It's 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 just a dog." They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent every day, or the costs involved for "just a dog."  Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog", but i did not 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 the pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that's 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 the 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 that moment. "Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and directs my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day. I hope that someday they can understand that's 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".