Another dog story

I came cross an article written by Dawn Dressler for Reader’s Digest in their issue for September 2000. The article is titled, “Why It’s Great to Be a Dog” and it both amused and taught me.

She wrote that nobody really expects a dog to take a bath daily. Also, the concept of ‘bad food’ does not exist. If a part itches, it is fine to scratch anywhere and anytime. They don’t lose interest right away as a toy bone can amuse them for hours to no end. It is fine to just lie anywhere, and no one will scold them even if they sleep all day. Awkward hair growth doesn’t matter.

And there is no such thing as ‘puppy love’ as this lasts a long time for them. And most of all, even if they see the same person everyday, they are still very much excited.

Apart from all these, I would like to add that a dog never worries about corporate downsizing and the skyrocketing prices of essentials like rice and gas.

Now, here is what some other people have to say regarding the subject, “The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue.”

I love dogs. Before, I don’t. But my three children influenced me so much that I became a dog lover overnight.

Maybe, this is the reason why this story appeals to me and I want to share it with you.

This heartwarming story titled, A Dog’s Purpose, came from an anonymous writer.

Being a veterinarian, I was 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 I couldn’t do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for their six-year-old son, 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 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 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.”

Such a great observation, isn’t?

Dogs don’t sue each other in court. They don’t fight each other in congress or display their political power. Dogs never plot and deceive against other dogs. Dogs don’t trick, swindle and tell lies to reach success.

God has given us dogs so we can enjoy their company and ultimately, learn from them. The little boy in the story certainly did.

I would like to thank The Outstanding Filipino Awards 2014 (TOFIL) committee for including me in their roster of awardees. This means so much to my family and me. I want to share this celebration to my readers and to the many I had the privilege to meet. This award serves as an encouragement for me to continue and intensify my service for the country.

You can connect with Francis Kong through Facebook at www.facebook.com/franciskong2 or listen to his program called “Business Matters” from Monday to Friday at 8:00 am and 6:30 pm in 98.7 dzFE-FM ‘The Master’s Touch’, the classical music station.