I do not recommend wild animals as pets. Dozens of times I have seen tragic results with someone hurt or killed. A neglected dog becomes a 40-pound nuisance. A neglected bear can kill you. That said, Buffy has learned that I exist to help him. I spend three or four hours each day with him. He trusts me so much he has bitten down on his own forearm while I cut open his paw to remove a sliver.

Buffy's play can be funny. When he teases the dog, he avoids a nip on the nose by going over to the closet and bringing back a broom to use as a poke stick.

He can also be scary. Last summer, Buffy stood behind me and wrapped his huge forearms around my arms and chest. When I told him to get down, he laid back his ears and squeezed harder. I stomped on his hind toe. He bawled and grabbed the hurt toe, dancing in circles on the other hind foot. Then, standing to his full height, he roared in my face.

His humid breath fogged my glasses as we stared at each other for several tense seconds. Then he sat and rubbed  his toe. I kneeled next to him and helped rub his hurt paw. Soon he nuzzled my nose, his gesture for forgiveness.

I've learned that Buffy has a keen sense of justice. If a stranger had stomped on his toe for no apparent reason, Buffy would have killed him.

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