I have a chocolate lab, Hunter, who is my baby boy and has been since I got him. He came home around Christmas time and he was supposed to be my step-dad's dog. But from the second he walked in the door, I knew he was going to be my baby. He is now nearly nine years old and he's still my best friend.

People and dogs: a combination that has been around for centuries. Dogs make a loyal pet and they truly are man's best friend. But for me, my dog is better than 95 percent of the human population. There are SO many reasons why he is, so I am going to keep it to 10, just to keep it short.

1. He Has Feelings and Shows Them Openly

My dog is a very emotional boy. You can tell when he is sad or happy by simply his body language. But with humans, you can not know what their feeling unless they choose to inform you of that information sometimes. At least with my dog, I know when he is getting hangry.

2. He Is Always Happy When I Come Home

Sometimes, people don't even notice when you come in the door. But my dog always notices. He is the most welcoming thing I have ever had. No person greets me with our spinning circles and mini jumps and drool like Hunter does. Let me see a human do that.

3. He Is Photogenic

I am a nut for pictures and most of my people hate getting their picture taken, but not my dog. He is the most photogenic being I have met. He is so cute (I am a little biased, but still).

4. He Is The Best Cuddle Buddy

Lets face it, humans get hot, they don't fit together right, and they aren't fuzzy like dogs are. There isn't much that is more comfortable to snuggle up with after a long day than a fuzzy dog who loves you and wants to nap all day with you.

5. He Never Judges Me

It doesn't matter whether I just woke up and everything is a mess or I am dolled up and ready to go to the grand ball, he doesn't have an opinion either way. People, on the other hand, definitely care what you look like and are constantly judging. He doesn't care if I decide that an entire pint of strawberry ice cream is what I am going to have for dinner (as long as I share). He doesn't care if my hair is a mess or if I shave my head bald.

6. He Keeps All My Secrets

His mouth can't speak words but I understand that he understands me. So when I need to vent or gossip, I know he isn't going to run his mouth like people do because he can't. So who better to confide in than your dog?

7. He Remains Loyal, No Matter What

Dogs have always been loyal pets. People have done the opposite and it is only getting worse as the years go by. Loyalty has become to mean nothing to people. But to my dog, I am his everything. I am his food supply, his best friend, and his owner. He stays by my side and stays away from temptations, even if there is a cute lab across the way.

8. He Protects Me

My dog likes to sleep out in the living room entrance so that he can see every viewpoint and entrance of the house. When we are home alone, he is wherever I am, assuring himself that he has my back in any situation, even when nothing ever happens. Most people can try their hardest to protect you but they just don't provide that type of secure feeling.

9. He Is The Best Judge Of Character

If my dog doesn't like you, chances are there's a good reason for it. There is something about a dog's judgement. Every single person my dog has been skeptical about has turned out to be no good and I have eliminated them from my life. But every person my dog has liked, has stuck around and turned out to be some of the most important people in my life. Humans have no way of knowing. You can try and guess but there just isn't the same intuition that dogs have. My boyfriend now had to pass my dog test and luckily he passed. I even told him if it went poorly, he's got some things to worry about.

10. He Is A True Friend

Friends come and go all the time. They use you and abuse you. But dogs never do such things. As mentioned before, they rely on you for everything. So they aren't really in a position to get rid of you. But I'm not sure dogs could go without us. When I left for college, it was the saddest thing I have ever done. I'm pretty sure I was more upset about leaving my dog than I was my family (sorry, Mom). But every time I come home, he is so happy and nothing has changed. Dogs want to have fun with you, nap the day away with you, eat all the junk you do, and do everything you do. They are truly the best friends you could have.

The only negative thing about dogs is that they don't live forever. I am dreading the possibility of receiving the phone call while I'm away at school. But regardless of that negative, dogs are worth it-- every second of it. They are truly amazing creatures and they will capture your hearts forever, just like mine has.