Why humans live longer than dogs

Grumpaz · Post by **Grumpaz** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 4:05 pm

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 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...

Rapunzel · Post by **Rapunzel** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 4:11 pm

Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings..................

That is so sweet Grumpaz!

Kids see the world in black and white and we think we know more because we see it in grey and from all angles - yet their vision is often so much clearer than ours...

on a side note - I have a runny bunny today! :p

I did think of running him to the vets but he seems to have perked up quite a lot this evening so I'll see how he is tomorrow!

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Wed Oct 04, 2006 4:45 pm

Rapunzel wrote: Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings
My thoughts exactly.

Great anecdote, Grumps.:-6

cherandbuster · Post by **cherandbuster** » Thu Oct 05, 2006 6:24 am

Grumpaz wrote: Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply, Speak kindly.

GPaz :-4

Words to live by