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The public response spoke to the bear’s high civic profile. Many called the Macdonald Stewart Art Gallery (now the Art Gallery of Guelph) wanting to know what happened to their familiar ursine friend.

Others wrote stunned posts on social media or letters to the ���߲ݴ�ýMercury daily newspaper. One such letter noted, “It’s just a sculpture and it’s not. In many ways, this bear has become an honorary citizen, an ambassador, a vestige of ���߲ݴ�ýand even beyond that — something that comforts the city, adds to its character and provides it creative oxygen.”

Why such high regard for a simple sculpture?

The Begging Bear was originally the creation of artist Carl Skelton, who sought to honour one of the original denizens of southern Ontario. Its form was inspired by the ways in which bears were sometimes stuffed and mounted by taxidermists, though it was posed in an approachable way, non-threatening, with its left forepaw outstretched. It was exhibited in the Toronto Sculpture Garden, where passersby seemed to enjoy its company.

This quality apparently recommended it to the Art Gallery, and a bronze version was created to reside in the Donald Foster Sculpture Park, close to busy Gordon Street and a well-used bus stop.

Officially named the “Canadiana/Begging Bear,” the seven-and-a-half-foot-tall creature was unveiled Sept. 23, 1999, with Skelton in attendance.

It took little time for Guelphites to take note and induct the Bear into the community. Very soon, the Bear began to sport all sorts of attire, such as a necktie or glasses. Its outstretched paw began to hold spare change, snowballs and other decorative objects. It held up signs relating to special events, and it dressed up for special occasions.

On Valentines Day, it might hold out a rose or a box of chocolates; on Easter, bunny ears and a basket of eggs; on Canada Day, a maple leaf hat and shirt, and a Canadian flag.

One assumes this upcoming Canada Day will be no different.

Besides being a fashion plate and reminding citizens of current events, the Bear has made note of political issues. In August 2021, for example, the Begging Bear was found enclosed in a wooden create with the words “Do not feed the bear” stencilled on the side. Only its begging arm and hand were visible outside, along with ersatz eviction notices taped to the crate’s sides. The Bear was part of a local artist’s protest against the criminalization of homelessness.

Happily, the Bear was not evicted and instead returned to public view.

After its toppling in 2011, the Begging Bear was sent out for repairs and reinstalled in its old place with a reinforced footing, much to the relief of the citizenry.

Along with the Blacksmith Fountain, Old Jeremiah, and the Fountain Family, not to mention John McCrae and the ���߲ݴ�ýGryphon, the Begging Bear is a proud member of the Royal City’s public artworks. But, as the constant — and usually gentle — attention it receives attests, the Bear is first among equals.

On the fifth anniversary of its toppling, creator Skelton was asked for his opinion of the incident. He replied, “The whole town got together — you respected yourselves. The public art wasn’t the bear — it was the story you built when something bad happened to it. The bear has done a better-than-average job of representing you folks (of Guelph) to each other. It represents ���߲ݴ�ýto Guelph.”