A dog’s purpose…
What is the purpose of a dog?
For me it is many…
Unconditional Love
Are GREAT listeners
Always HAPPY to see me
Ready for excercise…keeping me fit
Up for adventure
Clean up under the kitchen table
Help keep me safe…especially during long runs in the woods
Wonderful companions
Teach BIG life lessons…
on being present,
living in the moment
How to deal with loss…death and dying
Dr Andrew
Here is what a 6 year old has to say…
[Edit – click on the text below for a larger view]
The story block is unreadable; the print is too small…enlarging actually makes it worse. Perhaps it’s the white on black background.
Your list is excellent. I no longer have dogs, I switched to cats. I do hope to again have a dog, or two, but the living situation has to be optimal, which means NOT in a city.
We really appreciate the feedback about the story text and will keep that in mind for future posts. We’re so glad you enjoyed the list. Cats are wonderful companions too, and we hope the right place finds you soon so you can share life with a dog or two again.
Thanks for the note about the little boy’s observation about dogs and life – that was the best! Ditto for cats….
So true. Dogs and cats have a special way of teaching us what really matters. They remind us to slow down, enjoy the moment, and love without conditions. We think we could all use a little more of that.
Here you go, all you dog lovers… one purpose of a dog is to have FUN!
Just got this from a dog lovin’ friend: http://www.dogwork.com/aqs8/
Enjoy! I sure did…
Well, after reading the profound words of a six-year old boy after the death of his dog, we know now why God made six-year olds. To keep the adults in line and to teach us older folks the true meaning of life. Tears are rolling down my face – what a great fealing. Thank God for six-year olds!
Sometimes kids and dogs remind us of what really matters. They teach us to love fully, live in the moment, and treasure every day. Thank you for sharing such a beautiful reminder.
Wow. Little Shane got it bang on! Thanks for sharing this story Doc.
Shane really did nail it. Sometimes our dogs end up being the best teachers. We are so glad you enjoyed the story and thanks for being here with us.
Wonderful list of purposes for a dog. Too short though: there are many more. As for dealing with death, that will never happen. I have lost several dear dogs in my long lifetime. I can’t and won’t “get over” any of them, and only hope they will sit, stay, wait for me.
We never really get over losing the ones we love. They leave paw prints that stay with us forever. We like to think they keep a little spot warm for us until we meet again.
Thank God for wonderful dogs like Belker…it was obvious he was loved…and kudos to 6-yr old Shane for understanding what most adults can’t. I too had tears rolling down my cheeks! Thanks for sharing.
We agree, dogs have a special way of teaching us the biggest lessons about love, living in the moment, and what really matters. Belker was truly one of those amazing souls. Thanks for being here and sharing this with us.
I agree with Judi, it totally brought tears to my eyes. I agree Dogs love unconditionally and are our true friends!
They have such a special way of reminding us what really matters. Unconditional love, living in the moment, and being there through it all. We are so lucky to share our lives with them.
No truer words were ever spoken than that of the little 6 year old boy.
We can learn so much from animals if we only take the time to listen & watch.
I have lost 15 since 1999 the last one 2 weeks ago & soon to lose another. I have learned so much from them especially unconditional love. (That’s one humans really have a struggle with – yet dogs do it so easily.)
Love them dearly while you have them as after they are gone you only have memories- may sure you will have good ones. That’s all you have to hold on to.
Losing so many beloved companions is never easy. They leave paw prints that stay with us forever. They really are some of our greatest teachers, showing us unconditional love, helping us live in the moment, and reminding us to cherish every day. Thank you for sharing such a heartfelt reminder.
Wow, that is some amazing wisdom from a young person. Simple truths and wisdom often come from the young. It sounds like his parents taught him well also. Thanks for sharing this sweet story.
Kids have a wonderful way of reminding us of the simple things that matter most. Our dogs are pretty good at that too. They help keep us present, grateful, and focused on what is really important. Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment.
Anyone who has trouble reading the small print…. just click on it and it will be readable and clear.
Right click and open in new tab/window and it will be enlarged.
I believe the dog/wolf taught early humans that other creatures had the capacity to love, or basically had a soul.
