I saw this and just had to post it.. thinking of Priscilla is still so hard   
   sometimes:   
      
   http://www.upgradereality.com/a-dogs-purpose-from-a-6-year-old   
   ===   
   "Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish   
   Wolfhound named Belker. The dogâ Ös 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   
   couldnâ Öt 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 â Ös 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 Belkerâ Ös transition without any difficulty   
   or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belkerâ Ös Death, wondering   
   aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.   
   Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, â ØI know why.â Ø   
      
   Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. Iâ   
   Öd never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and   
   live.   
      
   He said,â ØPeople are born so that they can learn how to live a good life â ö   
   like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?â Ø The Six-year-old   
   continued,   
      
   â ØWell, dogs already know how to do that, so they donâ Öt have to stay as   
   long.â Ø   
      
   ===   
      
   Take care,   
   Janis   
      
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