Everyone has heard the expression that a dog is man's best friend, and let me say, that expression couldn't be truer! What better friend is there than a friend who doesn't judge you, who loves you unconditionally, and who gets so excited to see you that they pee themselves? You could have an awful day, whether you did bad on a test, dealt with a jerk in traffic, or simply had a long day at work. Yet, the moment you arrive home, you have a friend waiting who will be so excited to see you that you'll temporarily forget your troubles of the day. Though some may laugh when they hear of the love dog owners have for their furry friends and say: "it's just a dog", they are dead wrong, and here is why.

It was a cold day in February of 2006 when a floppy-eared, big-pawed, German Shepard named Eli came into my life. The day I met my best friend. Being the youngest in my family, and so much younger than my two older siblings, Eli became my designated playmate. Every day after school was spent in the backyard playing games of fetch, "house", and adventure with Eli. As I grew up and became a teenager, my dog continued to be my best friend. Through the years of mean girls and drama, I always knew I had someone who loved me for me, had no judgment, and accepted me for who I was. For 11 winters, springs, summers, and falls, I had the best dog a girl could ask for. On February fourth of 2017, I held my best friend as he went to sleep, and it was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Through the tears, I looked back on all my years with Eli, and what he taught me. He taught me to live in the moment, to not hold grudges, to worry less, to love unconditionally without judgment, and that sometimes all people need is a listening ear. Though the pain of losing him made a hole in my heart, the joy he brought me in those 11 years filled my heart more than I could ever measure.

Dog's aren't just pets, but friends and family that teach us more than a person ever could, and who demonstrate unconditional love without ever speaking a single word. The next time someone says "it's just a dog", know that they just don't understand.