Although this is a letter and most dogs I know can’t read (can someone please make that happen), I’m writing this letter as an appreciation to my current dog, Cali.

Cali, you always seem to be my rock, literally. Everyday when I come home from a rough day of school or a hard soccer practice, you’re always there to be my pillow to lay my head on and fall asleep. Ever since the day we had to give away our vicious dog Carlos, the one who was way too possessive and bit anyone who came within striking distance of the person he was next to. I mean, he would be a great bodyguard for one person living alone, but when you have 3 kids and a very chaotic lifestyle, things didn’t really work out too much. Our lives were now complete with our baby Cali.

Everyone in my family loves our dog. She is the cutest, fluffiest thing you have ever seen. When you see her, all you want to do is run up to her and give her a giant hug, which she will definitely return by laying her head on your shoulder and neck. We are all pretty sure my mom loves the dog more than her triplets for kids, but that’s just our opinion. Most people have their kids, the husbands, or even just a good picture they have taken as a screensaver on their phones. Well… my mom has a giant picture of our dog, Cali’s, face. I guess we now know where her priorities lie.

Even though Cali doesn’t understand the full objective of the game fetch, she has many other talents that can amaze you. She knows how to sit, lie down, and stay all thinks to the doggy boot camp we sent her to in Tampa for a week. I wish they could train some of my friends to do those things. And although her coordination is very off and she is probably the clumsiest dog you have ever seen, she can occasionally catch a tennis ball. All you have to do is say “save it” and she miraculously gets somewhat athletic and motivated to catch the tennis ball flying at her face. And last but not least, Cali can tell us when she wants to go outside by ringing, with her nose, a set of bells that we have hung up on the nob of our door. She usually just uses it to go outside and play but at least it gives everyone a big laugh.

Cali, thank you for being the best dog on the planet and for always being the best sister (sorry Skylar)!