Inkspotsgreatdanes

Musings
by Ricard Biby, Contributing Editor

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 makes me a better
person. Because of "just a dog" I 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." So the next time
you hear the phrase "just a dog," just smile, because they "just don’t
understand."

Versatile Hunting Dog Magazine, February 2006

Grow Old With Dogs

When I am old…
I will wear soft gray sweatshirts…
and a bandana over my silver hair…..
and I will spend my social security checks on wine and my dogs.
I will sit in my house on my well-worn chair and listen
to my dogs’ breathing.
I will sneak out in the middle of a warm summer night
and take my dogs for a run, if my old bones will allow…
When people come to call,
I will smile and nod as I show them my dogs…
and talk of them and about them…
....the ones so beloved of the past
and the ones so beloved of today….

I will still work hard cleaning after them, mopping
and feeding them and whispering their names in a soft loving way.
I will wear the gleaming sweat on my throat, like a
jewel and I will be an embarrassment to all…
especially my family…
who have not yet found the peace
in being free to have dogs as your best friends….

These friends who always wait, at any hour, for your footfall…
and eagerly jump to their feet out of a sound sleep, to
greet you as if you are a God.
With warm eyes full of adoring love and hope that you will always stay,
I’ll hug their big strong necks…
I’ll kiss their dear sweet heads…
and whisper in their very special company….

I look in the Mirror…
and see I am getting old….
this is the kind of person I am…
and have always been.
Loving dogs is easy,
they are part of me.
Please accept me for who I am.
My dogs appreciate my presence in their lives…
they love my presence in their lives…...
When I am old this will be important to me…
you will understand when you are old….
if you have dogs to love too.

~Author Unknown

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