Ann Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 Dogs vs. Humans 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 there were no miracles left 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 the four-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 animal 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. 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 four-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long." Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply, Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K and Kids Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 Wow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jean44 Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 Out of the mouths of babes-beautiful! Jean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kasey Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 Maybe that is why so many of the 'good' people we have come to know and love have gone before ~ it seems ~ their time should be up.......they knew how to live a good life and loved people well already. Hmmm....... Thanks for this food for thought! Love, Kasey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Wood Posted February 27, 2006 Share Posted February 27, 2006 Works for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carleen Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 that's beautiful. It does offer an explanation as to why some of this world's most wonderful souls have departed so early. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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