Once, there was an angel and her loyal German shepherd companion. The angel treated the German shepherd as her equal and confidante. The German shepherd treated his angel with as much love as a dog could give. They lived together in happiness for a long time. It seemed like it would never end.
           Then one day, the German shepherd told the angel, “ I think it’s time we went our separate ways, Angel. I still love you, but I need to find someone like me for me.”
           The angel, heartbroken, said, “I understand… and I won’t stop you.” She tried not to cry as she watched the German shepherd leave, tail wagging happily. She told herself, “If I truly am his friend, then I’d let him be happy.”
           A week later, the angel saw the German shepherd with a pack of local wolves, one of whom was once their mutual friend. The German shepherd licked the wolf affectionately. The angel stood in shock, feeling her heart being shred to pieces. Tears streaming down her face, she ran away, never to be seen again.
           The German shepherd had been fully accepted into the wolf pack, as the wolf was the alpha female. He still tried to be friends with the angel, but she had disappeared. He left her be after three tries, living in bliss with the wolf pack. Everything seemed perfect.
           However, the bliss couldn’t last. Another wolf came to the pack, wanting the alpha female. And the female seemed to return the feeling. The German shepherd challenged the newcomer. He fought valiantly for the alpha female’s favor. Unfortunately, the new wolf bit his leg hard, breaking the bone. The victorious wolf walked away, and the alpha female went with him, laughing.
           Stunned, the German shepherd asked the wolf, “Why are you laughing at me when I fought so hard for you?”
           The alpha female answered, “Because you thought you could defeat a wolf. You’re just a dog and you always will be.”
           The German shepherd, heartbroken, limped off. He tried once more to go back to the angel, but her home was empty. “She probably doesn’t want anything to do with me anyway,” he told himself.
           So he wandered into the woods. He took care of himself as long as he could with a broken leg. It didn’t last. One day, he tried to take shelter from a sudden rainstorm in a nearby cave, only to find it already inhabited by a bear.  And the bear was hungry. The German shepherd ran, not wanting to become the bear’s next meal.
           He ran as fast as he could. However, he eventually collapsed, exhausted and hurting from his broken leg. Luckily, the bear was incredibly slow and far off. His luck wouldn’t last long though and he knew it.
           He looked up and found the angel, watching. He rested his head on his paws, weighed down by more than a broken leg. “I’m not going to ask for your help,” the German shepherd said. “I doubt I deserve it anyway. I’m sorry for anything I did that might have hurt you.” He closed his eyes, exhausted.
           The angel, however, still cared for the German shepherd. Pitying the poor creature, she calmed the bear and carried the sleeping dog home. She carefully cleaned and bandaged the wound. When the German shepherd awoke, he was surprised to find the angel smiling down at him. “Why did you help me when I obviously hurt you so?” He asked.
           The angel smiled an said,” You were able to admit your mistakes. That alone is worth forgiving. Besides, you are and always will be a dear friend. No matter how you hurt me, I’ll always care for deeply.” The German shepherd smiled gratefully, falling asleep.