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What One Man Learned from Befriending a Grizzly Bear

Aired on 05/15/2009 | CC tv-pg
He weighs 1,000 pounds, eats 20,000 calories a day and is 6 inches taller than Shaquille O'Neal.

That would be Brutus the grizzly bear, the best friend of 33-year-old Casey Anderson. Casey knew Brutus since the bear was just 9 months old, and, over time, they started doing practically everything together.

"This connection goes beyond just taking care of Brutus," he said. "On his birthday, sometimes he gets to come in the house, open presents, eat cake. Sometimes we invite him in on Thanksgiving, and he has a turkey all to himself. We go for walks out in the woods. Our bond is so close that I actually chose Brutus to be my best man at my wedding."

Nonetheless, raising a grizzly bear hasn't been just fun and games. Watch as Casey explains how his furry friend changed his perception of the animal kingdom.

Original airdate: May 15, 2009

Catch up with Casey and his pal Brutus on Oprah: Where Are They Now? this Saturday, April 25, at 9/8c.