A Dog's Purpose (from a 6-year-old).

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 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
Six-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.
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.

ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

"All this is simply to say that all life is interrelated. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality; tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. As long as there is poverty in this world, no man can be totally rich even if he has a billion dollars. As long as diseases are rampant and millions of people cannot expect to live more than twenty or thirty years, no man can be totally healthy, even if he just got a clean bill of health from the finest clinic in America. Strangely enough, I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. You can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be. This is the way the world is made."
~Martin Luther King, Jr.


Today's quote is taken from his commencement speech "The American Dream" delivered at

Lincoln University on June 6, 1961 and reprinted in: A Testament of Hope

"Be the change you wish to see in the world!" -- Mahatma Gandhi