I’d like to start off and say that I’m so sorry. I’m sorry I left with no real way of telling you where I was going or if I’d be back. You must have been so confused. We’ve spent the last nine years playing and growing together and then I just left. I want you to know I didn’t want to leave you; I begged and begged Mom for you to come with me, but she wouldn't budge. I know you would have loved it here, since there is lots of grass to play in, squirrels to chase, and people to pet you. It was best that I did this whole college thing alone. It was time for me to grow up and face the world. I know we would have been a kick-ass team, taking on all the classes together and picking up cute boys as we stroll around campus, but separation is good. Distance makes the heart grow fonder, or something like that. I’ve got to tell you I cannot wait to be home this summer! We can go on super fun adventures to the river, which I know is your favorite, or maybe the park on the other side of town since you haven’t been there yet, or even the beach.

As you can tell bud, I miss you a lot. I miss having someone to listen to me vent at any hour of the day or night. I don’t know if you love our late night talks as much as I do, but they mean a lot to me. Or when you keep my feet warm at night when you sleep at the end of my bed. It would be weird to ask anyone at school to do that, at least I think they would think it would be. And no one at school greets me at the door with as much enthusiasm and excitement as you do. You make me feel special every time I walk into the house. I do have friends who watch movies with me, like you did, but they ask questions and I get lost. I like when you watch with me because you don’t ask questions and when I get excited and think I have the plot figured out, you don’t get mad that I spoiled the movie. You’re the best dog a girl can have. I mean, I don’t miss vacuuming up your hair every week or having to get it off all my black clothes. You can’t help that you shed, but of course it would be nice if you didn’t…

Anyway, I hope that my brother has been taking as good of care of you as I would. Extra treats after dinner and a new rope every couple weeks? If not, I’ll be home in two weeks or so and we’ll fix everything! When Mom and I FaceTime, I say hi to you, but I don’t think you can really know it’s me since you're getting to be an old dog (and we all know old guys don’t really understand technology). I can’t wait to be reunited, buddy! These next couple of weeks will fly by, and we’ll be taking long walks and playing fetch with tennis balls in the yard before you know it. We’ll have a whole three months together. I’ll have to go back to school eventually, but we don’t have to think about that for a while! For now be good and stay out of the garbage!