Dear Buddy and Angel,
I still remember the day we met, and I decided that you both needed to be a part of our little family. Buddy was rolling around in the water bowl, tangled up in a toy, “talking” to himself. And Angel disappeared from my sight for a moment, only for me to find her in my lap looking up at me. You both were so small then, and I can’t believe how much you have grown up since.
I remember being so incredibly fascinated by the fact that we shared the same birthday- March 7th- only y’all were ten years younger than me. I told everyone about that little fun fact. Honestly, I still do today when I talk about y’all.
I remember when we got to pick you up a couple weeks later, and the first thing we did was take you to PetSmart to buy food, treats, toys, beds, clothes, and all other dog essentials. Then we took you home, and the wonder on your faces about your new surroundings that would soon become your home was incredible. You soon took to walking on the back ridge of the couch, flopping on to the expansive couch cushions, and rolling around until you decided to repeat the cycle again. Soon after that, the backyard became your favorite hangout spot- as it still is today. There were squirrels and insects to chase, golfers to bark and howl at, a million different scents to smell, and a giant water bowl that we wouldn’t let you drink out of- for some reason. (That reason was because it was actually called a pool, and it was full of chlorine, but you, of course, didn’t know that.)
After about eight-and-a-half years full of millions of memories, I just left, and I barely ever come back. I’m sure that’s confused you. I went from seeing you every day, to seeing you once every two months. I know it’s weird for you because it’s weird for me too. Whenever I call mom or dad on the phone, and I hear you in the background, I get extremely excited. According to mom and dad, y’all do to. You cock your heads to the side, and start to whimper because you hear my voice, which normally results in me Facetiming mom and dad just to see you. I know that only confuses you more. I went from being this five-foot-seven-ish human being standing in front of you to being this face on the other end of a five-inch screen. I’m sorry if I confused you or made you feel like I forgot you. I promise I haven’t- I think about you every day. I think about when the next break will come, so that I can come home and pet you and play with you. I miss you like crazy.
Even though I left you, you continue to love me unconditionally. I know that’s what dogs are known for, but still it amazes me. Thank you for loving me unconditionally even though I just randomly left you one day in mid-August and never really explained why. Thank you for getting so excited every time I come home. Thank you for nudging me and jumping on me non-stop until you feel like I have petted you enough, and thank you for never feeling like I have petted you enough. Thank you for being the best dogs in the world, and thank you for being the most wonderful friends I could have ever asked for. You’re my shoulder to cry on, my pillow when I’m exhausted from school and life, and my own personal space heater when it’s cold.
I love you. I miss you. And I promise that I’ll be home soon.
