I set up the camera to hopefully catch Bear and I … in an unguarded moment.

As of last evening, Bear has been with Bob and me for 3 weeks. Bear is a joy. There I times when I feel like he is channeling Karl and it simultaneously breaks my heart and comforts me. Ultimately, Bear, like all Karelian Bear dogs…is his own dog.

This photo…I was working in the kitchen and Bear was with me. I love that he is both attached enough to want to be with me as well as independent enough that he sometimes chooses to be in another part of the house…watching.

But this moment was one where he chose to be with me. But then…the countdown beep of the camera timer… he heard it, he is aware and he is the protector. He is a Karelian Bear Dog.

Paying attention. Always.