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 Musings
 by Richard Biby, Contributing Editor
 Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
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 phases 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."

Roca (C) 2006

 

 
 		 Why people live longer than dogs

 Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year- old Irish Wolfhound named Bellcore. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Bellcore and they were hoping
for a miracle.

 I examined Bellcore and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family there were no miracles left for Bellcore, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

 As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for the four-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

 The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Bellcore's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on.

 Within a few minutes, Bellcore slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Bellcore's transition without any difficulty or confusion.

 We sat together for a while after Bellcore's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.  Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why."

 Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me.  I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.

 He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life...like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?"

 The four-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

 Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.     Leave the rest to God.