...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."

In the darkest of days, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me
comfort and reason to overcome.

If you think there's no such thing as "just a dog," then you, too,
won't quite be able to 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 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 hopes and dreams of the future, of fond memories of the past,
and of 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 everyone can understand that there is no such
thing as "just a dog," but rather a living gift that gives me humanity and
keeps me from being "just a man or just a woman."

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog"
just smile... because they "just don't understand."