19/05/2025
Why do dogs live shorter lives than humans?
Here’s a surprising answer from a 6-year-old child 💭🐾
A friend of mine who is a veterinarian once told me a story.
“I was called to examine a ten-year-old German Shepherd named Astro 🐕. The dog’s owners and their little boy were very attached to Astro and were hoping for a miracle ✨.
I examined him and sadly found that he was dying of cancer 💔. I told the family there was nothing more we could do and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure at their home 🏡.
The owners agreed and said they thought their six-year-old son should be present to witness the dog’s passing.”
The next day, as we gathered around Astro, I felt that familiar tightness in my throat 😔. The little boy seemed very calm as he gently stroked Astro for the last time, and I wondered if he truly understood what was happening. Within minutes, Astro peacefully drifted off 🕊️.
The child seemed at peace. We sat together afterward, quietly pondering the sad reality that dogs live shorter lives than humans ⏳. Then the boy, who had been listening silently, spoke:
“I know why.” 🧠
Everyone turned to him, surprised. What he said next amazed me — I’d never heard a more comforting explanation 💞.
He said:
“People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life — like loving everyone and being kind, right?” ❤️
Then he continued,
“Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t need to stay as long as we do.” 🐶✨
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Remember:
If a dog were your teacher, you’d learn things like:
• 🐾 When your loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
• 🚗 Never pass up the chance to go for a ride.
• 🌬️ Let the wind and fresh air fill your face with joy.
• 😴 Take naps.
• 🧘♂️ Stretch before getting up.
• ⚽ Run, romp, and play every day.
• 🐕🦺 Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
• 🌿 On warm days, lie on your back in the grass.
• ☀️ On hot days, drink lots of water and rest in the shade.
• 💃 When you’re happy, dance around and wag your whole body.
• 🚶♂️ Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
• 🐾 Be loyal.
• 🎭 Never pretend to be something you’re not.
• 🪓 If what you want is buried, dig until you find it.
• 🤗 When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close, and gently nuzzle them.
That’s the secret to happiness — lessons we can all learn from a dog 💛🐾
