The Wolf at the Bottom of the Stairs

        The White Mountains of New Hampshire are one of the most breathtaking places that I have been, though I must say that I have not seen many of the famous landmarks that dot the country of the United States. Some day I would love to take a couple of weeks and drive through all the states, stopping to see the sites I have heard so much about. Smuggler’s Notch in Vermont, where I grew up, is another breathtaking place I would recommend people go see if they are ever in the Jeffersonville/Stowe area of Vermont. It is a beautiful place and I often drive through there, when the snows are melted and we can actually make it up the steep mountain, on my way back to see my family. 
            Joe and I went to North Conway, New Hampshire for our honeymoon, which is located in the heart of the White Mountains. When we arrived at Nereledge Inn, we walked into the front room and were greeted by a strange looking grey and white dog that limped over to us. I took a second look and realized it was not a dog, but a wolf! 
            “Oh, that’s just Pinga,” the lady at the front desk informed us. “Pinga is a wolf, but she won’t hurt you. She is our pet around here.” I watched as Pinga looked at us with her eerie yellow eyes and then limped away, obviously uninterested in the newest guests who were arriving in her home. 
            It was a few days later when we got to meet another member of her family. We were headed downstairs for our yummy feast of a breakfast that the innkeepers so graciously made for all their guests, but stopped short at the top of the stairs. Having already met Pinga, who was quite large herself, we were very surprised to find an even larger wolf sleeping at the bottom of the stairs. This animal was huge and we were not sure if he would let us come down to the first floor – would he let us eat our breakfast or were we to be his breakfast? Ever so slowly, we crept downstairs to get a closer look at him. He did not budge from his spot on the floor, being very content to sleep the morning away in the dining room. The innkeeper came out and greeted us warmly. 
            “Did you meet Blake?” She asked. “Blake is Pinga’s brother. They like to visit each other.”
            When I knew the wolf was friendly, I grabbed my camera and took a picture of Joe patting him as he slept. Later on that day, we got to enjoy a concert put on by the two as they howled at the sky, which was very eerie to listen to. We were told that wolves do not bark, but only howl. From what I heard that day, I am inclined to believe them. Though the wolves were fun to be around for a week, I do not think I would want any in my home, and frankly, neither would my kitties. :)

Joe with Blake. June 1998

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