Living and growing these past few weeks, I have noticed how dogs can be a lot more intuitive than we expect. They know when we are sad; they know when we are angry (especially with them); they know when we just need some cuddles. I have learned all this from watching Piper grow in both obedience and in size, now that she is four months old.

It was not too long ago when I went through the nerve-wracking experience of having to go to the ER in the middle of the night due to the unfortunate event of Piper breaking her leg. It was a terrible experience with agonizing wait times and not knowing if she would need surgery. But while we waited together, and I held her in my arms as she fought through the pain, I just felt the connection grow between us even more. Since then I have learned that a dog can be a lot more than just man's best friend. They can be like family.

Ever since that night, I have felt Piper grow closer to me, our bond strengthened through the pain, but just as there was good that came from this experience, there was also bad. Every night, several times, Piper wakes me with her crying from either nightmares or pain, and every time I wake up to console her because there is not much else I can do. But just as she wakes me up because of her fear, every time that my alarm goes off in the mornings and I hit snooze, she without fail comes over and licks me awake, no matter how bad I want to stay in bed.

I have learned from this experience that having a dog can be more responsibility than one initially signed up for. I also learned that whatever you put in, you also get out. So if you take care of them, the more love (and cuddles) that they will give to you. Dogs are a great gift to humankind, because, without them, there would never be a real sense of companionship equivalent to the kind that we have with them. Dogs deserve to have the very best, because although they are only here for a portion of our lives, we are all that they know in their lives. So despite all the responsibility and the sleep lost at night, I would not trade it in for the world, because I will never find the same kind of sense of love and companionship that I do with Piper. So to all dog or pet owners out there, appreciate and treat your pets, because you are all that they will ever have.