Oh can I ever relate to this! 3+ years ago I lost a dog with a gentle soul like your Nemo. I have written extensively about my struggle to attach to the dog I adopted afterward. She is a behavioral challenge and while I love her, I've never been able to not yearn for my gentle soul back. I resent myself for making a careless decision when adopting her, and her at times, especially when aggressive. I know she is fearful and we have worked with many behaviorists and a cocktail of psyc meds, but it's a heavy weight to live with. On the outside, you wouldn't know I harbor these feelings. She lives THE LIFE. I write authentically about this and acknowledge I know how terrible it sounds. You are very right - we are all works in progress and have different personalities. The more time that passes the more I find myself surrendering to this truth. I enjoyed reading your piece :)