Post by Lin on Feb 1, 2006 5:22:11 GMT -5
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 unders! tood 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.
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 unders! tood 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.
. I will be back looking for Lin and others.