You steal their snacks and snatch crumbs off the floor.
You drink their bath water and lick up milk spills.
You lead the way down the pavement and bite bubbles out of the air.
You chase after balls and leave a trail of slobber across the hall.
You curl up on pillows and sprawl across blankets.
You snore during nap time and beg during meals.
You were the cause of some of their first giggles, and remain the reason beyond their most hearty laughs.
You follow them around the couches and bark if the play becomes too rough.
You chase your own tail and let them pull on your ears.
You eat cheerios with the same relish you would treats.
You love gnawing on bones and knocking over their block towers.
You love hogging the kitchen floor as they cover coloring books in crayon.
You snort and growl at would-be intruders as you act on instinct to keep everyone safe.
You pant and push your head into the midst of our play, our laps, and our hearts.
We adopted you into the family shortly before finding out we were pregnant with our first.
You went from being the only baby, to the second, and then the last.
With two children bustling around at my feet, you are often overlooked and ignored.
We may pet your snout and then push you out of the way as we race cars and fight with super hero action figures.
We may deny cheerios and send you outside when it's time to eat snacks.
We may lock you out of the bathroom when it's time for a bath.
But never forget:
You were my son's first friend.
My daughter's first confidant and fellow food savant.
My son's comical ally and source of comfort.
A team mate and tag expert. A ball chaser and stick gatherer.
Even now that they may have each other, never underestimate how much they love you.
It can't be measured in giggles or counted in treats.
Because they've never known life without their very best friend.
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