Saw this on BoxerWorld this morning

I just love this story and I often use it to try to comfort those who have lost a pet.

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year- old IrishWolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and theirlittle boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker and they were hopingfor 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 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 had 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 four-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."

I believe this just couldn't be more true. Dogs are God's gift to us...given to show a glimpse of His unconditional love. Really, you can do anything to a dog and it will still love you...you can turn your back on them, neglect them, abuse them, ignore them and they will still love you. The only other 'being' I know that loves that way is God.