11 years ago I reluctantly loaded Brock up from my girlfriends house and started to drive home. We were going from Philly back down to Savannah, got stuck in traffic and he peed all over the backseat. Needless to say I wasn’t all that happy, but I knew it wasn’t his fault either. He tried holding it, but I didn’t stop at the rest area 30 miles back because I didn’t want to waste time. (I probably would’ve made a terrible human parent. Nothing is ever Brock’s fault, he’s perfect!)

That’s pretty much been our life ever since. Me impatiently trying to figure out how to be a dog mom, and him suffering through full bladders until he pees.

When I think back on the last 11 years I know exactly how lucky I am. He’s brought so much joy and happiness to virtually everyone he’s come across, but I’m the only one that gets to say I’m his person. He’s loved me with an unimaginable loyalty every day for 11 years. He brought me back to life after losing my mom. He’s been through moves, break-ups, job changes, and all of life’s ups and downs. He’s been the constant steady force in my life, the one thing I’ve always been able to count on. I’ve tried hard to be a good mom and thankfully he’s never cared when I failed. Being his mom is the most rewarding role I’ve played in my life. He is the greatest gift the universe could have ever given me.

I never want to lose Brock, but we both know he’s no spring chicken. I was talking with a coworker about him aging and wondering what’s keeping him around. Physically, his life isn’t easy, he’s lost almost all function in the one hind leg. I have to pick up his back half to get him around, which is hard on both of us. She had her ideas and I’m unsure, but regardless of why I’m glad I get to wake up to that handsome face each morning.

I don’t know that we’ll make it to 12 years so I’m trying to make sure it’s a special day. I want Brock to know everyday just how much I love him. Even if we had 22 years I could never give him what he’s given me. He is the best dog the world has ever known and he’s my best friend.