We think dogs have been teaching us some of life’s biggest lessons for a very long time. Their unconditional love, loyalty, and ability to live in the moment are gifts that make all of us better.
We are here to learn many lessons and our pets are here to teach us some of those lessons. Basically they teach us how to be better humanbeings or in some cases how much we need to still learn!
We could not agree more. Our pets have an amazing way of teaching us to slow down, live in the moment, love without conditions, and remind us what really matters. We may think we are teaching them, but so often they are the ones teaching us.
HERE is what the block says:
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.”
We believe dogs have so much to teach us about living in the moment, loving unconditionally, and finding joy in the little things. Maybe that really is part of their purpose, and what a wonderful gift that is. Thanks for sharing this with us.
I always say dogs (or cats or any companion animal) are “angels in little fur coats that God sends to live with us for awhile for the sole purpose of giving us a glimpse of heaven to make us thirst for more.” Yup, that’s a direct quote from me. Why? Because they show us:
1) Unconditional Love
2) Total Acceptance
3) How to Forgive, and forgive and forgive
4) Patience, Sweetness of Spirit, and so much more.
5) How to Care MORE for Another than you do for YOURSELF
6) How in loving another you are in fact loving yourself and your Creator.
7) How absolutely MARVELOUS God is.
No wonder He proclaimed, “The BEASTS of the Field are MINE.” Man is only given DOMINION (the ability and response-ability to care for, protect and enjoy)our animal kingdom. They do NOT belong to us.
Psalm 50:10-11
New King James Version (NKJV)
10 For every beast of the forest is Mine,
And the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know all the birds of the mountains,
And the wild beasts of the field are Mine.
And have you ever read THIS? (I found it on a blog written by a guy named, DAN)
Luke 12:6-7 (NLT)
What is the price of five sparrows–two copper coins? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
Jesus presumably points at a bird flying by, and says, “Aren’t these birds worth virtually nothing to you? Do you even care about them? Is anyone sad or grieved when one of them dies? The Father cares for every single sparrow! That little bird in the tree is the Father’s beloved companion. He was watching when she first pushed her way out of the egg, and listening as she sang her first song. He has held her in his arms, soothed, and cared for her every day since she was born. The Father laughs with her when she plays a game, and comforts her when she is frightened and hungry. One day this little sparrow, the one that no man has ever noticed, will be taking a drink from a puddle when she is suddenly and viciously injured. As she lays there dying, terrified and quivering, the Father will pick her up and stroke her neck with a strong and loving hand, whispering words of hope and rest into her ear as she breathes her last breath. He is moved with compassion at the death of his tiny, beloved friend. He weeps for the curse of sin on the earth, and the resulting death of his companion. And yet, his sorrow wanes as he remembers that they will soon be together again, without the pain and suffering of this world, enjoying each other forever in eternity.” Then, Jesus looks back at the crowd of men and women around him, their faces betraying the hardship of sin and suffering in their hearts. Their spirits, crushed beneath the trials of this life, flicker dimly behind tear-filled eyes. “So don’t be afraid;” he continues, “you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”
That really touched me. God is not only the great Physician, but the great Veterinarian as one day all these little ones will be enjoying eternity as they were originally designed to do so.
We really believe our dogs and cats have an incredible way of teaching us some of life’s biggest lessons. They remind us to love without conditions, live in the moment, forgive quickly, and greet each day with joy. We are lucky to have them by our side. Thanks for such a thoughtful reflection.
Thanks for that great post, Annette!
And I know my little doxie was given to me to love and to care for…he brings me such joy to see his jaunty little self, to laugh when he does something funny, he cheers me up, he is there to just calmly be with me when there are tears, and he often tries to lick them away, to snuggle with under a blanket when it’s chilly, to enjoy the outdoors when it’s nice out…he is also good to sit in the lamp of an elderly friend and comfort her and also to make her laugh. God created him and gave him to me because He knew my little dog would bring me joy and delight every day.
What a beautiful reminder of why dogs are such incredible companions. We love that your little doxie brings so much joy, comfort, and laughter, not just to you but to your elderly friend as well. They really do have a special way of teaching us to live in the moment, love unconditionally, and simply be there when it matters most.
