I think the interesting thing about howling is that everyone has different feelings about them. I guess it's a rather subjective thing and depends on what you associate with it. Some people report being spooked/frightened/scared by wolves howling (those probably watch too many cheap horror movies *G*), to others it sounds like music. I tend to perceive it as it probably is... a happy group ritual, where all members of the pack strenghten their bonds and exclaim their belonging to the pack. Beautiful.