#860 The Purpose of a Dog

Thanks for sharing, Grier.

The purpose  of a dog! Don’t miss  the text at the bottom. 

A  Dog's Purpose ?

   (from a  6-year-old).

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 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. 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 as long.''

Live  simply.

Love generously.

Care  deeply.

Speak kindly.

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.  

  

  

-- 

      There  comes a time in life, when you walk away from  all the drama

and people who create it. You  surround yourself with people who

make you  laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good.  So, love

the people who treat you right.  Think good thoughts for the ones

who don't.  Life is too short to be anything but happy.  Falling down

is part of LIFE...Getting back  up is  LIVING...

Have a  great life.  

#860