6 Year Old Child’s Explanation On Why Dogs Live Less Than Humans

Children are born increasingly wise as the world gets older. We learn a lot through conversation, and children can surprise us with how much they know. Some people beg to question where they learned it all, especially if their upbringing was not showered in love and support. One little six-year-old boy has made everyone stop to think with his comparison of humans and dogs. He has, in his short life, found out why dogs have shorter lives.

Losing a fur friend is never easy

The Belker family went to visit a veterinarian with their dying dog. The husband and wife, Ron and Lisa, had high hopes for a “miracle.” However, the vet soon realized there was nothing she could do besides ease the dog’s passing. They had a six-year-old son, called Shane, who was very attached to the dog, so they decided to euthanize their furry friend in the comforts of their own home.

The dog, a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker, was dying of cancer. His best friend, Lisa, and Ron’s six-year-old child had never known life without Belker around. In other words, his parents thought it might be a good idea if they allowed their son to witness Belker’s passing. They hoped it would teach him something valuable. But, none of them expected to be taught an even more valuable lesson from a boy so young.

On the day, the vet went to Belker’sfamily home. His parents and Shane were all very quiet, waiting for the moment when their four-legged family member would pass away. The vet wondered at some point if Shane knew what was happening, he seemed too calm for a boy of his age. Not a tear in sight. Belker passed peacefully, thanks to modern-day science. After, they sat together discussing how special dogs are, and pondering the question of why they have such short lives. It wasn’t until Shane piped in “I know why,” that they stopped and listened.

Why dogs have shorter lives

Ron and Lisa looked at their son when she spoke. How could their young son know the answer to this? Shane 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?” He added, “Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay for as long as we do.”

There is no doubting the fact that we humans have complicated lives. However, one might wonder whether we make them complicated without even realizing it. We are all extremely unique beings. Our different backgrounds and experiences have curbed us into the person we are today. But, it is our life’s mission to try and improve. So, six-year-old Shane seems to know a lot about life already. Some might say he is an old soul.

What would we learn from dogs?

Human beings have ego-centric mindsets most of the time. We are constantly facing serious life lessons. But, what if we were missing the point? Little Shane has reminded us that sometimes life can be simple. If we were born dogs, our life lessons would be about greeting your loved one when they come home, playing more, taking long naps, stretching regularly, drinking water, eating food, nuzzling your friend when they’re sad, jumping in puddles or water and piles of leaves, and pretty much anything that brings you joy.

What if we humans decided to worry less about our futures and lived more in the moment just as dogs do? They are not worried about what they said to their friend at the park last week. They are just happy to be loved in that moment of every day.