January 2010

A Couple of Key Points On the Journey of Life...

Posted by jennifer on January 29, 2010.

Life is an amazing onion. You can either peel back the layers or stay stuck on the outside of the shell. I have found that the biggest adventure in my life was never really leaving the state of Colorado but rather learning about myself- internally. To go within can be like going to Alaska 100 miles from civilization without a dog sled and making it out alive. It can be barren, unforgiving, remote and scary but sometimes in order to see the other side of the mountain you have to climb it's hardest face.
With that said, as I have faced many battles, over come great odds and have peeled back layers to get to the core... I have reached a new level of understanding. One that I feel privileged to explore as some may never have the courage to see.
By shedding these layers, I have opened up pandora's box. More so with animals and people than I have ever experienced before. I walk in with no agenda and can leave without a trace. I am but a portal of information and energy to accomplish an equal goal. This is where the magic happens so to speak and all these channels of communication are becoming more clear.
This is where your sixth sense resides. To feel what to do, to know what to do before doing it and trust what it is is phenomenal. The more I let go of the past, the more I am present in the moment and the more available I am to listen to animals- to learn from them and hear what they are saying.
If we are to evolve as a species, the best place to start is by exercising our minds. Not just scholastically but rather consciously.

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Denver- ABC 7 News: "Grand Junction Man Indicted In Dog Dragging Death Suspect's Sister Also Indicted For Covering It Up"

Posted by jennifer on January 27, 2010.

To read the full story, follow the link below... This is in regard to the German Shepherd named Buddy who was dragged behind a car on purpose recently in Grand Junction, CO.

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/22346556/detail.html

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Brother, Sister Wolf- I Ask You What You Can Teach Me...

Posted by jennifer on January 17, 2010.

There is greatness in the values of compassion, kindness, loyalty and understanding. I ask myself. "What have the wolves taught me about this?"
Their answer came in the snow when I was hiking along and saw their footprints gathered together in common areas and travel paths.
They have taught me about family- related and sometimes non-related. It is in their happiness to re-unite or celebrate after a successful hunt. Sometimes it is through play or an otherwise fun ritual of babysitting a tired mother's pup's. I have learned the importance of eating meals together and bonding while moving. Their understanding of family order is by far, one of the most important and key elements to their livelihood and survival.
Beyond this though is the friendship and deep bonds they hold to one another. I believe they are individuals like us- working through whatever issues and hurdles they may have to face in order to learn and grow to a deeper level of understanding. Values however are innate to most and with that being said, it is interesting how they stick to the relatively simple, yet intuitive elements that have kept this species going much longer than we have been here.
For wolves and other animals in the wild, they are living life on an incredible scale. It is do or die, life or death. No one hands them a pay check for their hard work but rather their reward is in sleeping on a full stomach. Their reality is so very real- every second of every day counts and they live a life they love. It makes me wonder though if all our modern achievements as humans have really made us happy. In my view, it has only caused harm. For example: Is it worth to dig for oil when the amount you may or may not find is not near the amount in emissions it takes to look for that oil? Is it to the earth's benefit to create more things when you are harming more things in order to create them?
If we are a society built on escapism, what was life like when we couldn't escape? Our people must have been strong- not just physically but mentally.
With every word I type, there is this non-reality to the expressions of my words. I remember a time when video games were nonexistent and tree houses and riding bikes were.
As I discussed with a friend tonight this detachment from reality, I thought it would be nice to get people motivated to simply get off line for a change and actually meet a friend for coffee to hear their latest status update on Facebook. It's just a thought but maybe a thought that could implement some common ways of communicating in person versus on-line. If a wolf was shown a computer, they may try to chew on it. Be a wolf for a day and try life off-line. Maybe you just might read a book that has been sitting on your shelf for months staring at you or you may go for a hike and get a great idea or talk to a neighbor. Who knows? Hmm... maybe I should start a national get off your computer day. Not only would it be good for the environment but also good for us too!

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Rhythm

Posted by jennifer on January 13, 2010.

