Teton Totem

Stories About Teton Totem

Note: Many of our posts are collections of stories about multiple animals at Earthfire. The animal you’re looking for may not be shown in these post previews, but each post does contain a relevant story.

Grizzly bear surrounded by rocks and bushes

The Golden Bear

Hanna Palmer January 25, 2023

The day I was told of the passing of Teton Totem, one of Earthfire’s resident grizzly bears, many emotions washed through me: sadness, shock, and disbelief. However, what resounded within me as I made myself go through the motions of my day was an aching sense of regret. His death

Retreat Participant Honors Teton Totem

Deb Matlock January 25, 2023

One of the most beautiful things in life is when we are touched at our very core. When our preconceived notions are shifted dramatically in an instant, when what we thought we knew well is deepened. Thanks to Teton Totem, I experienced such a moment. Gazing into his enclosure, I

A broken fan and extension cord outside a domestic bear's enclosure

Teton and the Fan

Susan B. Eirich, PhD September 3, 2022

It was hot. Very, very hot. Teton has a thick bear coat and even in the shade it was difficult to cool him off. It bothered us. What could we do? He had shade cloth sprinkled with water, and cool watered grass to lay on, but he was still uncomfortable.

Creature Comforts

Dawn Harrison and Chelsea Carson October 16, 2019

We are excited to have Animal Enrichment Specialist Steve Hill on site working with all of our sanctuary residents, but we’re not as excited as the animals. Steve traveled here from England and immediately began immersing himself in his work. He spouted ideas within minutes and started early with a

Nature’s Invitations

Jess Friedman September 10, 2019

It was an invitation that brought me to Earthfire. As the digital content manager, I have the luxury of working from home—an arrangement that suits my introverted heart just fine. But since home is 2 ½ hours away, it also means I sometimes feel a bit disconnected from the land

Cece’s Mango

Susan B. Eirich, PhD September 4, 2019

A timid knock sounded on my hotel door the night before I was to return home from a family wedding. I opened it and there stood Cece, a sweet little eleven-year-old with both hands outstretched, holding a large mango. “Here,” she said shyly. “This is for Teton Totem.” It was

An Unreasonably Unseasonable Bear

Susan B. Eirich, PhD March 5, 2019

It is late February. It is cold and blizzarding. Will someone please explain to me why Teton Totem decided to rouse himself now, of all times? I rush to the store to get dark lettuce for him. That is close to what they will eat in the wild to ease

Grizzly bear with log in front of Tetons

Teton Totem Goes to Bed

Susan B. Eirich, PhD November 8, 2018

It’s pretty easy to see when A Bear Wants to Go to Bed. He looks just like a very sleepy child, so pitiful and vulnerable in his need that you want to carry him up to his bed and tuck him in.

Animal trainer Jean Simpson with a brown bear

A Language Before Words

Susan B. Eirich, PhD February 28, 2018

I keep thinking of offering a duct tape retreat, where we place metaphoric duct tape across our mouths so we are reminded to only speak when something comes from the depths of us; and when we are with the animals, we do not speak at all. When I mention such

Teton Totem: A Bear with Personality

Susan B. Eirich, PhD August 10, 2010

I would like to tell you about a grizzly bear. Not bears in general but a very specific bear. An individual. Teton Totem came to Jean as a child of divorce. Born in captivity, his owner had 30 bears and with the divorce, could no longer keep him. When I