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Conference turris::womannotes-v3

Title:Topics of Interest to Women
Notice:V3 is closed. TURRIS::WOMANNOTES-V5 is open.
Moderator:REGENT::BROOMHEAD
Created:Thu Jan 30 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 30 1995
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1078
Total number of notes:52352

880.0. "The Teddy Animals Topic" by SMURF::CALIPH::binder (Simplicitas gratia simplicitatis) Tue Jun 18 1991 14:15

Thyeir having taken over the Grand Party, the What Will You Wear, the
Hug, and other notes notwithstanding, I hereby establish and ordain this
string as the official repository of notes about teddy animals.

-d
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
880.1Copied from 11.375-11.405REGENT::BROOMHEADDon't panic -- yet.Tue Jun 18 1991 15:31394
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Note 11.375                    "True Confessions"                     375 of 405
YUPPY::DAVIESA "Don't trample my meadow"             10 lines   3-JUN-1991 08:55
                                -< Bear Blues >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    I went home and beat up my teddybear because I was in a filthy
    temper.
    Because the network was down all Friday afternoon.
    I am aware that maybe some of you will choose not to speak to me
    now that I'm a self-confessed beat-beater, but I had to get that
    off my chest.
    Feel guilty as hell about it.
    
    'gail
================================================================================
Note 11.376                    "True Confessions"                     376 of 405
RAVEN1::AAGESEN                                       7 lines   3-JUN-1991 09:30
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    �now that I'm a self-confessed beat-beater, 
    
    that's ok, `gail... as long as you don't beat bears.  (-;
    
    ~r
    
================================================================================
Note 11.377                    "True Confessions"                     377 of 405
YUPPY::DAVIESA "Don't trample my meadow"               1 line   3-JUN-1991 11:18
                                  -< *BLUSH* >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
================================================================================
Note 11.378                    "True Confessions"                     378 of 405
CARTUN::NOONAN "Did someone here call a huggoddess?"   1 line   3-JUN-1991 13:06
                   -< Awwwww....'gail...*I* still love you >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
================================================================================
Note 11.379                    "True Confessions"                     379 of 405
BUBBLY::LEIGH "can't change the wind, just the sails"  1 line   3-JUN-1991 17:39
                  -< 'gail, your teddy bear still loves you >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    ...teddy bears *never* stop loving you!
================================================================================
Note 11.380                    "True Confessions"                     380 of 405
LAGUNA::THOMAS_TA "Be as She"                        10 lines   3-JUN-1991 18:47
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    'gail,
    
    I still love you too and just think, Christopher Robin
    did some terrible things to Pooh and Pooh still loved
    him!
    
    bang bang bang down the steps!
    
    with love,
    cheyenne
================================================================================
Note 11.381                    "True Confessions"                     381 of 405
BUBBLY::LEIGH "can't change the wind, just the sails" 7 lines   3-JUN-1991 21:47
                -< Not to minimize 'gail's confession, but... >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    re .375, .376
    I'm worse than 'gail -- I'm a confirmed bear-bearer. :-)
    
    [My old personal_name ("Bear with me.") was almost always accurate,
    at home or at work.]
    
    Bob
================================================================================
Note 11.382                    "True Confessions"                     382 of 405
YUPPY::DAVIESA "Don't trample my meadow"             11 lines   4-JUN-1991 04:47
                             -< Feeling absolved >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    Well, he was still sulking when I go home last night 8-}
    I bought him a new bow-tie to try and make ammends.
    
    He didn't want to sleep with me either, but I emotionally
    pressurised him into it...;-) ;-) ;-)
    
    And I still love you too, E Grace!
    Cheyenne - you have a bear-soul :-*
    
    'gail
================================================================================
Note 11.383                    "True Confessions"                     383 of 405
BUBBLY::LEIGH "can't change the wind, just the sails"  1 line   7-JUN-1991 18:19
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    'gail, I hope he's back to normal by now...try a hug and see!
================================================================================
Note 11.384                    "True Confessions"                     384 of 405
YUPPY::DAVIESA "Herd it thru the bovine"              5 lines  10-JUN-1991 12:53
                        -< I can't afford two tickets >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    He's doing fine now, thanks. :-)
    Now all I have to do is talk him out of coming to the Party...
    
