Dogs truly are a blessing and bring so much joy to our life. The best day that you could possibly have with your dog, is the day that you bring it home. There is no greater feeling than bringing a puppy into your home for the first time. Sure you might get frustrated when trying to train it because it is a puppy and probably doesn't sit still for more than a few minutes, but in the end, the outcome will be worth all of the long hours of hard training that you did with your puppy.
The quote "Whoever said that diamonds are a girl's best friend, never had a dog." is a true quote because you will never find a best friend like your dog. After many years of and whining and talking about puppies from my sisters and me, we finally convinced our mom to let us get a dog. We drove to Lancaster, Pa. on a wintry February morning to go get our puppy, Duke. Duke was a 6 week old German Shepherd puppy when we got him. Even though he was only 6 weeks old, he was the biggest puppy in the litter! He stayed little for about a month or so after we got him and then he was never considered "little" after that. Duke will be 9 in December, but you would never know. He acts like he did the day we brought him home. He was with me through my late elementary days, middle school days, high school days, and now with me for my college years! That was one of the hardest parts about leaving for college even though I am about 40 minutes away from home. Duke has also experienced some pretty interesting things in his lifetime so far. He gets to go on our family vacation every year, this requires finding a pet-friendly hotel with no weight limit. This can be a very hard and frustrating process! Duke also had to have two surgeries. He tore his ACL and have to have it operated on and then about two years later, he tore his MCL in his other back leg and have to have that operated on as well. He has made life more enjoyable for all of us.
My dog is my best friend for several different reasons. Every time that I come home, no matter how long I am gone, he is always at the door with his tail wagging waiting for me to pet him. Once I am in the door, he likes to follow me around for a few minutes to make sure that I am staying at home and not leaving him again anytime soon.
I consider my dog my best friend not only because he is always happy to see me when I come home, but because I can always count on him to comfort me when I am upset or not feeling well. He is very good at sensing when I am upset because he always seems to be by my side during this time or brings me a toy and acts playful. This is his way of trying to cheer me up! I know that I always have him to hug and let a few tears out to. He also knows when I am not feeling well because he likes to lay beside me. Having him be with me during these times always seems to make me cheer up no matter if I'm upset about something or not feeling well.
As the years go by, I realize that he needs me more than what I need him. Since he is getting to be older, he needs help doing certain things, more attention, and more love. I do my best to make sure that I give him all of this now, but have been trying to make sure that he gets a little extra. I don't mind doing this because of what he has done for me over time, and I feel that it is only right to give back.
I don't want to think about having to say goodbye anytime soon, but I know it is a part of life. You have had such a positive impact on my life and I want to do the same for you. Ever since I got you, I noticed that you made me realize that you need to take life one day at a time, and have made me an overall happier person. I know that these years in the future will be nothing but fun because the past 9 years have been a blast! Even though you will be turning 9, you will always be my puppy. No matter how old you get, or gray you turn, you will always be seen as the little 6-week-old energetic puppy that we brought home in February of 2008. Love you, Duke!
