Dear Dog Back Home,
I miss you. I miss coming home from school each day and having an excited ball of fur greet me at the door. I miss bending down and having you jump at my face, covering me in dog slobber. I miss having to hold you back while I laugh because your breath reeked of dog food. This often prompts you to try harder, for you always make sure no square inch of my face goes un-kissed. I miss the way you prance around my feet and bark with excitement, eagerly hoping I fetch you a dog biscuit from the secret stash (which isn’t too much of a secret anymore). Home feels like home the moment I see you in the window watching the car pull in the driveway.
I miss laying on the couch and knowing I always have someone to cuddle with. The second I got situated with a snack and a blanket, you’d instantly jump up and lay your warm body against my leg. Your smile was content, but your eyes begged for the food. Don’t tell Mom and Dad, but I always make sure to slip you a couple chips.
I miss my faithful travel companion. If I need to run to the bank, you ride shotgun. If I want to clear my head and walk around the park, you practically fetch your own leash for me. If I want to go for a late night drive, you're next to me with your head out the window.
I miss my personal alarm clock. When it's bed time, you bark at me until I ask you if it was time to go upstairs. As I make my way up to the room I’d spent so many years in, you run full speed up the stairs and take a flying leap onto my bed. Thankfully the bed is queen-sized, because you like to have your own pillow and side of the bed. Before too long, I hear your steady snoring while I rub your back. Come morning, you once more fulfill your role as a clock, because you never fail to wake me up by 7:00. I might groan and push you off of me at the time, but I miss you having my back.
Most of all, I miss our friendship. You know all my secrets, you’ve met all my friends and any person I’ve dated (your opinion of them was taken into account), and you’ve licked away every tear that has rolled down my cheeks. Growing up, when Mom and Dad were at work and I was home with a fever, you were the babysitter. You always seem to know if I'm cold, because whenever I pulled a blanket over me, you make yourself right at home on top of my feet. But, if you want to be petted, you paw away the blanket and make sure you are acknowledged. I miss the silly things you’d do that would make me laugh. Stormy skies turned to sunshine and rainbows when you enter the room.
Your brown, gentle eyes speak louder than any of your howls, barks, yips and yaps. You love me regardless of how I look that day, because you know and appreciate the real me. I thank you for being the best friend I’ve ever had, because your love for me runs unconditionally. It’s the little things I miss the most, and I can’t wait to come home soon to see you.
With Love,
Your Human Friend
