A Dogs Purpose

  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.

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.

Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.  Stop when you have had enough.  

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.