Hello friends,

Last week My team and I spent 3 days at a conference with College activity directors and many of their students. It’s been a few years since I graduated from college myself, and being surrounded by mostly 18-20 year old’s for three days reminded me how things are constantly changing, and how different we are as individual human beings.

Today as I was reflecting on the past week, I came across this short story that I am sharing below. The simplicity of it brought tears to my eyes and put a smile on my face. A veterinarian relates his experience with a family and their terminally ill dog.

No matter how old we are, or where we have come from, we can always learn from someone with a different perspective, even if that person is only 6 years old. My friends, when you are open to learning, no matter where it comes from, and growing throughout life’s journey, only the best is yet to come!!

Here’s the surprising answer of a 6-year-old child.

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 dogs’ 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 and 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 for as long as we do.”

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

~ When your 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 faithful.

~ 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.

~ That’s the secret of happiness that we can learn from a good dog.