Bonded Soul

As a 10 Minute Ritual, the caster bonds with the Soul of a CR1/2 or lower Beast creature that considers the caster an Ally, (either due to Animal Handling, Charm, etc.).  Until the end of the caster's next Long Rest, the soul of that bonded beast companion is bound to the caster. Should the Beast creature die during the spells duration, it can be brought back to life by repeating the Ritual again with the body of the slain beast. This repeat of the ritual does not restart the Bonded Soul duration.

The spell lasts until the end of the caster's next Long Rest, until the spell is cast upon another creature, or until the Ritual is used to return the Bonded beast to life with 1HP, and the Beast creature can immediately spend Hit dice as if it just completed a Short Rest.

At Higher Levels:  If not cast as a Ritual Spell, the CR of the creature able to be Soul Bonded becomes Spell Level/3.
Spell Level 3-4, CR 1
Spell Level 6-8, CR 2
Spell Level 9, CR 3