Why Did Brian Have to Die?

Update as of 12/6 GREAT NEWS: Brian Is Coming Back to Family Guy. The logline for the December 15th episode reads, "Stewie devises a master plan to get the one and only thing he wants for Christmas.” Vulture

Thank you Seth, there is a Santa Claus!
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Seth, Seth, oh why Seth did you choose to kill Brian?

You were the divine creator, who I guess had the divine right to determine when Brian's prime time was up.

Brian lived quite a different canine life than most dogs and he persevered! Let's see...alcoholism, cigarettes, fast women, peeing in the house, a stint at rehab, kidnapping, protesting for Gay Rights, an illegitimate child -- and always putting up with Baby Stewie's antics. Brian Griffin was a role model for all dogs and most humans.

Rumors are flying, is there a new dog in town? Was Seth too busy to do Brian's voice overs? Was it better to have the family dog die than someone else in the Griffin household? What about one of the neighbors, Peter's buddies? Or the mayor?  

Brian was 14 yrs old or 98 in dog years. He looked great for his age and we just weren't prepared for the elderly pup to get hit by a car of all things. That reminds me, Brian had a Prius before they were cool, didn't he Peter? 

R.I.P. Brian Griffin -- you will be missed by many. A toast to you at the Rainbow Bridge...