Recently, my dog Zach passed away after 14 years of countless memories with my family. I'm not sure if I can make it through writing this article without crying, but writing has always been my escape from stress or sadness. So I'm hoping that sharing the love and joy he brought to my life can both take some of the weight off my heart and even bring comfort to someone else who's lost a pet.

For as long as I can remember, airedale terriers have been a part of my family. Before I was born, my dad owned one named Timber who served as his furry companion, and after him was Bailey, who I only knew in the beginning of my life, but still remains fondly in my memories. Then came Zach.

I remember riding in the car out to the breeder's home, my sister and I ecstatic to find the perfect puppy. Commotion filled the car when the discussion of puppy names arose, and I was determined to come up with the best one.

I was still a 4-year-old, bleach blonde youngster with purple-framed glasses at the time, so I don't remember all of the suggestions that popped up. I do, however, remember shouting out, "Zach!" excitedly when we nearly reached our destination. At first, my parents tried asking me if I wanted "more of a dog name," but I wouldn't budge. Soon enough, we chose Zach from a litter of shaggy, black and brown puppies and brought him home.

The rest was history. He knew when I needed comfort, whether it was a knee scrape or a day full of high school drama. Zach would always nuzzle his head on top of my knee when I sat on the couch, and ran up to greet me when I returned home from school. At times, he could make me feel better when people couldn't. That sounds slightly strange, but anyone with a dog or another beloved pet knows what I mean.

When we realized Zach needed a friend to keep him busy and bug him like a sibling, we brought home Daisy, our jack russell terrier. They were inseparable. Daisy was the runt of her liter, and her tiny size made it exceptionally easy for her to jump on Zach's back and even hang on his neck fur when she felt extra energetic. Most dogs would probably bark and bite at a dog that constantly treated them like a jungle gym, but Zach always remained patient and kind. Later on, he used that same genial behavior when our rowdy dog Chalupa joined the fam bam.

In all honesty, I can't imagine living without Zach. He's been present throughout almost my entire life, from my earliest memories until the summer before I start college. He was at the Fourth of July celebrations down by the beach, the hikes on Sunday mornings, and the lazy movie nights where his bed sat right next to the couch.

Zach was gentle, happy, and a true lover of life. He would let our other two dogs eat out of his big food bowl, and ate out of their tiny pink porcelain one. I'll miss him, but I know he's chasing some bubbles up in heaven, like he would in the backyard when I was little.

Thank you, Zach, for being the best dog and friend a girl could possible want.