From time to time, people tell me, “lighten up, it’s just an animal” or “that’s a lot of money for just an animal.” They don’t understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for “just an animal.” Some of my proudest moments have come about with “just an animal.” Many hours have passed and my only company was “just an animal, ” but I did not once feel slighted. Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by “just an animal” and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of “just an animal” 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 an animal” brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. “Just an animal” brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person. Because of “just an animal” I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future.
So for me and folks like me, it’s not “just an animal” 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 an animal” 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 an animal” 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 an animal, ” just smile, because they “just don’t understand.”
– Author Unknown
