I will always remember the day I first met you. I was an eager second grader with a freckled nose and a new pair of purple glasses. You were so tiny. You could fit snuggly into the palm of my 8-year-old hand.

My mom brought you home and told me how they found you. I was scared to meet you, and I was afraid you were going to bite me, as I never had a dog before. They were at a construction site, and you were in the sewer along with your brothers and sisters. You came out of the sewer because of a sandwich.

I have had 12 years of memories with you. I was so young that it is hard for me to remember life without you.

During the first year, we had you; you tore up our blinds because you did like being alone. During your last year of life, you would howl if you thought you were alone. If I heard you, I always made sure to come and hang out with you and cuddle, even though I was allergic to you.

You loved to go on walks and go for rides in the car. Although, I am sure you walked us more than we walked you. When my grandmother was teaching me how to drive, you came everywhere we went. Sometimes we would take you to the gas station to get a hot dog and on the drive there, let you stick your head out the window.

Every morning when my brother and I were in elementary school, you would wait for the bus with us, and you were always the first one to greet us when we got off the bus. You were there for me during my first heartbreak and when I was cramming for the ACT. You were there while I was packing my stuff to leave for my first year of college.

We spoiled you every day you lived. You had bacon and eggs every Sunday, and you were always the first one to eat Thanksgiving dinner. When I worked at a hot dog restaurant, I always made sure to bring home the leftovers if I could.

You never said much, but whenever I talked to you, I was sure you understood. Not all messages are verbal, sometimes a simple wag of a tail is all you need.

I am sure you will not ever admit it but, you were a model dog. I loved to take pictures of you all the time, and although you always pretended you hated it, I am quite sure you liked being the center of attention. I can almost promise you that you were smiling in a couple of those pictures I took of you.

We never were able to find out your exact birthday, but my family and I like to think it is the same as mine; May 25. Your life was not as nearly long as I had hoped it to be, but I am glad I was there for the beginning and the end.