When I think of adorable animals, I tend to jump right to puppies and kittens, with maybe a baby elephant or two for variety.
One thing’s for sure; I don’t tend to think of bears. Sure, they’re great in “teddy” form — just ask this little cutie receiving a plush friend of her own after a tough day. But in real life? These enormous animals seem like the kinds of critters that require a wide berth.
For the most part, that’s very true. Even if a bear looks like he just wants to hang, like these admirably lazy ursine pool-crashers, it’s generally not safe to approach a wild bear. But animals who might respond to a human with aggression can sometimes have a totally different response to fellow furry friends.
That’s what’s happening here, as a whole troop of sled dogs hang out with a pair of polar bears in the Arctic. They’re in the small town of Churchill, Canada, where bears regularly come through on a popular migration path.
One local dog trainer got sick of constantly trying to herd his dogs away from the multitude of bears, who outnumber human residents of Churchill during the prime migration months of October and November. Instead, he decided to let the dogs and the bears feel each other out. As you can see in the incredible footage below, his gambit paid off, and in no time at all, a surprising friendship was born.
Were you awed and astonished by this unlikely connection? Then please SHARE on Facebook for any wildlife lovers who will fall in love with this beautiful bond between bears and dogs!
