?What's got you so steamed up?? I asked.



?You've heard about the Grey Wolves being endangered?? the wolf asked.

?Sure,? I said.

?Well, they're not endangered any more.?

?That's good news, isn't it,? I asked the wolf.

?It would be, if they weren't planning to allow people to hunt them again.?

?If they were endangered until just recently, but now we are going to have humans hunting them again, aren't they endangered again??

?They are from where I'm standing,? the wolf said.

Fortunately, my friend's wolf was an arctic wolf, but wolves don't see themselves as being different breeds such that one breed is better than another.

?Let me ask you a question,? the wolf said. ?If a person mistreats a dog, what happens??

?He can go to prison,? I said.

?But if a person shoots at dogs for sport??

?Same result,? I said. ?Dogs are protected by law.?

?And dogs came from what animal?? the wolf said.

?Wolves,? I said and saw where this was headed.

?Anything seem wrong with this?? the wolf asked.

?Sure,? I agreed.

?And do wolves attack humans??

?No,? I said. ?They just hunt other animals when they need to eat.?

?Do wolves kill for sport??

?No.?

?Have I ever bitten you or anyone?? the wolf asked.

?No,? I said.

I could see that the wolf was having a difficult time digesting the unfairness of it all.

?You have human rights organizations, and animal rights organizations, and laws, and tribunals, and PETA, but they're still going to hunt wolves??

?Apparently so,? I said.

?Doesn't seem right,? the wolf said.

We sat awhile in silence.

?Do wolves feel pain?? I asked.

?Sure we feel pain. We get disease, and we get old just like you.. I'm twelve and already I have arthritis. But dogs are rarely given pain killers, or surgery, or even a choice of whether we want to live or die.?

?Not very funny, is it??

?Nope. Makes you want to bite something.?

?You know people who own dogs get sued when their animal bites someone,? I said.

?The humans deserve it if they don't train their dogs not to bite,? the wolf said. ?It's not difficult.?

?Why do you always chase rabbits,? I asked.

?A wolf will always think of a rabbit as food,? the wolf said. ?Some things are instinctual. Like knowing humans are good and gunshots mean danger. And while I don't particularly like your cat, I know better than to bite him.?

?Because I told you not to?? I asked.

?That and the fact that he's got sharp claws and always goes for my nose when I get too close.?

?Is there anything I can do for you?? I asked when the wolf groaned as he lay down.

?Even if I can't, could you bite the person in Washington that said it's okay to hunt wolves again.?

I promised that I would.

If you or a family member has been injured by a dog bite or other animal attack, visit our website or call us. There is virtually strict liability for the person who owns a dog that bites someone and if homeowner insurance can be found, we can see that you are compensated for your injuries. We have never received a call about a bite from a wolf but other dangerous animals can pose a significant danger to others.

Dog bites and animal attacks may become more of a problem as people abandon their homes and animals in these difficult times. We recommend that your children take extra care not just in cities with rural areas such as Hemet, Victorville, Perris, Lancaster, Lake Elsinore, but wherever a great many homes are for sale such as in Riverside and San Bernardino.