A Love Letter To Chessie The Dog

To celebrate Valentine’s Day, we asked Patch readers to write a love letter to that special someone and let us deliver it. This is Gina Giannone’s love letter to her beloved dog, Chessie:

“His is the first face I want to see in the morning and the last before I go to bed. And most every night, except when I am traveling, he is.

Our long walks are special. I tell him everything. He listens intently. He may not always understand, but he is loving. Whether it’s a trip to the beach or just a ride in the car going nowhere, he is my copilot. He seems to know what I am thinking, as if to finish my sentence or just know what the day together will hold for us. It’s a simple, uncomplicated bond of love. Sometimes his head leaning on me is all I need to feel complete.

I trust he will never leave me as he's almost always by my side. I will never pick up a phone to hear that he is not coming back or has left me for another or arrive home to see his bags are all packed. I know he is true and loyal to me. He is my best friend. My confidante. My strength. From the moment I first saw him, I knew it was love.

And through the years, he has been my love like no other. I can certainly never replace him. He more than forgives me for my faults, he seems to love me because of them. I feel perfect in his presence, as if I can really do no wrong.

We have been together quite a while now, he does not seem to mind the wrinkles, my forgetfulness or how my steps have slowed. His look of love can, on a dime, bring me to tears and melt my heart.

He will always be the most perfect love I will ever know. As long as he is on this earth, i will never be alone on Valentine's day. I will never feel unloved.

He is the most amazing and beautiful pure love that has ever happened to me. For that I am grateful.

He is, he is, yes he is...MY DOG.

The love between a human and a dog is a very special bond. I am glad to have been graced with knowing this form of non-human love. It keeps me warm at night and gives me purpose. It is love like no other. Unconditional. Beautiful. Fulfilling in many ways.

Happy Valentine's Day, Chessie.

I say in jest to people, ‘Who needs a man with a dog like you?’ You have made my life, to a large part, and in one word, complete.

Adopt your new love today, many wonderful dogs, and cats, are waiting to be your Valentine too.”

--Gina Giannone

See all Patch love letters here.

For next month's Love In A Small Town feature, we want to know: What place in town will always be a reminder of love for you? Whether it's the park where you had your first kiss or the restaurant where he proposed, email your story to locallove@patch.com for the chance to be featured. Get more details here.