For those regular visitors of the site, you might be familiar with Bear. He is my trusty sidekick who has sat by my desk most days I am writing for the blog and kept me company. We had to say goodbye to him on Tuesday and it was the hardest thing to do. He was 14 years old and been a member of the family for almost all of that time. He will be missed everyday as we will miss that face that lights up a room every time he would walk in to it. He has been a great guard dog protecting my girls, a great greeter who was always so happy when you came home whether you were gone for 5 minutes or 5 days, and an overall great friend who was always there when you needed him and never asked for anything in return…well except maybe some doggie treats and to throw out the cats with the garbage.
We love you a lot and will miss you dearly. Goodbye old friend…Here’s a look back…
We got Bear for my daughter when she turned two…they were best buds…she will be turning 16 soon.

He was a big boy already when we got him…he was 6 months old at the time…

He was always up to no good. There was that time out in the snow when he killed Tweety Bird…

Oh yeah, and that time I caught him smoking…

But no matter how much trouble he got in, he was too cute to ever punish.
Aside from always being by my side when I write, he joined in a couple of my reviews. Here are his two big album reviews from a long while back. He didn’t want to do anymore after these because he didn’t like the fame and the fact he was more liked than me. That was how humble and fantastic he was. I hope you enjoy these pieces of the reviews that Bear contributed…they were all his ideas too!!
Quiet Riot – ‘Road Rage’:
I asked my dog Bear what he thought and he decided to give Mike Ladano’s #0WordChallenge a try. I think I agree with his assessment…

Alestorm – ‘No Grave But the Sea”:
Alestorm is a band that does Pirate Metal…Yeah, it apparently is a thing. The Deluxe Edition gives you the same 10 songs on the album again; however, they have an entirely new twist. Instead of Christopher Bowes singing, you get a dog barking. That is right…a dog. All 10 songs done again with a dog singing. And for that, I will let you know what my dog thought of the songs. I called in my dog, Bear, to give the songs a listen. This is Bear. He is an Australian Shepherd if you are interested…He already looks skeptical about why I am calling him into my office…

I play him some of the songs and he gets all excited and runs out of the room. I go upstairs to find him and this is what I find…

Ahoy there, Mateys!! I would say he liked Pirate Metal sung by dogs.
Thanks for letting me sing his praises for a minute and remember the great pup he was. He will never be able to be replaced and I wouldn’t want to try. Thanks for 14 years of being a part of our family. You were the best Bear!!

Your tribute has me in tears. So so difficult to lose a family furbaby and your affection for Bear shines through with every word. He looks like a critter with so much character. My condolences to you. I lost my Chauncey in 2016 and I still miss him.
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Thanks so much. I was in tears writing it. He was probably the smartest dog we’ve ever had and so much personality. he was the best.
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No way, it’s so sad. My condolences. I remember his “dog playlist”, with some songs like “Hair Of The Dog”, I thought it was cute.
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Thanks. I had forgotten about the playlist. I should’ve added that.
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Ah damn. I’m so sorry John. How are you holding up?
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Thanks Mike. I’m hanging in there. It’s been hard and the house feels a little empty now, but we will have the memories.
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Always cherish those good memories. I can’t believe Bear is gone, he’s even been on my show.
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That’s right, I did show him off once.
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And we tributed him last night!
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I saw that and it was much appreciated too!
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HUGE part of the family as I call our two dingos, Fur kids… sorry to hear this but Bear lived a great life with a family who loved him. Thanks for sharing those pics…..Bear smoking lol classic
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He never smoked again after I caught him that one time. But he did love to sneak in a little cat nip when he could.
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lol better for him
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Sorry to hear this John.
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Thanks a lot! He was a great dog.
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I’m so sorry for your loss. It’s always so hard to say goodbye. Bear was a beautiful boy. 💔
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Thanks Donna!
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My condolences, John – that was a wonderful tribute. I love that line about his excitement being the same whether you were returning after 5 minutes or 5 days, he sounds like he was a great friend & member of the family
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Thanks Geoff. Don’t all dogs have zero concept of time, so I am sure all dogs do that.
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Sorry for your loss John. He looked like an awesome doggo and, if the photo is anything to go by, an excellent rock reviewer!
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thanks Scott. He did know how to do a review! And he loved his Pirate Metal.
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A sad, but lovely tribute to Bear, John. Losing a beloved furry member of our family is one of life’s most heartbreaking events. My condolences to you and your family.
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Thanks Jeff. That means a lot. It is the only dog my kids have known their whole life so it has been a little rough for them.
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My condolences. Our dog was also 14 when she passed away last summer, so I can feel your loss.
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Thanks! And so sorry to hear about your dog. It is so hard to lose them especially when you’ve had them so long.
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Nice looking dog. Sorry about the loss.
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Thanks. He was the best.
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Sorry for your furry loss.
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Thanks!
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so sorry. I know the pain well. hang in there
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Thanks! Writing the post helped a lot.
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Sorry for your loss. I’ll play Call Me A Dog by Temple Of The Dog in his honour.
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Thanks. I’m sure he would love that.
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I’m sorry for your loss John! Bear sounded like an absolute sweetheart with a great sense of humor. May he rest in peace!
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Thanks Lana! He made us laugh a lot, he was the best.
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Oh man! John, I am really sorry hear about Bear! I am new to your blog but already feel like part of the fam. Keep the good memories close to your heart buddy!
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Thanks Wayne! I hope to see you around the site again soon!
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Sorry to hear that, what a beauty he was.
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Thanks. He was the best.
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So sorry to hear about this! I know it is a huge loss! Hugs to all of you!
(I’m impressed with your blog!)
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Thanks so much. And I’m glad you like the blog. I hope you come back.
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A wonderful tribute John…I’m so sorry. I know how hard it can be. We have had 3 Saint Bernards and 2 of them passed right at 9 years old…they just don’t live a long time. Some non pet people don’t get it…they are family period.
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Saint Bernards are awesome. And they all do become family.
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John I’m sorry to dump all of that on in one night…I’m determined to stay up to date… but I’ve made that promise before.
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Do what you need to do. I’m happy you come by at all, so if it is all at once…so be it!!
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