Guest guest Posted October 8, 2009 Report Share Posted October 8, 2009 A nice story.............for all of us................ Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish wolf hound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and theywere hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the familywe couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt asthough Shane might learn something from the experience. The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker'sfamily surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on.Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without anydifficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives areshorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ''I know why.''Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. It haschanged the way I try and live. He said, ''People are born so that they can learn how to live a goodlife -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right? Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay aslong.'' Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:*When loved ones come home, always run to greet them. *Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.*Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy. *Take naps.*Stretch before rising.*Run, romp, and play daily. *Thrive on attention and let people touch you.*Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.;*On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass. *On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.*When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body. *Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.*Be loyal.*Never pretend to be something you're not. *If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.*When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.