Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolf hound 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.
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.
ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!
A dog's purpose-from a six year old (probably apocryphal)
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ulysses5019
- Purveyor of Avatars
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A dog's purpose-from a six year old (probably apocryphal)
I believe in the usefulness of useless information.
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elwoodblues
- Posts: 3875
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- Location: Texas
Re: A dog's purpose-from a six year old (probably apocryphal)
I'm guessing it did not really happen, but it is still a nice story.
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christie1111
- 11:11
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- Location: CT
Re: A dog's purpose-from a six year old (probably apocryphal)
Yeah, probably just a nice made up story.
But I have seen a bumper sticker several times that I really like:
Wag more, bark less
Words to live by
But I have seen a bumper sticker several times that I really like:
Wag more, bark less
Words to live by
"A bed without a quilt is like the sky without stars"
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SportsFan68
- No Scritches!!!
- Posts: 21300
- Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 8:36 pm
- Location: God's Country
Re: A dog's purpose-from a six year old (probably apocryphal)
Every now and again when I wander into a bumper sticker store, I look for "Lord, help me to be the person my dog thinks I am."christie1111 wrote:Yeah, probably just a nice made up story.
But I have seen a bumper sticker several times that I really like:
Wag more, bark less
Words to live by
-- In Iroquois society, leaders are encouraged to remember seven generations in the past and consider seven generations in the future when making decisions that affect the people.
-- America would be a better place if leaders would do more long-term thinking. -- Wilma Mankiller
-- America would be a better place if leaders would do more long-term thinking. -- Wilma Mankiller
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Evil Squirrel
- Merry Man
- Posts: 1212
- Joined: Fri Apr 25, 2008 9:13 am
- Location: Sprotsie Baby's back door!
Re: A dog's purpose-from a six year old (probably apocryphal)
SportsFan68 wrote:Every now and again when I wander into a bumper sticker store, I look for "Lord, help me to be the person my dog thinks I am."christie1111 wrote:Yeah, probably just a nice made up story.
But I have seen a bumper sticker several times that I really like:
Wag more, bark less
Words to live by
I love you just the way you are Sprotsie! We squirrels have reasonable expectations....
Squirrels are the architects of forests, the planters of trees, nature's own acrobats and show a zest for life that can inspire us. Every day should be National Squirrel Appreciation Day!
--squirrelmama (10/3/07)
Many of these (squirrel) migrations were probably caused by food shortages as well as habitat overcrowding. We solved that for them. We not only reduced their habitat, we reduced the whole species by about 90%. The least we can do now is share a little birdseed with them.
--Richard E. Mallery
2008 Squirrel of the Year Award winner
--squirrelmama (10/3/07)
Many of these (squirrel) migrations were probably caused by food shortages as well as habitat overcrowding. We solved that for them. We not only reduced their habitat, we reduced the whole species by about 90%. The least we can do now is share a little birdseed with them.
--Richard E. Mallery
2008 Squirrel of the Year Award winner
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Big-Haired Mini
- Merry Man
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- Location: Stuck in the 80's
Re: A dog's purpose-from a six year old (probably apocryphal)
And I look for "Jesus Loves You. Everyone Else Thinks You're An Asshole."SportsFan68 wrote:Every now and again when I wander into a bumper sticker store, I look for "Lord, help me to be the person my dog thinks I am."christie1111 wrote:Yeah, probably just a nice made up story.
But I have seen a bumper sticker several times that I really like:
Wag more, bark less
Words to live by
I'm just like that, I guess...
I want my MTV!
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ulysses5019
- Purveyor of Avatars
- Posts: 19442
- Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2007 10:52 am
- Location: Los Angeles, CA
Re: A dog's purpose-from a six year old (probably apocryphal)
But an unreasonable need for scritches.....Evil Squirrel wrote:SportsFan68 wrote:Every now and again when I wander into a bumper sticker store, I look for "Lord, help me to be the person my dog thinks I am."christie1111 wrote:Yeah, probably just a nice made up story.
But I have seen a bumper sticker several times that I really like:
Wag more, bark less
Words to live by
I love you just the way you are Sprotsie! We squirrels have reasonable expectations....
I believe in the usefulness of useless information.
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SportsFan68
- No Scritches!!!
- Posts: 21300
- Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 8:36 pm
- Location: God's Country
Re: A dog's purpose-from a six year old (probably apocryphal)
HACK! COUGH!Evil Squirrel wrote:SportsFan68 wrote:Every now and again when I wander into a bumper sticker store, I look for "Lord, help me to be the person my dog thinks I am."christie1111 wrote:Yeah, probably just a nice made up story.
But I have seen a bumper sticker several times that I really like:
Wag more, bark less
Words to live by
I love you just the way you are Sprotsie! We squirrels have reasonable expectations....
NO, I do not have a cold, and I do not need any cough syrup. Stay away from me.
Casey loves me just the way I am too. She thinks I walk on water.
NO, I do not need a boat, and I do not need any rodents to help row it. Stay away from me.
-- In Iroquois society, leaders are encouraged to remember seven generations in the past and consider seven generations in the future when making decisions that affect the people.
-- America would be a better place if leaders would do more long-term thinking. -- Wilma Mankiller
-- America would be a better place if leaders would do more long-term thinking. -- Wilma Mankiller
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MarleysGh0st
- Posts: 27966
- Joined: Mon Oct 08, 2007 10:55 am
- Location: Elsewhere
Re: A dog's purpose-from a six year old (probably apocryphal)
I just saw one of those today!christie1111 wrote:But I have seen a bumper sticker several times that I really like:
Wag more, bark less
