I received this today from a friend.  I thought it was so lovely I thought I should post it (even though my family is cats!)


> A Dog's Purpose (from a 6-year-old's perspective)
>
> Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish
Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Frank, his wife, Linda, 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. 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.
>
> 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 to gether 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.'  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.'
>
> 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 joy ride.
>      *     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.
>      *     Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough.
>      *     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
>

Thanks for posting this, it's beautiful.