Musings
by 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 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 phrases 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
