Wolf Person

Elinox Wrote:This was originally written on December 5, 2007 after I read Meirya's essay on what it's like being a bird person. So I had to share my own thoughts on what it's like being a wolf person. Thanks for the inspiration, birdy! And thanks to both sparky and Momochan for proofreading this!

"Let me tell you about wolf. About fur lingering just beneath the surface, about pointed ears perking at the slightest sound, about whiskers catching scents in the breeze, about large paws padding softly through the forest, about eyes that glow in the dark, about everything about what it is to be wolf.
Arms that are not long enough to allow for quadruped movement. Legs and knees that are bent the wrong way. Head that is positioned wrong. Pathetic skin that doesn't warm or protect. Nails that are no substitute for claws. Mouth and teeth that were never meant to rip and tear. Senses that are barely strong enough to survive. My human body has adaptations, but the wolf sees them as hindrances.
The need to get out. To be outside among the trees, with the wind whipping through my fur. To smell things that are miles away. To slip silently into the underbrush to stalk prey. To watch from a distance. To sing to the stars and night sky. Feeling like a caged animal, wishing to be freed.
Running on all fours, with the grass racing away at my paws. Fast and free, unable to be caught.
Shaking my fur and feeling it fluff against the cold. Being able to tuck my cold, wet nose under my fluffy tail to keep warm.
Laying my ears flat against my skull when someone or something pisses me off. Curling lips back to reveal sharp, white teeth. Fangs glistening in the moonlight.
Nuzzling packmates, feeling their fur against my own. Licking muzzles in greeting. Wagging my tail as a hello.
The wild, it calls to me. I yearn to be a part of it, to be outside in the elements. To listen and see and smell and taste and touch everything around me. I want to wag my tail when I'm happy. I want to lay my ears back and snarl when I'm annoyed. I want to curl up into a ball of fur when I'm cold and tired. I want to sing and have it come out as a howl. To be what is truly within my soul.
I am a wolf person and this is how I feel..."

Comments & critiques are welcome!

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I really liked this article. Very very well written and thought/feeling evoking.

However, one thing stuck out at me:

Elinox Wrote:Legs and knees that are bent the wrong way.

I suppose the feeling of your legs being wrong doesn't/wouldn't change because of it, but wolves' knees bend the same direction ours do. They're digitigrade, though, i.e: they're adapted to walk on their toes.

The 'knee' you see bent forwards on a wolf's leg is actually their ankle. Their knee is further up. Same with cats and any other digitigrade animal.

Elinox Wrote:Legs and knees that are bent the wrong way.

Xanthus Wrote:I suppose the feeling of your legs being wrong doesn't/wouldn't change because of it, but wolves' knees bend the same direction ours do. They're digitigrade, though, i.e: they're adapted to walk on their toes.

The 'knee' you see bent forwards on a wolf's leg is actually their ankle. Their knee is further up. Same with cats and any other digitigrade animal.

I know that technically a wolf's legs are pretty much identical to a humans. However the sentence was more meant to evoke thoughts on posture, not physical anatomy differences. Sometimes I just get going with my writing and it gets a bit jumbled!
And I'm glad you liked it, thanks!