Thread: Just A Nice Email

I don't usually copy emails but I thought this one was kinda nice.

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.
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 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.'

Remember, if a dog was a 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.

--Eat with gusto and enthusiasm.
Stop when you have had enough.

--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.

--Love someone -- unconditionally.