It goes a little something like this: a family needed to have their dog put to sleep. The dog, at ten years old, was dying of cancer. Herriot was unable to do anything more than offer the family a peaceful passing for the dog.

The parents (and owners of the dog) thought it might be good for their six year old son to be present when the dog was put to sleep. Everyone was there for the dog’s final moments, petting him and telling him he was loved.

Afterwards, Herriot and the parents were talking about how sad it is that dogs have such short lives. The boy spoke up, saying he knew why:

He said that humans are put on Earth to learn how to be good, and to live a good life. To love everyone, and do good things. But pets already know how to do that, so they don’t have to be here as long.