Today is Monday, March 6th, 2006; Karen's Korner #751

A pass-along email from Shirley Delfs:
 
 
Why Dogs Don't Live Longer Than People 
 
Being a veterinarian, I was 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 th e 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.


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