As a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Shiba Inu named Sadako. The dog's owners were all very attached to Sadako and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Sadako and found she was dying of cancer. I told the family there were no miracles left for her, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for Sadako in their home. As we made arrangements, it was suggested that it would be good for the families four-year-old to observe the procedure. They felt he could learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Sadako's family surrounded her. The four-year-old seemed so calm, petting his friend for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on.

Within a few minutes, Sadako slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Sadako's transition without any difficulty or confusion.

We sat together for a while after Sadako's passing, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.

The little boy, 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, "Everybody is born so that they can learn how to live a good life - like loving everybody and being nice." The four-year-old continued, "Animals already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long."