Sorry to hear about your loss David. I've lost two dogs in my life so far, so I know what you and your partner are going through. I've always liked this poem.
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 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 human."
So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog." just smile, because they "just don't understand."
Authored by Richard A. Biby
Here's something that might cheer you up a bit. This is Peggy our new Lab cross puppy, I think she was about five or six months old in this photo. She is now eleven months old. She is the successor to Jessie our beautiful and kind hearted german shepherd that we lost in February of 2006 and we just love her. I hope that one day when you are ready you will be able to find another dog that will occupy the same place in your heart that your lovely Karmon did
All the best.
Liam
