Dogs bring out the best in us, they love us unconditionally and allow us to love them unconditionally, and only love us more for doing so. That love you get to keep forever, nothing will ever erase the bond you and bear share, when one day you leave your body, that love stays with you, and will be made whole again.
I was crushed when my first dog died. Never wanted to feel that again so stopped myself from feeling that love. That was a mistake.
12 years later, I was married with kids. My wife picked out a puppy who looked a lot like my first dog. I didn't tell my wife this, I was going to let this be my wife and kids dog. That.litlle sweetheart dug right into my heart and has been my shadow since we got her. I'm cuddled up with her right now as I type this.
You have a lot of love to give, and Bear would of course want you to be happy. You will never love any other being the same way as bear, but you can love another dog. That doesn't mean you replaced bear or betrayed him, just that you filled the hole in your heart by allowing love to flow through it again in a different way.
My wish for you is to only remember the greatness that is Bear, and hols that love in your heart as a shield against the pain of the loss of his mortal life. You will be with him again one day, until then, share your love more to fill that time with happiness.
May God bless you friend.
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