People
have said to me from time to time things like “lighten up,
it’s just a dog” or “that’s a lot of money
for just a dog”. They say to me 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
the only company I had 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.
For
those of you who do not understand the whys and wherefores of
“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 in me 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”.
