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 travelled, 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.”
~Unknown Author~
My babies… Ellie on the left… Zeppelin on the right…
When I read this poem, I couldn’t help but think about all of our work trying to help the pets of Iowa… I know that I, for one, have heard so many insults through this… I have been referred to as a “crazy PETA lady” and have been told that I am not educated enough to know what I am trying to change… I have even been told that I am trying to push an agenda that I know nothing about… To me, none of this rings true. I am simply a pet owner, and an animal lover… I just want everyone to see that our pets aren’t “just animals”. They deserve to be protected like everyone else.
With “Bailing out Benji”, we are just trying to educate as many people as possible… So if you are one of those people that don’t see your pet as “just an animal”, then you should definitely be a supporter of our cause… Because we need to have more people like you on our side!
–Mindi <3
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