A Dog Lover's Response to its 'Just a Dog'

 

'Just a Dog' Arrow

My brother, Royce, an avid dog lover, sent me 'Just a Dog' by Richard Biby when my dog, Arrow, passed in 2017.  I immediately added it to my list of heart-felt things to share with those grieving after the loss of a dog. 

Today's posting is in honor of Hatchi, Sudee Jacquot's beloved companion who passed today.

Just a Dog 

by Richard Biby

From time to time people tell me to lighten up and say ‘It's just a dog’ or ‘that's a lot of money for just a dog’. They don't understand the distance traveled, time spent or costs involved for ‘just a dog’.

‘Just a dog’ Ginger

💓Some of my proudest moments have come about with ‘Just a dog’. 

💙Many hours have passed with my only company being ‘just a dog’
and not once have I felt slighted. 

💚Some of my saddest moments were brought about by ‘just a dog’. 

💛In those days of darkness, the gentle touch of ‘just a dog’ provided comfort
and purpose to overcome the day.

If you, too, think its ‘just a dog’, you will probably understand phrases like ‘just a friend’ or ‘just a sunrise’ or ‘just a promise’.

‘Just a dog’ Rosie

💜‘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.

‘Just a dog’ Ginger

For me and folks like me, it's not ‘just a dog’--It's 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.

‘Just a dog’ Ginger

I hope that someday people can understand it's not ‘just a dog’--It's the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being ‘just a man’ or ‘just a woman’.

So the next time you hear the phrase "Just a dog", smile because they "just don't understand".

‘Just a Sweet-heart' Arrow

Many thanks to Richard Biby for writing this wonderful piece 'Just a Dog'.

Lightarted Living: You’re Right on Time! Strengthen Your Spine!

Lightarted Living: You’re Right on Time! Strengthen Your Spine!:   

You’re Right on Time! Strengthen Your Spine!

 

You're Right on Time!

Father Time came down to see

What was going on.

As he looked around at all of us

He determined everything was fine.

“You’re right on time,

and exactly where you need to be.

You’re not early or late,

You’re not messing up,

and you’re navigating this life just fine."

"So, stop complaining and worrying yourself,

And enjoy your prized earth-time.”

"Today, strengthen your spine to

take the most important steps  

to assure your future shines."

Ask yourself each morning: 

What are the three most important

steps I can take today to move my life forward?

Beginning with the hardest one, take one small step. 

Next, take one small step on the second step, 

and then, take one small step on the third step.

Tomorrow start all over again.

"This little light of mine,

I'm gonna let it shine!"

You’re Right on Time! Strengthen Your Spine!

 

You're Right on Time!

Father Time came down to see

What was going on.

As he looked around at all of us

He determined everything was fine.

“You’re right on time,

and exactly where you need to be.

You’re not early or late,

You’re not messing up,

and you’re navigating this life just fine."

"So, stop complaining and worrying yourself,

And enjoy your prized earth-time.”

"Today, strengthen your spine to

take the most important steps  

to assure your future shines."

Ask yourself each morning: 

What are the three most important

steps I can take today to move my life forward?

Beginning with the hardest one, take one small step. 

Next, take one small step on the second step, 

and then, take one small step on the third step.

Tomorrow start all over again.

"This little light of mine,

I'm gonna let it shine!"

Lightarted Living: Don't be pushed by your problems. Be led by your d...

Lightarted Living: Don't be pushed by your problems. Be led by your d...

Don't be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams. Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

'It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting'
Paulo Coelho

Man's Search for Meaning

Sometimes in the overwhelming challenge of trying to find satisfying work that pays well, or attempting to recover from a devastating break up of a relationship or loss of a loved one, you can be left feeling discouraged, hopeless and isolated. Looking through the lens of defeat and loss, life can begin to feel flat and meaningless.

The key to pulling out of the darkness is to change the filter you look through to gain a fresh perspective. Or as Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Don't be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams."

When you're dispirited and feeling low it may feel like an impossible task to change your perspective. You don't exactly feel perky and positive. Yet, changing your focus from your problems and the seemingly insurmountable obstacles you face to putting the focus back on creating a life based on your dreams and aspirations is the only way out.

I Know it Hurts--Just Push into the Pain

When I was in labor with my first child I failed to dilate fully so my doctor manually stretched me during the contractions that occurred one minute apart. This was the most painful and seemingly never ending process I've ever experienced. I could barely remain conscious the pain was so excruciating.

With contractions coming every minute, I would fall into a deep sleep for 45 seconds before the contractions would wake me up and the unbearable pain would start all over. As the doctor stretched me (60 times an hour) he kept saying 'I know it hurts, just push into the pain'. It took all my resolve not to kick him in the groin and tell him 'YOU push into the pain!'

