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 woman."

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