Bear. My best friend

by Jenna
(New Jersey)

My dog Bear means more to me than almost any person ever will. I am 22 years old now, but got Bear when I was eight. I remember the night we went to the pet shop. They had him in a little playroom, and he was so tiny that he crawled right into the sleeve of my coat, and laid there licking my face. That's when I knew he was the one.

Playful was an understatement to describe Bear. He could put a smile on anyone's face from doing such simple things like laying right underneath you when you ate, or rubbing up against you till you pet and played with him. He could do no wrong in my eyes.

He knew my moods better than I did. He would see me crying and come lay beside me and lick my face till I smiled again. He would even greet me outside of the bathroom. In Bear's last few years, he grew very sick. He had arthritis, lyme disease, but the worst of all was discovering skin cancer on his shoulder.

He survived surgery on June 21, 2009 and was back to his happy self, until things took an unexpected turn and he started to grow restless and weak towards the end of July. We were down the shore when he started to decline.

He loved the beach. When he was younger he would run up and down the beach as fast as he could. I left the shore a few days before my parents did, and didn't get the chance to say goodbye :(. I came home yesterday morning to find out that he was put down.

My whole world is shattering and my heart is broken. There is no loss like the loss of your pet, more than that, your most loyal companion who gives unconditional love.

Rest In Peace Bear. I love you. I hope I will see you again soon <3 1.10.96 - 7.24.09