my three bears

My husband came home with this cute bear statue for me today. He knew it would make me feel a little better and ease the sadness I'm feeling. You see, I've been watching a bear den cam since Late Dec 2011, watching a mother bear give birth and care for two little cubs. They are so precious, looked like little monkeys when they were born. I've watched every day, not all day, but for a lot of time, especially over the last few weeks...knowing that they would be leaving the den soon. These bears stayed a little longer than some of the others in the area, choosing to stay within the safety of their little cave (it was actually the underside of a fallen tree, in the hole that the upturned roots made). Yesterday, they were outside by the opening and the cubs were reluctant to travel too far from the only home they've ever known, but Mama wanted to move on. She walked away several times, and came back in a huff, wanting the cubs to follow, which they eventually did. I watched as their little black shapes merged with the forest, watched for a while longer hoping that they'd return. They did not. I know this is a good thing...for them. But I will miss their playful antics, their wrestling matches, their little cubby snores. But....not too long after the bears left, I was made aware of a rare Amur leopard in a zoo that was about to give birth...I switched on just in time to witness one of the three babies born. Well, now I have some other little loveys to watch, but thanks to my hubby I have a beautiful reminder of my sweet Jewel, Herbie, and Fern Bear.