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A Canadian Bear Has a Belly Laugh
A sense of humor with teeth
Whuff-whuff-whuff- whuff.
The sound was coming from beyond a small copse of trees on the edge of the river. I was marching at speed, steam coming out of my ears.
Whuff-whuff-whuff-whuff.
Barely looking at the trail, I barrelled along, doing my level best not to trip on a rock. I do that when I’m pissed.
I was royally pissed.
I rounded a corner and was hit hard on the shoulder by something huge and furry.
OOOOFFFF.
“Got ‘er mama,” the bear cub said, standing over my prone body. My mouth was full of dirt.
Well shit.
I peered through the grime.
They had formed a circle. The three cubs and… Mama.
Mama rolled herself up to all fours. Tears were streaming down her cheeks.
“Something funny?” I thought, uncharitably.
“You are!” All four shouted in unison. The boys hooted and fell backwards, nearly into the icy cold turquoise waters of the river.
Boys.
Up here in the Muskwa-Kechika, those waters are as sweet and cool as it gets. Especially this early in the morning…