Dale Thacker Aurthor

Tag: books

  • The Search for Dens

    Search for Dens

                It was bitter sweet leaving Ann’s home, I would love to be with her when she delivers. But I must find at least 4 dens, I need to make sure everyone will be safe. I never want to live through what we lived through this past kill season. I am so happy now, having Luna in my Life, but sad we loss 3 important members of our family this year. As we head to Tom’s, we ate many berries as we travel. The travel is a little faster now, that the cubs have grown some. As we travel Cola is looking more and more like an American flag. We have 2 baskets that we filled for Sue. I’m looking forward to some strawberry rhubarb pie.

                When we get to Tom’s he said, dang is that an American flag bear. We laughed and said no, it’s a polar bear that loves berries. This is Cola and she is an albino bear. This is Pandy which is a piebald bear. Tom said glad to meet y’all. Cola said where are the strawberry rhubarb pies, I hear Sue’s pies are the best. Tom agreed yes, they are the best. Luna and Lucille go in with Sue, while myself Bud, Cola and Pandy, stayed outside with Tom. He is working on building a larger smoker. I tell Tom, if he would have us, we are planning on staying at least 2 weeks, to den hunt. He was so excited, that we were moving here. I said yes due to all the tragic loss last year; I can’t live through this anymore. I tell Tom that I know how important a sow is now, to a boar bear. He said yes it would kill me to lose Sue, and I cannot, thank you enough. She was yours, but you made sure she was mine.

                Inside the girls are preparing some roasted turkey and dressing, along with green beans and potatoes, and the smell of sourdough bread is diffusing outside, and do I also smell some pies cooking. The barbecue/smoker is all done and is sealed with red clay. Tom throws some kindling and a few small limbs in the smoker. He said who would like to strike a match to light the fire. Pandy said I will but you may need to help me. Tom was glad to show Pandy how to build a fire. He says we just need to keep a low heat, and gradually increase as it dries. I’m thinking I hope he has some ribs to smoke and barbecue while we are here, if not I might have to make a trip to Ann’s again.

                Sue says supper ready, the smell of roasted turkey and dressing was amazing, then there was the sourdough bread. We all had a great supper, but then when sue opened the door on the oven, Cola said OMG what’s that smell its heaven.  Sue said this is my strawberry and rhubarb pies. As she sets a large pie in-front all the adults and a smaller one for the younger cubs. After indulging Cola said is there another one that was delicious. Luna said not to be asking for more pie. Sue said she made plenty as she gives Cola another one.

                The cubs played together as we talked about needing the dens. Tom said he knows of 2 within a mile of here. I was excited for that, but we would need more. Tom said tomorrow we would go and check out those 2 dens, and decide who dens they would be. Tom said he would put some ribs on in the morning, before we leave, and they will be ready, for supper tomorrow evening, before going fishing.

                The next morning as I was waking up, Tom was already outside with the ribs on to smoke. Sue is also fixing breakfast, after everyone was awake, we had breakfast and then, den hunting we go. The 1st den was less than a half mile from Tom’s. It was very large and comfortable. It is divided in several areas. Luna was liking this den very much, and then the next area had multiple shelves and drawers, in a cool area of the den. Luna said this is our den. My herbs will fit right here perfect. One down 3 to go. Tom said next one, is only a quarter mile away, we head over there, it’s not as big but still comfy, I’m thinking to keep Susie close to us, this would be perfect for her. This was a short day, but was a good day having secured 2 dens. I hope we can find another close to this one so Lucy would also be close to Susie.

                Back at Toms den, the smell was overwhelming. I think Tom just keeps getting better with his ribs. At least that’s what my nose tells me, I cant wait to taste them. Sue has fixed 10 gallons of French fries to go along with the ribs. A feist we had, and the ribs just fell off the bones. Tom said who is ready to go fishing. Bud was the first to say me, yes. We fished half the night; we filled 6 baskets of catfish. No real big ones but up to 24 inches long.

                It took us 2 days to find next den, surprisingly it was closer than we expected, less than a half mile from Sam, Jr and Susie’s den. I was obscured by a lot of laurels so it was with lots of searching, that Bud found it. Its larger and will be perfect for James and Lucy. We are now blessed with 3 dens all within about a mile of each other. Now one to go.

                For the next week we look for another den close by. We find several that would be good for a rabbit, but nothing large enough for a growing bear family. We beginning to think, we may be sharing 3 dens instead of the 4th den. We were planning to go home in a couple days now. We decided a nice picnic by the pond this evening, and enjoy some fishing. Cola and Pandy have gotten tired of fishing and they see an old soccer ball, as they kick it, it goes in the water, and like a fish Cola dives in and gets it. Then it goes deep into a pine and Laurel thicket. Cola and Pandy go in looking for it. No one else is small enough to find it. We can hear them in there, as limbs crack and snap suddenly, we hear Pandy say, there is a very large den in here. He goes in it, and finds the ball inside the den. We all run over but can’t see it, or even get through the thicket. It’s getting late in the day. It looks like tomorrow we are clearing the thicket.

                When we get back, and tell Luna she was so excited, we have now found 4 dens. She was even more excited it was at the pond, she said she may be giving in on her perfect den for her herbs, for lake front property.

                The next day we took handsaws and sickles over to clear off the brush, so we can see the Den. Both Cola and Pandy says its huge we can’t wait. Srrr-srrr srrr-srrr chhh-chhh chhh-chhh as we cleaning. It’s so slow going, the thicket is so dense. I can’t fathom how Cola, and Pandy, were able to get through this thicket. Srrr-srrr chhh-chhh we are making some headway. We can make the outline of an entrance now but we are only half way though the thicket. We going to rest for the evening, we will back to it tomorrow.

                Srrr-srrr srrr-srrr chhh-chhh chhh-chhh, at noon the next day, we finally made it, to the entrance. The entrance is perfect, just the size a large bear can get through comfortably. Inside there are five large rooms and a smaller one Luna said with some modifications on this small room. Ben you could make this small room even a more perfect herb room. We have done what we set out to do, but while we all here, we cleared more of the thicket. Luna wants to be able to set at the entrance and be able to see the whole lake, well pond. The den that we had first claimed, can be Angel’s and Samuel’s.

                With having done what we set out to do, we tell Tom tomorrow, we would go home. But will be back and start moving in soon. I truly hate leaving our old home. Luna said Hey, we can have 2 homes, a summer home at our old home, and a winter home here with Tom. I thought that sounded like a good idea. I told Tom he said, he understood, as I asked him, if he could also have a summer home with us. He could use his old den. He was happy with this. Bud was so excited that we have the summer home, so we could fish in the trout pond. After a good night’s sleep, we tell Tom, that we would be back in about a week, we would start setting up house, as we bring some of our belongings. All 5 dens are within a mile and half circumference. In the morning on the way home, we will stop at Ann’s. Is there a new baby yet? I hope to see Ann’s new baby!

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  • The Awakening

    The Awakening

                It’s been a long hibernation, I’m the first in our den to wake up. I looked at the beautiful bear lying next to me, I’m am so blessed to have Luna in my life. I am still groggy, but I go over to check on Luna, I wake her up. I want her to be part of, checking for our babies. She said it seems like we just went asleep. Then she goes OMG I feel something moving, over here beside of me. We look, there are 2 beautiful cubs, but one is snow white and looks like a polar bear, we pick her up and she has a pink nose, and pink eyes. I said I have never heard, or seen anything like this before, she weighs about 6 pounds. But she is so precious. The second one also funny looking, he has a white head but black around the eyes and black ears. Back half of body is white, all legs are black, the front legs are black and the black continues as a wide black strip going across the top of the back, then down to the other front leg. He weighed 8 pounds. I love our new family, but I never seen or heard any bears like this. Luna said I have. I have heard tell of white bears in the north, they are called polar bears, but they don’t have pink eyes and nose. I heard a commercial, about a polar bear, named Coca Cola, I like this name, I said and for short we can call her Cola. Then Luna said that our little boar resembles a panda bear from China. I spoke up and said, how about Pandy for his name. Luna said I love it. Here we are with our unique family. As we gave each other a big bear hug and nose rubs.

                We woke Bud, Lucille, Susan, and Heather, they were stunned, seeing their new brother and sister. Bud said what the hell is this. I said watch your language there little brother. Yes, they are unique, but they are your brother and sister. Meet Coca Cola or Cola for short’ and Pandy. Heather said I’ve seen bears like them in your nursery rhyme book. A polar bear and a panda bear. Luna said they are black bears just like us. But Cola is what is called albino or the lack of pigmentation. Pandy is piebald when part of the coat is normal and other parts are white. Susan said I love my brother and sister. Now with everyone awake Luna fixes breakfast and we go outside for a stroll. Cola and Pandy are running around as fast they can, exploring everything they see. But their full speed is like us walking at half speed.

                We are now over at Angel’s, they are all outside enjoying the beautiful blue sky, with puffs of white, and the trees having a gentle sway. The bushes are just beginning to get slightly green. Samuel said I thought y’all was sleeping until summer. We have been up for almost a week now. Angel said OMG, Luna is those my grandbears, they are unique but precious. Luna said yes, this here is Coca Cola, or Cola for short our daughter, and Pandy our son. Angel handed a slice of sourdough bread with honey on it to Cola, Pandy wanted it and a huge fight broke out. Cola now has a small streak of red, going through her snow-white fur. I had to break them apart and had them apologize to each other.

