It's Just a Dog.

[warrior1]

“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 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”.”

[hamsterjill]

1. You got it.

They don't understand. Of course with me, it is BOTH "just a dog" and "just a cat".

They are all part of my family.

[trof]

2. There's something missing in 'just a dog' people.

My sister-in-law is one.
She just could not understand why we were so broken up when we had to have our old German Shepherd put down.
That's exactly what she said.
"It's just a dog."
:grr:

[MiddleFingerMom]

3. Baxter Black, probably the best-known of the Cowboy Poets, and his piece, "Just a Dog".

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I'll take ANY opportunity to post this.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkL9PoOABPE
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[Bucky]

4. Are you responding to my anthropromorphic hot dog thread from yesterday?

[alphafemale]

5. That scene in Marley and Me.

After the woman has the miscarriage, and her husband is talking non-stop on the ride home trying to find the right thing to say in their shared grief.

And when they et home she sits on the sofa and Marley walks over and just puts his head on her lap and lets her cry.

And then the husband goes over and holds her and cries too.

[Demoiselle]

6. That's it, alpha female.

Dogs (and cats, in a different way) give us something spiritual...something that's beyond mere vocabulary. They "KNOW" somehow, what's going on with us. They give us that great gift.
I hate losing a dog because I hate losing that indefinable bond.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

8. And they do it without worrying about social convention.

[frogmarch]

7. Yes!

Except that I don't smile when I hear someone use the "just a dog" phrase. I clue them in.

[pintobean]

9. My neighbor told me my dog is spoiled

because she goes everywhere with me and is always by my side. I just smiled at his confusion. I'm the spoiled one.

[zanana1]

11. YES! nt

[undeterred]

10. If he were "just a dog" I wouldn't worry about whether he is bored

or would like something different for dinner or wants to ride in the car when I do errands just to keep me company. He wants to go along because we belong together.

[Hotler]

12. A toast....

:toast: To dogs. I have had many a fine dog. I must go now for I have something in my eye.