I always wanted a dog. My parents told me and my brothers that when my younger brother turned one, we would get a dog. Well, one year quickly turned into two and two merged into three years that we were without a dog.

I eventually grew out of my longing for a pet after my 20 hermit crabs, hamster, and fish eventually died. I figured it was silly and just a burden to have to care for another living creature besides myself. That was all until in the eighth grade. I returned home from school one day to find my mom and younger brother sitting in the kitchen smiling at me and not saying a word. I thought they were being really creepy and weird until a tiny, fluffy Norwich terrier puppy came running into my arms. We named him Rex and our lives have never been the same since.

Dogs are not just a man’s best friend. They’re playful, loving, cute, friendly, and just about everything in between. Here are four times they proved they're so much more than a man's best friend:

1. They turn any bad day into a good one.

Without even trying, they can lighten your mood with a wag of their tail or even a simple stare. Dogs truly are the best form of therapy.

2. There’s never a dull moment with them.

From their mischievous puppy years to their lackadaisical days as grown dogs, they always know how to put forth their curiosity and cause some trouble. Those are the best times, no matter how big the mess is they make. Let’s be real, how can you possibly stay mad at them?

3. They’re hands-down the best cuddlers.

There’s simply no need for a boyfriend when you have a puppy by your side. I know how I’ll be spending my Valentine’s Day.

4. They taught us what it means to have a true companion.

While we may have taught them how to sit on command or fetch a ball, in the end, they taught us what it means to have a true friend. While the 15 years a dog is part of our lives may seem short, the companionship and love we share with them lasts a lifetime.

Their short lives are fulfilled with the endless belly-rubs, treats, walks, and nurturement we give them. Dogs don’t just serve us as being our pets. They provide us love, protection, company, amusement, and yes, they are a best friend.