                Everyone is now headed to Lucy’s, we see no one stirring so we go in. All we hear is big snore, a medium snore, and a baby snore. Everyone is still asleep, until Pandy goes running, and sliding around into James. He wakes up and said, who is this little black and white fellow. I think he thought it was Patches, and Susie little baby. He was surprised when Luna walked in, and said this is my son Pandy and over there is my daughter Coca Cola or Cola. James goes over and gently wakes everyone leaving Susie for last. Sam Jr. said he wanted to wake her. As he did, she stretches, and feels some movement. She looks down to see a beautiful little sow black as coal with a light tan muzzle, and weighs 7 pounds. Sam Jr. said that’s the most precious thing he has ever seen. It is now lunch time and Angel and Luna prepare lunch and we enjoyed it very much. I said what’s your cubs name Susie, then, I said how about Suzanne. Susie said I Like that a lot. With 3 new cubs to our expanded family this is going to be a great spring.

                Well, looks like time to go to the pond and do a little fishing. Cola saw Bud put the 20-inch minnow on, she was so amused, she just stayed right under Bud’s paws, the whole time he was fishing. Bud didn’t mind though; he told her that he always fish, for the world record rainbow trout. She said I want to catch him. Bud said by this fall you might be big enough, to hold onto the pole if he bites. She said OK, I will catch him this fall. As I’m sitting here, I miss everyone that has been killed, but I’m not depressed over it anymore. Having Luna in my life has changed my life, for the best. I am so happy with her, being in my life. I also thinking back to when I set Tom and Sue up. How he told me having Sue in his life changed him, so much for the better. I need to go see them before long. But it will be a month before Pandy and Cola is big enough to make the long trip. I never want to lose Luna, I’m going to be scouting for dens when we go to see Tom.

                Just before dusk we all go back to our dens, it has been a great day with our family. I’m so blessed to have our unique son and daughter. They will be the talk of the forest. Once we were back at our den, we had supper and I read Little Red Riding Hood to Cola and Pandy. Cola said she was scared that the big bad wolf would get her. I told her there are no wolves in Virginia, just the smaller cousin the coyote. But don’t be scared, I will always be here to protect you, my precious daughter. She went in to bed, she was sound asleep in no time.

                The next morning was to introduce the new cubs to the stream and fishing, for native trout. It took us twice as long as usual to get there, but once there, Bud dove in, and out he came with a 17-inch native trout. Cola went in after seeing Bud go in, she was splashing and having a blast. Pandy walked down and gently put a toe in the water, before jerking it out. Cola saw this, she got out and walked behind him, she then with all her power, she pushes him in, as she fell in after him. He was scared only for a couple seconds, then realized it was a lot of fun being in the water. Bud and Susie had fun also, and caught a basket full of gorgeous colored native brook trout. Was a great day with the new family at the stream. Luna and myself just sit on the bank and reflected on our new life.

                For the next 2 weeks were hunting game, teaching our cubs how to hunt. Luna wanted to teach them how to hunt possums, since that’s the easiest game to hunt. Cola and Pandy rather than killing the possums, it was more of a cat playing with a mouse. They would smack it around a little, then Luna comes in and kills the Possum. Pandy did see a young possum, he had enough power he was able to kill it. They are beginning to learn how to be bears.

                It’s now a little later in the spring, and wild fruit is everywhere. Cola and Pandy are loving the strawberries and blueberries. They are eating more than, what is going in the baskets. Oh, my lord, look at Cola now, she is red, white, and blue. Having a snow-white coat can have its problems. Bud said all she needs now is stars and stripes. We were able to gather 4 baskets full of berries. Afterwards Luna was to fix some delicious berry cobbler. Cola and Pandy thought that her cobbler’s were best thing ever.

                It’s now my time to teach them a new skill. I know it’s way too early for them to participate in big game hunting, but I want them to be exposed to it. We came up with the plan, knowing they couldn’t keep up, that Luna would be up in the steep rocks, with Cola and Pandy, so they could watch me chase the deer up into the rocks and kill them. I go down and get below them the chase is on, a large doe with 2 yearlings. The plan goes perfectly, I was able to harvest the doe and a yearling. Pandy said wow, I want to deer hunt, that looked like fun. Luna said give it a few months you will be able to hunt. Cola said I don’t know about that, my beautiful white coat would be splotched with red. Luna said that is what the shower or creek is for.

                We continued the training over next couple of weeks and they are growing quickly now, so we decided prior to going to Toms, to have a picnic at the pond with everyone. So, we all convened on the pond and yes, Bud went to his spot and placed a 20-inch minnow on. Cola now a little larger sit right beside him, and said when are we going to catch that big world record rainbow trout. I was watching everyone else catching plenty of fish. Cola said, Bud tell that fish to bite, Bud being a good big brother said, bite fish. About then the pole bent over double and the fight began. Cola said give me the pole, and mischievously Bud hands her the pole, remembering his first time with this trout. She held on for dear life with the pole in both front paws, her hind legs trying to grab onto the ground. It wasn’t but seconds and she was in the water. What a show-off she is though, unlike bud she has her hind paws on-top the water, as the world record trout is pulling her around and around the pond. The trout was breaking water jumping and doing all kinds of acrobatics. Luna was watching in amazement, that her daughter could water ski. She probably went around that pond 50 times before the trout went into shallow water, and just laid there being exhausted. Everyone ran over to it, and tried to get it in deep water. The old fish was too tired and died. Cola said to Bud, I’m sorry I killed your world record trout. Bud said that’s ok, I was laughing as hard I could watching you water skiing. I tell Cola that I remember over in Lucifer’s house, of seeing a fish that had been preserved. I’m sure Ann can help us to preserve it, for you to hang on the wall.

                We headed to Ann’s with a 51 inch and 72-pound world record rainbow trout. I knock on the door and Alice comes to the door, she said Ann was on the couch and invited us in. She was impressed at the trout. I said I know that humans have a way to preserve fish, she said yes, it’s called taxidermy. I asked if you and Ann could take and have that done. She said sure. Ann holler’s is that you Ben, come on in. when I go in, she said Damn that’s a big trout. I want y’all to have the taxidermist to fix this for Cola. As cola comes in and is chasing the cat, Ann said who is this, and what is this a polar bear. This is Cola, she is our daughter, she is an albino black bear. She is precious but oh those pink eyes. About then Pandy comes from around the couch OMG it’s a panda bear from China. No this is Pandy he is a piebald black bear, Ann said oh, I’ve seen a piebald deer, I never knew a bear could be Piebald. You have a beautiful family.

                I asked how she is doing and when her baby would be born. She said less than 2 weeks now, as she stood up her belly was protruding. She then says I know you know Alice, but things have changed for us, while Y’all was in hibernation. Alice and myself have become partners. We got married, I’m his wife, and she is my husband. I tell them congratulations. I tell them Lucy also had a daughter, Suzanne. They invited us to stay for supper. Ann told Alice to put the fish in their freezer, they would take it to the taxidermist tomorrow. They had a good supper and then was headed home, Ann said please spend the night. I want to watch these 2 young cubs play some more; they are so precious. The next morning, we said our goodbyes and I tell Ann that we were going to Tom’s, we may stay a couple weeks, we need to scout out at least 4 dens for everyone. We going to move out there before next fall. I can’t handle any more deaths in our family. We going to a county that doesn’t allow bear hunting. She said to stop by on the way back, she may have given birth by then! Also, she may have the trout back from the taxidermist by then. I am excited to possibly seeing a human baby, I have never seen a baby human before.

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  • Preparation for Hibernation

    Preparation for Hibernation

                After an amazing night together, we know we must go and talk to everyone. To fill them in all the happenings of all the events. We headed over to Samuel’s and Angel’s den, where everyone was patiently waiting for us. We asked the cubs if they wanted to go fishing by their selves. Samuel speaks up NO, hunting season is still in. I tell him that I will explain to everyone of all the happenings. But for now, trust me that hunting season, anywhere in Stone-Cold-Gap area has been suspended until next year. Luna speaks up this is true; I heard it from the Conservation Police Officers. That the road is closed until after hunting season, and both mountains are closed for all bear hunting. Then Samuel said, how about those damn poachers. I said you do not ever have to worry about them again. I will explain everything, but the cubs do not need to hear the gory details. Samuel said OK I believe y’all but I am so confused.

                The cubs have gone to the pond, I start telling the whole story to Samuel, Angel, James, and Lucy. Everyone’s jaw is on the floor. As I talk about the Laced marijuana, and how it gives you super bear strength, James spoke up I need some that. Samuel beat me to it. NO, no you do not. That is some bad stuff, as he continues speaking to me, we must get rid of all of that, it makes you do stuff that will haunt you the rest of your life. Luna said, it’s all gone, I made sure of that. As I’m tell how I killed every poacher in the road, and that I even took another bullet and ate their hearts. Everyone couldn’t believe this, especially that I consumed one whole poacher. I said yeah that was a mistake though, he didn’t set well on my stomach. I then tell all the details of killing both poachers on top of the mountain and all the dogs. So, that we are safe.

                After Luna and myself left from here, the other day, she took me to clean my wounds and bandage me. I then had something I had to do right away. I took Dottie’s body down closer to the road, so that the Conservation Police would find her, and then they would realize, that they were poachers. Angel speaks up, you are brilliant to think about placing your daughter’s body down there. I know that had to be hard on you. I said yes it was, and I then said, I’ll be back shortly I need to find out if the Conservation Police left her lying there. Luna said she would walk with me.

                We walked down to the tree, she was still there, and I carried her back to Luna’s den, we will bury her there. But we want everyone here first. We must go back to Angel’s, and finish the rest of the story. Once back at Angel’s the cubs show up and said they had a great time fishing. I asked Bud if he had any bites. No but I tried. Luna said she would finish telling, what else that needs to be said. She tells everyone that she has always had eyes for Ben, but didn’t think he had anything more than friendship in mind. Well, he also had eyes for me. We may have started a new family last night; everyone was happy about this.

