And It's a Pretty Good One!
I got an email this morning from someone I don't know, apparently a vet, who told the story of a child's reaction to seeing his family's beloved dog euthanized. After the dog died, the family and vet talked about why animal lives are shorter than human lives. Here's the gist of it:
The six year old piped up: " '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.'
"Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
When 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 loyal;
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;
There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it.
Surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good, love the people who treat you right."