"Just A Dog"? Reprise For Coco

This is for Coco, who gave all of us unbridled joy.
His parents gave him 16 years of unfettered love and care and he will be dearly missed. We pray you're with your big brother now. Dog bless you.


"Just a Dog"
(by Richard Biby)

"People have said to me from time to time things like 'lighten up,
it's just a dog' or 'that's a lot of money for just a dog.' They
say to me 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 the only company I had 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.

For those of you who do not understand the whys and wherefores of
'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 in me 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'. So, the next time you hear the phrase, 'just a dog',
just smile, because they 'just don't understand'.

Just a thought. "


(Satchel & Andrew)