The Truth About Dogs

[t-bob]

Someone sent this to me in a email today. I wish I'd had it early this year when my dog left the planet. So true!

WHY DOGS DON'T LIVE LONGER THAN 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 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."

[Jawbone]

I'm teary-eyed here

[iamjohnne]

Nice post. Thanks Bob.

[Jawbone]

My Lab (Pooh Bear) is going down fast. She's 14. Don't think she'll make it though the winter.
That's why my eyes got wet when I read the post.

[guitone]

I have lost far too many good dog friends...they have always been my constant companion and loyal and loving...what more can you ask.........

[t-bob]

jawbone said:

My Lab (Pooh Bear) is going down fast. She's 14. Don't think she'll make it though the winter.
That's why my eyes got wet when I read the post.

My 13+ yr old Wheaten terrier, Dudley, very healthy dog, a little deaf though, was hit by a car last January. He was a perfect example of the original post in this thread. People who didn't like dogs loved Dudley.

My deepest sympathies to you, Jawbone. (Don't know your real name.)