Hubbell is the love of my life and my best friend. No, Hubbell is not my husband. He's my nine-year-old Jack Russell. Yes, that's right — my dog really is my best friend. You know how I know? He's the only living creature with whom I can be 24/7 and never tire. It must be the fact that he doesn’t talk, and only wants cuddles and belly rubs. (If only human beings were so low maintenance.)
I was raised in a family that always had Golden Retrievers, but it wasn't until I got Hubbell, a dog all my own, that I began to truly realize the impact that pets have on our lives. I was responsible for his life and, in a lot of ways, he was responsible for mine.
The emotional connection that comes with having a pet is something only those of us who have one can truly understand. It’s a bond that, I think, is essential to having a happy and beautiful life. In other words, there’s nothing quite like the love between a dog and their human, and if you have a dog, I’m sure you know exactly what I’m talking about here.
Is your dog your BFF, too? Here are the 33 telltale signs.
YOU’RE INSEPARABLE
Like, totally inseparable, as in it pains you that your dentist has a "no dogs in the office" policy.
THEY'RE THE ONLY ONE YOU'LL WAKE UP FOR AT 7 A.M. ON A SATURDAY FOR
It's actually a joy to wake up to such a face.
OR WALK THROUGH A SNOWSTORM FOR
Because finding the right place to pee is just part of a dog's thing, and sometimes, it can take forever.
YOU'LL SPEND YOUR LAST CENT TO KEEP THEM HAPPY AND HEALTHY
Check-ups can be pricey, but you don't care.
AND KNEE-DEEP IN TOYS, TOO
There's no such thing as too many balls. (That's what she said?)
YOU UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER WITH JUST ONE LOOK
Whether it's the tilt of the head, or a perk of your dogs ears, your bond is so strong you don't even need words.
OR A SINGLE SOUND
Hubbell has a different bark for every situation, and I'm sure every dog owner knows exactly what I mean.
YOU’RE CONSTANTLY THINKING ABOUT EACH OTHER
It’s your happy place to just space out and think about your dog's face for hours on end!
WONDERING HOW THEIR DAY IS
Did he nap enough?
WHAT YOU TWO SHOULD HAVE FOR DINNER LATER
One word: pizza.
AND WHETHER OR NOT YOU SHOULD JUST SKIP WORK TOMORROW TO HANG OUT TOGETHER...
Because the weekend just isn’t long enough for your quality time together.
YOU TAKE SELFIES TOGETHER
That would be us.
AND NO ONE CAN MAKE YOU LAUGH QUITE LIKE THEY DO
The comedy never ends around here with all that dramatic howling at the fire siren and wiggling on the floor to scratch an itch that can't quite be reached with their paws.
YOU CAN HAVE FULL-BLOWN CONVERSATIONS FOR HOURS
Granted, your dog doesn't have much to say verbally, but all that head tilting confirms that there's a lot of listening going on.
AND YOU KNOW YOUR DOG JUST GETS IT
Which means they're never afraid to smack some sense into you.
YOU’RE TOTALLY IN TOUCH WITH EACH OTHER’S EMOTIONS
Your dog just knows when you need a hug.
WHICH REALLY MEANS WHEN YOU’RE SAD, THEY'RE SAD
Have to stay strong for the team!
...AND THAT YOU HAVE REALLY GOOD MOTIVATION NOT TO BE DEPRESSED
Even if your heart is breaking, it will break even more to sense that he's down in the dumps, too.
YOU’RE CERTAIN NO ONE ELSE HAS SUCH PERFECT CUDDLING SKILLS
AND THE THOUGHT OF SLEEPING WITHOUT THEM IS LIKE SLEEPING WITHOUT BREATHING
I may not be able to sleep with my partner comfortably, but when it comes to Hubbell, he could steal my blankets and snore all he wants, and it's still the the best way to sleep in the world.
USUALLY, YOU’D RATHER STAY IN WITH THEM THAN GO OUT
Other friends are overrated.
BECAUSE, LET’S BE HONEST, YOUR BFF KILLS IT ON THE FUN FRONT
Would any of your friends let you draw eyebrows on their face?
AND THINKS YOU’RE THE MOST FUN TOO
Because you are.
YOU OFTEN THINK ABOUT RUNNING OFF TOGETHER
Because the world just doesn’t understand you guys like you understand each other.
AND YOU’LL TELL ANYONE WHO WILL LISTEN JUST HOW WONDERFUL THEY ARE
He is the greatest living creature to ever live, ever ever!
AND ALL THE FUNNY THINGS THEY DO
...LIKE HOW YOUR DOG TRIES TO BULLY HORSES
Such a Napoleon!
...OR REFUSES TO GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT HIS STUFFED ANIMAL, BERNIE
It’s the cutest thing in the world.
YOU NEVER QUITE PICK UP ON THE FACT THAT MAYBE OTHER PEOPLE DON’T REALLY CARE
It’s a lovely mix between delusion and wearing blinders.
BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER — YOU HAVE EACH OTHER
AND THAT'S ALL YOU NEED
He’s the peanut butter to your jelly.
AFTER ALL, ANYONE WHO DOESN’T UNDERSTAND THAT IS JUST JEALOUS
Or probably a cat person.
I MEAN, DOES YOUR BFF DO THIS?
Yeah, I'll take the puppy. Every time.
Images: Gavin Golden/Flickr; Giphy(27); Pinterest(2)