                Sunday before the tragic events of Dottie being killed, we did a good job filling the freezer so we don’t need any more game. Lucy said she would take all the cubs to the stream, and catch several baskets of native brook trout. About then Bud said I have something to show everyone. With the loss of Dottie, most of y’all don’t know what I killed Sunday, as he pulls out his 24 point and 33 inches wide buck he killed. Samuel said that’s the biggest buck ever killed in the state of Virginia. Bud said it would always be hanging on his wall.

    We then talk about Lucy and James living so far away, I’ll be moving in with Luna. There is another den that’s not far away, Ceasar’s I know he would love for Lucy and James to move in to his den. They were ecstatic, when I mentioned that. All 3 dens would be just over a mile apart. James said, well with hunting season closed, no better time than now, to start getting moved in to our new den. Samuel and Angel said they would be glad to help. Before anyone leaves, we, all need to go down to Luna’s den. I have Dottie’s body that I must bury. I want everyone around to pay respect for my beautiful sister. We are all there to bury Dottie.

     There is a deep depression in the ground, I picked up Dottie and laid her in the depression. Then, I started with smaller rocks, that I covered her body with, then larger rocks, everyone joined in helping to place rocks on her grave, until it was a mound of rocks, about a foot higher than the ground. Bud said he had something to add, he had 2 sticks he had lashed together, perpendicular to each other, and placed it in the ground, above where her head lies.

                Myself and Luna decided that we would be taking all our cubs to visit Tom and Sue. Now that the forest is safe, we can go over there. On the way there, every time we saw a pocket of acorns; we would eat them. They are getting harder to find. We are full by the time; we get to Tom’s. Which was good, since we were well after supper time. They were extremely surprised to see us. We filled them in on all the events, and that hunting season had been cancelled. We also told of us being a couple, with a possible family on the way. They were very sad of the loss of Sophia, Dottie, and Maverick, but Tom said you finally got your sow. Again, they asked me to move over to this non-hunting county. I said, well bear season has been cancelled and they all have their dens laid out. Tom said he understood. I then said that I was tired of all the loss, and I may consider it next year. He was happy to hear this. We stayed for 2 days before deciding to head back home. Tom and Sue were sad to see us go.

                Upon leaving we also wanted our friends Ann and Alice to know about everything. We get over to their home and they were so surprised seeing us, since myself and Lucy were just there a few days ago. I tell them about the day, I was last here, that I loss Dottie and that a couple days later, Luna loss Maverick. We tell them the whole story, and how bear hunting season had been cancelled, for the rest of the year. Ann speaks up and said, the Conservation Police had made a statement on the news, about hunting season being cancelled. But they never stated why hunting season was cancelled. I then tell them that Luna and myself are now a couple, we may be having a baby, just like you Ann. She turned sideways, and you can tell she is beginning to show. Ann and Alice both was very happy for us. They asked that we spend the night which we did.

                The next morning, we head to my den and we get all my belongings, that we could carry to take to our new den. We will have to make another trip to get the rest of it. But before leaving, I tell Luna, I was going to burn all the regular marijuana. She said no, she can add that to her herbs, you never know when it may be needed. I know you feel great now, but if injured you may need it for pain control. I agreed with her. I don’t think I will ever need it again for depression. Ever since she rubbed noses with me, I have been on cloud 9. We take all my belonging to our den.

                Then we go to Angel’s den and tell them, we were back from seeing Tom and Sue, and we also visited Ann and Alice. Angel said that James and Lucy are all moved in with Lucille and Patches. But we may need to figure out another den for Patches and Liz, as though they may need a den of their own, for a family of their own. We decided they could stay with Samuel and Angel though the winter, then we would figure something out.

                Now with all the dens figured out. it is getting late in the season, we all returned to our dens, to begin, to slow down for hibernation. We all have plenty of food to take us up to hibernation, and upon waking in the spring, we will still have plenty of food to start spring off. The question is how many new cubs would we have come spring? Also, is Ann going to have a son or a daughter?

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  • Revenge for Dottie

    Revenge for Dottie

                Benjiman had a sleepless, bitter-cold night, in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia, and I have finished the deer bag marijuana, but I must replenish my marijuana. My heart has been ripped out from my body, but I must take care of Bud and Lucille now. I must get hold of my feelings, so, I can protect them. I must have more marijuana; I must remain calm. Yes, I’m thinking about the PCP laced marijuana, but Bud and Lucille need me. I must use the regular marijuana. I know it will be dangerous, but I must cross the road, to get me some marijuana. Luna begged me not to go. I said I must, I promised her, to only to get the regular marijuana. She said please be careful of, that awful group of hunters, no she said they are not hunters, they are POACHER’S.

                I crossed under the road, going through a culvert, I stayed in the creek to hide my scent. I’m almost to my den; when I hear a truck down on the road! Will the hounds get my scent? I hope not! Right where I crossed under the road, I hear the hounds as they blow up, they have my scent. But they are not getting closer, they are getting farther away. They are headed straight towards Luna’s den; they are on my backtrack. I must do something now. But what? I rushed to my den, as I go straight to my secret hiding spot, I grabbed four cigars, I smoked one as quickly as I could. I’m ready to do battle with those DAMN POACHERS. I will get revenge for Dottie. I hope all will be well, with all my family, I hope they kill all those dogs. My job is down on the road now. I am off in a rage to the road. Those poachers will die today. I’m just in the mood to make that happen. When I get to the road, which is very quickly, you would be surprised how quickly I can move, after smoking the laced marijuana.

                There are 3 trucks with dog boxes on them. There were 4 hunters standing in the road. I hear one of them say, that damn bear, won’t get away from us today, we had 2 hunters go in before daylight, they are already on top the mountain. The hounds will run that bastard bear to them. I was terrified as to who, or how many of his family members, the hounds are chasing. Will any of my family die today. I have had too much loss already.  It sounds like 12 or more hounds are running towards the top of the mountain. The hounds seem to be close together, not spread out, seems as though they are just chasing 1 bear, or may be a group of bears that’s close together.

                It’s time to end those poachers lives, but first, I lit up one more marijuana cigar, as I calmly smoked it. I then take off in a sprint going as hard as I could. When I encountered the first hunter, with only 1 swipe of my powerful paw, off goes his head, blood went flying everywhere, his head was flying through the air. The other hunters heard this, they turned to see what has happened. They saw his head flying, right into one of the poachers. They were all screaming, at the top of the lungs, as they started running for their guns in their trucks. I closed in quickly, as I disemboweled the next poacher, the guts went everywhere, the bowels landed on 2 of their trucks. I reached over and grabbed his heart as I ate it. I then felt a little fly land on my right shoulder, as I heard a loud bang. Oh no I’ve been shot again. I took off full speed, as I hear another bang, but I think he missed, I didn’t feel any fly’s this time. The poacher turns and runs, as he is running, there is shit, coming out his pants legs, every step he makes. I chased him and I made a swipe across his body; his body is separated in half; the top half is headed towards the last poacher. It hits him and knocks him down. I walk over to him, I started at his feet, having myself a meal. The bloody screams he made, for the next 10 minutes, as I devoured his body. I saved his heart to eat last, then I went to get the only 2 hearts I haven’t eating yet. I’m finding poachers hearts to be a delicacy.

                As I start back to the Luna’s den, the shot that I had received, seems to be only a flesh wound, on my right shoulder. I rub dirt in it to stop the bleeding. I hope everyone is OK back at the den. When I get there Luna sees that I’m bleeding, she said Benjiman; I am so worried about Maverick. We heard all the hounds coming straight at our den, Maverick ran down and confronted them, he made sure they all followed him, before running straight up the mountain. I’m very concerned for Maverick now, knowing that 2 poachers are on top. I said I must go, to try to help Maverick. Luna said you are bleeding, let me at least place some yarrow on your wound. After she placed a bandage of yarrow on, I had myself another cigar, because I know this isn’t over yet. Luna said is that the laced marijuana. I told her I will let you know everything later. But right now, I must try to help my brother out. She said OK, be safe.

                I’m loaded now for the poachers, as my head is in a psychotic spin, and prayers for my brother that he is OK. I can hear the dogs, they sound stopped on top of the mountain. But I’m almost a mile from them. Can I get there to save him? I’m going as fast as I can, I am closing in on the hounds, that’s when I heard 3 shots. My heart sank! I know my brother is dead! I continue up to where the dogs are at. I’m now at a slower pace to be quiet. I don’t want the poachers to know I’m coming. I get up to where they had killed Maverick. The poachers are squatting over his body and ripping his guts out. Guts are about to fly. All the dogs there, are pulling on Mavericks lifeless body, they never saw me coming. I smacked the first poacher in his head, his head exploded. The second one looked up at me, he said Oh My God I’m going to die. His gun was lying about 25 feet from him; I go over to the gun, I grabbed it, slammed it into a tree. The dogs are now chewing on me, I take them out one or two dogs at a time, until they were all dead. I turned for the last poacher, he was no longer there. He had left me a great trail of shit, that I followed for 200 yards. I slowly started at his feet, as I started ripping flesh with my claws, I was too full to eat him, but a slow death it would be. Once he was dead, I did eat both of their hearts. I now must go and tell Luna that Maverick is dead. I’m concerned what reactions she will have. Is our forest safe now, that the poachers are all dead?

