October 22, 2007: Polar bear and the husky, version two

Undertoad · 10-22-2007, 12:36 PM

A Finnish gent noted Friday's bear/husky play pics, and pointed to this French Arctic expedition gallery, where there is photo documentation of another bear/dog encounter.

In this one, there's no play involved. The dog takes an aggressive, barking approach, seemingly saying "Get out of here! you don't belong here!" Seeing the bear's immense size, the dog knows it's a dangerous situation, but is protecting the pack by trying to shush away the beast.

The bear, meanwhile, acts as if he could not care less about the dog. The big guy is not hungry, but curious; it checks out the camp's equipment, even as the dog is barking furiously. He doesn't even bother to glance at the mutt. He knows he is in no danger from this annoying pest. The dog is a mosquito.

The dog mostly stays a good 15-20 feet away, but runs closer from time to time, as if trying to engage the big beast. The dog knows that the bear is slow-moving, can always be out-run. So each time the bear even slightly turns, the dog backs off rapidly. Until...

...puppy gets a little too close, a little too careless, and the bear sees an opportunity to swat that mosquito.

But the good news is that the last two photos here are named with "close_call", so we can infer that doggy beat a hasty enough retreat to survive the encounter.

A minute of video shows the dynamic differently than the pics do.

Nikolai · 10-22-2007, 01:24 PM

Yes first for once, and doesnt the first picture look like the bear is learning to dance?

Clodfobble · 10-22-2007, 02:35 PM

I think there must be something genetic about it... but to me, a brown bear would clearly be terrifying in person, while I cannot imagine a polar bear as being anything but cute. White == sweet and docile.

I know, intellectually, that a polar bear is a godless killing machine, just like all bears. But I can't make myself believe it. In fact, I can't think of a single white animal that I can really convince myself is frightening.

Spexxvet · 10-22-2007, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

I think there must be something genetic about it... but to me, a brown bear would clearly be terrifying in person, while I cannot imagine a polar bear as being anything but cute. White == sweet and docile.

I know, intellectually, that a polar bear is a godless killing machine, just like all bears. But I can't make myself believe it. In fact, I can't think of a single white animal that I can really convince myself is frightening.

Like old westerns. The "good guy" always wears the white hat, the "bad guy" wears the black hat.

maximum · 10-22-2007, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

I cannot imagine a polar bear as being anything but cute. White == sweet and docile.
...
In fact, I can't think of a single white animal that I can really convince myself is frightening.

Maybe these bears will convince you?

Or maybe this guy who was attacked by one, as he slept in his tent (WARNING - graphic):

;-)

glatt · 10-22-2007, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maximum

Or maybe this guy who was attacked by one, as he slept in his tent (WARNING - graphic)

Not a polar bear, but speaking of bears and tents:

lumberjim · 10-22-2007, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

In fact, I can't think of a single white animal that I can really convince myself is frightening.

monster · 10-22-2007, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

In fact, I can't think of a single white animal that I can really convince myself is frightening.

?

Slight · 10-22-2007, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monster

<img left out>

?

monster, thanks for proving Godwin's law in record time. you lose :p

beauregaardhooligan · 10-23-2007, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slight

monster, thanks for proving Godwin's law in record time. you lose :p

I don't believe she had an ulterior motive to end the discussion, and so invoke "Quirk's Exception." Your comment proves that out.
Besides, she was right, that wacko *is* scary!

mrputter · 10-22-2007, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clodfobble

can't think of a single white animal that I can really convince

I dunno. It's possible you're not one of those people who gets creeped out by spiders.

I know I sure as $@*&#! am.

(and for good measure: eek!)

Sundae · 10-22-2007, 03:02 PM

Awwwwwwwwww, lookit the pink bears!

Spectacle · 10-22-2007, 03:09 PM

The pink, blood splattered, bears. Aww.

findpolitics · 10-22-2007, 03:26 PM

They do still look cute, especially that one on the right with his tongue sticking out. awwww... hungry little bear.

Nice try though.

monster · 10-22-2007, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by findpolitics

They do still look cute, especially that one on the right with his tongue sticking out. awwww... hungry little bear.

Nice try though.

they remind me of my kids on art class day.

10-22-2007, 12:36 PM	#1
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	October 22, 2007: Polar bear and the husky, version two A Finnish gent noted Friday's bear/husky play pics, and pointed to this French Arctic expedition gallery, where there is photo documentation of another bear/dog encounter. In this one, there's no play involved. The dog takes an aggressive, barking approach, seemingly saying "Get out of here! you don't belong here!" Seeing the bear's immense size, the dog knows it's a dangerous situation, but is protecting the pack by trying to shush away the beast. The bear, meanwhile, acts as if he could not care less about the dog. The big guy is not hungry, but curious; it checks out the camp's equipment, even as the dog is barking furiously. He doesn't even bother to glance at the mutt. He knows he is in no danger from this annoying pest. The dog is a mosquito. The dog mostly stays a good 15-20 feet away, but runs closer from time to time, as if trying to engage the big beast. The dog knows that the bear is slow-moving, can always be out-run. So each time the bear even slightly turns, the dog backs off rapidly. Until... ...puppy gets a little too close, a little too careless, and the bear sees an opportunity to swat that mosquito. But the good news is that the last two photos here are named with "close_call", so we can infer that doggy beat a hasty enough retreat to survive the encounter. A minute of video shows the dynamic differently than the pics do.

10-22-2007, 03:02 PM	#12
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Awwwwwwwwww, lookit the pink bears! __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

10-22-2007, 03:09 PM	#13
Spectacle Observing the Wine Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 85	The pink, blood splattered, bears. Aww. __________________ I see.

10-22-2007, 01:24 PM	#2
Nikolai Greener than the rest Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Near London Posts: 68	Yes first for once, and doesnt the first picture look like the bear is learning to dance?

10-22-2007, 02:35 PM	#3
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	I think there must be something genetic about it... but to me, a brown bear would clearly be terrifying in person, while I cannot imagine a polar bear as being anything but cute. White == sweet and docile. I know, intellectually, that a polar bear is a godless killing machine, just like all bears. But I can't make myself believe it. In fact, I can't think of a single white animal that I can really convince myself is frightening.

10-22-2007, 03:26 PM	#14
findpolitics Long Time Listener, First Time Caller Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 32	They do still look cute, especially that one on the right with his tongue sticking out. awwww... hungry little bear. Nice try though.

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