Pet Lovers

[Ohio St8]

WHY DOGS LIVE LESS THAN HUMAN

Here's the surprising answer of a 6 year old child.

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog’s owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we 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 as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker‘s family 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 any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker’s Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that dogs' lives are shorter 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 has changed the way I try and live.

He said, ”People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life — like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?” The six-year-old continued,

”Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay for as long as we do.”

Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

• When your 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 faithful.
• 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.

That's the secret of happiness that we can learn from a good dog.

[PamfromCT]

Thank you, @Ohio St8, for this touching story and your words of wisdom.

[Spacrazy]

What a beautiful story and lesson(s).  With your permission I will print and carry it with me always.  Thank you, Doc.

[Ohio St8]

Of course it may be shared,  

[Foxxee]

[Ladylaughsalot]

I am sitting here with tears streaming down my face. What a beautiful lesson. Thank you for sharing it.

[Lovestheshores]

Beautiful. This deeply touched my heart, something to always remember.

There are a few people I know of who could learn a lesson from this.

Thanks for posting and allowing us to share. 

[JYWilliams]

That melted my heart. Such a nice story.

[on the bay]

I have seen this many times before and it is always a comforting way to think of why our dogs can't stay with us as long as we live and all go up to heaven together!

The how to live like a dog-so true but it makes me miss them even more.

They are so like that.

There is no love quite like theirs!

[Foolywooly11]

What a beautiful story. Thanks for sharing.