14 years have come and gone with my best friend by my side. I couldn't have asked for a better companion to grow up with. There's nothing in this world that beats the feeling of coming home to a wagging tail, and it's something that should never be taken for granted.

You are definitely not the same dog you used to be now that you're getting older. You used to love going for walks, but now you pout every time I pull out the leash. You used to run around and bark whenever someone came home, but now we're lucky if you can even hear the door open.

You wobble when you walk and sometimes you slip and fall, but you get right back up again and brush it off. You sleep for most of the day and the most exciting part of your day is eating. You are officially a senior dog, which means your time to go will be here before you know it.

But I don't pay attention to how much you've changed. I only focus on the puppy that you still are. You still play and chase your tail. You still get super excited to see me after being home alone all day. You still love long car rides with the windows down so you can try to bite the other cars as they drive by.

You may be 14 years old, but you've never outgrown your puppy personality. At least now you don't chew holes in the couch.

You are a dog, and dogs are here to make us happy. They are here to make us feel less alone. And you have done just that. You have spent your whole life making me and my family as happy as we could be. You have gone everywhere with us to make sure that we are happy no matter what. By simply existing, you have made me happier than I've ever been. You did your job, and you did it well.

Every day brings us closer to the day you'll say goodbye forever. And when that day comes, it will be devastating for everyone who loved you. But that day isn't here yet, so until then, let's spend all the time we can together.