Just recently, I had to say goodbye to my best friend. Max was a yellow lab mix that I got for my 10th birthday. I still remember the day vividly: I had begged for a puppy for a long time, and finally I got one. He quickly became more than just a puppy. He became a friend, part of the family and a part of my childhood. I’m now almost 23 and got to share 12 beautiful years and memories with that special dog. This is a thank you to the dogs that will always be in our hearts, even after they are gone from this world.

Thank you for always being there for me. When everything in life seemed to be changing, he never did. No matter how awful the days were, or how mean people were, I could always go home and Max would be waiting. He always knew when I was upset and would just sit next to me. Just being in his presence was comforting. I could always count on him to be there for me, unlike people. Being a teenager is hard. You’re in the process of learning so many life lessons, but having a dog right there next to you every step of the way, made it a little less hard. Knowing that you had something stable in your life that loved you and would always be there for you made sleeping a little bit easier at night — especially when he was cuddled up next to you on the bed.

Thank you for being my partner in crime. When I was younger, I didn’t do anything without Max. I didn’t need friends — I had a dog. I would set up obstacle courses outside and we would run around for hours. He would jump over anything I put in front of him. He would always indulge the requests I made of him and never hesitated. He really was my best friend.

Thank you for never judging me. I know it sounds silly, because he was a dog. But knowing that I had somebody who loved me exactly for who I am was the most amazing feeling. He didn’t care what I wore or what I looked like, he still loved me. I could tell him anything and everything and I knew, and it wouldn’t matter because he loved me unconditionally, and that is a feeling nothing can compare to. He made me feel like I was the best person in the entire universe and because of that, I tried to be the person he made me feel like.

Thank you for giving me an abundance of memories. Almost all of my best childhood memories involve Max. He gave me so many memories that I will always hold onto dearly. He joined our family in most all of our adventures ranging from beach outings to camping trips. He was always there, right next to the rest of his family. That was his favorite place. He didn’t want to be anywhere else but with us, and we didn’t want to be anywhere without him.

Thank you for protecting me. Max was the most loving dog in the world, but God forbid anyone tried to hurt my family or I, because then he would turn into a protector. I never felt scared when Max was around, because I knew that he would take care of me and make sure nobody ever hurt me. He always took care of me.

Thank you for not forgetting me. When I went off to college I was so afraid that Max would forget about me or not understand why I had left him. But he never did. Every time I came home to visit, he would greet me with his precious face and excited jumps just like he always, did but then once the moment was over, it was like I had never left. He followed me around and waited to go to bed until I did. It was as if the time I was gone never mattered and all that mattered was that I was home again. We were reunited and all was well in the world. Knowing that he didn’t hold a grudge meant the world to me.

Lastly, thank you for teaching me about loss. The hardest part about loving a dog is that they just don’t live as long as humans do. And heart-breakingly, we have to say goodbye. We are forced to let them go much sooner than we want to. Having to say goodbye to Max was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. And still, coming home and not having him greet me sends a little pain to my heart. Even though he’s not here anymore, I am left with countless memories that I can cherish forever. No matter how much time will pass, he will always have a special place in my heart that no other dog will be able to fill. He was my dog of a lifetime.