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 woman."
So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog,"
just smile, because they
"just don't understand."