How to Throw a Charming Teddy Bears Picnic Birthday Party!

A Teddy Bears Picnic is the perfect party theme for both boys and girls! It can be held indoors or out, in a park or in your very own backyard. The best of all it is simple and very cost effective.

Decorations: If your having the party outdoors, use the natural setting as your decoration. Set up beside a big tree for shade, cover picnic tables with gingham tablecovers and have large picnic blankets for the kids and their special friends to sit on. If you choose to have the party indoors, decorate the main party room like a forest. Cover 1 or 2 walls with butcher paper and paint on simple trees, flowers, grass, sky, clouds and some friendly birds and insects flying by. Use gingham fabric to decorate tables and lay out picnic blankets for sitting. Gather all the Teddy Bears you can find through friends and family and place them all around room. Indoors or out, helium filled balloons are always an important part of this theme. Don't forget the giant homemade "Teddy Bears Picnic" party banner!

Invitations: Find cute teddy bear scrap booking paper or use brown construction paper cut into the shape of a Teddy Bear. A cookie Cutter works great for this! Put the teddy bear picnic rhyme on the front of the invite. The teddy bear picnic rhyme goes like this..."If you go down to the woods today, you're sure of a big surprise, If you go down to the woods today, you'd better go in disguise, For ev'ry bear that ever there was will gather there for certain, because today's the day the teddy bears have their picnic." On the inside of the invite, using your computer, print out the party information. Cut and paste if your not printing right on to the invitation. Use some cute clipart to dress up the inside party information. Be sure to request that every child bring their favourite teddy bear.

Craft: Before the party, make each child a set of Furry Bear Ears. The ears can be made with a brown furry material or brown felt. Make a template of an oval approximately 6" long by 3 1/2 inches wide. You need 2 ovals per set. Trace onto material and cut out oval shapes. Fold the ovals in half lengthwise around an inexpensive hair band and affix with a hot glue gun. Voila! Fuzzy Bear Ears!

Guest arrival: When the guests arrive, paint on them a perfect little black bear nose and give them their very own Fuzzy Bear Ears to wear. Adorable! While waiting for everyone to arrive, have a small activity set up like teddy bear colouring pages. When all guests are accounted for, start out the days activities by sitting on the picnic blanket and have everyone introduce their Bear. Then read the classic children's book "Teddy Bears Picnic" to get everyone in the mood.

Lunch: Make Picnic Baskets for the guests attending. Purchase inexpensive wicker baskets at your local dollar store or craft store. Dress up the baskets by hot gluing red & white gingham fabric to the inside of basket. Lunch is to be served in the baskets including a plate, napkin and utensils. The kids will feel so special when the receive their special pre-packed lunch in their own beautiful basket. After lunch, their basket doubles as their "loot bag" for all the items they will collect on their "Bear Hunt." The lunch baskets can consist of Honey and Peanut Butter Sandwiches cut with a teddy bear shaped cookie cutter, a juice box, a fruit cup and of course a pack of teddy graham cookies. A neat idea for dessert is to make paw print cupcakes. Using your favourite cake flavor and your child's favourite colour for icing, make little paw prints using 1 junior mint and 4 upside down chocolate chips. To cute!

Games: Bear Hunt - Proceed just like you would on an Easter Egg Hunt. Even use those plastic eggs and fill with candy and trinkets. To make it more Teddy Bear like, decorate the Eggs with a Bear sticker or draw on a Bear paw print with a black sharpie. You can let them go and find anything or you could colour co-ordinate so every child gets the same amount. For example, Sally finds and gathers the pink eggs, John finds and gathers the blue..so on. You can also use shapes coloured on the eggs for definition. Squares, triangles, hearts, stars - anything a toddler can recognize. With help of course! Another fun game to play just before the party winds down is "Is that your Bear?" Have the kids sit in a circle with all their Bears piled in the middle. The birthday child will go first. They are to put on a blindfold and when they are ready, they are presented with 3 bears, one of which is their own. Through touch they are challenged to figure out which Bear belongs to them. Perfect for toddlers!

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Bear Bile Farming Causes Unnecessary Torture to Poor Bears

Bear bile farming is a very disturbing, yet a common practice, in some places. It causes extreme pain to the bears. During the process, it can be observed that bears gnash their teeth, bite their cages, moan, and even chew their own paws because of the pain.

The Process - Bile extraction is done in the crudest manner, and without any form of sanitation. The persons conducting it are unskilled and the process is not up to modern veterinary standards. Most of the bears die during or soon after bile extraction. If they live, they suffer from liver cancer, as a result of chronic inflammation and infection of the gall bladder and liver. Generally, farmed bears live only up to 4 years.

Why People Bile Bears - Bile is a digestive liquid produced by the liver and stored in the gall bladder. Bile gathered from bears has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for at least three thousand years for a variety of purposes. It is used in Chinese physiotherapy, to cure inflammations and to dissolve gall stones and kidney stones. Also, it is thought to help detoxify the liver and improve eyesight. And according to research, bears are the only mammals that produce the bile salt ursodeoxycholic acid, which is effective in treating some liver diseases.

Originally, bear bile was gathered by killing wild bears and removing their gallbladders. In recent decades, when wild bears became increasingly rare, bile became prohibitively costly for most Chinese. But then, during the year 1980, the Chinese bear bile farming industry adapted a technique first developed in North Korea. This involved extracting bile from captive bears without having to kill them.

Bear Abuse - The bears are housed in cages hardly large enough to hold the animal itself. To get the bile, an incision is made in each bear's abdomen and a catheter (which is basically a plastic or rubber tube) is then inserted into the gallbladder. The bile is drained through the catheter and then gathered for sale.

To gather the bile from the gallbladder, a connection from the gallbladder (located deep inside the body) to the surface has to be established. The connection, which is medically called fistula, is made in any of the three ways: insertion of a metal tube, insertion of a plastic tube, or creation of a tissue bridge between the gallbladder and skin. The connection is conducted by untrained and unskilled individuals who do not observe modern veterinary standards.

To gather the bile, some bears wear a "metal jacket". It is worn around their bodies and it has a collection container attached to it. There are bears forced to lie on the floor of their small cages so the bile will drip downward. Keep in mind that their crush cages are extremely small. The floor is made up of iron bars so the bears cannot stand or lie down on firm ground. This results in neck and back injury. Since a bear's body will try to exclude the inserted metal or plastic tube or close the tissue bridge, scarring and damage is done to both the inside and outside of the bear. Sometimes, to prevent the closing of the incision, hot pieces of metal are inserted without any form of sedation or anesthesia. Bile is collected twice a day, and this goes on for the rest of their lives.

Why Its Unnecessary - There is no need to make poor bears undergo such abuse. The use of bear bile is obsolete. There are at least 75 herbal medicines that can be used as an alternative to bear bile. Of which, 54 are proven to work. These alternatives are a lot cheaper and more convenient.

Synthesized bear bile that contains UrsoDeoxyCholic Acid (the active constituent in bear bile) is available. All these alternatives are just as effective without the deaths of innocent bears. Let us put a stop to bear bile farming. It causes unnecessary torture to poor bears.

Read more about stricter punishment for animal cruelty [http://stopanimalcruelty.info/category/animal-cruelty]. Learn more about bear bile farming [http://stopanimalcruelty.info/] and other animal abuse.

