Just a Dog: Archie RIP

Today Zuri and I lost a little buddy. Archie, the irrepressible little staffy and constant companion of our friends, Petra and Leon, left this world. Zuri and Archie weren't best friends at first. However, once Zuri began to understand the staffy exuberance and Archie toned down his bumper car style of play, they became very comfortable with each other. Zuri used to run away at his barking and give him a wide berth, hesitating to get in the car if he called "shot gun". The photo below of them side by side after a bush-walk sums up how they came to a mutual understanding and space was no longer an issue. Zuri knew Archie by name. Two days ago, Zuri was dozing on the bed. I asked her, "Do you want to go and see Archie?" 

Her head popped up immediately.

"Well, go get your collar then." 

She jumped off the bed, found the her collar and brought it to me. Ready to go see her buddy. We are so glad we did. Little did we know it would be the last time we would see him. He was extremely ill, but managed a few wags of his tail as we walked over. That was all he could muster.

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I'm not quite sure what to do with myself. After all, he's just a dog. He's not even my dog. Yet it feels like I've lost a friend. Zuri has definitely lost a friend. When Petra and I caught up, well, it was actually four of us that would catch up. I loved it when he came running to greet my car. I loved it when we went on a short holiday and he came to wake me up and then stayed by the side of my bed for some smooching. I loved it when Zuri and him played.

I hope my friends are OK. There's nothing I can say to make it better. Thank goodness he left lots of wonderful staffy memories. He will never really die. He will stay alive with warmest memories tucked lovingly away in their hearts.

It may seem terribly irreverent, but I can't help but smile,if a little reluctantly, when I think of the one individual who may not be totally devastated by Archie's passing. Pippa the cat! I hope Archie forgives me for finding this sadly amusing.

Oh, you do know that he wasn't just a dog, don't you? It seems fitting to share "Just a Dog", in memory of the wonderful Mr Archibald.

We will miss you Archie. We already do.

"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 travelled, time spent or costs involved for “Just a dog.” Some of my proudest moments have come about with “Just a dog.” Many hours have passed with my only company “Just a dog”, and not once have I felt slighted. Some of my saddest moments 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 it’s “Just a dog”, you will probably understand phrases 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.

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.

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 woman”.

So the next time you hear the phrase “just a dog”, smile; because they “Just don’t understand.”

-Author unknown-