I've been a dog person my entire life. My family usually had a dog or two running around, but I couldn't wait to move out and get a dog of my own. Against my parent's advice, I became a dog mom and my life was changed forever. It all started with a dog named Calli, when I was 18. She passed away in 2012 and it was the most difficult thing I've ever dealt with. I had rescued another dog a year before. Having her to love on helped ease the blow. I honestly don't know that I would have made it through without her. To say I'm obsessed could quite possibly be an understatement and only another dog mom will understand what I'm about to say.

To my dog:

Presley,

You are the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. There is nothing on this planet that I love more than being your dog momma, and I can't even begin to thank you enough for the unconditional love you give me. The wag of your tail gives me joy and one of your hugs melts my heart.

I will never forget the day you picked me. I walked into PetSmart for dog food and walked out with a second mouth to feed. There you were in a metal crate: tiny, quiet, and scared. When I convinced the shelter worker to let me hold you, I pulled you out of the crate and you clung to me like no other dog ever had. You were so relaxed and gave me your trust right off the bat. I knew there wasn't a chance that you were going anywhere except home with me.

I won't sugar coat anything. The first couple of months were rough. Listening to you whine in your crate the first night was heart-wrenching. When I pulled you out and put you in the bed between me and Calli, she didn't adjust to that very well. I swept up countless shredded dog beds and even a queen size mattress. Toys never lasted more than a few minutes. Potty training was a nightmare and I always loved coming home to chewed up rolls of paper towels. I promise you are worth every bit of frustration I endured.

After 80+ pounds and five and a half years, I still watch you sleep at night and wonder how I got so lucky. When people make comments about you in public about how beautiful or well-mannered you are, I know I light up like a Christmas tree. I love you more than you will ever know. You've gotten me through so many of life's trials. It is completely unbearable to think about a single day without you, although I know it is inevitable. Life is so much better with you by my side. There are moments that I am brought to tears just by thinking of how blessed I am to have you.

I'm sorry that I will never be half the person you think I am. I'm sorry for all of the pictures I take of you. I take them because I know that after you are gone, I will need them. Until then, I promise to spend pretty days with you by the river and not so pretty ones snuggled with you in the bed. I promise to share my steak and I promise to feed you all of the tomatoes that you can handle. I promise to take you for car rides and I promise to roll your window down even if it blows my hair in my face. I promise to celebrate your birthday like it's a national holiday now and every year after you're gone. I promise I won't move when you're asleep in my lap. I promise to buy those expensive bones you like, even though they're completely consumed in less than two minutes. I promise to always make decisions with your best interests in mind, even if that decision will destroy me. You can count on me to stay with you until the very end, when that day comes.

You make me a better person. I love you, for keeping my wallet empty and my heart far more than full.