I like this, bear, but did not reply as... though as we believe it was/is,

 

it immediately brought the word 'slaughter' to mind from your last line (as mankind did) and it did not seem appropriate for me to say whilest around Christmas time, Zy

 

PS Remember to lift if you haven't copied as I am deleting festive boards on Sunday night, but thanks for your wonderful help in filling our tree, Zy