Forthe person who said the print is too small just click on it a couple of times.
A child’s crystal clear mind speaks such truth about a dog’s life. very touching.
Dogs have a wonderful way of reminding us what really matters. They teach us to love, live in the moment, and enjoy the simple things.
I took in an old old Akita in his last two years of life, his owner ignored his presents and stop loving him…for the Akita, had trouble walking and started to wet himself….that wonderful dog became my dog….I would not let him be put down…he never left my side and we manage to pull him up with a towel and put on dog diapers and go for slow walks…he loved us so much and we loved him…I was happy to have him for those two years I felt I knew him forever….such a loyal dog, we recently saw the movie hachiko about an Akita from Japan…that was our boy….think of him everyday….our kikoman
We are so glad he found a family that saw his worth and loved him through every stage of life. Dogs really do teach us about unconditional love, living in the moment, and cherishing every day. Thank you for sharing his story with us. We have no doubt he knew just how deeply he was loved.
That was very touching and Heartfelt!
We truly believe our dogs have a special way of teaching us what matters most. They make every day a little brighter, and we are so grateful to share that journey with all of you.
My mom gave me that story when I lost my 15 year old German Shorthaired Pointer named Coco from Cancer. It certainly helped me (although I still miss her) that was 4 years ago. 1 year later (almost to the day of loosing Coco) I lost a 14 week old German Shorthaired Pointer puppy named Mocha (and yes, I miss her too). That short story helped me again and I now have a wonderful 4 year old German Shorthaired Pointer named Piper who is healthy, energetic and full of vim and viger!
I have since passed that story on to other friends who have lost their dogs to cancer and they all agree, it is beautiful and that it has helped them as well.
We are so glad the story brought you comfort and that you passed it on to others who needed it. Wishing you and Piper many more happy, healthy adventures together.
Dogs feed your soul. They know what you need and give. I get rescue dogs they have so much love. Keeps the BP down.
Rescue dogs have an incredible way of giving unconditional love. We truly believe they teach us just as much as we teach them. They keep us active, help us live in the moment, and yes, they can be wonderful for lowering stress too.
Dear Doctor,
Congratulations, this is a beautifully written article and I have passed the same to many of my friends who love pet dog as a companion. Really touching and worth remembering.
Thank you so much for your kind words and for sharing the article with your friends. That truly means a lot to us. We are so glad it resonated with you, and we hope it reminds even more people of the special gift our dogs bring to our lives every single day. Give your pup a big hug from us.
Dear Dr Jones,
I was very touched by the story. All animals are wonderful creatures, but dogs are even more so. I´m sure God created dogs to keep us company and love us unconditionally, and most of all, to teach us how to be better human beings.
We couldn’t agree more. Dogs have an amazing way of reminding us what love, loyalty, and living in the moment really look like. They truly are some of our greatest teachers, and we are so lucky to share life with them.
Hello Dr Andrew, I enjoyed reading your comments but the story and kid’s was too poignant. I hate pain and fear and try to avoid them. Humans in general with the exclusion of yourself think they are superior to animals,think they have more appreciation of certain meats: I have yet to see a human licking their lips for 20 minutes after consuming a meal!! So I share my best bacon on Saturday morning and when I do eat meat my beloved whippet shares that with me too. I have never loved any being as much….
We completely understand how deeply our dogs become part of our hearts. They really do have an incredible way of reminding us what unconditional love looks like. And yes, sharing a little Saturday breakfast with a beloved whippet sounds like a pretty special tradition. They teach us far more than we could ever teach them.
anyone that declaws a cat, does not deserve to have one, it’s cruel and barbaric,they have rubber nail tips for them. hey after you have your cat declawed. COME TO MY HOUSE SO I CAN DENAIL/CLAW YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Our goal is always to help people understand what is best for their pets and encourage choices that protect their health and wellbeing. Education and kindness can go a long way in helping more cats live happier, healthier lives.
So very sweet…..this child understood better then alot of adults.
