I know you're not able to read this, being a dog and all. But there are a few things I needed to get off my chest. I'm sure you'll hear them all, because being the crazy dog parent that I am, I'll probably read this to you.

It was two years ago that you came into my life. I was at a really low point and my anxiety was eating away at me daily. I knew I needed something to help and at the time I thought a dog would be perfect. Something to cuddle with when I'm having a hard day, something to care for when I didn't feel like taking care of myself. I searched and searched, not knowing exactly what I was looking for. I knew I needed something small so I could still easily secure an apartment, I needed something hypoallergenic so I could still breathe. I needed a rescue, because I am a firm believer in "adopt, don't shop."

And then I saw you. You had a smile that could light up the room. It was as if you were the happiest dog in the world and you just wanted to spread that joy. Your fur was short, your under-bite prominent, your eyes glowing. I knew it was you. When I went in to see you, I cried. You were so eager to see me and it was like you knew that we needed each other. When we went to the playroom, you immediately jumped into my lap without me needing to say a word. You gave me kisses, then jumped down and ran in circles while sounding the cutest little bark I had ever heard. We took you home that day and everything felt right.

Two years later, not much has changed. You still jump on my lap every day, like right now when I'm trying to type. You still smile every time you see me. The bark that melted my heart makes me smile more than anything else. I'll never know how I got so lucky, but you were and still are the perfect dog for me. I want to thank you for that. I'm in a much better place now than I used to be and you play such a big part in that. Everything that you do makes me grateful that I found you- when you run in circles to play, when you let me hold you at night, when you wake me up with kisses in the morning. You always know when something is wrong, and when I truly need you, you never leave my side.

To some, you are a dog. You are something to take care of. But to me, you are so much more. You've changed my life for the better. Even when you're acting up, I still love you. And when your final days come, I will still love you. You left paw prints on my heart and they'll never fade away. You are not just my dog, but my best friend. The one constant in this crazy life. I'll always remember the first time I saw you and I dread thinking about the last. Thank you so much for everything you've done for me. I only hope I do as much for you.