Dear Mom and Dad,

As a teen who has lived her whole 18 years of life without a puppy, I think now is the time to start explaining why I need one in my life.

1. They're so cute.

Seriously, I want you to look at a puppy and tell me that you don't want to cuddle with it and bring it home. They have those big puppy dog eyes, and are so soft and cuddly, you just can't help but fall in love!

2. I know you're not allergic to them.

All my life I've heard, "We can't get a puppy because I'm allergic." Well, the game has changed. First and foremost, being older, I now know that you really aren't allergic to dogs. And even if you still want to try and convince me otherwise, there are hypoallergenic dogs that don't shed!

3. Puppies relieve stress.

As a student going through so much stress on a daily basis, a puppy is what I need in my life. Even though I won't get to see it while I'm away at college, coming home to a puppy over breaks or for the summer would help relieve all the stress of school work. Plus, you could always send cute pictures of the puppy to me and make me happy!

4. There are so many breeds.

Puppies come in all shapes and sizes. If the problem is that we don't have room for a large dog, we can get a small one! If you don't want a small dog, we can get a bigger one! Can't decide between two breeds? See if there's a mix of the two! The possibilities are endless.

5. They teach responsibility.

Of course, being older now, I understand the concept of responsibilities and chores. Feeding, walking, and cleaning up after a puppy is indeed a lot work, but I can handle it since I'm older. Not to mention, it will help me learn to take care of another living thing (and let's be thankful that it's not a baby, at this age!).

6. I've never had a pet.

Goldfish aren't even close to falling into the "pet" category. It's about time I experience what it's like to have a pet that I can play with, teach tricks to, and love!

7. We can still go on vacation.

Yes, finding someone to watch your dog can be a hassle. But there are plenty of people (like myself) who have never been allowed to have a puppy of their own, and would love to dog sit! Not to mention, there are also dog hotels and places you can leave them for the time being.

8. It's an added expense, but it's totally worth it.

A puppy always becomes more than a pet; they become family. Just like you pay for my siblings and me to take part in sports, dance, and other extracurricular activities, think of this as a small addition to that. Almost like another child, except way less expensive since they don't go to college or need new clothes and shoes!

9. Death is not an excuse.

"I don't want to get a puppy because they die, eventually." Yeah, well, I'm going to die eventually, too, but you still had me! The point is, you get to love the puppy while you can, and they usually live for at least seven years. Think about how many things have happened and changed in the last seven years. That's a long time.

10. It's not fair that you had a puppy growing up and I didn't.

The excuse of you growing up with a puppy and not liking the way things turned out is not an excuse for you to deprive us of a puppy. You had the experience and now it's my turn. It's only fair!

11. I just really want a puppy.

Come on, it's about time! Let's just get a puppy once and for all; it would make me the happiest person alive!

I know that the list of excuses as to why we shouldn't get a puppy are endless, but I hope this at least made you reconsider the idea. After all, aren't you getting a little lonely with me away at school?