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Almost Home Foundation

P.O. Box 308   Elk Grove Village, IL 60009-0308           (630)582-3738

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 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,”
hen 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.”

Author: Richard Biby

---Versatile Hunting Dog Magazine, February 2006

© Copyright Almost Home Foundation 2006