Dogs Rule for A Reason

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
six-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 fo r
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 six-year-old
continued, ‘Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have
to stay as long’.

Remember,  if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
     * When  loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
     * Never  pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.

*  Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be
pure ecstasy.

*  Take naps.

*  Stretch before rising.

*  Run,  romp, and play daily.

*  Thrive  on attention and let people touch you.

*  Avoid  biting when a simple growl will do.

*  On warm  days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.

*  On hot  days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

*  When  you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body.

*  Delight  in the simple joy of a long walk.

* Be  loyal.

*  Never pretend to be something you’re not.

*  If what  you want lies buried, dig until you find it.

*  When  someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle
them  gently.