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Results 1 to 14 of 14
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    under the Tucson sun
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    485

    A Dog's Purpose According to a 6 Year Old

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    I've never had a dog myself, but those of you who are mamas to animals of any sort (and I know there are many of you here!) may appreciate this sweet little story.

    From http://weruletheinternet.com/2011/05...-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. 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.”
    '09 Jamis Satellite Femme | stock Jamis Road Sport -- road
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  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2010
    Location
    Denver
    Posts
    1,942
    Aww. I just had a little cry.

    Kids do surprisingly well with things when left to choose their own reaction. They're very cool little people.

    "I never met a donut I didn't like" - Dave Wiens

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Oslo, Norway
    Posts
    4,066
    ok, now THAT teared me up! Beautiful story
    Winter riding is much less about badassery and much more about bundle-uppery. - malkin

    1995 Kona Cinder Cone commuterFrankenbike/Selle Italia SLR Lady Gel Flow
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  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2005
    Location
    around Seattle, WA
    Posts
    3,238
    Reminds me about a poem I cut out of a magazine years and years ago - "The 10th good thing about Barney"

    seemed the 10th good thing was that he would help the flowers grow.
    Beth

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Dorset, England, UK
    Posts
    1,035
    Oh dear, now I can't type for tears.

    Lovely little story.
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  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    where the wind comes sweeping down the plain
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    5,251
    ohhh.. that was so very touching!! Made me all teary-eyed.
    I guess that's true. Kids have the best insights! So sweet... thanks for sharing.
    Check out my running blog: www.turtlepacing.blogspot.com

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  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Location
    Buffalo, NY
    Posts
    193
    That is very touching. I thought of our old dog who struggles with skin cancer.
    Savra

    2006 Specialized Dolce Elite/Specialized Stock Saddle
    2011 Surly LHT/Brooks S Flyer

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    4,516
    Awwww....that made me teary eyed too....in a good way, but still....

    Not a doggie, but it made me think of my kitty we lost just a year ago.
    Most days in life don't stand out, But life's about those days that will...

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Chicagoland
    Posts
    836
    Love. This.
    Andrea

    1988 Bridgestone mixte
    2002 Trek 2200
    2011 Surly Long Haul Trucker

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Traveling Nomad
    Posts
    6,763
    Teary here too...so sweet. Thanks for sharing, badgercat.
    Emily

    2011 Jamis Dakar XC "Toto" - Selle Italia Ldy Gel Flow
    2007 Trek Pilot 5.0 WSD "Gloria" - Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow
    2004 Bike Friday Petite Pocket Crusoe - Selle Italia Diva Gel Flow

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Uncanny Valley
    Posts
    14,498
    awwwwww <sniff>
    Speed comes from what you put behind you. - Judi Ketteler

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Seattle, WA
    Posts
    2,208
    Wow, this is very sweet. Sometimes the world view of a kid is just what we need. If the dog dying didn't do that family in, what this kid said surely did Extra hugs to that family!

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Location
    Tucson, AZ
    Posts
    4,632
    Aww...
    At least I don't leave slime trails.
    http://wholecog.wordpress.com/

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    2013 Charge Filter Apex| Specialized Jett 143
    1996(?) Giant Iguana 630|Specialized Riva


    Saving for the next one...

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    London, UK
    Posts
    16
    Wow. Kids say the most amazing things, and seem to accept death as just another part of life, if you get my meaning! What they say can so often be very humbling.

    My 7 yr old son once told me quite happily that when he grew up he was going to be an astronaut so that when grandad dies and goes to heaven he can go and visit him. (Grandad is still very much alive at the moment!!)

 

 

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