It's Just A Dog

A friend of mine sent this sentiment. If your lives have been blessed by our four-legged friends, this might touch you too.

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 won't 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!"

-  Author Unknown

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