Second Grade Teacher's Love of Poetry Made a Lasting Impression on Me!

Miss Payne recited--

 

I never saw a purple cow

I never hope to see one

but I can tell you anyhow

I'd rather see than be one.

 National Poetry Month 2013 ends next week. 

Share a poem today.

A Forever Home for Murphy!

 No one can deny that puppies and kittens are cute.   But the adult animals are the ones that really get to me.  The ones with a long history.  IF they could talk, what would they say?  Would they bemoan their cast-off situation or would they say they are grateful for their temporary digs?
In the wonderful picture book, "Let's Get a Pup," Said Kate, by Bob Graham,  the family decides on a cute pup but leaves the Rescue Center with a heavy heart after seeing Rosy, who was "old and gray and broad as a table" and "radiated Good Intention."   Needless to say they become a two dog family when they go back  the next day and adopt Rosy.  
While Murphy, who was known as Mayor at the League, is not old and gray he did radiate good intention.  His adopter saw that right away.   In a recent update she wrote,  "He's doing wonderfully. He had a little problem with the steps at first but now he's running up and down them all on his own. He gets taken to the dog park near my house to play fetch in the morning when we usually have the place to ourselves and then we go back once I'm home from work so he can socialize and run around with other dogs.
He's such a cuddly, sweet, gentle dog and I'm so happy I adopted him! I've included a few photos of Murphy loving life! Thank you so much for the help with adopting him. Murphy and I could not be happier!"
 And,  the email and pictures of Murphy enjoying life with a bone and toy and a crate of his own and a person who loves him unconditionally absolutely made my day!

Celebrate National Poetry Month with a Cat Poem! or Two.

It's National Poetry Month!   There are many, many wonderful animal poems.  I was rifling through a collection of cat poems in a small book aptly titled The Great Cat- poems about cats - and happened upon Naomi Shihab Nye's poem --

Every Cat Had a Story

The yellow one from the bakery

smelled like a cream puff-

she followed us home.

We buried our faces

in her sweet fur.

One cat hid her head

while I practiced violin.

But she came out for piano.

At night she played sonatas

on my quilt.

One cat built a secret nest

in my socks.

One sat in the window

staring up at the street all day

while we were at school.

One cat loved the radio dial.

One cat almost smiled.

The poem conjured up memories of every cat I've been lucky enough to live with.       Sidney, my college campus black kitten.   Artie, the tiny long haired guy who made Sid look like a lion.                 Alvie, the scarred bruiser who went from sewer-pipe cat to best bed buddy-- ever.                                                                                        SamMelvin, the big orange tabby...the cat of my dreams.              Dave, a boarder at the shelter until his elderly person died, my daughter's  first true love.         Bruce, the cat foster cat who picked me.                                                                                

And now, Charlotte -- the queen of the camera phone.  



Flyer distributed to collect
supplies for the League



Girl Scout Troop 379 spent weeks before spring break coordinating a supply drive and collecting  towels, blankets, jars of peanut butter and laundry detergent for the League.  They ended their spring break by delivering  a van full of goods and touring the shelter and medical center.   Almost all of the girls had a cat or dog at home, many adopted from shelters and rescue groups.  One of the scouts adopted a bunny from a local shelter. 

Members of Girl Scout Troop 379
(and one brother)
delivering donations to WARL

Girl scouts tour the medical center,
 including an up close and personal
visit with one of the many cats
 waiting for a new home at the League.

This is not the first time the troop has helped the animals. In the past, thy have visited animals in the shelter, baked and delivered homemade dog treats, donated blankets and towels, and designated WARL as a recipient of a portion of the profits they've earned selling girl scout cookies.   One of the scouts and her dad are current WARL volunteers, another scout has attended camp at the League.   We expect to see more from of troop 379 in the future.  Thank you girls, parents and supportive siblings!







Student volunteers reach out to their community to help WARL

Ryan and Lee,  Bethesda Chevy Chase High School sophomores, began volunteering at the League several months ago.  They saw how much laundry it takes to keep the cats and dogs clean and comfortable and decided that their MYP  (International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme) project should be centered around helping WARL care for the animals.   They placed a decorated drop-off box in their school's lobby.   Announcements were made in school and on various neighborhood listserves requesting blankets and towels for the animals.  The box was emptied several times.  Linens soon took over Ryan's basement.   On Sunday, a  linen-laden SUV pulled up to the shelter and the teens carted in bundle-after-bundle of towels and blankets.  While their MYP project is finished, the friends, along with Ryan's older brother, remain active volunteers at the League. 

