Dear Ali,

Well, you aren't here right now. I'm not actually sure where you are; Mom and Dad say it's a place called "school" or "college." I'm not sure what that means.

Do they feed you? Mom dropped some scrambled eggs this morning. Guthrie ate them because they are his favorite, but Mom was not very happy about that.

We are all missing you. I know Mom and Dad are. Dad wanders into your room sometimes and just looks around. I go in there too because sometimes I forget that I don't sleep in there anymore. Mom has to call me back into their room because that's where my bed got moved. I miss sleeping in your room. You let me sleep on the bed, even though I'm not supposed to be up there.

I miss you. I sit in the bay window with Guthrie, and we guard the house from bad dogs, squirrels, and important things like that. We also look to see if you are coming back home. It sure feels like a long time since I've last seen you.

I really dislike those things on wheels. You always get them out when you leave us. I don't know what purpose they serve but I always see them when you are going to school. I wish they didn't exist because they make you leave.

Mom was saying you were going to be stressed this week, something about tests? Is it like going to the vet's office? I don't like going to the vet. Guthrie really doesn't like going to the vet. He's bad.

I really wish you were here right now. I like it when we sit in the basement and I lay under your feet. I know sometimes I'm in the way and you accidentally step on me. But that's okay, I just wish I could lay under your feet and then sneak up onto the couch. You never notice when I sneak up on the couch because I'm really sneaky about it. I just lay on your lap, and you don't even notice! Or maybe you do...

Mom was talking with you yesterday on that little rectangle thing. She always seems happy after she talks to you. She laughs a lot. She likes to look at her phone and see pictures of you and what you are doing. I wish she would show the pictures to me sometimes, then I could make sure you aren't playing with any other dogs. Do you get to see other dogs? Are they as cute as I am? They probably don't have a big black nose like I do. And you've known me for years and years since I was little and couldn't climb up the stairs.

I wish you were home, then I could rub my face on the couch. I always do that when I'm very happy. Or I could go and get that blue shark toy and squeak it really loud. Everyone loves it when I do that. Then Guthrie comes and tries to steal it from me, but I want to just play with you. I know you are happy you got Guthrie but was another dog really necessary? You probably got him because you thought I'd be lonely when you left for school.

Well, I took a nap in the sun today, and I chased some squirrels. My paws were muddy, so Mom had to rinse me off. We sure do miss you. I look out of the bay window and try to see if you are coming, but you aren't. You'll come back. Mom said you are coming home soon. I'm glad, then I can do my happy dance where I rub my face in the couch. I always do that when I'm really happy. I'm taking care of Mom the best way I know how, napping, eating and barking when something sounds scary. I try my best to take care of her. I hope your tests are good (whatever they are). Please come home soon.

Sincerely,

Murphy (and Guthrie)