    'gail
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Note 11.385                    "True Confessions"                     385 of 405
BUBBLY::LEIGH "can't change the wind, just the sails" 2 lines  10-JUN-1991 15:06
                -< Well, _my_ bears are coming to the party... >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    ...and now they say if they can't meet your bear, they want to see
    pictures;-)
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Note 11.386                    "True Confessions"                     386 of 405
BSS::VANFLEET "Uncommon Woman"                        4 lines  10-JUN-1991 16:21
                              -< Bear with me... >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yay!  I can't wait to meet your bears, Bob!  I don't think
mine will fit into my suitcase.  :-)

Nanci
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Note 11.387                    "True Confessions"                     387 of 405
NECSC::BARBER_MINGO                                  24 lines  10-JUN-1991 18:26
                           -< Teddy Bear exclusion >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Well-
    
      Henri Bientot- My monkey
      Selina- My Dog
      Russ - Eric Russell Jr.
      (They are all the most lovely, almost identical shade of tan,
    although "birthed" from the toy stores years apart.)
    
    Will not be able to socilize, even for the brunch.  I mean, I think
    they were looking forward to it, but ... I will have been too strung
    out to go.
    
    They are still brooding about it, missing a teddy bear brunch.
    
    I mean, they still haven't gotten over being replaced by the large
    Teddy Bear, Eric Russel Sr, and relegated to the living room.
    
    This is just the final blow.
    
    Now I think they will NEVER talk to me.
       and it is a shame...
           Henri seemed just on the edge of opening up.
    
    Cindi 
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Note 11.388                    "True Confessions"                     388 of 405
TOOK::LEIGH "can't change the wind, just the sails"   2 lines  11-JUN-1991 01:10
                      -< Inquiring bears want to know... >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Oh, Cindi!  Does that mean neither you nor they will be coming to _any_
    of the weekend's events?
================================================================================
Note 11.389                    "True Confessions"                     389 of 405
YUPPY::DAVIESA "Herd it thru the bovine"              8 lines  11-JUN-1991 10:32
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    Bob - OK, I'll bring a photo for your bears :-)
    It's just that Buchanan (my hero) is quite a large-ish bear and
    it would be kind of hard work carrying him and kind of cruel
    trying to stuff him into an (already overcrowded) suitcase.
    And anyway, he gets air-sick...
    
    'gail
================================================================================
Note 11.390                    "True Confessions"                     390 of 405
NECSC::BARBER_MINGO                                  23 lines  11-JUN-1991 11:34
            -< There are some things teddy animals shouldn't see. >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    That is right... I had thought I might try for the brunch, at the
    end of a hectic week...
    There are 9 Events scheduled during that interval, but, I
    realized that Henri, Selina, Russ and I would be being aproximately 
    as sociable I figured it was better if I not go. I would be less
    than spry.
    
    Henri would look on, very disaprovingly at my failure to network.
    Being a monkey, he is quite a swinger.---
    
    I will have to settle for asking for  =wn= tee shirt info.
    
    -----------------------------------
    For the true confession part...
       In the light of today's Presbyterian anouncement on pre-marital
    relations....
    
    Eric and I got Russ well over a year before we got married.  I
    wonder if he will have to carry a stigma with him as a bear,
    gathered out of wedlock?  
    What a blow!
    
    Cindi
================================================================================
Note 11.391                    "True Confessions"                     391 of 405
LJOHUB::GONZALEZ "limitless possibilities"           12 lines  12-JUN-1991 10:23
                              -< lite bears :^) >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Believe me, you really do NOT want your teddy opening up to you.
    
    Mycroft did some years ago (I was about 32, he precisely a year
    younger). He opened up and I awoke, horrified, in a puddle of teddy
    bear cotton guts.
    
    I scooped him all back up and re-stuffed him, giving him a bona fide
    belly button in the process. But, since he opened up, our relationship
    just hasn't been the same.
    
