No one really tells you what it's like having a dog.
No one tells you what it means to have a dog in your life.
No one tells you how much they'll change your life from the minute you first lay your eyes on them.
No one tells you that as soon as you bring them home, they become family.
No one tells you that bringing them into your life, could've potentially saved theirs.
No one tells you that they'll be with you through some of the toughest and painful moments in your life. But unlike the people or situations that happened in those moments, they'll stay with you forever.
No one tells you how they'll snuggle up to you during a thunderstorm to calm you down as they're pretending to be strong even though they're just--if not more-- terrified than you.
No one tells you that while you're confined to your bed after having your first panic attack and you don't feel like yourself and you're scared about what's going to happen, they'll be right by your side.
No one tells you how much they'll end up missing you when you go away for college. Because after being home with them since you first got them, they get used to seeing you everyday.
No one tells you how happy they'll be when you come home from college for the first time. When even before you get into the house, they come running up to you and attack you with a million kisses.
No one tell you that even on your most stressful and busy days, when they come over to you with a toy, you'll take the time to throw it around with them.
No one tells you that when you're having a bad day and nothing seems to be going right, when they smile at you, you sort of forget that there was ever anything wrong in the first place.
No one tells you how tired you'll be after running around with them in your backyard because they're so full of life an energy.
No one tells you that you'll be sharing your food with them whether you like it or not because you can't resist their sad face.
No one tells you about all the long drives you'll take with them listening to music.
No one tells you how many trips to the beach you'll be taking with them because they love to splash around in the water and running around there makes them feel invincible.
No one tells you how many pictures you'll have of them in your phone.
No one tells you that even when you're not with them, you still are with all the fur they get on your clothes.
No one tells you that Halloween gets a little more exciting knowing you get to dress them up.
No one tells you how much fun it is picking out a new toy or treat for them while you're out shopping, because you love to see their face light up when you give it to them.
No one tells you that when they have to go to the vet and get shots, how badly you wish you could trade places with them so they never have to experience such pain.
No one tells you the guilt you feel the first time you yell at them for peeing in the house or going through the garbage.
No one tells you of the sudden, heart-pounding terror you feel when they slip out of their leash for the first time and start running into the road.
No one tells you that their barking starts to become background music to you.
No one tells you that their birthday is just as important as every one else.
No one tells you that they'll be able to tell who the bad guys are by just growling.
No one tells you the jealously and betrayal they feel when you come home smelling like another dog.
No one tells you that one day they'll start to slow down.
No one tells you one day they may become sick, because you always believed they'd be around forever.
No one tells you that they could start to go blind. And let me tell you, there is nothing more upsetting than them not being able to throw a toy around with you because they can't see where you threw it.
No one tells you that they'll spend their day sleeping on your bed because they no longer have the energy to do anything anymore.
No one tells you that whether you want to admit it or not, they're getting old and won't be around forever like you thought they would.
No one tells you how thankful you are for them for coming into your life.
No one tells you how grateful they are for bringing them into your life.
No one tells you that no matter what they do or where they go, that you will always love them and have loved them the minute you first laid your eyes on them.
To all the dog owners out there and especially to my dog Gizmo,
Thank you, we love you so much.