Dear Mya,

My little girl.. who is actually the size and shape of a mini bear. Today you turn 9 years old and I couldn’t have asked for a better friend to grow up with.

I was 21 years old when you arrived at Logan International Airport at 4 months old in a tiny crate, scared and seemingly alone.. and little did either of us know, we both felt the same way at that moment in our lives. I was a lost soul trying desperately to grow up as fast as I could and you had just been displaced from your home in North Carolina and taken by some lady you’d never met. You barely moved a muscle as you sat on my lap the entire hour drive home.But you opened up and showed me your true, sassy colors in no time. And we became inseparable. Everywhere I went, you came.. and were sure to poop all over the backseat of my car every. single. time.

You’ve been my rock through it all. The loss of Ryder, physician assistant school, business endeavors, stupid relationships and multiple moves.. all getting us to the amazing home and family we currently have. You’ve comforted me when I’ve cried, kept me safe, slept beside my bed every night and shared my food.You’ve allowed me to put human clothes and diapers on you, clean your eyes from goop, brush you for hours and shave half of your fur without biting my face off.

Your personality is one in a lifetime. Your sass and spunkiness never fails to make me laugh.. even after the worst days.

You are pushy, stubborn, intelligent, patient and a girl who knows exactly what she wants (all the food).

You’re the best big sister..

stuffed animal destroyer, cheese connoisseur & walking partner

water seeker and snow lover.

But most importantly, you are loyal to a fault and one of the best friends I’ve ever had. Now we’re both going gray, have aches and pains and are getting old but we have lots more adventures ahead of us.

I love you girl. Thanks for being you.