Cuddly Apex Predator
a polar bear story34 total reviews
Comment from nancy_e_davis
That was a totally stupid thing to do. Why do people want to get close to wild animals? It is not safe. We are always hearing about someone making that mistake and paying dearly for it. Sometimes even their lives. WEll done Debi! Nancy:)
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2023
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That was a totally stupid thing to do. Why do people want to get close to wild animals? It is not safe. We are always hearing about someone making that mistake and paying dearly for it. Sometimes even their lives. WEll done Debi! Nancy:)
Comment Written 14-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2023
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Hi Nancy,
Right? I live about 30 minutes from a national park. Even deer, mountain goats and moose can be extremely dangerous. Moose can be especially aggressive so I turn the other way if I see one. Seems like we have several news stories a year about moose attacks. I can't imagine tempting fate with something that would eat you if given a chance.
Thank you for the review and your insightful comments.
Debi
Comment from Annmuma
I love the story and the presentation. You must have listened very closely to the NPR script to have come away remembering so many details. Or did you listen more than once or check it out on line? However you did it, it is a well-done piece. I could not even find a single spag issue! Good luck in the contest. ann
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2023
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I love the story and the presentation. You must have listened very closely to the NPR script to have come away remembering so many details. Or did you listen more than once or check it out on line? However you did it, it is a well-done piece. I could not even find a single spag issue! Good luck in the contest. ann
Comment Written 14-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2023
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Hi Ann,
Thank you for the shiny six stars and the encouraging comments about the story and the presentation. The interview was 30 minutes and I only hit some highlights that stuck out to me and that I could remember. I'm sure I left out a lot. Thank you for the good luck wishes. I appreciate you stopping by to read and review.
Debi
Comment from Tom Horonzy
I loved it. It flowed from beginning to end. I would have loved the experience. I went ashore in Ak several times but the only bear I saw was a mounted fourteen-foot replica of a Kodiak Grizzley.
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2023
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I loved it. It flowed from beginning to end. I would have loved the experience. I went ashore in Ak several times but the only bear I saw was a mounted fourteen-foot replica of a Kodiak Grizzley.
Comment Written 14-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2023
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Hi Tom Horonzy,
I am happy you enjoyed the story. If you get another chance to go to Alaska, maybe you can sign up for one of the bus tours and see a live polar bear.
Thank you for stopping by.
Debi
Comment from jmdg1954
This story is incredible. How lucky was Dennis to begin this relationship with a wild animal. I agree polar bears are adorable, but when he left his bus to interact with Dancer and not be mauled is fantastic.
You wrote this spectacularly. I actually read it twice, not wanting to miss anything.
Cheers to Dancer...
John
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2023
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This story is incredible. How lucky was Dennis to begin this relationship with a wild animal. I agree polar bears are adorable, but when he left his bus to interact with Dancer and not be mauled is fantastic.
You wrote this spectacularly. I actually read it twice, not wanting to miss anything.
Cheers to Dancer...
John
Comment Written 14-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2023
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Hi John,
Thank you for the shiny six stars and the very encouraging comments abou the writing. I am so honored that you read it twice. You have truly brightened my day!
I agree that Dennis was very lucky to NOT be mauled. Dance must have really liked him.
Thank you so much for stopping by to read and review.
Debi
Comment from Terry Broxson
I have to be honest with you about the story. I am conflicted. It is a great story wonderfully told. But the story belongs to Dennis Compayre. You heard him tell on NPR. It is his story. Did he tell the story just this way, or is it your interpretation of what he told on the radio?
Interpretation of other people's work can be an art form. You wrote the story extremely well, and you credited him with the story. Please understand I am not being critical of you for your source or your presentation.
My dilemma is whether this work is the result of a storyteller or a talented writer. Or Both? Terry.
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2023
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I have to be honest with you about the story. I am conflicted. It is a great story wonderfully told. But the story belongs to Dennis Compayre. You heard him tell on NPR. It is his story. Did he tell the story just this way, or is it your interpretation of what he told on the radio?
Interpretation of other people's work can be an art form. You wrote the story extremely well, and you credited him with the story. Please understand I am not being critical of you for your source or your presentation.
My dilemma is whether this work is the result of a storyteller or a talented writer. Or Both? Terry.
Comment Written 14-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2023
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Hi Terry,
I am excited about your review. Thank you for your candor. I almost didn't post this because, as you point out, it is Dennis Cmpayre's story. I didn't take notes so this was from my memory of the interview.
I joined the broadcast at the point the interviewer asked him how the relationship with the bear started. I didn't catch the beginning or his name so when I wrote this a couple days later I originally disclosed that I did not know his name and called him John. I wrote what I remembered using the name John. But that bothered me because it is his story.
I spent several days trying to locate his name. Our local classical station has a program guide so I was hoping the NPR station did too, but I couldn't locate one. I tried all sorts of different searches and yesterday I was excited to locate the broadcast, listen to a little of it to verify that was the same voice and then added his name to the story.
