So lately I’ve been taking a minute to scroll my *memories* that FB shares with you daily. Last night as I did just that it reminded me about the loss of our Furbabe Dakota 6 years ago. In that same sad moment I remember reading this story recently. Finding it again, it seems fitting to share in the memory of her passing.

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WHY DOGS LIVE LESS THAN HUMAN

“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.”

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If we let a dog be the teacher we’d learn some really amazing things:

• When your loved ones come home (whether gone for 5 minutes, 5 hours, 5 days, 5 weeks, greet them as if nothing else matters in that moment.

•Enjoy the little things-like the smell of fresh air-a falling leaf-having socks.

• Take naps.

• Stretch before getting up and moving around.

• Run, Move, Play DAILY.

• Thrive on attention. GIVE undivided attention.

• Bark. Don’t bite. Maybe just a simple warning is sufficient.

• Enjoy some sunshine. But also remember on hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.

• When you’re happy, EXPRESS IT.

• 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 offer your support.

We can learn so much when you just look a little deeper into things. Live & Love. Humans & Furbabes!

#throwbackthursday #fursisters #dakota #miakahlexi