Dear future dog

Dear future dog,

I know this will mean nothing to you because you will not be able to read this. Humans haven't quite figured out a way to communicate in the same language as you, which is a shame; otherwise I swear I would have translated this to you. But I promise you that the fact that we speak different tongues will never make you feel like I don't understand you. I know it will be difficult initially but trust me, we will figure out a way eventually. 

I am 21 years old as I write this and will soon turn 22. I have been very confused as a person about what I want to do in life and what I want to be but there is one thing I have been sure of for years now - you. I know love is not enough as much as we'd want it to be. So I am just waiting for the time when I have enough space, finances and time in my life to give you the best care that I can.

Now see, I know you are going to give me sleepless nights sometimes. I know you will have mood swings too. I know we will antagonize each other plenty in the time that we are together. I don't expect our relationship to be a bed of roses or a happy box of treats because it will be as real as any other relationship. I know being with you will be like having a child and though I will be much older than you when we are together, we will grow together, I promise.

You know there have been so many times I have thought of you, thought of who you will be and what quirks and pet peeves you will have. I have had so many conversations with... um, I guess they'll be your ancestors? Cause, well, you aren't born yet. So yeah, I have had so many conversations with your ancestors in the two decades of my life I have seen so far. And so, I promise you language will never be a barrier between us. I will tell you all about my day and you can tell me how much you've missed me (or not missed me). I swear I won't push you away if you lick my face. I know it's your way of expressing yourself and I think it's beautiful. 

You know I hate waking up early in the morning. So far, my family, my friends and so many others have tried to inspire me to change that part of my lifestyle. They have failed. MISERABLY. I think I know why. Perhaps, you are meant to change that about me, because I know we will go for lots of walks together. I promise you will not be a mere plaything, a sad source of entertainment. I will walk with you, talk with you and cuddle with you too. Oooh and, we will watch films together. I swear I will hug you every time you get jumpy because of a scene in the film. I won't stop you when you run around barking and chasing your tail when you're excited. Well, unless you are about to knock something down. And I will treat you with your favourite food every birthday of yours. Unless you're allergic to it. Then we will figure out something else. But we will celebrate your birthdays with new toys and games and food and quality time. I promise.

There will be times when I may be gone but I will never leave you in untrustworthy hands. And I will always come back to you. I promise I will give you as much as you give me, if not more. You will have a friend in me, not a mistress. We will have our own little private jokes and tricks. I will let you be naughty and I will scold you when you are too naughty. I know you will let me know when I am not doing my bit too. You will never be in want of love and attention as long as I am there. 

We will grow together. I would watch you become who you grow up to be. We will understand what we need from one another and when.  I will never, ever put you in harm's way. And I know we will take care of one another, in our own little ways. 

You may fall sick sometimes and so will I. But I will NEVER abandon you, no matter how difficult it gets. You could have patchy fur, or be half-blind, three-legged or injured (although I hope you are not, for your own sake, not mine) - I will be there with you till the very end, no matter how much it hurts. I could move across seven oceans, I could be broke for food or money - but I will never let you go. 

You see, I will not see you as an animal. You will never be my 'pet'. You will not just be my companion.  Blood isn't the only thing that forms bonds, you know. You will be my family. And I will be your constant, ALWAYS.

PS. You may have had a difficult life when I meet you. You may have had to fight for every morsel and you may have watched your brothers and sisters die, or may have fought them to establish yourself in the dog eat dog world that would have been your home. You will probably have a darkness within you that stems from the apathy and cruelty meted out to you by creatures that I wish had half as much love as your kind do. You will probably have wariness etched too deep in your scars. But that's okay. I won't judge you and I will love you and all of your scars anyway, with all of my heart and more.

Love,

Your future friend