Happy Birthday Neely!

Guess who turned 5 today! So we got dressed up and made a trip to petsmart of course

Looking at the rats, I think she misses Rosco (one day I'll get myself another rat)



Treats!

picking out her birthday present....hum what about this one......

or this one????

For sure this one! Just look at those ears.

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."

Happy Birthday to my sweet little Eskie! I love you!