We are all in this Together



Hanna, in the classroom,
 mapping out her journey from
Kuwait to Washington, D.C.

 Nearly two weeks ago Hanna Rhodin Al-Mansour, the shelter manager at K'Spath (Kuwait Society for the Protection of Animals and Their Habitat), accompanied five dogs on a Lufthansa flight from Kuwait to Frankfort to Washington, DC.  The dogs are now available for adoption at the Washington Animal Rescue League. 

Hanna spent the week with different WARL staff members.  Her goal was to learn as much about sheltering as possible in seven days.  And, while we were happy to share our knowledge with her, we were just as eager to learn about K'Spath -- an organization that deals not only with dogs and cats, but pocket pets, equine, and wildlife including baboons! K'Spath is a young organization that has accomplished a lot in a short time.   Videos about the organization can be viewed by clicking on

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITov0J8y0cM and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITov0J8y0cM 

When Hanna accompanied me to a school visit, I took a seat and asked her to share information with the students about K'Spath.   It's not every day that you meet someone whose rescue work includes caring for the habitat of the caprimulgus aegyptius or the Egyptian Nightjar.

.

All grown up with lots to smile about

The very first time I saw Candy Apple, she was a tiny pup, part of a large litter born in a hoarding situation in Arkansas.  She and her mom and nine siblings were rescued by a national group and transported to WARL. Candy Apple, and her brother Funnel Cake, spent several hours in my office the day of a big adoption event.  Sachin (see Sparky posts) and his family fawned over both pups and had a hard time deciding on just one.    After a lot of going back and forth  the family of four adopted Funnel Cake who grew into the very large and much-loved Sparky.   Candy  Apple was adopted shortly thereafter, but was returned to WARL before she was fully grown.  Something was very different when she came back -- her timid personality did not resemble the outgoing pup that I remembered.   But, several months later, the confident, happy-go-lucky, tail-wagging  Juma (formerly Candy Apple)  came for a visit.   She adores her forever family and her forever family loves her.   We love photo and email updates.  It's even better to get in-person (in-dog?) visits. 

Harold update already

Well it just takes a cat to move into the office to make me post  two days in a row!  The truth is I want to share Harold's progress with anyone who will listen.  In less than 24 hours he has gone from an ornery ol' tom cat, extremely put out by his living arrangements  in Kitty City, to an inquisitive young guy who, like many before him, quickly decided that desks -- especially piles of papers -- are for lounging.   Trouble is the weekend.  I won't be here, so Harold will have to spend Saturday and Sunday in Kitty City.  I've been explaining that this Prince Charming routine of his, which he is turning on big-time, is his ticket to a real, honest-to-goodness forever home --  one where he will have a desk of his own and maybe share his bed with a human or two.  Visit Harold (also known as Frosting)  in Kitty City at the League this weekend.  If he keeps turning on the charm he may have moved on before the weekend ends.

Another Feline Visitor

As always, we have lots of nice cats -- long haired cats, tabby cats, Siamese-mix cats, solid color cats, calico cats. Our cat room constantly reminds me of the classic 1952 picture book, Millions of Cats, by Wanda Gag. While we may not have millions of cats, our Kitty City is fully occupied. This guy, Frosting (who I am calling Harold) is not very happy living in Kitty City.  I gave him a gentle pat and explained to him that his current situation sure beats pounding the pavement looking for his next meal.  He reacted to my reasoning with a swift right hook to my outstretched hand.   So, I said, "You don't like Kitty City, try my office!"  At this moment he is sitting by my feet plotting his next move.   I think he wants to be friendly and affectionate.  But he is still stuck in his macho tomcat, I don't need you,  routine.   Unfortunately, I'm leaving in a few minutes, so he'll have to go back to Kitty City for the night.  But, I've already warned him that when he comes back upstairs tomorrow  he is going to begin a crash course in basic manners.   A cat as handsome as he is should be a real affectionate guy.

Happy International Polar Bear Day!