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Teddy Bears Appear On All Kinds Of Products And Collectables - You Could Fill Your House With Them

Teddy bears appear on all kinds of products, from wallpaper to slippers. You can decorate your whole house with bears, wear teddy bear slippers and sleep in teddy bear sheets. You can buy chocolate teddies, cereals promoted with teddy bears and bears have even appeared on some laundry products! But this isn't just a modern craze. Teddy-decorated china appeared almost as early as the first bears themselves. Early examples are highly prized by collectors since the fragile nature of their materials means that few have survived in good condition, and complete sets are very rare. Some modern makers of limited-edition bears also offer bear-sized accessories for their special bears. And of course, we're all familiar with images of Pooh Bear and Paddington being used across a whole range of items.

Various other materials have been formed into bear shapes over the last century or so. Early 20th century wooden carvings of bears - often called Black Forest Bears - after the region of Southern Germany where they were made, are very popular with collectors. Some were intended purely for use as ornaments, but others were made into useful objects, ranging in size from pincushions to coat stands.

Silver teddy bears were once used to adorn christening gifts such as teething rings or rattles, and bears also appear on silver spoons and egg cups, also popular christening presents. Early examples again are particularly sought after, and the hallmarking system means that they can be accurately dated.

Postcards featuring bears have also been around almost as long as the teddy himself, and an enormous number have been published. These could once be obtained extremely cheaply, but prices have soared in recent years. Luckily for bear-lovers everywhere, larger numbers of new cards continue to appear at collectable prices, most recently from DevonBear Designs, who offer a whole set of bear-ish images. We also offer bears on e-cards if you want to send other bear-lovers some great English bear images, absolutely free!

Old adverts and packaging - ephemera - are also very collectable, and even modern items can be grouped together very effectively to create a talking point. Think about Rupert Bear and Sooty, Paddington and Pooh to name just a few. Other collectable items with a bear theme include decorated toffee or biscuit tins and the metal buckets that many will remember from seaside holidays of days gone by.

Whenever bears appear on items, you can be sure that someone somewhere will have started a collection. But for real bear-lovers, the only problem is deciding where to begin - and also when to stop!

Helen Dickson is the owner of DevonBear Designs. She designs and makes a small range of really practical - and pretty - textile items and stationery all inspired by the wonderful coast and countryside of South Devon, England. Helen is a talented watercolour artist and all DevonBear Designs products feature one of her images. Visit her site at http://www.devonbeardesigns.com

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Teddy Bears - Stuffed Toy Or Best Friend?

Teddy bears have been a symbol of affection, love and cuddles, in excess of a century. They are often given away at carnivals as prizes. It's the one possession that children feel safe with at night time when they go to sleep. Teddy bears are a source of comfort and warmth. Try taking away their teddy bear from a young child and be prepared for tears!

Of course, there have been many famous bears throughout time. Who can forget Winnie The Pooh, Fozzie the Bear from The Muppet Show, The Care Bears, Sooty the teddy bear glove puppet, Humphrey Bear, Baloo in Jungle Book, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Paddington Bear, Rupert the Bear, Smokie the Bear and Yogi Bear? We have all grown up with these lovable characters. We have been taught by them, laughed at them, and admired them. Who hasn't heard the famous song "Teddy Bears Picnic" That song has been around since 1907!

Some Famous People and their Teddy Bears

Perhaps the most famous bear story is in the origins of the teddy bear name. It has been commonly reported that the teddy bear got its name from President Teddy Roosevelt when he refused to shoot a bear cub, which had been chained to a tree for him by his hosts, who wanted to make sure he was successful during a hunting trip. Some other famous personalities have had their very own teddy bears. Elvis had a teddy bear called Mabel when he was a child. It sold for $75,000 at auction. In 1989 a Steiff bear sold for $88,000 in a Sotheby's London auction! Rowan Atkinson as Mr Bean had "Teddie" which featured often during the series. Donald Campbell, the world record breaking land and water champion took his "Mr Whoppit" bear along with him on record attempts. Aviation pioneers Alcock and Brown took their teddy bear mascots with them on their record breaking first non-stop Atlantic flight in 1919.

Ask any adult what their favourite toy was and they will probably tell you it was a stuffed toy, and a large percentage of those will certainly say, "my teddy bear". While there are many different types of toys on the market today, the teddy bear still remains a strong favourite for many children. In fact, eBay reports that on any day there are over a staggering 20,000 teddy bears up for auction!

Brian Parkin is an ex Geordie (from Newcastle, England) who now lives in Brisbane, Australia and currently operates an online store promoting personalised gifts. To learn more about personalised gifts, particularly personalised teddy bears, please visit Parkin's Patch at http://www.parkinspatch.com

For further information, you can contact Brian via email at brianparkin@parkinspatch.com

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Ganz Teddy Bears - A Collectible

The charm of a Ganz teddy bear is both straightforward and awesome. They were originally created in the 1950s, and are still being made today. These teddy bears give you a shoulder to cry on, and love you unconditionally. Sometimes, if you listen closely, they will tell you "take me home." The love affair between us and these Ganz teddy bears shows no signs of slowing down.

Often used to calm and reassure children, this is an enduring and traditional stuffed animal. The price of these teddy bears has recently increased as they have become collector's items. It is very hard to picture a world that didn't have the Ganz teddy bears to provide a listening ear and a warm hug to both young and old.

The teddy bear has been a part of the world for a long time. The history of the teddy bear began in the year 1902. Not only did it make its entrance into the United states that year, but also made its entrance in Germany.

In the United States, the teddy bear got its name from a cartoon featuring Theodore Roosevelt. In the early 1900s, society woman liked to carry these bears around with them and kids had photos taken with their cuddly friends. U.S. toy makers were creating bears of all different sizes and styles, including roller skating teddies and ones with eyes that lit up. However, our firms had to deal with lots of competition from German bear makers, so quite a few of them went out of business.

The German tradition of toy making is legendary and the creation of fine teddy bears was made famous by companies like Bing, Schuco, and Hermann, combined with Steiff. This laid the groundwork for an innovative kind of mass-produced bear - the artist-designed manufactured bear. Currently this type of bear is sold by Ganz and it gives collectors the chance to own an artist-designed bear that is less expensive because it is mass produced.

A lot of outfits and clothes for teddy bears are also available. You can learn making personal teddy bears online or by purchasing books meant for that purpose. Everyone certainly needs the teddy bear's gift of unconditional acceptance, love, and reassurance more than ever.

Teddy bears have been a favorite toy since the beginnings of the twentieth century. Teddy bears were developed at about the same time in both America and Germany. In America, the toys were based on a cartoon involving President Theodore Roosevelt, and became a favorite of society women. In Germany, artist designed bears were available from various manufacturers, and included a high level of detail and customization. Children love teddy bears and ganz teddy bears are high quality examples of these toys. Online shoppers have the pleasure of making personal teddy bears and buying outfits and clothes for teddy bears.

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Collecting Vintage Bears

If you're new to vintage bear collecting, you may wish to think about which particular type you find the most appealing. A shelf-full of modern and antique, standard sized and miniature vintage bears will look a bit of a mish mash, whereas a small collection, of similar size and from the same period, will compliment one another. You may be drawn to the teddy bear brands of your childhood on a nostalgic level, or the exclusivity of antique bears. Perhaps the decadence of the Steiff appeals to you, or the quirkiness of Care Bears. The key is: collect what you love. If you decide later that you want to branch out (and you probably will!), you can always start another collection!

