The Daily Coyote: A Touching Tale

Most of us have felt a deep inner yearning for a connection with something bigger than ourselves . . . to perhaps abandon our daily humdrum and experience something so extraordinary that our lives will forever be transformed. The 287-page paperback edition of "The Daily Coyote", written by Shreve Stockton, also known for her stunning photography, is a riveting account of just such a transformation. The book opens with Shreve's move from San Francisco to New York. However, her plans change when she decides to make a leisurely trip on her Vespa scooter and is mysteriously drawn to Wyoming's wide open spaces, the Big Horn Mountains and the rich red dirt surrounding the area. Instead of continuing on to a secure life in New York City, Shreve trades her apartment in for a small rental house in Ten Sleep, a ranching town with a population of 300. Soon, she finds herself involved with her neighbors, especially Mike, a trapper who kills coyotes and other "pests" for the surrounding farmers. Shreve, instantly attracted to Mike, secretly calls him "Blue Eyes". A blossoming romantic relationship slowly develops between them as she accompanies him on his daily rounds, helping him feed his cows and other livestock. But Shreve's life forever changes when Mike brings her a tiny ball of fur: an orphaned coyote pup so small it could never survive on its own. In spite of concerns about how her tomcat Eli will react, Shreve decides to accept the orphan, names it Charlie, and has little clue how many sudden, unexpected changes the wild baby coyote will bring to her independent lifestyle. Shreve eventually moves from her house with modern conveniences into Mike's twelve-foot square cabin with no electricity, running water or furnace. There, she becomes consumed with sending daily emails containing photographs of Charlie to her friends and family. When she publishes a blog about Charlie's development, it quickly becomes one of the most avidly read, popular blogs on the internet. As her pup's evolution toward adulthood becomes more apparent, Shreve must wrestle with a new conflict: will Charlie long for independence in the wild, or will he be content being just a domestic pet? The tale of Charlie's and Shreve's development is both gripping and bitter-sweet. One of the more poignant moments occurs when Charlie reaches adolescence. He growls, acts aggressively toward Shreve, and bites her. This startling new behavior prompts Shreve to consider neutering him; yet, she is deeply torn between her own emotional needs and her wish to preserve Charlie's independent spirit. She agonizes over what is the right choice for both of them. As I eagerly turned the pages, I could feel the author's presence as if she were sitting next to me, personally sharing her adventures and inviting me to accompany her on her amazing journey to learn that living life at its fullest requires a blend of both dependence and independence, and that we must take emotional risks or we aren't really living at all. This is a book that will remain embedded in your heart, perhaps forever. I highly recommend it for all animal lovers who have that special understanding of the "wildness" in all our pets. "The Daily Coyote" is a treasure to share with friends and family, especially during the holiday season. Published by Simon & Schuster, $16.00. Find where to buy: http://www.dailycoyote.net