It's just a dog.

[BLOODSWEATSTEEL]

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 when 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."

[smmokan]

Read Marley and Me, and you'll understand that dogs are never "just dogs". Great book... make sure you're reading it when your pups are laying in bed next to you and it gets even better.

[snowdreamer]

What a nice, sweet post. Makes me feel better about my Lab mix
that has torn up my old family room couch, killed my plants, my grass, dug
holes in my yard. Everyone tells me to get rid of him because he is
"just a dog".

Thanks you make me feel better... I might just print this. If you don't mind
me printing this...

[lobstahmeatwad]

best $400 I ever spent was on my "just a dog"

[Bandogge]

Many clients I work dogs for owe their lives... Literally, to their charges.

I have been involved in situations where "friends" balked, and the only one to stand at my side was "just a dog".

"The more time I spend with people, the more I like my dogs"

[ill-advised strategy]

little stinky buddies

[Tippster]

This morning, as I was slowly waking up and my wife was getting ready for the day, my 5yo daughter walks in, yawns, and climbs into bed with me. 30 seconds later my 3yo son does the same.

30 seconds after that my 4 footed "daughter" ambles into the room, stretches, yawns, walks to my side of the bed and puts her head on my pillow.

It was a great morning.

[smmokan]

Amen to that Tipp... some of my favorite times are lying in bed in the morning with my girlfriend, with our two labs sprawled out next to us. Those guys have a way of making you feel alright.

[Grange]

I ran into another dog owner while I training my dog in an open field. At first I thought one of his dogs was a black lab like mine. Upon a closer view of her head and talking to the owner I found out it was a German Shorthair Pointer. I've never seen a GSP that was completely black before.

[Rossichick]

Wow! That says it all, BLOODSWEATSTEEL!! I'd do anything for my two golden retrievers. They can totally sense when you're sad, and sit there licking your face until you feel better.

[Pow4Brains]

Most dogs are less exasperating than people. Think about it:

Has your dog ever asked you for your car keys?

Has your dog ever asked you for a loan?

Has any dog borrowed your tools and then not returned them?

Has your dog ever ignored you when you come home from work? (If so, get a new dog.)

Has your dog ever not thanked you for what you do? (Well, didn’t you see his tail wagging?)

Has your dog ever asked you why you want him to do unnatural things like walk between your legs while you are walking, to stand on his hind legs, to jump through your arms when you hold them like a loop, or to play dead?

Did your dog ever ask you if you wanted him to guard your property?

Dogs are perfect except I have never got one to pay board and room─except by unconditional love.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-We-Like-Dogs-Better-Than-People&id=122988

[MSG]

My dog is a 110lbs of friendship. I would do anything for him. He has always been there for me, and I've always been there for him and I always will be. I was there the day he was conceived (yeah, dog sex!), I was there the day he was born, I was there when he opened his eyes, when he fell into his first lake, and when he took his first powder shots. He'll do anything for me, and I him. I didn't pay a penny for him, but he is worth the world to me.

A friend of mine recently had to have knee surgury on both hind legs on his dog. $4k. I wouldn't even consider not doing it. Its a shit load of money, but there is no alternative in my mind.

I don't understand those that attach such little importance to friendship. To make the statement, "its just a dog" is to allow abuse and neglect on one who is completely dependant upon you. I'm not a cat person, but that means that I don't fuck with them or abuse them. I just don't want to be friends with one. On that note, who likes cats, they're pretty selfish.

When you decide to take on the responsibility of taking care of a dog, that means that you are responsible for their well being. What ever that entails.

[skifishbum]

"The man was stretched on the pavement brutishly drunk and dead to the world. The dog, lying by his side, seemed to look at me with sad, imploring eyes. Though all the world despised that man, I thought, this poor brute loves him and will be faithful to death." - Robert Service

In addition to Marley and Me, In the company of Newfies a shared life by Rhoda Lerman is a great read
There are few things in life that are truly unconditional like the love of a dog.
Just a pair of skis
Just a car
Just a house
but it so aint just a dog

[BLOODSWEATSTEEL]

Thanks for the recommendation Lloyd. I just ordered it.

[RootSkier]

Cool thread.

Minus the dog sex.