Wolves at Our Door: The Extraordinary Story of the Couple Who Lived with Wolves

by Jim Dutcher and Jamie Dutcher

Book Overview

A lyrical and revealing memoir of living with wolves, from the creators of the Emmy Award winning Discovery Channel documentary.

For centuries, wolves have haunted the human imagination. It has been accepted as conventional wisdom that they are savage predators, creatures of nightmare. Determined to overcome such misconceptions, Jim and Jamie Dutcher spent six years in a tented camp on the edge of Idaho's wilderness, living with and...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743400496
• ISBN13: 9780743400497
• Release Date: February 2003
• Publisher: Touchstone Books
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.99 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.1" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

An interesting read about an artificial wolf pack

This book was easy and entertaining to read. It is a great description of wolf behavior under the very specific and controlled conditions created by the Dutchers. The pictures are touching. But I would say that this book definitely does not describe wolves in the wild. The reader should be very aware that the wolf pack featured in the book was created "artificially"--that is to say, the wolves were hand-reared from pups and then grouped into a pack. They were, to a certain degree, domesticated. There was a great amount of human interaction, so I think it would be accurate to say that the Dutchers became part of the pack. For example, the Dutchers intervened in the wolves' lives when one wolf endangered another or could not fit into the pack. This would not happen in the wild. When the Dutchers transferred the pack to management by the Nez Pierce Indians, apparently the pack had some problems and eventually disintegrated. Maybe this was because two pivotal pack members--the Dutchers, the stabilizing humans--were removed. While I think that books like these are helpful in creating an understanding and respect for animals, one should not assume that the animals in the wild are exactly like the Dutchers observed. Whenever humans interact (or interfere) with the wild, the wild will no longer be the same. I was also a little uncomfortable with the fact that after 6 years, the Dutchers left the pack to others. They were the "mom and pop" of the pack, even though they may not believe it. The pack was created for a photo study, not a scientific one, nevertheless responsibility for their care beyond the filming project remained. Our culture tends to "throw animals away" when we are done with them. But if we've interfered with their lives, or kept them as pets, our care and relationship with them should continue through the animals' life span, because they've been compromised in their ability to lead their lives without us.

Drawer of wolves and a lover of them

I'm just around 12 nearly 13. This book is GREAT it made me feel as if i was there experiencing everything that happened through Jim and Jamie's eyes. I've always wanted to be with wolves in such a way and they made that dream come true, i hope that someday i can do the same, and i might make it even better (i doubt that though) Its so touching to hear these tales of what happen about the place, my favorite wolven is Matsi the kind and gentle. His name is perfect for him. I hope that you love this book as much as i and many others did, be greatful that we have them on this earth and get to do such things with them. Truely wolves are endangered, hopefully they will stay with us for years to come.

A MUST read!

Unfortunately I lacked the stamina required to finish this marvelous book in one sitting. It is truly an unforgettable adventure. A story so captivating, you are not merely reading it but living it. I had the privilege of visiting the remnants of the pack just a few days ago. Such beautiful animals, how can man be so cruel as to wish for and actively pursue the destruction of these amazing creatures? If ignorance is bliss, may I never be happy again.It has been nearly three weeks since I finished reading this book. Not a day has passed that my thoughts have not wandered back to its pages. If not for the fact that I gave this book to my Dad to read, I would have finished it for the second time. In fact the minute my Dad finished reading the book he called me asking about the pack, knowing I had just visited them. He also plans to visit them very soon as well.If you take the time to read this book you will never regret it. Words of caution though, invest in a box of tissues before you begin.

Open the Door, and Let 'Em In (apologies to Paul McCartney)

Let me clear the air up front. I can't claim that this review is totally unbiased, seeing as how my kid brother assisted the Dutchers with this effort. Just ask him: I'm very hard to please. Well, he doesn't have to worry this time out.Weighing in at a mere 300 pages, the lucid, evocative writing makes it seem half as long. I came home from work to find my copy waiting for me. I immediately took it to my... um, "private reading room", with the intention of looking at the glorious, full color photographs and rejoining my family. But then I decided to just read the introduction. Next thing I knew, I was 100 pages into it and didn't want to stop.The book is at once a heartwarming story of two people, their relationship with each other, and their struggle to bring a dream of filming a pack of "wild" wolves to fruition, and a real life drama of the lives (and occasionally deaths) of the members of that pack.I can't recommend this book enough. Dog lovers will gain insights into the behavior of their beloved companions; wolf and nature lovers will see a magnificent animal in all its glory; and everyone else will find an eye-opening study of a misunderstood and wrongfully persecuted creature. All wrapped with a perfect blend of humor and suffering.Do yourself a favor and let the Dutchers and their beloved wolves into your life. It will be richer for the addition.

J. Linscott, nature lover

This book is a wonderful view on the lives inside a wild wolf pack. Even though the Dutchers raised all but two of the original pack from 10 day old pups, the wolves still behave as they would in the wild with the exception of allowing humans to glimpse their lives. These wolves were kept in an enclosed area near the Sawthooth Mountains for six years otherwise this book and the film by the same title would not have been possible if these were wolves born in the wild their fear of humans would never have given us the glimpse of compassion, love and loyalty that is the wolf. As you read this book you will come to understand that wolves are not born killers. Please read this book for the sake of the wolf and the wilderness they represent, it may help in restoring them to the wild, for knowledge and understanding go hand in hand with preservation.