iluvwalkers
Well-Known Member
I GOT THIS MORNING IN MY EMAIL AND WANTED TO SHARE IT
...
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.
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.
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