COLLECTORS' TIPS

1. Condition

Significant damage will compromise the value of your teddy bear, and possibly your enjoyment of him too. It's far better to pay more for damage-free teddy, than one who has very obviously been through the wars! Of course, vintage bears will show some signs of age. A well-loved teddy may have a bald snout, his fur rubbed away by a thousand goodnight kisses! If your antique teddy bear has clothes, these may have yellowed a little or faded. Do not be tempted to clean the clothes of an antique bear yourself - it may do much more harm than good. Stiff joints, worn pads and missing eyes can be fixed by an expert, though it is worth bearing in mind that serious collectors are looking for teddies with original features. If your antique teddy has no clothes and is a touch on the bald side, it may be time to get him an outfit and give him a new lease of life!

2. Authenticity

We're all familiar with the renowned Steiff buttons and dream of stumbling across the perfect teddy with one of those in his ear! Many teddy makers got into the habit of marking their bears, either with a button or label somewhere on the body, and this can be a good indication of authenticity. Nevertheless, it should be borne in mind that many parents saw these appendages as hazards to little hands and mouths, or just found them unsightly. Often, these little indicators have long since been removed, though it is worth checking for traces - an indentation in the ear, a sliver of label in a seam - these telltale signs are key. The serious teddy collector may wish to invest in a book so that they may learn what other attributes to look for, e.g. face and body shape, colour or material of the eyes and nose, etc. If in doubt, ask! There are fakes on the antique teddy bear market, and the maxim 'caveat emptor' holds as well here as anywhere else. If the vendor can provide documentary evidence or photographs as evidence of authenticity, you'll want him to pass these on to you at point of sale. If you come to part with your teddy in the future, such evidence is highly prized by collectors and will help you attain a better price. It is also useful for insurance purposes.

3. Scarcity

It often follows that the lower the number produced, the more highly prized the vintage bear.

4. Age

It usually follows that the older the teddy bear, the more sought after he'll be by collectors and the higher the price Ted will achieve! Antique teddy bears produced before World War I are generally the most valuable. There are, however, exceptions to every rule. Louis Vuitton made a small number of bears in 2000 fetching as much as £130,000 when they went under the hammer.

5. Size

It often follows that the bigger the teddy, the higher its value.

6. Expression

It is usually the case that the happier the teddy bear appears, the more sought after he will be. Other factors must be taken into consideration, however. Sussenguth's Peter teddies are open mouthed and snarling - far from happy bears! Parents were put off because these bears frightened their children. This led to the line being quickly discontinued, bringing us back to the issue of rarity. Despite their fierce expressions, these bears are much in demand now because of their exclusivity.

7. Accessories

Antique teddies which come with their features intact and, if clothed, with their original garments, are much more sought after. If they come complete with original accessories, e.g. jewellery or hats - even the box- so much the better as far as the teddy bear collector is concerned.

Lindsay Coope
The great news is that if you shop online for Vintage Bears or for Vintage Soft Toys you can find unbeatable deals at great prices!

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Food Safety to Help Avoid Bears in the Wilderness

If you plan on venturing into the wilderness on a camping or hiking trip, you need to be prepared to deal with potentially dangerous wildlife. Bears in particular need to be respected and avoided. One of the easiest ways to avoid bears is to be careful with storing and preparing food.

Choosing the Safest Camping Food

Strong smelling food like tuna or garlic can attract bears easiest. When you choose which foods to pack, try to avoid foods that have strong odors. Canned or dried food is a much better choice. Not only do these types of food last longer, but they give off fewer odors too. Individual packaged food is better than larger packages that have to be manually resealed.

Safely Storing Your Camping Food

One mistake many campers make is not taking adequate precautions for storing food. All too often food is stored either in the same tent you sleep in or in a nearby cooler. This can be a very bad idea. You are essentially drawing the bears right to wear you are vulnerably sleeping.

Your food should be stored a good distance away from your tent (at least 100 meters). To prevent food odors from blowing through your campsite, your food storage location should also be downwind from your campsite. When picking a location to store food, think of how close to your campsite you would be comfortable having bears. Obviously that is not very close at all.

For actual food storage, you have a few choices. There are bear proof containers available in a variety of sizes. These bear proof storage lockers make it nearly impossible for bears to get at your food. It might not be practical to carry one of these durable containers to camp though.

The more traditional method for camping food storage is to hang your food up in a tree in an airtight bag. Since bears do have some tree climbing capabilities, it is best to hang the food at least 5 meters above ground and at least 4 feet away from the trunk of the tree. A bear could easily reach a bag if it is too low or too close to the trunk of the tree. This is not the most secure method because using too small a branch makes it possible for a bear to break the branch and using too large a branch makes it possible for a bear to climb out to your bag. Bears can also chew through ropes holding bags up in trees. So if you plan on hanging your food, counterbalance the rope with a second bag. Then use a long stick to retrieve tour bags afterwards. Or you can suspend the food bag between two trees. Some camps have existing ropes or poles setup to use instead of hanging food from branches.

As a last resort, you could also store your food in the trunk of your vehicle. This should be avoided though, as vehicles are not airtight and odors could leak out. This could lead to a bear scratching up your vehicle to get at your food. Bears with previous human contact may recognize coolers or other food containers. So don't just put food easily in sight in the front seat of your vehicle.

As your garbage may also have food odors, it is recommended that you also safely store your garbage with your food supply. Other fragrant items such as soap, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant and perfume should be stored with food too. If any of your clothes smell like food, be on the safe side and store these garments with your food. Ensure that no extra snacks are still in your daypack when you go to sleep. Tampons, napkins and toilet paper can also lure bears if not stored properly.

Safely Cooking Food While Camping

Another mistake campers make is to cook food in the middle of the campsite. This will leave traces of food odors throughout your camping area. Assume that bears will come investigate your cooking area and position it away from your tent with your food supply.

While you are cooking, try to keep the area well ventilated. If you are inside a tent, open the flap to air out some of the odors. You don't want these areas still strongly smelling like food when you go to sleep. Do not cook in the tent you plan on sleeping in! Covering any frying food prevents excess odors too. When you are done frying food, completely burn any excess grease and oil.

Many people like to go fishing while they camp. If you are one of these people, don't clean your fish near your camp. Ideally, you would gut the fish in the middle of a lake where a bear would not smell the remains. Burying fish remains nearby is a bad idea.

Another tip for camp cooking is to avoid cooking too much food. Don't cook more than you can eat as leftovers smell more than packaged food.

Cleaning Up To Prevent Bears

Keeping your campsite clean of garbage and food scraps will help keep bears away. Immediately after cooking and eating, you should thoroughly clean all your dishes. Strain the pieces of food from your dishwater and store that with the rest of your garbage and food. To dispose of the dishwater, dig a shallow pit. Then poor in the dishwater and cover it with ashes or disinfectant. This will stop odors and decomposition.

While some people do not recommend burning any garbage while camping, it may be a good idea for any food scraps and food wrappers. It is better to burn these items leaving a temporary odor rather than keeping the items emitting bear attracting odors.

Always pack out what you pack in. Leaving any garbage behind can turn the campsite into a regular bear hang out.

Conclusion

Be aware of the necessary food storage and cooking precautions while camping. Do everything you can to keep food odors away from your camp. Taking these precautions is the easiest way to prevent a bear encounter.

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What Do You Know About Bears?

First of all, a bear is, often, a large flesh-eating animal, but may also lean toward a vegetarian diet, when prey is scarce.

It may be found both in warm and cold climates.

It has a solid body, covered with shaggy fur, is supported by thick legs and has a short tail. The complete sole of the foot lies flat upon the ground and the claws are perfect for both digging and climbing. Found in Asia, Europe and America; those from the cooler climes seem to be more savage and less happy eating just vegetable foods than bears living in warmer areas.

