Just A Dog….Dog Blessings
All of us on Dogster are here for one reason, our love of dogs. I came across a poem and thought it would be a perfect posting for Christmas, it shows the importance of dogs in our lives.
Sure, our friends might think we’re a little nutty, we may be known as “the dog people” in our neighborhood, but that’s alright because we know a dog isn’t Just A Dog.
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
There is a book called Dog Blessings, by June Cotner, that is a wonderful tribute to dogs and the impact they have in our lives. Told through a series of poems, prose, and prayers Dog Blessing honors our best friend. It will make you laugh and cry, it’s a book you’ll want to share will all the dog lovers in your life.
I want to take a minute to thank all the Dogsters who have become regular readers and contributors to the blog. Lisa and I appreciate all your support and are looking forward to sharing the New Year with you. Happy holidays from our family to yours.
* The cutie above showing love to his dad is Webster.
Amen!! Thanks for posting this. My mom has a sign in our house that says, “This house is maintained entirely for the comfort and convenience of our DOG(s)!” If people can’t deal with us doggies, then they’re not very welcome here. We rule!
We love that poem! It’s so true! We have a sign in our house that says, “Dogs Welcome Anytime…People by Appointment.”
We love that poem, I used a quote like the quote in the ending on a tribute I made for Ozzie
Call me crazy but my motto is: Dogs First…People second!
I’m with all of you. My Pogo comes first in this house and in my life. She’s brought so much joy, love, laughter and lightness into my life, I owe her that at the very, very least. That and soooooo much more.
Awesome! And just what I needed. Thank you so much for sharing. This will be one of the poem I will never forget!
Happy Holidays!
I have spent a few major holidays with just my dog and we had a good ‘ol time. In my bleakest periods just my dog kept me sane. Just a dog? hah, you just haven’t met mine.
Mom has all kinds of little poems and things about us. Our favorite is the ones she has on two little wooden signs about if you want the best seat in the house you’ll have to move the dogs (or cat as we have one of those too). We are mom’s furry kids and she makes no bones about it, she happily tells everyone we are. Mom’s three kids are all grown up so we have filled that void in her life left by them. Oh and yes we are responsible for keeping mom sane, if not for us she’d have killed pop by now. BOL.
We think this sums it up nicely.
Hello Fellow Dog Owner,
If I Didn’t Have a Dog
I could walk around the yard barefoot in safety.
My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and laminated.
All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture, and cars would be free of hair. When the doorbell rings, it wouldn’t sound like a kennel.
When the doorbell rings, I could get to the door without wading through fuzzy bodies who beat me there.
I could sit on the couch and my bed the way I wanted, without taking into consideration how much space several fur bodies would need to get comfortable.
I would have money …..and no guilt to go on a real vacation.
I would not be on a first-name basis with 6 veterinarians, as I put their yet unborn grand kids through college.
The most used words in my vocabulary would not be: out, sit, down, come, no, stay, and leave him/her/it ALONE.
My house would not be cordoned off into zones with baby gates or barriers.
My house would not look like a day care center, toys everywhere.
My pockets would not contain things like poop bags, treats and an extra leash.
I would no longer have to spell the words B-A-L-L, F-R-I-S-B-E- E, W-A-L-K, T-R-E-A-T, B-I-K-E, G-O, R-I-D-E
I would not have as many leaves INSIDE my house as outside.
I would not look strangely at people who think having ONE dog/cat ties them down too much.
I’d look forward to spring and the rainy season instead of dreading ‘mud’ season.
I would not have to answer the question ‘Why do you have so many animals?’ from people who will never have the joy in their lives of knowing they are loved unconditionally by someone as close to an angel as they will ever get.
How EMPTY my life would be!
Your sooo right, Mr. Hoefinger! And it crosses over into the cat world as well, as I’ve heard that phrase “oh it’s just a cat” too many times in all of my lives.
