I came across this forward today in my inbox and I felt compelled to share it. Sometimes all the stresses of the world stop us from realizing just how great life really is and far too often we take the simple pleasures in life for granted.  Take a minute and read this post I hope it brightens your day as much as it has brightened mine.

A Dog’s Purpose (from a 6-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 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’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 Six-year-old continued, ‘Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.’  

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly.  

Remember, 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 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 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. 

 ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

At times nature can be cruel, but there is also a raw beauty, and even a certain justice manifested within that cruelty.

The alligator, one of the oldest and ultimate predators, normally considered the ‘apex predator‘, can still fall victim to implemented ‘team work‘ strategy, made possible due to the tight knit social structure and ’survival of the pack mentality’ bred into the canines.

See the remarkable photograph below courtesy of Nature Magazine.
Note that the Alpha dog has a muzzle hold on the gator preventing it from breathing, while another dog has a hold on the tail to keep it from thrashing. The third dog attacks the soft underbelly of the gator.

Click Here to See Image
*WARNING - Not for the squeamish