Mitch Diver                                                                                      October 1999

A Grizzly Bear - I first met Mitch Diver for the first time at Dights Falls, British Columbia.  He was a famous grizzly Bear, having the peculiar habit of fishing underneath the falls at Dights.

I watched fascinated by his antics, as he'd disappear under the torrent for several seconds with bum and back legs sticking up into the air.  He'd surface without a salmon in his mouth and look in bewilderment at the other bears happily munching away at theirs.  Finally he emerged in triumph, a red salmon struggling in his jaws and I breathed a sigh of relief. 

This month, by chance I bumped into Mitch in Berlin, he explained that the arthritis had set in and he'd been finding it difficult to dive and catch the salmon, and as a result had to rely on the young cubs to help.  A friendly tourist visiting the falls a couple of years ago had suggested that he take up a job as a travel chaperone, thus enabling him to become independent again and buy his own salmon.  He thought that this was a brilliant idea and for the last two years Mitch has been accompanying sole travellers around the US of A.  Last year he took up an assignment with a GI going to the Balkan's and hadn't been able to find a new client since.

Mitch although the average American Bear, explained that as the arthritis is settling in, he'd been getting a little cranky of late - whilst the grizzly does start to come out in him if left in a suitcase for too long.  For best relief he finds he needs to be able to stretch out on a pillow and be given the occasional rub on is tummy.

I said that I felt that this was something that we could cope with and made him an offer to accompany Mark around the USA until I rejoin him in December - he's a lovable old fella and if it works out, I'll make him a permanent offer to stay with the family.

 [with acknowledgment to Andy Rouse - Wildlife Photography  for sparking the ideas to write these stories.  You can find Andy's work here ]

PS  Mitch did accompany Mark around the States, they got on so well, we made Mitch that offer to move in.  He agreed it was time to call it a day and go into retirement and now enjoys snuggles from time to time with our cat TB on one of our sofas.