    I can no longer sleep with a bear, no matter how beloved, whom I fear
    will spill his guts again one night.
================================================================================
Note 11.392                    "True Confessions"                     392 of 405
SMURF::CALIPH::binder "Simplicitas gratia simplicitat" 1 line  12-JUN-1991 10:26
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My pig is rather too taciturn to open up like that, Margaret.
================================================================================
Note 11.393                    "True Confessions"                     393 of 405
ASDG::FOSTER "Calico Cat"                            11 lines  12-JUN-1991 10:32
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    Margaret, its a good thing you weren't planning on marriage. To let a
    little thing like gut leakage turn you off...
    
    My best beloved bear began to leave little deposits in my bed when I
    was around 14 or so. (He's now 24 years old to my 27.) I've never been
    much of a sew-er, so I just tied my favorite green tie-dye scarf around
    him. 
    
    Our 25 year anniversary is next year. I should plan a celebration. He
    and I have gone to some incredibly strange places together.
================================================================================
Note 11.394                    "True Confessions"                     394 of 405
SCARGO::CONNELL "We are gay and straight, together."  6 lines  12-JUN-1991 11:48
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    A suggestion for restuffing Teddy Bears (The true rulers of creation
    BTW) My sister would save up old panty hose use that. That way if the
    bear opened up again, the mess wasn,t as bad. She had my mother, my
    wife, herself and lots of friends saving their pantyhose for her bears.
    
    PJ
================================================================================
Note 11.395                    "True Confessions"                     395 of 405
GLITER::STHILAIRE "just for one day"                  8 lines  12-JUN-1991 12:03
                             -< beds are for cats >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    I leave all my teddy bears sitting on a shelf in my room, where they
    can't bust open or get hugged (poor things!).  That's because my bed is
    already too full of live cats (the true rulers of creation BTW...well,
    that's my belief anyway).  The cats can hug back and, thank goodness
    (!), haven't split open during the night either!  (which is good
    because they would be much harder to restuff)
    
    Lorna
================================================================================
Note 11.396                    "True Confessions"                     396 of 405
ASDG::FOSTER "Calico Cat"                            19 lines  12-JUN-1991 13:35
                    -< Cats are nice; bears can travel... >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    Well, here's the TRUE confession. My five or so bears are scattered all
    over the floor, under the bed, and other random places where they got
    thrown off the bed, and don't get back on the bed unless I make it
    up... i.e. once every 6 months to remind myself how.
    
    But the thing about bears that I love is that they are portable. Very
    unlike my cats, who do tend to sleep on the bed. My bears have come
    with me when I lived far from home, on vacations, to hospitals when I
    had to give blood or have operations, and in general, whenever I know
    I'm going to want a hug... so badly that I can stand the ridicule of
    being caught hugging my bear.
    
    Last time when I traveled and took my bear with me, the maid found it
    while making my bed and tucked it on top of the pillows. Another time
    in a hospital, the nurse came around to check my blankets, and saw my
    bear underneath them with me. "Oh! Isn't that CUTE!" Having the bear
    there was still worth the ridicule.
                                
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Note 11.397                    "True Confessions"                     397 of 405
WORDY::BELLUSCI "wiggle wiggle wiggle"                2 lines  12-JUN-1991 13:37
                               -< not this cat >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    I installed a ceiling fan in my bedroom and now the fur face is too 
    frightened to come in.  I win!
================================================================================
Note 11.398                    "True Confessions"                     398 of 405
COBWEB::swalker "Gravity: it's the law"               9 lines  12-JUN-1991 16:30
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    'ren, you're hardly alone.  When I worked as a hotel chambermaid one
    summer, I saw a *lot* of teddy bears - often in the form of a furry leg
    or ear sticking out of a suitcase - in the rooms, even of businesspeople
    there for a two-day conference.  Based on the number of bears I saw
    (and assuming that I didn't see all the bears), I would estimate that
    perhaps a fifth of all business travelers bring bears on trips.

