I Don't Do Mud!

From The Wisdom of Children...
This is about a 10 yr old dog ("Belker") who had cancer.
The vet who wrote this story told of going to the family's home to put the dog to sleep and out of its misery in its own home. The parents thought their 4 year old son (Shane) should witness the experience to help get closure on the family pet's death. After the euthanasia procedure, the vet wrote the following: "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, 'Everybody is born so they can learn how to live a good life - like loving everybody and being nice, right? Well, animals already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long. '
Author unknown

When I Got My New Dog

Author Unknown

I asked for strength that I might rear him perfectly;

~~~ I was given weakness that I might be teachable.
I asked for good health that I might rest easy;
~~~ I was given a "special needs" dog that I might know nurturing.
I asked for an obedient dog that I might feel proud;
~~~ I was given stubbornness that I might feel humble.
I asked for compliance that I might feel masterful;
~~~ I was given a clown that I might laugh.
I asked for a companion that I might not feel lonely;
~~~ I was given a best friend that I would feel loved.
I got nothing I asked for.
But everything that I needed.

Jake, just helping Kate to multi-task.