Ron died on November 27, 2003 at the age of 82. I had placed Ron’s tape recorder on the bed pillow so he could listen to the sounds of his beloved wolves howling, calling and whimpering. I held his hand and said, “The wolves are calling to you, and you are free to go!” He just stopped breathing! November 27 is also significant as it marks the birthday of daughter Alison, as well as the day that Ron proposed to me in 1973.
A Celebration of Life for R.D. Lawrence was appropriately held at the Haliburton Forest on a beautiful warm sunny day in August 2004. Family, friends, fans, and supporters from near and far came to share stories and memories of Ron, the wolves and Wolf Hollow.
In 2006 I sold the sanctuary. Operating Wolf Hollow for more than twenty years was a huge commitment of time, energy, physical work, and money, and something that one cannot do alone. My passion for the wolf, the true spirit of the Canadian wilderness, has never waned but now I get my ‘wolf fix’ by visiting the Wolf Centre at the Haliburton Forest, a centre that welcomes 30,000 visitors each year from around the world. I feel great joy watching the wolves, and pleasure and satisfaction contemplating my fond memories of Canis lupus.
“When your life is touched by wolves, you are changed forever!”
Ronald Douglas Lawrence.
Tundra, 11 years old. Photo by Sharon Lawrence.
About the Author
Tundra & Ron. Photo by Jim Wuepper
R.D. Lawrence
Ronald Douglas Lawrence was born in Spain and educated at Cambridge University. He was a field biologist and naturalist, whose work took him to four continents. R.D. was the recipient of numerous awards for his writings, and for his contributions to the understanding of nature.
He explored Canada from coast to coast to coast and championed environmental causes for more than 40 years. He was the author of thirty internationally published books including such titles as Cry Wild, Paddy, The Ghost Walker, The North Runner, Canada’s National Parks, The Natural History of Canada, and Secret Go the Wolves.
R.D. was an inveterate adventurer and a superb storyteller.
Learn more about him at www.crywild.com
Taiga & Sharon. Photo by Jim Wuepper.
Sharon Lawrence
Sharon Lawrence is a retired educator, a painter, textile artist, photographer and writer. She and her late husband, R.D. Lawrence established a private sanctuary in the Haliburton Highlands, where they raised and released injured and orphaned wildlife for more than twenty years. The Lawrence’s specialized in wolf rehabilitation and were instrumental in moving Jim Wuepper’s pack from Michigan to the Haliburton Forest.
www.haliburtonforest.com
Wolf Hybrids
Shasta photo by Sharon Lawrence.
Alberta photo by Sharon Lawrence.
Arctic Wolves
Silva photo by Sharon Lawrence.
Alba photo by Sharon Lawrence.
Brother & Sister
Leda photo by Sharon Lawrence.
Numa photo by Sharon Lawrence.
In Praise of Wolves Page 26