It's Just A Dog ~

[A-Jay]

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 cost 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 a reason to overcome the day.

If you too think it’s ‘just a dog’ then you 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 into 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 the someday they can understand that it’s not ‘just a dog’, but the thing that gives me humility. 

And keeps me from being just a man or just a woman. 

So the next time you hear the phrase, ‘just a dog’, Just Smile.

Because they just don’t understand.

A-Jay

[Jar11591]

I enjoyed this and agree with every word of it. 
 

“Just dogs”: 

[gim]

[12poundbass]

I’ve never been in the ‘it’s just a dog camp’ but shamefully I was in the ‘it’s just a cat’ camp. Three weeks ago we had to put our cat Henry down due to neurological issues with his bowels. My wife rescued him a little over two years ago. I wasn’t happy because I didn’t want another animal and I sure as heck didn’t want a cat! Well, he chose me as his companion and the tough guy facade quickly went away and he became my bud. Three weeks ago I bawled like a baby when I took him to be put down. I’m no longer in any ‘it’s just a ….’ Camp because crow doesn’t taste so good.

 

 

[A-Jay]

@12poundbass

Sorry to hear about Henry my friend.

A-Jay

[GreenPig]

My girl is alot of things but she'll never be just a dog.

[A-Jay]

@GreenPig

Awesome pictures !

A-Jay

[paul shibata]

You are so right...

 

Though I had a dog as a very young kid, Caufie (Aussie-Doodle) is my first dog. And I never would've imagined how much my life has changed since he came into my/our lives. I once heard that every kid should grow up with a dog and now understand why, and couldn't agree more. Lots to learn from the unconditional love of a dog. They don't care what you look like, they fall in love with who you are and what's inside of you. 

[gim]

1 hour ago, paul shibata said:

the unconditional love of a dog. They don't care what you look like, they fall in love with who you are and what's inside of you.

 

Absolutely the best part of having a dog.  Unconditional friendship and loyalty every day.  Always happy to see you, whether you're gone for 10 days or 10 minutes.

[jbmaine]

The missus and I have never had " pets", but we have always had" furry family". We love animals of all sorts. Currently we have two rescue kitties that nobody else wanted. They are the sweetest cats you could imagine.

 Here's one of ours in a stare down with one of my outdoor buddies waiting for lunch.

Here's lunch time at our house.

[DaubsNU1]

I am very much a Dog person. 

 

When I hear of a Dog passing, I am immediately drawn to this image....

 

And it brings a tear to my eye.  

 

Because Dogs are special. 

 

[TnRiver46]

This one is not allowed on the furniture, you can see how well he obeys 

[GaryH]

My best friend….

[Bird]

Dog lover to the core 👍

[12poundbass]

@paul shibata your doodle has human eyes. I see a ton of doodles with them. My Great Pyrenees has them too. I love dogs with human eyes. Always makes me chuckle. 

[Kev-mo]

Pretty allergic to dogs....which is sad for many reasons.

And yeah this is just a sunrise ~

 

[J._Bricker]

We’ve got two grand dogs with great temperaments. One which makes a beeline to the pool, only to stand on the pool stairs with water up to his belly. The other is a non-stop fetching machine when not retrieving his pool toy is focused on his archenemy, “Herby” the pool sweep.

[Skunkmaster-k]

One of the best friends I’ve ever had was named Duke. He was a Chesapeake retriever and he was one tough hombre. We spent every day all day together , even going with me to work. My Dad loved him as much as I did . Maybe more. Two weeks after my son was born my Dad found Duke laying by my front steps . His two year battle with kidney disease had come to an end . That was twenty years ago but I can still see him in my mind clear as a bell. I still love him and I still miss him. 

[paul shibata]

3 hours ago, 12poundbass said:

@paul shibata your doodle has human eyes. I see a ton of doodles with them. My Great Pyrenees has them too. I love dogs with human eyes. Always makes me chuckle. 

 

It's funny you mentioned that. I just watched the latest "dog" documentary on Netflix and they mentioned something very interesting and unique to dogs. They have eye musculature which enables them to show the whites/sclera of their eyes (only a few animals including dogs and humans). They went on to say that this non-verbal form of communication is massive. "Puppy-Dog Eyes" is very expressive of their emotion, and I am sure Caufie will be telling me so (breaks my heart still) tomorrow morning when I head out fishing and leave him home. I had no idea, but makes so much sense. 

 

Yet another testament of how a dog's soul quickly makes them an immediate part of your family. 

 

 

 

[Susky River Rat]

River might just be a dog to others. To my wife and I he’s our little boy. I completely agree with what you have said. The sleepless nights, the vet bills will never exceed the smiles and joy we get from him.

[Timpson]

Here's mine

[Mobasser]

A-Jay, great post. I think you know where I stand on this topic. It's never" just a dog". It's a friend, loyal companion and much more. I am, and will always be a dog lover- to the core.

[GreenPig]

On 9/2/2024 at 3:32 PM, Kev-mo said:

Pretty allergic to dogs....which is sad for many reasons.

And yeah this is just a sunrise ~

 

Stay away from Ga., it's full of Dawgs.😁

[Tackleholic]

On 9/1/2024 at 7:52 AM, A-Jay said:

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 cost 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 a reason to overcome the day.

If you too think it’s ‘just a dog’ then you 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 into 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 the someday they can understand that it’s not ‘just a dog’, but the thing that gives me humility. 

And keeps me from being just a man or just a woman. 

So the next time you hear the phrase, ‘just a dog’, Just Smile.

Because they just don’t understand.

A-Jay

Well said.  My "just a dog" is the only thing in my life that takes precedence over fishing.

[slonezp]

I'll be Debbie Downer since no one else will. It's just a dog. Hear me out.

I've owned many Just a dog. I currently own Just a cat x3.

 

It's not about the physical being, it's about your connection to it. Crazy cat lady here. I have 2 cats(siblings) that my daughter gave me when they were just weeks old. I have a 3rd now as her life is what it is and I'll leave it at that. Picking up the pieces seems to be my thing. Raise the kid, raise the cats. The sibling senior cats are fine. the other one, not so much. I still give him the attention he desires. 

 

Sad thing is I think the cats are smarter than I am.