Dog's Purpose (from a 6-year-old)
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 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 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. It has changed the way I try and live.
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."
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
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.
ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!
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this is me now :)
When i was young, from a preteen through my early 20's, we had a black lab mix named Cindy. Our house was surrounded by farm land, at least 80 acres where she could run around chasing rabbits and squirrels, an occasional skunk. There was a ditch road that went for miles and one of the greatest pleasures I had was walking along that ditch road with Cindy for a couple hours as she ran to the river and back, jumping in and out of the ditch, running way ahead of me then looking back to make sure I was still coming. That dog would run!!! If we were outside, she was on the go! In the summer after a thunderstorm had rumbled through, a huge mud puddle would always take over the drive way and she loved just flopping down in that puddle, belly down, back legs outstretched behind her...she would have the dopiest look on her face but we all knew she was having a fantastic time!
Cindy lived a long, happy life. We put her down when she was about 14 years old; she couldn't see very well, she could barely hear, she had a very hard time walking...but no matter how much she hurt if she heard the word WALK that girl's tail was waggin and she headed for the door! Cindy was an amazing friend. I was a teenager so of course I was going through a great deal of teenaged angst, crying over a crush or fighting with my mom, disappointed over a lost ball game, mad because I couldn't watch Miami Vice! The world was ending every other day! If Cindy saw me crying she wasn't having it, she would come over to me & lick my face until I stopped! I would push her away, tell her to leave me alone, but she wouldn't stop until I stopped crying and started laughing. She was a good girl.
We had other dogs, Cookie and Milo, both wonderful dogs in their own ways. We got Cookie, another Lab mix, while Cindy was still alive. We wanted her to train him before she left us! She did a great job, he too loved to run! A couple years after she passed away, Cookie, Milo & I were on a walk down that same ditch road. Those two dogs were pretty lazy compared to ole Cindy. Both of them were huffin and puffin, laying in the shade every chance they got. I said, "Boy, you two lazy dogs couldn't keep up with Cinderella! She woulda been to the river & back before you two even left the yard!" (yes, i talk to my dogs like they are humans!) Just then, I felt something brush by my leg and rush passed me. I knew instantly that it was Cindy! I said outloud to the lolly-gaggers, "See, there she goes now!!" I felt her spirit run passed me like she had never stopped running, never slowing down, with all the enthusiam and happiness that she had when she was young. It was a moment I will never forget.
I absolutely love this: ''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." That is the truth!
Live life like a DOG! lol!
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