Hi and welcome back, everyone! We are almost to the end of June and soon….the 4th of July!! And it finally, finally feels like Spring/Summer after a long delay for many of us. And soon, rather than rain and cold, we will suddenly be in the midst of Summer. Or as it is know once the heat kicks in “the dog days of Summer”. Fitting based on what this month’s newsletter is going to be all about. So, for those of you dog lovers and observers out there, and even those who are not……read on! I think you will enjoy it.
This month’s lesson is straight off of Facebook of all things. The following is a post just viewed by me last night. I felt it was SO good and so worth reading, I made a last minute change to the topic for this month. Sometimes the best stuff you just don’t change…you share. Here ya go!
Life Lessons from Our Four-Legged Friends
Facebook post by Bill Overton
October 8, 2018
WHY DOGS LIVE LESS THAN HUMANS
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.
I don’t know about you, but I think sometimes it would serve us all well to read this, think, smile and APPLY some of these lessons. I know I will!
Thanks so much for reading.
Dave