A Surprisingly Gentle Polar Bear Affectionately Pets a Calmly Receptive Canadian Eskimo Dog

David de Meulles, a freestyle rider, a mechanic and sometime guide for Northstar Tours in Churchill, Manitoba, captured the amazing sight of a surprisingly gentle polar bear affectionately petting the head of a very calmly receptive Canadian Eskimo dog. The leashed dog enjoyed the brief head rub before getting up, shaking it off and slowly walking away with the bear in tow with the tether. De Meulles spoke with CBC News about the polar bear.

I had no idea what was going to happen, and then sure enough he started petting that dog, acted like he was a friend. …I’ve known the bears to have somewhat friendly behaviour with the dogs, but for a bear to pet like a human would pet a dog is just mind-blowing. It was a beautiful sight to see, and I just can’t believe an animal that big would show that kind of heart toward another animal.

via CBC News, Alexandra Klasinski

Lori Dorn
Lori Dorn

Lori is a Laughing Squid Contributing Editor based in New York City who has been writing blog posts for over a decade. She also enjoys making jewelry, playing guitar, taking photos and mixing craft cocktails.