Entry for August 22, 2007Random wierd thoughts with a tearjerker story.

It's been a while, so here are some random thoughts:

1. Reality is just something that gets in the way of your dreams.

2. Psalm 56

3. The US has decided to drop out of the world testing of math and science for children. So much for "No Child Left Behind".

4. The Sox and the Pats still worry me.

5. If you're going to go the speed limit, stay out of the left-hand lane!

6. My father is now officially eligible for Social Security- proof that time marches on for all heroes.

7. The older I am getting, the less likely that I will go skydiving, bungee jumping, or to Las Vegas.

8. Find a job you love, you'll never work another day in your life. Find a job that is work, be thankful that you have it.

9. Slacker.com is awesome. If you haven't tried it, you will like it.

10. I still miss Christien.

Two days until its your birthday. I hope a nice birthday party is planned. I had really hoped to be able to wish Happy Birthday either in person or on the phone, mi hijo, but God has other plans. I trust Him completely, and you must too, Christien. I ask him every night to make sure whichever angel He has protecting you gives you a hug and a kiss from me. I hope you feel them. Dios te bendiga mi hijo. I hope you learn from the story below.

There are these DJs on a country station that do a segment called "Something to Hang your Hat On", and the one from yesterday was touching and thought provoking. Given what has been going on lately with Michael Vick, this story seemed especially poignant. There is no author on it, so I don't know who to credit, but I hope everyone enjoys it and gives me some feedback on it.

THE PURPOSE OF A DOG FROM A FOUR YEAR OLD
Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his

wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything 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'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 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."

Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. May you always have LOVE to share, HEALTH to spare and FRIENDS that care, and a DOG or Cat to LOVE along the way!