Just A Dog - A Poem Options

[Furkidlets' Mom]

JUST A DOG

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 travelled, 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 aobut 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 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 its' not "just a dog"
but the thing that gives me humanity 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."

~Unknown Author~

~ And of course, this goes to ANY other creature we may love with all our hearts, or even those who aren't loved ~

[LoveThem]

Thank you for this.

Since I lost my boy I have started a list of phrases people have said that make me feel better and if I see the need to pass them along to others that I think will help them, I do that.

I can say that a phrase that begins with "Just a ...." is on the hate list along with all the diseases that have taken away my babies over the years. It has to be the most thoughtless combination of words. It is a phrase that is never used when a human has passed .....it is ironic that it is used when talking about one who only gives unconditional love....a trait that I have never found elsewhere.

I can believe that people who do not understand may feel it is supposed to comfort the only way they can think of....but it is still a very hurtful thing to say about a bond that is like no other in this world and never will be.

Judy

[Furkidlets' Mom]

"...people who do not understand may feel it is supposed to comfort the only way they can think of."

You know what, Judy? I can't even think that, because to me, those two words, "just a", in this context, are designed to only depersonalize, minimize and show actual contempt for something or someone. So from me, those folks get the same thing back as they put forth - nothing but contempt.

[LoveThem]

I agree with you. If someone says anything that sounds like that, I avoid being around them as much as I can.

What even amazes me more is when I hear someone talking like that who they themselves own an animal and cared for their own, but cannot understand when someone else has such a loss. Of course, I didn't know them when they lost their own animal so I don't know how it affected them.

Judy