20100417

The Gentle Giant

By: Leyla Rashid Grade 6

Sport, that name brings back so many memories. He was one of my best friends. He played with me, protected me, and he cared about me. You would think such a big dog would be mean or something like that. But Sport was my gentle giant, He liked other dogs, he never bit anyone, he loved to meet new people and he never barked. I know what you are thinking, what a great dog.

Imagine this and you’ll know what the general idea or what he looked liked: He’s tall, brown with white markings. He’s got big ears, a wet nose, and a strong, long tail. You probably don’t know what kind of dog he is so I will tell you, he is and Ibezan(sic) Hound.

Sport and I did everything together. We especially liked to go on long walks and play fetch. We thought the fun would last forever.

But then, in the summer of 2001, tragedy struck. Sport was diagnosed with a malignant tumor in his spine. His health was deteriorating right in front of my eyes. The veterinarians said there was no cure, but there was a treatment. We spent so much time and money on him. We wouldn’t let one of the best dogs in the world go without a fight.

He didn’t get better. The veterinarians suggested that we should take him to a special veterinary hospital in Purdue. On the way to the vet, I remembered all the good times we had together. I stroked his fur all the way there.

When we got to the hospital, they first checked him and ran some tests. But in the end, they said it would be best for Sport if they put him to sleep to end his pain. I stood in the room and held his paw while they put the needle in him until he stopped breathing.

But one thing I have learned from this experience, is that no matter what the dog’s condition is, you have to feed it, give it water, take it out on walks, play with it, and most importantly… LOVE IT! Yes, I still miss Sport, but I know he is in a better place now.

20100413

My Dog Roger

By: Liam Perry 6th Grade

My dog Roger is a black, white and brown beagle-Australian shepherd mix. He is very loveable and is one of those dogs who will lie down on your feet, roll over, and squirm around until you give him a stomach rub. He may be lazy but he is also trained. He knows the commands sit, down, stay, heel, and come.
My favorite memory of Roger is when we got him. My mom had seen him at the farmers marked because the animal shelter takes them there to get exercise and meet possible adopters. She had absolutely fallen in love with him. When we went to the shelter we found out that he had just been taken to a foster home. The shelter people had to call the family and have them bring Roger back. Once they were back we got to take Roger home.

Another of my memories is getting Roger trained. We took him to 2 classes where he learned all of his commands. One of the tests for stay is the instructor would roll a ball past a line of dogs in stay. The first time all the dogs bolted and kept running into each other trying to get the ball. It was hilarious.
Roger is special to me because we had to get rid of my last dog and after that it was quiet and lonely. Now Roger is here everything is the way it should be and I have my friend back. Its nice to have a friend who is never busy, who can play with me.

I believe that caring for animals is important because they are living things and disserve the same care and respect as we do. Also because if we do not animals will be killed or will become strays and starve or be hit by cars.

20100411

The Gentle Giant

By: Leyla Rashid Grade 6

Sport, that name brings back so many memories. He was one of my best friends. He played with me, protected me, and he cared about me. You would think such a big dog would be mean or something like that. But Sport was my gentle giant,
He liked other dogs, he never bit anyone, he loved to meet new people and he never barked. I know what you are thinking, what a great dog.

Imagine this and you’ll know what the general idea or what he looked liked: He’s tall, brown with white markings. He’s got big ears, a wet nose, and a strong, long tail. You probably don’t know what kind of dog he is so I will tell you, he is and Ibezan(sic) Hound.

Sport and I did everything together. We especially liked to go on long walks and play fetch. We thought the fun would last forever.

But then, in the summer of 2001, tragedy struck. Sport was diagnosed with a malignant tumor in his spine. His health was deteriorating right in front of my eyes. The veterinarians said there was no cure, but there was a treatment. We spent so much time and money on him. We wouldn’t let one of the best dogs in the world go without a fight.

He didn’t get better. The veterinarians suggested that we should take him to a special veterinary hospital in Purdue. On the way to the vet, I remembered all the good times we had together. I stroked his fur all the way there.
When we got to the hospital, they first checked him and ran some tests. But in the end, they said it would be best for Sport if they put him to sleep to end his pain. I stood in the room and held his paw while they put the needle in him until he stopped breathing.

But one thing I have learned from this experience, is that no matter what the dog’s condition is, you have to feed it, give it water, take it out on walks, play with it, and most importantly… LOVE IT! Yes, I still miss Sport, but I know he is in a better place now.