The annual event, International Polar Bear Day, is designed to bring attention to the plight of these magnificent hunters.  Their numbers are dwindling.  According to Polar Bear International,
http://www.polarbearsinternational.org/our-work/community-outreach/save-our-sea-ice, "as the Arctic continues to warm due to climate change, two-thirds of the world's polar bears could disappear by mid-century—although hope remains if action is taken to greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions." The world's largest predators are no match for intensity of the melting sea ice. It's up to us to do our part.  The organization urges people to take the challenge -- do little things, put on a sweater rather than upping the thermostat; turn out the lights when you leave a room.  What other things can you do?   How about

• Planting a tree (or two or three)
• Walking or biking rather than hopping in the car; for longer trips, catch the bus 
• Unplug power cords

Those suggestions are just the beginning.  Don't let International Polar Bear Day pass by without making some kind of change.  Do it for the bears.

 

 

Ella (6) and Elias (13) chill with Fergus and Rue.

I asked Elias and Ella's mom if I could share the adorable photo that she sent of the siblings with their pair of recently adopted kittens, Fergus and Rue, formerly known as holiday-reindeer-kittens Vixen and Blitzen.   Not only did she agree, but she shared some of the background that led to the kittens' adoption.  
Our old cat, Moose (almost 20), passed away. I was ready for a period of mourning, even a state funeral, but Elias and Ella knew better. We came to WARL and Elias says Fergus and Rue are my third and fourth children. They've completely changed the energy in the house. As I write this, they're both on my lap.
Her email reminded me that our animals time with us is short, but so is the time that children live at home with their parents.  If Fergus and Rue are able to manage the longevity that Moose enjoyed, Ella and Elias will be college graduates by the time the pair of energetic kittens hit their senior stride.  One of the many benefits of sharing our homes with cats and dogs is that there is rarely ever an empty next.  I'm hoping for a picture of the foursome in 10 years and another one several years after that!

Yes, Charlotte, I do want to wash my face!

Here's the thing with Charlotte.  She kind of, sort of, likes to be around me.   She doesn't sit on my lap or snuggle in bed, but she likes to be in the same general vicinity where I am.  And, more times than not, she enjoys causing a disturbance.   Okay, you might think that I am projecting my annoyance onto Charlotte when I say she "enjoys" causing a disturbance.   I am really not projecting, I am stating a fact.  We have a night-time routine -- I sit down to read a book, Charlotte chirps a warning and jumps up on the mantle.  I take Charlotte down from the mantle, pick up the cat toy -- that Charlotte use to like --  and sit back down to read.  Charlotte chirps again and jumps up on the piano.  We repeat this game/annoyance -- depending on your perspective-- several times before I give up and put Charlotte in the basement, where she is perfectly content to watch TV with Max or entertain herself with cat toys.   Charlotte's latest I am in your space activity is jumping into the sink every morning just as I turn on the bathroom light.  I chalk a lot of Charlotte's irritating behavior up to the fact that she's a kitten.  But, she's not;  she is two, and we've been doing this reading, jumping up, plucking down activity now for well over a year. And, if the last few days are a predictor of what's to come, I fear that Charlotte's sink-sitting is not going to end any time soon.

Home at Last!

The little dog, in the Zebra striped harness, was named Shortstack when she lived at the Washington Animal Rescue League.  She spent three months at the shelter, after her rescue from a puppy mill, before finding her forever home.  When I saw her self-assured photo this morning in an email update that read, Her name is now MeMe because we want her to think that her new life is now about "me me", I thought of Sam's poster with the sweet animal drawings and hard-hitting message.   There are millions of dogs and cats in the world.  Many of them are victims of animal cruelty.  Don't let an animal you know become a victim.  Little Me Me, once a victim, is now a much-loved family member in her forever home. Her guardian writes, she is "comfy on the couch with her blanket and on our bed by my feet at night to sleep. She likes to watch TV with me and play chase with my daughter.  Adopting her has been one of the best decisions I've ever made."

 

Let's Celebrate

 I've decided to be Canadian for the day on February 25th.  According to Modern Dog, February 25th marks Canada’s first ever National Cupcake Day! Donate your baking and, better still, eating skills to this awesome event to help raise money for tens of thousands of animals in local shelters, SPCAs, and humane societies across the country.  The British Columbia SPCA  is promoting the event by asking young animal advocates to Help end animal cruelty one cupcake at a time.  The money you raise selling your cupcakes will help the BC SPCA rescue, re-home, and provide emergency services for injured and abandoned animal in B.C. 

