Ever since I was young, my friends, family, and I have always been surrounded by pets and animals. Especially since I was raised on the island of Oahu where were surrounded by nature and wildlife. We learned to respect and love all animals, and I saved up my money to get a pet at the local humane society. Just two weeks before my family had to rush me to the hospital after I had hugged a friend's cat when I broke out into hives and almost went into anaphylactic shock. Years later my mother surprised my siblings and me by going to the humane society. She had revealed we would be getting a puppy. We were all confused since we knew dog fur may not be my most severe allergy but it still irritates me. We all went in to meet the puppy before my mom signed the papers for a very happy and excited Yorkshire terrier who had come running towards us. I was nervous and freaking out a little when it just approached me and rubbed itself all over me. When we noticed nothing was happening. Since we were so young we did not realize that dogs could have hair instead of fur. We named him, Kodabear, who lived to the age of 17 and passed only a couple of months ago. He had filled out hearts with so much happiness throughout the years. He loved to lay with us and does not like super long walks. He loved to be groomed and pampered, and always tried to protect us in any way he could. He made me realize that I could have a dog and opened me up to other dogs. If it were not for him I would try to avoid dogs as much as possible, but instead, I exposed myself to dogs and it helped reduce my allergies to dog fur. I did the same thing with peanut butter as well. Since Kodabear we had adopted another dog when he hit 12 years old. When I entered college my grandparents gifted me a Pomeranian, Cheeky. He is my best friend and I can not imagine my life without him. Especially since I had to move states away from Kodabear and Kekoa, then the pandemic hit so I was not truly along thanks to Cheeky. I believe dogs deserve the world and nothing less for all they do for us. I have tried to give Kodabear as much as I possibly could to show him how much I appreciate him and open up the possibility of having a pet. I never thought I could have anything other than fish. He opened up the opportunity for me to even have Cheeky and be around other animals. I am truly so thankful and appreciative for changing how I see life as a whole and love him with my whole heart. Pets bring love and joy into anyone's life. They are the one thing that we do not deserve for all they do for us. Helping with those in need, putting their owners/best friends before themselves. To also just bring love and pure joy into everyone's life that they come to meet. I do not know where we would be without our best friends.

Being told at the age of 6 that you can not have pets due to allergies is heart-shattering. I have exposed myself to fur as much as possible to have the off chance that we would be able to get a dog since that is all our extended families have ever had. We ended up getting two Yorkshire Terriers. Kodabear was the oldest and Kekoa is only 4 turning 5 soon. We always celebrate Kodabear's adoption day, we rescued him from the humane society in Colorado Springs, during the summer when we go to visit. Unfortunately, he has passed last month but he lived a full and very loved 17 years. My mental health has always been ignored and dismissed by others and having these 2 in my life always made my day so much brighter. They truly picked up on my anxiety attacks before I was even aware that I had them until I had one at school. They always calmed me down and allowed me to pay attention to my mental health which allowed me to grow and be who I am without my anxiety getting in the way. In 2019, I received a Pomeranian from my grandparents in honor of graduating high school, entering college, and in remembrance of my dad's passing. His name is, Cheeky, and he has been through thick and thin with me becoming my best friend. The pandemic hit my Freshman year in college where I was alone and quarantined by myself states away from my family. Every day my fluff ball always put a smile on my face and got me up out of bed. This helped us create a routine for each other and to get through the months of not being able to leave campus much less the apartment that we had lived in. He kept me out of depression during the pandemic and even has learned the signs of anxiety attacks to help me. He is truly my best friend seeing as we travel everywhere together and now we go visit my family back in California where we would visit Kodabear and Kekoa. I had never realized how happy and fortunate I have been to have all three dogs in my life and truly wish I had more time with Kodabear. It truly makes one appreciate what dogs can do for you in their lifetime and how much we do not deserve them and all they do for us. Being our best friends and to always put us before themselves. Cheeky has been by my side and will lead a loving and eventful life. I want to give all dogs the world and hope to do that in the future. I truly love all dogs with all my heart and honestly do not know what people would do without their kindness and love.