From four-legged and fluffy to scaly and slimy, pets are more than just animals, they are best friends and family members.

Dear pets of the past, present, and future,

Thank you so much for loving me. You provide me with more security, companionship, and friendship than I ever could have imagined. You started out as an idea in my head or a cute little fuzzy thing that I saw in a window and now I can’t imagine my life without you.

You were there for me, you sat with me when I didn’t want to be alone, and you showed me the beauties of unconditional love. Not a single day goes by that you don’t show me how much you love me in some way, shape or form. You have this amazing ability to make me smile, simply by being you.

Even though you cannot talk to me, you are the best listener I have ever met. You sit there with me, whether you want to or not, and listen to me go on and on about everything from my day to what I’m making for dinner to my current relationship status. Sure, you may not know what I’m saying, but that doesn’t keep you from being there and listening.

Thank you for being the first thing to greet me when I get home and the last thing I see before I close my eyes at night. Even though you are smaller than me, you make me feel so protected, blocking any fears I may have. I know that no matter how bad my day was, how awful I may look, or how mean I can be, you will always be there for me.

Over the years, you have been the constant in my life. When I moved to a new home, you were there right by my side. When an old friend decided not to be a friend anymore, your companionship remained. When I felt like no one understood me, I looked next to me to find you sitting there looking at me, silently telling me everything is going to be okay.

You are the one who I can go to with anything and everything, from coffee and breakfast on the back porch to long journeys outside, you are down for it all. You watch me try cooking, fascinated by the smells of things I am making, caring less whether it tastes good or not. You follow me around the house, making sure I know you’re there in the midst of everything. You even speak up when I’m not paying attention to you, just so I know that you’re still there and loving me.

Even though you can be a pain in the butt sometimes, you are the pain in the butt who loves me no matter what, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year, no matter what. While I have friends and family who love me unconditionally, I’d say you have them beat.

While you may only take up a small amount of time in my life, you will always be there with me and for me forever. I am so honored and so lucky that you chose me to spend your entire life with – you are the best pet a person could ask for.