Bentley

by Megan Stewart
(Michigan)

Dear Bentley,

You were the best dog and friend I could ever ask for. I am truly blessed with too many great memories because of you. You were my buddy through everything, especially growing up with you. We discovered a lot together, from the Easter eggs that we would hunt or learning tricks together.

You were a part or the center of everything we did at home. I loved playing hide and go seek with you and riling you up so much that you would bounce off the couch and Gram would yell. It was the best feeling waking up and knowing that you came to sleep in my room. It broke my heart every time I had to leave you and I'd see you looking out the window for where I was going.

It's the little things that I am going to miss about you, like having someone to pet and look at me every time I walk by, and being greeted at the door to you acting like a puppy again. I will miss going to get something from my car and you waiting/watching at the glass door because you knew I was coming back. I miss your tail wagging from me talking to you. And you going through your list of tricks for a treat because "you were a good boy."

And you wanting your face washed ("there's nothing wrong with being clean") or coming in while I'm in the bathroom. I will miss getting out of the shower and opening the door to you waiting right there for me. I will even miss you acting like Dr. Jekyl/Mr. Hide when you are outside. There are so many things that I am going to miss about you and I never want to forget them.

One of my favorite memories I have of you is the day we got you. We did not have any dog food yet so you got to eat your first human food: pizza. I was so proud and happy to have you that I took you for a walk down the block. We did not have a leash yet but I just had to pat the back of my leg and say, "Come on puppy" and you would just do a cute trot to catch up with me. It was love at first sight.

You will always be the number one boy in my life and no one will ever be able to replace you. Thank you for always being there for me, and for your unconditional love. My puppy.