The Purpose of a Dog*For the animal lovers here*

[Hogleg 44]

I just received this from a friend and just had to share...
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The Purpose of a Dog - from a 4 yr. 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 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.

May you always have LOVE to share, HEALTH to spare and FRIENDS that
care.

[Noe]

Thanks for sharing. It was great.

[Daniel Bates]

Touching story. Thanks for sharing it!

[NathanJK]

A good story, it got some serious tears out of Joanna!

[Dobick]

I read this story, and then went on later in the afternoon to watch extreme makeover home edition. I have had watery eyes for the most of the day.

Thanks for the story.

[LPFyreDawg]

Thanks Paul, kids are smarter then we think sometimes and have a better insite as to how things work. That is, from their eyes.

[erisian pope]

That's really beautiful.

[lucian]

A sharp little guy. The innocence of a child is to be cherished. A very touching story.

[suzyq111]

glad this got bumped back up...such a sweet story!! tear!