A Letter To My Dog.
Dear Coco.
I love you because you’re a fussy bundle of chocolate Labrador.
Because when I come downstairs every morning, you’re there waiting.
Because we always start the day with a big hug.
Because when the postman comes, and we race to the letterbox, you always win.
Because you let the cat rub against you — even though you don’t really like it.
Because you still insist on chasing rabbits and squirrels. (And you know you’ll never catch one.)
Because you greet me like a long-lost friend when I’ve only been to the corner shop.
Because you insist on dragging my scarves onto the floor and chewing holes in them.
Because you always leave your toys lying around for us to trip over.
Because when you sleep, you snore like a trooper.
Because you steal things you shouldn’t — like my socks and your mum’s underwear.
Because you love to get muddy but hate having it washed off.
Because you’ll go out of your way to paddle through a big puddle.
Because your definition of ‘street food’ is different to mine.
Because with you, every walk becomes a sniffathon.
Because you know where the treat jar is.
Because you don’t care how rough I look sometimes.
Because you like your tummy being tickled.
Because you rip open your presents at Christmas and leave wrapping paper everywhere.
Because you sneakily eat rabbit poo when we go for a walk in the woods.
Because you’ve got selective hearing.
Because you like to play with a loud squeaky ball when something good is on the TV.
Because I have separation anxiety when we’re not together.
Because no matter how bad my day is, your happy face is there to cheer me up.
Because when you look into my eyes it feels like you’re staring into my very soul.
Because we always have a big hug before bedtime.
Because you’re fourteen years of age, yet still behave like a puppy.
Because even if my life fell apart, I know you’ll still be there for me.
Because you’re my best buddy.
Because you know when I’m feeling down. And you bring me back up again.
Because without you, this world would be so much darker and emptier.
Because when you depart this world, I’ll be devastated.
Because you’ll leave a pawprint on my heart.
Because I’ll comfort myself with all the wonderful memories you’ve given me.
Because I’ll know that wherever I am, you’ll be with me.
Thank you, my fur-ever friend.
All my love,
Dad x
