Dear Sophie,

Thanks for teaching me what unconditional love really is.

Every seven and eight year old obviously wants to try to ride their poor yellow-lab mix rescue dog like pony! duh? No matter how much I pulled your tail, dressed you in my clothes or painted your nails to match mine, you were always happy to see me and slobber on my face.

Thanks for being my best friend.

A very intelligent TV character once taught me that dogs can sense the hormonal change in your body when you become upset. Making them the best comfort in difficult times, because you don’t even have to tell them what is wrong. Thank you for being my big yellow fluff pillow to cry on.

Thanks for teaching me how to pick-up after myself.

Not that I am happy you chewed my toys and shoes, but you taught me not to leave my stuff laying around the house unless I wanted it chewed.

Thanks for keeping me active.

No, really I appreciate you making me chase you around the house for a half an hour trying to get my first ever cell phone out of your mouth.

Thanks for the laughs.

When you used to chase your tail and then catch it so you’d start to chase your foot and then you’d fall over. Or the time you ate the blue marker and looked like a smurf. Don’t forget about all of the pictures we have of you in our sunglasses, and the home videos of you “talking.” (Yes, I make my dogs talk. If you don’t, you’re lame.)

Thanks for keeping my secrets.

When I came home too late you never barked to wake my parents up. So I took that into consideration when you chewed mom’s new Christmas decor and she never even noticed. (Sorry, mom)

Thanks for showing me dogs are the best companion one can have.

I miss you so much every day. The pictures around the house just aren’t enough, but I see a part of you in our other dog you left behind, and our new puppy. You will always be my first dog and I will never forget how full of love you were.

Thank you for starting my love of dogs.

I miss you, Sophie.