Nature Essay

For as long as I have known him I've seen the wild spirit within him. I see it in him with the way that he acts and even his looks. I am frequently asked "Is he a wolf?" as he shows them an intimidating fanged but yet friendly smile. By the way he acts and appears I often want to say yes but I always answer "No, he isn't." I can understand how people can be mistaken since he looks so much like one. From what I've learned and observed he does share many of the characteristics of a wolf.
I watch him as something in the bushes catches his attention. And when he sees it's a small animal he is fully alert. His body language and position is almost exactly as a wolf stalking his prey. His ears are perked up straight carefully listening for any sound he and his prey would make while being careful enough not to make any sounds himself that will startle his prey. His eyes are in complete focus and fixed on the small animal. His long tail is lowered as not to give himself away. He controls his breathing to a minimum so he won't be heard. He slowly stalks the small animal and silently moves in closer when it's looking away. He will use any coverage that would be available to him. His coat is mostly a dark black and brown and is perfect for camouflage but the whites of his fur gives him away and even with the short chase his prey escapes. I can see the momentary disappointment in his face as he looks in the direction where his prey escaped but soon trots off as if his failed attempt was nothing.
I see him as his is gracefully running across the grass almost unheard. I can see the joy and feel of freedom his has when he's running. He seems his happiest when he is running with the wind running through his fur, the wide smile on his face, and the fact that he would never stop running if he could. And when I'd go back to see the trail of paw prints that he had left it would almost be identical to a wolf's tracks. The only difference is that his paw tracks are smaller.
I watch him as he patrols his territory as a wolf would. He carefully searches for anything that could be strange or a possible threat to him. He sniffs close to the ground with his nose almost touching the ground. And whenever he does find a strange smell possibly of something invading his territory he marks and reclaims it. Then he proudly trots away and continues his patrolling.
I see him without a care in the world as he lays down on his back, exposing his stomach and rolls around in the dirt. I think he'd be happier being dirty all the time. He will even jump into a pill of leaves just for fun and playing with whatever he finds.
I see him when he's being assertive, wanting to be the alpha as any wolf would want to fight his way to the top. He would harshly growl at the other to show his dominance. He will stare down the other and make sure that the other does not make any form of eye contact. And if all else failed and the other did not submit he would pin the other down to the ground and rap his mouth against their snout or throat but without hurting them either.
I see him when he becomes submissive. His ears fold back against his head. He lowers his head half way to the ground. He will avoid any eye contact. He will hunch his body over making it appear that he is smaller. He will place his tail between his legs. And sometimes he will roll on his back and expose his stomach, his most vulnerable area. He would also cry to make himself sound like a pup to make it seem that he doesn't know any better.
I hear him when he is howling his beautiful song. His song can be hear from a distance at times. It can send a chill through many people's hearts and others' a warmth.

I see the wolf in him and I feel a sadness in my heart because I know that no matter what he is just a tamed wolf. It can possibly be thought that he is a wolf in dogs clothing.