Brown bears are plentifully found throughout Europe and Asia; they eat fruit and vegetables, as well as animal food. They climb and swim with ease. At the beginning of winter, they search for a cave, or hollow and sleep until spring. The babies are mostly born at some time during the winter.

The American black bear is thought by many to be a variety of the brown bear. It is very fond of honey and is much less dangerous than the grizzly. Closely related to it is the Syrian bear and the Indian white bear of the Himalayas. The former is often mentioned in the Bible. Remember, black bears are strong climbers.

The North American grizzly is a very strong and fierce animal, chiefly found in the Rocky Mountains. The fur is dark brown, but somewhat grey around the head. The claws are long and curved. It is the most savage of bears and is said to be strong enough to drag along a buffalo carcass.

Many grizzly attacks on people, are purely defensive in nature, and by playing possum, you may show the bear that you are not a threat and escape a severe mauling, or death. Brown and grizzly bears are actually classified as the same species, 'Ursus arctos '.

Other bears are:

The Malayan sun bear is the smallest bear family member.

The Sloth Bear is found throughout India from the Himalayan foothills to the Southern part of India.

The spectacled bear of the Andes mountains is a small animal about three and a half feet long, with black fur and curious light coloured rings around the eyes.

The white polar bears of the Arctic region are the largest of all bears, often measuring 9 ft in length and are very strong. They swim very rapidly and live largely on fish. They are more apt to attack man than any other variety. Polar Bears are classified under the Latin mane of, Ursus maritimus, It is the largest meat-eating hunter.

The males do not sleep in the winter, but the females stay in sheltered places throughout the winter and their young are often born through this period. For this reason, bears weigh least in the spring or early summer.

Ray Cunningham, loves all animals and birds.

Has built a new web site at http://www.raygc.com/Wildlife/

Where these and other beautiful and exclusive, wildlife prints, may be obtained.

He is also adding to his Squidoo sites, where he hopes to show you some videos of these and other animals. Go here: http://www.squidoo.com/Bears-

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Our Love For Those Wonderful Teddy Bears

Teddy bears have been around for a long time. In reality it has been well over 100 years since we came to know teddy bears. The beauty of it is that teddy bears have come in all shapes and sizes, various colors and personalities. They have become a staple of childhood toys and they hold a spot in all of our hearts.

Books have been written about various teddy bears and stories have been told. Some teddy bears have even made it onto the movie and TV screen.

Winnie the Pooh Bear is infamous for his many adventures and his friends. Winnie, along with Christopher Robin, Rabbit, Tigger, Owl, Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga, and Roo live a very interesting life in the hundred acre wood.

We certainly would not want to forget Paddington Bear. This adorable little teddy bear comes from darkest Peru but now lives with Brown family at 32 Windsor Gardens. Paddington is very intelligent and has set opinions about what is right and what is wrong, and he is happy to tell you about his views. He is known for saying, "Things happen to me. I'm that sort of bear." This is a feeling that most of us can relate to. Paddington is also fond of saying, "It just wouldn't work", which is adorable in a teddy bear but not so much in a human.

In recent times The Care Bears were discovered. They rapidly gained popularity. Each Care Bear teddy bear has a message a message and a lesson to teach us about how we should conduct our lives. They come in various colors and sizes and each Care Bear has a personal motif on their tummies and a personal motto they dedicate their lives to. These bears have starred in their own movies and TV series.

There is a comic strip in a London newspaper about a mischievous teddy bear named Rupert. The comic strips have even been compiled to form books, called Annuals.

Not only have many teddy bears been featured in animated series and movies but several have had poetry written about them. With the many TV stations designed for children teddy bears are almost always in the spotlight.

Yogi and Boo-Boo have been in our lives for a long, long time. And we would not want to forget about Smokey as we warned us about forest fires.

But perhaps the teddy bears that deserve the most recognition are those that live with us. They can bring comfort to a sick or scared child and they can bring a smile to our day. If you do not have a special teddy bear in your life you are missing out on a comforting friend that wants nothing more than to see you happy.

If you are a teddy bear collector or you simply love teddy bears you will want to visit the following site: http://www.TeddyBearWebsite.com You will find lots of information about teddy bears and teddy bear products. Check it out!

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Collectible Teddy Bears

Teddy bears bridge the gap between young and old collectors as well as ladies and gentlemen. They light up the world as a symbol of the innocence and magic of childhood and the special warmth of love. They will steal your heart and brighten your life. Teddy Bears are one of the most collectible items around the world. They are popular with children, obviously, but also with adult collectors who build on their childhood friends and often invest in limited editions or bears made from prized designs and rare materials.

Collectible

What makes Collectible Teddy Bears so special, is their quality, unique designs, and the fact that they usually are not mass produced. In other words limited numbers are available. Sometimes it's simply because they are old and rare. Collectible Teddies make excellent teddy-bear gifts and teddy-bear presents for a girlfriend, mother, or grandma for Mothers Day, Christmas, birthday, Valentines Day, anniversary's or any other occasion. Whether you are a collector looking for that special teddy bear or just looking for a unique gift or present for someone you love. Collectible Teddy Bears ooze with personality and beautiful unique designs. This is what makes Teddy Bears such a popular collectible item, not only are the outfits different, but in many cases they are numbered in sequence. All Artist's Teddy-Bears are unique, collectible, and in some cases "one-of-a-kind". These Collectible teddy bears are generally for collectors only and should not be given to young children.

Gifts

Teddy Bears make beautiful  gifts on any occasion or simply as a special treat for yourself. They are also a symbol of memory, a gift of love, and especially designed to have extra "huggable quality". Many gift orders receive a free, personalized gift card during checkout, making your internet shopping perfect for mom, dad, a grandparent, or any loved one needing a perfect gift to cheer them up or tell them you care. So, whether you are giving this as a birthday gift, for Valentine's Day, to wish someone well, or just to make someone smile, you can always express your love with a Soft Cuddly Teddy Bear.

Personalized

If you need a Teddy gift, many companies will personalize your bear for you with special accessories to customize them for your particular need and a special message card of some kind to enclose a personal message. Some companies also offer embroidery options for people's names or messages. A perfect way to say thank you, congratulations, or "I Love You" with a gift message for any celebration. A personalized message will make the gift very special to your loved one.

Summary

A teddy bear can be a constant life-long companion, listening to and keeping secrets, and silently offering comfort whenever it is needed. Since teddy bears first appeared at the beginning of the twentieth century, people have cuddled them for comfort, kept them for luck, and given them as a symbol of love on a special occasion. Many have built up fantastic collections of limited edition bears over the years.

Teddies have always held a slice of many a romantics heart. They are so much a part of growing up in America that few of us can imagine a childhood without a stuffed bear. Even grown-ups can't resist the appealing glint in a teddy's eye or smile on it's face. Teddy Bears have been around for generations and are well loved by young and old. They have been a cherished, lovable toy for decades. I hope you find that one special Teddy Bear that you've been searching for in your collection. It seems there's always room for 1 more.

Bruce Simmons is a Teddy Bear Designer for "Mainely Bears Collectable Teddy Bear Gifts" to see some of his work go to [http://teddy-gift.com]

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Buy Cheap Steiff Antique Teddy Bears

Collectors fancy Steiff Antique Teddy Bears because of the history of the toys. It all started in 1877 when a Felt mail order company started in Giengen, Germany. They manufactured felt garments.

Because of the success of the felt elephant pin cushions, toy production started in 1880.

