In Druidic lore, the wolf is a powerful totem animal, embodying many of the qualities of the hound, but including a wildness of nature not found in the domesticated dog. One of the Gaelic names for the wolf is Madadh-Allaidh, the wild dog, and the Celts were well known for their cross-breeding of wolves with hounds to produce an extremely powerful fighting dog for battle which, of course, brought in the quality of endurance or stamina.
However, despite the association with fierceness, the wolf was valued far more for its affinities with humans than for its wildness. In reality, the wolf is a highly social animal, intelligent and friendly, devoted to mate and family. A quality that appears to be sadly lacking among his human brethren.
Druidic lore shows the wolf as bringing a strong sense of faithfulness, inner strength and intuition. But the wolf also brings learning. Sometimes one needs to cross barriers, take risks, go beyond the limited compass of 'normal' behaviour in order to learn and grow, although crossing these boundaries may seem repugnant, even painful. But fear not the inner power and strength you feel when you spend time alone. Instead come to know your deepest self and even in the darkest places, with Wolf as ally. you will find closeness and spiritual companionship. Above all, Wolf will teach you, through your experience, to trust yourself and not to fear or reject those parts of you that you don't yet understand or know.
"May Wolf ever walk beside you and grant you rest in his shadow,
May his paws ever guide your path and your howls be heard by all..."
by Windwolf
"We reached the old wolf in time to watch the fierce green fire dying in her eyes. . . .There was something new to me in those eyes--- something known only to her and the mountains. I was young then, and full of trigger-itch. I thought that because fewer wolves more deer that no wolves would mean hunter's paradise, but after seeing the green fire dire, I sensed that neither the wolf nor the mountain agreed with such a view." -Aldo Leopold
The red wolf was listed on the Endangered Species Act in 1973. By 1980, it was thought be extinct in the wild. In 1987, 70-90 Red wolves were released in Alligator River and Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuges. The current population is descended from 14 pure red wolves captured in the wild. There are 250 Red Wolves in captive breeding facilities. Today there are 80-100 free ranging red wolves.
