I remember the day I first met Sutton like it was yesterday. After school, my dad picked me up and informed me that my mom was ill. "Go give her a hug to make her feel better," he said. It seemed a little odd, but I shrugged it off, and descended upon the living room with a purpose. There, in my mother's arms, was the cutest bundle of fur I had ever laid eyes upon. A small Black Labrador lay nestled against my mom, enjoying the warmth and protection she had to offer. That was undoubtedly one of the highlights of my life.

Now, fourteen years later, the memories are innumerable. Clear as day, I can picture cold days in northern Michigan sledding with my brother. Sutton would be sprinting alongside, a look of terror on his face before he would try to rip my hat off my head (and oftentimes my hair along with it!). He meant no harm, and despite the the pain, I cherished seeing the thrill it gave him. Summers would roll along, and there were many trips to the dog beach. Hours were spent retrieving, bobbing, and digging in the wet sand. Sutton always could create his own fun and bring a smile to the faces of everyone around him.

People can learn a lot from dogs, and I know Sutton has taught me quite a few things in life. Below are just a few of the blessings dogs provide us:

1) They sense when we are upset and know just what we need. There were many days that I would come home from middle school or high school upset and sometimes burst into tears on the living room floor. Sutton always had an innate ability to perceive emotion and would come up and give me licks and let me hold his face in my hands. It may not seem like much, but it made all the difference.

2) They cherish the little things in life. Dogs do not ask for much, other than the basic necessities of life, and it takes very little to make them happy. Sutton always cherished trips to the dog beach and time spent with family. On warm summer nights, nothing made him happier than to be outside with us while we barbecued that night's meal. Christmas Day was a joyous occasion, because we were together with him in the family room. He values love over anything else.

3) They force us to be active. One of the things that dogs do require is exercise, which means daily walks. In the wintertime in Michigan, this can be a grueling task, but it also provides time to reflect. There were days across all seasons when the sun was shining and the sky was pure blue. In those moments, I felt God's presence and blessing in my life. Sutton inadvertently supplied me with that awareness to be active physically and spiritually.

4) They share in our love for food. If you know me, you know I love food. Any type, any place, any time. Dogs are the same way, even if they don't always show that when they devour their food in .0001 seconds. Any being that is a foodie has a place in my heart.

5) They provide unconditional love. This may be cliché, but it is undeniably true. Dogs do not hold grudges or choose when to be nice. They invariably love you, no matter how many times you mess up. I have made a lot of mistakes, and the one consistency in my life has always been Sutton's love.

Recently, Sutton's health and desire to live have been declining. I am not sure how much longer he will grace this earth, but I am positive there is a place for him in heaven. Sutton has been my very best friend from the age of eight⎯when I first saw him bundled in my mother's arms⎯to now, a senior in college. My life has truly been made better by his existence, and he is proof that dog's are a blessing from heaven.