(Unless you’ve already seen this. Although I don’t know that the sene of awe really wears off, even with multiple viewings)

On a late October day on the Canadian tundra near Churchill, Manitoba, a pack of large Husky dogs, the pride of hunter-trapper Brian LaDoon, were comfortably lounging on a fresh bed of snow, each tethered by a long chain. Norbert Rosing, a naturalist and photographer was setting up his equipment to capture the scene, when out of stage left appeared a 1200 pound, wild male polar bear, which hadn’t eaten for four months.

The owner was fairly certain he was about to witness the death of his dog, when something fairly amazing happened.

They started to play.

This one (above) is fairly amazing to me, as my Mal used to do this to my German Shepherd constantly. She found it annoying. Perhaps she would’ve preferred a polar bear?

The money shot.

The polar bear returned every night for a week to play with the dogs.

This has nothing to do with the polar bear and husky playing, I just thought it was super cute. I love the feet.

They can do amazing things with PowerPoint, but these images are 100% legit, as is the story behind it.

This makes me want to go buy some Legos!

Yep. It's been done. Albeit poorly.

Dr. Stuart Brown of the Institute of Play (I know, I know. It sounds ridiculous. Like where they make all that crazy stuff out of Legos. How do people DO that!? And how do they have time to do that? And how do they know, when they set out to make, say, Michelangelo’s David out of Legos that it can even be done? That all the right parts and shapes will be available? I wonder if somebody has ever done that? And why are there fruit flies in my house? In February? When it’s freezing outside and the only fruit I have is still fresh and in the peel?  And where do babies come from?)

This is amazing.

Okay, sorry, got distracted there for a second.

Dr. Stuart Brown, who is some kind of expert in animal play, says that this behavior has now been reported (and documented) between polar bears and wolves in the wild.

And that’s got me thinking. It’s time I had a talk with my dog. I’m feeling out something like this:

“Look buddy, you know I love you, but it’s time you start giving back. That kibble you eat doesn’t grow on trees, and those bones you bury in the yard? Yeah, well, Santa didn’t really bring them. I bought them, for about $2.00 a pop. Yeah, that’s right, there’s no Santa. I’m Santa. Get over it. Meanwhile, we both know you don’t dig those bones back up. And to put it plainly, I’m getting a wee bit irritated with you throwing money away like that. But I don’t mean to come off harsh. 

In fact, I’ve got a plan: We’re going to drive up to Canada, kind of near the Arctic Circle, chain you up and have you play with some polar bears while I take award-winning pictures that I will resell for a fortune. It’s been proven safe. Polar bears love huskies. You were made for this, buddy. And then it’s all the bones you can bury! I’ll even get you one of those giant three foot rawhides. Greenies? Done. Snausages? You bet. Just don’t make any sudden moves or piss the bears off or anything. You in?”

Polar bear bait.

I hope he goes for it. We could use the dough.

Meanwhile, since you’re hopefully still awash in the glow of polar bear cuteness, why don’t you go and adopt one? Via the World Wildlife Fund, that is.

http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/finder/polarbear/polarbear.html