[PyrNet-L] Animal Wisdom (Fwd)

[D3melza@aol.com]

   I thought everyone might appreciate this one.

-Emily

  Some of the most poignant moments I spend as a veterinarian are those
>spent with my clients assisting the transition of my animal patients from
>his world to the next. When living becomes a burden, whether from pain or
>loss of normal functions, I can help a family by ensuring that their
>beloved pet has an easy passing. Making this final decision is painful,
>and I have often felt powerless to comfort the grieving owners.
>That was before I met Shane.
> I had been called to examine a ten-year-old blue heeler named Belker who
>had developed a serious health problem. 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 Shane could 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, "Everybody is born so that they can learn how to live a good life
> - like loving everybody and being nice, right?" The four-year-old
>continued, "Well, animals already know how to do that, so they don't have
>  to stay as long."