interesting indeed

Coyotes aren't loved like dogs or the wolves that the dogs descended from. Coyotes deserve better.

This is a rather radical thought, but if put into effect, it might help coyotes a lot. Dogs are descended entirely from wolves, according to the canine genome project. If someone selectively bred coyotes to be good pets, people's image of them would quickly change. For example, there is a single gene that makes dogs look at their human companion's face for communication. There is a single Ferdinand-the-bull gene that makes bulls not only calm, but friendly to humans. I knew one such bull; he would come over to be scratched behind the ears and to have his back rubbed. The only risk was that when he leaned up against me in a friendly manner, he didn't understand that he outweighed me 10 to 1, so I had to be ready to dig in my heels and brace myself.

Coyocompanions would no longer be wild coyotes, but would have the genetic potential to be fine companion animals. Their pack instincts would be a good foundation for that. Their amazingly high intelligence and great situational awareness and natural cautiousness might make them very useful as companions for the blind and disabled. There are a lot of coyotes where I live, and it is extremely rare to see the remains of one that has been run over - and that is without any training.

I wrote a little story about coyote ugly versus coyote beautiful to accompany a photomorph that I created of my mate as a coyote:
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/395498/ (M rated)
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/395475/ (G rated)

If people felt about coyotes the way that they do about wolves, the coyotes would be better off.

Canine genome project: http://genome.cshlp.org/content/15/12/1706.full

(When I did an FA search on Foxystallion coyote I was amazed...)

8=)

*hugs*