But even in my darkest moment somewhere in the deep recesses of my mind I knew when I eventually got out of what turned out to be 24 hours of hard labor, that comment, 'I know it hurts, just push into the pain', would become a metaphor for my life.

If Pain is the Teacher, What's the Lesson?

Birthing a new life--literally or figuratively has it's painful moments--but when you push into the pain and stay focused on your dreams you move through it to gain a new life. It isn't always pleasant or easy but when you achieve a dream it's worth it in the end.

There is no way to avoid or go around the the painful part of life on our way to achieving our dreams. No one 'has it easy'. But if we keep our eyes on the goal, instead of the obstacles, we allow ourselves to be led by our dreams instead of pushed by our problems, making it easier to endure the difficulties along the way.

"We must endure what we cannot escape." Mark Nepo

Are You Ready to Turn it Around?

• Where have you felt pushed by your problems? 
• If you were led by your dreams what would you do differently? 
• If you had all the time and money in the world, what would you do with your life? 

Within your Heart keep one, still secret spot where dreams may go....

Don't be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams. Ralph Waldo Emerson

 

'It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting'
Paulo Coelho

Man's Search for Meaning

Sometimes in the overwhelming challenge of trying to find satisfying work that pays well, or attempting to recover from a devastating break up of a relationship or loss of a loved one, you can be left feeling discouraged, hopeless and isolated. Looking through the lens of defeat and loss, life can begin to feel flat and meaningless.

The key to pulling out of the darkness is to change the filter you look through to gain a fresh perspective. Or as Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Don't be pushed by your problems. Be led by your dreams."

When you're dispirited and feeling low it may feel like an impossible task to change your perspective. You don't exactly feel perky and positive. Yet, changing your focus from your problems and the seemingly insurmountable obstacles you face to putting the focus back on creating a life based on your dreams and aspirations is the only way out.

I Know it Hurts--Just Push into the Pain

When I was in labor with my first child I failed to dilate fully so my doctor manually stretched me during the contractions that occurred one minute apart. This was the most painful and seemingly never ending process I've ever experienced. I could barely remain conscious the pain was so excruciating.

With contractions coming every minute, I would fall into a deep sleep for 45 seconds before the contractions would wake me up and the unbearable pain would start all over. As the doctor stretched me (60 times an hour) he kept saying 'I know it hurts, just push into the pain'. It took all my resolve not to kick him in the groin and tell him 'YOU push into the pain!'

But even in my darkest moment somewhere in the deep recesses of my mind I knew when I eventually got out of what turned out to be 24 hours of hard labor, that comment, 'I know it hurts, just push into the pain', would become a metaphor for my life.

If Pain is the Teacher, What's the Lesson?

Birthing a new life--literally or figuratively has it's painful moments--but when you push into the pain and stay focused on your dreams you move through it to gain a new life. It isn't always pleasant or easy but when you achieve a dream it's worth it in the end.

There is no way to avoid or go around the the painful part of life on our way to achieving our dreams. No one 'has it easy'. But if we keep our eyes on the goal, instead of the obstacles, we allow ourselves to be led by our dreams instead of pushed by our problems, making it easier to endure the difficulties along the way.

"We must endure what we cannot escape." Mark Nepo

Are You Ready to Turn it Around?

• Where have you felt pushed by your problems? 
• If you were led by your dreams what would you do differently? 
• If you had all the time and money in the world, what would you do with your life? 

Within your Heart keep one, still secret spot where dreams may go....

Lightarted Living: What the World Needs Now is Love, Sweet Love

Lightarted Living: What the World Needs Now is Love, Sweet Love

What the World Needs Now is Love, Sweet Love

 

COMPASSION

"Compassion is 

the unfettered yearning

responding to the world

with noble heart

that lifts us

above self-involvement."

Sakyong Mipham

You have within you:

Basic Goodness

Decency

Honor

Kindness

Call on it daily.

COMPASSION LIKE THE SUN SHINES

"Compassion, 

radiating from basic goodness

like the sun shines

through our self-centeredness."

Sakyong Mipham

BE YOUR BEST SELF

Take time each day 

to reach past your self-centeredness,

deep within your soul

to find compassion 

for others in the world around you.

What the world needs now

is love, sweet love.

Be your best self.

Act with kindness and compassion

towards others.

Let your basic goodness

shine through.

What the World Needs Now is Love, Sweet Love

 

COMPASSION

"Compassion is 

the unfettered yearning

responding to the world

with noble heart

that lifts us

above self-involvement."

Sakyong Mipham

You have within you:

Basic Goodness

Decency

Honor

Kindness

Call on it daily.