I haven't listened to the whole thing yet, but I listened to the beginning. Looks like I confused some details and I certainly left out a lot. Example, the first day Dennis saw the mother bear and the cubs, the mother called the cub away and he reluctantly went. It was the next day that the first peek-a-boo game was played. I also forgot several of the other things he told like Buggy One breaking down several times. He would turn up the propane heater for the tourists and head out with his shotgun to walk out for help. No radio in the buggy and no one had cell phones at that point in time.
I think I'll leave the post as is and put a disclaimer in the author notes that it is from my memory and for the true story, listen to the actual broadcast.
Thank you again for such a great review!
Debi
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Debi, thanks for the clarification. Terry.
Comment from Mintybee
This story had a lot of heart. I loved reading about the growing relationship between Dennis and Dancer. It was an amazing tale of mutual respect and curiosity, and I was glad you chose the anecdotes you did. You started the story with cautious appreciation, and ended it with cautious appreciation, and filled the middle with growing trust. I like the story you picked, and how you told it. There is one type "to take tourist around to see polar bears". I hardly think a missing letter is enough to detract from this story, though, so I gave you 6 stars anyway.
Mintybee
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2023
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This story had a lot of heart. I loved reading about the growing relationship between Dennis and Dancer. It was an amazing tale of mutual respect and curiosity, and I was glad you chose the anecdotes you did. You started the story with cautious appreciation, and ended it with cautious appreciation, and filled the middle with growing trust. I like the story you picked, and how you told it. There is one type "to take tourist around to see polar bears". I hardly think a missing letter is enough to detract from this story, though, so I gave you 6 stars anyway.
Mintybee
Comment Written 14-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2023
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Hi Mintybee,
Thank you for the encouraging comment about the writing and storyline. I appreciate the detailed analysis. Thank you for catching the typo and letting me know. I corrected it.
Debi
Comment from BethShelby
This is a really good nature story you shared. It is interesting the even in the wild there are animals that seem to have unique personalities. I love stories were people are able to make friends with wild animals. This one might well be the winner.
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2023
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This is a really good nature story you shared. It is interesting the even in the wild there are animals that seem to have unique personalities. I love stories were people are able to make friends with wild animals. This one might well be the winner.
Comment Written 14-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2023
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Hi BethShelby,
Thank you for the encouraging comments and wishes. I appreciate your insights about the personalities of wild animals and when they make friends with people.
Debi
Comment from Katherine M. (k-11)
What a wonderful relationship you have described here. Not only an interaction over many years, despite long separations, but a true bonding of souls. I found it intriguing that the two interacted to the extent of letting their emotions / demands play off each other. They were true friends. However, like you, I would keep my distance. kay
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2023
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What a wonderful relationship you have described here. Not only an interaction over many years, despite long separations, but a true bonding of souls. I found it intriguing that the two interacted to the extent of letting their emotions / demands play off each other. They were true friends. However, like you, I would keep my distance. kay
Comment Written 14-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2023
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Hi Kay,
Yes, keeping my distance, but enjoying the fact that Dennis and Dancer could be such soul mates.
Thank you for sharing your insight comments.
Debi
Comment from Wendy G
What a beautiful story, and so well written. Thanks for sharing it. That must have been so wonderful for Dennis. I'm sure your story will do very well. Best wishes for it.
Wendy
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2023
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What a beautiful story, and so well written. Thanks for sharing it. That must have been so wonderful for Dennis. I'm sure your story will do very well. Best wishes for it.
Wendy
Comment Written 14-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2023
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Hi Wendy,
Thank you for the shiny six stars and the encouraging comments about the writing. I appreciate the good luck wishes too.
Thank you for stopping by,
Debi
Comment from CrystieCookie999
This was a great re-telling of a story of a polar bear who Dennis Compayre knew for two decades and their interactions. It makes me feel like animals truly have more social/spiritual skills than we can know, even the ones which normally scare the snot out of us. I totally agree with this paragraph here: Even though this relationship worked out for Dennis and Dancer, I never wish to meet one of these big furry creatures on their own turf no matter how cuddly they look. Tempting fate by playing with an apex predator is heart-pounding excitement, raising more adrenaline than I crave.
Great references/author notes, too.
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2023
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This was a great re-telling of a story of a polar bear who Dennis Compayre knew for two decades and their interactions. It makes me feel like animals truly have more social/spiritual skills than we can know, even the ones which normally scare the snot out of us. I totally agree with this paragraph here: Even though this relationship worked out for Dennis and Dancer, I never wish to meet one of these big furry creatures on their own turf no matter how cuddly they look. Tempting fate by playing with an apex predator is heart-pounding excitement, raising more adrenaline than I crave.
Great references/author notes, too.
Comment Written 14-Mar-2023
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2023
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Hi CrystieCookie999,
Thank you for the shiny six stars. You made my day when I opened your review this morning. I appreciate the analysis of the story and your insights. Yeah, I'm not going out there with the bear.
Debi
