6-Year-Old Wisdom

We got a lot of snow here in Kansas City last Thursday ... a whole lot of snow. And it looks like there is more on the way next week, too. Yay ... not. You see, I'm not crazy about snow, unless I can stay in my house and look at it through the window. But my big dog Julie ... well, now, that old girl loves the snow, always has and always will. So when she saw our back yard filled to overflowing with the white stuff last Thursday, she spent most of the day crying and begging to go outside and play in it. But Julie has some significant arthritis in her hips, and the snow was really deep ... and it was very cold out that day. She was so sad, however, that I finally caved in and let her go out and play a couple of times for just a few minutes each time. She ran and hopped and buried her nose in the snow, tail wagging, sheer happiness etched on her sweet, old dog face. But after dinner that evening, my old Julie girl was whining and limping and hurting from her romping in our snowy yard. I've been taking her out on a leash to go potty because she's still moving slowly today and the snow hasn't melted much at all. It's hard for me to watch her sit at the window and look longingly outside, but it's even harder to know that her bones will hurt even more if I let her go outside and play.

I'm sure many of you have read the story that follows, but it's one that I never tire of reading. Especially on a day like today when the actions of people cause me to wish we all were more like dogs. Be sure that you check out the picture at the end, too ... I think the world would be a much better place if we all lived and loved like precious little kids and sweet old dogs ... I sure do.

 

"A Dog's Purpose ... (from a 6-year-old)

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a 10-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. It has changed the way I try to live.

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.''

Live simply.

Love generously.

Care deeply.

Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the 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.

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.

There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good. So, love the people who treat you right. Think good thoughts for the ones who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is part of LIFE ... getting back up is LIVING.

Have a great life."