Doggy,
You are my first real pet, and I’m lucky to have grown up with you. You are like wine, I swear you just get better with age. This past year you turned ten, and while you still act like a silly goofy puppy, I can see you slowing down, and taking your time doing different things.
I want you to know that it’s okay for you to want to be lazier than you used to be. It’s okay if you don’t want to chase me around in the backyard, or play fetch. It’s okay if you don’t want to jump up to catch something, or high five me as high as you can, because it hurts. Seeing you still try to do these things warms my heart, and completely melts me.
I feel like you are my baby, and I’m your parent, you have little habits, and tics, and I have learned them over time. Whenever someone enters the house, you bring them a toy, or a shoe (if you can’t find a toy) as a peace offering. You like to circle your bed a couple times before you lay down in it. You always stop when we get by your doggy friends doors, because you want them to come out and play. When you think no ones home you jump up on the living room couch, and then when you see that we are still home you jump off as quick as you can. Whenever there is a loud noise outside you go to a human and stand by them for about an hour. You like to scratch the carpet behind one of the seats…truthfully I’m not too sure why you do that one.
You don’t get enough credit for how smart you are. You can tell when someone is sick or upset. In the past whenever I have cried, you come running to me, and set your head down in my lap and just look up at me. I feel like that’s your way of saying I’m here for you. The bond that two different species is able to have with each other is kind of crazy. You don’t speak like a human, nor do I bark, but we both understand each other.
Thank you for all of the hugs growing up. Thank you for being the best secret keeper. Thank you for blowing kisses to me instead of slobbering on my face because you know I don’t like that. Thank you for being the sweetest dog, and always trying to behave. Thank you for listening to me most of the time; I know that squirrel is really fun to bark at so listening can be hard. Thank you for cuddles and greeting me with a smile every time I come home.
You have completely changed our familys’ world, and only for the better. No matter how many times we have had to take you to the vet because you ate something you should not have, we would do it again. It’s hard to think that in the future there will be a day you don’t greet me at the door, and follow me around. I know that day is going to be very hard for me. When that time comes for you, don’t be scared to let us know, because your happiness is all that matters. You have brought so many laughs and smiles to us, and I only hope we have done the same for you.
Love,
Your Favorite Human
