The Jewish-Japanese Sex & Cook Book and How to Raise Wolves

1. Embrace the Absurdity: Life's a St. Bernard on Your Hump

Have you ever had a St. Bernard watch you hump?

Life's unexpected moments. The book opens with a bizarre anecdote about a St. Bernard watching an intimate moment, setting the tone for the unpredictable and often absurd nature of life. This sets the stage for the book's exploration of unconventional choices and the humor found in everyday chaos.

Finding humor in the mundane. The author uses humor as a coping mechanism, highlighting the ridiculousness of situations to make them more bearable. This approach encourages readers to find levity in their own lives, no matter how strange or challenging they may be.

• The Ho-nansville Ecology Group's meetings are filled with eccentric characters and bizarre concerns.
• The author's attempts to walk his wolf often turn into chaotic struggles for survival.

Acceptance of the bizarre. The opening anecdote serves as a metaphor for embracing the unexpected and finding humor in the face of the absurd. It suggests that life is full of strange and unpredictable moments, and the best way to navigate them is with a sense of humor and acceptance.

2. Ecology Starts at Home: Even with Nutty Squirrels and Anvils

Gentlemen, that is the law of the survival of the fittest.

Local ecology group. The formation of the Ho-nansville Ecology Group, comprised of quirky and opinionated individuals, highlights the importance of community involvement in environmental issues. Despite their eccentricities, these characters are united by a shared concern for the natural world.

Diverse ecological concerns. The group's diverse range of ecological concerns, from red-winged blackbirds to gray squirrels, underscores the interconnectedness of all living things and the importance of addressing environmental issues at a local level.

• Frank and Ethel Krasselt focus on eliminating a gravel pit king.
• Virgil Palmquist and Reggie Mailer are concerned with the gray squirrel.
• Bella Brown champions the law of the survival of the fittest.

Humorous dysfunction. The group's meetings are often chaotic and dysfunctional, filled with arguments and tangents, but they also demonstrate the passion and dedication of ordinary people to protecting the environment. This suggests that even imperfect efforts can make a difference.

3. The Allure of the Wild: From Texas Lions to Connecticut Wolves

Maybe this is why I had a wolf. Maybe I’ve got what Joe had. That strange bond between animals and man.

Joe's Lion Farm. The story of Joe, the Texas filling station owner who went broke trying to feed fifteen African lions, illustrates the powerful connection between humans and animals. Joe's unwavering love for his lions, despite the financial hardship it caused, highlights the deep emotional bonds that can form between people and creatures.

The bond between man and animal. The author's own desire to own a wolf stems from a similar longing for connection with the wild. This desire is rooted in a belief that animals are essential to the balance of nature and that humans have a responsibility to protect them.

• The author's experience with Joe and his lions left a lasting impression.
• The author's desire to own a wolf is driven by a deep-seated love for animals.

The call of the wild. The author's fascination with wolves reflects a broader yearning for a connection with the natural world. This yearning is a response to the increasing urbanization and disconnection from nature that characterizes modern life.

4. Domesticity vs. the Exotic: A Wolf is Not a Schnauzer

Why is a wolf or a mountain lion so unusual as a pet?

The unusual pet. The author questions why certain animals, like dogs and cats, are considered acceptable pets while others, like wolves and mountain lions, are deemed exotic or even dangerous. This challenges conventional notions of domestication and the human relationship with animals.

The schnauzer owner. The encounter with the schnauzer owner at the Honansville Cultural Center highlights the author's frustration with people who fail to appreciate the unique qualities of wild animals. The schnauzer owner's condescending attitude towards the author's wolf reflects a broader societal bias towards domesticated animals.

• The author is often pointed out as the freak who has a wolf.
• The author is challenged by people who announce they have a schnauzer.

Challenging domestication. The author suggests that all domesticated animals were once wild and that humans have a long history of selectively breeding animals to suit their needs. This challenges the notion that certain animals are inherently more suitable as pets than others.

5. The Relentless Quest: A Wolf by Any Means Necessary

I had told Reiko the truth about going to New York, but I hadn’t told her about the detour.

The New York detour. The author's decision to deceive his wife about the true purpose of his trip to New York highlights his determination to acquire a wolf, even if it means bending the truth. This underscores the depth of his passion for these animals and his willingness to go to great lengths to have one in his life.

Old Lady Simpson. The detour to Old Lady Simpson's wolf farm represents the culmination of the author's relentless search for a wolf puppy. This journey takes him to the fringes of society, where he encounters unconventional characters who share his love for the wild.

• The author exhausts every other possible source for a wolf puppy.
• The author drives down narrow, winding roads to find Old Lady Simpson.

The irresistible call. The author's determination to acquire a wolf, despite the potential consequences, reflects a deep-seated need to connect with the natural world. This need is so strong that it overrides his concerns about his wife's disapproval and the practical challenges of owning a wolf.

6. Marriage and Mayhem: Wolves, Vacuums, and Marital Bliss

I think I go back Japan!

Reiko's reaction. Reiko's initial reaction to the wolf puppy, "I think I go back Japan!" encapsulates her consistent disapproval of the author's animal-related antics. This sets the stage for a humorous exploration of the tensions between domesticity and the wild within their marriage.

The vacuum cleaner. Reiko's use of the vacuum cleaner as a weapon against the wolf puppy highlights the clash between her desire for a clean and orderly home and the author's chaotic love for animals. This creates a comedic dynamic that underscores the challenges of maintaining a harmonious household with such disparate priorities.

• Reiko uses the vacuum cleaner as a means of self-preservation.
• The vacuum cleaner becomes a symbol of the slave.

Finding balance. Despite their differences, the author and Reiko find a way to coexist, albeit with a healthy dose of humor and compromise. This suggests that even the most unconventional relationships can thrive with understanding and acceptance.