        Sharon
================================================================================
Note 11.399                    "True Confessions"                     399 of 405
ASDG::FOSTER "Calico Cat"                             2 lines  12-JUN-1991 17:23
                      -< Sharon, you mean GUYS had 'em? >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    Was there any gender correlation?
================================================================================
Note 11.400                    "True Confessions"                     400 of 405
TOOLS::SWALKER "Gravity: it's the law"               25 lines  12-JUN-1991 20:11
                            -< the bear essentials >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>    Was there any gender correlation?

    Yes.  The men were more likely to attempt to hide their bears, whereas 
    the women were more likely to display them on the dresser or bed.  (One 
    brave woman even put her bear on her bathroom counter!).

    The bulk of the bears appeared to be owned by adults (either older
    models, or only minor wear-and-tear), but a few bears appeared to
    belong to small children left at home (newer models in bad shape, in a 
    single room obviously occupied by a business traveler).  These bears 
    were the ones most commonly on display in men's rooms, sometimes with 
    family pictures.

    I thought this was a nice touch.  My father traveled a lot when I was
    little, and I remember offering him one of my stuffed animals as a
    traveling companion a couple of times.  He always refused, saying he 
    didn't have the suitcase space.

    I don't think I cleaned enough rooms of female business travelers to
    conclude whethermen or women were more likely to bring bears.  But
    yes, guys had them.  A *lot* of guys had them.  I was amazed; sure
    taught me a couple things about stereotypes!

	Sharon

================================================================================
Note 11.401                    "True Confessions"                     401 of 405
LRCSNL::WALES "David from Down-under"                11 lines  12-JUN-1991 23:37
                             -< Bears are great! >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    G'Day,
    
    	When I was in Canberra for DECworld last year I took my bear with
    me (I need something to cuddle when sleeping and my bear was all my
    wife was willing to allow).  When I returned to the hotel room each
    night, the bed was made and Waldo was sitting up between the pillows. 
    This is where he usually stays at home so he probably wasn't even aware
    that he was 250km from home.
    
    David.
    
================================================================================
Note 11.403                    "True Confessions"                     403 of 405
NECSC::BARBER_MINGO                                  21 lines  17-JUN-1991 13:01
                             -< Reproach Stuffed >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Well-
       I don't know.
    As I have said before, I removed Henri and Co. from the bed because
    I got an eating breathing teddy bear (I call him Big Fuzzy), and there 
    are just some things you can't do while your teddy animals are
    watching.
    
    We unpacked them after the move last week. We sat them back on the
    couch again.  Henri looked like he would almost break his vow of
    silence... but when I also placed him on the couch with Selina,
    and Russ, he just feel over on his face, and wouldn't even look
    at me.
    
    I think he is upset.  
       Being my oldest in Mass., he is the only one to remember the
    stigma of having a single mother.  I'm not quite sure he has adjusted
    to his step-dad (Eric) yet.  
      
    Raising teddy animals is never easy.
    
    Cindi
================================================================================
Note 11.404                    "True Confessions"                     404 of 405
BUBBLY::LEIGH "can't change the wind, just the sails" 5 lines  17-JUN-1991 17:18
                           -< On the other hand... >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    >I got an eating breathing teddy bear (I call him Big Fuzzy), and there 
    >are just some things you can't do while your teddy animals are
    >watching.
    	Well, maybe _you_ can't...;-)  Our bears had to learn not to act as
    commentators, but we've learned to put up with a discreet audience...
================================================================================
Note 11.405                    "True Confessions"                     405 of 405
BUBBLY::LEIGH "can't change the wind, just the sails" 3 lines  17-JUN-1991 17:35
                                -< Definition >-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Oh, yes.  A `mishkin' is the proper term (in our house) for a member of
    the audience -- named after a friend's cat who seemed to find the, um,
    `show' absolutely fascinating.
880.2the elite of beardomGLITER::STHILAIREno pleasure cruiseTue Jun 18 1991 16:166
    Are any of these bears Steiff's?
    
    I love Steiff bears.
    
    Lorna
    
880.3LEZAH::BOBBITTpools of quiet fireTue Jun 18 1991 16:356
    I generally opt for Gund's or Applause's, simply because that's what
    I'm used to.  I have a bear, Paddington, a rabbit, Whiskers, and a
    german shepherd, Samson.
    
