A childhood belief about imaginary friends

I wanted a dog very badly ever since I could remember. However, we lived in an apartment that didn't allow dogs. I figured that my parents didn't want to get a dog because they didn't think I was responsible enough, a common reply to many of my inquiries. I decided to prove to them that I was- I "found" a cocker spaniel puppy whom I named Spunky. She would always follow me around, even in school for a few days until she got me in trouble with some teachers. I would even put food and water out for her and leave certain spaces for her to sit. I would constantly talk to her and apologize for other people's rudeness towards her when they accidentally slammed a door on her.
My parents just thought I had an overly active imagination and told me Spunky wasn't real so cool it. I told them I knew that and would they please get me a real dog and went on taking care of her to prove my worthiness.
Funny thing, even when we finally got two dogs, I stirred up some plan that Spunky ran away because she got jealous of them even though I put out three bowls of food for awhile.