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  • The Loss of Myself

    The Loss of Myself

    I set right where Sophia body had died, and I didn’t want to move from that spot. I was there all night up into sometime the next day. The trees were swaying to the point trees were falling, and ice hung so thick on the trees by time daylight appeared. My life is over, I can’t go on without Sophia, she has been my rock since losing Oliver. It was almost dark, when Maverick found me, I was not thinking straight. I told Maverick, it was his damn fault, that Sophia was dead. I wanted to kill Maverick, I felt like I would feel better if I did. He said he had fought over half the dog off, so Luna would have a better chance to survive. After I fought the dogs off, I went to check on her. She said you had also helped her. Maverick said he was blessed that I helped Luna. Myself and Luna had heard all the dogs, we didn’t know who they were chasing, and by the time I was with Luna, the hounds was too far away, that I couldn’t have helped due to the distance. I made sure Luna got back safe to the den, and to check on Susan and Heather. Thank God they were safe, but crying, they were so worried about myself and Luna. They just clung to both of us. We were afraid to leave the den last night. But this morning I told Luna I had to check on everyone. With the horrible weather we felt no hunters would be out. I went over to your den, Bud asked where you and Sophia were. Susie and Dottie were also worried. I took them back to our den to stay with Luna, Susan, and Heather. I told everyone that I would find out what was going on. Brother I am so sad that Sophia died, but I’m glad to see that my brother is OK. I totally lost it on Maverick. Ok you say, do I look Ok. I am the farthest from OK right now. I wished it was me that was dead, rather than Sophia. Maverick then spoke up and told me that Bud, Susie, and Dottie need their big brother, now more than ever. I know it so very hard on you, but somehow you must pull it together for them.

    With that statement I realized they need me, but how can I help them, when I can’t even help myself right now. I’ve been down this fucking depression shit before. But this was different it’s my mom. I want to kill everything right now. I want to kill Rob and Dale, along with anything else in my path. But would that help? Maverick said, just remember your brothers and sisters, needs your now more than ever. I then asked Maverick about Susan and Heather, he said, they were safe with Luna. Maverick said that he also took Bud, Susie, and Dottie over for Luna, to take care of until I find you. I said great, I know they are in good hands.

    We headed back to Luna’s den, and Bud said is Sophia dead. I knew one of y’all was or both of you were dead, when you didn’t return last night. With many tears in my eyes, I said yes. That she had fought as hard she could, she even after being shot 3 times by Rob, was trying to kill him. She chased Rob around a large tree for over 30 minutes until Dale came, and with one final shot, Dale made a shot to her head, and she was dead. Bud said, that he didn’t think Rob would do this to her. I said, well he said he didn’t see the blaze orange ribbon, then he continued and said it didn’t matter, Sophia had killed or injured too many of his dogs. Bud said, I see Robs point, but I’ll miss Sophia. I said yes, we all will. I then tell Bud that I need a little time alone to figure things out, as to what he must do next. I need you to oversee Susie and Dottie, while I’m healing myself at the den. Bud said he would make me proud. I smile at him. I tried to be brave and hold it together, while we were talking. Truth, is I have never been so broken. I have no idea what I may do. Can I ever survive this. I know I’m broken and unable to help anyone else right now, while I try to heal if possible!

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  • Rest Before Meeting Lucifer

    Rest Before Meeting Lucifer

                The next morning was bitter sweet, I would be going home, but leaving behind my great friend Luna. We had breakfast prior to our goodbyes. I was almost feeling normal now, I was down to about 4 cigarettes a day. There was so much marijuana, but I took half of it leaving half behind, in care of Luna and Maverick. We both plan to live by Ceasar’s rules. We also gave nothing for the marijuana, so any bears in need, they would be given the marijuana according to their needs. I also think about the small drawer, I know I will need to go to obtain it, one day soon. I have the perfect hiding spot for it. I don’t even want anyone else know of it’s evil existence.

                We have crossed over Stone Coal Gap Road; we are next to the stream. Bud said he wants to try to fish, so did Susie and Dottie. We were there for about an hour. They are beginning to master fishing now. Bud caught 15 native trout, Susie caught 9 and Dottie had caught 8 prior to heading back to the den.

                Back at the den it looks like some pesky raccoons, had found their way in the den, what a mess they made. Sophia said, that her, and all the cubs would clean up the den, for myself to take a break and relax. It’s like 5 times as far here, as it is to the pond. So yes, the trip had whipped me. I was in pain and had myself a cigar. I begin to reflect, on the knock, that I had from Lucifer that night. Then going over there the next day, this had started this, of being shot 5 times close range by a shotgun. I’m not mad just glad that bastard farmer Brown is dead.

                I had gone asleep, when I was woken by a knock on the door. Damn I don’t want to talk to Lucifer right now, I was thinking. I told Sophia to tell him, I would be over in about a week. Then I hear a very familiar voice it was Tom. I told Sophia yes, of course he can come in. He had Sue and Jolene with him. He said he had missed us, and just wanted to visit. Sue said, strawberries was everywhere so she fixed like a hundred strawberry and rhubarb pies. She said I know how much you love them so I brought you half of them. I was so happy; I told Sophia to get out all the hog ribs, we would have a feast tonight. I don’t have a smoker, but with Toms help, I’m sure with some flat rocks and red clay mud, we can make one, better than one you can buy.

                As Tom and myself was building the smoker, yes, you know it Bud is also. I told Tom of the horrible ordeal, that we all been through with the loss of Ceasar. Then I tell him of Lucifer, he had given me 2 cigars. Tom stopped me, as I told him this. Lucifer, he said that just sounds like the devil. I said no, he is just the other farmers 18-year-old son. Then I go into the details of how I broke the door down, after smoking the purple smoke marijuana. Tom said I have never heard of marijuana having purple smoke. After breaking the door down, the farmer’s wife, was in the way. I started sobbing at this point. I now have so much regret, of killing her. She had done nothing wrong. But I had no control, due to my mind was so altered from the laced Marijuana. While pushing her, I didn’t know my strength, I killed her. Then I saw the evil killer farmer Brown. He shot me 5 times; I didn’t even hardly feel the shots. I then killed him and ate his heart. Tom said MY GOD brother, you have been to hell and back, since I was last here. I then realized that for the 1st time, I told the story in front of Bud. I told Bud, I was sorry for him hearing all this detail. He said I’m growing into a big bear now. I can handle this, I am just glad you survived, and that damn bastard is dead. I told Bud yes, he a big bear but not so big, to be using that language. He agreed not to say it anymore, until he was older.

                We have made a beautiful and functioning smoker; I know where it’s an old dead apple tree, we went to gather the wood to build a fire. Apple smoke will make some delicious tasting barbecue. After the fire was built, we let it bake the red clay until hardened. Bud said look purple smoke. He was just kidding.

                We go inside Sophia and Sue, was also talking also about all the events, and all the rest of cubs, was playing and rough housing in the floor. Tom and myself started to season the ribs. My mouth was just a watering, just remembering how good they were last time. We should be able to make them even better this time. We can cook them slower this time, we not in such a rush.

                We take the ribs out, and place them on the racks in the smoker, all the red clay has hardened like a brick. We made it with a damper, so we can adjust the amount of heat. We lowered the heat to a perfect low and slow heat. Tom said he couldn’t have picked a better time to come by. He knew I will need the company, while I continued to mend. I was in some pain, but not as bad as I had been. I rolled a cigarette and smoked it. It’s amazing how it takes the pain away. Well, the smoker seems to be working well, and we go into the den. I’m ready to relax while the ribs smoke to perfection. As we are going in Sophia and Sue, is preparing the sourdough bread. She told us to relax, that they would be in, after they get the bread on.

                Tom and myself go outside, to baste the ribs good god almighty, they are smelling and looking good. We will baste them every 30 minutes, this last hour before removing them. Sophia and Sue are now fixing Spinach, I have had it every day now since being shot. I would love some fried taters. But Luna gave Sophia orders for next week, I was to have spinach 1 to 2 times a day. The ribs are now done and are falling off the bones, as we take them into the kitchen. I am now getting the smell, of some strawberry rhubarb pie, as we entered the room. Sue had heated us all a pie up in the oven. It was great having Tom and Sue come by and yes, the ribs were to die for.

                Tom and Sue Stayed with us for the next week, we made our way to the pond a few times. Bud always used a minnow, that was as big as everyone else was catching. He wants to do battle with old world record rainbow trout. Tom couldn’t believe it, when we l told him the story of the record trout. I said, while we are this close to farmers Brown house, I would like for you to walk over with me. I have a mission; I need to take care of. He agreed to walk over with me.

                On the way over I told him, of the big drawer and small drawer. I told him Maverick had gotten all the marijuana out of the large draw, which was the same marijuana that Ceasar supplied. But I suspect the small drawer, is the PCP laced Marijuana, that Samuel and Maverick were on. I don’t ever want this forest, to go through all the hell, that Samuel and Maverick put us though. Tom said are you going to destroy it in a fire, I said no, I have a special hiding place, that will always keep it safe. Tom hesitantly agreed, but said he thought burning was a better idea.

                At the old Victorian farm house Tom said, this is a creepy ass place. I said yes it sure is. We go in and find the big drawer it was still open from Maverick getting the Marijuana. The small drawer was locked, but a lock is no problem for a bear. 1 big smack of my paw, the drawer was open. It may be a small drawer but it was stacked full of possum size bags. It has a slightly different coloration than the other marijuana has. I’m sure this is laced with PCP. I gathered it all up, and we headed back to the pond.

                Back at the pond they had 4 keeper rainbow trouts. Bud had gotten tired of setting there, and told Tom to watch his pole. All the cubs wanted to play in the water. We told them to go over to the other side, so not to scare all the fish here, where we were fishing. About a half hour later Tom’s pole bent double, could it be the world record again. The fight lasted for 30 minutes and Tom was so happy catching it. Bud came over and said, looks like only you and me, know how to catch a big trout. Tom unhooked it and released it for everyone to enjoy in the future.

