Bear

He belonged to the place - lived behind the house, chained to his shed. She took him swimming, let him lie before the fire - grew to like him. They became lovers. "Fascinating and profound, this novel speaks of a woman's strange (some would say bizarre) and moving journey toward inner freedom and strength, and ultimately toward a sense of communion with all living creatures. It's an astounding novel, both earthy and mystical, which leads into the human self and also outward to suggest and celebrate the mystery of life itself." -Margaret Laurence