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Just A Dog
by Richard A. Biby
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 human."
So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog." just smile, because they just don't understand."
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Kris Crawford
For Pits' Sake was founded in 1997 by Kris Crawford, who has extensive experience working with dogs (especially the American Pit Bull Terrier), law enforcement, government agencies and educational institutions.
As a Search and Rescue (SAR) dog handler, Kris and her certified pit bull SAR dogs were deployed on over 200 search missions, including high profile cases such as the Laci Peterson and the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.
Kris designed an award-winning Safety Around Dogs dog bite prevention program and has presented the class to thousands of children at schools and for the Discovery Museum. She also presents the program at Injury Prevention, Policy and Practice Conferences.
Kris and her pit bull dogs, Cheyenne, Dakota & Tahoe also provide Animal--Assisted-Therapy and Animal-Assisted-Interventions for physically and mentally challenged children as well as battered and abused children. Cheyenne, Dakota & Tahoe serve as role models to these children showing them that it is possible to succeed despite overwhelming obstacles.
Additionally, Kris developed and an award-winning anti-dogfighting youth intervention program called Knock Out Dog Fighting that is designed to stop cruelty and abuse.
As a result of her commitment to making a difference in the community she has won numerous awards including the prestigious Presidential Lifetime of Service Award, a Jefferson Award-The Nobel Prize for Community Service, the American Red Cross Real Hero Award, the United Animal Nations "Animals' Choice" Award, the North Shore Animal League Heroism Award, a Certificate of Appreciation from the FBI, Letters of Appreciation from District Attorney's, County Supervisors, State Senators and Assemblymembers, and a letter from the Governor of CA stating that Kris and her dog Dakota "demonstrate the true strength of California and represent the best of the Golden State".
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Just My Dog
by Gene Hill
She is my other eyes that can see above the clouds; my other ears that can hear above the winds. She is the part of me that can reach out into the sea.
She has told me a thousand times over that I am her reason for being by the way she rests against my leg;
by the way she thumps her tail at my smallest smile; by the way she shows her hurt when I leave without taking her. (I think it makes her sick with worry when she is not along to care for me.)
When I am wrong, she is delighted to forgive. When I am angry, she clowns to make me smile. When I am happy,s he is joy unbounded.
When I am a fool, she ignores it. When I succeed,s he brags.
Without her, I am only another woman. With her, I am all-powerful.
She is loyalty itself. She has taught me the meaning of devotion.
With her, I know a secret comfort and a private peace. She has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant.
Her head on my knee can heal my human hurts. Her presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things.
Her head on my knee can heal my human hurts. Her presence by my side is protection against my fears of dark and unknown things.
She has promised to wait for me whenever...wherever--
in case I need her.
And I expect I will--as I always have.
Who is she? She's just ... my dog.
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