaccine. I wonder sometimes how smart, how egotistical we have to be in always wanting to create, build, invent-the smartest people forget the simplest things:
Water, food, shelter, clothing. This is what a human needs. Plain and simple- nothing more, nothing less.
How can we forget the soil beneith our feet, the fresh oxygen in the air, the pure water that we drink and the buffalo meat that we eat. "Out of death, comes life". This simple sentence says it all right there.
I am on a mission to try to educate as many people as possible about our eco-systems and how they work. I hope to leave those with a clear understanding of the Trophic Cascade and the Ecology of Fear. It seems as though this fear has transfered over to us. What we are afraid of, we kill. However, if we kill what we are afraid of, we are killing off much more than just the predator. We kill the grass, the birds, the trees and in our oceans- if we loose the shark, the entire ocean will be affected.
I am grateful to be presenting this lecture in Los Angeles- a city ebbing in and out of canyons and ocean surrounding it but do most who live here know how it works?
Why is it a good idea that we keep wildlife afraid of us? Why is it important to learn how to co-exist with coyotes, sharks, rattlesnakes and mountain lions? Wouldn't it be easier if we just re-located them? How about killing them or maybe move more houses away from the city where less people are located? These and so many more questions I will be answering. I will tell how I live in the territory of two male mountain lions with two dogs and two cats when last year a lion ate 7 dogs and a horse in my tiny neighborhood. I will talk about ways to protect yourself and your pet, how to help maintain balance of nature and wildlife by your very own behavior.
Come check it out at:

Healthy Spot
1110 Wilshire Boulevard
Santa Monica, CA 90401
www.healthyspotla.com

Aug. 5th @ 7-8 p.m.

Hope to see you there!!!

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