I read this passage and liked it so much I wanted to share it with all of you. Enjoy…
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, time spent, or emotional investment involved for “just a dog”. Some of my proudest moments have come about with “just a dog”. Many hours have passed with my only company being “just a dog”, and not once have I felt slighted. Some of my saddest moments were turned around by “just a dog”. In those days of darkness, the gentle touch of “just a dog” provided comfort and purpose to overcome the day.
If you, too, think its “just a dog”, 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 makes me a better person. Because of “just a dog”, I will rise early, take long walks, and look longingly into the future.
For me, and folks like me, it’s not “just a dog”. It’s an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, and 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 these people will understand it’s not “just a dog”. It’s the thing that gives me humanity and keeps us from being “Just a man” or “just a woman”.
So next time you hear someone say its “just a dog”, smile, because they “just don’t understand”.
– Author Unknown