Thank you so much for the kind words. I'm sorry to hear that you lost Polo. I just went through the 2nd anniversary of his passing, and though it was very hard to function on that day, I managed. Believe it or not, the one thing that helped me the most was the love of my new baby girl, Ladiebug.I made a promise to Bear before I lost him that I would always adopt lg senior dogs. No one wants to give either a lg dog or an old dog a chance. So in keeping with my promise I adopted a senior Blk Lab mix on my 50th birthday, April of 2017. She is so much like Bear at times. She was found as a stray, had been abused, and going blind to boot. I have formed a special bond with her, having watched her heal and come out of her shell with the help of my love. Yet like you said, it isn't like Bear. But if not for her I know in my heart that I would still hurt so bad. She has stayed glued to my side during both anniversaries so far. Even crying her own real tears as I sat with my arms around her neck, face buried in her fur, crying. She will never be Bear, but I wouldn't want another Bear. Nope he was a once in a lifetime kind of love, but I'm learning she is too, just different. I appreciate the analogy you made using Garth Brooks. I've listened to that song and thought of Bear more than once. I hope that your heart heals a little more everyday, you deserve it. Thank you again. This is my Ladiebug.