7. Children and Wolves: A Delicate Balance of Love and Destruction

You always have trouble with animals.

Bobby's fascination. Bobby's fascination with the wolf puppy, despite its destructive tendencies, reflects a child's innate curiosity and love for animals. This contrasts with Reiko's more cautious and pragmatic approach, highlighting the different perspectives on the wild within the family.

The Westport Playhouse. The story of the lion that broke its leg at the Westport Playhouse serves as a cautionary tale about the potential for chaos when humans and animals collide. This incident underscores the challenges of integrating wild creatures into domestic settings.

• The lion broke its leg just when it was supposed to stroll silently through the door.
• The lion's trainer screamed, "Shove him through the window!"

Finding harmony. Despite the potential for conflict, the author and his family find a way to integrate the wolf into their lives, albeit with a healthy dose of humor and compromise. This suggests that even the most unconventional families can thrive with understanding and acceptance.

8. The Burden of Captivity: Compassion for the Caged Soul

They’d never understand anything but freedom.

The wolf pit. The author's visit to Old Lady Simpson's wolf pit evokes a sense of both awe and sadness. While he is impressed by the beauty and power of the wolves, he is also acutely aware of their confinement and the limitations of their existence.

The weight of responsibility. The author grapples with the ethical implications of owning wild animals, recognizing that their captivity comes at a cost. This internal conflict highlights the complex relationship between humans and the natural world and the challenges of balancing personal desires with the well-being of other creatures.

• The author feels guilty about keeping the wolves in pens.
• The author wants to make the animals know he understands.

The longing for freedom. The author's desire to provide his animals with a better life is ultimately rooted in a belief that they deserve to be free. This belief drives his efforts to find a way to release them back into the wild, even if it means facing significant challenges and risks.

9. The Perils of Freedom: Hunters, Drunks, and the Call of the Wild

A hunter with an empty game sack—or a congenital frustration (which most of them have) —will shoot at anything!

The threat of hunters. The author's concern about the safety of his animals in the wild highlights the dangers they face from human encroachment. Hunters, driven by a desire for sport or a need for food, pose a significant threat to wolves and other predators.

The drunk in Ridgefield. The story of the drunk who was chased up a tree by a mountain lion serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of wild animals and the potential for conflict between humans and wildlife. This incident underscores the importance of responsible pet ownership and the need for caution when interacting with wild creatures.

• The drunk was picked up by the police for being drunk.
• The drunk was scared, almost in shock.

The lure of the wild. Despite the risks, the author remains committed to the idea of releasing his wolves into the wild, believing that their freedom is worth the potential dangers they may face. This reflects a deep-seated belief in the inherent value of wildness and the importance of preserving it for future generations.

10. The Honansville Circus: A Town of Eccentrics and Endangered Species

I have been plagued in recent years by '‘normal” people.

The normal people. The author's disdain for "normal" people reflects his broader rejection of societal norms and his embrace of the unconventional. This attitude is evident in his choice of pets, his lifestyle, and his interactions with the world around him.

The Honansville Ecology Group. The Honansville Ecology Group, with its cast of eccentric characters and bizarre concerns, serves as a microcosm of the author's world. These individuals, despite their flaws and foibles, are united by a shared passion for the natural world and a willingness to challenge conventional thinking.

• The author is troubled more by what is happening in North America.
• The author is troubled more than in sending food to the Upper Volta pygmies.

The value of eccentricity. The author suggests that eccentricity is not a flaw but a virtue, a sign of independent thinking and a willingness to challenge the status quo. This celebrates the importance of embracing individuality and rejecting the pressure to conform.

11. The Inevitable Release: Letting Go to the Wilderness

I had to tell him that Tanuki was now in the Happy Hunting Ground, and he was happy because nothing more could ever hurt him or scare him again.

The Happy Hunting Ground. The author's attempt to comfort his son after the death of their first wolf, Tanuki, highlights the emotional bonds that can form between humans and animals. This also underscores the author's belief in the importance of providing a dignified end for his creatures.

The decision to release. The author's decision to release Wolf, Lady, and their pups into the Canadian wilderness represents a culmination of his long-held desire to give them a chance at freedom. This decision is driven by a deep sense of responsibility and a belief that these animals deserve to live as nature intended.

• The author had to teach him, or at least let him learn, how to hunt.
• The author needed some sort of something for him to hunt.

The unknown future. The author acknowledges the risks involved in releasing his wolves into the wild, but he ultimately believes that their freedom is worth the potential dangers they may face. This reflects a willingness to embrace uncertainty and trust in the resilience of nature.

12. The Unforeseen Detour: Chaos and Connection in the Wild

I’m serious about you getting a mate for Wolf—I think it would be very interesting for you.

Dr. Shimkin's arrival. The arrival of Dr. Shimkin and his "secretary" at Lost Lake throws the author's carefully laid plans into disarray. This unexpected detour introduces a new element of chaos and uncertainty into the story, challenging the author's control over his own life and the fate of his wolves.

Dainty Marie. Dainty Marie's presence at Lost Lake serves as a reminder of the complexities of human relationships and the potential for unexpected connections to form in even the most remote settings. Her arrival forces the author to confront his own biases and assumptions about people and the natural world.

• Dr. Shimkin said he was going to do a book on wolves.
• Dr. Shimkin said he was going to use some of those gorgeous show girls as models.

The unexpected journey. The author's journey to release his wolves into the wild takes an unexpected turn with the arrival of Dr. Shimkin and Dainty Marie. This suggests that life is full of surprises and that even the best-laid plans can be disrupted by unforeseen circumstances.

Last updated: March 20, 2025