Dear Charlotte,

I officially only have six days before I leave you for months at a time for the next four years. And after that, we will be apart for longer because I'll be grown. Four days after I leave, you'll be turning one, and mom said we could have a party for you before we leave, but it won't be the same.

You're a fairly new addition to the family, a gift given to us last Christmas. You were so tiny and fluffy, but still as rambunctious as you are right now. I was upset that we had gotten you so late, because my time with you was so limited, and I was closer to the age where I could refer to you as "my parents' dog" since that's where you're located.

Jaeden Aristilde

Nevertheless, you're my pup. We sleep together, we eat together, we play together. You're with me when I take my showers (only because I can't trust you in my bedroom alone), and you follow me around like a duck. You love belly rubs and you leap like a gazelle whenever you go to your toys. You can jump three feet in the air (which is kind of startling) and you're our own miniature guard dog.

Charlie peeking her head hoping to join me in the shower.Jaeden Aristilde

When I'm having a rough day, you're always so excited to see me and make me feel loved with kisses all over my face. Even though you're a bit rough, I can't help but laugh and smile when you try to bite me with your baby teeth.

I don't know what I'm going to do without you at school, Charlie. If only they allowed dogs to come to college, I would never have a bad day. The only problem would be the fact that you eat my homework and lay across my computer when I'm typing, but those are tribulations that we can look past.

For the first time since we got you, I was gone. I went to New York for two months, leaving you alone with our parents. God, that was a horrible decision. They shaved you bald, and you were unrecognizable. I could see it in your face how much you hated it but girl, you were so cute. Now, I'll be leaving for another two months, and even thoughI've had this experience before, I will still miss you the same.

An annoyed Charlie serving looks in her cone.Jaeden Aristilde

Right now, you're on my lap, sniffing the keyboard and giving me typos. You keep trying to lick my face, but clearly, I'm busy. I will miss you dearly and I will most definitely make the next/last six days we have together the most fun.

I love you!

Jaeden Aristilde

Jae