The 4-Legged Gift...

Our beloved family dog died
last weekend. She was 14.

She was blind, deaf, incontinent and
barely able to stand. Finally, after months
of avoiding the inevitable we decided to
put her down.

I sat with her in the field where she spent
much of her life romping about, and our vet
gave her the injection that would end her
life.

It wasn't more than ten seconds before her
head dropped into my lap and "whoosh", I felt
her leave her body. That was it.

We buried her and cried.

Life is such a gift. The power and the fragility,
the strength and the vulnerability, the joy and
the sorrow... all a gift.

We're here for a while in this form, and then
we're not. So, while you're here I suggest
you heed these lessons from the dog realm:

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 a round 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.

We'll miss you Naala. Thank you.

Dr. John