Polar Bears and the Sled Dogs They Love

I do have a thing for Polar bears. 

They look so furry and white...like the bear pulling the sled below. 

But if I'm going to ride in a sled pulled by bears, I want it to look impressive, like the bears pulling the White Witch's sled in Narnia.

Illustration by the Justin Sweet

That's more like it...bears with teeth!  

But the harness looks like the bears can slip it off over their heads... almost as scary as that woman's hair.

Maybe riding a Polar bear would be better, like the girl in the Golden Compass:

Cool ride...and I also mean Brrrr!

But when it comes to Polar bears pulling a sled, my all-time favorite is the painting below:

Illustration by the great Frank Frazetta

Oh yes.  Bears with no harnesses 'pulling' a medieval...snowmobile?  I guess if the bears get too fractious, the armored guy can just fire up the engine and take off without them!

Seriously though, Polar bears can't be tamed enough to pull a sled; they're much too unpredictable. And around dogs...well, watch out. Normally.

Illustration by the great Greg Manchess

But in one single spot on earth....normal is different.

Check out the first photo on this page, and the following video, of wild Polar bears actually playing with sled dogs...it's amazing!

So, do you have a thing for Polar bears too?