Registered: Jun 2006
Location: Northeastern Ohio
Posts: 127

By Richard Biby, Contributing Editor of Musings
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
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 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."

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Registered: Jan 2007
Location: West Ky
Posts: 744

Very good & very true.

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Registered: Jun 2006
Location: Northeastern Ohio
Posts: 127

I get tired of people at work rolling their eyes at me and thinking that I'm nuts because of the things I do with my dogs.

I believe if more people would learn to think that a dog is more than just a dog they would learn to respect themselves and other more.

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Rachel
Team Fyreside

Performance Cresteds
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Bloodtracking Black & Tan Coonhound
"Fyresides Shotgun Willie"
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I asked God to make me a more patient person - he gave me a coonhound.

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Registered: Jun 2003
Location: Kalamazoo, Mich.
Posts: 6113

I have that one pinted out and saved in my favorite dog writings folder. It's very good.

But I'll always feel like they "borrowed" the idea from the late Corey Ford who wrote one of my all-time favorite dog stories titled "Just A Dog". It's about a deer hunter that carelessly shot Corey Ford's prized little English Setter female named Trout. The deer hunter didn't understand what the big deal was because it was "just a dog". Good story if you ever get a chance to read it.

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Registered: Mar 2007
Location: Cambridge,Ohio
Posts: 1497

I have to agree it was Just A Dog that many a day has brightened my day when I was sad.
it was Just a Dog that when I have felt all alone has sat their head on my knee looking upat me and letting me know I was needed .
Just a dog to me they arent they are Family .
alot of people think I'm crazy cause of the way I care for my dogs
I wont lie between myself and my other half we spend almost 200 or more dollars for dog food a month . not to mention wormer , shots ect but you know what I would do it all over again heck I do LOL.
my dogs are my kids they are just as important to me as my other halfs 3 yr old son and I cant wait till he is old enough to go to the woods so that Just a Dog can make a special place in his heart as well.
fryesidecrested thank you for the post I like it alot and I hope its ok i am gonna print it out .

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Registered: Jun 2006
Location: Northeastern Ohio
Posts: 127

I'm glad everyone enjoyed it.

I'm going to make a point to find that book and read it. I love dog stories. We have a bunch here and are always looking for new ones.

I know the people at work think I'm crazy because of my dogs but then there life revolves around drinking, drugs, etc.

My dogs have kept me sane when my life drives me crazy. When I lost one of my little cresteds http://fyresidecresteds.com/babyharmony.html this past winter it was like losing a child to me. The woman I work with can't understand that. I feel sorry for people who never get to experience that kind of love.

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Rachel
Team Fyreside

Performance Cresteds
&
Bloodtracking Black & Tan Coonhound
"Fyresides Shotgun Willie"
www.fyresidecresteds.com

I asked God to make me a more patient person - he gave me a coonhound.

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