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 phrases like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or "just a promise."

"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of freindship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.

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

they "just don't understand

Amen to that !

Granny, Cooper, Shannon and Annie

How very true, many people that i meet these days just look at me like i'm a fanatic or slightly off my rocker when i start talking about pet transports, rescues and other stuff. To them, they'll never understand why anyone would want to waste time doing that. To those people, in their own blinded world, dogs are "just a dog". If i can't help them to understand, i don't really want to know them.

But, amazingly enough, there are many people that i meet who look at me with amazement and express interest in what i'm doing. Many of them have never heard of such a thing, never knew a dog could find a home thousands of miles away and have a ride booked for him with caring and dedicated volunteers. They almost always end up telling me a story about their pet(s), past or present and hopefully they'll remember what we talk about and one day volunteer or rescue a dog of their own. Those people give me hope, especially the younger ones who are still finding their identities with piercings, tattoos and other oddities. The next generation (ah, star trek!!) will care as well, they'll have their hands full with all the horrid things people do now, but they will do their best, just as we do, for "just a dog".

I love this statement, i'm emailing it out to people i know.

thank you for sharing it.
beck