"-When did it first begin"
It started after I loaded a save game and my ranger's bear was missing with it's portrait replaced with a white circle.
"-When does it happen (only in fast travel or at other times)"
After i experienced the bear missing, things deteriorated from there.
"-Did you attempt to check the game cache(if on steam version)"
Verifying game cache now...
"-What are your system specs"
i5 3570K
gtx 980
windows 7
Latest drivers