In order to be come joined up or linked in with a connection to animals, think of your favorite drum beat. When I used to compete in tracking competitions, I learned that while laying my track, if I stomped my footprints into a rhythm, the dog would follow the track better.
If you can walk you have rhythm- anything that moves has this concept. Think of skiing for example. Once you get going on some runs- you get a feeling of being in synch to something greater. This is a energy connection and it happens with animals too. If you have done any sport- running, horseback riding, tennis, surfing- you can get into a certain flow. Now, imagine that same feeling and beat running with your dog across a field- after a while you both join to a rhythm... a central beat like one heart.
This is what I have seen in nature. When I watch deer run, I can feel that. Take it back to when we were hunters... Running along side buffalo on a horse under your feet. You have so many heart beats in one continuous pace. Your heart rate elevates at being in this wave of continuos energy as does your horse's and the buffalo.
Rhythm is the essence to being wild. Wild wolves, horses, elk, etc. use their feet in a beat. I encourage you to discover this with your own dog. Feel what it's like to go off the beaten path where people don't frequent. If you are in a city, try alley ways. Put on your ipod and synch into some upbeat music with a paced rhythm. You can walk or run but go for a while. As your dog starts to tire a little, you will reach a point where you both are linked in. Like horse and rider, this is an equal relationship. Pretend you and your dog are living on the plains and searching for food. You are now teammates- equal partners. You can achieve this equal plane competing in dog sports too as well as watch it on TV when handlers move a dog around a show ring. Watch how they move & watch the dog handlers movements. The good ones can feel this common bond and connection to a greater energy flow. True horse whispers are also very knowledgeable at this concept though they might not be aware they are doing it.
I have learned this living with the wolves and from growing up as a competitive horseback rider. I have run through the aspen groves after rabbits with the wolves- sifting back and forth through the trees. They were faster than me but we both were on the hunt. I see the same thing up in Yellowstone when the wolves move the herds... Testing and prodding to find the weakest link, their tails are raised in heartbeat and anticipation- they are bonded on the highest level- one heart beat, one rhythm... Hunting to a drum only they and the elk can hear.
The highest form of bonding you can do with your dog is on the walk or on the run. Movement together resembles that primal urge going back to our ancestors who hunted with the wolves. Even the tiniest chihuahua still has these natural urges.This is why I am such a huge opponent to not using treadmills. It is an "easy out" for modern society to not take their animal for a walk.
If you are disabled, etc. their are certainly instances for it but I just think it's one more way man is separating himself from nature. There are no shortcuts in the wild but rather, basic laws and principals that everyone lives by. If you are out of shape, your chances of getting eaten are even higher. I have only known this from being on the food chain myself.
I can't expect a wolf to respect me unless I am physically capable of showing strength and attitude. They have to know if they challenge me over a piece of food, I could very well win. I eat my food in front of them and guard it till the ends of the earth.
All of these concepts were taught to us by the Native American culture however it may be only until now that we are capable of hearing them....

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Hello From the Woods...

Posted by jennifer on January 12, 2010.

