From time to time people tell me “chill out, it’s just a dog” or “it’s a lot of money just for a dog.” They don't understand the distance traveled, the time invested, or the costs incurred by "just a dog". Some of my proudest moments have occurred with “just a dog.” Many hours have passed being my only company "just a dog", but not for one moment did I feel despised. Some of my saddest moments have been because of “just a dog,” and on those gray days, the gentle touch of “just a Dog” gave me comfort and the reason to get through the day. If you also think “it’s just a dog”, then you’ll 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. For "just a dog" I will get up early, take long walks and look forward to the future. So for me and people like me, it’s not “just a dog,” but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the memories of the past, and the absolute joy of the moment. “Just a dog” brings out the good in me and takes my thoughts away from myself and daily worries. I hope one day they can understand that it’s not “just a dog”, but the one that gives me humanity and keeps me from being “just a human.” So the next time you hear the phrase “just a dog”, just smile because they “just don’t get it”. “Just A Dog,” by Richard A. Animals. "Master bedroom," (1965) Andrew Wyeth
Been 3 years without one now. Times of the world put a damper on that in some ways. Never been without a Lab except when we had a swamp donkey (golden). We constantly look at each other and say we need a puppy but still due to circumstances out of our control it’s not fair to one. I talk to tons of friends who are breeders asking about litter timing and their plans in preparation just in case things change soon.
Now is I could only let my 84 lb lab know that running straight into people, when he's glad to see them, is not a good idea! It's like getting hit with an 84 lb missile that takes your legs out from under you.
Yup and losing that is hard. We also had the 110 pound lap dog that would crawl up on you if you sat in the recliner. Both were the last ones we had. Total opposites.
In three weeks we have been able to get our "new recruit" better at that game. We had gotten a 3 y/o kid who my wife says is actually in his terrible 2's
I had a 110 pound German shepherd that was terrified of thunderstorms. He would know one was coming way before it started. He was an outside dog but would jump up on the door and whine wanting in. I let him in and he laid in the floor and I was leaned all the way in the recliner. I was about to doze off and there was a big crack of lightning. He jumped up in the recliner with me and turned the whole thing over in the floor. It was quite a rude awakening.
A dog can die happy knowing they lived their life being the best friend they could have been for you. You can't replace that.
Kinda brings a tear to my eye because our goofball is getting old and has some health issues. Just drugged him because storms are predicted today.
So sad it is, but when the time comes telling you their quality of life is not what they always enjoyed, a loyal and loving person has to make that decision. Having just had to go thru that situation 3 weeks ago the best thing that we did was to rehome another ASAP. Due to the "COVID" mess and it's aftermath there are way too many pets being cast aside because they no longer fit peoples life style so they are the first to be disposed of one way or the other.
They're absolutely more than just dogs. We'd be lost without them. Our new pup hazel and the ol girl millie are finally becoming good buddies. Millie's health has definitely takilen a turn for the worse this past week but we're so thankful for every day she's still here. Hazel is learning so much from her and I'm happy to see millie has warmed up to her enough that she'll have another buddy by her side when it's time. After losing her best friend macy back in june she seemed so lost. It's great seeing her much happier these days.
