I remember the first time I held you in my arms my sweet dog. You were just a little black ball of fur that loved licking my face. I was just seven at the time and you were just two months old. I was basically a puppy myself at the time we brought you into our home and hearts. Now, as you lay here on a nice fleece blanket at the vet’s office as we spend our last moments together, there are a few things I want to say before we part.

You were always a little ball of energy and loved to run puppy hot laps in our back yard until you were parched and ran out of breath. You had such a zest for life and had an attention span of a nat, just like me. Thanks for being a sport for everything. I know you hated the outfits and Halloween costumes we forced you to wear, but we could not resist dressing you up. Sorry for all the times I told you to shut up when you saw a squirrel or the UPS truck going by. Your barks were always so high pitched and pierced my ears, but that is what dogs do. We could walk hours going down our street and through other neighborhoods on beautiful, sunny days.

Thanks for being our little vacuum cleaner and eating up all the crumbs on the floor. You saved me from having to get up and get the vacuum cleaner multiple times. I never understood how you could be so happy eating the same thing every day for breakfast and dinner. Every time I came home, I knew you would be the first one to greet me with a wagging tail and sloppy kisses to give me. I could talk to you about anything and you never judged me. It truly felt like you could understand what I was saying; you were such a good listener. I comforted you during thunderstorms and you comforted me when I was crying or having a bad day. You knew when I needed extra snuggles and kisses. I knew you loved me even when I forced you to love me and forced you to cuddle with me.

These last 14 years we shared together were the best years of my life. We both had our milestones and I was lucky enough to share them with you. I started elementary school when you came home and you started obedience school at the same time. You were with me through the awkward years of middle school and through all of high school. You were there for me when I failed my first test in high school. You were my buddy when I got my heart broken for the first time in high school by a nice boy who you liked too. (It’s okay, we were both fooled by him.) I remember getting accepted to colleges and I too could tell you were happy for me. Half of the time during your life, you looked at me like I had five heads, but you still loved me.

However, as I grew older, so did you. As I was able to do more, you were able to do less. You couldn't jump as high anymore, you couldn't run as fast as you used to. You would not come running to me when I entered the front door nor did you bark at squirrels anymore. All you wanted to do was lay down and sleep. You did not like going on our long walks anymore. I could tell you were getting uncomfortable and you were losing your spark in your eyes and your spunk for life. Even when your abilities declined, you still remained the happiest pup I had ever met and would continue to always try your hardest to make me happy.There was no medicine that would cure you. I saw how you looked at me today and I knew you were in pain and it was time. So, that brings us here.It’s okay to go now. You are free to go. As I looked at you, I knew you wanted me to pick you up so you could go home, but this would be the first time that I would not be bringing you home. You just looked at me as if you wanted me to save you, but I can’t. I feel helpless for the first time, but you told me with your eyes that everything was going to be okay. Words cannot describe how much I love you and will always love you. You were my first dog and you were the best dog a girl could have. Rest your eyes now my sweet girl; I want you to realize how much you are loved. You are not alone, I am right here with you and I always will be. You are now at peace and so am I.

You are no longer suffering nor are you in any more pain. Now you can be the spunky, young and energetic pup that you once were and have been longing to be for so long now.You were the definition of my childhood and I realized that I too have grown and have gotten older. These past fourteen years have gone by so fast with you in my life. We both grew older and hopefully wiser. My childhood was a blast and getting to share it with my best four-legged friend was what made it special. So until we meet again, I’ll be missing you.