Two years ago, I walked into a shelter not knowing that my life was about to change forever. You were the smallest in your litter—curled up in the back corner, with those glacier-blue eyes watching the world with cautious curiosity. The moment our eyes met, something in me softened. I didn’t just choose you… I believe you chose me too.

Since then, every year, every moment, has been a chapter written in the language of unconditional love. You’ve never spoken a word, but somehow, you’ve always known exactly what I needed—whether it was a gentle nudge during hard days or your silly zoomies that made me laugh until I cried. You’ve been more than just a pet. You’ve been my comfort, my protector, my therapist, my reason to get out of bed, and sometimes my reason to stay in bed just a little longer.

Today, you turn 9. And while I want to celebrate you with silly party hats and a peanut butter cake, my heart also aches just a little. Because 9 feels like a milestone that whispers of time — time that’s passed and time that’s left. Your muzzle’s grayer now, your naps a little longer. You’ve slowed down, but your love hasn’t. You still greet me with that same tail wag, that same spark in your eye that says, “You’re my person.”

Over these nine years, you’ve taught me what it means to love without conditions. You’ve reminded me that joy is found in the simplest things — a walk in the park, the crunch of leaves underfoot, a sunbeam on the floor. You’ve made me more patient. More present. More human.

And as we sat today, just the two of us and a cake with a “9” candle flickering between us, I made a silent wish. Not just for more time — though I do wish that with all my heart — but for more moments like these. Moments where nothing else matters but being together. Moments that I’ll remember long after the cake is gone and the candle has burned out.

So here’s to you, my best friend. My constant. My little miracle in fur. Thank you for nine years of unwavering love. Thank you for being everything I didn’t know I needed. I’ll spend every day ahead giving you the love, joy, and comfort that you’ve given me every single day since the moment we met.

Happy 9th Birthday, my sweet, silly, perfect boy.
You are — and always will be — my heart dog