Kids and Dogs get it

[AikiDale]

"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. 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."

[Chris Keen]

Wow Dale .... that's deep. And so very true. I've never met a puppy that held a grudge.

[SiG Lady]

Oh my God...

...out of the mouths of babes.......

[Adam B]

wow, that is awesome!

[North]

Thanks for sharing that.

[CSEMARTIN]

...out of the mouths of babes.......[/color]

I took the kids to Culver's for dinner tonight. My boy shot his straw wrapper at the table next to us. I immediately got on him about it when my three-year old daughter says to me, "dad, you're the one that taught him how to do that."

It never ceases to amaze me how intelligent children are.

[ima45dv8]

Thanks, Dale.

That's the best explanation I've ever heard.

[ChrisStock]

A subject that hit close to home. Nice contribution, Dale.