As I pack up my belongings in preparation for my sophomore year, I realize that there is one family member who doesn't understand my goodbye: my dog.

My beloved pitbull who has been glued to my side all summer because he missed me so much during my first year of college, has no idea that in a week I'll be leaving him again.

I will not be the one to take you on long walks around the neighborhood, or around the corner to the groomers until Thanksgiving at the earliest. It breaks my hear to know that he doesn't understand why. I know my education is important, but oh how I wish I could take him with me. It was hard to say goodbye to him the first time, and it's proving to be even harder to do this time.

He doesn't know that when I load up the family van, scratch behind his ears and kiss his forehead, that it will be the last time I scratch behind his ears for three months. He will sit by my bedroom door waiting for me, but I'll be 200 miles away.

I will miss taking him for walks, and letting him sleep in my bed (even though I'm not supposed to). I will miss playing tug-of-war with his favorite bone, and kicking his favorite ball around for him to chase. As much as I'm going to miss him, it's nothing compared to how much he will miss me, especially since he has no idea what college is, all he will know is that his favorite person is gone and he has no idea when I'll be back.

To all you high school seniors, cherish your pets.

Nothing can prepare you to be away from them for an entire semester, to only be able to see them during your vacations. You know that you'll miss your friends and family, but no one talks about how much you'll miss your pets, especially since you can't just text them.

To those of you who will be headed off to college in the coming weeks, take your dog for that extra walk, run their belly a little more, and take plenty of pictures to plaster your dorm with, you'll appreciate it when you're feeling homesick. Cherish your pets, because they're only here for a short time, much shorter when you factor in how much time you'll spend in a dorm room instead of with your dog.

Education is important, just don't forget about the four-legged friend you're leaving behind.