Category Archives: Fang & Claw

Dire And Back

In the annals of science fiction, resurrecting extinct creatures usually ends with a T. rex eating the tourists. But real science just pulled off a different kind of resurrection—with fur, fangs, and a name straight out of Westeros. Here are five genetically engineered FactSlaps about the return of the dire wolf:

1. Dire Wolves Are (Sort of) Back
Biotech firm Colossal Biosciences has created wolf pups that resemble the long-extinct dire wolf, using DNA pulled from fossils and tweaked with modern gene editing. It’s not cloning—it’s resurrection by redesign.

2. Born of Dogs, Named Like Legends
The three engineered pups—Romulus, Remus, and Khaleesi—were birthed by domestic dog surrogates. Yes, Khaleesi. Because if you’re bringing back ancient, oversized predators, why not make it official Game of Thrones canon?

3. They’re Not Wolves—And Never Were
Despite the name, dire wolves weren’t just beefier gray wolves. DNA shows they split from a common ancestor millions of years ago, evolving into a separate genus (Aenocyon), making them more cousin than clone.

4. These Pups Are CRISPR Creations
To mimic dire wolf traits, scientists edited 20 genes in gray wolf embryos, targeting body size, skull structure, and musculature. It’s not de-extinction. It’s de-extinctish.

5. From Fantasy to Field Test
Fans of Game of Thrones remember dire wolves as loyal beasts of war. But these real-life versions raise serious questions: Should we be reviving apex predators? Are we restoring ecosystems—or rewriting evolution?

Sniff & Jack

Sniff & Jack

Paws clatter hardwoods 
Like tap dancers on crack.
You leap so eagerly into hatchbacks 
You clip your head on agonizingly 
Slow doors to lift.

You whine the whole drive,
Though we can finish it 
In one song 
If we make the lights.

No matter, of course—
We can never make the light you want:
The light speed jump.

Do you worry, one day,
Maybe today, maybe forever,
We will double back? 
That the chainlinks won’t be there?

You sob every ride
With the certainty of uncertainty 
That we are only driving by,
Only parking here by happenstance,
Only leashing up from muscle memory.

But then—
Inside! Finally!
Sprint treetotree, sniff & Jack
On tap in the reeds and pines.
Dad! See me chew!


And just as quick,
Through the doubt,
Beyond the uncertainty,
You race greyhound quick,
To lay at my feet.