This was sent to me today and is for all the real dog people that have lost one,have one, or going to get one,I thought it was well written and worth posting as I think that most of us share the same feelings...........................

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
.

My Dog, Rusty the Wonder Dog is at my feet as I type this.

I got him for free, he came to my place as a stray. near as I can tell he was discarded by his former owner.

He had been on his own for at least two months, he was in bad shape.
The wife and I nursed him back to health.
I do not know why he was discarded, as he is a most excellent "Dog".

He loves me, and the wife and gets along with our 3 cats and all of our other animals.

He rides on an ATV, loves to ride in a vehicle and is a great hunter.

He has tracked a few deer, a few wild pigs, a bobcat and a few coyotes. He has chased and cought a turkey I shot with a 1911, that ran 20 yards or so before it died. Yet he does not bother our 3 pet turkeys...

He is much more than Just a Dog... He is my Friend.

Two GREAT posts!!!....thanks

Just a dog ? Just a dog ?
I once had a banker comment on a dove hunt 'you and that damn dog'. That was years ago. I have not spoken to her since.

It's funny; I can tell you on September 15th, 1985 which way the wind was blowing, the smell of the woods that day, the of smell of the spent shot shells. Watching Crystal retrieve her first Ruffed Grouse and bring it back to heel. I hope the memory never leaves me. Now I hope my wife never asks me to recall that kind of detail of our wedding day

My dog (a mountain fiest squirrel dog) loves our family and is protective of all of us, even our two cats. A while back the neighbor's yellow lab went after one of our cats and Dutch, all 19 pounds of him, was on the full-grown lab like white on rice. He knows when one of us has had a bad day or is upset and offers comfort and affection (I know some people may not believe that but if you've ever had a dog you know what I mean). He is the most loving and loyal companion one can imagine and is truly my friend.

I look forward to the grouse season here, opening day is 10th sept..

I cannot imagine anything more pretty than my black shiny Gordon Setter running at the moors looking for birds..

He is a fantastic companion.....very attached to both the wife and me, never runs away, he even guards the house...setters are not supposed to do it but he does..

Just a dog..? Hell no..!

Great ,well said,for me my dogs are family members and as many AR members can testified they own the house .

I joke, but not really, that I'm the opposite of Driving Mrs. Daisy. I'm the white guy that drives black kids all over the place.
I grew up hunting birds beginning Sept 1. Then duck season came in Nov. I still do, but now I really have little desire w/o my dogs. It's just not the same w/o them. They are part of me and my life.
My life is much richer b/c of them. I would not have it any other way!