I remember the first day mom brought you home. I had been asking for a dog for months when I was in middle school, and my birthday was fast approaching. We had been looking at the ASPCA for the perfect fit...the perfect dog. Expectations were sky high when mom got the call that they had just gotten a miniature poodle from an owner that could no longer care for you. My heart was racing while waiting in the "meeting room" for you to come in.

A scruffy, matted little dog came in, happy as ever to meet the family. I was shocked. It could not have been the cute dog we had heard about over the phone. I left disappointed and frustrated.

Not even two days later, I got a text from mom telling me to come outside, that she had a surprise for me! I ran out of the door full of adrenaline, only to be met by you. I was weary at the thought of you being my new companion. After all, you were nothing along the lines of what I imagined my dog to be like. However, I gave in, when mom told me to try giving you time to adjust.

I hate to admit it, but even after the first week, I felt no connection with you. You had gotten a dapper haircut and no longer smelled (thank god!), but you were not what I had imagined as being the "perfect dog," my "perfect dog."

One night, you jumped on my bed and curled up into a little ball near my head. I strangely felt comforted by you being there. Suddenly, I realized that after all this time of me resisting you, all you wanted was to love me.

As time went by, you became my best friend and most definitely a family member. You were there for me through every phase of my life. You were there for me through graduations, proms, break-ups, and MUCH more. You watched me grow up, while you grew old by my side. You were my family.

No family is perfect, and neither are you—which makes us perfect together. We are a crazy and unique family, and no other dog could fit our mold quite like you.

There will always be people who claim, "you are just an animal," but you are so much more than that to me and our family. Thank you for always being by my side. I cannot imagine my family without you.

We, all of us pet owners, know that none of us are perfect—even our scruffy companions!