How I Clean Up the Bears
When a bear arrives, it usually needs a good wash before anything else. Most of them have come from a car boot sale or a charity shop and they've lived a full life. So before they get photographed or brought to the stall, they go through the whole process. This is what that looks like.
1 The Bath
The first thing that happens is a proper bubble bath. I get the brush out, work up a good lather, and go carefully around the ears and seams. It's a two-at-a-time kind of job most days.
2 Drying Off
Once they're clean, they go outside to dry in the sun. This one was happy about it. She had the sunglasses on before I'd even got the towel around her.
3 Picking Out an Outfit
Once she was dry, it was time to have a look through the wardrobe. I keep a rail of little outfits — dresses, coats, the odd dressing gown. She had a good browse. There was a cup of tea involved, which I felt was fair.
4 Trying It On
She went with the turquoise dressing gown first. A sensible choice. She sat on the little bed with the wardrobe open and the red dress on its stand nearby, keeping her options open.
5 The Final Check
The last thing is the mirror. She held up the outfit, had a look at herself, and that was that. She was ready.
Ready for a new home
That's the full process, start to finish. Every bear gets this kind of attention before they come to the stall. By the time you meet them, they're clean, well-dressed, and ready for a new home.
Meet the bears