Interspecies Hug

We seem to have these ideas that each animal species is an island that only seeks the company of its own kind, and that each has one defining characteristic that will accurately predict its behavior. Large predators such as lions and bears, for example, are usually portrayed as hungry and dangerous. Nature shows love to focus on this aspect, of course, because chasing and devouring makes a much sexier show than loafing around, which is what large animals spend a lot of their time actually doing. While their ferocious aspect does indeed need to be attended to when meeting large predators on their own turf, I love coming upon exceptions to such obviously limited generalizations. Polar Bear Meets Dogs: I Come in Peace Norbert Rosing captured these striking images of a wild polar bear coming upon tethered sled dogs in Canada’s Hudson Bay. The photographer was sure that he was going to see the end of his dogs when the polar bear wandered in. But instead this polar bear came in peace. It seems that s/he only needed to hug someone! It’s been rough out on the ice these past few years.  Gotta make friends where you can find them. The polar bear returned every night that week to play with the dogs. You reading this: May you, too, enjoy the sweetness of a life with friends of many species.

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