I'm not sure if you knew how much you meant to me. I don't know if it too late to tell you, but I will anyways. When Mom, Grandma, and Auntie told me that I was going to get a dog for my 7th birthday, I was so excited. I remember searching and searching for the perfect dog and tons of animal shelters, but none were good enough for me. On a whim, we happened to go to Buddy Dog Animal Shelter. When I saw you, I fell in love. I fell even deeper when we took you for a walk. When Mom said that we were going to adopt you, I melted. I was the happiest kid in the entire world. I still remember to this day that on the way home you laid down and rested your head against my leg. Over the years we did so much together. We frolicked in the snow, played fetch, went on walks, explored the farm, played in the cow field. My favorite has to be just laying in the backyard in the sun during the summer time when I would lay my head on your stomach and talk to you about everything. About how Mom wouldn't let me do something, or speculating about what Grandma would make for supper. That was my favorite time. You were my best friend. I told you everything. Everything. I just stumbled upon a picture of us that made my eyes fill with tears. It's a picture of me blowing out the candles on your birthday cake. I really wanted you to have a birthday because you were one of the family. First we had your birthday in December because that's when your official birthday was, BUT I wanted your birthday to be the same day as mine because you joined the family because of my birthday. You were always a very active dog and I miss running and playing outside with you. Moving to an apartment where I couldn't have you broke my heart. I always made sure that we spent time together when I was at Grandma's house.
As we grew up together, you were always there for my most precious moments. It's just sad to see you go. I know that you'll always be with me no matter what. I don't think that I would have had such a great childhood without you. When I watched Marley and Me recently, I didn't think that I would have been this emotional. BUT when I am truly losing a family member, there is a piece of my heart that is missing. I love you so much and am thinking of you. I can't believe you are gone. I am going to miss you greeting me at the door when I come to Grandma's house or having you come visit and you trying to play with Rocky and Sadie. All of these tears will never express to the full extent how much I miss you. Goodbye Pepper. I hope that you will always stay with me. I love you dearly.
Love,
Your boy