                We all headed back to the den, Tom said, how great it has been, being with his blood brother, for this whole week. He then said, that him, Sue, and Jolene would have to head back home in the morning. He said that he has found two nice dens, if we ever decide to come over to his county, as it is a safe harbor from bear hunting. I said yes that would be nice, but our home is here.

                Back at the den we had supper, and sit up and talked half the night. The kids were having a great time playing. Sophia said, it’s time for all you cubs to go to bed. Sophia and Sue took them in to read a nursery rhyme to them. Sue said, I see you got a nursery rhyme book, she said yes, she believes it was Ceasar’s. Ben had found it outside of farmer’s Browns house, after they found Ceasar dead

                While they were telling the nursey rhymes, I went to hide the laced marijuana, and showed Tom where he had hidden it. No one knows this place exist, and it will always be safe here in this hiding spot. He then tells Tom that since he is leaving tomorrow, I will go across the mountain to visit Lucifer. Tom said do you want him to go with him, that for some reason he just not trusting Lucifer. I said no, he is just an 18-year-old farmer’s son. I will be fine.

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  • Hibernation

    Hibernation

                Sophia and Lucy are already about to turn in for the winter, they can feel nature calling them. James and myself are still very active, so we will continue hunting or fishing, until we feel nature saying, it’s time for a very long wintery nap. We also bring Sophia and Lucy some food and drinks to their beds, until they fall off into dream land. It was less than 2 days and they had begun their hibernation. It is normal for sows to go into hibernation, before the boar bears do.

                Myself and James without spending a lot of energy, were able to get 2 deer and 6 possums. We also have a been going to the stream fishing, it is very low energy activity, but high fat content in the native trout. We just sit around talking and gorging ourselves, until we are also ready for hibernation.  I believe that James is over 250 pounds now and I’m getting close to 300 pounds. Some of our favorite topics of the past, is talking about Oliver, how much the whole forest misses him. Another topic is Tom and Sue, I believe that James gets a little bored, when I speak so much of them. But Tom really helped to save my life, when I was depressed. But if not for me, Tom would be dead, and I never attempted to have Sue as mine, even though that was what she wanted. Then I tricked her and she has been extremely happy, ever since I did. For James his favorite story is, how much joy Lucy has provided for him. He is so thankful for Rob, and all he did to prevent Lucy being shot, without Rob she would be dead. For both, Rob is bitter sweet; bitter because he killed Oliver, sweet because he saved Lucy. He was willing to not only tell the 18-year-old, no to shooting Lucy, but as a true man, fights for his beliefs. He has earned respect by the humans around him, and the entire forest.

                I asked James if himself and Lucy has spoken of any names yet; he said the only name they have come up with is Lucille, for Lucy which is her actual name but Lucille is close and that’s the name I came up with. We have tossed some other names around but have no true favorites. We decided to wait until they are born and let their personality and or markings, give them their name.

                James then said how about Sophia, do you know if she has come up with any names. He said she hadn’t but I had suggested Bud. She said she likes that. Then I told her how I came up with the name. I told her it’s actually in Oliver’s honor. It’s because Dale was the first to call him the Marijuana Bear, due to his weight being 420 pounds field dressed. I don’t want to name him Marijuana Bear but marijuana has marijuana buds, so that how I came up with Bud. I then tell James that Sophia said I have a sick sense of humor, for the reasoning for Bud. But she likes Bud so we will name a boar Bud if I have one. James tells me that he agrees with Sopia that I am sick.

                James said he was going in and lay down with Lucy, he is feeling nature is calling his name. I said yeah, I’m not far behind you. I will fry us a big basket of trout and bring you half of it, and I’ll eat the other half. For one last boost of protein. After they ate the Trout, they tell each other they would see each other in the spring. James said he can’t wait to see Lucille and Bud. I agreed.

    Snore

    Snore

    zzzzzzzzz

    Snore

    zzzzzzzzzz

    Snore

    Snore

    zzzzzz

    Snore

    Yawn, yawn

                I am now waking up and trying to get all my thoughts together, when suddenly my thoughts was Bud. Do we have us a Bud. As I sprung up on to my paws, I go over to Sophia. She has 3 baby bears that appear to be around 5 or 6 pounds each, I have been told that at birth a new born black bear weighs about one pound. They will take care of themselves, living off of mom’s milk, until mom wakes up. I must know how many sows and how many boars. I reach down and pick one up it’s a sow and has a white V on her chest. I havn’t even thought of any names until after I picked her up. I hope Sophia will name her Susie after Sue. The next one was another sow, she has a little white dot on her chest. I’m worried now do we have a Bud; well, yes; yes, we do, the 3rd bear was a solid black boar. I just sat there for an hour holding Bud, I felt close to Oliver doing this. He begins to whine so, I put him back down to Sophia. He found a nipple and began to suckle. I figured I would fix breakfast now, but first I had to know how many babies lucy had. She only had 2, but I didn’t bother them I’ll let her or James whichever is awake first to check to see if sows or boars.

                As I go into the kitchen the 1st thing, I see is Lucys huge buck antlers, hanging on the wall. I was in the kitchen, as I’m digging around and all I find is fish, fish, fish, where the hell is the bacon. I found it on the bottom of the freezer. We had a little deer left and a lot of fish. We won’t go hungry but will have to get out and hunt if we want much of anything other than fish. We have no eggs so I have 20 pounds of bacon and an 8-gallon pot of porridge cooking. The smell of bacon sizzling in a pan, will wake almost any bear. I hear someone stirring before long I’m hearing James say wake up Lucy, we have a beautiful boar and he has several patches of white on his chest, also I want you to meet Lucille. Lucy says you have held Lucille long enough give me, give me. He reaches down and picks up the boar bear. Hey Lucy what do you want to call him. Her response was well duuhhh that’s Patches. So, James is holding and playing with Patches and Lucy is holding Lucille. I hear Sophia stirring, and I turned off the stove, I went in to be with our expanded family. I reached down and picked up Bud, and tell Sophia meet Bud she said awe, he is so precious and he looks like a Bud. Then I pick up the one with the white V on the chest. Awe she is precious, says Sophia. I quickly speak up and said I miss Tom and Sue; would it be ok to name her Susie. Sophia says Susie, I like that I like that a lot. It made me very happy that Sophia liked Susie. So, Sophia said I had a sow and a boar. I then reach down, I grabbed the one with the white dot, and said you had 2 sows and a boar. I hand her to Sophia; she sees the white dot and she says well hello Dottie. I guess everyone now has a name.

                James hands over to Sophia this is Lucille, awe she is so precious reminds me of you Lucy. Then he hands over to Sophia, the boar cub and says this is patches, well with all those patches I don’t know how you came up with that name. We let all the 5-to-6-pound cubs, meet each other for the first time. They were running and rolling around the den like crazy. This den isn’t going to be boring any time soon.

                James says OMG I smell bacon is that bacon I smell. I said yes, after waking up this morning the first thing I had to know, was if we have a Bud or not, I found 2 sows and a Bud. I played with Bud for an hour until he started to whine, then I put him back down to Sophia, to let him suckle on Sophia. I then went to fix breakfast, I knew the smell of bacon sizzling, would get everyone awake, what bear cannot wake up for bacon. I feel like I haven’t eaten in about 3 months, lets dig in. They said everything was delicious, we ate everything except about a gallon of porridge, and a pound of bacon, we broke the bacon into smaller pieces, to give to all the cubs, that are now tearing up the den. I had each of them a bowl full and Bud was the first to finish his bowl. He bullies his way into Dottie’s bowl and finishes it off. Then over to Patches bowl, oh no patches say, what the hell you doing, you not bulling me. He put Bud in his place, by this time Lucille had already finished hers. The 2 boars are going to be figuring out, who is the boss. Sophia said, what have we got ourselves into, with 5 of the cutest bear cubs. This is going to be a full-time job. It wasn’t bad with you and Lucy. But 5 cubs in the same household may spell trouble with a capital T.

                To keep order, we know at all-times 2 of us, will have to stay with the cubs, and 2 can go out to hunt and fish. We decided that deer and turkey and other mammalian meat is the most important, since we have plenty of fish. I had an idea and James approves. We decided to cross over the mountain to the hog farm, and get us a couple hogs. We out of bacon and some ham and sausage would also be good. We knew we had to be careful, or we could be shot. We are down at the farm now, and see no one around. We enter the hog lot, as we kill 2 large hogs. That was easy, well not so fast, here comes the farmers son, he said I should go get my dad, and tell him y’all killed 2 of his hogs. But I’m not, he has grounded me, for sneaking off with the neighbor’s daughter last night. He then said, I hear my dad coming, I’ll go and distract him and y’all drag the hogs up that trail, to the top of the mountain, it will be your easiest path. He then said he may want a favor from them, at some time in the future. We agreed that we owed him a favor.

                They get both hogs back to the den, and wow so much meat. Sophia and Lucy were surprised, but terrified that we had killed hogs. They knew we had been to the farm, on the other side of the mountain, to have killed the hogs. But they were also, happy to have the hog meat, All the side meat was cut into bacon over a 100 pounds of bacon the ribs were left for barbecue ribs. They have only heard of barbecue ribs, and had never eaten any, but they do have the recipe, for best ribs of the south. They had 4 large hams, and the rest of the meat was removed from the bone, and ground up. Red pepper, salt and sage was added to the ground meat and mixed up then reground. It was over 300 pounds of sausage. This family will be eating well. Ben suddenly got a big pit in his stomach. What have I gotten himself into with the farmer’s boy. What favor will I have to do? James and myself made a pack not to tell Lucy and Sophia this, they would be worried for us!

