Just A Dog
Here’s a touching piece that Janice, an Itchmo reader sent us of what “just a dog” can mean to us pet owners.
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.
More of “Just A Dog” after the jump.
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.”
by Richard Biby
(From “The Versatile Hunting Dog” NAVHDA’s Magazine; February 2006)
May 30th, 2007 at 1:12 pm
Just A Beautiful Story!
May 30th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
I have heard taht same stupid comment many of times but it was its just a cat. and I think to myself about the person who made the comment
AND YOUR JUST AN A$$
May 30th, 2007 at 2:50 pm
I get that response too. It always comes from people who have never had any kind of relationship with an animal beyond wearing animal hide shoes.
May 30th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
I always say you can always judge a person by the way they treat animals. If you think it’s “just a dog”, you aren’t a person a care to know.
May 30th, 2007 at 4:50 pm
This writer said it all beautifully. We can hope that the people who don’t understand about “just a dog” might just understand a little better if they were able to read this tribute
May 31st, 2007 at 6:25 am
People , who say , …OH , IT”S JUST A DOG OR CAT ……… just don’t know , what a real friend is like , or that , the dog or cat , has a …… SOUL
that , Jesus said , to take care of the animals , most of the time , they …… take care of us …… there love , always warning us of danger, when you are ill , they never leave your side , I feel , so sorry , for the person , who has never felt , the love , of a animal , they are a empty person , uncareing , unfeeling , loving , only , there self.
T.K.J. ……… Thel
June 1st, 2007 at 4:23 pm
They have got to be more than “just a dog” for them to get under our skin the way they do! For them to just be what they are and make us react the way we do with them………that says it all! Most human beings don’t give us that reaction. I mourned more for the loss of my pets than I have for the loss of family.
June 3rd, 2007 at 4:29 pm
I hate it when people say ‘just a dog’ or ‘just a cat’. Kudos to you Janice!