I don't care how cliche it sounds when I say that there is absolutely nothing better than your dog coming to greet you after you've been gone from home for a while. Actually, you don't even need to have been gone for a while, any amount of time that you've been away from your dog guarantees that you're going to get the happiest, purest, hello you could possibly get. You could be in the worst mood possible but as soon as you see that tail wagging and that tongue halfway out, you can't help but smile. And that, definitely, is not something to take for granted. So here it is, here's my thank you letter to my dog (even though he'd probably rather just get a treat).

Dear Charlie,

Thank you for consistently being the happiest member of my family to see me. I don't always show it, but the best part of my day is seeing you, too. I know we've had some rough patches (those heels you chewed up will always hold a special place in my heart...as will those sneakers, and those sandals...) but I'm proud to say that we've come a long way since then. In fact, I remember the first day we brought you home. You were tiny, not more than a few pounds, and whenever you would cuddle up in our laps, we would all take painstakingly careful measures to avoid moving a muscle so as not to disturb you. And then, we quickly realized what a menace you were.

As I said, you've really done quite the number on more than a few pairs of shoes. You've also continued to bark for hours straight when guests come to the house, not to mention barking early in the morning and waking us all up. But, I guess you could say it's worth it. You're the most willing playmate and with you, there's never a dull moment. Whether you're trying to sneak onto the dining room table to grab a piece of chicken in the middle of dinner, or you're trying to lick my face enough until you can get some of the bubble gum I'm chewing, you're always determined to keep us on our toes.

Beyond that, it's also pretty nice when you cuddle up on the couch with me. Especially when it's cold out, there's nothing better than you and your warm little puppy dog body to help keep the feel of winter out of the house. I also definitely appreciate our walks together. I think we both know that if it were up to me, I would simply come home, grab that pint of ice cream and park myself in front of my laptop or the tv and rewatch Grey's Anatomy. When I see you wriggling with excitement at the prospect of a walk, I can't resist your literal puppy dog face and you force me to get up and actually get out of my lair...I mean my bedroom.

So I guess all I'm saying Charlie, is that there's no other dog but you I could want. You're a devil and a menace and will probably never be trained, but you're also the best snack-sharer, cuddler, and walking buddy to have around. You're the friendliest and wildest dog there is and it makes for a pretty good time. I will always be impressed by your sophisticated palette ( I mean, seriously, how many other dogs will fully eat a salad with you) and the way you always think you're bigger than you actually are. For a dog that's less than 20 pounds and only a few inches off the ground, your presence seems much larger than it actually is. Thanks for being you, Charlie.