When Loved Ones Come Home, Always Run To Greet Them.
Today I took these two precious pups for a stroll on the old dirt roads behind Campbell River. Utah is always so energetic and reminds me of the importance to stay fit and always follow your senses, even if it leads you off the beaten path. He also teaches me to not only walk toward someone you're excited to see but also run and sprint as fast as you can to be with them. Cabella has such a kind heart and I am always reminded that it's okay to jump around in excitement, and it's also okay to get all messed up and dirty in the joy of the moment.
This post is dedicated to Dogs. Our loves. Our Family. Our Companions. The ones who love us, when at times it may feel like no one else could. They love us when we're mad at them or when they've gotten in trouble. When we're too tired to walk or run with them, if we forget to feed them, forget to hug them, and especially when we remember to love them and learn from them.
This post is dedicated to Dogs. Our loves. Our Family. Our Companions. The ones who love us, when at times it may feel like no one else could. They love us when we're mad at them or when they've gotten in trouble. When we're too tired to walk or run with them, if we forget to feed them, forget to hug them, and especially when we remember to love them and learn from them.
I received an e-mail from my sister that brought tears to my eyes. It's so precious and so true.
We can learn from everyone, and everything. Especially our dogs.
The e-mail went like this :
"A Dog's Purpose: As explained by 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. 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 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.
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. 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 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.
