"Just A Dog"
 

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, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog."
Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog."
Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog, but I did not once feel slighted.
Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, 
the  gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.


If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phrases like "just a friend,"
"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.
So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog," but an 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 they can understand that it's not "just a dog,"
but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a human."
So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog," just smile...because they "just don't understand."



~Anonymous