You know how we get all those "fwd" emails from friends & family... some are funny, some are touching, some just clog up your email? I got this one yesterday and immediately thought it was a must post for Dogs on Thursday...
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, andthey 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 five-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 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 for a while after Belker's death wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.
Shane, who 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 five-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."
My kids say have a very woofy, treatfilled Thursday......
Afternoon Update... This great doggy story came in my headline news noon-time email... Dog Rescues Deaf, Blind Dog (click for short, but very sweet story & video clip).
13 comments:
What a tear jerker, but soooo true. I like the idea of "Dogs on Thursdays - I just signed up, too!
That's perfect. Must share it...
On the money! Perfect!
That was so cuuute! Thanks for sharing that today and pet your dogs for me. It's like you're petting my dogs, they all look so much alike. lol
Great story. Pats and smooches to your adorable pooches too!
Look at those happy faces!! Doncha love doggy smiles?!
:)
Great story. I'm excited to get my dishrag tag box! I better figure out a pattern quick!
Sorry to hear about your mom. I know what your family is going through. When I was in High School my mom was diagnosed w/colon cancer.
Nice story about the boy and dogs. Sometimes kids will surprise with the most profound statements.
That is maybe the second or third time I have read that story and it still brings me to tears. It is so sweet and true!
Your pups are so cute! Give them some extra treats from your SP11 Secret Pal!
I loved that story, it was great!
Sorry Dogs On Thursday was late this week.
P.S. The Dogs in the pictures looks so happy and are adorable!
That was a nice story, and will be good to tuck away in the back of my mind to remember at times such as that when it will be a comfort. Sometimes little kids are soooooo much smarter than the rest of us.
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