Stories of Kindness from Around the World

[ I lost my dog Samson back in February, one fo the hardest things in my life. My sister just sent this to me, and I believe it's true. After all Dog is God spelled backwards. :) ]


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 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.