I am writing a letter to you to let you know I have a few things on my mind. I have also taken the time to google you and learn more about you, for two reasons. The first is I am seriously considering you as the new animal I choose this year to be one of my teachers. Several years ago my Native American Indian friend, Michael, advised me to choose a new animal every New Year. He explained to me animals are here with us all over this planet to teach us. He also told me if I decided to do this the animal may find me, that I would not necessarily be choosing the animal. And that animal would show up in my life in several different ways; in person, a picture, a movie, or perhaps a book.

The second reason is because a few weeks ago in early November I was on my Angel retreat in California. Perhaps one of your long-lost west coast cousins reported sighting me in San Marcos? I certainly had to side step coyote scat quite often when I was hiking in the hills. Well, anyway, the first night there in the wee hours there you were, outside my door making animal sounds and also laughing noises! I had no idea it was you! The locals assured me the next day it was you, Coyote. You were already one up on me, as you knew I was there before I realized you were hanging around.

Then this past Friday morning I was out on my prayer walk with Reddogg. We had walked a mile, and passed the house of my friends, the farmer and his wife and their six children. I was all about the power of now, and in one of my “zones”, allowing my Beloved Source to fill me up with all that is Good. After climbing a small hill and descending down to its base on the other side, Reddogg and I turned back to head home. As we passed the farmer’s house, here comes Noah, their twelve year young boy, running towards me. He was dressed in jeans and a sweatshirt, the usual belt at his waist and baseball cap covering his dark, brown hair.

“Joan!”, he shouted. “A coyote was stalking you, walking behind you! I ran and got my gun but when I came back outside I lost sight of you and him.”

I was very surprised. “Lord, son, I would’ve been scared to death if I had heard a gunshot come up from behind me and over that hill.” I didn’t tell Noah, but I may have peed my pants!

“But, Joan! Coyotes hate dogs! He would’ve killed Reddogg! And I love Reddogg!”

I really looked at Noah then, saw his ernest expression and the concern in his beautiful, brown eyes. “I’ll be more careful , Noah. More watchful, I promise. You would think Reddogg would have smelled that coyote.”

“It’s about how the wind blows, and Reddogg was ahead of him,” Noah replied.

I began to look around me, scanning the fields with my eyes. The idea of you following me did not settle well with me. Noah is an excellent shot, trained by his dad with a gun and target practices often. His mom home schools him so I knew she was in the house and aware of our situation. And once again, you were one up on me, as you knew where I was before I knew where you were. A wily fellow, you are!

So I have learned you are quite territorial and that is why you would consider Reddogg a threat. Also you are smart enough to realize he is bigger than you, his sixty pounds out weighing your lean frame probably by twenty pounds. You recognized he is older now, maybe thinking he is an easy prey, but I assure you, a year ago he could have eaten you for lunch! You are accustomed to humans, and really don’t pay much attention to us unless we try to haze you. By that I mean doing things like screaming loudly at you, squirting water on you, or blowing a whistle at you, loud and shrill, in order to drive you away. I assure you, Coyote, I could chose to do all the above. Please understand, Reddogg is one of my best friends.

I have been walking the fields around this area for thirteen years now. I do not think this is news to you. I am sure you have seen me, have picked up the scent of me with your amazing olfactory abilities. And the scent of Reddogg, too. My neighbors allow me to walk wherever I like, and I consider these fields holy ground. I feel very protected. I want you to know when I am walking I often pray that ALL beings feel safe and protected. This includes you. So perhaps we can have a relationship of mutual respect.

I hear you often in the night in Our Treehouse, when I am simply doing what us humans do in our own dens. Your eerie, haunting howl can be heard echoing across the fields. Sometimes it is the sound of one coyote, other times it is the sound of many. I have learned you howl and yip for several reasons. Coyote, you are quite the communicator and I admire that. In the summer you actually practice howling with your pups, teaching a class on communication. You howl to bond with your family, or perhaps to reunite after a hunting session, to celebrate because the rabbit has been caught for your supper. To be honest that hurts my tender heart, but I get it. It’s all the circle of life. Sometimes you are yipping, loud and strong, to warn other packs of coyotes to stay out of your territory. And being the wily creature that you are, sometimes one of you will sing out solo, trying to entice that unsuspecting dog into your territory.

I have decided to accept your offer of becoming my new teacher for the upcoming year. And I have checked on the symbolism of spotting you, Coyote, in my life. Words such as “important messenger for self-reflection”, “time for play and laughter in your life”, “clever, creative, jokester, trickery”, and “bring more balance and wisdom into your life”, pop up with my research. Also the phrase “shape shifter”. Doesn’t that sound delightfully magical? So I will be watching for you, preferably seeing you on a poster board somewhere and not really face to face. Maybe you could send me a postcard sometime with your picture on it? You will see my address on the envelope that contains this letter. The photo above is one I keep in my half bath in my home and as you can see you are very photogenic. I have been admiring you from afar for several years. This particular photo I purchased in the beautiful state of Montana a few years ago. There were other photos of different animals, but I chose you. I see your strength, beauty, and intelligence. So you see, just like you have been aware of me, I have been aware of you.

Blessings on you, Coyote. Peace.

c   Love, Joan