The Truth About Aerial Hunting of Wolves in Alaska

Book Review - Romeo: The Story of an Alaskan Wolf

• Title: Romeo: The Story of an Alaskan Wolf
• Author: John Hyde
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Bunker Hill Publishing Inc
• Review by: RJ Hayden
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From the "Disneyesque" opening chapter to the fateful ending, Romeo: The Story of an Alaskan Wolf is one that will warm your heart while at the same time, dispel the myriad of myths and unbridled misinformation that is so prevelant these days regarding the North American gray wolf. 

Author John Hyde's work chronicles the fascinating true life story of a lone Alaskan wolf affectionately named Romeo by the locals. Coupled along with his own personal encounters with Romeo, this book will leave you with an amazingly different perspective of canis lupus.

While the title's main focus is a solitary animal, Hyde also does a very credible job in providing an extremely readable description of the inner workings of a wolf pack; highly social creatures whose members all have a specific role in the pack's survival. From the alpha male and female to the lowest ranking wolf, it provides just the right amount of particulars to educate and inform the reader without getting overly involved with a lot of scientific detail or animal psychology. 

The heart of the story however revolves around Romeo's behavior and the relationship he develops with the townsfolk and their dogs . . . a behavior which might be classified as atypical if you were one who held on to the misguided belief that wolves are nothing more than vicious, methodical thrill killing predators. If so, you will be astonished and pleasantly surprised by what this remarkable story describes. Hyde carefully recounts how the citizens of Juneau transitioned from their initial fears of a wild animal playfully interacting with his canine cousins to an almost complete acceptance of this wolf which would eventually became a national celebrity. 

Romeo: The Story of an Alaskan Wolf, brimming with brilliant photographs, is certainly a must read for any wolf or wildlife champion. I also can't help but to think that it would offer great insight to those who mistakenly support the delisting of wolves from the endangered species list. 

Bravo zulu John Hyde - and thank you!

RJ Hayden  

Footnote: Romeo was believed to be an Alexander Archipelago wolf; a sub-species of the gray wolf and exceedingly rare, with fewer than 1000 wolves left in Southeast Alaska. (Ref: http://goo.gl/ePxm29)

It's an Alaskan Malamute, NOT a Husky !

I wish I had a nickel for every time I had to explain that my dog is not a husky. The comment when someone first sees my 120lb, four legged buddy is usually "WOW!! That's the biggest Siberian Husky I've ever seen". Then I have to go in to my routine explanation which gently corrects their error and describes the difference between the two breeds. Without a doubt, there are very strong similarities and your average sled dog aficionado can tell the difference immediately, but it does get a bit frustrating. While both breeds are highly intelligent, Mals are almost twice the size of a husky and much stockier, easier to train, and much, much more affectionate . . . Alaskans also NEVER, EVER have blue eyes. Having owned both Huskies and Malamutes, I can tell you that I am a 14kt gold, card carrying, die hard fan of the Alaskan Malamute.

Alaskan Malamutes are a brawny freighting sled dog of Alaska's native Inuit people, bred for endurance rather than speed. Wolf like in appearance, it excels as an adaptable, and highly intelligent canine companion. A heavy boned dog with a bulky muzzle, a broad head, wide set ears, and a thickly furred tail carried plume like over the back, the Malamute is one of the most beautiful dogs on earth and, pound for pound, almost certainly the strongest. Of all of the various and sundry dog breeds found today in the United States, the Alaskan Malamute is the only pure, true native canine from North America.

The breed is blessed with a sunny disposition. Happiest when treated as an intelligent partner, the Mal is highly cooperative but never slavish or fawning. He works and lives with you, not for you. The typical Malamute is almost universally friendly to any human being. As the dogs of a peaceful, nomadic people, they do not necessarily guard property and virtually always extend a tail wagging, face licking welcome to strangers; although any aggressive behavior by a stranger directed towards the Mals owner will undoubtedly elicit an immediate, protective reaction. When asked if he is a good watch dog I answer with an emphatic "YES!" "He'd watch someone steal the TV, watch someone take all of the jewelry and valuables . . . " Let's face it, they love people and their size and their previously mentioned wolf like appearance is probably their only intimidating features. Malamutes will develop a deep, complex attachment to their owners, although they are not necessarily one person dogs. They are certainly pack animals and within the human family unit, the Malamute considers himself to be one of the group.

This versatile northen dog is happy to pull a sled, but is equally glad to accompany the backpacker or the casual walker. In cold weather, the Mal makes an ideal running partner. Large and powerful yet remarkably agile, Malamutes sometimes enjoy retrieving tennis balls and Frisbees although they can get bored very easily. Some malamutes love to swim; others have a marked aversion to water. Most enjoy car rides; the breed is not prone to motion sickness. Virtually all Malamutes find their greatest joy in human companionship and are perfectly content to join their owners in almost any activity . . . especially those that might feature something to eat. Malamutes take an alert interest in their surroundings and are excellent company.

Now, not surprisingly, I also get asked plenty of other questions about the Mal . . . after all this is a very exotic looking creature. The next, single most frequently asked question is "does he shed much?". The fact that my yard is loaded with dog hair tumbleweeds and that virtually every bird's nest is lined with Malamute fur might be an indication . . . but I'll delve in to more of that subject at some other time.