Bear is the eldest dog at the farm at just over 11 years. Although he made Buffalo his home many years ago, he hails from the great state of Maine. I, Terra, am a Buffalo native but Maine is where I began my farming career, and where I met Bear. Having been in Maine for 3 years and into my third farming experience, it was high time I got a farm dog.
It happened fast. The local SPCA was in the midst of moving locations and thus there weren’t any dogs available for adoption. I was not deterred. Craigslist? Can you look there to adopt a dog? I opened my laptop and began searching. Did you know that the entire state of Maine uses just one Craigslist site? Maine is a big place, and I was aware that even if there were dogs available,that the chances that one would be even remotely close to where I was was slim. I hit search, and there he was! A 1 ½ year old dog named Bear up for adoption and just 15 minutes away from where I lived! Later that day we met and by the next day we were inseparable.
If you have seen Bear, big, black and fluffy, you’ll know why there was no reason for me to change his name. And if you know Bear, you would know that the only other name that he possibly could have had was Shadow. Call it loyalty or call it separation anxiety, but there is hardly a time that you will see me without Bear by my side. We were, and are, always together.
Life as a farmer compliments very well life as a dog. Bear has lived his life spending long days outside exploring, chewing sticks, snacking on beans, chasing critters and napping in the shade. He has been my enthusiastic companion on endless car journeys short and long and has happily joined me for a swim wherever we can find a spot on hot summer days. He has befriended hundreds of farmers market customers and CSA members over the years. And at the end of every day he is there with me as the unwavering,constant being in my life, ready to do it all again tomorrow.
Dogs age fast but Bear never seemed to slow down. Then last year symptoms of a genetic disease,degenerative myelopathy, began to show. At first I thought maybe he had just pulled a muscle and needed some R&R. Over the course of 6 months his back legs became completely paralyzed. But his spirit and energy hadn’t faltered. Bear now has a set of wheels that enable him to follow me around again, chase sticks, go hiking and live out his remaining years with almost the mobility of any other 4 legged animal.
These days he loves attention more than ever before. Always up for a good belly rub or ear scratch be sure to say hi to him next time you visit the farm!
Eat well and enjoy.
T&J
