Bart Bear's Blog

There is no doubt that security at our airports is vital, and there is no doubt that it is getting even tougher. Not even small bears can get through without sometimes being called over for spot checks. This trip they picked me. Normally I get through OK by just being X-rayed in Dad's backpack, but on our way to Hamilton Is I got the full treatment. First off, they had me read all the notices about prohibited stuff and make a declaration that I had none of those things with me. Then I was frisked and prodded to make sure I wasn't hiding anything on my body. Then they ran this sniffer probe all over me to see if I had been in contact with drugs of any sort. I passed all of the checks and was able to join the rest of the family and wait for the 'plane. "Border Security" is my favourite TV program so I really didn't mind, but I do wish the TV crew had been filming while I was going through the process.

Labels: Hamilton Is, Queensland, security

Ever since I started watching "Border Security" on the TV I have wanted to be a sniffer-bear. I think it is a bit mean that only dogs get this great job. Anyhow, at the Canberra Show I met this cute little pup that is in training to be a sniffer-dog for Customs. He seemed to be spending most of his time asleep, but when I asked the Customs lady to let me pat him he woke up. In fact he woke up really quickly and wanted to play. Unfortunately, puppies play by biting a lot and he got me on the face and the arm before I got away. It didn't hurt me at all. But now I have sniffer-dog DNA in me. If I can keep it there I may turn into a sniffer-bear; after all, people that get bitten by vampires turn into vampires. This will be hard though because Mum has noticed that I am a bit soggy with puppy-drool and wants me to take a bath! I hear her coming, so I've gotta run and hide. More tomorrow.

Labels: Canberra, heroes, security, show

Mum and Dad swim every week at this pool. They won't let me swim with them because Mum has this thing about me getting my fur all wet. Not that that ever seems to worry her when she reckons it's time I had a bath. Instead of letting me splash around in the pool they have given me a very important job. I sit here in this Bart-sized folding seat where I can see everything going on in the pool. Actually, I would prefer not to see some of the things that go on in there. At the first sign of anybody getting into difficulty I yell for help as loud as a small bear can. So far nobody has drowned while I have been on duty.

Labels: Canberra, security

Security patrols are very important. Particularly if your oldies are too busy drinking strange beverages and babbling on about the things going on around them at Darling Harbour. Somebody has to check the hotel balcony to see that it is free of prowlers, peeping-Toms, Russian spies and villainous crabs. So it was up to me. Here I am stealthily creeping through the shrubbery to make sure the oldies are safe. Or at least I was until Dad flashed the camera and exposed me to the world. Sometimes I wonder....

Labels: crabs, New South Wales, security, Sydney

Now just hang on a minute. I know I said border security was necessary but this is going a bit too far. All I wanted to do was to go up to the observation deck at Q1. Q1 is the world's tallest fully residential tower. It is on the Gold Coast in Queensland. Before I could even get in the door the security guy grabbed me and put me through a full body search. As if a small bear would be a suicide bomber! Anyhow, it was worth it. The view was spectacular and I met a real cutie. You may see her photo later.

Labels: Gold Coast, Queensland, security

My favorite TV show is "Border Security". As an experienced traveller I know how important Customs and Immigration control is for our country. I like to see the "clever" types and the idiots get caught. If it was up to me I would be a lot harder on most of them. It is really sad that my application to be a sniffer bear was rejected.

Labels: security, TV