thought this was pretty good ( the vet is not me but i have had this situation many times...)
Why dogs do not 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 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 Shane could 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, "Everybody is born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody and being nice, right?" The four-year-old continued, "Well, animals already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."
AMEN.
Why there are dogs (from KLL)
Re: Why there are dogs (from KLL)
Late last night, copied this and emailed to daughter. This is what she replied today:
"It's not good to make Nan cry so early in the morning....."
A very touching post, Davet. Thanks... even though it made me cry too!
"It's not good to make Nan cry so early in the morning....."
A very touching post, Davet. Thanks... even though it made me cry too!
Re: Why there are dogs (from KLL)
sniff...
Re: Why there are dogs (from KLL)
How sweet, and how true! Outta the mouths of babes."A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." ~ Josh Billings.
Re: Why there are dogs (from KLL)
Amen~ that's soo precious. I think Shane hit it right on the spot~