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,
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like: そして、いいかい？ もし犬が先生だったら、きっとこういうことを教えてくれる筈さ。
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them. 愛する人が帰宅したら、まっすぐに駆けていってお帰りなさいって迎えること。
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride. 楽しい事は絶対に取り逃がしちゃいけないってこと。
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy. 澄み切った空気や風を顔で感じることを心から楽しいと思えるような体験を持つんだってこと。
Take naps. お昼寝をしなさいってこと。
Stretch before rising. しっかりと身体を伸ばしてからゆっくりと起き上がるんだよってこと。
Run, romp, and play daily. 毎日走ってはしゃぎ回って遊ぶんだよってこと。
Thrive on attention and let people touch you. 人に注目されるのを喜びとして、人との触れ合いの機会を率先して作るんだよってこと。
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do. ほんの小さな唸り声で済む事に、わざわざ噛み付く事なんてないんだよってこと。
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass. 暖かい日には立ち止まって芝生の上に仰向けに寝転がってみるってこと。
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree. 暑い日には、たくさん水を飲んで、木陰に寝転がっているんだよってこと。
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body. ハッピーな時は、踊り回って身体全身を揺らして喜ぶんだってこと。
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk. 長い散歩にシンブルな喜びをみつける楽しさを持つんだってこと。
Be loyal. 忠実であれってこと。
Never pretend to be something you're not. 自分を装うなんて絶対にしてはいけないってこと。
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it. もしも、あなたが本当に嘘を隠し通したいのであれば、その嘘の真意を見つけるまで掘り起こすんだねってこと。
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently. もしも、誰かがすべてがうまく行かない一日を送っていたら、黙って隣に座って、やさしく鼻をすり寄せてあげればいいんだよってこと。
There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good.
