We've all heard the phrase "dog is man's best friend." But what does it look like if a person's dog is literally their best friend? Let me tell you. For as long as I can remember, I have been a "dog person" but not until about a year ago did I know what it really meant to have basically your entire life revolve around your four-legged child. So here are a few examples of what a person whose go-to BFF is their furry friend.

You know your dog is your partner-in-crime if:

1. You've ditched plans with other humans to stay with your dog.

I have literally cancelled plans on my friends because my dog was giving me "the look". How could I possibly leave my true best friend for a night on the town with the girls when he's giving me the "don't leave me" eyes? Every person who is platonically in love with their pooch has no doubt used the excuse "I'm not feeling well" or maybe they have even straight-up told their friends that their dog needed them and this just wasn't a good time. Either way, if your dog is your best friend, saying goodbye, even if it's just for an hour or so, can be nearly impossible.

2. You have actually passed up opportunities because your dog needed you and you needed him/her even more.

I can't be the only one that has had to make a life-altering choices that basically boiled down to, "But, what about my dog?" Some of my proudest moments include, (A) passing up the opportunity to move out of my particularly lame town to live in New York for a summer because I would miss my dog, (B) almost missing my train to Chicago because...puppy dog eyes, and (C) passing up awesome apartments because the "no animal" policy didn't go over well with me. If you've ever passed up an opportunity that you would have normally jumped at if your dog wasn't a factor, you're more than likely pup-possessed.

3. You have a shopping addiction....for dog toys.

If, like me, you've ever walked into a variety store and, although you started in search of shoes and a new planner, somehow ended up filling your cart with chew toys, a new doggy Christmas sweater (that may or may not fit, but it's adorable!) some booties (that you know your pooch will NEVER wear willingly) and a $50 dog bed, then it's clear your four-legged friend runs, not only your daily life, but your bank account too.

4. You don't need a significant other because you have your dog.

I can't tell you how many times I have passed up a date and cuddled with my dog instead or been upset about a failed love life situation and confided in my wet-nosed best friend who was more than willing to stay by my side through the tears (as long as I let him lick some of the ice cream off the spoon, of course.) If your dog can no doubt remind you that those on four legs are significantly better and less disappointing than those on two, your furry friend may also be the closest thing to your boyfriend/girlfriend. As an added measure, selfies with your significant other are cute, but not necessary to post, while pictures with your pup are plastered all over every social media sight known to man, including your LinkedIn account.

5. Your dogs birthday should be, and is, an annually celebrated holiday.

It's on my calendar, the birthday gift budget is set aside, the doggy play date is arranged. There may or may not be a Facebook event official party because hey, it's my dog's birthday! Forgetting human birthdays may be a common occurrence, but forgetting your dog's birthday is a cardinal sin in which you will make up for for years to come with presents and unconditional love that your pooch will no doubt give to you in return.

6. Serenading your pup is a common occurrence.

I can't be the only one who generally refuses to sing in public, but if my pooch is present, you can bet I will come up with a song here and now to remind him how important he is and that, contrary to popular belief, he owns me. Never the other way around. So if you've ever free-styled for your hound or sang "Did You Ever Know That You're My Hero" at the top of your longs while pointing to your puppy, then you are also guilty of beings best buds with your dog and there is absolutely no shame in that.

7. There is a dramatic reunion EVERY time you come home.

When I moved away for college, I was gone for a week before not seeing my dog became too hard to handle. When I finally came home, there was a lot of howling and even some crying. Now, every single time I come home to visit my faithful friend (and my parents too, of course) I enter dramatically and wait for my dog to attack me with love for a good ten minutes. If you get butterflies in your stomach every time you walk in the door and see your dog, you are also hound-crazy.

Needless to say, if your dog simply makes you overwhelmingly happy, then you are in the same boat as me. If, like I said, you get butterflies in your stomach whenever you and your pup are reunited after any length of time, and you have absolutely no regrets in letting your pooch run your life, then your dog is in fact your best friend. You are unbelievably lucky to have him/her. My dog can make me smile more than any person has on any given day. I wouldn't trade my shelter-rescued, flea-baring, food-stealing four-legged friend for anything in the world. My dog is my best friend.