Dear Bishop,

Within the past 10 years, you have blessed me in so many ways. You've never been just a pet to me, but another vital piece to our family. You've stuck by my side throughout some of the most important years of my adolescence and I am eternally grateful for your unwavering love.

I'll never forget the day that we drove out to the middle of nowhere to pick you out. You were born in a rickety old barn that also housed several loud goats in a nearby pen. I remember looking at all of your brothers and sisters knowing that I could never make a decision on just one.

That was, until I saw you. You were digging your nose under a crate, trying to flip it over. I picked you up and you snorted a few times before sneezing into my face, something that you still do quite often as the sneezing-machine that you are. You were too cute to set down and I knew right then and there that you were the one.

Some people don't understand the love between a girl and her dog. They might think I'm annoying for posting so many pictures of you on my Instagram. They might think I'm disgusting for letting you seep in my bed with me. And they might think it's weird that it takes me entirely too long to say "goodbye" to you as I leave for work every morning.

But that's okay because they don't know how many times we've jammed to Taylor Swift in my car. They don't know how many times you've laid next to me when I just needed a good cry and they don't know that it terrifies me knowing that every time I leave for work, you may not be there when I get home.

You've been with me since my thirteenth birthday. We've grown up together, you and me. It seems unfair to me that as you near the end of your life, mine is just getting good. Although I hate the thought of a future without you, I know that our time together is numbered, so there's a few things that I want to say to you.

I wanted to start off with a few apologies. I'm sorry for getting so disgusted with you when you lick my hands or face. I know that this is just your slobbery way of showing your love. I'm sorry for choosing to do unimportant things such as watch TV instead of taking you on walks or throwing you your ball. That episode of "The Office" could have waited and I'm sorry for ignoring you when you brought me your toys.

I know how much you love going for rides in my car. I'm sorry that I didn't take you on more of them because of how much hair you left on my seats. I'm sorry for making you take a million selfies with me, knowing how badly you hate it. And I'm sorry for letting people call you smelly, you're old and can't help it. Even old people get smelly sometimes.

I also wanted to thank you for a few things. You were by my side for some of the most excruciating years of my life. Thank you for going on runs with me when I needed to clear my head. Thank you for not biting some of the jerks that I brought home, despite how badly I know you probably wanted to. Thank you for cuddling with me when each of those jerks broke my heart. Thank you for not howling in agitation when I'm on cloud nine and sing and dance with you around the kitchen.

Thank you for keeping me warm each and every night. Thank you for finishing my food when I'm too full to finish it myself. Thank you for allowing me to use you as a pillow during family movie nights. Thank you for letting me to baby-talk you despite how badly it annoys you. and lastly, thank you for being the most loyal, constant, and selfless friend that I've ever had.

In the movie “Marley and Me” Owen Wilson’s character states “A dog doesn’t care if you’re rich or poor, clever or dull, smart or dumb. Give him your heart and he’ll give you his. How many people can you say that about? How many people can make you feel rare and pure and special? How many people can make you feel extraordinary?"

Thank you, my precious baby for seeing me for who I really am. For being there for me as I left for prom and then again when I left for college. For making me feel rare, pure and special. You are an extraordinary dog and for that, I am an extraordinary person.

I love you!

Love,

Your Best Friend