They say Christmas is the time to celebrate the special people in our lives – and there’s no one more special to me than you!

I want to thank you. Thank you for adopting me and for putting up with me when I’m not perfect. Thank you for never going to bed without checking on me and for making sure I’m always warm enough. Thank you for never running out of food and for bringing me with you on vacation.

Thank you for all those tasty treats and wonderful squeaker toys. Thank you for the bone last week and for not yelling at me when I ate the bathroom garbage (again).

Thank you for playing in the snow and for Sunday mornings in bed. Thank you for leaving the radio on when you go to work and for our Friday Night Fried Chicken Feasts.

Thank you for not making me stay outside when it’s raining and for that jacket (that you still think I hate). Thank you for bringing me to work with you and for letting me run in the woods while you fish.

And thank you for all the good stuff I know you’re going to give me for Christmas this year. But I know you better than anyone, and I know this time of year is hard on you. I know you drink more, cry more and lie awake in bed, so how about you let me help? Let’s play a game, go for a walk or practice a new trick.

Let’s go visit someone or explore a new place. Let’s shovel the neighbor’s driveway or go to the park and play. Let’s go for a ride and check out Christmas lights then hang outside until your cheeks turn red. You’re always there for me when I’m grumpy, sore or sick of the neighbor’s puppy, so let me be there for you. Whether you’re having a bad day, a bad year or a bad life, let me help.

Let me help you have fun again and play like you did when you were a kid. When you’re scared, let me show you that I have your back. When no one understands, let me help you get lost in nature. When you’re sad, let me lick your tears and make you laugh. When you’re hurt, let me be there to help you through the pain. When you’re lonely and reach out to an empty bed, let me fill the space. When bad memories fill your head, let me take you to a better place.

Let me help you, like you’ve helped me. Let me help you laugh, love and hope again and together we’ll have an awesome Christmas!