Every single time I walk in the door, I'm greeted by that same familiar face, the same loud bark, and the same sloppy kiss.

Anyone who says diamonds are a girls best friend definitely hasn't ever seen my dog and I.

Here's to you, my Diamond:

I swear you're psychic; whenever I have a bad day, it takes you less than a minute to come up to me and lay your head on my legs, gazing up with those eyes and assuring me everything is going to be all right.

When I'm at home and wake up from a bad dream, I'm instantly comforted by you surprising me and cuddling up next to me.

Whenever I have to leave you to go back to school, it hurts way more than it probably should.

Sometimes you bark so freaking much that I want to strangle you, but as soon as you come up and lick me, knowing you're in the wrong yet looking so innocent, I forget about how loud and annoying of a bark you have.

Thank you for reminding me to stop and enjoy the little things in life; a long walk on a beautiful spring day, a simple treat, and a quick yet somehow entertaining game of fetch.

Thank you for being the protector of the house, although your bark is way worse than your bite. If you could lick someone to death, you would be a lot more threatening.

You are almost eight now, which is fifty-six (I think?) in dog years, and I can see you slowing down. I see you limp away and try to play it off when we notice. I see the way it takes you a little bit longer to get up than it used to. I'm aware that you can't jump up onto the bed anymore, it's all of a sudden become too high. The games of fetch have become shorter, but the cuddles have increased. Every time I head back into school, I give you an extra kiss, and worry that I won't see you the next time I come home. Each time when I do come back and you're still here, I breathe a sigh of relief, and hold on to you again.

I know that you'll only be here for part of my life, and that we are your whole life, but I promise you that you will be with me for the rest of my life, in my heart, pup. Thanks for being my best friend and the greatest dog a girl could ask for.