From the moment I came home from the hospital as a newborn I was introduced to the idea of having pets. My first pets were a dog and a cat. From then on, my family had multiple pets and we currently have six beautiful dogs. I've never taken a chance to properly thank my pets for everything they have done for me (mostly because I don't speak dog/fish/guinea pig) but I hope this can make up for it.
Thank you for letting me pull your tails.
As a child, I put you guys through endless torture and I really do apologize for pulling your tails and chasing you around while you tried to sleep. But if it wasn't for you guys, I would have pulled a tail of a random animal and probably would have gotten hurt.
Thank you for teaching me responsibility
Whether it was walking or feeding you guys, I had to learn how to put others' needs ahead of my own. It didn't matter that it was snowing, you guys needed to go outside.
Thanks for always being there for me.
If I am ever having a bad day, I know I can count on you guys to be there with snuggles and kisses. I don't have to talk, we can just lay there for hours on end.
Thank you for making me laugh whenever I need to.
Image Credit: Lauren Moerler
You guys are known for doing the craziest things: jumping on to the table, drinking out of a coffee mug, or stealing food from the table. Whenever I am with you guys, I know that there will be plenty of laughs.
Thank you for always greeting me at the door.
Whether I leave the house for weeks, or just come back in after being outside for five minutes, I can always find you guys waiting to jump on me and give me kisses the second I open the door.
Thank you for the likes on social media.
It seems that whenever I share a picture of one of you on Instagram, it gets more likes and comments than the selfie I had posted before. Thanks for being more adorable than me and for boosting my feed.
Thank you for teaching me that death is not the end.
I know this just took a turn for the worst, but I know I'm not alone when I say that the loss of my pet was the first time I truly understood losing someone. As sad as death may be, the loss of you guys taught me that memories will always live on and that death is not the end.
To my past pets: Peggy, Albert, Cocoa, Mickey, Minnie, Peanut Butter, Jelly, and the fish whose names I can not remember, thank you for all the memories. I know you're always with me.
To my current pets: Ralphie, Alice, Trixxi, Norton, Gypsy, Max, and my fish here at college, Jacob Alexander, thank you for all the happiness and love you give me.
Xoxo,
Jamie
