Sunday, June 11, 2006

Why Dogs Don't Live Longer Than People......

Beautiful day here in Tacoma. We had a good number out for the services at TLBC. My sermon outline is posted on the front page of our church web site.
Click Here

Visit my personal web site. Click Here

Received a neat little thing the other day by a vet about a touching dog story.

Enjoy...


Why Dogs Don't Live Longer Than People......

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 there were no miracles left 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 the four-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 four-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.

Leave the rest to God.

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