Posted by George (AB) on Friday, May 23, 2008 at 20:31:01 :
In Reply to: OT: Just had to put my dog down posted by Keith in Washington on Thursday, May 22, 2008 at 21:43:11 :
Sorry to hear that Keith. My dog started having kidney problems when that dog food scare was on. I had bought him ukanuba(sp)but dry.Funny coincidence. He was on intervenus for a week as a pup & has very sensitive guts, Thank God he is ok now. I think that Chineese gluten was in all their food.
Here is something BZ sent me a while back, kinda long, but I thought appropriate, GB
Great words of wisdom.
A Dog's Purpose, from a 4-year-old
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 four-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt
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.
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 four-year-old continued, 'Well, dogs already know how to do that,
so they don't have to stay as long.'
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn stuff like:
When 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.
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 and nuzzle
them gently.