Posted 1:39 PM by Bonnie

Smile: Another forwarded email that made it to my blog.

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 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 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.