My family got our dog when I was in second grade. My sister had begged our parents for what seemed like an eternity, and she managed to convince my brother and I that getting a dog was the greatest idea ever. After much thought and deep discussion, my parents agreed to add a little puppy to the family. We looked through dozens of pictures of dogs (all hypoallergenic and minimal shedding), and when we got to a picture of a Cavachon puppy we all knew that was the one for us. A Cavachon is a mix of a King Charles Cavalier Spaniel and a Bichon. We spent time around the kitchen table testing out names for the dog to see which we thought sounded the best. My sister and I liked Jordan, and my brother liked Tyler. There, we all decided that our companion would be named Jordan Tyler and we were going to love him forever.

I was afraid of dogs for much of my young childhood. Dogs and pretty much all animals made me feel very uncomfortable and vulnerable. Thanks to having Jordan in my life for the past nine years I can truthfully say that I love dogs and they are some of my favorite animals in the world. Dogs have so much character and they are so full of life. Their energy and willingness to go out and do anything is infectious. Despite their ever-growing distance from their wolf ancestors through domestication and breed mixing, dogs are still very much pack animals. They feel safe around their pack and it's where they thrive. My family is my dog's pack. We love him and he loves us. We walk him, feed him, give him a place to sleep, and love him with everything we have. He, in turn, enhances our lives by his very presence and his goofy nature. We've looked into his eyes many times and have seen a spark there that tells us that there's really someone intelligent in that head. He's smart and cunning through his little dorky floppy ears, sweet face, and insistent whining and begging. He's a thinking, feeling being who relies on us just as we rely on him in many ways.

Through the years, we have all had our share of ups and downs, and Jordan has been there for us every time. His snuggles and comforting presence have gotten the five of us through everything. He sleeps in our beds, attends family functions, and puts a smile on everyone's faces. He truly became a part of the family and has won the hearts of members of the extended family who aren't quite so keen on other animals.

Dogs are fiercely loyal creatures. They will run themselves into the ground for you. They will keep working and pushing on until they die for you. That's why you need to always be looking out for your dog and tell him or her to relax and slow down. When taking our dog out for a walk at our local parks or trails, we always keep an eye out for him to make sure he's doing okay. When his tail and head start to droop a little and look to be about halfway down, that's when we'll turn back around to go home. When he gets home after a long, hot run, he'll make himself comfy on a couch and sleep for the rest of the day. A tired dog is a happy dog, after all.

So, that's why dogs are the best. They're just genuinely happy-go-lucky animals who love unconditionally, provided you earn that kind of love. Too often do I hear of dog owners who neglect their responsibilities and the dogs go a little crazy. A dog is never born angry and hateful, they become that way because of owners who don't do their jobs as pet owners. But if you treat a dog with the love and kindness it deserves, that dog will be your best friend for life.