This is an automated archive made by the Lemmit Bot.

The original was posted on /r/hfy by /u/LaughingTarget on 2024-11-05 01:00:33+00:00.

This is dedicated to all the amazing pet owners out there. You are the HFY in their lives.

I never know what to call you. What I know is you have always been there. From the moments I first remember, you were in my life.

When I was small, you helped me grow. You trained my legs with games of pull and my jaws by throwing the round thing. You gave me bones to crunch and hard things to chew. My teeth and mouth grew strong.

You taught me to hunt and run. You took me places to smell amazing scents and see incredible things. I was happy to follow you along as I enjoyed new experiences.

You are an amazing hunter. Whenever I was hungry, you would always bring me food. You would even share the food from your own kill. As I grew, I realized we were different.

You were big. I saw in you power and danger. Yet I never felt fear. I knew that your strength was there to protect me from the world. Whenever the loud sounds and flashes of light outside frightened me, you were always there to protect. Your touch soothed my fears and made me feel safe.

I always knew you cared about me. The way you touched my head, rubbed my belly or patted my leg brought me joy. I began to crave your presence when you were gone. I always feared it was the last, but you never failed to return to greet me with the same joy I felt in seeing you again.

As I grew larger, I began to realize we were not the same. I never grew as big as you and I couldn't walk the way you did. You had incredible powers I never understood. You could command the lights. You could summon the light to banish the dark and return the light from where it came. You could move a great box and immense speeds across the land when you would bring me to places where I could see new things and smell new scents. I was in awe at how you strode upon the land, never concerned. You were the most powerful thing in the world and you helped me thrive.

You always gave me a place to sleep. You were happy when I rest my head upon your lap and you would stroke my head. It always comforted me and I would fall asleep, safe under your watchful eye. You even shared your space to sleep at night.

It did not mean you were perfect. You were loud. I never understood how you could scare away prey yet still return from hunts without fail. You don't have a tail for me to understand or ears atop your head to read. Never once did you smell my back or lick my face. The sounds you made were confusing to me. I knew you attempted to communicate. The feel of your voice was soothing and happy. But it was also something I never understood. I don't blame you. You are, in many ways, a simple creature. I could still tell what you meant.

I knew it was not just you but all like you who were strong and kind. Others like you would come and go, always giving me a happy stroke upon the head or scratch upon my haunch. I sleep well knowing more like you exist in the world.

When you brought more small ones of your kind into the world, I found new purpose. My new pack had new ones like you to protect. They, too, grew strong and kind. I was happy.

As I started to age, I began to realize just how different we were. As my body began to slow and my joints began to hurt, I look upon you and see you have barely changed at all. How you look, how you smell and how you sound are the same as when I was still small.

I realize you are special. I have wondered why you protect me and nurture me so. You taught me to hunt and kept my body strong, yet not once have I needed to bring you a kill. I remain vigilant in the night yet it is you who protect me.

I understand why. You do all of these things for me and expect nothing in return. I never had to do anything for you. It is love which you hold for me. Love does not have expectations. So I give to you my loyalty in return.

I know my time is short now. I know you'll be sad when I am gone. I can tell you will live long beyond me, maybe even forever. I wish you to know that when I do go, my only request is you find another like me. Give her the same love, care and joy that you gave me. Your gifts are too valuable to lose and I don't wish for you to be sad when I leave.

I'm tired now. I look upon your unchanging face and see the same feeling of welcome and warmth. You pat your lap to invite me to rest my head. It's hard jumping up upon the space you rest these days. My legs hurt and I tire fast. Still, I know it is where I want to be.

As I lay my head upon your lap, your hand once more strokes my fur. I begin to drift away to slumber and wonder if this is the last time I will close my eyes. Should I not awake again, I wish you to know I love you as much as you love me.

RIP Zoe. You were a wonderful dog. You'll be missed, sweet girl.