Unless you have lived underground for most of your life so far, you have probably heard the phrase, "man's best friend," referring, of course, to dogs.

In fact, due to the popularity of of this domesticated pet and its nickname, I think we often take dogs for granted. Of course, quite a lot of people love dogs (and some people do not, and that's okay too). But how many times has your dog at home annoyed every fiber of your being? Maybe they misbehaved, made a huge mess that you now have to clean up, won't stop barking/whining, or just won't leave you alone? Do not be ashamed to admit that you have experienced negative emotions toward this loving creature-- I think we all have.

For whatever reason, we do not seem to fully appreciate the presence of our canine companions... until they aren't there anymore.

Being away at college is an exciting time. You are faced with new challenges, unprecedented opportunities, and unforgettable friendships. Most people absolutely love college, but aside from missing your human family back at home, there is one absence that is often felt above all others: that of your dog.

When you are sitting in your dorm room, there is no whining, no barking, no other mouth to feed, and no mess to clean up (other than the ones that you make). It's nice, when you look at it that way, but you still seem to miss it.

Because there's no fuzzy friend to cuddle and hug, no puppy pal to take on walks or play outside with, and no dippy dog to make you laugh at all the goofy things they do in your everyday life. If you're like me, you're constantly missing your best friend, who is probably sitting at home wondering where you went.

To make matters worse, dogs don't really have a concept of time, since it's a man-made invention. When you leave for college, they don't know when you're coming back. They don't know whether they'll see you in just a couple weeks when you come home to visit, or not until your next break. All they can do is wait for your return.

Some people try to make the separation more bearable by looking at old pictures of their dog, or receiving new ones from their family at home. You'll ask your mom to FaceTime you just so you can see your puppy, who can recognize your voice when they hear you (they'll bark or whine in recognition) but has no idea where you are or how to find you. And yet, it's just not the same.

While this tends to be utterly depressing, it makes your reunion that much more special. When you finally get back home to see your canine companion once more, they are overwhelmingly ecstatic to see and greet you. You can spend some quality time with them, not minding their barking, messes, or otherwise.

It's college (or just being away from home for a long period of time in general) that does this. Spending time away from your furry friend makes you feel their absence, which only makes you love them more. You can truly appreciate them and everything they have to offer you, making your dog truly man's best friend.