The first Steiff teddy bears were made in 1892. The first designs were bears that were placed on iron wheels. These were sold in stores in 1893. The stuffed toy design of the bears that Steiff manufactured began in 1902.

The company eventually registered as the Felt Toy Co. By 1904, Margarete and Richard Steiff, the pair behind Steiff, were awarded the Gold Medals for their effort in the industry which was introducing Steiff teddy bears in the market.

The concept of the button in the ear was made in 1905. For any collector of Steiff antique teddy bears, getting these bears with the Steiff trademark was a jewel to their collection.

The earlier versions, the better. These bears go back 1892. The style of these Steiff antique teddy bears either stand on hind legs or they are down on all fours.

There are also designs that come with four wheels. The limbs of the early Steiff antique teddy bears were somehow rigid. When the moving joints were developed, Steiff adapted these to their designs.

The first ever jointed teddy bear produced by Steiff was the Bar 55 PM. The number means that the bear was 55 centimeters in length and P means plush and B means beweglich which is "jointed" in German.

This bear is a replica of a real bear. The arms and the legs were attached to the bear's body through a twine that has been fastened and tied like a knot under the plush.

This was the bear that was viewed by American Herman Berg at the Leipzig Trade Fair in 1903. Berg eventually ordered 3000 of these models and brought these to America.

Richard Steiff was determined to improve the designs of his bears. These are the Steiff antique teddy bears that can be found in stores which collectors frequent.

The evolution of these bears range from limbs becoming more loose depending on the rods and wires that were used.

Disc joints were also introduced which make the limbs of the bears more movable and more human.

Discover where to buy cheap antique steiff bears online. Learn where to buy cheap collectible teddy bears at my site.

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Can Polar Bears Adapt As Their Habitat Area Shrinks?

Polar Bear adaptation to the frigid and unforgiving Polar climate is one of nature's marvels. The dynamic sea ice, where polar bear live, is one of the cruelest and grimmest climates on planet earth.

It's only in the latest evolutionary cycle that bears adjusted to arctic sea life. It started about the time of the Ice Age, in the northern seas, when the seals needed to breathe and mate near the water's surface. By doing this, the seals became a copious year-round food source near a population of brown bears, who then began to inhabit the ice, changing into something similar to the polar bear of today, approximately 100,000 years ago.

Weighing roughly 330 to 1,760 pounds, the length of the polar bear's body is around 6.6 to 10 feet. The male body is usually heavier than the female. The polar bear, akin to the brown bear, is large and thickset. It has an long neck and small head. Its fur, usually white, may seem yellow, due to oxidation.

A polar bear has black skin, which helps it adjust to the Arctic temperature, absorbing and holding heat from the sunlight. It is definitely well dressed for the weather with a layer of fat more than 4 inches thick, allowing for efficient insulation. The dense fur on its feet (its foot is about 9 inches wide and 12 inches long) offers warmth and traction. Because each foot is so huge, it acts as a handy snowshoe.

It adjusts well to swimming with its broad front paws that serve as paddles and when swimming underwater it lays the tiny ears flat for protection, and its nostrils close under water. It paddles at about 6 and one-half miles per hour --forepaws only, hind feet trailing--and can remain under water for about 2 minutes. The hairs of its waterproof coat are hollow which is an adept insulator and increases the bear's buoyancy when swimming.

A polar bear has an excellent sense of smell, sensing prey at a distance of about 20 miles. Although little is known about its sense of touch (its eyesight and hearing is acute), a polar bear is able to manipulate various objects with surprising dexterity.

With canine teeth bigger and malariform teeth sharper than those of other bears, the polar bear is the most carnivorous North American bear.

A polar bear lives on Arctic islands, sea ice, and water and continental coastlines. It chooses the sea ice habitat, with water channels or cracks through the ice, next to continental coastlines or islands. Some polar bears spend part of the year on land, although in warmer climates a bear could become isolated. Most pregnant females spend the autumn and winter on land in maternity dens.

A polar bear travels throughout the year within single home ranges, which tend to be a larger area than for other mammal species because of the alterations in sea ice from year to year and even season to season. Small home ranges (19,000 to 23,000 miles) can be discovered near Canadian Arctic Islands, while larger home ranges can be found in the Bering or Chukchi Sea areas. The polar bear remains in the same area during the same time of year. A polar bear is capable of traveling 19 miles or more per day for several days, although some are capable of a good deal more than that. One can only hope that polar bear adaptation will carry on, as their habitat area shrinks and the pressures of civilization continue to encroach on the the natural homes where the polar bear dwell.

For more information, check out my blog Polar Bear News. You can also find information at Are You Polar Bear Aware? and Polar Bear Video Showcase

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New Gund Teddy Bears for Autumn 2010

In autumn 2010 Gund release a whole new range of teddy bears. There's 4 versions of Philbin, new sizes of Gaffney and Gus, and new bears Dilip, Stitchy, Wooly and Marmalade. For those that like a larger bear there are two giant versions of the popular Alfie teddy bear (XL and jumbo). So let's take a closer look at these bears.

Philbin is available in two sizes and colours, one's chocolate and the other is cream (or is it white chocolate?), their heights are 13 and 18 inches, so there's quite a noticeable size difference between the two. Philbin is easily identified by distinctive, contrasting paw pads with embroidered edges. They have quite large heads and big round tummies. Simply put, they're beautiful bears made from super soft Gund plush.

In 2009 Gund released a small version of their popular Gordy bear. Some say that the smaller version is actually a better bear, being slightly better proportioned. I think they're both extremely cute, I tend to think of the smaller bear being more suitable for a younger child (suitable for 1 year +) Gordy is a 3+ bear (based on size). At the same time Gund released two new bears, of similar size to the smaller Gordy, called Gaffney and Gus. Gaffney was a dark brown bear and Gus has a distinctive tuft on the top of his head. For autumn 2010 Gund have released larger versions of Gaffney and Gus, which are comparable in size to the larger Gordy. This teddy bear family is now complete.

Dilip is similar in some ways to the current Gordy bears. He's got chestnut brown fur, which has a nice shimmer and a cream coloured tummy. He has a very cute face, like all Gund bears and like Gordy is available in two sizes: 13" and 20".

Like the brand new bears previously mentioned (Philbin and Dilip), Stitchy is also available in two sizes (11" and 14"). He's a light brown bear, with a face that shouts "hug me". A typical Gund bear.

Wooly is the most different of any of the existing Gund range. He's a greyish brown bear with a big round ivory tummy and paw pads, with a look of a refined old chap.

Marmalade is based on the Manni range of bears, and sites in between the two existing bears (size wise), he's a darker golden brown colour, but just as cute and cuddly.

Alfie has been one of Gund's most popular bears. This year he's been super-sized. Following the discontinuation of the extremely popular range of Basil giant teddy bears (42, 46 & 80 inch), of which the 42" bear was a really great size (and value) for a ￡100 teddy. Gund have brought out 36 and 60 inch versions of Alfie. These giant teddy bears are perfect for big kids (children or adults) and may also suit businesses who need a display for a stand or something at a trade fair or even window dressing.

So if you're looking for an idea for Christmas or an upcoming birthday, I strongly recommend checking out these huggable new Gund teddy bears.

