For all your dog lovers out there (like me)
 

This was in the newsletter of the place where we adopted Leo from (that sentence sounds convoluted, but you know what I mean... I hope). Personally, I couldn't agree more.

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," 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 makes 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

So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog." just smile....because they "just don't understand." and keeps me from being "just a human."

dogs - and cats - are sometimes better companions than the two-legged ones

I couldn't agree with you more on everything.. I look forward to picking him up on the way home.. I also was up at 6:00 scrubbing the living room rug, as my best friend climbed off the bed, and peed on the carpet.. All I could think of saying was "what the h--l were you thinking" Of course he tries nt to look me in the eye... Ughhh

I live with three...things go really well until I try to buck their authority...LOL!

Sounds like my house! My kids say to me all the time "You let the dog get away with tons more than we EVER got away with" -- to which I reply "And your point is...?". I just cannot imagine my life without a dog!

I am fairly new to this board, so I apologize if this is a repeat. If you love dogs and have not seen this video or visited the site, you will be in for a real treat.
http://www.godanddog.org/GoDandDoGStore.html

:):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

We provide dogs with warm comfortable homes, plenty of good food and water, a variety of toys and blankies. We take them for walks even if we are tired and don't feel like it, and share our secrets with them. But the best part of being owned by a dog is that we get to make fools of ourselves over them and do it gladly just for the wag of a tail or joy they display when they see us. We are the lucky ones.

Animals are more honest with their emotions than humans.

well put. I can't imagine not having my 4-legged son!

We don't currently have a dog, but several grand-dogs. If you love dogs, read "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein. It will be a movie soon, but reading it gets you into the dog's head, which is what this is all about. Totally changed the way I look at dogs, though I always knew they are thinking a lot more than you can tell.

Sitting here with my toy chihauhau tucked down in my flannel shirt snoreing. Just a dog, I don't think so, she has wokred hard at training us and has been quite successful, if I do say so myself. She can throw a ball and get Papa to fetch it for her even. Just a DOG, I don't think so. She even has the cats trained, who by the way, are not '' Just Cats'' either.

Maybe just a dog for some people but sometimes that is only friend some elderly people have,they are frail and get out like they use to and personally my dogs are my family also not just a dog.They are awesome and sometimes better to us than the human species.Use mess with my dogs and you mess with my double barrell.

I love my dogs and prefer their company over "others" They always make you smile and ask so little from you....yet give you so much in return.

Give me "just a dog or "just a cat" any day. I prefer them to most of the 2 legged "friends(?)" I have. I can talk to my dog, cuddle with my dogs, sleep with my dog, walk with my dogs, They are with me when I am on the computer or when I am sewing or when I am gardening or when I am reading. There is nothing like having a dogs head in your lap so you can play with the ears when you are reading. They keep me warm in the winter and company when my DH travels. They keep me feeling safe-from people, deer, birds, raccoons and windy windows.
I'll take my "just a dog" thank you!!!

We lost our dog, Lizzie, on March 3rd. That left a HUGE hole in our hearts. She wasn't 'just a dog', she was the 'light of our lives'. I honestly think that dogs are the closest thing to Jesus walking this earth -- complete, unconditional love.

sometimes ?

I just loved this, thank you!

This is so true. We have 4 dogs and 2 cats. They are just small people with fur. Each has a distinct personality and a different way of loving us. In fact, I asked my husband just last night if he thought it was a sin to love them like we do. He immediately said no. Two of them are expensive purchases and 2 of the dogs and both cats are rescues. There is no difference. They are all precious, adorable and full of love. If you aren't an animal person, you are truly missing out on one of God's best gifts to us!

I couldn't agree more. I can't imagine not having my furbabies in my life (but mine are cats). LOL

I had a boyfriend who told me my dogs couldnt sleep with me when he came that they werent even allowed in my room and that they were just animals and could sleep at the back door or outside at night. I handed him a blanket and a pillow and told him there was a tarp outside and i hoped he found it comfortable. Dogs were here first and are staying..... did he really think l would pick him over them not in this lifetime...my babies are still with me and he is gone lol... I got the better end of this deal..

Thank you so much for sharing this... l even read it to them they are all on the bed with me while l am on the computer

Regina

I have a little chihuahua who thinks she is an 85 pound pit bull!! She rules the roost over 2 scotties and one corgi.
She's almost 5 now and I have had her since she was about 5 weeks old. I love her so much and she is my constant companion. Whatever room I am in, there she is. In fact she's in her little bed right now here in the computer room at my feet. (yes, computer ROOM. My SIL is a computer wizard and works in security for the University Hospital, and we have 7 computers in this one room...LOL) There is no more loving or loyal companion that our little 4 legged fur babies.

I agree. I don't trust people who don't like animals.

Awesome! Here's another site that I visit every day & would really encourage y'all to do so also (it feeds dogs for free) ---> http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3&ThirdPartyClicks=ARS_linktous_ 125_01

What a wonderful, beautiful, TRUE sentiment!

I've heard wonderful things about that book & plan to check it out of the library next week!

Oh, sweetie... I am so sorry to hear of your loss. We lost out Yankee in November & just yesterday I was crying my eyes out over it. Yes, I have my Leo now but I still miss my Yankee Pierre. I hope time brings you comfort. Are you going to get another furry child? I suggest it... IMHO.

I'm with you on that one!

What a lovely and admirable sentiment! I have a wonderful dog, and have had some very special cats as well. Pets are a joy. But perhaps they more easily bring out our our humanity...because humans are so much more complex, inconsistent, and generally challenging?

I like the way you think, girlfriend! I'd have done the same thing! In fact, when I was in HS, my BFF & I had a "rule" that we only dated guys that our dogs approved of... for real! We figured (correctly) that they had better people/boy sense than we did!

She's the opposite of my 55-pound Leo who is SURE he's really a teeny, tiny puppy & wants to sit on your lap all the time. What I always say to people is that Leo doesn't want to be with you. He doesn't want to be by you. He wants to be ON you... LOL!

Challenging for sure! I just think animals have better "radar" than we do!

My just a dogs have gotten thru some very dark days in my life. They were always there when friends were not.

I hear you. I'm an only child & my dog was like my brother back in the day. They just NEVER let you down, never.

I love both these quotes, got quite a laugh. Heard this when my kids were growing up, along with "you love the dogs more", because I would always put the dog food at the top of the grocery list. LOL

Awe, so sweet!

This makes me feel so good. I love my dogs to death. They are the best therapy after a streeful day at work or after any stressful moment. They truly make life more interesting. Cats do too.

I agree with you.I have four dogs.....Their love is so unconditional. The looks they give at times will melt your heart...
I have had many laughs from them.......Each one has a different personality and therefore when they are all together there is never a dull moment......I have lived alone for many years and these guys are my best friends....The house is never empty.....They are always happy to see me, if I am gone 5 minutes or 5 hours.......I wouldn't take a million for any of them......

Our pets love us unconditionally. I love my little dog. He is my truest friend.