Just a dog

[bromhund]

Hi All
I got this the other week on an e-mail, you may have already seen it but thought it would be good to share with you all.

I think it is great!!

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.

[marjolein]

So true!

[casadejuno]

tears came to my eyes when I was reading this.... thanks for sharing

[weimaranermama]

So it is and so true.
Gr. Ina

[groovydreamyfab]

I completely relate. The thing that makes me the most content, the most happy, is just a dog.

[adatele]

Oh, it's really nice. I 've had a very sad moments when my old lady passed away. And I so hated to hear - don't sorrow, it's not your child, it's just a dog... Of course it's not a child... But it's a family member, friend, partner... It's someone you live with for 10 years... Someone who's passage left a big wound in my heart.

[rute_paredes]

In our circle of close friends there is only another couple who also has a dog, so we get that "It's only a dog" comment very often.
Our answer usually is "Have you ever shared your life with a dog? Ever experienced being the source of his complete and utter joy? Ever watched him dance and wiggle around with happiness when you get home? Nursed him through ilness and watched him confort you when you are ill? Ever looked into a pair of eyes and see nothing but selfless love and devotion?" If the answer is "No", we can only say "It's just your misfortune".

[Wetdog]

I have seen it before---but it is well worth seeing again! Thanks for posting it.

Anything else--don't worry if someone has seen it before, many people may not have, or like me will enjoy seeing it again.

[complexmom]

Penny Lane is just a dog too but she is also a literal lifesaver for my son, Billy Ray. She has her little quirks including the fact that we moved her dog biscuits into a heavy drawer instead of the cupboards she quickly learned to open and it took no time at all for her to master opening the drawer. She can be demanded, etc. but what she contributes to the family especially to her little owner (my Autistic son) is worth every small irritation. As his medical issues improve they get closer and closer and watching them play together brings so much joy.

There is much I could share about Billy Ray and his dog but one fun thing to watch is the way she brings him her toy and starts to give it to him. She gets up running and chasing her. She gets him to exercise better than anything we try. His doctors love that.

She's just a dog but I would never sleep without knowing she's here checking on her owner 24-7. Problems and irritations yes but more important to us right now than any other dog we ever had.

For those of you who don't know, Fred was her foster parent at Heartland before we got her. Sometimes I could shoot him because he let his dogs play with old shoes and now Penny Lane takes my slippers from beside the bathtub or the bed. Mostly I just am so thankful that he rescued her and posted about her so that through Shela we found her.

Take care,
Peggy