So Long, Gus

Alas, today we said goodbye to our friend, Gus the Bear (2006-2013). After battling insects and weather while guarding the entrance to our lake property for many years, Gus finally succumbed to forms of decay that caused him to lose one of his hands during a storm. His nose and other parts of his anatomy were in grave danger of peeling off as well. So, reluctantly, we chose to bid him adieu.

Born in Minnesota in 2006, Gus was transported to Wisconsin and marked the entrance to our property from about April to November each year. In the winter, Gus hibernated in our garage. You could actually hear his snores if you went into the garage anytime during the winter months.

Gus posed willingly and often for photographs. Though he was mostly welcoming...

he sometimes preferred to be left alone.

Several years ago, in ways each of us can relate to, Gus began to suffer the effects of age. The stump on which he previously stood decayed, and his legs refused to hold him as they once did. So, after some surgery and rehabilitation (wood hardener, new paint), Gus sported a new platform from which to greet our guests.

His life was not without controversy. Gus once appeared in the local newspaper, the Sawyer County Record, and suggestions were made that he was not always representing the welcoming and open hands and hearts of local residents for those of us who are non-residents. Funny to us, because we non-residents found Gus quite welcoming.

Gus loved having children around, especially all of our grandchildren. Here are Henry and Clara, several years ago, rubbing Gus's nose for luck and pointing to the proud way he displayed our name.

Eleanor was just as tall as Gus when this picture was taken.

Gus was a special bear, because unlike our other bear visitors, he never tore down our bird feeders, frightened dogs or children or left scat on the road. We always loved his goofy grin too. He was our pal.

Because he lived up here in the north woods and therefore probably came from a Nordic tradition, we thought it only appropriate to send him off on a pyre. We talked about building a raft and putting him atop the raft with lots of combustible material, then setting him afloat on the lake and shooting flaming arrows onto the raft. Just like in some of those movies you may have seen where the Nordic hero is bid farewell at the end of the picture. However, we decided against this for several reasons: the DNR might not approve, we weren't sure how to build a raft that would fully burn, and neither of us is an archer! So, we opted for our burn pile. Adieu Gus! You have been wonderful! (And the toasts we raised to you as we tended the fire were also outstanding!)