Now, I know what you’re thinking: How can this person just assume my beloved puppy doesn’t miss me?

Some of the happiest memories in my recent years include the presence of a furry, drooling goofball of a dog. Almost three years ago, I came home with another blessing to the family in the form of a fat labrador/pit bull mix puppy. His name is Dallas, and he’s the sidekick to all my adventures.

Dallas is living proof, like all dogs to their owners, that animals are expressive beings. Dogs reveal their emotions on the surface through the language of body and sound. The relationship humans have with their canine friends is a treasured bond throughout the history and growth of man.

But do dogs really love us?

This is a question that has sparked interest in owners and scientists alike. We tell our tail-wagging buddies we love them, think they’re cute, funny, and sometimes troublemakers. Do they drool on us in understanding and agreement, or does the world of complex emotions not exist in their realities?

According to a research study published in the journal Animal Cognition, dogs are emotionally synced to our own human expression. When a person displayed the common behaviors of distress and sadness (vocally, such as crying), dogs responded by attempting to comfort them through licks and nuzzles. Does this mean they truly understand and love us? Maybe.

For college, I left my family are over a thousand miles away. My sidekick Dallas, dog in crime, is far away from me. When I come home for holidays, he’s delighted to see me, and won’t leave my side until I say my final goodbye. Does this mean he missed me as dearly as I missed him? Perhaps. It’s hard to believe a dog will spend its days whining on the porch, watching the driveway for months in hopes of their pack member's return. I know my goofball would rather chase deer and sunbathe than worry over me. He most certainly doesn’t reminisce over photographs together and shed a few tears like I do.

There have been cases of dogs waiting in vain for their vacant owners. The forever faithful Hachiko, an Akita known for his lifetime loyalty and patience, waited for his deceased owner at the Shibuya Station in Tokyo year after year. This canine’s "love" for his owner touched the hearts of millions through his story.

How you perceive the concept of "missing" for animals relies on the knowledge and belief you have. On my behalf, I know my dog misses me, but not in the same way I miss him. And that’s OK. Either way, we’ll be hiking Californian mountains together again soon, happy to be reunited. And that’s what really matters.