    -Jody
    
880.4JJLIET::JUDYMy body says yes but my mind says noTue Jun 18 1991 16:509
    
    	I like the polar bear kind of teddy bears....I have a Gund
    	and one that has a blue and white striped sweater on that's
    	a bit faded cuz he used to sit on my dashboard.  =)
    
    	I once saw one that was 3-4' tall....but he was $150.  =(
    
    	JJ
    
880.5Sad storyEVETPU::RUSTTue Jun 18 1991 17:5227
    <sniff>
    
    I had a Steiff, once. 
    
    He wasn't a Teddy bear; he was probably meant to be a jaguar, but I
    always thought he was a leopard. Got him when I was barely 2;  by age 3
    or so I started calling him "Jeff" because that's what I thought the
    little silver button in his ear said (couldn't read script very well
    yet).
    
    Of all the many stuffed animals I had, he was the one I kept the
    longest. But, one sad winter...
    
    I'd left him behind when I went home for Christmas, my last year of
    college. And, in my absence, the guy who was supposedly taking care of
    the various dogs belonging to members of the household left them all
    locked in for several days. The resulting mess was unbelievable, but
    worst of all were the tiny leopard-spotted shreds that were all I ever
    found of poor Jeff...
    
    Sigh. I should be glad for the 18 years I had him; he had a good life,
    for a stuffed animal. And now one of my cats does his best to imitate
    a stuffed toy, so there's still something furry and motionless lying on
    the pillow. ;-) But sometimes I still miss Jeff (who, to his credit,
    *never* walked on my face at night, howling).
    
    -b
880.6Teddy HistoryNECSC::BARBER_MINGOTue Jun 18 1991 18:0851
    There should be a registration for the personalities and entities
    involved here.
    
    Sign in for my teddy animals-
    ----------------------------
    Henri, Selina, and Russ. I think they all came with Russ tags on them.
    Russ enjoys the irony, I imagines he teases the other two for not
    having his name and not their OWN names on their tags.
    
    My other's didn't make the trip from my Mom's house with me.  They
    appeared at a time before my first awareness.  I presume a teddy stork
    brought them into being. I have them caged in a dresser drawer.  They are- 
    Radio Dog, Donkey, Easter Bunny, and Clown man. They are about 22-23 years
    old.  I am saving them to give to my children, should I have any, when 
    they are 1.  I don't think Radio Dog will play for them, but she is still 
    soft and smooth and soothing by her touch and comforting to grow with.
    
    I have had three teddy animals die on me, and one I had to put up for
    adoption.  
    The first deaths were Elephant, and Turtle.  It was partially my own
    fault.  At 5, I should have known that teddy animals could not take
    the wear and tear of me riding them (there were 1' standing animals).
    I never saw them go, but one day, after their insides had begun to leak
    out... they disappeared.
    
    The most traumatic death... 
        was Mr. Green.  
    The only gift my father gave me besides genetic makeup was Mr. Green.
    A 3 Foot, almost florescent green, longhair dog. I rode him, and 
    petted him for years.  When he sprung a leak, my mom tried to so
    him.  But he had a breakdown and just fell apart. She could not keep
    up with him.   On that sad final day... she explained that he had to
    die because she could not keep him healthy any more and carried him
    away.  :~-<
    
    James Snookums was the product of a failed relationship.  I had to drag the
    3-4 foot Snoopy (James) around Highschool all day long one Valentines
    Day, along with the rose he came with.  A year after the rose and 
    relationship
    were withered, I gave him to the church hoping that the Pastor might find
    a good home for him. It was a little tough, but then teen-aged teddy
    parenting is never simple.  There are so many issues involved.
    
    Basically, none of the men in my life who have given me Big Dogs have
    ever worked out.  
    
    Part of the reason that when my SO and I were wishing to the teddy
    stork we asked for a little bear.  I just hope we raise him right.
    
