Not "Just a Dog"

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, time spent or costs 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 brought about 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 it's "Just a dog", you will probably understand phrases like
"Just a friend" or "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.

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,
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 people can understand it's not "Just a dog."
It's the thing that gives me humanity and keep me from being
"Just a man " or "Just a woman".

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

Author unknown. 

"Such short little lives our pets have to spend with us, and they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day.  It is amazing how much love and laughter they bring into our lives and even how much closer we become with each other because of them." 

~John Grogan

 My dear friend Chelsea's little dog went to be an angel yesterday.  Will you please send some prayers up for her if you feel so inclined to do so.  I cannot even begin to imagine what she is going through right now.  You see, me and her, we are A LOT alike when it comes to our dogs.  We both know that our dogs are not "just a dog."

Most of you that know me, know that I can tend to take a while to open up to you if I don't know you.  The case wasn't so when Chelsea and I met for the first time.  We clicked instantly and it seems like our friendship formed an instant bond the moment we met.  Chelsea is one of the most down-to-earth girls I know and is a wonderful friend to me.  She's so caring and compassionate to those in her life and really cares about the people in her life.  She's one of those people, that when you talk to her and confide in her, she really listens and really cares about what you have to say.  She's also one of the only people I have ever met that gets my obsession and love I have for my dog Macy.  Probably because she is the EXACT same way I am with Macy as she is with her dogs.  She gets that I love my dog more than anything and would drive to the end of the earth for her, because she would do the same for her dogs.  This must be why we get along soooo well ;)

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.  ~Roger Caras

So, please friends, say a prayer for her if you will.  Little Kayli was her world before her son was born.  Her heart is broken right now and I just hope that she can find a little bit of comfort in the fact that Kayli is running around like crazy with my first love, Mouse, in Heaven.  I just know it!

"A person can learn a lot from a dog, even a loopy one like ours. Marley taught me about living each day with unbridled exuberance and joy, about seizing the moment and following your heart. He taught me to appreciate the simple things-a walk in the woods, a fresh snowfall, a nap in a shaft of winter sunlight. And as he grew old and achy, he taught me about optimism in the face of adversity. Mostly, he taught me about friendship and selflessness and, above all else, unwavering loyalty." ~John Grogan