Vermont Teddy Bear

I received a surprise package in the mail from a friend of mine in Alabama. BJ and I have never met face to face but somehow our friendship that started on Flickr morphed into something quite different.

It was a box. On the top of the box it says: Someone who cares about you sent you a Vermont Teddy Bear.

So Charlie was pretty darned sure that this toy was intended for him.

A Teddy Bear in a Moose Jumpsuit with my name embroidered on it!

Here is what the card inside said:

Share your Bear Story

There's a story that goes with every opened Vermont Teddy Bear box, and we want to hear all about yours. Was your Bear a birthday gift? did someone far away want to say they miss you? No matter the occasion, we want to hear all about it! Share your Bear story and pictures with us on social media using the hashtag #LoveIsInTheBEAR.

On the next section the card says:

Love Is in the Bear

Someone who cares about you designed a Bear just for you! A Vermont Teddy Bear is more than fur, stuffing, and joints - giving a Teddy Bear is an act of love. Each Bear is as unique as the person who receives one, but each says the same thing in his or her own special way: "I love you."

The last section of the card:

Guaranteed for Life

If anything should ever happen to your Bear, even if the family dog decides to make it a favorite toy, send your Bear back to us and we will nurse him or her back to health in our Bear Hospital at no charge. If, by chance, your Bear was too badly injured with no hope of recovery, we will replace your Bear with a new one for FREE!

This came just when I needed it. I held Moose close all evening while we sat and watched some programs. Moose. I guess that is what I should call him/her? Not sure. But he is so soft and huggable. Not only that? He is jointed which makes him extra special.

So today marked our first adventure together. 

I may have to trim a little of his long hair around his eyes. But I think we are going to get along just fine.

Moose seems to like the forest just fine.

And Bear agrees with me. It will be a good fit.

They even spent some time at the creek watching the trout below. Notice who had to join in!

There is one last note that came with Moose Bear.

"When you go down in the woods any day, take a companion along. BJ"

If you go out in the woods today
You're in for a big surprise
If you go down in the woods today
You better go in disguise
For every bear that ever was
Will gather there for certain because
Today is the day the teddy bears have their picnic

The Teddy Bear's Picnic ~ by Rosemary Clooney