Just A Dog

It was our buddy Remington's  "Gotcha Day" on Tuesday and in his post he had a copy of the letter he wrote the night before he went to his forever home with Beth and Mike 3 years ago. From a dogs perspective it tells how scared he was.  You can read it here.  One line that stood out for me was "Some people will do bad things to you and then say, it's just a dog."  Remington's letter really touched my heart and that one line reminded me of the poem "Just A Dog" author anonymous; which donnes the front page of of our friend Becki's web page at Autumn Blaze Bassets.  I had never read this before meeting Becki and it was just a glimpse into how caring she was about her bassets before we got Fred and then Gloria.    It still brings tears to my eyes just like Remington's letter did. Thanks for the reminder Remington of just how hard some dogs have it!

So for those of you who have never read "Just a Dog" before, here it is.

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 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 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 its' not "just a dog"
but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being
"just a man" or "just a woman."

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

~Unknown Author~

And this folks............

.....is not "just a dog".  This is my friend!