Dear Cooper,

Hey, bud I still remember when we brought you home that first day. You were so clearly nervous, but also you were so clearly excited to be in our home. You were so small you could fit into both of my hands. The first night I could tell we were going to have a strong bond when you licked my face and then immediately decided to fall asleep right on my chest.

We've always had the best times playing with each other even though we were always told to stop roughhousing in the house because we were going to break something (we haven't yet). Or when I take you to the dog park and you run like crazy off the leash and then proceed to jump into the river and get all wet, so we have to stay at the park for another hour just to let you dry off.

You're the craziest dog I know and you seem to have an unlimited amount of energy no matter how long of a walk I take you on or how long we wrestle around playing tug of war or keep away. That has always kept me energized and you've taught me to always do things 110% every time. Thank you for being the best playmate anyone could ever have.

Even with all that bound up energy you've always been a sucker for cuddling though. Whenever someone is on the couch you always go and check up on them and see if they need to be cuddled. When you were a puppy everyone loved having you on their lap and you loved it too, but now that you're a 70 lb dog I'm not so certain that everyone loves you on their lap still. You clearly still think you're that small little lap dog though.

People always say that dogs can sense how their owner is feeling and I'm definitely a believer in that. Whenever someone is feeling down it seems like you're always there either trying to cuddle with them or trying to get them up and playing with you to raise their spirits or just there if they need someone to listen. You taught me that it is always important to be there for someone when they are in need of a friend or just a listener. Thank you for always being there for me no matter what.

You will probably never know how much you mean to me. Except of course when I promote your addiction to treats by always giving into your begging when going to the door where the treats are kept and motioning me with your head to give you one. Our bond has already had six years to grow into this and I can't wait for more years to come to grow our bond even stronger. Thank you for being the crazy cuddling goofball that you are. Never change bud.

Thank you for truly being a man's best friend.

Your best friend,

Hunter