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 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 it’s not 'just a dog', but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being 'just a man or woman'. So the next time you hear the phrase 'just a dog' just smile... because they 'just don’t understand'.                  by Richard Biby