All of this is true, sorry to say.

As I step out the back door of my house, I can instantly feel the difference in the temperature.  Only about five degrees cooler, but I live for the cold, so at least it's that much better.  Temperatures over 80 degrees totally drain my energy, so I feel that much more alive standing on the wooden deck.  I can't wait to go swimming at night in the nearby pool one of these days.  Maybe not at night, just twilight, similar to this time.  I think it's about ten at night.  The sun is past it's prime, but not totally gone; the best part of the day.  As I mill around the deck, I look around and think. 

I hear a howl and look out to the tree line where it came from.  I know that it wasn't one of the many dogs around, as the noises that they make are all annoying and short.  This is beautiful and drawn out.  I instantly know that it came from a wolf.  Too bad it's closer to a new moon than a full moon.  I know that wolves were in Michigan, but I never would have guessed that any were in the area.  My thoughts were once again broken by a decidedly lonely cry.  I could tell that it was farther away than the first.  I panicked.  This was a once in a lifetime event that I couldn't pass up.  Without even thinking, I pull my hands around my mouth and let out a high pitched howl.  I have tried to howl before with pathetic results, but this was different.  I was different.  This time, I was doing it for a reason; I hoped to catch a glimpse of the creature.  The howl I made actually sounded good, much to my surprise.  As soon as I stopped, I heard a reply ring out, but this time I decided to wait and watch for some reason.  No more than a minuet later, I froze as I saw two perfect amber jewels shining in the now slight light from just inside the tree line.  I quickly put my hands around my mouth and let out a sound that was so lonely it frightened me that I could make something so amazing.  It was then that the big gray wolf decided to show itself to me and slowly took a few skittish steps out of the darkness.  There is a five foot wooden fence around my back yard which I knew it wouldn't be able to get into, but it was built on a hill so I could easily see over it and down to where the wolf stood.  I couldn't take it anymore, living a sheltered life at the expense of having a real life.  I walked to the wooden door, opened it, and stood at the top of the hill, looking down to the beautiful creature that looked quizzically at me.  It must have realized that I abandoned safety at that point as it assumed a subordinate posture, lowering its head and tail.  It began to take a few more shy steps towards me, watching how I would react to it.  I, too, began to slowly approach.  Both of us were taking our time, wary of the danger that the other posed, yet intensely curious.  Finally, when we were about three feet apart, I gently extended my hand a distance from the muzzle of the wolf.  It cautiously sniffed it for a few moments, never taking its eyes away from mine, and began to lick it.  I couldn't hold back my smile any longer; my cold heart had been entirely shattered by this persecuted and rare creature.  It must have also sensed this, as it took a step closer and began to lick my hand more boldly.  At this point, I broke down.  I lost all strength in my legs and fell to my knees.  The wolf took a step back, but didn't seem startled at all.  Instead, it began to viciously lick every inch of my face.  I had been lightly sunburned, so I took off my glasses to allow it to totally cover my face in its own soothing balm.  It paid special attention to my forehead, which was the worst burned part of me.  It knew what hurt me most, and it cared, and tried to sooth my pain.  I began to cry.  As soon as it tasted my tears, it pulled back, obviously knowing what I was doing, but not sure why.  I wrapped my arms around it, and it let out a small growl.  I don't know the slightest thing about wolf sounds and what they mean, but I knew that this was meant to be comforting.  It rested its snout on my shoulder, making me feel better than I have ever felt before. 

With moisture welling in my eyes, and the sun just barely casting light, I pull my self back to reality and head back inside to the cold computer.  Like I said before, I live for the cold, but I dream of the warmth.    6/9/02