Thursday, August 14, 2008

Thankful Thursday

Hosted by Iris

"A glad heart makes a happy face" Proverbs 15:13


In recent days I've listened to way too much about the hard times we are in, from the rising cost of fuel to an impending global recession. From how much one should be earning to how much savings one should have...Think you get the idea. LOL! Oh yes, it dampen the spirit...after a while. A lot. So much so that I've begin parroting those words to others and losing focus on what's important in my life. Simplicity and self contentment. Most importantly, trust in God!

I was still mulling over them this morning when "ping" I received an email. No, I received several emails which I didn't pay any attention to, except this one. Ok, maybe the word "dog" got my attention LOL!


This is the email I'm thankful for and what a lovely reminder.


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.


Happy: I'm thankful that once again, we dogs get to impart wisdom. Heh...


ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!!





36 comments:

Denise said...

Amen my beautiful friend, sending big hugs and much love to you and dear Happy.

Rocks said...

That was a wonderful story :) love it! if we look around, we can learn something to almost anything in this world. God created us all for a purpose.

Nancie said...

What a touching email! It's so sweet of little Shane to reply the way he did. How we need to learn to love others and be nice! Love these words of wisdom you shared with us. Makes me smile all the way :) I am going to learn and put into practice some of these precious tips :) Thanks for sharing your sweet thankful heart with us. Always a pleasure and encouragement to visit you! Take care and God bless!

Abby said...

Hi...

What a wonderful post...

I love your Thankful Thursday...There's always a wonderful message...

Abby xxxooo

Kim @ Homesteader's Heart said...

A wonderful post and very enlightening and true. Oh to see the world from the eyes of a dog.
Blessings,
Kim

Gina said...

Lovely. I know dogs make my life complete. Blessing to you LS.

Hi Happy!

Deetz said...

I always look forward to Thursday, Happy! I hope alot of humans or people as they call them, read this today!!!
Big Paw hugs for sharing a truly wonderful wonderful story.
Deetzy

Peggy said...

Lord bless Serendipity & Happy!

This week I have read this same story and also the other but in separate places never togther! I guess the Lord is telling me to LOVE my dogs better...all 5 (though 1 bit me yesterday while trying to remove a woodtick in his paw)... yet this is exactly what I have learned through my precious dogs throughout my life...Shane is remarkable and has a keen sense of simple perception of the profound..

And so do you for your words...you started with the doomsday of our economy but taught us a profound lesson:

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

I have much to learn through my dogs!

Thank you lso for blessing Nancie with the Friendship Award because she blesed me and now I am able to bless my viewers and friends. Your heart is BIG and Happy has done well in teaching you!!!

Thanks for your friendship! Thanks Happy..I hope my dogs learn from you an have a chance to be your friend!

Princess said...

I sure learned a lot from Shane! Thank you for a lovely waker-upper story. We can all learn from it.
Great tips.

Lizzy said...

Happy!

That was a grrrrEAT post, it made my human and I ponder in our hearts about what love really is... Thanks for posting this!

Sparky

Toffee said...

Happy...you are a very wise doggie...

Moco said...

If only the humans would listen and take to heart all that we know.

Anonymous said...

I loved your post.

Anonymous said...

happy!!! (((HUGS))) you're so cute! bless you, sweety.

Addicted to Beadz said...

Thank you for sharing this. I needed to see/read this!

Have a great weekend!
Cheryl

Paula said...

Great post! Very touching!
Welcome to Dogs on Thursday!
you are all signed up and on the blogroll.
Hope to visit with you more next week!

Georgeous said...

Ah what a heart warming post!
Love George

Mack said...

What a wonderful email!

Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting said...

Oh gosh, that was beautiful and touching! Made me tear up!

Thank you so much for sharing!!!

Two Schnauzers from New England said...

Hi, Happy -

This is such a fantastic story. Dogs rock! You are such a smart dog, Happy.

Love -

Hershey and Kaci

Donetta said...

Great post!
thank you for stopping by and the loving kindness. I love the little boys response. Love it!I better go take a nap.

Carrie said...

Beautiful story...full of wise principles. Thanks for sharing...

Alice said...

Thnak you for this post - I needed to be reminded of all the good things dogs represent in my life .... alice

Gus, Louie and Callie said...

That is one smart little boy. It made mom's eye's leak.. Thanks for sharing..


Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus, Louie and Callie

Molly the Airedale said...

What a great post, Happy! Thank you!

Love ya lots,
Maggie and Mitch

Anonymous said...

Thank you for that touching story. It is SO true. Visit my blog sometime and say hello to Buddy (Border Collie) and Smudge (a dog-loving kitty). Blessings to you! And thanks for your comment on my blog last week...
Kathy

Cheryl said...

That is so neat! What a great post. I enjoyed my visit with you today. Thanks! God Bless~

Rambo said...

You always make us feel good Happy. We love your posts.
love,
Rambo & Midget Molly

Lorenza said...

Hi, Happy!
Thanks for sharing this story!
I wish humans could be as happy as we are with simple things!
Kisses and hugs
Lorenza

Latte said...

Hi Happy... I love your thankful Thursday posts - it really helps to readjust our focus sometimes :) Amen!

Tina in Wonderland said...

Thanks for sharing that sweet Thankful Thursday story. I enjoyed reading it.

Maizy wanted me to thank you for your compliments from Dogs on Thursday, too!

Mango the Maltese kiddo said...

No doubt that you have a glad heart because happiness showed on your face, Happy!
Great touching story, human learn a lot from us doggies( shhh! my mom is a very slow learner!)
I have stolen a photo of yours to post on my blog, hope you won't bark at me!
Cheers!

Thor and Jack said...

Beautiful post, Happy! Thanks for sharing to us.

woof
Thor

Huskee and Hershey said...

Thanks for sharing this Happy. I guess humans have got a lot to learn from us pup... *wink*

Chef said...

BEAUTIFUL!!! That's all I can say. You are amazing for posting these wonderful messages and stories.

xox
Chef

Anonymous said...

Wonderful and true!

Barklove,
Rusty