Remember the above scene from the Johnny Depp movie Finding Neverland? To calm Porto, the dog’s doubts here’s one of our favorite texts – Just a dog poem.
Porthos dreams of being a bear, and you want to shatter those dreams by saying he’s ‘just a dog’? What a horrible candle-snuffing word. That’s like saying, “He can’t climb that mountain, he’s just a man”, or “That’s not a diamond, it’s just a rock.” Just.
~J.M. Barrie
Just a dog poem
How many times have you heard the phrase ‘just a dog’ before?
Be it when you are standing for a mute animal or raising concern over an atrocious act. How many times have you faced the heat of cynical eyes darting you in an obnoxious manner?
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 phrases like ‘just a friend,’ ‘just a sunrise,’ or ‘just a promise.’
See also: Movies inspired by the heroics of real-life dogs
“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 or woman’ So the next time you hear the phrase “just a dog”
So the next time you hear the phrase “just a dog”
Just smile…
because they “just don’t understand.”
The most common phrase used by people around us and I think to them their life too is…”Just a life”
You are so right…some people ‘JUST DO NOT UNDERSTAND’. But then, they are ‘JUST PEOPLE’…! I JUST LOVED THIS POST….
Thanks Geetalima:)
I am teaching a year 5/6 class and am reading the novel to the “Just a Dog” for Book Week this term. I loved what you wrote and am including it as part of a lesson.
They are not “just dogs”.They are way beyond that.Just their presence is so refreshing and so nice.I can tell cause I have two dogs.And whenever i come back from office the younger one comes to me with her ball to play with her.that sight itself is soooo good.Dogs are the best gift of god and hope they always remain to be so.Noone in this world is ever by your side except for a dog.
I listen to all my friends who talk of their babies, and i keep saying “Pumbaa does exactly the same” and they take offense. Well, I don’t take offense when their kids do things my pup does 😀
Well, my dog isn’t ‘just a dog as long as your kid isn’t ‘just a kid’ 🙂
I only wish they had a lifespan equivalent to humans’ 😐