I once heard that diamonds are a girl’s best friend. Whoever said this clearly was not aware of the bond between a girl and her dog. Unless the dog’s name is Diamond, this statement is just so not true.

If you know me, you know I love my dog. I love him all the time; even when I hate him. From his wags to his kisses, just looking at him makes me explode with happiness. Maybe it’s the unconditional love, or the loyalty, or the just pureness that seems to come along with your mysteriousness in your inability to speak. Whatever it is, I just wish you knew how I felt about you.

Hey pup,

I know you can’t exactly read this; nor would you even understand if I read this to you, but as you sit staring at me, whining for God knows what reason, here are a few things I wish I could say to you and have you understand.

1. I love you with all my heart.

Literally, whenever I think about you or just look at you I can actually feel my heart swell with love. Regardless of what I might yell at you when you are misbehaving, know that you ultimately are my favorite “person” ever.

2. Your dumbness gives me life.

I mean that in the nicest way possible. Your silliness whenever you roll around, run full speed aimlessly into walls, or tangle yourself around the same tree in the backyard every time you go outside, fills my life with laughter and joy. Whatever it is you do that makes you look dumb at times, you do it with what looks like pure happiness, always looking back at me with what I know is a smile and a twinkle in your eye.

3. I’m sorry I don’t know what you’re whining about.

Sometimes you whine constantly, and I can admit that sometimes I definitely have more patience with you than other times. Sometimes I feed you, let you out, pet you, and rough house with you, and you still look into my eyes and whine. “What could you possibly want!” sometimes I yell at you, but know that I don’t mean it in a bad way, I am just simply completely in the dark when it comes to understanding what some of your whines mean.

4. I’m sorry for kicking you in the middle of the night.

Even though I have a large bed, you somehow still decide to sleep right where I am trying to sleep. Yes, I sometimes love sleeping all curled up, but just move over. You could easily have a whole side of the bed that I’m not on. Therefore, I apologize for waking up in frustration to the cramping of my legs and nudging you with my feet for you to wake up and move.

5. Thank you for listening.

Whether you understand me or not, that is something I will never know. But there are sometimes where you seem to be the only one I can talk to. Regardless of the fact that you can’t respond, you are a great listener. Through tears or excitement, something in you always seems to sense the state I’m in and you somehow seem to match my mood. I swear you do understand me sometimes.

6. You give the best hugs.

Now clearly, you don’t throw your arms around me when I hug you, maybe I should have said- you're my favorite to hug. That’s better. Your calm demeanor when I wrap my arms around you, and the way you sit and nuzzle your head onto my shoulder…I could hug you forever.

7. You’ve seen and heard some things you can’t unsee/unhear, and for that I apologize, but am grateful.

You keep the best secrets. From me singing or dancing like a fool while I’m home alone with you, to me waking up early to let you out with no pants or makeup on, to you somehow making your way into the bathroom whenever I have to go…you're such a weirdo. But thanks for the company I guess?

8. I’m just running to the store; I’ll be back in ten minutes.

Something that seems so minuscule to me, I didn’t realize is such a big deal for you. You don’t know when or if I’m returning, and unlike me, you can’t come and go as you please. I love seeing how excited you get whenever I or anyone returns home, but that is simply because for you, you are left in a state of uncertainty. You don’t have outside friends, or other places to go during the day - we are all you have, and I apologize that I forget this sometimes.

9. You know what the suitcases mean, and it tears me apart.

Every time someone leaves or especially when I leave for school time and time again, you see the suitcases. You lethargically lay there and refuse to look at me in the eyes. You know that means you won’t see me for a while, and it hurts me just as much as it does you, because I can’t say anything that you’ll understand to make it better.

10. I wish you knew how much I missed you right now.

How much I think about you and whatever it is you’re doing while I’m away - probably just lying there doing nothing. I ask Mom and Dad about you all the time…do you hear me when I yell your name over FaceTime? Do you even notice that I’m gone? I wish I could let you know that I have to be away for a little while and that I’m coming back, I swear.

I love you pup, I know you’re going to get old one day, and I dread that day, so please don’t. Thanks. I love you and everything about you, even though sometimes it may not seem that way. The things I would do to have you actually understand how much you mean to me…ugh. Stay young, stay loyal, and just stay silly. You'll forever be my favorite good-boy.