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  • Tom and Sue

    Tom and Sue

    The next morning as Sophia feared, I was thinking about leaving tonight to go and check on Tom. I will have to take the path we did last night, using the creek to wash away my scent. Sophia wants me to stay. I said my other blood brother may need me. Well at least we will have today, our new smaller family, she is bawling. We get into a group bear hug, then I roll a huge cigar for everyone. They sit and smoke the cigars, everyone has their own tales about Oliver, that they shared with each other. Our mood is improving, having our discussion about Oliver, along with the cigar that everyone was smoking. Sophia says she will fix breakfast and Lucy said I want to help you. It’s been a while since we have cooked together. I tell them that a little berry cobbler would be good for dessert. Lucy said, “you will get whatever we fix.” Yes, Ma’am I said. I asked James if she always that sassy now. James says, “yes Sophia had taught her to stand up for herself and unfortunately she wears the pants in our household.” I remember the day y’all moved into y’alls den and how Sophia had jumped you and Oliver and then she told Lucy to take notes on how to keep her bear in check. I about died a little latter when Lucy had told you she would cut you off. She learned quickly from Sophia.

    Wasn’t long that the den was being permeated by delicious smelling aromas. I know, I smell sausage which we don’t get very often, and the unmistaken smell of sourdough bread. Lucy says it’s almost ready y’all can’t come in until its done.

    We hear Lucy say come and get it. Along with the sausage and sourdough bread was eggs and porridge. There was a loaf of bread for each of us. I must say I was disappointed no berry cobbler. We all dug in and had a feast of bears. I’m fat but happy now, and about to go into the living room and lucy say’s hold on I have something else. She walks over to the oven and pops out a berry cobbler for everyone. My eyes lit up and I tell Lucy how great of a sister she is. She about in tears, tells me I’m a great brother, and she couldn’t stand it, if she was to lose me. Then myself and James, excuse ourselves to the living room, Lucy speaks up, ok Sophia and myself is going into the living room, for our break now, while y’all clean the kitchen, and don’t forget to clean the oven well, the berry cobbler had spilled and is now baked on. I’m thinking to myself, damn you Sophia, you are the cause of this. But then I remembered we all must all help each other out. James says he will clean the whole kitchen; I only need to clean the oven. I said deal, in about 20 minutes James said he was done with the kitchen. This damn oven with everything baked on so hard, I’m not even half done. Then James speaks up Yeah, I’ve had to clean the oven twice now, after Lucy fixes cobblers. 30 minutes later the oven is clean.

    I go into the living room and it is filled with smoke. Sophia and Lucy have a very fat cigar, that they were smoking. I was thinking I don’t even need to roll one for myself, I just have to inhale. Well, I rolled me a fat Cigar and everyone else almost done with theirs, said to roll them another one, so I did. The household is calm and we are talking, and having a family meeting. Sophia then speaks up and tells me she wants to know everything that I know about Oliver’s death, and events afterwards. I just told her I was sitting on the hill, with James and we heard Dale and Rob talking about how that son a bitch killed 3 dogs, and that they glad he is dead. Then while waiting for help to get Oliver out of the mountains, they ripped open his belly and pulled his guts, lungs, and his heart out. Sophia screams OH MY GOD, I cannot hear any more right now.

    We changed what we were talking about, and started talking of all the happy times, the family had together. We talked about this spring, when we had come out of hibernation, and sliding down to the stream. How Lucy caught the largest native trout and I started a fight with her. How Oliver broke the fight up and made me apologize to Lucy. I then said I miss him so much. I then talk about Rob calling Oliver the marijuana bear because of his weight after field dressing was 420 pounds. I tell everyone looks like we have become the marijuana family, I then remind everyone, that we need to do other means of finding joy, before turning to the marijuana. For like the next 3 days lets agree to keep it in our system we need it now. After 3 days we must try to get weaned off the marijuana. The family agreed to this. We sat there full from breakfast and didn’t even think about eating lunch. Lucy says around 5 pm she a little hungry now and its mine and James’s turn to fix supper. I look at Lucy like that’s women’s work, I was going to tell her that, she can’t cut me off. Then I thought, she is right, this is a family, we all need to share responsibilities.

    I tell James let’s just do fried fish and fried tatters. Then we can also do a berry cobbler. James said yes sounds delicious. We both prepared the tatters to fry and get the fish battered up. James will do all the frying while I fix the cobbler. I mixed all the ingredients including the honey. Now I’m placing it in the oven thinking about payback maybe, I’ll spill a little cobbler. Well supper is on and we call the sows to the kitchen. Everyone enjoyed the fish and taters. Then I brought out the cobbler. Lucy says wow twice in a day I don’t think I have ever had cobbler twice in a day. After supper, I tell Lucy she has the stove and Sophia can clean the kitchen. Wow, that look could have cut right through me. I go in the living room and I hear Lucy say damn you, the oven is clean. I just knew it was going to be a mess. Lucy then helps Sophia to make quick cleaning of the kitchen.

    We sit around in the living room and have us a cigarette we are calm but we need to keep a level in our body. We had a good time talking for a couple hours, and then I said it was time, for myself to leave to go and check on Tom and Sue. Everyone was sad to see me go, James wanted to go with me. I said no Sophia and Lucy need a boar bear around the den until I return.

    So down to the stream I go and I walked the stream though the culvert and then follow the stream a good way to hide my scent. I continue out the mountain, staying about half way up the mountain where my scent won’t be as noticeable for the bear hounds. As I’m going, I decided to check on the young bear couple I met before meeting Tom. I get to their den and knock; no answer I go in the den is empty. Where are this young couple? Are they OK?

    I then decide it’s time to go and check on Tom and Sue, I hope they are ok! I get to their den, and it looks very different, everything has been moved to one area. Tom says hello brother, how are you doing. I tell Tom I’m not doing very well, that Oliver was killed, day before yesterday. Tom was very sad to hear this. I then ask if he had seen the other young couple and he says oh yes Myself and Sue watched both them, get shot from the same tree, day before yesterday. We heard hounds and thought, they were coming for us. But they were chasing the other couple, and the dogs were almost catching them, they went up a tree. They remained treed in that tree, for almost 2 hours when the hunters came, and shot them both out of the tree. I said that’s horrible they seemed really nice. I then thinking OMG where is Sue. So, I ask Tom where was Sue. About that time, I hear Sue say I’m here in the bedroom, as she comes out with a paw full of their belongings. I asked what’s going on. Tom says after watching them being shot, Sue states she knows of a county, 2 counties away that doesn’t allow bear hunting, and you can grow big and old there. So, we have decided to move there. I tell Tom that I would miss him brother. And he said yes, I can’t thank you enough helping to get my life back, and finding and helping me get this marvelous sow.

                They said they would be moving out tonight after dark and it is illegal to kill bears after sundown. They said they going to lay down now for a bear nap, that everything is packed. I tell them, that I would snooze with them, if they didn’t mind. They were delighted I would be staying for a short period of time with them.

                Upon waking I had a great Idea; they have lots of stuff to transport so, I’ll help them move. Tom and Sue are now awake, I tell them, they were ecstatic. Tom says that the 2nd best thing that has ever happened to him, was me, and Sue was the best. I was happy being 2nd best.

                Time to go to work now, we all get all that we can carry, there were just a couple things left, Tom told me I could have anything left, on my return trip home. We have 45 miles to cover tonight to get into a safe county. So, it’s no Lolley gagging around, we are on a mission to complete.

                We have made it inside the county lines and is safe. Sue said there’s a small shelter she knows of, only a mile away, that they can stay in, while searching for a good den. So, we go to this little shelter, she is right, its small, we must leave all their belonging outside, and the 3 of them retired for a bear nap. Once they wake up, they have a little to eat, we decide to head off in 3 different directions to look for a den. We will meet back here at dark.

                We all headed off in our own directions to find a den. Tom and Sue both get back to the shelter right at dark. They asked each other if they found a den or seen Ben. Their answers were no. They are wondering what could of happen to me. I was on my way back to them, but it would be over 4 hours after dark, before getting back to the shelter. I made it back after midnight, they were still awake hoping I was ok. I tell them the good news; I found a very nice and large and spacious den for them. I tell them it was almost dark when I found it. I was determined to find y’all a den, I knew the time frame that there was no way, I would make it back to the shelter before dark. I’m just so happy I found y’all a den.

                They get a good night’s sleep in their little shelter. Sue is so happy that she is getting a den, in a county that doesn’t allow bear hunting, and they can grow old together. The next morning it is getting all their belonging, to their new den. It didn’t take as long as yesterday, since I was zig zagging, trying to find a den. It only took us a little over 3 hours to get there. We had a quick snack to eat and Tom and myself head out hunting. Between the 2 of us, we were able to kill 3 deer, 2 turkeys, and a couple possums. Tom zig zagged until he was able to run down a rabbit also. We take all the game back to Tom’s new den, to dress and freeze. Sue said give her 3 of the back straps, and she will prepare them for supper tonight. She already had the den smelling delicious, that wonderful smell of sourdough bread.

                Sue said just rest after y’all get all the game in the freezer, and she will let us know when supper was ready. I was just remembering, it’s been over 2 days now since I have had any marijuana, but I’m so happy helping Tom and Sue. I havn’t had time to think about Oliver. About then, Sue said supper is ready. Tom and myself go in; wow she has a feast prepared. We all had a backstrap of deer. She also had both possums and rabbits fried to perfection. Collard greens prepared with 5 pounds of bacon, and a loaf of bread a piece. Sue tells me she wanted to make sure he ate good; I couldn’t thank you enough, for everything you have done for us this year. After eating our main course, Sue goes to the oven and out pops a strawberry rhubarb pie one for each of us. I tell Sue she trying to butter me up, to stay. Sue said you are always welcome here. I tell her thanks for the hospitality, but I will have to leave shortly, so I can get home before morning arrives. I feel good leaving y’all behind, knowing y’all are safe. I must get back to Sophia, Lucy, and James. I don’t know if they are even still alive! What will I find when getting back to the den?

