Saturday, March 6, 2010

"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 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."

by Richard Biby




22 comments:

The Musketeers said...

Dogs are just the best to share our secret with and our every moment with. They are always loyal to us. Whenever we scold them, they will still listen to us. they are just the best living thing in the whole wide world ! haha

Unknown said...

This is wonderful!! I HATE when people use that phrase.

Martine said...

What a great story/poem, we totally understand and agree.

xo martine & the kiddlets

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Of khourse, we khan't furget the khomplementary work:

It's just a human !

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra & Khousin Merdie

Two French Bulldogs said...

ahhh....thats a great post. Yea, what is it about "just a dog" anyhow!..
Benny & Lily

BRUTUS said...

Never saw that before, what a great sentiment it captures. The things we do for our pups might seem strange to others, but we know how our relationship with them transcends all else. THanks for sharing!!

Michelle (Brutus' mom)

Lorenza said...

It is beautiful!
You have no idea how many times my mom hears that "it's just a dog" phrase!
Yes... they don't understand!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Mommyof2girlz/StephD said...

This is awesome and I love the pictures!

Sam said...

Wow - thank you, thank you, thank you, for posting this. That just about sums it up for me -- and SO many people have said that to me!

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Bijou - that was just beautiful AND we know that here at our home the humans DO understand what it means to be "just a dog". There is no way it would ever be any different.

Woos - Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

kissa-bull said...

oh dear, this was just so touching
and bewootiful
those weiners are missing out on ush for sure

Unknown said...

Hey, I'm just a dog too :) Loved your post
Twink!

RILEY AND STAR MY MALTESEKIDS said...

I love that! Thanks for sharing it.

Riley and Star.

The Adventures of the LLB Gang said...

Very awesome!!!

Smileys!
Dory

kishiko said...

Hi Bijou and Banjo!
What a nice story!!
It is just a human!
kiss kiss
Matilda

Mollie Jo and Bobo said...

This is our (and our momma's) favorite poem. We haven't read it in a long time...Thanks for reminding us of it again.


Wags and Licks,
Mollie Jo & Bobo & Foster Sibling Maggie Mae

Sketching with Dogs said...

That is beautiful, wonderful words that all dog lovers will identify with. They are never 'just dogs' to us.
Lynne

Draco and his Mom said...

Amen.....
From a soul that USED to think
"It's just a dog"

Nadine, Chewy and Lilibell said...

Oh Bijou, that was just wonderful and very touching, it made me very teary eyed reading it. I too used to think "just a dog" until Chewy & Lilibell came into my life and I can now fully appreciate the love and devotion they unconditionally give to me every single day! They are not "just a dog" to me, they are my "children!"

Hugs, Nadine

Green-ish said...

Our Mommy hears that a lot too from Daddy's side of the family and it makes her sad. We are her kids but they just don't understand! Thanks for posting this!

-Yoshi and Cody

Cloud the Wonder Dog said...

Mom and I love this post!!!

Luv,
Cloud

Sharon said...

What a sweet post. Completely agree that "just a dog" is "just about the best thing in the world" :)

<3 S and D