Hi Everyone-
Well, I certainly have been on quite the journey lately trying to re-a-quaint myself again with society after spending so much time alone in solitude with nature, wolves, dogs, horses, birds, lynx- you name it.
These last four years have not only taught me a great deal professionally but personally as well. I have truly learned more from wolves about humankind than I think from humans themselves.
It has been quite the journey thus far that has taken me to places I never thought I would go. My understanding of creatures other than our own has shown me since I was a child that they know more than us in simpler terms. If you can slow your brain down and think with your instincts, you can be more effective with your pet than ever before.
Since modern society has had us "creating" and inventing all this useful stuff with our brains, we have forgotten how to think with our more primal, natural senses. It is about coming forth on equal terms- joining with animals that will allow the greatest respect and understanding between both parties. Animals get this concept btw.... When I meet a horse for example, I am not there to dominate or submit to them- I am only there in friendship to listen to them. Whether it be the most aggressive wolf to the most tame poodle or a friendly street cat- it works the same way. You can never go in assuming anything until you have established a relationship and then AND ONLY THEN true communication can begin.
It saddens me that so many humans are out of touch with these instincts and fail to learn from animals as much as we teach them. Much of society in my experience with nature & various creatures comes from a sense of superiority, entitlement, selfishness or acts of convenience.
When you can feel an animal, they might not always want what you think they want because it's more about you then them. I hate to say it but I see many pets like this and their voices expressing this to me are only getting louder. The owner showers them with affection when rather- they may prefer to be left alone yet the owner fails to acknowledge this because it comes from their own needs not getting met by other humans. There are dogs that do better walking in front of you and dogs that do better walking in back or on the side. The truth is- there is no "one way" but all ways except to injure those involved. You must look at every creature as an individual and different creatures hold different body language but they all hold some things in common: energy, thoughts, souls, intentions & feelings.
I have learned since I was young to be quiet and feel out these situations that may other wise be dangerous. I walk a soft but firm path, set boundaries and help guide animals to a different place of understanding. Perhaps the human is getting in the way of this growth by just the mere lack of improper tools when something else would be better suited. This skill is truly the most crucial- to think with your feelings, your intuition, gut, minds-eye, whatever you want to call it- we all have it inside us to draw upon. Many times pets can get stuck and just need some help communicating so I try to bridge that gap.
I look as these teachers as my equals and they show me things that I need to learn in order to grow as a human being. I feel fortunate that I have sought animals as my friends my whole life but it has come at great cost as I have been more like a lone wolf in life and to help people was like learning a whole new skill set.
With all this said, I really want to communicate to those that are listening that we are in a
great time of change in our world. If parents can teach their children to have a better appreciation for the earth and all it's inhabitants, we will be able to make great changes in the future of humanity. We must lead by example and protect the landscape due to over population and habitat loss for all animals around the globe. Climate change is causing tremendous stress on species fighting for their very survival such as the polar bear and other top predators. I wish there would be some sort of education about these topics in our school system but there isn't. Every day I witness animals suffering great losses to their habitat and fear of these animals causes humans to want to eliminate them. We need to learn how to co-exist peacefully again with Mother Nature. Los Angeles for example has one of the oldest and healthiest populations of coyotes co-existing with humans yet some folks will still call wildlife services or animal control if they merely see a coyote in their neighborhood. As more people try to claim nature as their own (I don't care how much money you make, who you are or all the reasons you can say you own your land...) the land my friends was never ours to begin with and will far surpass your family ownership or claim upon it once you move on from this world. You must know that you are creating homes upon homes that have already existed before you got there. Animals have a far more advanced understanding in this system than us because we expand and spread like a slow burning fire- crushing and killing living things in our wake with bull dozers and pipe lines. Take only what you need and leave the rest... The truest path in life is a simple one.
Goodnight from living with the wolves,
Jennifer

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HELP BUDDY!!!

Posted by jennifer on January 6, 2010.

Re-posting from Facebook:

"On December 30, 2009 between 2:18 am and 4:30 am a German Shepherd named Buddy was dragged to death at the Colorado National Monument. Joan Anzelmo, superintendent of the monument, identified the suspect as Steven Clay Romero, 37, of Grand Junction.

She said Romero is alleged to have stolen the dog -- Buddy, a German shepherd-blue heeler mix -- from people in Delta. He allegedly took the dog to the Colorado National Monument early Wednesday, tied the dog to his truck and dragged the dog. Paw prints in the snow were found to show Buddy at first walking, then running, then dragging, for 3 miles. A surveillance video showed a truck entering the monument at 2:18 am with a dog in the bed of the truck, it showed the same truck leaving at 2:30 with no dog. Witnesses said Romero said he was going to kill the dog, another said he saw Romero leave the residence with the dog.
Romero faces one count of aggravated cruelty towards animals. If convicted, the penalty is a maximum of three years in federal prison and a fine of $100,000, and one year of mandatory parole.

Anzelmo said she believes additional charges may be filed against Romero.

The goal of this group and petition is to see to it that Steven Romero spends every single minute of those three years in jail and a fine of $100,000 plus the one year of mandatory parole.

Should there be any sympathy towards Mr Romero, let me add one thing. According to the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel on Dec 31st, Romero was quoted as saying:
"I don't get it," he said, sitting alone at the defendant's table. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle Heldmyer then rose from her seat, walked toward Romero and tossed a copy of the charges on the table in front of him.

Heldmyer told U.S. Magistrate Judge Laird Milburn she will ask for Romero's continued detention during Monday's hearing.

"So, in other words I'll be sitting in jail and probably lose my job, too?" Romero asked Milburn.

"Yes," the judge responded."

Sign the petition sites below- please!!! The petition goal has been increased to 25,000 to present at the Thurs, Jan 7th arraignment, remember - power in numbers! Sign & Share - Thank You!

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/6/demand-justice-for-buddys-killer
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/6/demand-justice-for-buddys

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