I am a dog person. I always have been and I always will be. My dog is my best friend.

When I was born my parents already had a dog. Grace was a black lab and my childhood best friend. Sadly, we had to put her down when I was in seventh grade. My sister and I never knew life without a dog until then. After some time, we begged our parents for another but they needed more time.

This past year, we finally had a new puppy addition to the family. I would like you to meet Moxi. Here is everything I wish she knew.

I wasn’t there when they first brought you home and when you met me you probably wondered who this strange person was. You were so excited and I came home that weekend just to meet you. You were so small and I knew that when I came back you would no longer be that tiny. I was sad I was missing out on your life and was afraid you wouldn’t remember who I was, but I was so wrong.

Every time I walk through that door you are so happy to see me. You make me feel loved and important. If I was having a bad day, all of that is washed away the moment you sprint toward me with everything you have to greet me.

You immediately run to grab a toy so that we can play. I always feel bad when I can’t play because I know how happy it makes you. I wish I could play with you all the time but unfortunately, that is not so. I want you to know that when I don’t play it’s not because you’re bad or that I don’t want to. I just usually I have to do something. I wish I had as much energy as you.

I want to spend as much time with you as I can. I hate that I miss so much of your life when I’m away at school. I love putting you on my bed even though Mommy doesn't approve. I put you on my bed because I want to be right next to you even when I’m working. (And I know you love laying on my bed.)

Know that you always make me feel better when I’m sad. You can tell when I'm crying and you come to check on me. You put your paws on my lap and get eye level with me so that you can give me kisses. They are always my favorite part because it’s hard to be sad when you have a cute dog licking you in the face.

You bring so much laughter to our house and we all love you so much. We all wish we could take you everywhere we go and that we didn’t have to leave you at home. We don’t do it to be mean but know that we look forward to seeing you every time we come back.

Every time I leave for school I come up with plans in my head for how I can take you back with me because I never want to leave you. I love when our family group chat lights up and it’s because it’s pictures of you; they never fail to make my day brighter.

I tell anyone who will listen about you and I get really happy when they want to see pictures. I am such a proud dog sister and want to show everyone how cute you are. I think you are the cutest dog out there but of course, I am biased.

I wish I could understand everything you want. When you’re whining or seem upset I wish I could make it all go away and make you feel better. I wish I could play frisbee with you all the time because I know that is your favorite.

I love when you run to the fridge for an ice cube every time you hear it open and sometimes I open just because I know how much you love ice.

Moxi, you are the sweetest dog anyone could have and I’m so glad you’re in our family. Thanks for the sassy side eyes, countless kisses, warm and energized greetings, sweet cuddles, laughs, and games.

You are my best friend and I am yours. You make my day brighter and your happy greetings when I walk through the door make me feel important. I wish I could tell you how much you mean to me but I do my best to show it through playtime, cuddles, and treats.