Everyone probably tried to use the excuse “my dog ate my homework,” at some point in school. However, when I was in third grade, my dog really did. I had to take my slobber-coated assignment wrapped in a plastic bag back to school and show my teacher.

I am still a dog person, without a doubt. They say man’s best friend is dog. I would agree with this statement. No one quite understands you like your animal. No one quite understands you like a dog.

I met my best friend on my 10th Christmas as a young boy. He is a Golden Retriever and he is now 12-years-old. I call him Dakota.

I had known I wanted a Golden Retriever after watching Air Bud. I wanted an animal that would play basketball with me and eat all the snack packs I could possibly feed him. Poor Dakota, he had no idea what he was getting into. When I picked him up from the breeder he wasn’t the most energetic puppy, but I spotted him immediately. His gentle spirit and calm disposition were signs to me I had met someone that could handle my crazy nature and fast-paced life. Later, I would find he was the perfect balance for my family and I.

Dakota has the heart of a lion and the gentle nature of a sheep. He knows when I'm distressed to the point of losing my mind and he knows when I am more overjoyed than I ever thought possible.

One thing that always breaks my heart about living at college without him is when I have to leave him. Every time I come home he gets this excitement back in him again. He regains this sort of liveliness. However, when I go to leave, he sulks. He follows me around as I pack my things and load the car.  I'm sure to that to him, his best friend is leaving as well. It breaks my heart whenever I have to make this tough decision to leave him at home with my family, who I know is capable of giving him better care than I could while at classes all day.

Not only did he do just that, but he has done so much more for me. I have shared things with Dakota some people will never know. I have sat up late with him and cried when my mom went through her divorce when I was 18, and I held him when I was so sick that all could do was curl up next to me to make sure I was okay. He has sacrificed numerous sleepless nights to help me finish science fair projects and study for exams. He has even gone as far as to make sure he is in my presence when I look, feel or act like I’m not myself.

I am beyond blessed to have Dakota, and I cherish the beautiful and incredibly smart animal that he is. God knew I needed a confidant, and He gave me Dakota. He knew I needed someone to listen, and so He gave me Dakota. He knew I needed an angel, and so He gave me Dakota.