“A prudent bear carries a spare marmalade sandwich tucked under his hat in case of emergencies.”

It was an early spring day in the nation’s capital with a pre-dawn departure in search of babies and blossoms. Starting with the Cherry Blossoms along the tidal basin in Washington D.C., my car was then diverted north for a visit to the Smithsonian National Zoological Park and their new Andean Spectacled Bear Cubs in the Amazonia.

Born of residents Billie Jean and Cisco in November, 2014, these cubs have just recently been released for display at the zoo. Named Mayni, which in Aymara means “unique” and Muniri, which means “loving” in Quechua these two bear cubs are guaranteed to melt anyone’s heart.

Who could resist fuzzy, wuzzy little bears? And two of them? All I wanted to do was hug them and pet them and call them George. Adorable creatures they were with nerves of steel as they climbed a wiry tree, their favorite playground. Their mother calmly watched them from the ground, all the ready to catch them should they fall.

You may know the Andean Spectacled Bear by their better known name – Paddington Bear. Paddington came from the “Deepest, darkest of Peru” and traveled to England after an earthquake destroyed his home. Quickly adopted by the Browns, Paddington wreaked havoc and brought love into the home. Leading to many adventures in a long book series, Paddington has brought joy to many children and adult’s hearts.

Both the real bears, and Paddington bear are fuzzy spirits in the world that help warm the spirit and guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Watch a beautiful full BBC documentary on the Andean Spectacled Bear below: