It's just a dog.

[old goat]

A dog has a soul.

[skiJ]

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."

hi, guys... I understand the discomfort with this thread - yet, BSS OP is one of my all-time favorite essays...

I took a long covid-induced break from the padded room -

like tango, I feel the loss of canine companions with greater emotion with advancing age
( I am pretty sure the pups ( now five year olds ) will be my last dogs. ... ) --

a couple years ago, there was a reflection on the value of this thread...

Please ,,, let's not lose sight of the value of the tributes to our companions ! !!

my Condolences To All... with love.

peace. tj


this won't appeal to many here ( I apologize ) but it was an amazing collection of Bluegrass players in 1989
( they ended up touring with JT that year. Mark OConnor. Jerry Douglas. ( I think there was another name, but I can't come up with it ) ) ...

[TNKen]

A dog has a soul.

This one gets me every time.

[fomofo]

man_devotes_his_life_to_adopting_old_dogs

[rideit]

we had to put our beloved dog of 15 years down today. We knew something was wrong, and had a vet appointment for Monday, but it wouldn’t have changed anything. Her spleen ruptured, and we caught it before she bled out. My wife is heartbroken. As am I. She was an amazing dog, and had a fabulous life with us.

[Flyoverland Captive]

Vibes, man. ^^^

[stealurface831]

sorry to hear it man. vibes.

[zion zig zag]

we had to put our beloved dog of 15 years down today. We knew something was wrong, and had a vet appointment for Monday, but it wouldn’t have changed anything. Her spleen ruptured, and we caught it before she bled out. My wife is heartbroken. As am I. She was an amazing dog, and had a fabulous life with us.

Damn, I'm sorry to hear that rideit. Thoughts to you and the fam.

[Jax]

I've lost a great dog that way, I'm so so sorry to hear. Take care.

[PNWbrit]

So sorry ride.

[2bjenny]

So sorry rideit.

[zlatham]

Celebrate that fabulous life rideit, remember why she was amazing. Im so sorry for your loss, i once heard from a wise man how you can judge your life based on the dogs you have had, cheers from ID-


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[tgapp]

man rideit, I'm so sorry. sending vibes to you and your family. share some pics and some good memories if you feel so inclined, 15 years is a long time to have someone in your life.

vibes man.

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[CascadeLuke]

My condolences rideit. That’s a tough way to wind down and say good bye. I hope you find comfort in the long life you shared.

[Harry]

Vibes rideit. Dogs bring us so much joy, hurts so bad when they pass.


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[::: :::]

What a face!
Vibes, rideit
Peace to your family

[stealurface831]

she was a beauty. so sorry again.

[rideit]

[Buster Highmen]

condolences rideit

[Supermoon]

So sorry rideit. Beautiful pup.

[tango uniform]

Gosh Rideit, I can tell she was a sweetheart, so sorry man+++++

Are you going to get another one right away; if you don't mind me asking?

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[rideit]

I think we are going to chill for a bit. We have a jam-packed year with some international travel coming up.
But wifey,who told me yesterday she wants to wait, was looking today at fostering some pooches, so who the hell knows.

[easyrdr]

Woke up at 6am to my dog whining/crying. I go see what all the fuss is about and he can't even pick his head up off the floor. I pick up all 100lbs of him and carry him to the truck. Get to the vet and his spine is fucked, x ray looks bad, two discs out, nerves are pinched, he can't straighten out. Doc injects him full of steroids and pains killers to make it tolerable for him. Not a fucking clue how it happened, went to bed the night before and he was fine. 11 year old malamute. Had to put him down this afternoon. Fuck.

[stealurface831]

Woke up at 6am to my dog whining/crying. I go see what all the fuss is about and he can't even pick his head up off the floor. I pick up all 100lbs of him and carry him to the truck. Get to the vet and his spine is fucked, x ray looks bad, two discs out, nerves are pinched, he can't straighten out. Doc injects him full of steroids and pains killers to make it tolerable for him. Not a fucking clue how it happened, went to bed the night before and he was fine. 11 year old malamute. Had to put him down this afternoon. Fuck.

vibes man.
same sorta thing happened to our 10 y/o lab. fine one night and dying the next morning.

[PNWbrit]

Condolences easyrdr.