20100410

"Daisy"

By: Hannah Small, 5th grade

My favorite pet would have to be my dog Daisy. When I got her I was 3 or 4. I don’t remember the day that well. But I do remember seeing her. A lady was letting puppies out of their cages to let me see them. I remember a poodle walking down the hallway. When I said no the lady took it back and let Daisy out. Daisy came running down the hall. Her floppy black ears bouncing up and down the whole way. I knew she was the one.

Daisy is black and white spotted with a big black spot on the middle of her back. She has big dark brown eyes.

As I grew I realized that dogs (and all animals) need a lot of caring. Just like we do. Even though animals aren’t us they don’t want to be stuck on a chain tied to a tree all their life. Think about them like you would think of family.
Animals also need you in their worst of times. I’ve experienced that. Daisy once had heartworms. She was very skinny. We had to give her one shot at the end of one month, and a month later she had to get another one. A month after that she had her blood tested and was free of heartworms.

When I turned 8 I realized how many cats and dogs were at the animal shelter. Lots of them were put to sleep. So for the birthday where I invite my friends, instead of presents I ask them to bring donations for the animal shelter. When we bring the donations to the animal shelter I go and say something to each one. I try to play with a lot of them.

Daisy is healthy and happy now, so am I.

20100409

My Dog Henry

By Isabelle Russell, Grade 4

I own a dog named Henry. He is a purebred beagle. I rescued him from the shelter 2 years ago. I feel sort of bad for him because I don’t think he got what he needed as a puppy. My guess is that he is gun-shy (because he is scared of loud noises), so hunters didn’t want him. He had been returned to the shelter five times already!
I have been very happy with Henry lately. I have been teaching him how to jump over poles on command. He has been doing very well. The highest he ever jumped was three feet in the air!. My mom said that was high enough. We don’t want him jumping over a fence.

Henry’s favorite thing to do is sleep in places he’s not suppose to, like the couch, my bed, Mom’s bed, and other comfortable surfaces. Henry’s pet peeve is closed bedroom doors.

I have always wanted to show dogs, and I hope I will be able to show Henry some day. I also love horses and have always wanted one. But if I had to give away Henry to get one, I wouldn’t want one. But if I could have Henry and a horse, I’d be the happiest girl on earth!

20100408

What's Happening?

By Ellen, Waterloo

I feel small, weak. Once I was a majestic, strong oak, but now I feel my strength draining away, to where, I don't know. What's happening?

My brothers and sisters have disappeared over time. For some, it was inevitable. However, others I lost through the sharp blades of those who enter my home, destroy those I love. Sometimes they stay there, building them into a sturdy structure, and I weep. I weep far more, though, when my brothers and sisters, weakened by the fumes that enter the earth, are left to die on the ground until they rot away, wasted. What's happening?

The ones who enter this forest are loud; when I first heard them, they shook me to my core. I was frightened, but I believed they would tire of the woods eventually. Instead, they settle close to me; bright lights that outshine even the sun but produce no warmth are shining constantly. They spray strong chemicals that burn the ground I seek nourishment from. What's happening?

I can't help but feel angry. What right do they have, stealing what is mine? When I feel this fury, though, all I can do is remember the ones who care. The ones who create more of my kind, who seem curious about my aged wood. The small ones, who run around and around, making me dizzy. How can the cruel ones exist when so many are kind? What's happening?

As I rest, I wonder. I wonder why the rain burns now. I wonder what will happen to my kin around the world. I wonder if the other kind enter only my home, or others' too. I wonder if I too will be destroyed. Most of all, I wonder if this will ever change. What's happening?

At first, I didn't notice the changes. Now, they're all I think about. The way the weather became far more irregular over the years, how the small creatures I used to feed have gone. How my leaves have become just the slightest bit smaller. It terrifies me, not knowing what's happening, even while it makes me deteriorate in a million different ways. What's happening?

I still feel small, weak. Once I was a majestic, strong oak, but now I feel my strength draining away, to where, I don't know. Why, I don't know. Will no one save me? Am I truly alone? What's happening?

20100407

Animals are not toys

Mercedez Perucho, Grade School – San Francisco, CA

Animals are not like toys because they show affection and need as much love as you or anyone in your family and for all the ways these animals help us all they ever ask for is love care and a scratch behind the ear. The three other best choices you can make for them is spaying or neutering them, putting a collar with the animals information on it or a micro chip, and not de-clawing them. Those are all the small things you need to do to get a loving best friend who will always love you