A veterinarian shared a beautiful story of Shane Belker, a 6-year-old with a wonderful outlook on why dogs live shorter lives than humans.
Global (29 June 2018) – A veterinarian had a touching moment when he went to the Belker family home to put their dog down. The family huddled around their beloved pet as he slipped away and crossed over the rainbow bridge. This is the story he shared about the Belker family and their thoughtful son.
The post has gone viral, and people are loving Shane’s explanation about dogs shorter lives. Take a read below.
Little boy beautifully explains why dogs have shorter lives than humans
Here’s the surprising answer of a 6-year-old child.
“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 they made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told the vet that 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, the vet felt the familiar catch in his throat as Belker‘s family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that the vet 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. They all sat together for a while after Belker’s Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that dogs’ lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, “I know why.”
Startled, they all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned the vet. He had never heard a more comforting explanation. He says that it changed the way he will try and live.
“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 for as long as we do.”
Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
- When your 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 faithful.
- 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.
That’s the secret of happiness that we can learn from a good dog.
by 
That young boy’s beliefs about his beloved dog, were so correct. We have to learn each day of our lives, how to be good to people, to love people regardless of race , color or creed. Dogs love because they can…. and abundantly with abandonment! Their eyes are mirrors of their souls and they reach right into your heart. The cold nose, the warm chin, the total acceptance of whatever mood you are in is so absolute. They only want your love…no gift measures up to that. If we all could accept people the way dogs do, this country and so many more would be at peace with themselves. Theirs is a simple love as God made them. Dogs are not complicated. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to find out a scratch behind the ears, a belly-rub or just the soft petting of their head works every time. God Bless them all, and those who awaits us all, the other side of the Rainbow Bridge.