A Dog's Purpose

This tale makes me all teary....

"A Dog's Purpose" from a 6 year old's perspective

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."


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*sniff sniff* It's time to share some more of my wealth & I'm revisiting a treasured subject...dogs. This is one of my all-time favorite prints...too sweet! Be sure & click on the images to enlarge before right-clicking & saving.

The somber look on both the girl's & the pug's face, in this old photo, is curious, I think. They'd be great for Halloween w/ witches hats on.

Another one of my faves!

I don't think I'll resume sharing the wealth on every Saturday...I'll still post images to share w/ y'all but it will be more sporadic. If you get impatient, look on the left on my side-bar where I have listed lots of sites, rich w/ images.

Now on another note, I love my dog dearly & wouldn't trade him for the world but why oh why! can other dogs get all dolled up, & stay that way for weeks on end & mine can't make it 24 hours? I spent 2 hours yesterday bathing & blow-drying my Giz & he looked lovely. I had his hair in a top pony-tail with a bow & everything but look how he looks this morning!

He's already pulled most of his ponytail out, his bow is gone, he can't see again, & he looks scraggly, after just one day! How do other dogs stay so nice & neat? *sigh* The price of loving a boy who's allll boy, I guess. ;o)


His groomer is having medical issues & hasn't been at the salon so that's why I'm having to do it. Please say a prayer for Kari...for both our sakes! ;o)