Dear Finn,

You are my greatest companion, possibly the love of my life, and the biggest goof I know. You may be a handful at times and you may not know that socks aren't meant to be eaten, but I love you, you jerk.

When my family and I went rural side of North Carolina to look at the litter of purebred Dobermans, I didn't think we would end up picking the runt. Yes, you were the little runt that managed to fall asleep in my arms and wedge your way into my heart that day. Mom liked the fat one that looked like he ate one of the puppies. I chose you, because you looked different from your nine other brothers and sisters. I could tell from your rust colored eyebrows that you had more personality than any other dog there. When you fell asleep in my arms, I think you chose me too.

The first few months were really difficult for you. You could not sleep through the night, for one. You had to go out every three hours and be fed every five. Speaking of your eating habits, you ate like it was your last (or first) meal. We couldn't get you to slow down. Then, when we were done with cleaning up your regurgitated puppy chow, we bought you a bowl with little pillars in it so wouldn't inhale your food. You were a very expensive dog to have.

Let's revisit the sock incident: you ate so many socks that you had to have surgery. We thought that we were going to lose you because of how miserable you were, all the complications, and the two or three doctors we had to see just to figure out what was wrong. Then, when you went into surgery, they didn't find anything! You ate the socks and some how they came out one way or another. Who knows?

Now, you're a Doberman Pincher. You are supposed to be a big, muscular, intimidating guard dog, but not you. You are a big and muscular, but you are the least intimidating dog I've ever come to know. When an unknown person comes up, you just cry, you don't bark, you sit there and whine. What kind of guard dog are you? You are the one who would rather curl up with one of us under the covers and take a nap than sleep on the floor on your own bed.

You're a spoiled boy, that's for sure. You get daily trips to the dog park where your favorite thing is to catch frisbees, not interact with the other dogs. You are just loyal like that, I guess. You have special dog food for your sensitive tummy. We bought little bags for our socks and undergarments just so that you couldn't get into it by accident. We have bought toy after toy, hoping that you wouldn't shred it to bits, but it's in your nature.

Despite the fact that you are the biggest pain in my butt, I love you. You may not speak, but I know you support me. You may never let me get my work done because you nudge me when you aren't getting any attention, but it's okay because I secretly love it. You may tear up everything in sight, but I guess you're only trying to express yourself. You may be a dog, but I love you just as if you were a human.

Love,

Your human