| In Loving Memory of my Beautiful Jasmine. |
Adapted from an article
in Versatile Hunting Dog Magazine
Richard Biby, Contributing Editor
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
in Versatile Hunting Dog Magazine
Richard Biby, Contributing Editor
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
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 love
invested, the time spent, or distance travelled 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 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 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.”
“that’s a lot of money for just a dog.” They don’t understand the love
invested, the time spent, or distance travelled 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 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 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.”
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Just a Dog?