I had this story stashed somewhere, and finally found it on an old computer. I wanted to post it on here after my loss of Rowdy.
A Veterinarian had a touching moment, when he went to the Belker family home to put their dog down. The family huddled around their beloved pet, as he slipped away and crossed the Rainbow Bridge. This is the story he shared about the Belker family and their thoughtful son.
“Being a Veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound, named Belker. The dogs 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 they made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told the Vet that they thought it would be a good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, the Vet felt the familiar catch in his throat, as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm petting the old dog for the last time, that the Vet wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few moments, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion.
They all 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, they all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned the vet. He had never heard a more comforting explanation. He says that it changed the way he will try and live.
Shane 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 as long as we do.”