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  • Late Fall

    Late Fall

                Training season is now over, we feel comfortable crossing the roads again. After leaving Tom’s, I wanted to go and visit everyone. James and Lucy are the closest. So, I head on through the woods towards their den. The white oak acorns are so thick that I gorged myself as I go. It’s very important this time of year to put on at least 4 inches or more of fat, to get us through hibernation this winter. Under some trees the acorns are literally on top of each other, so it doesn’t take long to get a full belly. I then continue towards Lucy’s and James.

                At lucy’s the den it is empty, I was just thinking of laying down, when what a surprise I had, Tom and Sue showed up. I said “thought y’all love birds would be shacked up for a while.” Tom said, “I wanted Sue to meet everyone so, we decided to come to visit everyone with you, shortly after you left.” I tell them Lucy and James are not here. I figured they were out gorging on acorns also. We decided to just hang out until they show up. I tell Sue that my other blood brother James and my sister Lucy live here. She said, “this was a nice den, its larger than the one Tom and myself have. It wasn’t long until James and lucy shows up, with 2 baskets full of fish. I introduced Sue to James and Lucy. James said they had gone out and gorged on acorns this morning, and then decided to start filling freezer, with high protein fish. Sue was surprised to see so many fish. I tell her that when we just want to fun fishing, we use a fishing rod and reel like humans do. Sue said yeah, I’ve seen this before but never from a bear. I wanted to spend a little time with Lucy, since it’s been almost a month since we saw each other. Tom and Sue go down to the stream with a couple of poles to relax,  Tom is going to teach her how to fish with a fishing pole. James, Lucy, and myself set around and talked about this past year, and how different everything was. We talked about all the new couples and dens. Lucy asked if I had any luck finding a sow. I tell them of how Sue was being chased by the hounds and we saved her from that. I then tell of how I was happy I was, just having Tom in my life, and giving me a purpose so, I tell how I tried several ways to get them hook up together, before I was able to trick them into bed together. Lucy just laughed and then it turned to concern. I know how much you losing Luna has hurt you, are you sure you are ok with this. I assured them it’s what I wanted. Tom was just sitting there and wanting to die. I couldn’t let this happen. He is very happy now and I’m happy also. I now have a huge support system and I’m happy. I’ll spend my winter with Oliver and Sophia. They will have more cubs come late winter and I can be among the first to see our brothers and sisters.

                It wasn’t  long until Tom and sue came back up to the den, and Sue had caught a nice 18-inch native trout and they had several smaller ones. She said “this was so much fun” Sue said. I tell them we will try to sneak into farmer Brown’s pond, and she could catch some big rainbow trout. She said that would be so much fun, then I tell her we must keep a close eye out, for farmer Brown, he would shoot us with bird shot, or if close enough he would kill us. He has threatened to kill me, if I made one more step towards him. She then begins to say well I thought that would be fun.

                We were all exhausted and had a full belly, so we turned in for the night. The next morning, I was awoken to a smell I wasn’t familiar with, I could also smell bacon and eggs. I get up and ask what I’m smelling, Lucy says you know what that is its bacon and eggs. I said Well damn I know that, what’s that other delicious smell that I smell. She said welcome to some deliciousness’s, I’ve learned a human food, we will find scrap bread laying around but nothing like this. I learned how to make sourdough bread, its sooooo gooood. I like to drizzle a little honey on it at times, and its even better. I couldn’t wait to dig in. Lucy said mind your manners not until our company joins us.

                Sue is now awake and smells the sourdough bread, and it brings back distant memories of her mom, she would make some mouthwatering sourdough bread. Anxious to get some sourdough bread, she awakens Tom. Tom states what is that, I have never smelled such a wonderful smell. Sue says it must be sourdough bread, my mom used to make the best. As Tom and Sue goes in, Sue tells Lucy it smells wonderful and asks, is she smelling sourdough bread. Lucy looked very surprised and said yes, how do you know this smell. Sue said her mom used to make it all the time, and it was delicious. Lucy says if you like what I made, I’ll give you a sourdough starter and the recipe I use. Sue was very happy with this; it’s been a while since she had any.

                Everyone digs in on the bacon and eggs, and of course the sourdough bread. Sophia knew it would probably be a big hit; she made everyone their own loaf of bread. She had a small bowl of honey for each to drizzle on their bread. Everyone was stuffed after breakfast. They especially loved the sourdough bread. Everyone tried the bread plain and with the honey. Noone knew which they liked the best. They said it’s equally good both have their very own taste. Lucy said here’s your starter and recipe. Sue was so excited and tells Tom, she was going to fatting him up before hibernation time. Tom said if you don’t work all that fat off me, like you tried to do that 1st night. Sue then said are you complaining. He Smiled no Ma’am no complaints here.

                Our next stop was to stop by Sophia and Olivers den. Tom said they would go with us. They wanted for Sue meet my mom and dad. They are amazing bears and Oliver is over 500 pounds. He makes everyone feel secure. When we get there Oliver was out hunting, Sophia said he said he probably be gone all day. Sue really liked Sophia, but we decided that we head on over to visit Samuel and Angel since Oliver was hunting. We tell Sophia they will be back when Oliver is home.

                When we arrived, Angel was cleaning out the den, and said Samuel was down by the pond catching some rainbow trout. She said there were several poles there, and y’all could go on down and enjoy some fishing him. Sue said, she would love to, but I am scared that farmer Brown, would show up and kill us. I said, “Well we will have 4 pairs of eyes watching, and it will be so much fun.” She agreed and we all grab a pole a piece and off to the pond we go. Samuel was happy to see us and asked who we have here. I tell him it Sue that her and Tom were mates now, and have their own den across Stone Coal Gap Road. Samuel shows Sue all the fish he has caught he had 12 of them from 14 to 20 inches. She said wow that’s some big fish. Samuel said Well y’all get your poles and get some lines in the water. Sue was the first to catch a rainbow trout, it was the biggest of the day 22 inches. She said that was so much fun. We all catch several more fish and then Sue pole bends like a horseshoe. Wow I’m thinking that must be a huge trout. I’ve never seen a pole with that much bend. Then it jumps out of the water and the acrobatics begin. Its huge, I hope the line doesn’t break. She gets it in, and we are measuring it a whopping 33 and a half inches long and weighed over 15 pounds. About then we hear a loud boom, and Tom screams in pain. With all the excitement we had forgotten, to be watching out for farmer Brown. Tom had been shot in his ass with bird shot, we grab the poles and fish and ran back to Angel’s den.

                Tom, when he was back at the den said that hurt badly, but not as bad as the slug he had taken earlier in his Life. Angel gets the tweezer and starts plucking out all the bird shot. Sue is there holding paws with Tom to comfort him. Once the picking of the bird shot out of Tom, she then places some Yarrow on it to stop all bleeding. Angel says she has lunch fixed and they had a feast.

                Next stop is at Luna’s and Maverick, Luna was so happy seeing me, and ask who the girl was. I tell her this is Sue; she is now Toms mate. Maverick says how my blood brothers; I tell him I was doing great. Tom said he was great before getting shot at the pond. We all begin to tell Maverick and Luna, how Sue had come into our lives. How she was chased by the hounds and we saved her from being chased anymore. Luna then says Ben, you have always been such a good bear. I miss back when we hung out all the time, as best friends. I said yes, we were and still are great friends. Luna got out some herbs, to help with Tom being shot in the ass. She had learned how to stop bleeding, and infection from her Angel.

                Luna said she will fix supper, and for them to spend the night. Sue tells Luna she would help, then said she had the sourdough starter and recipe that Lucy had given her.  She said she would fix a loaf of sourdough bread for everyone then would divide the sourdough starter up, and they both have the recipe. Luna said what’s sourdough bread, she has never had any. I spoke up and said it’s a piece of heaven, it’s so good. Luna fixes some deer ribs and greens. The den is smelling so delicious now. After supper we were so full it didn’t take long until we were sound asleep.

    The next morning, we had only one more stop to make before we headed back to Tom’s den. I wanted Sue to meet Ceasar, she knew of the marijuana we had gotten for Tom, when he was so depressed and she wants to thank him for saving the love of her life. Ceasar was happy meeting Sue and tells Tom how proud he was, that he was able to recover from the trauma in his life. Tom says he owes that all to him, without his marijuana he wouldn’t even be alive today. He then tells Ceasar, he was out of marijuana, and how much pain he was in from that damn farmer Brown. He asks for a possum bag and paid Ceasar for it. Ceasar said that farmer Brown wasn’t all that bad. Myself and Tom said, Well their ass says different. We thanked Ceasar for everything and then proceeded to head back to Tom’s den.

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  • New Friend

    New Friend

    As I wake up to the smell of breakfast, that Oliver and Sophia had prepared. We had breakfast together, and I let them know I was going out, and it might be a day or two before I return. I tell them, that I am going out to find me, a sow friend and mate. I’m very happy this morning, I’ve decided since Luna wasn’t available, I would need to find myself a sow, that would make me happy, and I could spend my life with. I not feeling depressed at all, I’m taking an approach, that will keep me happy, and not just a temporary fix. 

