A dog Just a dog...

It' 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 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 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."
- Anonymous

I was sent this poem today via email. I read it and then began to think about it.
I've had many dogs in my life.
Of course there was Xena, my Princess Warrior dog who was so loyal to me that she didn't tolerate other people.


Today I thought about her and how much I miss her. Morris and I went out and cleaned the weeds away from her grave located in a special spot near the fence line.

Then I chuckled over the wonders of Morris.
How really special he is even if he isn't the intense devoted dog that Xena was.
In fact in many ways he is even more special.

He never objects to playing with the grandchildren.
He doesn't mind being 'bossed' around or dragged on his leash.
He is perpetually happy, although I'm not sure he even knows
what he is happy about.
He is a wonderful comedian.
He thinks children are his personal responsibility.

And then I thank the powers that be for the great dogs I've had in my life.