I hope you and Bear have a good outcome.
I had to say goodbye to my emotional support cat two months ago. He helped me through losing my mom 6 years ago, his “brother” four years ago (they weren’t related, just a bonded pair when I adopted them), and my dad last year. He was 18 and started having problems breathing and eating. We went to the emergency vet when he jumped up on his sunny resting spot and I saw that he couldn’t catch his breath. I was lucky. He made the decision easy for me.
My wish for you and Bear is that no matter what happens, you will not second-guess whatever decision you make. It’s hard enough to lose a fur friend, especially one that’s been by your side for 17 years, but you don’t have to make the grieving process harder by playing the “if only I’d…” game. Bear is counting on you to do the right thing, and IMO, any decision you make from a position of love and compassion is the RIGHT thing.
Can’t wait! GoT was great. Hope this one is, too!