Dear Human,

Hey there, friend! I waited for you beside the door for two hours today just in case you decided to visit and needed to be tackled by something furry. I went to the groomer’s last week, so I’m exceptionally fluffy and extra qualified to cuddle. Since you’ve been away for so long, I thought you might like a quick summary of what you’ve been missing. Lucky for you, I found some time between chasing birds in the backyard and barking at the new recliner to tell you how things are going around the house. I can assure you that I’ve been protecting the family from all sorts of evil (the ice cream truck, vacuums, squirrels, thunderstorms -- you know, the usual).

That doesn’t mean I don’t have time for other things, though! Now that you’re gone, the whole family has been playing tug-of-war with me and petting me more often. Yesterday your sister even found that one spot on my back you used to scratch that makes my leg wiggle. That was a good thing. I like that thing.

Mom is doing great! While doing my daily rounds, I am sure to check on her a little extra. She keeps forgetting that you’re not home and will make too much food for dinner. This means that sometimes I get to eat people food instead of that dry brown stuff she pours out of a bag; not that I’m happy you’re gone, of course, but at least it means eating less beef flavored cardboard. Mom has this new funny habit, though. She refreshes Facebook a lot more often, and whenever your picture comes up, she smiles softly and hesitates before she keeps scrolling down the page. Her cell phone is always in her hand, and whenever it makes any noise at all, she checks it more quickly than ever. I think she’s just waiting to hear your voice on the other end of the line because after you call, she’s willing to set the phone down for more than five minutes. I can’t be certain, though, because I am a dog.

Whenever Mom mentions that you probably need money for food, laundry, or textbooks, Dad always says he’ll take care of it. He is great. Every so often he’ll grumble a little about how FAFSA was a really unhelpful guy this year (I should probably look into biting him), but that’s the only time he ever complains. No one else sees it, but he spends a lot of time alone with papers and this little checkbook. He’ll sit in his big chair with his laptop, pull up a ton of spreadsheets, and enter numbers over and over until there’s a number big enough to put in your bank account. I keep him company because sometimes the math will make him want to scratch my head instead of his.

The most bizarre thing is when your sister calls your name and waits for you to respond. She’s so silly; she must not remember that you’re gone. I’ve started responding to your name now because she likes the extra company. I watch Netflix with her late at night like you used to do. Did she make you watch "Desperate Housewives" too? If I whimper long enough, she’ll give me a piece of popcorn as long as I promise not to tell Mom. I have kept the secret thus far. The best nights are when she talks to me about her favorite scene in a movie or how the funniest character in a TV show reminds her of you. It’s probably because you know just how to make everyone laugh! That’s why you’re everyone’s best friend. Especially mine.

Mom says you’re really busy in college right now. She mentioned something about midterms, which sounds even scarier than that black cat that digs through our garbage. College sounds like a far-off wonderful place, though! I bet there are plenty of trees to bark up and a ton of grass to roll around in. Are there Frisbees at college? I hope there are Frisbees. I can only imagine how great you’re doing. You should know that I haven’t forgotten about you, and neither has anybody else. I hope you haven’t forgotten about us. The house is a little emptier without you, but sometimes when I sleep with that stuffed duck you bought me that squeaks, it almost feels like you’re here.

I know I’m just your dog. I don’t understand everything around me or why certain things happen, but I’d bet my favorite tennis ball that you’re away for a great reason. Why? Because you’re the best person I know. While you’re out making the world a better place to play fetch in, I’ll keep barking at the UPS man and being the family’s favorite thing to ever pee on the carpet. I miss you. I hope you come to visit soon.

With wiggles and licks,

Your dog

P.S. Please bring snacks.