Oli: The superstar

No autographs, please! No autographs!

When I worked as a reporter for the The Mountain Mail 20 years ago, I covered a talk given by a wolf sanctuary at the high school auditorium. The real peak of the evening was when they walked one of the wolves in the sanctuary's care into the auditorium. Like I said, it has been 20 years but I still remember the collective, synchronized, ahhhhhs, that filled the auditorium when that gorgeous, white, giant wolf strutted down the aisle as if it was a supermodel or a  celebrity. Of course it was both those things. That beautiful creature was born for the spotlight; when I took the photo for the paper, it looked like it was giving me its best supermodel smile.

I was reminded of that celebrity wolf tonight as I walked my dog, Oli, and group of young children rushed to say hello to him. They galloped over to see Oli and my little, shaggy furred canine, who is usually a real scamp, slipped into his best behavior. He laid on his tummy while they petted his head and stroked his ears. I couldn't see Oli's face but I imagine he gazed at them with his best adoring expression as they complimented his soft fur and wondered aloud what he likes to eat. At one point, which I guess you could say was the real peak of the experience, Oli rolled over onto his back and those little kids squeaked in glee that he loved to have his belly rubbed. As they obliged, Oli just broke out into a wide, pleased smile. 

When the children scamper off to resume their game and I thanked them for making Oli's night, Oli seemed a little reluctant to leave the limelight. He flopped down and considered chewing on a twig and refused to move when I nudged him to keep moving. I finally resorted to carrying him, like the diva he is, back home.