From time to time people tell me, “Lighten up, it’s just a dog,” or, “that’s a lot of money for just a dog.” They don’t understand the distance traveled, time spent, or costs involved for “Just a dog.” Some of my proudest moments have come with “Just a dog.” Many hours have passed with my only company being “Just a dog,” and not once have I felt slighted. Some of my saddest moments were brought about with “Just a dog.” In those days of darkness, the gentle touch of “Just a dog,” provided comfort and purpose to overcome the day.
If you too think it’s “Just a dog,” you will probably understand phrases like “Just a friend,” or “Just a sunrise,” or “Just a promise.” “Just a dog” brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. “Just a dog” brings out the compassion and patience that makes me a better person. Because of “Just a dog,” I will rise early, take long walks, and look longingly to the future.
For me, and folks like me, it’s not “Just a dog.” It is the embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. “Just a dog” brings out what’s good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.
I hope that someday people can understand that it’s not “Just a dog.” It’s the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being “Just a man or just a woman.”
So the next time you hear the phrase, it’s “Just a dog,” smile, because they “Just don’t understand.”
Author Unknown
The above photo is of my beloved Sweetpea, who passed away on April 21, 2009.
I finally got a chance to sit and read your a – z blogs…. and I’m so glad I did!!! I thought my favorite would be “H”, but after reading “J”… it’s a tie! They are heartwarming and delightful, interesting and revealing; and, all of them made me smile.
Thanks! I’m so glad you stopped by
Thanks Cid!! I’m so glad you stopped by.
I’m right there with you, Rossandra. My family always says it’s “just a dog.” I think they’ve missed much with their “just a dog.” Sad.
It is wonderful to see someone “converted” from a “just a dog” attitude to a slavishly devoted dog lover. Larry.
You may (or may not) know that I released my own dog from this life a year ago in December. I think about her a great deal. I wrote about her (and I’m happy to share links if you’re interested). I miss her. When I take walks and meet up with her (former) friends, I smile. My daughter sends me puppy pictures almost every day (trying to get me to adopt one). There’s no such thing as ‘just a dog’.
Oh, Deborah, I feel for you. It hasn’t been that long for you. It’s been three years for me, and I’m still a mess.
Except for childhood, I was a “cat” person for my entire life up until I was in my 50s. Then a friend persuaded me to take a dog that she could not keep. Although, I’ve always been an animal lover, that dog opened my heart in ways I never knew could happen. She’s been gone 4 years now, and although I have another that I love to pieces, my “Aussie Bear Face” left deep paw impressions on my heart. I love this piece.
Pets in general are an important piece of family life. I have a cat and used to have a dog. My kids love them both and they still cry because our dog can’t live with us. She’s sick and the weather in Mexico (that’s where we are from originally) suits her better. Anyway, people who can’t understand the love between an animal and a person are not my kind of people. Sweet post.
From Diary of a Writer in Progress
Yup. Me too. I judge a person’s value with how they respond to animals. Limited yes, but at this point that’s how it’s going to be.