For over 30 years, Fifi the Bear and 3 of her friends were forced to live a life that shouldn't have been bestowed on a dog. Fifi resided at a former road-side circus in Honesdale, PA, where for the first 10 years of her life, she was forced to perform tricks in the circus. For the next 20 years, she lived inside a large cage, designed for dogs, on a concrete slab. Fifi and her friends were never allowed to roam or live her life as a bear should. For her 30 years, the four had never been allowed to hibernate, a natural winter-tome process for bears.

Then in 2015, Fifi and her friends were rescued and taken to the Wildlife Animal Sanctuary in Colorado. At the time. Fifi's fur was much thinner than it should have been, she was dirty and suffered from painful arthritis. But after months at the Sanctuary, finally being allowed to live a bear's life, the transformation in 30-year old Fifi is remarkable. And for the first time in her life, this winter, Fifi was allowed to hibernate.

And not so coincidentally for the first time, Fifi's personality is the only thing big about this beautiful animal.

photo and video courtesy if youtube.com/PETA

More From KLAW-FM