When Ricardo and Brian first bought their home near the edge of a national forest, they were hoping for a peaceful retreat close to nature. What they didn’t expect was just how close that nature would get.
It all started with a strange ripple in their backyard pool. One day, Ricardo walked past the window and noticed the water moving oddly – up and down, like someone was swimming. But no one was supposed to be out there.
“We were like, oh my gosh, we have bears in the yard,” Brian said. And sure enough, when they stepped out to investigate, they found their first surprise guests – a group of wild bears, cooling off in the pool like it was their own private resort.
At first, it was a shock. The couple had been warned by their realtor that there was “some bear activity” in the area. But they had no idea that their home, being the first house right next to the national forest, would quickly become a regular stop on the bears’ route through the neighborhood.
In the beginning, they were understandably cautious. “We were scared,” Ricardo admitted. “We didn’t know what to do, what was safe or what wasn’t.” But instead of panicking, they learned to coexist. They started keeping the doors and windows shut and stayed at a safe distance. And most importantly, they let the bears be.
Over time, the bears kept coming back – not out of aggression, but out of habit. They weren’t looking for trouble. They just liked the pool.
“There’s one bear that comes just to nap inside the pool,” Brian said. “The others like to splash around and play with the floaties. And then when they’re done, they just hop out and wander back into the forest or down the street.”
What could’ve been a stressful, even dangerous situation turned into something kind of amazing. Every time the bears show up, Ricardo and Brian grab their phones and start recording. “We love seeing them,” Brian said. “It never gets old.”
One bear in particular became a familiar face – a female they named Maddie. She’s the most frequent visitor and seems completely at ease in the backyard. “She’s very curious and chill,” Ricardo said. “She’ll wander around, look at us, swim a bit, and hang out.”
But Maddie brought more than just a calm presence. One day, she arrived with a surprise – tiny bear cubs tagging along behind her. “We were like, oh my God,” Brian said. “She must’ve been pregnant. And now here she was, bringing her babies for a swim.”
Watching the cubs play was a whole new level of joy. “They were so small, so adorable,” Ricardo said. “They’d splash around while Maddie swam laps on her own. It was like she was getting a break while the kids entertained themselves.”
The couple has come to see Maddie as a hard-working single mom. “She’s on full-time daycare duty,” Brian joked. “She deserves that time to just float and chill in the pool.”
What started as a moment of fear turned into a lasting bond. Ricardo and Brian now see the bears as part of their extended community. They’ve learned how to live safely alongside them – no feeding, no approaching, and always respecting their space. And in return, the bears have stayed peaceful and playful.
“It’s become a routine now,” Ricardo said. “Every few days, they drop by, splash around, and leave. And we just watch from the house with huge smiles on our faces.”
For them, it’s more than just entertainment. It’s a reminder of how nature can adapt and connect with people in unexpected ways. “They’ve changed our lives,” Brian said. “And I think it’s for the better.”
What could have been a story about fear or conflict turned into something beautiful – a quiet example of how humans and wildlife can coexist, even in close quarters.
“It feels like a privilege,” Ricardo added. “We get to witness these animals up close, in their natural behavior. It’s magical.”