The real teddy …

Siberian people call them, Owner of the Earth. For Laplanders the nickname is Worthy Old Man or Winter Sleeper. The Tungus people use Honey Paw.

In those cultures, and others, the bear is regarded with such reverence the people cannot speak the word for “bear.” That’s why creative people dubbed the bear with such colourful euphemisms.

A newcomer to the bear scene, surely the most popular, certainly the safest, and with no stigma attached, loved by all ages, the teddy bear came along in 1902, and took the world by storm.

Teddy bear buff Pam Brown observed: “It’s hard to visualize the toys you had 50 years ago — all save bear. He’s as clear as if he were sitting on the desk in front of you … of course, he probably is.”

She’s right eh?

So is Peter Grey giving us a child’s perspective: “In a world where everyone seems to be larger and louder than yourself, it is very comforting to have a small, quiet companion.”

I mean who, in their right mind, would mess around with such treasured creatures, let alone harm them?

Immediately Time magazine pointed out there’s at least one Teddy Bear hater who surfaced recently — Barney, a Doberman pinscher guard dog.

This angry mutt, on guard duty on the midnight shift at The Wookey Hole Caves museum, located in some prehistoric caverns near Wells in Somerset, England, tore into their special teddy bear display ripping more than 100 bears asunder, including Mabel, a 1909 Steiff teddy, made in Germany and belonging to an eccentric aristocrat due to appear as in a guest star exhibit.

Mabel’s claim to fame, and value? Being once owned by Elvis (Presley). Price tag: 40,000 pounds.

“Either it was a rogue scent of some kind on Mabel which switched on Barney’s deepest instincts, or it could have been jealousy — I was just stroking Mabel and saying what a nice little bear she was,” explained Barney’s handler.

Samantha Armstrong, a teddy bear aficionado comes to rescue the concerns of teddy bear lovers about this tragedy.

Her soothing comment rather neatly sums it up: “Bears are just about the only toy that can lose just about everything and still maintain their dignity and worth.”

Teddy bear lovers are people with a passion for a toy, a special toy, a toy which, especially in the arms of a child takes on a life of its own. Hear the words of teddy bear lovers:

“In our childhood, teddy bears are warm companions, good listeners, never critical, always reassuring.

“They are bear-shaped security blankets, huggable enough to fold in our arms, a perfect fit for our laps.”

(Peggy & Alan Bialosky)

“The world of the teddy bear is an innocent one, a world that gives delight and hurts not. The live in a world that appeals to all generations and all nationalities.” (Gyles Brandeth)

“A Teddy bear is a faithful friend

You can pick him up from either end

His fur is the colour of breakfast toast,

And he’s always there when you need him”

(Anonymous)

A tip of the hat to teddy bears! May their owner’s philosophies blossom. Our world could use many healthy doses of creatures stuffed like teddy’s: “Teddy bears don’t need hearts since they’re already stuffed with love.”

What are we here for if not to help one another?