Three Among the Wolves: A Couple and Their Dog Live a Year With Wolves in the Wild
Page 23
The delta wolves also faced a crisis that year. Oil and gas exploration on the delta had reached an intense level, bringing with it a dramatic increase in the number of heavy trucks that traveled the ice road. The invasion of the wolves’ hunting range by humans caused the animals to become so distraught that John feared they would leave the area altogether.
All through January 2002, Stranger and Mackenzie rarely relaxed when the family returned to their winter rendezvous. John remained close by, camped in a spruce thicket all month without a break. His worst fears were realized in the first week of February when, led by Stranger, the pack left for the rugged hills and valleys many miles southeast of Inuvik.
John followed on his snowmobile, sometimes keeping them in sight but mostly scouting their tracks in the snow. Throughout February, the wolves continually hunted and traveled throughout a wide range. By March, however, they seemed to have regained a sense of confidence and began hunting and returning at intervals to a sheltered valley, just as they had rendezvoused on the delta. That summer a delighted John discovered their den. He continues to observe the family from a distance, as he did on the delta.
Bill and I keep the exact location of the summer and delta wolves’ den sites and rendezvous areas a well-guarded secret to avoid the possibility of leading hunters to the animals. All photographs in my public lectures and certain photographs in this book have been edited with security in mind.
Our time with the wolves also gave us a deeper appreciation of our beloved Charlie. We could never have successfully lived with the wolves without his unusual ability to gain their respect. His natural interaction with the inhabitants of the wild country was extraordinary.
Every time we visited the wolves to check up on them, Charlie accompanied us. As we observed from the ridge, he tugged at his leash, urging us to allow him to join the pack, and he was puzzled by our insistence that he remain hidden behind the rocks. By the second day, he seemed to accept that he had to observe from a distance, and set up a constant watch. Even though he could not join the family, he appeared happy to be near them once more.
Early on our first day of observation of the delta wolves Charlie gave a short howl when the family returned to their usual resting site. Mackenzie immediately stared across the void to where trees concealed our tents. He sent out a long howl in apparent recognition of Charlie and fanned his tail. Although we kept Charlie tethered at the side of the tent, out of sight of the wolves, he fanned his tail as Mackenzie voiced his recognition.
John, who was with us that day, observed the interaction and said quietly, “They’ll be friends always.”
In the years following the publication of Polar Dream, the story of my solo trek to the magnetic North Pole with Charlie, our gentle dog touched the hearts of thousands of people. He appeared at schools and events and on television shows such as Good Morning America. He visited nursing homes, children’s hospitals, and camps for children with special needs. And he was the guest of honor at many fund-raisers for animal shelters.
Even today, fan mail from all over the world addressed to Charlie still arrives in a steady stream. His magnetism attracted people from all walks of life. Strangers would kneel to hug him. He imparted an angelic love that made people want to touch him.
Charlie celebrated his twenty-third birthday in 2003. His excellent health and long life were no doubt enhanced by strong genes, daily exercise, home-cooked food, and the monthly visits he enjoyed to his chiropractor and acupuncturist. But finally, his age caught up with him. Three weeks after we last visited the summer wolves, Charlie passed away peacefully in his sleep.
Although we miss him deeply, and will never really get over losing him, we cope by keeping him in our thoughts every day. We cherish every memory and everything he taught us. His soft gaze watches us from a life-size painting. We assume Charlie and Beta are howling happily together in heaven.
Charlie now lies at peace in a special place in a beautiful grove on our farm, overlooking the mountains he loved. He will always walk at our sides in spirit. His uncanny intelligence, along with his unfailing devotion to Bill and me, will continue to guide our path until we all meet again.
Acknowledgments
OUR MANY THANKS to our friend Marlin Greene of 3 Hats Design who has freely given of his advice and help. A thank you to John, our Inuit friend, who trusted us and allowed us into his world of wolves. Thank you, Margaret, for your unfailing support and encouragement.
Also thanks to my agent Anne Depue, and to Gary Luke and Heidi Schuessler of Sasquatch Books—and copyeditor Sherri Schultz—for your timely editing and suggestions.
And a special thanks to all those scientists who have provided information over the years concerning wolves and have created a solid base for my own wolf studies.
About the Author
HELEN THAYER was born and raised in New Zealand and graduated from Auckland University. She has been an international track and field athlete, and she won the U.S. women’s national luge title in 1975 at age 36. When she was 50, she became the first woman to walk and ski to the magnetic North Pole; the account of that adventure became the book Polar Dream. She has received many awards and accolades for her adventures, including the Outstanding Achievement Award by the American Mountain Foundation (now the Rocky Mountain Field Institute). In 2002 Helen was named by the National Geographic Society/National Public Radio as one of the great explorers of the 20th century and was honored at a White Clinton for her expeditions and educational work. She is a regular speaker before organizations and corporate groups. She and her husband Bill live in the foothills of Washington’s North Cascade Mountains.
House reception by President
Copyright ©2004 by Helen Thayer
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form, or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Published by Sasquatch Books
Distributed by Publishers Group West
Book design: Stewart A.Williams
Helen and Bill Thayer (all others)
Interior photographs: Helen and Bill Thayer
Map: Marge Mueller
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.
eISBN : 978-1-570-61808-6
Sasquatch Books / 119 South Main Street, Suite 400 / Seattle, WA 98104 / 206/467-4300
www.sasquatchbooks.com
custserv@sasquatchbooks.com