Josh awoke for the second time during the pre-dawn thunderstorm. The first event was from thunder claps approaching behind windblown raindrops stinging the dry tent material. He had since settled back down to peacefully enjoy nature's rythmic outpouring of its own Miracle Gro - the fuel of life. And so this second stirring startled Josh, subconsciously recognizing a foreign sound, an alien in this tranquil scene.A snort. A rustle of leaves. A thump. A raking of dirt. A brush against the tent! Josh turned to wake his dad to find him already alert to the situation. His dad, knowing to always fight back against animals if you are in your tent, instructed Josh to scream furiously on the count of three. Their ten second raucous pierced the darkness in a hopeful bluff only to be returned by a deep, horrifying roar to accept the challenge. Grizzly! The sow was old, beyond cub-rearing years and had suffered from poor nutrition due to her dull and rotting teeth. Her body told her she lacked the fat layer she needed for this Fall's hibernation and she desperately sought the source of a fresh fish kill. The scent ebbed from their clothes inside the tent bringing her to a direct charge opposite of Josh's side. Flames blew from his dad's .45 caliber Peacemaker as it sent a missile towards the angry assailant. The bear surprisingly fell silent, partially collapsing the tent inward. Grabbing their flashlights they ran outside, deaf to the steady rain. The dim beams refracted light off wet, brown fur lying in a heap, blood oozing from a fatal head wound. His dad quickly pulled his hunting knife. With his left hand he palpated through two inch skin to find her windpipe and jugular. With a quick swipe with his right, the knife drained the last life from her twitching limbs. "We came from the same place as this bear." his dad explained. "God created us all, each portraying a part of God's love for wilderness - and He called it good. This bear has walked in the wilderness as Adam and Eve walked with God in the Garden of Eden. We all bear His image - no pun intended!" They embraced each other, breathing again finally, and let the rain soak to their skin as they contemplated of walking with God down the trails they had traversed. Josh wondered if all of the animals walked with God in their solitude. 