"Diamonds are a girl's best friend." Maybe for some people, but definitely not me. There are so many reasons that I am thankful for my dog and I know many dog owners can relate. So even though my dog can't understand English much less understand 'sit' and 'come', here it goes.

Buddy,

Thank you. Thank you for always waking me up in the morning with sloppy kisses, bouncing through the winter snow, going crazy and running in circles in the front yard and for being my best friend.

When Dad and I first went to the Humane Society 12 years ago, we found a dog. Not you of course, but I was convinced this dog was the one. A golden retriever with husky eyes, and a playful demeanor, she seemed right. Nope. Someone else seemed to think the same thing. A month later we decided to try again. Mom fell in love with that dog, a seven year old, Doberman Pinscher who was afraid of thunder, lightning and fireworks. But she was adopted before we could pick her up. Then came you. Dad and I decided to go to the Humane Society one day while mom was at work. That day changed my life forever.

We strolled into the Golden Valley Humane Society. The smell of freshly washed animals hung in the air and we were greeted by the staff. They directed us to the aisles of dogs and we started looking. I was hopeful but Dad told me not to get my hopes up. All of the other dogs were too small, too yippie and not as cute. Then came you. You were crouched in the back of your stall, with your floppy, velvet ears perked when I crouched down to your level. You jumped up, and sprinted over to the fence where I stuck my fingers through. You began to lick my fingers and then tried to kiss my nose. I yelled for Dad to come over and look at you. 10 months old, Black lab/German Shepherd, named Buddy. Dad came over and I asked if we could take you to the meeting room. He nodded his head and someone brought you into the room with us and handed Dad treats for you.

She couldn’t take your leash off fast enough. You were so excited. First, you came over to me, put your paws on my knees for I was kneeling down and without the fence stopping you, you kissed my face...rather slobbered all over my face. That's when I knew you were the one. Then you pranced on over to Dad and tried to do the same, but he stopped you before you got too close. The worker that brought you in for us informed us that you were here because you failed to pass Level 1 of being a seeing-eye-dog. Thank you for failing.

I was in love. So we put you on hold. We called mom and she was hesitant. She wasn’t fond of black dogs because of bad childhood memories, but we convinced her that you were different and she made the trip to the humane society. It didn’t take her long to fall in love with you either. Thank you for being so lovable. Still on hold, we went home to ponder you moving in. And a couple of days later, we all agreed that yes you would be coming home with us. After all the years of begging, the promises I made, we would finally be getting a dog. Little did we know how much damage you would cause.

We brought you home and you became the best thing about waking up in the morning even though I was too lazy to get up and walk you...sorry. Getting to know you, your spunky attitude and getting little lovable memories with you is and was the best thing. I’m biased but you’re the best dog a girl could ever have. Even though you wrecked my favorite purple, fuzzy, flip-flops and chewed great-grandma’s rocker, chewed several rugs and wrecked the new bed we got you, you’re still alright.

You’re a lot of work and you cost a lot of money for Mom and Dad, but you’re worth every cent and I’m sure they would agree. You’re the healthiest dog, the most fit and you still look like you did 12 years ago minus the gray occurring around your mouth. You act like a puppy, but I have been realizing lately that you enjoy more and more basking in the sunlight to warm your old bones. It breaks my heart that someday you won’t be here with me anymore and I’m becoming more and more thankful for you everyday. I had the idea that you would be here forever and I would love it if you could be.

But now that you’re older, I’ve become more and more thankful for everything that you have brought to my life over the years. I’m incredibly thankful for your barking and frantic paws while you dream. Your bounding in the snow and searching for mice in the deep snow banks will always make me smile. The way you get excited when you see a squirrel right outside the window. I love how gently you take carrots or other treats from my hand. You’re the quietest beggar and you know when to take a hint...sometimes. I love how excited you get when I come home from school and I love the early morning kisses and cold nose that you awaken me with. Thank you for protecting me, comforting me, loving me and being my best friend these past 12 years. I don’t know what I would have done without you.

I love you.