A Dog’s Purpose According To A 6 Year-Old

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten year-old dog named Belker. Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker and as the dog’s owners 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 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 away peacefully.

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 animals lives are shorter than human lives.

Shane, who had been listening quietly said, “I know why.” Startled, we all turned to face him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I had never heard a more comforting explanation. He said, “People are born so they can learn how to live a good life…like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?”

The young man continued, “Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.”