To my furry friend and constant companion, Zoey. 

If I am being completely honest, when we first visited you and your siblings at a farm in Alma, I didn’t want you. While my sisters were completely smitten with your cute and innocent face, I wanted your sister, Princess. At the time, your name was June and you seemed to enjoy sleeping in the corner, rather than playing and getting picked up by our eager hands. But once we brought you home, I was completely and utterly in love. Throughout the past few years, I have grown to love your quirks and I have become so thankful and grateful for you in my life.

First of all, I would like to say thank you for being my constant companion no matter what. I know you enjoy waking me up early on the weekends, mostly by pouncing onto my bed, and I am sorry for literally shoving you off and yelling for you to get out. I am also sorry for always stepping on your water bowl and spilling it across the floor. And most of all, I am sorry for leaving you alone all day while I’m at school. But despite all of my negligence, you still love me and I love you.

Thank you for encouraging me to be more active outside and for being so enthusiastic about going on walks. If anyone ever says the slightest bit of the word w-a-l-k, your insane scramble to the garage door motivates me (or more like my mom) to take you outside. Your squeal of cries as you jump for the leash are encouraging and precious.

Thank you for cleaning up my mess of food crumbs on the kitchen floor. I know I can always count on you to make our floor cleansed and spotless. And how I can forget about your obvious love for cheese? No matter where you are in the house, you hear the door to the fridge open and the sound of your nails scratching and sliding across the floor is just enough for me to hand you a piece just for your cuteness.

Thank you for sharing my same hobbies and interests. One thing we have in common is singing at the top of our lungs. And although I may do it when I am home alone in the house, you do quite the opposite. Soon after the garage door opens, a melodic and loud howl comes from you, while scrambling to greet whomever is at the door. We also share a love of dancing. You know how to twirl, high five, and after a week of training and treats, I am pretty sure you can conquer or learn anything.

Even though you like to chew up my socks and chase me through the snow in my PJ’s, your photogenic, quirky, and loving personality makes me love you unconditionally. I love our evening cuddles and weekly photoshoots. Thanks for everything you do.

With love,

Payton