06/09/2025
WHY DO DOGS LIVE SHORTER LIVES THAN HUMANS?
Here’s a surprising answer from a 6-year-old child 💪✍
A friend of mine, a veterinarian, once shared a touching story.
I was called to examine a ten-year-old German Shepherd named Astro. The dog’s owners and their young son were very attached to him and were hoping for a miracle.
I examined Astro and found that he was dying of cancer. I told the family that nothing more could be done and offered to perform the euthanasia at their home.
They agreed—it was the most humane choice, as the dog would otherwise suffer greatly.
As we prepared, the parents told me their six-year-old son wanted to be present during the procedure.
The next day, I felt the familiar lump in my throat as the family gathered around Astro. The little boy was calm as he gently petted the dog one last time before Astro peacefully passed away. 🖤
Afterward, we all sat together in silence, reflecting on why dogs have much shorter lives than humans.
The boy, who had been quietly listening, suddenly spoke:
"I know why."
We all turned to him in surprise. What he said next stunned me—I've never heard a more comforting explanation. 🐕
He said:
“People are born to learn how to live a good life—like loving and being kind, right? Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t need to stay as long as we do.”
If a dog were your teacher, you might learn things like:
🍀 Run to greet your loved ones when they come home.
🍀 Never miss a chance to go for a walk.
🍀 Take naps.
🍀 Stretch before rising.
🍀 Run, play, and have fun daily.
🍀 When it’s enough to growl, don’t bite.
🍀 On warm days, lie on your back in the grass.
🍀 Drink lots of water and relax in the shade.
🍀 When you're happy, dance and wag your whole body.
🍀 Enjoy the simple joy of a long walk.
🍀 Be loyal.
🍀 Never pretend to be someone you’re not.
🍀 If what you want is buried, dig until you find it.
🍀 When someone’s having a bad day, be quiet, sit close, and just be there.
That’s the secret to happiness—straight from a dog’s heart
