They say a dog is man's best friend.This might be true, but you were so much more than that. You were my partner in crime, my snuggle buddy, a shoulder to cry on, and you were my family. Although we never shared a single word with each other, the language of love that we shared will forever be irreplaceable.
When I was five years old, my sister and I had been asking for a puppy. For Christmas, we asked Santa for a puppy and he must have listened because you were born on January 6, 2001. You were an adorable black lab puppy and we named you Storm. You never liked water. I remember when you were a baby, you would hide under the shed roof during rainstorms. You loved the snow and we used to have snowball fights. You loved to go hunting and swim in the rivers (even though you were scared of water). Remember when we used to dance together in the living room? I remember my friend and I used to play superheros in the yard and you were super Storm! You loved to go on walks and you got so excited whenever we got out the leash that you could barely sit still. Although you were 75 lbs, you thought you were a lap dog and loved to snuggle with us on the couch. We went through a lot together. You were there for me from kindergarten to senior year of high school, 13 years.
There is a quote that goes, "dogs live such shorter lives than us because we learn to love and be a good person throughout life but dogs already know how to do that so they don't need to stay as long." It is sad that a dog can only touch your life for such a short amount of time. However, they touch your heart for a lifetime. Although you eventually grew old and grey, our friendship and love only grew stronger. It's been nearly two years since I last saw your big brown eyes or seen your furry tail wag at the door or heard your bark, but its been just seconds since I remembered what you meant to me. Whenever I'm having a bad day I just look at your picture on my mirror and I tell you about my day, just like old times. You never really left. I know you will always be here with me and I know that someday, we will be together again.
Sometimes it makes me sad when I see pictures of other people with their dogs, the ones who still have time left to be together. I get an emptiness in my heart whenever it snows and I know you won't be there to walk with me or have a snowball toss. Whenever I hear a reference to a dog or when someone talks about you, I remember the good times with a heavy heart. I could and probably will get another puppy one day, but that puppy won't be you. You will be the childhood dog I tell my kids about one day. You will be the one that always holds a special place in my heart. A million dogs may come and go and I am sure I will love them and bond with them the way I did with you, but they will never be able to replace what we had and still have.
I wonder what you're doing right now. I hope you are here with me by my side telling me you remember all the good times and that you love me too. I hope I made your life memorable. If you were with me right now, we could go for a walk on this nice day, snuggle or play fetch. But I know you are here with me in spirit, everyday. I hope I am making you happy and that you always know what you mean to me. I hope you're having fun and that you are enjoying your new forever home. Some will say you were just a dog, but you and I know better- you were my best friend, my family and the greatest love of my life. Until we meet again.
Sincerely,
Me, your best friend