On behalf of all pets, I think I can go ahead and say that we’re glad toy have our people and we’re pretty sure that our people are glad to have us too.
happy Holidays and thanks!
Max was not “just a dog” he was my best friend, protector, was always waiting for me when I would come home from work. His tail wagging, and was happy I was home. I miss him now. I had him for almost 14yrs. and had to put him down. That was the hardest thing I have had to do. Some people ask me why I’m upset about Max, he was “just a dog”. How would they feel if they lost their best friend and I said “it was just a friend”. I wish I had the hair, nose prints on my windows, the barking, the land mines in my yard again. But most of all I miss that wagging tail when I come saying “I’m glad you are home”.
Oh, this was so perfect. It is all very true. I’m so glad I understand and know they are not “just dogs.” They are some of our wisest teachers. I hope you don’t mind, but I shared this poem and the place of resource I obtained it from with my readers over at Joyfulpaws.com.
I really believe if we paid attention to the lessons our dogs teach us, our world would find peace.
Thank you again for this poem… it is a gift.
Merry Christmas!
Barbara Techel
Author of Frankie, the Walk ‘N Roll Dog
http://www.joyfulpaws.com
What a beautiful poem. Ozzie and Angie, I need those sign s on my house! Gretchen, Dottie et. al. Ioved your poem also and could really relate to it!
nice…glad to see i m not alone in my love for dogs…
I just blogged about my dog at thefrogcroaks.blogspot.com and came by here on accident looking for other people passionate about their dogs…
do pop by for my dog’s christmas wish n dog stories…i think you’ll like it…
Our Mom knows we aren’t “just” dogs. We are her dogs, heart and soul. That’s what makes the difference I guess for some people. We keep her company when she doesn’t feel well and don’t gripe about not having enough walks. We love her just the way she is and what could be better than that. And in return, she loves us just the way we are, with our little “issues” and all.
I really am glad that you put up that poem on this special day. I have read that before somewhere and put it up on our diary page as a keeper some time ago. Thanks for reminding us all how much they truly mean to us all. We have learned so very much from our four leggers that we have moved our foundation’s mission statement to be more pro animal active. Love to all on this Chirstmas morning and bless everyone everwhere…even the two leggers that read these to our four legged friends. Thanks again, Dogster HQ…..bob, jake, and our two wonderful charges…Pita and Layla
I have always told people I am blessed to have for all animals for the people in this world that are not blessed with the love of animals is truly missing out
on a wonderful life….God Bless the Animals!
I know I have been blessed with my two “boys”. They are the loves of my life. My sweet little Buddy, whom I dearly love to call Baby or Baby Kisses, My Dino, love of my life, who always shows their is light at the end of a dark tunnel. They don’t care how much money you have or don’t have, they don’t care what you look like to others. In their eyes you are “Mommy”. They love you unconditionally and give all the time. Blessed are the people who have the privilege to have pets in the home. Thank you so much for sharing this poem. Wishing you and your family a safe and Happy Holiday!!
We know that we are not just dogs by the way our pawrents treat us and those who are no longer with us anymore. The way they look at us tells us that we are not just a dog but so much more to them.
Happy Howliday to one and all!!!
I love it!
I know so many people who think in terms of “just a dog”.
“Just a dog” guards my house and keeps me and my family safe. “Just a dog” has been with me in my saddest moments to comfort me. “Just a dog” would do anything in her power to protect me.
That just sums it up perfectly Webster’s dad! Although we know Dusty is spoiled too, right along with Ringo! hehehehe We rule our home, but mom is the head dog, with dad coming in 2nd for the most part! Ha! We are spoiled, we are loved, we are taken care of but we give so much more in return, that it never is 50-50! Gretchen, Dottie, Freckles and Dori, yours rocks too! We love our friends here on Dogster, no matter that some people think our mom is crazy…cause we got more Christmas cards than her like she got 5 we got 50…heheeh
The only people who can possibly say “it’s just a dog” is a person who has never known the joy of owning a dog. My dog is a member of my family, hands down. He sits with me when I cry, shares in my excitement when I’m happy, and falls asleep with me every night. He is a friend, a confidant, and the best listener in my family. He is definitely not “just a dog”.
