Someone I was walking with, remarked "It's just a dog, he'll be all right." I was surprised to hear that comment, as the other person was also walking a dog, and this remark is usually heard from someone with a different idea about dogs.
When I returned home, still thinking about the comment, I did a little research on the things that can be very harmful for a dog to eat.
What I discovered was that many people do not understand the dogs digestive system does have its limitations, similar a human's, and sometimes even more so. Whereas a human usually chews their food more thoroughly before swallowing, dogs gulp their food and discovered snacks without chewing it. It can enter their throat and digestive system in a potentially harmful size.
Cooked bones can block the dogs digestive system. Poultry bones such as chicken and turkey can get stuck in their throat, and because of their sharpness can cause damage on the way to their stomach and as they pass through.
Certain spices are toxic to dogs. And without knowing how a food was prepared, food on the ground could be as poisonous to them as if they ate a brand name poison. In one area, dogs were eating poison that had been placed near bushes to kill rats. The dogs did not survive either.
I have been accused of being overly protective of my dog; however, he depends on me for his safety and well being. He is more than just a dog to me. He is a companion who is happy to see me, every time I walk in the room. He shows me affection by wagging his tail and bouncing with joy when I talk directly to him. (That's how he got his name - Tigger. Like the Winnie the Poo character.) He gives me a happy reason to get up in the morning. Because of him, I have met new friends in the park, everyday when we take walks.
I asked some of my friends who share their lives with dogs, how they feel when someone says"he's just a dog". Here are a few responses:
When someone says it's just a dog I wonder how much they truly care about their dog or any dogs and put them into a category of "it's just".
Someone who says " it's just a dog", has never allowed themselves to feel unconditional love.
Someone who says "it's just a dog", may not understand that dogs have feelings. They know when they are welcomed. They can have their hearts broken, just like we can. You can see evidence of this is from visiting dogs in the shelter. Especially those who've been abandoned or left behind. You can see dogs that cower, tails down, ears down when they hear their human is ranting, scolding, and displaying anger - even when it is not directed at the dog. It's worse when it is directed at the dog.
Someone who says "it's just a dog", is someone who will abandon their dog or dump them at the shelter, because they are not willing to take the time to find a home that is pet friendly.
Someone who says "it's just a dog", is someone who will feed their dog just anything and then be angry with a dog if they get diarrhea or vomiting.
Someone who says "it's just a dog", is someone who won't take the time to correctly train their dog, and yells at the dog or hits it when the dog does something wrong. These people don't take any responsibility for the things their dogs do because of the lack of proper training.
Someone who says "it's just a dog", is one who thinks that dog fighting should be legal sport.
Someone who says "it's just a dog", is one who thinks that spay/neuter is an inconvenience and all dogs should have as many puppies as the human wants them to have, without consideration as to what it does to the dog, the population or our shelters.
Someone who says "it's just a dog", is one who has never allowed himself to feel the true companionship that a dog provides.
Someone who says "it's just a dog", has never accepted that the fun of play with a dog that cannot be duplicated with any human. It is unique to the dog.
Someone who says "it's just a dog", are more angry than concerned when their dog is sick or hurt. Like it's the dogs fault.
There's so many other ways that a person who says "it's just a dog" shows that they have either a limited understanding or limited love for a most amazing creature. These amazing animals can give sight to someone who's lost theirs; arms to someone who can no longer use theirs; companionship to the elderly in assisted living homes or someone who is home bound; protect and serve our military and police forces, and protect us by finding bombs and dangerous persons.
These amazing animals can find drugs, detect cancer, alert their humans of danger, find someone who is lost, and bring joy that cannot be measured.
The next time you hear yourself or someone say "it's just a dog". Ask - what exactly does that mean? You may learn something about yourself or someone else.
Regardless, the dog may be thinking "they're just a human. They only have two legs and can't run as fast as I can. They always seem to be in a hurry and miss many of the small joys in their path. They place conditions on love, and hold onto grudges that kill their spirit.
They know the right things to do, and many times ignore the best solutions for their life. They limit how far they go. They forget how much can be heard without music or the tv blaring. They sit too long when they could be playing, or just visiting everything in nature. They forget how to share, and let someone else have the stick from time to time. I believe that they do the best they can, and sometimes forget, that I am more than just a dog."
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