A Wolf Called Romeo – What a wonderful story; regretfully with a sad ending. This is a very well written book which was supported by some very nice pictures of Romeo, a beautiful black wolf that embraced many dog lovers and their dogs in and around the City of Juneau Alaska between 2003 and 2009. Reader’s can also Google ‘wolf called Romeo’ and view many wonderful videos of Romeo interacting with his canine friends.

The wolf that Nick Jans described in this book in great detail is by no means the wolf or wolves depicted in the movie ‘The Grey.’ On page 76 of his book Nick Jans writes the following review of this movie, “A gripping tale to be sure, but one problem: the whole thing, start to finish, is a pack of Hollywood hooey.”
“The domestic dog is an extremely close relative of the grey wolf, differing from it by at most 0.2% of [mitochondrial DNA].” Mitochondrial DNA is passed down by the mother (without any genetic contribution from the father) and changes only through random mutations that occur from generation to generation.
A Wolf Called Romeo is a book that no animal lover should miss. When I watch and play with my beautiful pure black Belgian Sheppard which has been mistaken for a wolf on occasion, I certainly have to agree that this is the case. Recommended by Senior Doctor-at-Bass-Fishing! D. A.

Beautiful, well-written story. Also heartbreaking though. It makes me ashamed to be a human being, like the poachers. Disgusting people; they make me sick.

I would give this 3/5. Because the subject matter "grabbed" me I got into the story and couldn't let go until completed. But the narrative is not compelling and the outcome is not wrapped up well. (The wolf is shot by two "low-life" poachers.) Its a story that could and should have been told in a good full-length New Yorker type article.

Jans recounts the years that Romeo, a black wolf, who befriended the Juneu, Alaska community. "His survival was not due to the actions of a few, but the tolerance of many, and the restraint of state and federal agencies - not to mention the actions of the wolf himself."

About one fourth of the book is the story of Romeo, the rest discusses issues of human and wildlife relationships, laws and the battles for laws concerning wildlife. I was disappointed in the book.

Excellent book about a true personal and informative story of a wolf who was protected by the community. The end was expected but also disappointing in one particular person of the human race.

When a lone black wolf appeared in Nick Jans' backyard in Juneau, Alaska, the author and photographer was fascinated but cautious. Well aware that wolves - despite Romeo's well-documented love of dog toys - are wild animals, not pets, Jans initially observed Romeo's comings and goings from a safe distance. Gradually, however, the gulf between man and beast narrowed, with Romeo becoming the town's unofficial mascot as well as a steadfast friend to a number of local pooches (including Jans' own Labrador). In addition to documenting Romeo's six-year relationship with Juneau's residents, Jans also discusses larger issues such as wildlife management policies, human incursions into wilderness areas, and the perils of habituation (i.e. when wild animals become accustomed to humans). Science and Nature Newsletter October 2014.