When you're little, you never think about the end of anything. You don't think about your ice cream cone melting before you can finish it, because you just finish it in time. You don't think about your favorite cartoon being cancelled, because it's always on every afternoon. You don't think about having to say a real goodbye to your favorite dog, because you know she'll be at the door the next time you come home.

But one day, that all changes. And let me tell you, as most of you probably know, it's not fun and it's not easy. But what's even tougher is knowing that one day soon, you will have to say goodbye for good. It could be tonight, it could be tomorrow, it could be next week, or it could be next month. But in the very near future, your dog's tail will not wag any more and there will be no one nudging at your elbow at the table to slip them some table food.

Knowing you have to say goodbye is painful. More painful than I'd like to admit. But as my dad says, the end of anything, as sad as it may be, it's also an incredible celebration. So let's talk about what dogs mean to us humans and, more specifically, what my dogs mean to me.

My dogs mean endless love. They don't care what you said yesterday, what you will say tomorrow, they just love you with no limits.

My dogs mean forever smooches. Come home from work, covered in ice cream? They will give you even more kisses than usual, because they can't get enough of you (and that ice cream...).

My dogs mean constant friendship. Every single day you come home, they are so happy to see you walk through the door, and are always waiting for you to come home. They are great listeners (especially when you pet them), and they always want to spend time with you.

My dogs mean the greatest gift. They are so special and caring, and I don't know what I did to deserve them in my life. They know when to snuggle up closer, or just lay by your feet. They understand us more than we will ever understand them, and they are so unbelievably lovable.

I'm so lucky to have two special dogs in my life, and I know saying goodbye to one soon will not be easy at all. But I do know that she had an amazing life, full of car rides with the windows down, vacations to the beach, long walks, and lots and lots of love. She is love.