Dear Dr. Forsythe: I’m getting ready to move away to college this August, and I am freaking out about what to do with my dog Amber. She is my best friend and I’ve had her since 6th grade. I didn’t realize when I applied to college in New York that if I got in that I would be leaving Amber behind for several years. Now that I am starting to pack my things and getting organized for school, reality is setting in, and the thought of saying goodbye to her is more than I can imagine. When she looks at me with her big brown Labrador eyes I remember back to the day we picked her out from her eight brothers and we brought her home. I remember the first night I had her, I promised we would be together forever. I feel like I’m about ready to abandon her when I leave home for college. Do you have any advice that will help the two of us get through this time?
– College bound-and crying a lot
Dear College bound: I have something I’d like to say, to Amber. Dearest Amber: Thank you for doing such a wonderful job helping to raise this lovely young woman who wrote this letter to me. You obviously have been an important part of her life and have given her years of unconditional love. A sweet and special relationship between a girl and her puppy can blossom into a bond that is pure magic. I’m sure you’ve seen her transform from a girl to a special and poised young lady who is about to venture out and give the world the gift of her beauty, talent, energy, and enthusiasm. Amber, you have been a part of teaching her love, patience, appreciation, and probably a myriad of other important life lessons over the past few years. I’m sure you are blissfully unaware of the contribution you’ve made to this young lady and her family – but I’m sure the love they feel for you could never be fully measured.
Amber, please make sure to let your young lady know that you expect her to go and enjoy her college experience, that your purpose for loving and cavorting with her through these past several jubilant years has been to make sure she was ready to go take on the world. Look at her with your big shimmery brown pools and blink at her to make sure she knows that you expect her to go on without a worry in the world and with happy wonderful positive thoughts about living the best happiest, healthiest life she can – that is the least you expect of her.
And make sure to give her a good woof when she leaves for the airport – a reminder that she needs to come visit you at Thanksgiving and Christmas!!
– Dr. F
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