Guest guest Posted February 1, 2006 Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 >Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish >Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, , 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 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...
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