Dogs are known as man's best friend, and there is no doubt about it. They give us loyalty that we don't always deserve. Dogs will love you despite the way you may look, it's unconditional. Dogs just want to love and be loved, which is what humans look for, too. Having a dog in your life is enjoyable and rewarding beyond words, but all of that enjoyment can turn to sadness. Just like people, dogs age. They don't get to live forever, although sometimes we wish they could.

To my fur-ever friend,

First off, I could not imagine my life without you. I remember the day that my dad took all of us to the pet store to get you. I truthfully wanted nothing to do with you. I was interested in a different dog, that just so happened to be your sister. I cried because I didn't want you, but my dad insisted. Now I want to cry thinking about the fact that you won't always be here. You have been around for 15 years of my life — a lot has happened in 15 years. You put up with my meanness and teasing as a little girl, and I don't know why. You saw me change from a little girl into the woman who can never stop hugging you, and you love it.

Whenever I open the door and come home, you are always so happy to see me. I can hear your collar jingle and feel your paws on my legs as you greet me — I'll miss that the most when you're gone. Our bond is unbreakable despite the fact that I've had to clean up countless accidents around the house and all of the things of mine that you've eaten. We have spent days laying around taking a nap, or maybe five, and I have given you countless snacks that I probably shouldn't have fed you. You've seen my friends and boyfriends come and go, all my laughs and tears. When I was sad, you knew it. I don't know how you knew, but you did. You would lick the tears off my face and try to cheer me up. When I was happy, you were happy with me and would play with me.

You can't play quite as much anymore, and it breaks my heart. You're getting older every day and I wonder if you can see it like the rest of us can. Your hips are getting stiff and you have trouble going up and down stairs and jumping on the couch. Your fur is turning grey and your eyes look cloudy and tired. If I'm being honest, it scares me watching you age. It feels like just yesterday you were a young puppy. You've scared us all with near-death experiences, but you've always managed to pull through, and unfortunately, that won't happen forever. As I sit here and write this letter, I can see you laying on the floor sleeping peacefully. Seeing you so peaceful makes me happy. I can see that you're aging by the second. You have had such a good life and I am thankful that I got to be apart of it.

When the day comes that we have to say goodbye and you leave us, I will be filled with a heavy heart and a lot of sadness. I pray that all dogs go to heaven, especially you, because the thought of never seeing you again breaks my heart into a million pieces. I will cherish the time that we had together forever and I am so glad that I never took having you around for granted. I have had the privilege to love the best dog there has ever been.

Love you always,

Your person