COMPASSION LIKE THE SUN SHINES

"Compassion, 

radiating from basic goodness

like the sun shines

through our self-centeredness."

Sakyong Mipham

BE YOUR BEST SELF

Take time each day 

to reach past your self-centeredness,

deep within your soul

to find compassion 

for others in the world around you.

What the world needs now

is love, sweet love.

Be your best self.

Act with kindness and compassion

towards others.

Let your basic goodness

shine through.

Lightarted Living: Fall Down Seven Times; Get Up Eight Times

Lightarted Living: Fall Down Seven Times; Get Up Eight Times: 

Fall Down Seven Times; Get Up Eight Times

 

'The worst thing that happens to you 

may be the best thing for you 

if you don't let it get the best of you.' 

Will Rogers

Are Defeats Necessary?

'I ask myself: are defeats necessary? Well, necessary or not, they happen. When we first begin fighting for our dream, we have no experience and make many mistakes.'   

'The secret of life, though, is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.'

Paulo Coelho

Obstacles are Blessings--Make it so 

'Perhaps I should go back to school', she pondered. 'It's not that I don't like the work, it's that I have difficulty making a living on what I'm paid in this entry level job--and the woman I'm working with obstructs any attempts I make to get training. It's like she wants to keep me in the dark so I don't move on.'

Who hasn't dealt with obstructionists in their work or life--those people intent on pushing you down for fear they will be shown up?

I regularly hear stories like this from hard-working people struggling to make a living and get ahead in life.

Perhaps you can relate: Just as you take that step forward at work or in life, obstacles are thrown in your path stopping you in your tracks.

But obstacles--and the strong emotions produced by them--can be blessings if we let them as they provide us with opportunities to examine what we want and how to change our approach to best achieve it.

Instead of letting obstacles and obstructionists knock you to the ground--use the strong emotions they evoke to motivate you get up and move forward in the right direction--learning to go around the people and things getting in the way.

Fall down seven times; get up eight times.

Use Your Anger and Frustration

Don't just sit in your anger and frustration at the situation, use the energy to identify what your personal values are and take positive action based on them. Think your way around the obstacles, knowing you have all the ingredients inside you to navigate the tough stuff and to handle life successfully.

Situational depression occurs when you feel hopeless or helpless in response to a situation that knocks you down and keeps you down. 

To avoid getting depressed in response to tough situations, get in the habit of immediately getting back up, brushing yourself off, and taking action that has the potential to produce positive outcomes. Do this even if you don't feel like doing it or you don't believe it will make a difference. 

And do it eight times if you're knocked down seven times.

Fall Seven Times; Get Up Eight Times 

Think of a situation or person that put up roadblocks to you in the last week.

• What happened?
• List what made you angry or frustrated in the situation.
• List things you value that may have been violated in the situation.
• When you're ready: Chose a positive response based on your personal values.
• Take positive action--even if you don't feel like it.

The Courage and Patience to Persist Eight Times

What if the young woman in the entry level job was in an industry that had great advancement opportunities with good pay down the road? Could she find the courage to persist in the job and change her thinking from 'I need to go back to school' to 'I need to find a way to get more on-the-job training despite the obstacles'?

What if instead of paying for more education she allowed herself to be paid for more on-the-job training, in an industry with the possibility to make a decent salary as she advances?

Or what if instead of letting her current situation serve as an obstacle to advancement she let the obstacle become a driving force for her to make the jump into school to further her advancement opportunities?

What if this was you? How would you do that if the obstructionist was standing in the way?

If like this young woman you like the work you do despite the obstacles and you see the long-range potential in the job, begin by identifying the experience, skills and knowledge you need to acquire to move ahead in the industry and learn to go around the obstacles and obstructionists.

....And get up eight times if you fall down seven.

💓 Contact the boss or HR department to ask how you can get the training you need to improve--and ask who in the organization you might work with to get that training. Don't be afraid to ask many times. 

Run into a roadblock seven times? Ask eight times.

💓 Be persistent. Show your drive and determination. Let them know you want to position yourself for opportunities to advance in salary and responsibility in the company. 

Show up seven times with no response? Show up the eighth time.

💓 Alternatively, if you know people in another industry you might work in, set up a meeting to chat about the work, pay and advancement opportunities. This is part of your free 'higher education' path. 

Already asked seven contacts? Ask the eighth. 

💓 Ask yourself: What is the single most important thing I can do to go around this false barrier to achieve my heart's desire? Do it.

Already asked yourself this seven times? Ask the eighth time and do it again.

💓 Obstacles are there for you to go around. 

Do it eight times eighty....and then do it again.

💓

'Patience and perseverance have a magical effect 

before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.'

John Quincy Adams