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."
---Author unknown
I Am Your Dog
I am your dog and I have a
little something I'd like to whisper in your ear. I know that you humans lead
busy lives. Some have to work, some have children to raise. It always seems like
you are running here and there, often much too fast, often not noticing the
truly grand things in life. Look down at me now, while you sit there at your
computer. See the way my dark brown eyes look at yours? They are slightly cloudy
now. That comes with age. The gray hairs are beginning to ring my soft muzzle.
You smile at me and I see love in your eyes. What do you see in mine? Do you see
a spirit? A soul inside, who loves you as no other could in the world? A spirit
that would forgive all trespasses of prior wrong doing for just a moment of your
time? That is all I ask. To slow down, if even for a few minutes, to be with me.
So many times you have been saddened by the words you read on that screen, of
others of my kind passing. Sometimes we die young and oh so quickly. Sometimes
we age so slowly before your eyes that you may not even seem to know until the
very end, when we look at your with grizzled muzzles and cataract clouded eyes.
Still the love is always there, even when we must take that long sleep to run
free in a distant land.
I may not be here tomorrow. I may not be here next week. Someday you will shed
the water from your eyes that humans have when deep grief fills their souls, and
you will be angry at yourself that you did not have just one more day with me.
Because I love you so, your sorrow touches my spirit and grieves me. We have now
together. So come sit down next to me here on the floor, and look deep into my
eyes. What do you see? If you look hard and deep enough we will talk, you and I,
heart to heart. Come to me not as an alpha, or as a trainer, or even as mom and
dad. Come to me as a living soul and stroke my fur and let us look into one
another's eyes and talk. I may tell you something about the fun of chasing a
tennis ball, or I may tell you something profound about myself, or even about
life in general. You decided to have me in your life because you wanted a soul
to share such things with. Someone very different from you; and here I am. I am
a dog, but I am alive. I feel emotion, I feel physical senses, and I can revel
in the differences of our spirits and souls. I do not think of you as a dog on
two feet; I know what you are. You are human, in all your quirkiness,
and I love you still.
Now, come sit with me on the floor. Enter my world, and let time slow down if
only for 15 minutes. Look deep into my eyes and whisper into my ears. Speak with
your heart and with your joy, and I will know your true self. We may not have
tomorrow, and life is so very short.
Love,
Your Dog
---Author unknown
Victor and Neva, the
best of buds.
December, 2009
Proud of my two boys Charlie and Zip.
