From: Why Dogs Don't Live As Long As People... 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 much 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. Leave the rest to God.
Many folks want to serve God but only as advisors.
The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four persons is suffering from some sort of mental illness. Think of your three best friends -- if they're okay, then it's you!
oh i DEFINITELY think they (dogs) h ave a soul AND a direct line to God...
they are so **unconditional** in their love for us (i rescue and have labrador retreivers)
my "kids" know when i am in pain (i am doing family of origin pain work) and they are so supportive and comforting to me........i learn a lot from my dogs watching them and how they "accept / adapt/ overcome" their obstacles........i love my dogs...they ARE my best friends.........rosie
That was so beautiful!!! I lost my very beloved friend of 16 years, just under 5 months ago, and of all the beautiful things that were said and written to me, in my grieving that was so so difficult, this little boy's explaination made the most sense to me. So simple, and so true. Out of the mouth of Babes? Amen. Thank you somuch for sharing that!
Dan, I work with deceased people every day no problem. That post of yours has just brought tears to my eyes.
bye for now, hope you are well and sober.
Best wishes.
Chris.
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"Computer games don't affect kids; I mean if Pac-Man affected us as kids, we'd all be running around in darkened rooms, munching magic pills and listening to repetitive electronic music." -- Kristian Wilson, Nintendo, Inc, 1989"
