Dear pup,

Thank you.

I remember the day I first got you. The whole family took a trip to the little farm where you were born. They brought you out on a little bed, where you were snuggled next to all of your siblings. You were so small -- like a hamster. Your eyes had yet to open, and you were sound asleep the whole time. My family murmured about which one of the four little critters they thought was the cutest -- your white and tan sister with the smushed-in nose, your brown and white brother with the floppy ears -- but it was you who caught my eye.

A couple of weeks later, I waited anxiously to get out of my fifth-grade classroom to go and visit you. You weren't ready to come home quite yet -- but I couldn't bear waiting any longer to see how you've grown. You were so much bigger, yet still small enough to hold you with the palm of my hand. You fell asleep in my arms the first time I held you. I loved you.

Today, you are much older. You are growing older in age, and it shows. Your dark brown fur is now tan and gray in color. You still fetch, but not quite as often, and not quite as fast. You don't walk the whole neighborhood anymore, as you tire more easily. You still have many years to go, but you also have many years behind you. But even though those first moments happened years and years ago, I will never forget these moments. I will never forget the instant love and affection I had for you the moment I laid eyes on you.

I know that I have helped you. I give you a loving home, a place where you can feel safe. I give you food, water, lots of toys and treats, long walks, short walks, and cuddles galore. I know -- I hope -- you feel loved with me.

But you have helped me in ways you probably could never understand.

I can not imagine my life without you. You've been a part of me for so long, you've been with me through so much. You've comforted me through great losses, times of stress, times of grief, and times of anger. You've let me mat your soft fur with my tears, and hug the life out of you. You've kept me company through all-nighters, studying for the upcoming chemistry exam. You give me someone to talk to when I feel alone in the world. Seeing your little head through the window when I pull up the driveway, having you wag your tail and jump up and down with excitement -- you give me something to look forward to when I come home. I get to wake up with a warm ball of fur cuddled up so close next to me that I can't even move in my own bed.

You need me, and I need you.

Everyone says their dog is the greatest dog in the world. And I believe that is true -- every individual dog is the greatest dog for their person. I love every dog, every animal in the universe -- I love my best friend's dog, my neighbor's dog, my relative's dog -- but you are my dog. And you are perfect. I will have other dogs in my life, and I will love them with all of my heart, just as I love you. But just know that you can and will never be replaced.

Thank you for being you -- my first dog, my best friend, my everything.