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