Phil Jones-Davies discovered Gund teddy bears, whilst searching for the perfect teddy bear for his eldest niece's first birthday. After choosing Sidney (Black), he started selling Gund teddy bears online at Delves Wood Bears and his nieces are in danger of being overrun by Gund teddy bears and soft toys!

http://www.delveswoodbears.co.uk

http://www.softtoys.co

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The Black Teddy Bear and Black Bears in the Wild

If you're looking to bring a black teddy bear into your home, you will have to decide which version you want. Some black teddy bear's look like a teddy while others look like a black bear. While the teddy design were originally based on wild bears, they don't all look them - they look, instead, like teddy bears. To tell the difference you need only look at the face and body of the plush bear; teddy's are generally made in a sitting position with arms and legs that don't have 'claws' and many of them have smiling, pleasant faces; black bears, on the other hand have defined pads on their paws, 'claws', and are made so they can flop over and/or stand on all fours, just like a wild bear does. Their faces are also designed much like a real bear which means they have a long snout.

Many references to bears can be found in both modern and ancient literature, legends, folk songs, cartoons, children's stories, and mythology. They are the first type of animal most children learn to recognize. When looking at bear folklore it can be confusing to a child given much of it is based on caricatures - teddy bears and Smoky the bear on one hand and magazine cover pictures of ferocious, real bears, on the other. Traditionally, bears have been portrayed as villains so as to support the notion of man against nature, and bears in general have not been distinguished from one species to the next - the black bear from the grizzly bear, for instance. The fact is, the two species are quite different.

Black bears can be found living in most forested areas of North America, which includes all Canadian provinces except Prince Edward Island (they were all wiped out in 1937), 40 of the United States, and many portions of northern Mexico. From nose to tail, black bears are 4 to 7 feet long and 2 to 3 feet in height at the shoulder. They have small eyes, rounded ears, a long snout, light grey skin, and a short tail. Depending on the season, their fur is shaggy or sleek. On average, black bears are smaller than grizzly bears with a smaller shoulder hump and a facial shape that is less curved. They have smaller claws than the grizzly, which they use for climbing trees. Their fur is also less shaggy than that of the grizzly. The black bear has ears which are longer and smoother than a grizzly bears and they have a furred instep at the rear which the grizzly does not. More than any other North American mammal, black bears come in a variety of colors; in eastern populations they are usually black but in western populations they are brown, cinnamon, black and sometimes blond.

If it's a true black teddy bear you're looking for, like with wild black bears and grizzlies, be sure to distinguish which it is you want [from the black plush bears] - you can in fact tell the difference between the two.

Copyright Shelley Vassall, 2010.

Black Teddy Bear

Black Teddy Bear

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Polar Bears, Rulers of the Arctic North

The polar bears (Thalarctos maritimus) live in the Arctic regions of the north near open water where they can find their main source of food which are seals. These bears are huge with adults at 7 to 8 ½ feet tall and up to 1,600 pounds. Polar bears are white to creamy white all year round which gives them excellent camouflage against the Arctic snow when hunting. Along with the Arctic fox, the polar bear is the most northerly located land mammal on earth.

Unlike other species of bears, polar bears have longer necks and smaller heads making them appear more streamlined. Despite their large sizes, they are incredibly fast being able to run up to 25 miles per hour. At speeds like this, a polar bear can outrun a reindeer. They are also excellent swimmers being able to swim at about 3 miles per hour but for considerable distances.

During winters, they spend most of their time on the ice floes hunting seals. Polar bears have rough, leathery pads on the bottoms of their feet to maintain footholds on slippery ice surfaces. Their adaptation to the cold Arctic waters is even more impressive. Their thick coats of fur traps a deep layer of insulating air around their bodies. An inner layer of fur is so compact that it is almost impossible to wet it. An outer layer of long guard hairs mat together in the water which forms another layer over the inner layer. After a polar bear leaves the water, it simply shakes its body which results in most of the water being thrown right off leaving the bear almost dry. These protective layers of fur ensure that the polar bear's skin is kept dry most of the time, even while in the Arctic waters.

Polar bears hunt seals by waiting for seals to come through holes in the ice to breathe. They also stalk their prey utilizing their white camouflage abilities against the mounds of ice. Sometimes polar bears have been known to crawl on their bellies until they are close enough to rush their prey, particularly if no cover is available. Besides seals, polar bears will eat Arctic foxes, birds, baby walruses and even man if they are extremely hungry.

Males and females stay apart for most of the year except during the summer mating season. Females tend to breed only every other year and when they do, usually 1 to 4 cubs are born during March to April. The polar bear cubs stay with their mothers for 1 to 2 years. The life span of polar bears can be up to 34 years.

The Inuit hunt polar bears for their fat, tendons and fur. Scientists say that climate changes have been reducing the ice floes in the Arctic which has disrupted the polar bear's feeding grounds and migration patterns. There are estimates of about 22,000 to 25,000 polar bears left in the world with 60 percent of them in the Canadian Arctic region. Their populations are thought to be stable for now but some speculate that the species is at risk. Some think that if climate changes continue at its present rate and if worldwide hunting is not adequately controlled, polar bears could face extinction in about 100 years. There is presently much debate on adjusting annual hunting quotas of polar bears, even for Inuit hunters, to further help protect these great bears.

Polar bears have become the most popular symbol of the Arctic north with representations used in everything from soft drink commercials to corporate logos of northern based companies including Canadian North airlines. Nunavut even has their license plates cut in the shape of a polar bear. Tourists can see polar bears in the wild through unique tours on specially designed tundra buggies in Churchill, Manitoba Canada. It's also not surprising that polar bears are some of the most sought after Inuit art sculptures. Polar bears are definitely the rulers of the Arctic north.

Clint Leung is owner of Free Spirit Gallery http://www.FreeSpiritGallery.ca , an online gallery specializing in Inuit art and Native American Indian art. including carvings and prints. Also numerous information articles and videos.

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Bears In Books ... A Personal Reminiscence

Close you eyes and start counting the number of bears you have encountered in books. I bet the bears you counted numbered at least three. Bears do feature in many stories, don't they? From the nameless teddies of Enid Blyton's classic tales to the almost icon Paddington bear, this cuddly mammal simply jumps out at you. I guess the authors must have had their own little teddies sitting by their tables to act as mini muses! I've loved all the bears in the stories I've met. Somehow, they bring an element of warmth to whichever plot they choose to bounce into. Here are some of the bears I've loved throughout my childhood and beyond

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Ah, the classic children's tale of an innocent bear family robbed of their porridge by a greedy girl. When I was young (I mean really young, a child), the three bears in the picture books looked really cozy to me in their little den. Papa Bear always had a pipe, Mama Bear always had a cap and apron and Baby Bear was always in overalls. Do you remember the same? I thought it would be so wonderful to live with them! I remember asking my mother (who read me the book) what's Baby bear going to sit on (because Goldilocks had broken his chair).

As an adult, I, like many of you read several 'twisted' versions of the tale. My favourite was the one where Goldilocks was eaten by the Bears for breakfast (ha!). Most recently, I read Roald Dahl's version of the tale and found it darkly humorous. In it, he stated all her crimes - breaking and entering, stealing, damaging private property and creating a mess. Of course she ends up being eaten. Kudos to you, Mr Dahl!

Pooh Bear

I graduated from the Three Bears to Pooh. The thought of Pooh and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood was sheer joy for a child of wild imaginations! To be honest, Pooh wasn't my favorite character. I actually preferred Tigger. The happy tiger was a lot more appeal then than an honest bear. It was only later that I realized the animals in the Wood were actually TOYS in Christopher Robin's room. That's when I started wondering if MY own toys had a life of their own when I wasn't around!

Winnie the Pooh cartoons were much loved too. Even today I still love the pastel colours and idyllic story-line of these cartoons. They simply transport one to a time where everything was so much more innocent. So much more relaxing than watching a violent anime, don't you think?