    I know everyone on my mountain range, North Mountain, and there are no available sows on this mountain. I have decided I will cross over Stone Coal Gap Road, and see if I can find me a beautiful sow, on that mountain range. I’ll stop by and say hi to Lucy and James, it’s been over a week since I was there. Lucy was excited to see me, and we decided we would fish for a few minutes. Lucy said James has gone out in search of game to fill the freezer. She not sure if he will have any luck. He assured me he would, that Oliver had taught him well. I didn’t bring my pole so we decided to fish the bear way. The bear way actually fills the basket much faster, and that would be good, so I can get on my way, my goal of hunting for a sow. It only took us 45 minutes, to catch 2 baskets full of native trout. Lucy said thanks. She tells me to be on the outlook for James. I told her that I would.

    I am now up in the steep part of the mountain, close to the rocks and to my right I see James. He has 2 deer that he had killed. I guess that Oliver did teach him well. I went over and congratulated him on his deer. He said that down below he had left 2 rabbits and a turkey in the little cave, they had left the turkeys in while hunting with Oliver. I tell him I was going looking for a sow, but I’d help him get the deer to the den. He said he has all day to get them to the den, go find yourself a sow. He said I know how good a sow makes him feels. James says he has never been happier than now, that himself and Lucy are together.

    I cut back to my left and head to find a good sow. It was a couple of miles to the 1st den that I came to. There was a young boar and sow couple there, I tell them I am just out meeting all the neighbors. I didn’t want to sound that he was desperately looking to find a sow. The young couple invites him in for supper and tells him he might as well spend the night, and head out in the morning. He accepted the offer. We had possum and greens for main dish and then she brought out a blueberry pie. I think I could of eating the whole pie, it was sooo delicious. We sat around and talked some, and I asked where the closest neighbor was. Well Tom’s den is just a holler away, but it is down low. I said OK I’ll visit them in the morning. He slept well that night, and woke the next morning, to a great a great sausage and turkey eggs breakfast. I tell them I have never had sausage, what is sausage. Its ground hog meat with sage, red pepper, and other seasoning in it. It was very delicious. I’ve heard of wild hogs but I didn’t think there was any around here so, I asked where the hog meat came from. He said there is farm over the top of the mountain that has hogs. So about twice a year, I’ll slip over and get one. I don’t go often; I have to be careful, I got a 12-gauge slug in my hip. 1st time being shot with a slug, it penetrates deep, it’s a good thing I didn’t get shot in the shoulder, or I be on their plates. I’m learning a bear’s life, can be difficult and painful. The next morning I tell them thanks for the hospitality, and tell them I’m headed to Tom’s. I hope Tom has a daughter and she will like me.

    I go over into the next holler then drop down low, I find Tom’s den, and he invites me in. I see no one else there. I introduce myself as Benjamin and he says he is Tom. I noticed that Tom is looking like he had just come out of hibernation, he is so thin and lanky. I asked if he was ok, he said no but thanks for asking. I asked if anything I could do to help him. He said give me my Lula back. I said I don’t have your Lula, I don’t even know who your Lula is. He said I know that you don’t have my Lula, but last winter Lula was killed, and she was carrying his soon to be family. This has devastated me. I hardly ever leave this den I occasional will go out and kill something, when the hunger gets so bad. I just sit here waiting to die. I said it sounds as though you are very lonely and depressed. Tom says, “yes I am.” I begin to tell Tom of Ceasar, and how he has helped him. I tell him I have almost a turkey bag left, I rolled him a large cigar, to let him smoke. Tom says, “he has never done anything like that before, I don’t know if I should.” I continue telling him about Ceasar and how he made him promise, that he would only use it if I am very depressed, and that doing other activities doesn’t help. Ceasar makes sure I wasn’t using marijuana for recreational smoking. I can tell we are way past where other activities may help. Let me light this marijuana cigar for you. But first you must tell me, you agree to all the above rules. He agrees and said, “yes if it can help, he will give it a try. I don’t really want to die, but I have nothing to live for. If this will help, I’ll give it a try.” I lit it for him and told him I would get him a bite to eat. Tom says the pantry is bare, that he might kill a possum a week to help with his hunger. Ok I’ll go and get you something to eat. I know the creek is just a short way below, so I’ll take a basket and go fishing. The creek was loaded with native trout, due to no fishing in it this year, by Tom, it took only took 10 minutes to fill the basket. Several were 15 to 18 in native trout. I guess that no fishing for a year has let the fish grow big. I head back up to the den, and Tom says, hey Ben did you get me anything to eat, I have the munchies now. I said, yeah smoking can give you the munches, plus you been starving yourself. Hopefully you are not as depressed now, which also will help make you to want to eat. Tom says that’s enough talk now give me that basket of fish. He ate every one of the fish in that 10-gallon basket. I have never seen a bear eat so much, not even when first coming out of hibernation. Tom then burped, excuse me, that was good.

    I asked how he was feeling now. He said that for the 1st time this year he is full, but I still miss my Lula, and the family she was giving me. I rolled him a double cigar and gave him. Tom said for me to have one with him. I can’t I promised Ceasar I wouldn’t use marijuana as a recreational drug, right now I’m not depressed.  Tom says yes, I remember you telling me that. I don’t know if I can ever get to where I’m not depressed. I begin to tell him about Luna, and how I had missed out on a relationship and having a family with her. She is very happy with my blood brother Maverick. By now Tom says he still depressed, but less than he has been since that dreadful day, when he lost his Lula. He then asked what is a blood brother and I tell him. I then tell him I was glad he was doing better, and that I would be right by his side, until he is no longer depressed. Ben is thinking to himself that this is good therapy for him, giving him a purpose in life, to make sure Tom is taking care of. I rolled him a regular size cigar and told him, I would be back shortly, I am going fishing again, and maybe do a little hunting to help fill the pantry.

    I was able to harvest a deer, I also brought back another basket of fish. Tom was in bed and snoring; I had a few fish for supper and cleaned rest of fish and deer and placed them in the freezer. I left the back straps of deer out for our morning breakfast. I knew after breakfast we will have to make a trip to see Ceasar, the marijuana supply is running very low. I’m hoping that Tom will go with me. Today has been good for me. I feel as though I have a purpose. I’m happy to have met Tom, and to have Tom as a new friend.

    I’m up early and waiting on Tom to wake up, before I start breakfast. Its 11 am, he is still snoozing. Well, a little after noon he is now awake and said, that was the best night’s sleep he has had in a long time. He thanked me for everything and wonder what time it was. He thought it was like 8 am. I said Well I guess I’ll fix lunch, since you had slept through breakfast. Tom recognized the smell of deer frying, he said is that some backstraps. We each had a backstrap with some greens. I tell Tom that I needed to get him more marijuana, I would love for you to come and meet Ceasar. Tom said he would love to; he needed to get out of his den for a while. I told him I was going to roll him a cigar before we head out. As depressed you have been, you will need the marijuana to remain in your system for a while.  

    We cross over Stone Coal Gap Road and go over past Samuels and Angels den, we didn’t see them so they may be visiting Luna and Maverick. Samuel had his poles sitting outside, so I left him a note that I was borrowing them, that I would have them back in a couple hours. I wanted to show Tom, some pleasure of fishing, the way a human would fish. Tom’s line no more than hits the water and he had one on his line. I showed him how to reel it in, it was a nice Rainbow trout. No ruler to measure with but it looked to be around 20 inches. That’s a large and strange, but beautiful native trout Tom said. I told him that farmer Brown had stocked them in his pond, and it’s a rainbow trout. We catch a couple more and then take the rods back to Samuel. I didn’t want to stay long and have another run in with that damn farmer Brown.

    We are now headed to Ceasars again and Tom said, “yesterday I was just sitting and waiting to die. I can’t thank you enough for everything you have helped me with, having you as a friend, I now have hope. I miss Lula so bad, but I now know with your help, and a little added help from Ceasar’s marijuana, I can get some joy back in my life. I have not had so much fun catching those fish, since I lost Lula.

    We are at Ceasar’s now, and I introduce Tom to Ceasar. I tell Ceasar all about Tom and how he loss Lula and his unborn cubs. How he has been depressed since this happened last winter, it’s been almost a year now. I told him, that he has smoked most of what I had left, of his marijuana. Ceasar’s tells Tom, “You have really had a tough time, I’m going to help you with a deer bag. He starts telling him of all the rules and stipulations.” I tell Ceasar I have told him everything, and he is willing to abide by all the rules. Tom was in tears that anyone would help him, the way myself and Ceasar have. He tells us both he will get his life back.

    Ok Tom, I said, we are now going to go to my mom’s [Sophia] and my dad’s [Oliver] now, if he didn’t mind. Tom said he would be honored to meet my parents. He said he was feeling just slightly nervous, so I rolled him a cigarette to smoke. I felt he didn’t need a big fat cigar now. We had a nice walk to my den.

    When we get to the den Sophia and Oliver says who your friend, he doesn’t look like a sow friend. This is my new friend Tom; I met him while looking for a sow. I’m glad I did, he was sitting in his den and just waiting to die. I have helped him with food, I introduced him to Ceasar, he was given a deer bag of marijuana. I have showed him how to fish, with a fishing pole and catch rainbow trout. Sophia said you didn,t go back to farmers Brown pond did you. Yes, but I kept a sharp eye out for farmer Brown. I tell her that meeting Tom, has been so good for me, by having a friend and having a purpose is helping me. Sophia said you are a good bear.

    Sophia goes in to fix supper for everyone and Tom says they are nice. Tom then says you are a great friend; I know I havn’t known you that long, but I would love to be your blood brother, I mean if you would like to. I tell Tom that I would be honored to be his blood brother. So, we became blood brothers and now I have 2 blood brothers. With a new blood brother. I’m wondering could things get any better. Or what may tomorrow bring?

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