I am back home for my Thanksgiving Break. Enjoy the feeling of comfort that is brought by being in your hometown surrounded by your family, your pets, and your friends. It's been a pretty normal break. I have had time to relax. I have had time to do my editing for Odyssey. I have had time to play with my adorable puppy, Buxton.

Today was just like the rest of break. I have been sleeping in the room where my family keeps my puppy's crate so he woke me up around 6:15 this morning to go outside. I obliged because you can't really ignore your an adorable puppy whining to go out, even at 6:15 in the morning as a college student home on break.

After letting him outside and feeding him I climbed back in bed for a few hours as he went back in his crate until the rest of the family was awake. Eventually, we all were awake and he wanted to play. He always wanted to play. Since the majority of my other family members had left for school or work, I got a chance to play with our beloved little monster. He jumped up into bed with me, cuddled with me, and he played this game I like to call 'which-of-Sarah's-hands-can-I-bite.'

It was a very normal day.

After getting ready for the day, I went looking for my sweet puppy. I kept calling his name. But I heard no response. There was no movement inside the house. I thought to myself, that's weird. I checked the front yard. Nothing. I checked the backyard. Nothing.

Then I walked back into my house and came across my puppy.

After finding my puppy, I realized the reason he didn't respond to me calling his name because he didn't have any breath to bark at me.

After that realization, a lot of confusion, a lot of sorrow, and a lot of panicking followed.

After the initial set of crying and figuring out what exactly you are to do when your 8-month-old puppy dies randomly, I took my mom back to work and began to listen to the Hamilton Soundtrack (like most other Americans, okay most other Americans other than Pence – too soon?) on my drive back home. The song 'Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story' began to play and at first I began to sob.

I thought to myself: Really? Seriously?

And then, it made me a realize. I get to tell the story of why puppies are important parts of a family. I get to tell the story of why Buxton was an important part of my family.

The first half of this article talks about my normal day at home. It is comprised of a lot of time spent with Buxton. He woke me up every day I was home. He begged for my attention at all times. He wanted me to love him and he loved me.

I know this isn't a stand-alone experience with a pet. All pet owners, specifically puppy owners, know the life with a pet is hard, it is crazy, but it is rewarding, it is a life of love via slobbery kisses and the 'I'm-so-excited-to-see-you-I'm-going-to-jump-on-you' greetings.

When you first get a puppy, it takes time to get used to your new adjusted schedule that is based on your furry friend's need to go outside and need to eat.

Then slowly you get used to their greetings when you come home from long days. They always want to show you love, whatever form it may be in.

They become an integral part of your everyday life.

I think the best part is, you can talk to them and they just look at your with their little faces and adorable eyes, and you can tell they are filled with some sort of joy. And they want to share it with you. That's why they lick you, they bite you, or they just lay on you.

This is how Buxton was. He was the cutest, loving, monster puppy you could've found.

To all of those who know the hurt in losing their sweet puppy, cherish the moments of love your puppy gave to you.

To all of those who don't know the hurt, but know the love of your puppy, cherish the moments you have with your pup, it is priceless.