Paddington Bear

The first time I laid eyes on a Paddington book was when I was about 10. one day, at the library, I was searching for the last book to fill my quota of four (we were allowed to take out four books at a time) when I espied a water colour-ish picture of a bear peeking from the tattered jacket of a hardcover book. Immediately I grabbed the book and was transported to London. I think that was the very first time I was ever introduced to London although it was only many years later that I actually stood in Paddington Station myself. Again my imagination grabbed me by the collar. I found myself wondering if I found a bear, how would I keep it a secret? How would I feed it?

I couldn't get enough of Paddington! I was such a voracious reader of his adventures that I scanned the shelves for them each time I went to the library and even made my brother borrow them (after I had finished the series) so I could re-read them. Even now I fondly recall the hat, duffle coat and suitcase, his love for marmalade and his arch-nemesis, Mr Curry. It's no wonder that Michael Bond's creation which started so whimsically (he wrote stories for fun about a bear he bought one Christmas season for his wife) has spawned such a multitude of television series, cartoons and merchandise (I own a Paddington keychain and diary).

Baloo

The first time I heard of Baloo was when I was 17 years young and in college. We had to do a sort of singing skit on stage. Somehow we ended up singing 'The Bare Necessities' (and a few other songs) from The Jungle Book. I'm never much impressed by musicals, cartoons or otherwise. I'm too impatient to sit through song after song when all I wanted to know was how the plot would progress. However, the idea of a bear raising a boy did intrigue me a little (due in part to my obsession for bears ha!).

I almost did the book as part of an English module as a graduate, however our lecturer decided that Kim (another Kipling book) was more suitable for the course we were pursuing.

For the longest time, I did nothing more to learn about Baloo until the cartoon series Talespin started its run on television. I suppose the loud and funny grey bear on tv made yet another impression on me. But once again I procrastinated. It is only recently when I finally bought myself a copy of The Jungle Book. What do I think of Baloo in the book? Well, you'll find out as soon as I read the book :)

Author Joan C is a bear collector and host a website for bear lovers to share pictures. For more information visit [http://www.picmybear.com]

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Bears through Time - A Short Collection of Tales

I saw doing research on legends and folk tales not too long ago when I found that there are many such stories featuring my favourite animal of all time.

Here's a story with similar versions from Germany and North America -- How the Bear Lost its Tail. In this story, the bear is not a pleasant character. In fact, he's a downright obnoxious show off! The story goes that the bear once had a beautiful long tail which he is really proud of. He would stretch it out behind him and proudly say to the other animals, "Don't you think my tail is beautiful?" The other animals took one look at his claws and agreed whole-heartedly that his tail looked fabulous. It's no wonder that he didn't have many friends.

One winter's day, bear made his way down to the lake and saw that fox was feasting on some fishes he had caught from the frozen lake. Drooling slightly, he asked fox, "Say, fox, old buddy, how did you managed to catch all those fish?" Well, cunning fox had never liked bear very much and so he decided to trick bear. "Oh, I used my tail!" He showed bear how he dug a hole in the ice and dropped his tail in the water. "Once you feel the fish bite, pull up your tail and lunch would be served!" Bear eagerly sat on the ice and dropped his tail down the hole. After several minutes, much to the amusement of fox, bear felt so sleepy he dozed off.

Fox promptly returned to his lunch. Two hours later, fox returned, "Bear, bear! You caught some fish!" Bear woke with a snort and jerked his tail from the water. CRACK! He tail had frozen solid while he napped and the tug snapped it clean off! "Oh no!" Bear wailed as he stared in dismay at the stump he had left on his ample behind. "My tail!" The fox, seeing what had happened, quickly made himself scarce.

So 'til this day, the fox and the bear remained enemies and, sometimes, we still hear the bear groaning about his tail.

Here's a myth from Korea where the bear played an instrumental role in the founding of the country. The myth begins in heaven where the god Hwanin resided. His son, Hwanung, had the habit of peering over the clouds and looking at the chaos that was Earth below. Hwanung saw the terrible plight of the people below and would feel sad and shed tears for them. When Hwanin found out why his son was so upset, he allowed Hwanung to descend to Earth to rule so as to bring about peace.

And that's what Hwanung did. He ruled over 360 human affairs (such as good, evil, life and illness) and was a great success. At this time, two animals, a tiger and a bear, approached him, wishing to become humans. Hwanung brought them to a dark cave in which they were to remain for a hundred days with only a handful of mugwort and twenty cloves of garlic for food. The tiger was very impatient and ran off after a while. The bear was made of sterner stuff and on the twenty-first day, much to the bear's delight, was transformed into a woman called Ungnyeo.

However, no one wanted Ungnyeo as a wife as she had once been an animal. Sadly, she sat under a holy tree and prayed for a child. It was then that Hwanung pitied her. He transformed himself to human form and through him, Ungnyeo gave birth to a son, Dangun. Dangun later became the founder of the Korean people.

Here's an Aesop tale in which the bear is wise. I enjoyed the fable as a child but forgot about until I re-encountered it the other day. Two Travelers and a Bear tells of two travelers who were going on a journey together. While trekking through a forest, a ferocious bear crashed through the trees, straight into their path. The travelers raced to a tree and started climbing it. One was sprier than the other and managed to scramble onto a high branch in record time. He refused to give his friend a hand for fear of his own safety. The other traveler had no choice but to lie at the bottom of the tree and play possum.

The bear lumbered over and sniffed at the 'dead' man for a few seconds before heading back into the trees. After several minutes, sensing that the coast was clear, the man stood up while his friend climbed down the tree. "The bear looked like it was whispering to you. What did it say?" The other man looked at his friend and candidly replied, "Oh, he told me not to travel with anyone who would desert me in order to save his own skin." With that, he picked up his knapsack and walked off, leaving his friend standing there dumbfounded.

Now, Isn't that a nice note to end with? :)

Author Joan C is a bear collector and host a website for bear lovers to share pictures. For more information visit [http://www.picmybear.com]

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Hunting Black Bears Over Bait

If you haven't tried black bear hunting, these bulky black beasts will give you a thrill that's tough to compare to a typical whitetail hunt. There is just something about hunting a carnivore that gets your blood pumping. The great thing about a black bear is they are spread all over the United States and Canada, are a reasonable priced hunt, and normally are not an extremely physical hunt.

In my experience, a great way to start hunting for black bears is by finding an outfitter that hunts for bears over bait. Although you don't have the fulfillment of back breaking hikes and spotting and stalking the animal, hunting over bait presents challenges of it's own.

Normally the baiting begins before the season opens with sweets such as donuts, marshmallows, or any other sweet smelling tasty foods, supplemented with more fulfilling items such as dog food or meat scraps. Many outfitters will find an available supply of reasonable priced or soon to be discarded food and begin putting it out for the bears before hunters arrive. The bears grow accustomed to the food supply and often return year after year to the same area, sniffing around for the smell of sweets and a free meal.

The hunting is usually done from an elevated stand shadowed by the darkness of timber with an effort to keep it on the downwind side. In my opinion, the wind isn't a huge factor as long as the outfitter doesn't go to great lengths to remain scent free when he is refreshing the bait. The more human scent he leaves when refreshing the bait, the better in my opinion. Once the bears grow used to the scent, they are not as spooked when they do catch the smell of a human near the bait. Granted this doesn't work very well if you begin baiting several days before hunting, but if you give the bears some time, they will grow more accustomed to the human scent.

