Please meet Squirrely, a Gund Cubbi Teddy Bear

Please meet Squirrely, a Gund Cubbi Teddy bear.  He is made out of a silky plush material and has googly eyes and a rubber nose.   He was made in the 1950s.  He even has his original yellow ribbon,  a gift from his first girlfriend.   He doesn't want to part with it.   He is not jointed, but if he's very careful, he can balance on his tippy toes. 

Squirrely was a gift to me from my brother.   I at once loved those crazy eyes and the peach colored fur of his chest.   His arms are spread out wide ready for a big hug, so I knew he was a special bear.  Not everyone is as generous as Squirrely.  

Squirrely was born in Connecticut, but soon relocated to Westchester County in New York.  He worked as a cashier in a drive-in movie theater, handing out tickets.  There was no extra charge for a hug.   He loved watching the movies from the back of the lot.  Often he would climb on top of a car for a better view.   He sometimes helped out at the snack bar.   Hugs were free there, too.  He says it was his dream job.  That's where he met his first girlfriend, Debbie.  She went off to secretarial school and ended up taking a job in California, so it didn't work out, but they parted good friends.  They still write to each other on their respective birthdays.  When the drive-in theater closed, he had saved up enough to retire on the North Shore of Long Island.    When he came to me, he was the happiest little bear, full of his own stories he wanted to share.  He's a most generous bear.   He always wants hugs.   I think I'll go give him one.