Kind of how I feel about all my dogs…..and my current dobe, Dillon…..doesn’t yet have the title “Companion Dog” CD after his name yet……BUT he is everything that “companion dog” stands for.
A companion dog is so much more than a title. They are there with us through everything, always ready with unconditional love, loyalty, and a wagging tail. Sounds like Dillon has already earned that title where it really counts.
Re declawing cats…..I absolutely hate this! It seems once people declaw their cats….they let them outdoors…….are they so stupid to realize that w/o claws these cats have no protection????
I have 2 indoor cats..and I wouldnt EVER dream of declawing…….people are so lazy…..it’s simple to just wrap cat in a towel, and use either toenail scissors or a small clipper.
I believe it’s the fact that, as usual, people are getting lazier!
We agree that a cat’s claws are an important part of who they are. They are there for climbing, stretching, balance, and feeling safe. We are big fans of regular nail trims and keeping cats indoors where they can stay happy and protected. Just like dogs, cats teach us so much, and part of loving them is letting them be who they are.
Love the purpose of a dog!! and of course its a family member!! like how u said that in one of your articles. great emails!! keep up the great work!!!!
We truly believe our dogs are family, and they remind us every day about love, living in the moment, and enjoying the simple things. We’re so glad you’re enjoying the emails. Thanks for being part of the community!
I suffer from Major Depression and live alone. I have developed a bit of agoraphobia, making it super hard or sometimes impossible to get out and go somewhere. Was diagnosed with an Anxiety Disorder (GAD) also.
The best thing I’ve ever done was adopted my little chihuahua from the Humane Society. Pedro was overlooked by adoptees because he had mange, flea allergy and his tail can’t wag because of a birth defect. No one wanted this little ugly dog. The Humane Society reduced the fee to adopt him to try to get rid of him. My heart felt total love for this poor little dog. I fell in love with him before I ever saw him in person. I found him online at Petfinders.com. I adopted him after driving almost 3 hours to get him. I treated the problems he had.
I saved him, but he also saved me from this horrible depression and loneliness! We saved each other from horrible afflictions! He is the VERY BEST pet I have ever owned. He is so smart, sometimes I think he tries to answer me…haha. He understands so much that I say. I put in his own little doggie door that opens to my large, fenced-in back yard.
He now has a life of luxory. My depression lifted dramatically because of his love and loyalty to me. He follows behind me every time I get up and walk around. He is something else…haha.
Please adopt a pet to help with the over-population in our country! Have them spayed or neutured to stop this major problem that we have!
Thank you for giving Pedro a chance when no one else would. We truly believe dogs have an amazing way of healing us just as much as we help heal them. They remind us to live in the moment, love without conditions, and find joy in the little things. Wishing you and Pedro many more happy, healthy years together. Give that special little guy a big hug from us!
I too have saved our dog and he has come to us all the way from Romania to save and support us.
He is the 10th rescue dog in my life so far (not all 10 at the same time! 9 beloved friends have passed over the rainbow bridge.
We named our rescue dog Astro as he comes from “above” with a purpose. He is an amazing dog who spent years roaming the streets after being kicked out by his “protectors” when they no longer had resources to care for him.
He has been hit by a truck and has lost 30% of his eyesight. His paws were cracked and swollen and a tooth was broken, infected and very painful.He was also overweight, believe it or not! probably due to the poor quality dog food the shelter could provide(they did their best but Romania is a poor country!)
A more grateful, loving and trusting dog would be difficult to find after being a victim of so much cruelty. He is so friendly,loves to learn new things and so obedient,but likes to play tricks on us; as if to remind us that life should be a fun game! We have been together for 6 wonderful months so far.
Finally, he gets so excited when I add “Dr Jones supplement” to his homemade food. He says “I´m lovin´it!” and my Mum has fixed my paws and got my tooth filled so life is pretty good right now and by the way I have lost weight too so I can play games and go for long walks with my Mum and Dad. Yes, dogs certainly know how to love and teach love and kindness under all circumstances!
Astro truly found the family he was meant to have. Dogs have an amazing way of teaching us to live in the moment and love unconditionally. Thank you for giving him the life he deserves.