The passage below was sent to me by a friend, I'm afraid the author wasn't credited.  Maybe you feel this way too?  I know I do.....

Much more than 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 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.” So the next time you hear the phrase “just a dog.” just smile, because they “just don’t understand.” 

"No heaven can heaven be, if my dog's not there to welcome me."
 - Anonymous

For it is by muteness that a dog becomes for one so utterly beyond value

with him one is at peace where words play no torturing tricks

when he just sits loving and knows that he is being loved

those are the moments that I think are precious to a dog.

When with his adoring soul coming through his eyes

he feels that you are really thinking of him.

from "Memories" by John Galsworthy 1924