Just A Dog!

[RATTER15]

“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 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 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.” —Anonymous

“It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are.” –Unknown

[Baldric]

Couldn't have put it better myself,
or have agreed more.

[craft1948]

I love my dog, but I still miss the little dog I had 4 years ago...........

[Frank97]

I like that! :-)
Thanks for sharing.

[RATTER15]

Craft, My Jack Russell (Trump) died 10 years ago, I still miss him too, I would give anything to have him again.

[flump1]

Ratter, that is beautiful and true x

[pusskin]

I find your words very very touching ratter. Bless ya x

[wolf63]

My cats are my closest family and my best friends.

When someone says to me that an animal is 'like family' I usually say that they are not 'like' family - they 'are' family.

I have had the pleasure of having lived with two dogs in my life - they are better 'people' than many human beings.

[RATTER15]

I agree Wolf and I think that when people say their dog is almost human, I feel they are paying their dog a great injustice.

[pusskin]

Awww! Lovely to hear them words wolf. Your very caring too x

[pixie373]

What a lovely post. I couldn't agree more. Dogs are living animals with their own characters and i very much miss the one i lost nearly a year ago. We have others, but they are each irreplaceable. I feel some people miss out enormously, by never having one. There's nothing like them.

[FredPuli43]

http://strandedalien.wordpress.com/2010/08/01/george-graham-vest-on-dogs/

That where the saying"A man's best friend" originated. Attorney Vest was in a case where someone's neighbour had shot Old Drum, a dog. Please read the speech (and be moved !)

[megfitz]

I've always had dogs ,from a Black Lab. who taught me to walk, a Corgi who shared all my teenage trials, then Cocker Spaniels whose ears are perfect for whispering secrets into, and whose pink tongues can wash my face in the morning and gently kiss goodnight at bedtime. Yes they do jump on the sofa and snuggle it's the ,best feeling!!

[pixie373]

Fred, that link gave me goose bumps...

[Tilly2]

I read that Fred and was moved. Thank you. It is so, so true.

[DTCwordfan]

I could say that aptly summed up the ex missus. Lol.

However, more seriously, it is powerful... I ought to print it off and include it with the present for my sister, Ratter, who has an aging Irish Setter, a raku model of him, the first time that Paul Jenkins has worked in a terracotta clay raku. And stunning it its....I'll get a pic before I pack it but not tonight...

[paddywak]

I hate that phrase,usually used by some person who has never had a furry friend in their life and has no idea how much they come to mean. Many years ago my nephew who wasn't a great pet lover arrived home with a kitten that had adopted him.When cat,it never had another name, passed on at the age of twenty and a mate was taking the piss because he was so upset his wife summed it up when she said "of course he's upset he's had cat longer then me and the kids"

[seadogg]

Just count me in Ratter. Our place is open house when needed by friends and neighbours' dogs and my own make 'em welcome.

[Kiki-frog]

Whether dogs, cats, horses, whatever - animal companions are members of the family. They are sentient beings and we develop love, friendship, irritation, even dislike towards them, just as we do with the other humans in our lives.

The problem is that our society tends to view animals as our possessions - my pet dog/cat, whatever. But it's beyond doubt that they all have their own personalities, and we develop unique relationships with them. And whatever boundaries we impose upon them, they are never mere possessions.

Mr Frog and I are still getting over the death of our lovely old pusscat Basil. Sometimes when Mr Frog has one of those strange and inexplicable surges of grief over Baz, he'll beat himself up, saying 'But it's just a cat!' And that's the point - he wasn't 'just a cat'.

You and I both know that, Ratter, as do all the others commenting here.

[paddywak]

We lost Max nearly two years ago and we still miss him especially about this time of night,he used to liked to lie with his head on Trish's lap till she went to bed then come and go to sleep on my feet so I couldn't sneak off to the pub without him.

[pixie373]

Yes kiki. Have you noticed-not a single person here has used the word "owned"?