The Howling Wolf

Lithuanian legend maintains that an iron wolf howled in Grand Duke Gediminas's dream. An interpreter told the Grand Duke the dream was a sign that Gediminas should build a castle on a hill, and that a great city would arise around the site. The city grew into Lithuania's capital, Vilnius.

Wolf imagery remains ubiquitous in Lithuania. Here, a howling wolf guards the entryway to a beauty salon ("dalės salonas"):

Lithuania, August 2011. The door-stop wolf is a typical example of folk-art woodcarving.

Thanks to my Toronto Cousin for making this photo available to us.