Ever since I was a kid, I have always loved and have been obsessed with dogs. Like we would be in the car, and my dad would point out a dog in a car next to us or on the sidewalk somewhere and I would get so excited and constantly remind my parents that we need a dog. For years and years, I begged my parents to let us get a dog. But not just any dog, I wanted a black Labrador retriever because it was my favorite breed. I wanted one so badly, that since that age of five, I even carried around a stuffed black lab. Then finally my junior year of high school, my wish finally came true after 16 ½ years of begging.

I’ll never forget how it all started. I was on Instagram one day, and one of my close friends posted a picture of her holding a little black lab puppy that was named after her. So I commented and thought how cute she was and how bad I would want a puppy, so then she gave me the details about the litter that puppy was from and I finally saw my opportunity. I called the breeder and told her who I was, then the next day my friend Alex and I set out to meet the litter.

There was no better feeling than holding Lexi in my arms for the first time, it was in that moment that I knew I had to have this dog, no matter what it took. Finally that night, I told my parents about the breeder and about the puppy that I met that day and somehow I convinced them to say yes. To this day I still don’t know how I got my mom to say yes, but wow am I grateful that she did.

Everyone has that day in their life that they claim is the best day of their lives, that one day that they will never forget because of something that happened that day. For me, hands down one of the best days of my life were the day we brought Lexi home for the first time. It was like Christmas day for me. I couldn’t sleep the night before I was so excited to bring home my new furry best friend. It was that day I finally understood why people were so obsessed with their dogs, it was like everything she did was so cute and made my heart melt inside. Even when she was sleeping it was the cutest thing I have ever seen.

I know she can’t read this...but I guess I could read it to her, because after all she is a great listener, but if there was anything I want to say to my dog, I wanna tell her I love her more than anything. I’ve loved her since the day I first held her and I always will because she is an amazing dog and she has definitely been the perfect addition the Panicko family. She is a great companion who always wants to be with us, she’ll always be by your side when you feel sick or feeling down, and she’ll always love you no matter what.

Like I said before, I know you can’t read this but Lexi, I hope you know you are an amazing dog and I can’t wait to see you in a few weeks. Plus when I get back, I promise we’ll go for a long walk and play with your ball in the yard.