One of the hardest things about college is being separated from those you love for long periods of time. I can honestly say the separation anxiety is the worst when I think about my pups back home. Seriously, nothing beats the feeling of coming home for winter break after being away for a few weeks/months and the first face you see is waiting for you at the door, jumping with excitement. When you’re finally reunited with your very best friend(s) again. Was that right? Was my best friend also a furry one? It definitely is, and I absolutely embrace that. Here’s how to know if your dog is your best friend too:

1. You get excited about going to the dog park.

2. Taking them on a walk/feeding them/bathing them are things you don't see as chores.

3. Half of the pictures on your camera roll are of your dogs.

And people wonder what you're always looking at on your phone.

4. You get genuinely excited to see them after a long day.

5. You miss them (tremendously) when you’re out of town.

Whether it’s for a day, weekend, entire week, or even a month.

6. You can’t stay mad at them for more than two minutes.

Even if they did just tear up your toilet paper/clothes/homework/furniture/etc.

7. You talk about them everywhere you go and get very angry when someone tries to say their dog is better than yours.

8. You say goodbye to them when you leave the house and goodnight before you go to bed.

9. You hate pulling out of your driveway and seeing them peek through the window wondering where you’re going and why they didn’t get to come in the car with you.

10. You enjoy being around them more than some people.

No shame.

11. You love them unconditionally and wouldn’t trade them for the world.