Dear Maggie,
I remember back to when I found out that we were getting a puppy. I was only about nine at the time but I had never been so excited. My own puppy? Life seriously could not get any better. When we went to pick you up I made sure that you were comfortable on the ride home because we were taking you away from your mom and dad, and to a nine year old, that's a pretty sad thought. You slept the whole way home and I remember I couldn't take my eyes off of you. You were just so beautiful and precious and I didn't know it yet, but you were going to change my life.
We had another dog, but she was pretty old and slept most of the day. You were so energetic and full of life. You could run like a Greyhound and you could fit three tennis balls in your mouth just to keep them from everyone else. From the minute you stepped into our home you became the companion I had always wanted. You would come with me where I wanted to go, watch TV with me before school, and eat the food off of my plate before mom even noticed.
You slept on my bed almost every night for the first 5 years of your life. Some nights you hesitated and you wouldn't come with me until I bribed you with a biscuit, but, you begrudgingly slept beside me knowing I was too scared to sleep alone. I think that is when I realized that you were the best friend I've ever had. Saying that dogs are a man's best friend is an understatement. No one understood me quite like you (and on a side note- I was the only one you ever gave kisses to).
As I got older and my problems changed from third grade problems to tenth grade problems, you were the only one who knew all my secrets. Every break up and every bully- you were the first one to know. It was almost like you could feel it in your soul that something was wrong and you were the only one who could genuinely comfort me. So many tears hit your black fur, but you didn't care. You let me hug you for hours just to make me feel better.
The time came for me to go away to college and you were my hardest goodbye. I did not cry until I saw you standing at the door knowing that I wouldn't see you for months. For nine years you had been my final goodnight kiss and my first good morning hug. I knew it would be hard to leave you and I was worried you would forget about me. When I finally returned home, I had never seen such excitement. I thought you were going to crawl out of your skin and I was so happy I could've crawled out of mine. Of course my best friend wouldn't forget about me, they say the best of friends can pick up right where they left off no matter how much time has passed.
I knew you would get older one day- but I always put that in the back of my mind. You were so tough, nothing in the world could get you down. Seriously, for a dog, you had a lot of issues, but nothing ever seemed to phase you or break your spirit. Unfortunately, you were not as invincible and as untouchable as I had thought. Your last night on Earth you slept right by my side- for old times sake. I didn't know it then but sleeping there was my final "goodnight kiss" from you. You were always so graceful and beautiful and I can't imagine any other way you could have done so.
Saying goodbye to you was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do- not getting harassed in the hallway, not getting my hair pulled on the bus, not getting my heart broken by some dumb boy. Saying goodbye to the best friend I have ever had and ever will have triumphs everything and anything, the rest doesn't matter. The time I spent with you were some of the happiest moments of my life. I loved you like I have never loved anyone before.
Thank you for the ten years you gave to me. Thank you for teaching me unconditional love and for being my best friend. I love you to pieces, Mag girl.
Love,
Meg
