How do you answer people who say, "It's just a dog!"?

Unless they ever had a dog or pet,they will not get it,i would just ignore them or tell them,if they get sick,its only a human,lol...really some people don't get it

as a kid we didn't have dogs or pets for that matter,and when I had kids I thought it would be too much

But once I got my first puppy,omg,I couldn't imagine him ever not being with me,and i got it,I understood how every pet owner or most pet owners feel like their fury friends are part of the family

I have 5 and counting

Well they are right it is ... only a dog ...but that doesn't minimize how you react to it ...everyone reacts differently and people are known to act retarded about their pets as if they are their children ... some even love their pets more than their children ...I think that they have your best intrests at heart ..they are trying to remind you that although you love and overly humanize your pet there will be others ... none like old sparky but there are lots of fish in the sea ....I haven't had a dog since my last old got lost 15 years or so ago and after having a new dog for the last year or so ...I must say ...it's just a dog ...they're all full of love , funny as hell ,retarded and cute just like god made them ...don't be too sad when they come and get another one sooner than you think you should .. they are a joy .. sorry that your pet is sick

Honestly, nope, I don't have a throught provoking reply for you. But I do have an alternate strategy for you. Instead replying, simply walk away thinking - I hope you come back in your next life as a dog.

There's really no need to say it outloud and people like that ... no matter what you tell them, they won't get it and their response is likely to make you even more upset than when they said it's just a dog. So, protect yourself. There are plenty enough people who DO understand. Stick with those people because someone has to be very sort on compassion to tell someone else, it's just a dog, even if they feel that way.

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 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."

Authored by Richard A. Biby

Well, I guess to a stranger, it is just a dog, to you, he is a huge part of your life. I saw a show recently that pointed out that many people have their dog or cat longer than the average marriage lasts, meaning that for many of us our relationships with our pet is our longest lasting relationship.

That matters. I am an "animal person". In the end, some people are just jerks and you can't let them get to you. Your dog matters more than stupid, insensitive people.

I am so sorry that your dog is ill. I wish I could help, but dogs have a relatively short life span. That's the worst thing about them and it's harsh. They have to go so soon.

I don't have a particular comeback for someone like that. I guess, sorry you don't have a dog that cares about you.

Dogs add so much to our lives when we let them.

Well there are some people that are heartless and the only thing they love is themselves. I have had several people say the same thing to me when I lost my pets.. I said to one person " That when you get a heart and you find your self loving something if this is even possible for you that when it dies I will make shure I'm there to let you know it's just" .. Some people think of pets as just that. My cousin said this to me when I lost my dog to cancer it's just a dog. She found this young cat in her yard she took it in he slept in her bed snuggled up on the couch next to her, well one day he got out and was hit by a car sadly she had to put him to sleep because he was in bad shape.

She called me crying that her cat was gone, I told her I'm sorry but now you know went I went through It's not just a pet..

I don't even give those people the time of day any more. There will come a day like my cousin when they will find them self's in the same place.. Just blow them off don't give them the time of day.

I'm very sorry that your are going through this my heart goes out to you.

That's sad. As it turns out, your dog is a better friend than they are. Some people say animals act upon instinct and thats all, but they say dogs are different. They have emotions and personalities. Some people believe they have souls. If they are right, maybe he/she will go to heaven. I may sound crazy, but I sure hope they do. I just lost my best friend... Golden Retriever..

Here you go this may help.

To anyone who says, "It's just a dog:"

You are the reason rescues exist, why thousands of dogs die everyday in shelters, homeless and unwanted.

You are the backyard breeder or puppy miller, who looks at a dog and sees dollar signs, who cares nothing for the inevitable decline in the dog's health after having litter upon litter of puppies, nor for the countless dogs who will now die in shelters because the puppies you breed have taken up their homes.

You are the supporter of these backyard breeders and puppy mills, willing to pay $500 or more for a puppy rather than $90 for a rescued dog, because having a pedigree to show off to friends is more important than saving the life of a true and loyal companion.

You are the one who trains dogs to fight, whether for sport or protection, thus abusing your dog and bringing the call for the extermination of an entire breed of perfectly wonderful dogs.

You are the one who thinks nothing of putting your dog to sleep because it doesn't go with the furniture, or it urinates on the carpet, while at the same time balking at the thought of spanking an unruly child.

You are the one who dumps your dog at the shelter when you move, because you're too lazy to find pet-friendly housing.

You are the one who keeps your dog tied up outside, only bothering to provide the occasional bowls of food and water and possibly a tree for shade, because after all, it is just a dog, right?

To the 90 year old woman in the nursing home, abandoned by her family, yearning for companionship, stroking the fur of a new friend with the words "Therapy Dog" on its side, it's not just a dog.

To the young child who has become literate by reading aloud to a dog in the classroom, it's not just a dog.

To the person with skin cancer who had it detected by a dog when the doctors couldn't, it's not just a dog.

To the blind man who now can see through his companion, it's not just a dog.

To anyone who has been in bed, sick with the flu, and has felt the warmth of that cold nose as he curls up between your legs to give you comfort, it's not just a dog.

To anyone who comes home from a hard day of work to be greeted by someone who's so happy to see you they can't stop wiggling, it's not just a dog.

To anyone who has cried at Old Yeller, because they know what it's like to lose their best friend, to know that their friend is suffering and though it may be hard, the best thing to do is to help them go peacefully, it's not just a dog.

When you say, "It's just a dog," you really mean, "Why should I care about it? Dogs aren't important. They're useless. They don't give anything to us, so why should I give them anything in return? Why do I have to care about their feelings? They don't matter in the grand scheme of things. It's just a dog."

To everyone who says, "It's just a dog," I just have this to say to you:

"You're just a human."

Sorry about your dog :(

In my mind, I want to punch them in the face.. But I'm a chicken and don't do that. I just tell them how would they feel if their babies were sick.

I love my dog to bits.. Dogs are the best. Better than most people in the world.

I have had my cat for 8 years now going on 9

i hate it when people say "its just an animal" or "just a cat"

my reply is either... "well your JUST a person" or "screw you"

=)

im very sorry about your dog, i really am

idk what i would do =(