In Memory of Wiley, Talpa, Pepe Le Pew and Greta

I would like to give my condolences to the companions of Wiley, Talpa, Pepe Le Pew and Greta. These dogs have recently passed away. I've been thinking of them a lot recently, especially on my walks. My prayers and thoughts are with them.
Below are photos of Wiley and Pepe Le Pew ( I don't have photos of the other dogs but would gladly add them to this post if you would like to share them. My e-mail is cardsbymiriamhall@gmail.com.). Also, I am sharing a letter Denise sent me about Greta and a recent e-mail from a friend. I think "A Dog's Purpose" is very moving. I cried when I read it. May our dogs continue to help us to be more humane and loving.

Wiley

Pepe Le Pew

On June 26th my friend Denise sent me this e-mail she received from her friend Christianne on June 25th:    This evening at about 7 pm I heard a man's terrified screaming for help over at the farm gate, and raced over to try to help. Turns out a 5 year-old German Shorthaired Pointer named Greta drowned in the ditch. She was chasing  a ball thrown by her owner, and ended up in the Duranes ditch. She was sucked into the culvert and passed into the farm gate ditch, drowning along the way. His wife and I spent 10 minutes trying to revive her while he went for the car. We thought she had regained a pulse, but we couldn't restore her breathing.
A horrible, but completely avoidable accident.

Dear Miriam:

I think it would be nice to share A Dog's Purpose on your blog. Apparently it comes from many different sources. I don't remember which of my friends had it on her timeline, but I googled it and found this one from beforeitisnews.com. You might like to read the concluding part which wasn't on the other site. I think it is a great lesson we can give ourselves. I cried, too, when I read it because I recall so many kisses and nuzzles from my BFFs.
Love, Mary

“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. And 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!”

- Thegreenman,