...just a dog.....

Read this on someones blog and thought I would post it here because I think it is sweet!
In the past few years since we got Whit for my dad after my dad got sick, I have become quite the dog lover. I cant imagine life without Cadie and Whit (my parent's dogs), or my sweet Riggs. I am now and will forever be a dog person!
(and I do have a special place for spaniels, in particular!)

It's Just a Dog

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
makes 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."

- Anonymous

Cadie on the chair she is NOT supposed to be on! :-)

Whit at his favorite place... Lake Murray waiting for the ball to be thrown!


From left to right, Riggs, Whit (in mid-air), and Mackie playing ball at the lake house!

Riggs!!! My Sweet Boy!!!

Cadie (left) and Whit (on the sofa they are also not supposed to be on)

Cadie and Riggs (on the sofa at the lake, which they are allowed on)

Riggs when he was a wee baby in front of Riggs Hall

(both named after former Clemson President Walter Merritt Riggs)

Whit at the mountain house