The tooth was too much for him to
bear.
This story tugs at my heartstrings especially hard. Ever since a child I have been fascinated by polar bears. They are such majestic creatures, so strong. It's hard to imagine anything so powerful being susceptable to the same ailments as we human beings. It is no wonder that the native peoples of the north both revered, feared, and learned from the bear, emulating its hunting techniques.
But at the same time this story makes me think, "We're giving an animal the best medical care that money can buy, but not affording the same kind of care to the neediest humans among us, here in America." There's something tragic in that. Even more tragic is how American pets get better food and care than people in many parts of this world.
There are a few things we Americans could stand to learn by seeing ourselves reflected in the bear.