It's just a dog

[Faulkner]

My oldest son sent this to me and thought it was pretty cool.

"It's Just A Dog" by Richard A. Biby

From time to time people tell me "relax, it's just a dog" or "it's a lot of money just for a dog." They don't understand the distance traveled, the time invested or the costs incurred by "just a dog." Some of my proudest moments happened with "just a dog."

Many hours passed being my only company "just a dog", but not for a single moment I felt despised. Some of my saddest moments were for "just a dog," and on those gray days, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me the comfort and reason to spend the day.

If you also think "it's just a dog," then you'll probably understand phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise." "Only a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust and pure and unbridled joy. "Only a dog" brings the compassion and patience that make me a better person.

For "just a dog," I'm getting up early, going for long walks and looking forward to the future. So for me, and for people like me, it is not "just a dog," but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the memories of the past and the absolute joy of the moment. "Only a dog" brings good in me and diverts my thoughts away from me and the daily worries.

I hope one day you can understand that it's not "just a dog", but what gives me humanity and prevents me from being "just a human". So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog," you just smile because you "just don't understand."

 

[Protocall_Design]

Thanks for the essay on one of life's truest observations. For those who are more than "just human", it is NOT "just a dumb animal". They may not be human, but they are still an equally beloved member of the family.

 

[doublesharp]

Spiffy says Hey

 

[Mule Packer]

Some people don't realize that a dog's life revolves completely around its human. They devote their lives to us. We can be in a grumpy mood, we can be late with their dinner, but they still love us unconditionally. Nope....they're definitely not "just a dog"...at least not in my book.

This song by Wendy Francisco sums it up pretty well I think.
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H17edn_RZoY"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H17edn_RZoY[/ame]

 

[16thVACav]

I prefer the average dog to the average human.

 

[oldbrownhat]

Some people don't realize that a dog's life revolves completely around its human. They devote their lives to us. We can be in a grumpy mood, we can be late with their dinner, but they still love us unconditionally. Nope....they're definitely not "just a dog"...at least not in my book....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H17edn_RZoY

And for those of us who are cat...er... "people" (because, as they say, "Dogs have owners. Cats have staff") OUR lives revolve completely around THEM. But they're "not just cats."

Dog or cat, they are beloved animals with whom we form a strong emotional bond. There is a good reason that someone made a bumper sticker that reads, "The more people I meet, the more I like my dog."

 

[Dave.357]

Go ahead, tell him he's just a dog.

 

[SS336]

Just a dog??…….Sailor says, Hardly

 

[J. R. WEEMS]

DOGS

Well I sure do understand. I miss my Sarah girl everyday

 

[Czechvar]

One of my favorite sayings…"One day I hope to become the person my Dog thinks I am today"…

 

[pawngal]

My old neighbor had a bumper sticker that read:
"Of All the People I Know, I Like My Dog the Best"

 

[PALADIN85020]

He was not "just a dog" to me when I was growing up to be a man. This dog was my friend, my bunk mate, my confidante, my chick magnet and an understanding presence when something or someone disappointed me. He was my buddy from the ages of 13 to 21. He'd lick my face to let me know that he was with me and loved me no matter what. The first summer I was away from him on vacation and we had to board him in a kennel, I put some hairs from his back into a tiny sack I kept with me all the time I was away from him. He still rests in the back yard of the home we lived in then.

I visited that home not all that long ago and asked the owners if I could have a few moments alone in a corner of that back yard to be with him again and say a prayer for him.

I cried more over the death of that dog than for any human before or since. He was part of me and will always be living in my heart. It's my hope that when I die I discover that dogs do have a soul, and we can play together again in the sunshine for eternity.

John

 

[Hair Trigger]

Just a couple of dogs, my two best four legged friends. Apollo, above, 1 year old smooth coat Border Collie, Penelope, below, 9 year old Pit Bull-Boxer mix.

 

[Greyman50]

This guy was a one of a kind. Know I'll never have another Grey since the dumb masses in Fl. voted to end racing. He had a personality that was just about perfect. Miss him every day.

 

[kmyers]

They are never just a dog. I have been instructed by SWMBO that they mutts come first. I agree, but at the same time is hopeful that I DO get an exception. LOL I don't mind losing out to the better critter though considering the joys that a dog, or cat, if that is your fancy brings to your life with a smile.

 

[BigBill]

I like dogs and cats better than humans.

 

[Grayfox]

Its not "just a dog". Its family.

 

[oldbrownhat]

It's a quiet afternoon here and Smudge-I-am--Not-Just-a-Cat & I are spending some quality time on the couch

 

[walkin jack]

That was the truth well told. As you all know by now I've move up to the country to be with family. Bandi is my BIL's dog and the best dog I've ever known. Sweet, smart and very affectionate. In myt 77 years I've never known a better dog and I've never love any dog as much as I love her

 

[arjay]

I think I've "owned [emoji23] " 7-8 dogs and the same number of cats over the years.They all had distinct personalities.Some quirkier than others,but I wouldn't have turned any of them away,even when they were being *******s [emoji38]