"Some of the most poignant moments I spend
as a veterinarian are those spent with my clients assisting the transition
of my animal patients from this world to the next. When living becomes
a burden, whether from pain or loss of normal functions, I can help
a family by ensuring that their beloved pet has an easy passing. Making
this final decision is painful, and I have often felt powerless to comfort
the grieving owners.
"That was before I met Shane.
"I had been called to examine a ten-year-old
blue heeler named Belker who had developed a serious health problem.
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 there were no miracles
left 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 the four-year-old Shane to observe
the procedure. They felt Shane could 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, 'Everybody is born so that they
can learn how to live a good life - like loving everybody and being
nice, right?' The four-year-old continued, 'Well, animals already know
how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.' "
Omnium
Gatherum
