Dear Sugar:

I'll never forget the first day we brought you home. You were nine ounces of pure love. Your sweet chihuahua face had large marble eyes, and to some, you may have been a little ugly. We, your family, were smitten with your feisty personality and sweet heart. When it came time to name you, we decided on Sugar simply because you were brown and white, like brown and white sugar.

For the first few months of your life, you were attached to mom's hip. You two shared a special bond that was truly unlike any other. That bond grew as our family grew, adding three more dogs to the mix over the course of your too short life.

Our bond was unbreakable, too. As an only child, you were the closest thing I ever had to a sister. The mornings in my childhood were pretty great, too. You used to lick my face to wake me up in the morning and snuggle with me while I watched the Today Show. I took those moments for granted, and I would do anything to get one more kiss or snuggle from you.

You were there to witness so many milestones throughout the years. You watched me go to three different schools, evacuated with us for a multitude of hurricanes, and truly got to watch me grow up. Whenever I was upset or sick, you kissed me with that long tongue of yours. After that, it was hard for me to be upset at whatever irrelevant thing I was sad about When I look back on my childhood, the only things that will remain consistent forces will be your presence and your love.

I was scared when you had to have your hip replaced; I thought it was the end of you. But luckily, we got a few more good years in you after that. Even when you were in pain, you somehow managed to find a place in your heart to love us. For that, we your family are eternally grateful.

Then, early one morning during my senior year of high school, you had a seizure and fell off of my bed. I'll never forget spending the whole day at school worrying about your condition. I was hoping you would come back like you'd done so many times before. But this time, it was the end.

The day you passed away was the hardest day of my life. I couldn't control my tears throughout the day, and since Slidell High was so small, everyone knew. That night, I had to go on and play Nana in Peter Pan like nothing happened.

With my life having changed so much this past year, I wanted to tell you that I wish it was you who waited at the door for me when I went home. I wish I could snuggle with you, roll you over, and carry you like a baby. Point is, I miss you very much, sweet girl. Although we now have a new furry baby with us, you are loved and missed forever.

Forever missing you,

Emily