Nickolas, Frankie and Tanuki are members of my family and Nickolas has been there for me when I needed a rescurerer myself he was able to bark for help when a sezure I was having was a bad one and I needed more help. I cook for them, they have special likes and dislikes just the same as I do. they keep me not just company but we walk, talk they understand the phone rings the sounds of the stove the door, every sound in my home to help keep me safe!
They are my family. I love them so very much. I know the feeling is mutual they have developed there own lanuage with me too. My son thinks its weird and tells them to stop talking to him……I laugh because my son understands what they are saying to him thats why he yells at them to stop! because he thinks he is growing up and he should not believe in this anymore. silly man. : D he knows they are family we are a pack and that is that we are family.
They are not just a dog and I am no longer just a girl we are part of this grand universe we are a blessing to each other we have come to know how to live cohivesively together……… we “GET IT”
I Love it love it., passed it in email many a time
Gretchen & pack that is also very well said,thanks for posting it. Paws up for all.Merry Christmas and happy Howlidays to every fur. We are blessed indeed.
Beautiful Poem. Happy Holidays!
Richards How very true it is,i served 18 mths in Nam with a brother (SAM) he was a point dog and saved my bacon many times,he wasnt Just a Dog,he was my partner,my friend,my brother&my life saver,I had Sam for 17 yrs,he passed in my lap.Well he is in a much better place now.Just a Dog,hoe cold can some folks be?.Thank you very much Richard,it is a beautiful piece.
Humama works at home some afternoons, and she loves that Edie is there to keep her company. When any member of my family is ill (as Humama is now, having had foot surgery yesterday), Edie stays right by their side as a ‘nurse’ (she is, indeed, scooted up right against Humama’s bad foot).
Howl anyone/anywoof can see Eed as ‘just a dog’ is beyond Humama’s understanding. She is a full member of the family, our official greeter, the bringer of smiles and laughter, and the one who makes each human in the house want to be as good a person as Edie believes them to be. Humama feels blessed to be owned by this wonderful little creature that is Edie.
Mommy has no signs in our house, we are back in the backyard and we are excellent guard dogs. We can make someone cry. I really scared someone before by barking at them.. they yelled at me..how dare they.
But that didn’t stop Mom from talking back to them and saying ‘They are my dogs, not mine. And you also went across our property and was going to go through the gate.’
BOL BOL.. My mom says Dogs come first, People second.
I have a few favorite sayings:
“I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” ~Etienne De Grellet
(1773 – 1855)
Saying goodbye is the most difficult thing in life
And we never learn to be good at it.
Animal lovers are a special breed of human, generous of spirit, full of empathy, perhaps a little prone to sentimentality, and with hearts as big as a cloudless sky!
From a book called “Marley & Me-Life and Love with the worlds worst dog” by John Grogan
Another book that is really darling is called:
“PETS’ LETTERS TO GOD” by Mark Bricklin
which includes letters such as:
Dear God,
When we get to Heaven, can we sit on your couch? Or is it the same old story?
and
Dear God,
Are there mailmen in Heaven? If there are, will I have to apologize?
and
Dear God,
Can you undo what that veterinarian did to me?!?
and
Dear God,
The new terrier I live with just peed on the Oriental rug and I have a feeling my family might blame me ‘cuz they think I’m jealous of this stupid dog. Since they have no sense of smell, how can I convince them I’m innocent? Does PetSmart sell lie detectors?
and
Roddy, who I think is a hamster asks God, ” Is it a sin to escape from your cage?”
and
Butch the Boxer asks, “Dear God, If a dog barks his head off in the forest, and no human hears him, is he still a bad dog?”
This is a darling book for pet lovers of all kinds!