Fear and hatred of wolves goes back in European history for centuries. Such lupophobia is still evident today in purportedly advanced civilizations like the United States. Websites posted by "Sportsmen Against Wolves" are especially revealing, combining graphic photographs of slaughtered wolves with supportive comments by hunters. They see wolf protectors and wildlife conservationists as representing the kind of society they abhor: one of tree-hugging Bambi-lovers that threaten their way of life and right to shoot wolves.

But this phobia is certainly not shared by indigenous Native Americans or by a growing majority of non-Native American citizens who oppose wolf hunting and trapping. The wolf is a species symbolic of a bipolar society that has yet to find unity of vision and values, ethics and spirit.

Wolf hunting advocates disclose a disturbing degree of ignorance about the balance of nature, wolf-deer and predator-prey relationships. They perpetuate the erroneous belief that exterminating competing hunters such as the wolf is an act of conservation, a "management tool" to help preserve the balance of nature. They also view it as a sporting challenge to kill a "worthy adversary" as a trophy, a testament to one's own hunting skills. The notion of co-existence -- involving conciliation within and between cultures and with other species -- is anathema to this community.

Wolf hunters, feeling threatened by wolf protectors and conservationists, are now joining across wolf-inhabiting states to justify and protect their rights. But if they were to connect their imagined fate with the fate of the wolf and every tree in the forest, hen in the prairie and frog in the swamp, they might realize, as Henry David Thoreau advised over a century ago, "in wildness is the preservation of the world." That does not mean the preservation of their way of life, but their evolution into an effective, nongovernmental community of wildlife monitors and conservators.

Many deer hunters, for instance, having discovered the wisdom of biophilia, see themselves and wolves and other predators as essential components of healthy ecosystems. With such an ecological perspective, they can begin to articulate a hunting ethic, which begins by separating any desire to kill from morally justified need. It also involves acknowledging the vital importance of wolves, humans and other predators in helping prevent deer overpopulation and loss of biodiversity, and joining with other voices for habitat conservation and restoration.

This is especially germane considering that across much of the U.S., the white-tailed deer population has risen over the past century from some 300,000 to an estimated 25 to 30 million. Animal protectors must also evolve and not reflexively condemn all deer hunters as Bambi eaters. However, one Minnesota deer hunter and landowner told me that he used every part of the deer he shot, and that he and his neighbors plant corn and soybeans just for "their" deer. Not making any connection with his deer feeding, he went on to say he had "shot two wolves on (his) property this season because there are too many."

So long as lupophobia and the trophy mentality persist, wolves and other essential predators will continue to be killed by some hunters as well as by cattle and sheep ranchers whose subsidized grazing rights on public lands should come with a caveat prohibiting lethal methods of predator control. Without a unified sensibility, like those deer hunters who also abhor the killing of wolves as sporting trophies along with the majority of nonhunters, we will surely continue to fall short of becoming a truly civilized society.

Within every culture there are subcultures and cults defined by demographics, economics, religious beliefs, education and values. Good governance accommodates such diversity to maximize the good of the nation-state, including proper management of natural resources and public lands. But the record of the U.S. federal and most state governments is lamentable, pandering to vested minority interests. These include sanctioning and funding ranchers' war on wolves and other predators, and permitting hunters and trappers to kill wolves for sport and fur pelts. This amounts to a violation of public trust and calls for full accountability and a return to good governance.

The public conflict over the fate of the gray wolf has made this species an icon of opposing values and cultural discord. Resolution is called for through conciliation, legal protection of wolves and effective enforcement, as well as through education of the sanctity, rights and inherent value of all indigenous species. The fate of the wolf in North America will be a measure of the success or failure of civil society to put compassion, reason, justice and respect to bear on all our relationships.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox's website at www.twobitdog.com/DrFox.)

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DEAR DR. FOX: We have two wonderful, loving little silky terriers. They are exactly one year apart -- ages 2 and 3 this week. We purchased them from the same breeder, but they do no share the same parents. The 3-year-old is very laid-back, shy around people and is generally the perfect pet. The younger dog is an acquired taste: She is very hyper and recently has become aggressive to anyone coming too close to my husband or me. She is a major jumper as well; from a standing position on the floor, she can jump bar height! She is also a chewer.

Because of all of this, we have put an Invisible Fence both inside and out. We now have her confined to one room while inside. She is the alpha dog of the two and can be a bully to our other dog. We love her very much despite all this, and she is very affectionate to both of us.

The major problem is submissive urinating. We thought she would outgrow this like our older dog, but this is not the case, even two years later. She is perfectly housebroken and was very easy to train. This is not just occasional, but happens several times a day.

Any suggestions you could offer would be greatly appreciated. -- E.B., Naples, Fla.

DEAR E.B.: Your younger terrier is acting like a terrier and should not be confined to one room.

You should consult with a behavior therapist to enable you to better communicate and control this dog who must learn self-control. Another term is "internal inhibition." Check my website, DrFoxVet.com, and my book, "Dog Body, Dog Mind," for details about the procedure called "cradling" --gentle restraint that can help dogs develop internal inhibition. This can be challenging, and consultation with an animal behavior therapist may be your best solution.

As for the submissive urination, you may be confusing this (since it is a frequent event) with urinary incontinence. This often develops in dogs after spaying, and periodic hormone replacement medication with DES (diethylstilbestrol) can often solve the problem.

DEAR DR. FOX: My cat, Andy, who I got in April, has AIDS. He has vomited a few times. He eats well, both canned and dry food. I feed him four or five times a day. The problem is that he won't drink water, so I mix his canned food with water.

