Teton Emerging in Spring

All winter we worried about Teton Totem and his severe back problem. How would he be? Would the long winter sleep aggravate it? What do we do with a nearly paralyzed 1000 pound grizzly bear?
We made him a special bed for his hibernation, lining his den with wood and then extra hay to make it softer and warmer and he could arrange it as he liked. With Penelope’s help with his back in the fall (see Bear Burrito, Blog November 2009) he was quite a bit better just before going to sleep for the winter but still we worried. What would the long period of inactivity do?
Teton emerged from his den recently – and he was using his hind legs! Not perfectly but the long sleep and stillness did him no harm. Not only was he walking, but he was sweet – sweeter than he had been in a long time. In fact there was an indescribably sweet and gentle look in his eyes. What a gift!! What a way to start spring!!

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