My "love" feelings are not romantic/sexual but similar to how I feel about my dogs...or how some may feel for family/friends

I never wanted to tell him but something has come up that I am really struggling with, emotionally and I'm not sure any other way to explain all this intense emotional reaction....

but I don't wanna spoke him or risk termination etc..... I am so unsure of what to do. Anyone else ever said ILY to their T and it wasn't a romantic thing? did they react ok?