Why Humans Live Longer Than Dogs

I found this wonderfully touching story recently and thought I would share it with you all;

Being a vet, I had been called to examine a ten year old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog´s owners and their little boy were very attached to Belker and were hoping for a miracle, as he was very poorly.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family there were no miracles left for Belker and offered to perform a euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements the parents told me they felt it would be good for their four year old son to watch while it happened, as they felt he might learn something from the experience.

The next day I visited the home and the family was gathered around the dog. The boy seemed very calm, patting his old friend, and I wondered if he understood what was going to happen. Within a few minutes Belker slipped peacefully away. The boy seemed to accept Belkers transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belkers death, wondering aloud at the sad fact that animals lives are shorter than humans. Suddenly, the little boy, 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 have never heard a more comforting explaination.

He said " People are born so they can learn to live a good life - like loving everybody all the time and being nice right? Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don´t have to stay as long.

What a wonderful way to explain why, eventually, we all have to say goodbye to our much loved pets, especially to children.