Teddy Talk: Creating, Collecting, Connecting

Hope is doing so well, isn't she? But I think all of us would like to see her WITH  an furry friend, be it Lily or maybe one of the lonely yearlings (Ty?).........it's impossible not to worry about her being alone and so vulnerable. As for Lily, i really DO think it was all hormonal - five days of separation, and her milk all but dries up - and the hormones tell her it's time to go and look for another mate. Nature demands that the mother protects herself above the cub .........she can, and must have more. Sad (for the cub) - but that's the way it seems to go.
I feel too, that Lily is lacking in confidence - which will (hopefully) come with age............
huggies
Maria

Hi Brenda
no worries - just ask about raffles - me being the expert (lol) . It was very much a play it by ear thing - but it worked............and now's the time to do it with the anon. donor's contributions!
I'll look forward to your little Hope........BIG ears(!) and all! Can't get over the size of her ears!!!!!
And I just launched another raffle today.......I'll post more about it here tomorrow...........
right now I NEED an early night!
huggies
Maria

Still good news about Hope! When I think back to the utter gloom last Sunday.................
Little stinkerbelle has a long way to go yet, but one day at a time, she's getting there  
huggies
Maria

GOODnews time!!!!!!! :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:
Latest (mini) update........"Hope is alive and looking good"
That little cub is amazing! :dance:  :dance:  :dance:

How lovely, Andrea! Great big congrats and hugs to you and your husband!
Maria :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

STUNNING, Lyn - never seen anything like these! Thanks for sharing
big huggies
Maria

Roller coaster still gong on! I read an article yesterday that said that 3yo bears are not the best mothers.........they DO seem to lose interest and abandon their cubs - ROTTEN for poor little Hope.And from the latest update it seems that some of the female bears are swapping their territories.........maybe the boys have gone off somewhere to get ready to watch the World Cup?
Fingers crossed today - hoping that the trail cameras have spotted Hope, and that it IS her eating the food.............my nerves won't take much more.
huggies
Maria

Sounds like it's going to be a GREAT day! Good luck to all the exhibitors, and to all of you have a HAPPY and fun day!
big huggies
Maria

Trying to feel positive here too but I can hardly hold back the tears........hard to do anything with everything crossed for Hope..........

Thanks, everyone.........I've never done anything like this before! Quite exciting seeing all the money coming in (wish my bears got that much in the REAL world)..........but at the end I sort of felt down because so many people were disappointed. 
Not helped today by the news that Hope is missing again.........waiting for an update. It's amazing how you can get so attached to that one little cub, but I guess she has become a symbol for  all her kind...........and she is such a  funny,  feisty little character.
Anyway - my thanks again to all of you who bought tickets.......the money has gone to a really good cause
BIG huggies
Maria :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

And the winner is.........the NABC with a grand total of $1270 ----------- how good is that? The bear goes to Jean Kuhn............sorry, all those of you who bought tickets - I wish I could give you all a bear for your tremendous generosity.
Incidentally, the NABC have an incredibly generous donor, who will give TWO dollars for every ONE donated during June - so there will be another raffle.........in a few days.......when I get my breath back!
big huggies
Maria

You and me both, Sue Ann...........I swear I get greyer by the hour! But one good thing is that Hope now knows that Lynn & Sue mean FOOD...........and I'm sure someone is keeping a close eye on what's happening.
BTW - I'll be back later to announce the winner of the raffle..........I'm thrilled to bits with the total raised for the NABC

Just up and logged into FB...........and it's GOOD news - Hope is so much better :dance:  :dance:  :dance:
The formula food Lynn and Sue are bringing her seems to be doing the trick, and she's back   to playing with Lily.......she's still nursing , or trying to, and the thought is that Lily's milk should start to come in again........
Please HOPE - no more traumas........nerves totally shot, here! :crackup:
huggies
Maria

Yes - it is a bit more encouraging!  One step at a time.................
huggies
Maria

Oh  - this is just so sad. Poor little cubbie - she doesn't deserve this.
As you say, Sue Ann, Lynn & Sue are going to try everything to keep her alive.........and I'm sure they will get tons of support.
LOts of positive thoughts, well wishes and prayers needed too.........
I so didn't want to hear this news.......      
huggies
Maria

Isn't that photo just MAGIC, Becky? I hop they are enjoying just chilling out together.........but I can't wait for more piccies/videos.........
I'm still trying to catch up on the "lost days" when i was checking in every few minutes to see if there was any news!

The raffle for my avatar bear is drawing to a close (ends monday) - just wanted to let you all know that it's passed the  $500 mark so far! I'm really happy - all the money goes straight to the NABC, and every bit helps!
big hugs to all
Maria

I'm inclined to agree with you Peter - all that positive thought (Bear Power) must have done something! Just the fact that the little Diva not only survived, but actually trekked TWO miles in a day or so back to one of their favourite places to hang out........she must have been looking for her Mum. And that video is priceless - even after watching it countless times, I still end up in tears.......hearing Sue Mansfield's happy sobs  don't help!
But oh - it is such a FEEL GOOD story, isn't it?
happy huggies
Maria :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

http://www.startribune.com/local/949879 … 3ADCiUHc3E
this gives a pretty good account of how it all happened.

Or www.bear.org Lily and Hope video clips
Can't stop watching it...........          

Absolutely.........and hearing Sue crying while she was filming it.............TEARS all round. It's got to go down in history as one of THE magic moments. I am just SO happy........... :dance:  :dance:  :dance:

Just logged in - isn't this the BEST news ever???????????? Happy dances and lots more tears - of pure joy this time! :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:
Bear power does it again..........
big huggies
Maria :hug:  :hug:  :hug:

Hhhmmmmmmmmm - the ol' GRAPE trail?   Seriously , I imagine they will try everything......now we know the little Diva is alive  they'll just HAVE to get them back together............and I'd hate to be Lily - Hope is sure to give her a real ear bashing!
Guess we all better leave a big box of tissues by the computer - the first video of Hope and Lily back together is bound to get us all going again........
I wish we could have the w/end weather back again - I wasn't in a fit state to enjoy the sunshine..........just took Nounours out and got soaked - water running down INSIDE my wellies - ERK!

big huggies
Maria :hug:  :hug:

Your Blah blah was GREAt Sue Ann - put into words what my numbed brain couldn't do.........
but now the news is so much better - we know Hope is alive ( :dance:  :dance:  :dance: )............I imagine it's not going to be easy to find her, but even if she does start to eat the food they are putting out, it will be a start. As for reuniting Hope and Lily, I have silly visions of attaching a lead to Lily and walking her over to the cub - yeah right! As if................!!!!!!!!!!! :crackup: I have enough problems with Nounours if she does NOT want to follow.
And next winter? I'll be watching again.....if one of the bears is considerate enough to den somewhere where they can use a den cam - only next time, I'll make sure the computer corner is really comfy!
big huggies
Maria :hug:  :hug:

I just got up and logged into FB..........OMG - now I can hardly see thru happy HOPEful tears..........just knowing that it's more than likely little Hope, and that she's alive.
Looks like I won't be stirring much from the computer today.........
huggies
Maria (? lots of this soon :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance:  :dance: )

That's the hardest part.........not knowing. I've been moping round like a lost soul, checking in so often to see if there's any news  that I'm surprised my Refresh button hasn't given up the ghost.
It's just heartbreaking........          
huggies
Maria