One of the biggest difficulties is sitting in a stand hour after hour and trying to remain quiet and with very little movement. Some people (often women more than men) have a knack for this skill, but personally this is a grueling workout for me. To complicate matters, many times the areas where black bears flourish are thick with mosquitoes during the late spring, as well. Even if you are covered from head to toe with mosquito proof netting, they find a spot to reach you ,or never let you rest with continual buzzing in your ear. For me, it's nearly impossible to remain still with these pestering bugs swarming the entire time. Black bears are extremely weary of odd sounds or movement, so this is a necessity. Occasionally you will hear a bear coming to stand, but many times, sight will be your first contact with a bear. Keep still and quiet and you will have a good chance at killing a bear. One option to slow down the mosquito swarm is a Thermacell. They are quiet, relatively scent free and do a fairly good job of keeping the mosquitoes at bay.

The second challenge is keeping your calm. When a bear comes into the bait it is very tempting to rush the shot. Bears are extremely difficult to judge, but if you spend a little time, you can often tell whether it's a male or female. Males are blockier with a square face and often a sagging belly. You don't want to shoot a sow with cubs and boars are normally larger, so take the time to judge the bear. A great reference for judging bears is watching some bear hunting videos before you go. I recommend Cave Bears on the Pacific Rim by Jim Shockey. There are numerous black bears taken on this video of all shapes and sizes. Another very important factor is placing the shot in the right place. I've found it's easy to shoot a bear too far back. Be patient and wait until the bear has his front leg angled forward toward the front of his body. Place the shot right as you would on a deer, just behind the shoulder. Don't take the shot if he is in an odd position or his leg is vertical with the ground. You may miss his vitals and have an injured bear on your hands. They will head for deep dark cover and it's no fun tracking an injured bear.

The main thing is to get out and have some fun. Black bears are exciting to hunt and hopefully you'll have a beautiful bear rug when you return.

The author, David Dukat is the owner of Hunting Videos Online at [http://www.huntingvideosonline.com] He has hunted around the country and been on some great western hunts, learning the hard way how to make the hunt as memorable as possible. Come see us at Hunting Videos Online. We pride ourselves on having the best hunting videos on the market. We have the best coyote hunting videos, deer hunting videos, elk hunting videos, african hunting videos and more. Jim Shockey, Craig Boddington, Mossback Outfitters, Tim Wells, and Marc Watts to name a few.

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Collectible Teddy Bears

Practically every child owns a teddy bear and it often remains well loved throughout our lives, or passed on to our children. Many different toys are fashionable with each generation, but the teddy bear has been a constant favorite since the first ones were produced around 1900 and named after Teddy Roosevelt. The story goes that he refused to shoot a captive bear and the teddy bears were named to honor his compassion. Now those early bears have become highly collectible.

Most threadbare teddy bears have little value except to their owners, but some fetch high prices when they come to auction and there is such a thriving market that many companies produce bears solely for collection rather than as a toys for children.

The most well known brand is Steiff. This German company started producing their fully jointed bears in 1902. These realistic bears with their humped backs have always been a firm favorite with collectors and command high prices. Steiff bears are still in production and if you cannot afford the cost of an old bear, a modern one may well be an antique of the future. Steiff bears are recognisable by the brand button in one ear which was first introduced in 1904.

In 1908 the English company Farnell produced their first teddy bear and stayed in production until the 1960s. In 1996 Merythought bought the trade name and started producing replicas of the earlier Farnell bears. Like Steiff, early Farnell bears can cost hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, as long as they are in good condition.

Bing bears date from the same early period as Steiff and Farnell. They are particularly well known for their mechanical toys which are highly prized by collectors.

If your old bear is looking a little worse for wear, there are plenty of restoration companies on the internet, although restoring can be a very expensive option.

Numerous companies now produce collectible teddy bears, and there are several worth considering. Boyd bears are highly popular and you will find plenty available to buy online. Do some research on the the earlier Boyd bears and bear in mind that because they are relatively modern you should be looking for close to mint condition.

Many enterprising bears makers have started creating teddies out of old fur coats, particularly mink. If you have inherited an old coat that you prefer not to wear, why not have it made into a bear which could become a family heirloom. A much better idea than a musty old coat hanging in the closet!

Collectible teddy bears are different from any other type of collection. Perhaps it is memories of our childhood, that makes us become emotionally attached to every bear that we buy. The enjoyment they give makes them worth every cent they cost.

If you are looking for a collectible teddy bear, or wish to learn more, please visit Collectible Teddy Bears.

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Chicago Bears Merchandise Is Now Available For Online Shoppers

The Chicago Bears are one of the most championed teams in the National Conference of the NFL. They nailed eight NFL Championships and the Super Bowl XX. Many members of the Bears are part of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. It is just befitting that fans of the Bears commemorate their greatness through the Bears collector's items available online.

Bears Merchandise online

There's no doubt that you will love the Bears merchandise from the online NFL sports shop. There are furniture, soft furnishings, and glassware for the home and office. Items perfect for your tailgating and outdoor parties are also available. Do you need accessories for your car? The online shop is complete with car furnishings that bear the team's dark navy and orange colors. Are you looking for Bears jewellery or accessories? You won't be disappointed with what's in store.

Here are some of the Bears items you'd be happy to find.

Make your bedroom a haven for the Die Hard Chicago Bears fan with comforters, pillows, bed sheets, bed skirts, and drapes - all in Bears navy blue and orange. These items proudly display the logo and are made of soft, durable material. You'll definitely enjoy them for many, many years.

Do you want to take a plunge or relax at the pool? There are Bears swim rings, inner tubes, and beach balls for you to enjoy and throw around. These are made from tough and durable polyvinyl so you're sure to use them for many summers.

Do you want everyone to know that your car is owned by a Die Hard Bears fan? Then, you'll definitely grab one of the license plates and logo plates available at the online NFL sports shop. There are also Bears hitch covers and car mats. The mats are ideal for all types of cars, trucks, and SUVs. They are chromojet painted with the team's official logo.

Chicago Bears logo Christmas Gifts

This Christmas, get help from the online NFL sports store when you make your gift list. Do you have friends who are Die Hard Bears fans and serious collectors? Be sure to check out the wide selection of photo mints available. There are photo mints that feature star players in action such as Mike Ditka, Walter Payton, Rex Grossman, and Brian Urlacher. There is also an official Game Coin, a Team History Coin Card, and a Stadium photo mint among the memorabilia you can choose from to give as gifts to your friends and yourself.

Chicago Bears stuffed toys will also make great Christmas gifts. There are plush teddy bears dressed in Bears shirts showing the team's official logo. Check out the Bears Snowflake Friend, too. It's a plush doll wearing Chicago Bears winter gear - from his pants to his hat. The Bears navy blue and orange make these toys truly attractive.

Bears Decorative Ornaments

Do you want to give your house a Bears Christmas treatment? Here are a few items you'd definitely want to grab.

The online NFL sports shop features the Chicago Bears Fiber Optic Snowman. This décor features a fiber optic display - a snowman wearing a Bears sweater complete with winter wear in official Bears colors. This can be plugged into standard electrical outlets. With its warm glow, it will surely make your house so good to come home to.

You're sure to be amused with another Bears décor - the Bears Li'l Fan Logo Player. This features a small child wearing a Bears helmet and holding a football emblazoned with the official Bears logo. It's great for your Christmas tree and perfect for your memorabilia collection, as well.

Katie writes article on Sports products. Among her many written articles one is on Chicago Bears Merchandise. A gift for Christmas to rejuvenate life with Chicago Bears Christmas Gifts to make life full of happiness.

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