Polar bear petting dog caught on camera in Manitoba

CHURCHILL, Manitoba, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- A tour guide in Canada discovered that man's best friend has pals elsewhere in the animal kingdom when he captured video of a polar bear petting a dog.

David De Meulles said he was taking a pair of North Star Tours clients on a polar bear watching expedition during the weekend in Churchill, Manitoba, when the group witnessed the meeting between the bear and dog, which was tethered on its owner's property.

"I had no idea what was going to happen, and then sure enough he started petting that dog, acted like he was a friend," De Meulles told CBC News. "I just so happen to catch a video of a lifetime."

The video shows the polar bear gently stroking the dog's fur while the two animals enjoy a snuggle.

"I've known the bears to have somewhat friendly behavior with the dogs, but for a bear to pet like a human would pet a dog is just mind-blowing," De Meulles said. "It was a beautiful sight to see, and I just can't believe an animal that big would show that kind of heart toward another animal."