Just a Dog

The following was sent to me this morning. Thought I'd share.

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