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 travelled, 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 not understand phases 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 make 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."
Authored by
Richard A. Biby