    Cindi
    
880.7not easy being a toyGLITER::STHILAIREno pleasure cruiseWed Jun 19 1991 10:2719
    re .5, what a touching story.  Thanks for sharing that with us! :-)
    
    Reading .5 and .6 reminded me of a rather tragic incident involving a
    stuffed mountain goat I had as a child.  He was my favorite stuffed
    animal and slept with me at night.  But, one morning I threw-up all
    over him, and he was never the same after that!!  My mother and I tried
    and tried to clean him up but his fur was always stiff and unpleasant
    to the touch afterwards.  I was very upset at first and asked my
    parents to buy me another one, but they refused to appreciate the
    seriousness of the situation and never did.  I tried to maintain an
    interest in the  mountain goat, knowing it wasn't his fault that his
    fur was no longer attractive.  But, I was young and shallow, and
    after awhile I just sort of forgot about him.  Ultimately, he was cast
    aside.  I now realize that I have no idea what eventually happened to
    him.  He could be in my mother's attic upside down in a paper bag
    underneath other assorted cast-offs, but I'm not sure.
    
    Lorna
    
880.8BTOVT::THIGPEN_Sa natural womanWed Jun 19 1991 11:0319
I was never a stuffed-animal-person myself (never played w/dolls much either)
but my kids are, especially my son.  He has 2 animals, a bear and a bunny, who
he will not give names to "because they are too special" -- I don't get that 
part, maybe they are archetypes just Bear and Bunny to him.

Anyhow.  On vacation last summer, he was not content to leave bear & bunny on
his bed in the cottage, he had to bring them (and his little pillow and his
blanket :-) in the car whenever we went places.  So one night at bedtime, the
bear is missing.  Oh No!  We search the cottage.  We search the car.  Even tho
it's 10:30 p.m. I drive back to the village and flashlight in hand, search the
parking lot of the market that was our last stop of the day.  No bear.

When I got back I had to break the awful news to him.  Adam, we just cannot find
your bear, we will look for him more tomorrow.  I really got scared, kind of -
He was grieving so, he just lay in the bed and quivered, tears flowing without
reserve, but completely silent.  He never made a sound.  It broke my heart.

Daddy saves the day!  He found the Bear under the steps to the deck of the
cottage!  You have *never* seen a bear hugged as fervently as that night...
880.9Some of the best people are furryLJOHUB::GONZALEZAmbisinestrousThu Jun 20 1991 11:3329
    Bear registry:

    Mycroft, originally named simply My.  Expanded name when I discovered
    Sherlock Holmes at a precocious age. (Mycroft is Sherlock's older wiser
    and fatter brother.)  Mycroft is precisely one year younger than I am.
    He is brown with real glass eyes and a genuine belly button.

    Sailor, who arrived dressed in a Victorian child's sailor suit.  Sailor
    is new in town, and is precisely 20 years younger than I.  He is the
    gift of my dearest friend.

    Ivan the Terrible Tiger -- A Steiff tiger about 9 inches long. Not very
    cuddly.  A gift from a man whose middle name is Ivan, also not very
    cuddly.  I keep him for reasons I don't totally understand.

    Ms Possum and the possum chiles -- A very realistic looking possum
    with two babies that velcro to her back.  She's MUCH cuddlier than the
    garden variety possum and chock full of mother wit.  She arrived one
    Valentine's Day from the same port as Sailor.

    Mr. and Mrs. Punxatawney Phil Whistlepig -- Gund groundhogs dressed as
    a bride and groom to commemorate my groundhog's day wedding.  They live
    in the living room.  All the other critters live in the bedroom.

    Of course there were hundreds of others through the years. But these
    are the guys who have stuck with me.  Mycroft even used to go
    hitchhiking with me, perched atop my pack. Although he wisely stayed
    behind on the epic NYC to San Francisco and back 6-day why did I do
    that? journey.
880.10So, did the bears take over the Grand Party?BUBBLY::LEIGHcan&#039;t change the wind, just the sailsSat Jun 22 1991 12:282
They tell me that they had a great time, especially talking with Oliver
(-d's pig) and Andrew ('gail's pocket-sized bear)!