Thursday, November 17, 2011

Lessons From A 4-Legged Friend


Now I haven’t always been a dog lover.
In fact I’m pretty sure there was a relatively big stage of my childhood where they petrified me. 
I’ve come a long way since then and now I’m head over heels in love with them! Well most of them at least, not the ones that resemble wolves!
A friend of mine recently got a dog, he’s a tiny, adorable puppy named Romeo. He loves to be played with and when you pick him up he usually goes in for a good face licking- maybe a little gross but also kinda cute!
Now I don’t know if it’s Frum thing or a Crown Heights thing but so many people in our community have this fear and distaste towards animals, dogs in particular.
It’s really a shame because as long as you treat them kindly and with respect they are nothing but loving, loyal creatures with a lot to teach us.

Take a look at the following story:

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. It has changed the way I try and live.
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!

It’s so important for us to realize that every single thing in this world, from person to animal to inanimate object, is here with a purpose, reason, and lesson to teach us.

Here are a few pics of Romeo, such a cutie!

Sometimes his friends like to pretend he's a girl!
Romeo learning to "sit."

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