An animal totem, as many of you know, is an animal spirit to which one feels very attached. Native American mythology states that having this totem and recognizing it in one's life can lead to awareness of those traits of the totem and incorporation in day to day living. You know what you're animal totem is when you think about the animal world and feel a great attachment to one animal over all. If you want to know some more about YOUR animal totem, go here and find out about how to recognize your totem.
For me, the bear is easily named as my totem. Ever since I was a child, I loved teddy bears and snuggly pictures of bear cubs. It didn't stop there. As an adult, I covet bear shows on Animal Planet, ask for stuffed animal bears for presents, and go to zoos for hours, just to see bears. I love to research the bear and hear the myths and stories of the Bear. Here are the totem traits and lessons of the Bear:
Bears make good leaders. Bears are respectful. Bears rest a lot. Bears like to play. Bears are good medicene.

I suppose I could go on and on, but like the great Kodiak bears of Alaska, when I get hungry, I MUST FEED! If I were a bear, I would really like some fresh salmon right about now...or some mussells... Instead, I will leave you with some pictures of bears.

For those of you who don't understand the importance of bears: a healthy bear population is a sign of a well-maintained ecology. If there is enough around to sustain a bear, then there is enough to sustain: seals, caribou, wolves, foxes, tufted puffins, seagulls, plankton, mussells, grasses, salmon, trout...The bear is at the top of the food chain in his environment. The bear belongs in the woods, not slaughtered for its organs, fur, or 'mounting' purposes. It is also important to note that many bears are 'destroyed' when they come into contact repeatedly with humans. Of course, the humans moved into bear territory, and then decide bears are a dangerous pest.

We have a responsibility to protect these amazing predators.