I worry about him not drinking water or milk. There is always a cup of water by his food bowls. I'm afraid he will develop a kidney problem. We have had cats for more than 40 years. My last one had kidney failure, but he always drank a lot of water. Please help me find a way to get Andy to drink.

I don't know what kind of life he had before I got him. Once, he tried to drink from the bathroom sink. The next time, he fell off and never tried again. -- B.L.N., West Springfield, Mass.

DEAR B.L.N.: Some cats are not good drinkers of water, and this can create problems, especially when they eat little or no canned, raw or home-prepared moist food.

Mash up and stew some canned clams or cooked chicken wings for a few minutes. Cool, strain and offer this flavored, watery gravy for your cat to drink. Offer a few tablespoons daily, and store the rest in the fridge. You may also want to soak some of the dry food in this gravy to increase your cat's water intake.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox's website at DrFoxVet.com.)

DEAR DR. FOX: I am writing because I have encountered two heartbreaking concerns with my beloved companion (not "pet"), which I have not experienced with my other animals before. Esperanza is a 16-year-young Spanish water dog. She was born and reared in Spain; yes, she speaks Spanish -- bad joke, but people are always asking.

Esperanza is completely deaf. I believe she can still sense the vibrations in my voice as I continue to talk to her. Does she know she is deaf and that she can no longer hear my voice? Has this affected her psychologically? I don't see how it cannot, but when I pose these questions to other people, all I get is eye-rolls. My vet says that as long as she is healthy, her other senses will help her compensate.

My second concern is that Esperanza has developed dementia. This is so painful. Her main symptoms are confusion and disorientation. It seems especially severe in the evening. She will stare out a window, run around in circles and bark for no reason.

Our vet started her on Selegiline, an antidepressant. She eats one can of Hills Prescription Diet a day. She gets two or three walks a day. I would say she is not in any pain or suffering, but do we know exactly what that means from her perspective? -- A.O., Clifton Forge, Va.

DEAR A.O.: Your geriatric canine companion certainly knows that she cannot hear, which increases her anxiety. Communicate with hand signals. Her increased agitation at night may be a symptom of night blindness.

The Selegiline is what I would prescribe for the dementia. Adding 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and 1 teaspoon of fish oil to her daily diet may also help neurologically. A soothing and relaxing massage morning, afternoon and evening may help improve your dog's quality of life. My massage therapy book, "The Healing Touch For Dogs," has helped many dogs like yours.

Esperanza may soon be a candidate for in-home hospice veterinary care. Check in your community for veterinarians who provide this essential service for elderly and health-declining animal companions.

DEAR DR. FOX: My son, his wife and children (16 and 12 years old) have been transferred to Bangkok for two or three years. They plan on taking their 8-year-old Australian shepherd and 2-year-old cat with them.

I feel the trip will be too exhausting for the cat. After all, it can't be taken out of the carrier for water and potty breaks like the dog can. I have offered to keep the cat with my other two.

What do you suggest? Is it possible for the cat to make this trip without ill effects? -- A.G., Flat Rock, N.C.

DEAR A.G.: Since you have made the kind offer to your son and family to take in their cat, I hope they have accepted. Attachment to an animal, rather than considering what is best for the animal, can amount to misguided, selfish love and animal suffering. This is especially true when it is time to give up an animal whose time has come, but for emotional reasons is postponed.

Check out my article on the steps you must take when introducing a new cat into your cats' environment in "Dr. Fox's Library" on my website, DrFoxVet.com. Following these steps can help reduce the animals' stress and lead to the establishment of amicable relationships, especially when cats are fearful of each other and feel their territories are being invaded.

DEAR DR. FOX: We have an 11-year-old Yorkie. About four years ago, he had blood in his urine. We saw it because he is paper-trained.

The vet said he had bladder stones, and two of them were removed. He was put on Royal Canin Urinary SO. He also gets a few strips of grilled chicken breast twice daily. He gets all-natural treats and a dental treat after dinner. He has a heart problem and a blockage of his esophagus, so he is on furosemide. He is also on enalapril.

Twice in the past six months, he was lethargic, could not stand on his paws and was listless and just wanted to sleep. Our vet said it could be neurological. Each time, he was given a steroid shot of dexamethasone. It was scary to see him so weak. Within 24 hours, he was just about back to normal.

I'd like to know if you think he should be on this prescription diet forever? He doesn't like it or enjoy it. He does love the grilled chicken. Also, should be he on these medications? -- P.C., Naples, Fla.

DEAR P.C.: Popular toy breeds like your little Yorkie are prone to a variety of medical issues that are genetically linked, costly and can cause much suffering and anxiety for their caregivers.

I wish people would think twice about purchasing these kinds of dogs, especially from pet stores and online puppy mill breeders and markets, instead of finding a local breeder with healthier breeding stock. Then be sure to get a good pet health insurance policy.

Your dog is getting on in years, and his comfort and quality of life are paramount. This periodic collapse could be related to his medication, which he must continue to receive or suffer the consequences of his multiple health issues.

Have your veterinarian find more palatable prescription diet recipes that you can prepare for your Yorkie at secure.balanceit.com.

(Send all mail to animaldocfox@gmail.com or to Dr. Michael Fox in care of Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. The volume of mail received prohibits personal replies, but questions and comments of general interest will be discussed in future columns.

Visit Dr. Fox's website at DrFoxVet.com.)