Wee-Z And The Big Black Bear

Dear Byron,

I wrote to your Mommy and Daddy about some excitement we had up here in Pagosa Springs, CO. this past week. I was taking my daily walk around the neighborhood and GGMa was standing on the back porch deck when suddenly she saw a bear like the one in this photo come ambling across the meadow from the west toward our house. This in itself was quite a surprise, because, while we've seen a herd of elk, several foxes and coyotes, we've never seen a bear near our house. I did encounter one way up the hill in the woods one time, but never down in our area.

Anyway, what got GGMa really excited was that our little Pecka-poo, Wee-Z, the brave, 10 pound defender of our house, took off after Mr. Bear, barking and warning him to get out of here. GGMa said she yelled at Wee-Z to stop, but to no avail. That ol' bear didn't belong and Wee-Z was gonna see that he ran away. GGMa says she was so afraid the bear would scoop him up for a one mouthful meal. Thankfully the bear ignored our little guardian and went on his way. Nevertheless Wee-Z stood his ground and barked until the bear was gone.

For a time, after she lost sight of the bear behind the house, GGMa says she thought he had gone into our garage—the door was open—to look for a garbage bag full of goodies. However, when she cautiously pushed open the side door to peek in, no bear. He had proceeded on down our driveway and off into the neighbor's yard. Wee-Z scared him off! don't ya think?

You can read more about the current bear problem up here in the Pagosa Springs SUN Newspaper -that's where I found this photo and and read the story about bears. It seems that this spring's dry weather  up here in the mountains has left the bears without adequate wild food, so they've started to come among the houses looking for garbage, bird seed, left-over bar-b-que and anything else they can find.

I'm happy that you have a doggie in your house. Her name is Tootsie and I'll bet you and she have become great friends. Of course, you don't have any bears in Houston, except at the zoo, but you should be happy that your dear little animal-sister is with you to raise the alarm should any other critter or person try to break into your house.

As a boy I always had a doggie to play with me. We roamed the farm and were fast friends and companions. And I'm happy to see that you have Tootsie to be your friend as well. Give her a big hug for GGMa and me.

We love you,

GGPa