She's NOT "Just A Dog"

While we were at the emergency animal hospital last night, David found this poem framed on the wall of the waiting area. He asked me to see if the receptionist would make him a copy of it. She did, and since it touched his heart & hit so close to home, and because we'd heard the phrase "she's just a dog" several times today, I wanted to put in on my blog. Here goes:

"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 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." So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog", just smile, because they don't understand.