My Little Millie Bug,

When I first walked into PETSInc., I was immediately drawn to the puppies at the front of the shelter. Everyone was. It wasn't until I started to walk around the shelter that I saw you. You were way in the back, watching all the people play with those puppies. When you saw me coming towards you, you picked your head up from your paws and gave me the saddest look I've ever seen from an animal. You looked forlorn, but when I kept coming towards you, you hopped up and starting wagging your tail. I opened the door to your cage, and you immediately curled up into my lap. I felt a connection to you like I've never felt from an animal. I knew you were meant to be mine.

The shelter was elated when I told them I wanted to adopt you. You already had a strike against you -- you were a pit bull. People judged you unfairly, thinking that you must be aggressive and dangerous. If that wasn't enough, you were born with a deformed leg. No one wanted the handicap pit bull, the "broken" dog. But I knew that you were special. You weren't mean, aggressive, or broken. You had a sweet soul, and I loved you from the moment I saw you.

It's been almost three years now that we've been together. When I adopted you, I didn't how goofy you were—how you hate walking on wood floors, and when you do, you have to walk backwards for some reason. I didn't know how much you love human contact. I didn't exactly picture myself spooning a three-legged dog at night, but that's how our life is now. I definitely didn't know how much light you would bring into my life.

Millie, thank you for your unconditional love. Thank you for taking me out of my comfort zone, taking you to events for dogs and having immense amounts of social interaction. I'm an introvert, and awkward around people I don't know, but you help me open up when I bring you out to these different events. Thank you for all the little things you do for me --resting your head on my lap when you know I'm stressed, for cuddling me when I cry, for never failing wag your tail and jump all over me when I come home from class or work. Having you in my life has made me immensely happier.

Thank you for teaching me responsibility. There's no more staying out until four in the morning partying when I know I have to let you out for a potty break or feed you. There's no more spontaneous weekend trips, and sometimes I have to sacrifice buying those cute pair of pumps I want because I know I have to buy you more food or bring you to the vet, but I will gladly give all that up for you. You've taught me about responsibility and caring for a living thing.

I know a lot of people think I'm crazy for some of the things I do for and with you. I've stayed in when my friends go out because you're not feeling well, and some people don't understand that. I dress you up and bring you to doggy fashion contests, I travel with you, I've even created an Instagram account to share pictures of you—a lot of people think I'm the quintessential "crazy dog lady." I don't mind. You bring so much joy into my life, and I'll gladly get labeled a crazy dog lady in order to give you the best life possible. You spent enough time feeling unloved in a shelter, and when I adopted you, I promised you would never feel that again.

So thank you, Millie, for being the happiest part of my life. I love you now and I'll love you forever.