Wednesday 28 September 2011

Just a dog . . .


When I opened my Facebook page today I saw that a friend had posted the following message. It struck a chord with me. 

The photo is of my eldest grandson a few years ago with Dominie.
  
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 travelled, 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 makes 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 human.” So the next time you hear the phrase “just a dog” just smile because they “just don’t understand”.

In much the same way, when some people ask why we have more than one dog, implying that one is quite sufficient, I occasionally think I should ask them why they have more than one child but they would take offence at that.

6 comments:

  1. Lovely shot!
    I have four children and one dog;o)
    And I believe that animals are always faithful friends so why not have several if you feel like to.
    Thanks for sharing;o)

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    Happy day****

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  2. Only those that share their lives with animals can truly understand how full they make it. Beautiful photo :)xx

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  3. I have 3 dogs and would gladly get more if I could. There is no such thing as "just a dog". Even at their worst, dogs are the best friends anyone could ever have.

    And dog spelled backwards is God. Is that a coincidence. I think not.

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  4. They just don't understand is accurate. If I could afford it (and The Wife wasn't horribly allergic to most breeds), we'd have more than one dog.

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  5. Great post. If only more "just humans" could be more like a loyal and loving "just a dog". Great photo of your sweet grandson and "just a (great!) dog."

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  6. Absolutely wonderful sentiments, that's quite the quote for a dog lover!

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