Thought I would share this with the Forum.

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 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.
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 its' not "just a dog"
but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being
"just a man" or "just a woman."

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

Well, you would say that. But after all. You're only human.

Get a life. Pets are pets, not children.

Who made a reference to pets being children, other than you?

I guess some people are just miserable gits, but my dogs never are.

Aside from the fact that children were not ever introduced into the discussion, do you not understand how Merrylegs story is about how our relationship with our pets also define our humanity?

I have to say, it is a real PET peeve to hear from asshats like you... You have some kind of agenda and don't even bother to read the words in front of you.

I hate to join the ranks of the haters... but you, Noth, really chap my ass.

fduvall

Glad I do. People moaning over the loss of animals are just trying to justify that their care to them is equal to raising humans, and that it can make them better humans. I strongly disagree, this is the kind of relativising of values that only leads to idiocy.

What a load of cobblers. We have never equated the care for our pets with raising and caring for our children. But neither are mutually exclusive and a relationship with one does not exclude a relationship with the other. Please take your amateur psychology elsewhere.

There is nothing in the original post to justify the way you are carrying on.
What is wrong with you ?

I loved this. I dont have any pets, but I would imagine that this is exactly how I would feel if I had one, especially a dog.

Sometimes, people should remember that we are just mammals after all.... We are animals too.

Trolling for a reaction...

I think that Noth has stated a perfectly reasonable point of view to the original post.

Like it or leave it, or get your dogs to write a complaint here or sniff his butt. It's just a Noth.

I've seen people cry and moan over everything from burning dinner to losing their job. Why wouldn't they cry and moan over losing an animal?

All kinds of stuff can make someone a happier and nicer person. What is it about dogs that makes you exclude them from having this potential?

A news story:

http://yourlife.usatoday.com/parenti...ies/50592574/1

My story:

My best friend adopted a dog from the SPCA three years ago. The dog has severe epilepsy and they were going to put it down. She saw his picture online and immediately connected with him. Being a physician (GP), she was actually an ideal person to logistically handle all of his needs.

He's hard work, that is for sure. His seizures are much better controlled now as she has sent him to specialists who have developed a better medication plan. He takes 4 sets of pills a day. Every two months she drives from Canada to the U.S. to pick up one medication that isn't available locally. She has made many sacrifices to ensure he has the care he needs at all times.

He loves walks like any dog and she walks him every morning and night. When she's at work, he's at doggy daycare where he is exercised even more. At home, he always climbs on the sofa and puts his head on her lap. He has a quality of life he's lucky to have and she has a companion she's lucky to have.

She's a bit lonely on her own and having him is the company that makes her feel less lonely. She has said that he's a big responsibility and she can never leave him for more than a couple of hours. But she wouldn't change it for anything because it makes her happy. It can feel good to be needed.

Love or hate dogs - who cares how or if they can compare to kids or anything else. The fact is they make a lot of people really happy - just maybe not you. And there are enough wretched grumpelstiltskins in this world that I'm all for seeing more people feel good from their furry friends.

Except for you, no one moaned over anything here.

Except for you, no one mentioned anything about the loss of animals.

No one tried to compare caring for an animal to caring for a child (that is what they are called, and you actually "rear" them, not "raise" them).

All that happened was that Merrylegs put up a nice post about dogs and how they can bring out the best in people.

I can't imagine why you would take such offense. Save your vitriol for a post that actually contains the elements you are complaining about.

Beautifully written, Merrylegs.
I feel the same way about my pets.

Chill guys I am taking a leaf from the last line of merryleg's post.....

Remember: Noth is just a troll.

well he upset some of us so lets ban the swine

The relationship between man and dog runs so deep. It has been proven that dogs have detected cancers in their owners.
So many dogs are used in making their owners life have a quality that without them would be impossible - think of the dogs who are "hearing dogs", Guide dogs etc.

Whilst the subject of children was mentioned - a lot of elderly people have children who are frankly waiting for them to die. They are not interested in them at all and having known someone in that position the companionship their pet gave them was keeping them going.

The love I have had from my dogs far exceeded that that I had when I was growing up from humans - they made me the person I am today - when I lost them it broke my heart.