Among the wolves: Memoirs of a wolf handler - Softcover

Toni Shelbourne

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1845847601 ISBN 13: 9781845847609

Publisher: Hubble&Hattie an Imprint of Veloce Publishing Ltd, 2015

Synopsis

Life sometimes offers very special opportunities and experiences a some too magical not to share. That's what this book is: a wealth of stories about an incredible decade in Toni Shelbourne's life. Worldwide, only a handful of people get to spend time with socialized wolves; not the wolves seen in zoos, nervously pacing or hiding in their enclosures, but wolves raised by humans. These wolves trust people, allow us to interact with them, and accept us into their world.This book tells the story of Toni's life with eleven charismatic wolves at the UK Wolf Conservation Trust, Berkshire, England. Over ten years, she has handled, raised, cared for and nursed these amazing creatures, and within these pages you will come to know the characters; laugh at their sense of fun, mourn at their passing - and learn to love them as she does.Describing some of the best and worst of times, discover what happens behind closed doors when the public goes home, leaving just Toni and the wolves ..."

About this title

Review:

The author's staggering intimacy and understanding of her subjects is the heart and soul of this evocative memoir, which is a must read for anyone interested in this species, a predecessor of that dog sitting alongside you. --Seattle Kennel Club

...Among the Wolves: Memoirs of a Wolf Handler "tells the story of Toni's life with eleven charismatic wolves at the UK Wolf Conservation Trust, Berkshire, England. Over ten years, she has handled, raised, cared for and nursed these amazing creatures, and within these pages you will come to know the characters; laugh at their sense of fun, mourn at their passing - and learn to love them as she does. Describing some of the best and worst of times, discover what happens behind closed doors when the public goes home, leaving just Toni and the wolves ..." Ms. Shelbourne's numerous stories are extremely thought provoking and her comments on how zoos need to change so that they really educate people on the behavior and emotional needs of their residents are important for future generations of captive animals who simply cannot be released into the wild. The questions with which she ends her book, including "What is being done to conserve the habitat of the animal concerned?" (p. 125), need to taken to heart when people are making decisions about "donating your well-earned cash to a wildlife project." If the habitat of a species is disappearing as individuals of that species live in captivity a donation won't really do much for their future. Likewise, it's essential to know how the local human community can also be helped so that they welcome the animals back at some future time. I highly recommend this book to a wide audience. It raises numerous important and challenging questions about the nature of human-animal relationships and is extremely inspirational. It also shows how we can easily rescue, help, and heal other animals and how they can in turn rescue, help, and heal us... --Marc Bekoff Psychology Today

Having worked with both wild and domestic canines for several years, Toni Shelbourne's book Among the Wolves, was something I just couldn't put down. A true account, reflection and reality if ever there was one about the life of a wolf carer, guide and healer. In every way, Toni manages to grasp, entice and emotionally connect you to the wolves that were fortunate enough to be in her care. Clowns, aggressors, peace-makers, pups, mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers: Toni gives a rare yet much needed insight into the emotions, bonds, rivalry, and ruses that wolves show, and how these sensitive, caring, compassionate and cooperative animals can break or heal the heart of a human in an instant. As Toni explains, wolves mourn, pine, call for and can have a deep sadness for the loss of a family member who they have a strong emotional attachment to. On the other side, they can intimidate, bully and exclude those who are simply not accepted, both human and wolf alike. If anything, I hope Among the Wolves promotes the need to understand and conserve our wild wolf brethren and that their emotional, social, caring and loving natures can be acknowledged and celebrated. --Dr Isla Fishburn, Kachina Canine Communication

About the Author:

Toni Shelbourne has worked with dogs and wild canids for over twenty five years. A Tellington TTouch Practitioner, and author of The Truth about Wolves and Dogs, also published by Hubble and Hattie, Toni is also an environmental educator, lecturer, and presenter. Toni's work as a Tellington TTouch Practitioner led her to the UK Wolf Conservation Trust, where she worked with a pack of socialised wolves. For ten years she observed wolves on a daily basis, progressing to become a Senior Wolf Handler and Education Officer for the organisation. Her observations helped her develop a unique insight into wolf behavior, and led her to question the ingrained ideas about the alpha theory with dogs: ideas that were often in conflict with her own observations and knowledge. The result was her first book, The Truth about Wolves & Dogs. This, her second book, takes the reader on the very personal journey of Toni's life with the wolves.

About this edition

• Publisher: Hubble&Hattie an Imprint of Veloce Publishing Ltd
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 1845847601
• ISBN 13: 9781845847609
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 128