Cougar Mania makes me want to yak

I am fed up with Cougar Mania. Enough already!

When this Cougar craze first swept our impressionable nation, I laughed along with everyone else. Haha! But as my mother used to say when my sister and I were overly obnoxious and just wouldn't let up, "It's starting to smell."

Cougar Mania is a fad, and like all 15 Minutes of Famers, it's time is almost up. Before we know it, we'll be watching "I Love 2009" on VH1 and thinking, "Oh, yeah! Remember that ridiculousness?!"

Here is my gripe: It seems as though "Cougar" has so thoroughly infiltrated our pop culture, that every woman over the age of 40 is now labeled as one. Just because I am 40 does not mean that I want to hunt a younger man, dig my claws into him, and drag him back to my lair. (Unless it's an evening of role play, and he is Batman and I am Catwoman. Meow!)

The Cougar stereotype is one-dimensional: an older woman looking for sex with a younger man. As in the wild, cougars are loners who only come together to mate. Now, I know that this is a tempting fantasy when members of the opposite sex are driving us up the proverbial wall. Wouldn't it be easier if men could just satisfy certain needs, and then we could just move on and hang with our girlfriends? Right. Like that would ever work for any length of time. Let's be honest with ourselves -- we are not biologically wired for all things Cougar.

Nope. This Cougar thing does nothing for me. Of course, if it's your thing, then as the song says, "Do whatchyawannado". More power to you, girlfriend.

40-something+ Women of America, I propose we adopt a new mascot. Let's start a grassroots movement! A new trend! We don't need a Hollywood poster child! (Although we certainly will not turn one away if she volunteers.)

And who will serve as our beloved mascot? Ladies, may I suggest a creature from the animal kingdom who resonates with our true nature? A mascot who doesn't insult us, but actually empowers us? I hereby recommend Canis Lupus. A.k.a., The Wolf.

I think every woman needs to go to the bookstore pronto and purchase and read Women Who Run with the Wolves by Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes. (I am in good company. Maya Angelou thinks you should as well.)

In Women Who Run with the Wolves, Dr. Estes examines the Wild Woman archetype inspired by the Wolf. This archetype honors authenticity, freedom, and passionate creativity.

Think about wolves in the wild -- not the false stereotypes from fairy tales, but real wolves. Wolves are by nature relational creatures with a playful spirit. They are curious, intuitive, and devoted to their pack. They readily adapt to changing circumstances and possess great strength and endurance.

Dr. Estes beautifully links these wolf traits back to the Wild Woman archetype. The multi-dimensional Wild Woman embraces these qualities within herself and therefore lives authentically. This is about women reaching their full potential, not about hunting and snagging a man.

Mentally cast your vote now. Which mascot do you choose?

Cougars, VH1 called. They are holding their next casting call.