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 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 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 or woman." So
the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog." just
smile -- because they "just don't understand."
"Just a
Dog" by Richard Biby, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
