08/08/2013
為什麼狗活得比人短？
為什麼狗的生命比人還要短？近來網路上瘋傳一篇文章，一名年僅6歲的男童，妙語解答了這個問題。他表示，人生來就是 要學習如何愛人、如何好好過生活；但狗本來就已經知道並做到這些了，所以不需要在這世上停留（磨鍊）太久。
小男孩的答案震撼了許多人，在場的獸醫師也深受感動地說：「這是我聽過最欣慰的解釋！」
這篇文章近來在網路上瘋狂轉載，經網友搜索後發現原文來自《A Dog's Purpose》一書，作者是布魯斯．卡麥隆（W. Bruce Cameron）。卡麥隆是名獸醫，他到府替一隻名叫貝克（Belker）的10歲愛爾蘭獵犬看診，發現牠罹患癌症末期，而且離死期不遠。即使家人都希望 出現奇蹟，但醫師研判，再拖下去只是讓牠受苦，因此建議安樂死。
貝克的飼主是一對夫婦，要求卡麥隆醫師隔天來執行安樂死的時候，也能讓他們的6歲兒子西恩(Shane) 一同觀看整個過程，或許可以從中領悟到生命的意義。當天，一家人圍著貝克，西恩最後一次撫摸著老狗，然後看著牠在卡麥隆醫師的執行下，平靜地死去。
小男孩西恩似乎沒有太多的疑惑，很平靜地接受了貝克的離去。但一家人難免傷感，正當大人們都在感嘆「為什麼狗的生命 比人還短？」的時候，西恩突然說：「我知道為什麼！」卡麥隆醫師和家長都同時睜大眼睛望向他，他說：「人生來就是為 了學習如何愛人、如何把生活過好，對吧？」又繼續說：「但狗已經知道並且做到這些了，所以牠們不必在這個世界上停留 太久。」
卡麥隆醫師聽了非常震撼與驚訝，直說：「這是我聽過最讓人欣慰的解釋，而且深深影響我至今！」的確，簡單地過生活、 慷慨地付出愛與關心、和藹地說話。這些單純的「生存之道」，很多人用了一生也學不會。
這篇文章最後還列出幾項「如果狗狗是老師，你會學到的東西」：
1. 當親人回家的時候，總是跑上前熱情迎接。
2. 絕對不放過出去兜風的機會。
3. 允許清新的空氣和風拂過你的臉龐，陶醉地享受。
4. 別忘記打個盹，休息是為了走更長遠的路。
5. 站起來之前，先伸展筋骨。
6. 每天不忘跑步、活蹦亂跳、玩樂。
7. 尋求人的關注，也讓別人親近你。
8. 低吼就能達到警告目的，不必咬人。
9. 在溫暖的日子停腳步，讓背部享受草地按摩。
10. 天熱的時候，大口喝水，趴在樹蔭下休息。
11. 快樂的時候，盡情跳舞，搖擺全身。
12. 在漫長的路途中，尋找小確幸。
13. 要忠誠。
14. 不會的事情，不必裝懂。
15. 如果有你想尋找的東西卻被掩埋，一直挖掘，直到你找到為止。
16. 看到家人朋友心情不好，保持沉默，靜靜坐到他的身邊，輕輕地用鼻子觸碰他。
A Dog's Purpose (from a 6-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 six-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 six-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.
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:
1. When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
2. Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
3. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
4. Take naps.
5. Stretch before rising.
6. Run, romp, and play daily.
7. Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
8. Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
9. On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
10. On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
11. When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
12. Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
13. Be loyal.
14. Never pretend to be something you're not.
15. If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
16. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently.
，
Ref: DMY
