Wolf Tracks...go away!

One year ago today, my phone rang just a little past 9 in the morning. It was my neighbor..."A big black wolf just killed 5 of our sheep and it is crossing the road in front of your house." Scared the crap out of me. I remember standing at my front window, my bulging belly (I was pregnant) touching the glass, my nosed pressed against the window, waiting....waiting for this big black wolf to attack. It has been one year since the wolves hit ranchers in the Two Dot area...and they are back...again. Exactly one year later. This time with a vengeance.

Last week, I was talking to my mother on the phone, looking out this same window as I did one year ago and I see it...a grey/white looking animal. My first thought was that it was the neighbors sheep dogs as they have been spending quite a lot of time at my camp lately. Upon further inspection, I notice that this animal just does not look "small" enough to be a sheep dog. It really was huge....even sitting at my fence 1/4 mile away. I took out my binoculars but really could not get a good enough look. So while describing this scene to my mother, she basically talked me out of this creature being a wolf. Three days later, Val, aka "The Wolf Lady" calls me on the phone...again at around 9 in the morning. Twelve sheep have been killed (confirmed wolf killings) and many others are injured (again confirmed wolf injuries). She wants to come talk to me and my husband about our "rights".

I really have not a thing against the wolves, but after killing almost 20 of my neighbors sheep, I am having terrible thoughts. Now, I should not be feeling bad for my neighbor, but I just cannot help my self. I do feel bad. This is somewhat out of hand. Between our two families, we have 8 children, 7 that are alive and well. Our children are outside constantly, either playing or doing chores. Are we to keep our kids locked up for fear that they might get "eaten" by the "big bad wolf"?

So, on Tuesday the "The Wolf Lady" stops by. She wants to trap these creatures to collar them...then we will have tracking information on them...She says this will be very beneficial to everyone here in Two Dot. Beneficial? Who's going to benefit? What happens if I miss her phone call that the wolves are in my area? My honest feelings are they don't belong here...at ALL! I know, I know, this is their natural habitat. Once upon a time, downtown "big city" was their natural habitat, too. I sure don't see these creatures being "planted" there. Anyway, this was just a rant. Go ahead and flame me...I am just a mother trying to protect her children...and the animals who pay my bills. Now go away Big Bad Wolves!