Animal Quills

*nods* In a way, I think I would be *more* frustrated to be a critter that is extant, but that no one wants to study and explore. I mean, it's *out* there and probably endangered, so why aren't we studying them? As a canid-fanatic, I get upset that almost *nothing* is done on jackals and dholes, and I would *love* to see some stuff on the smaller cats.
I think the only thing that would make me feel happier about being an ignored-but-living species is that I could at least see "home". Like, if I was a jackal, I at least see Africa or India even if they are talking about lions or tigers. *shrugs*
I think I can relate to your need to "build a mythos", too. I would *love* to have know what myths the early pre-Native Americans told about dire wolves. In fact, I think some myths did survive, but that's another topic.
However, I think I have it a bit easier than you in my desire to build a dire wolf mythos as I've found it very easy to tap into the vast mythos built around grey wolves.
Just suggestions, but it came to mind that I would be interested in you expanding a bit on two things you mentioned.
I'd be interested in your experineces as a scimitar cat, of course. *wolfish grin*
Also, it would be interesting to read how you you came to disagree with the stereotype of ravens as tricksters. I guess I'm interested because I've worked spiritually (and in the physical) with a wide range of canids, including Fox and Coyote who are both cast as tricksters as well. Foxes and coyotes aren't human-like tricksters anymore than ravens, but they have qualities, mind-thoughts, that even though it is a poor translation, would translate to "trickery". And sadly, translation would breakdown because most humans are too humancentric to realize that fox-trickery and coyote-trickery would be little like human-trickery in the ways of motives, thoughts, and such. Which makes "trickery" a poor word for labeling what it is that foxes and coyotes do, but I can't think of any better English word for it.
Did that make any sense? *sighs* Anyway, I basically be interested in your thoughts on the connection or lack of connection between ravens and tricksters.