I'm all in favor of copying this delicious celebration.   Who says National Cupcake Day can't be International Cupcake Day.    No chocolate icing for Nigel and other pooches, but I've never known Nigel to turn down a crumb or two.  To find out more about this delicious charitable event in Canada go to nationalcupcakeday.ca.

Don’t kill the deer in Rock Creek Park

That is the title of an article, by highly respected scientists Jay Kirkpatrick and Allen Rutberg, that caught my eye in the Washington Post last week.  The researchers explain how the deer population, if truly burgeoning (but it is not according to their very detailed research), can be humanely controlled with a pregnancy inhibitor vaccine.  Their research confirms that shooting deer is not only cruel, but it doesn't solve the problem -- it actually increases population by increasing more room for other deer to move in.  There is a local grassroots effort to prevent the killings in one of our most used area parks. To sign the petition, National Park Service: Don't Kill Deer in our Nation's Capital, go to https://www.change.org/petitions/national-park-service-don-t-kill-deer-in-our-nation-s-capital?share_id=raMPKGeTON&utm_campaign=mailto_link&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_petition.    To read the entire article click on http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-02-01/opinions/36679955_1_deer-population-urban-deer-deer-per-square-mile

Timely Poster Promotes Winning In More Ways than One!

Fifth  grade students in Mr. Goff's health class at E.L. Haynes Public Charter School continue to promote kindness through creativity.   Advertising executives take note. Simeon's poster depicting  Baltimore Ravens' tough guy linebacker Ray Lewis as a thoughtful animal lover gets your attention.     Simeon's hard-hitting words and carefully chosen pictures show a stark contrast between actions on and off the field.   The class'  critical look at Baltimore's award-winning, Show Your Soft Side Campaign lubowphotography.com/promotional/show-your-soft-side-campaign/ continues to spawn pro-animal messages weeks after our enthusiastic class discussion.   While the Baltimore Raven may very well be the next Super Bowl Champions, Mr. Goff's kind, caring and thoughtful students show their winning ways every day! 

This Picture Made Me Smile!

We send out a quick survey asking adopters to give us a brief update a month after their adoption is complete.  The replies with pictures are the best!   I often read the updates and then close the file, but I just had to share this one of Foxy and her new best friend.  Every cute little dog should have a cute little girl in a purple coat.  Don't let all the girliness in the photo fool you.  Foxy's grown-up person reports that the little dog has a big job -- by day she's a Corporate Watchdog with a real office.   Guess that's the next best thing to being with her BFF  24/7.  After all, kids do have to go to school.

A Big Tom Cat Melts My Heart

I'm one cool cat!

There is something about a big-headed cat.   They areabsolutely the most lovable cats, but they also aren't afraid to tell you what they do and DO NOT like.   My heart melted when I saw this big-headed guy this morning.   I was told that he was not happy about his new situation.  He was living on the streets when one of our volunteers' friend took him in temporarily.  He was happy there, and apparently didn't understand that that situation was not permanent.  He was brought here yesterday and made sure to let every staff member know that he was not fond of needles.   As someone who has been needle-phobic since birth, can't say that I blame him.   Today, he's settled in nicely.  He ate an entire bowl of breakfast and decided that the cat bed is warm and cozy.  When I opened his kitty condo he got up and rubbed all over me.   Whoever is lucky enough to adopt this big bruiser is not going to have any trouble getting him to settle in.  He's up-to-date on all vaccines.  No more needles for another year!  If you come looking for him at the League, ask for Banger.  I personally think he looks like a Chuck or Clint.  His rescuer likes Chico.  I'm sure he'll answer to anything that suits him.   After all, he's a big-headed tom cat who just may come when he's called, but just as well may not! 

Fifth Graders' Artwork Speak Volumes



Reinna's poster, modeled
from Baltimore's
Show Your Soft Side
Campaign,
 includes quarterback RGIII as spokesperson.

 I have had the privilege of visiting with an awesome fifth grade class at E.L. Haynes Public Charter School this year.  Their health and fitness teacher, Mr. Kennon Goff, introduced me to some of the students over the summer.  When he asked if I'd be interested in working with the class during the school year he told me that the entire class was just as empathetic, compassionate, and inspiring as the small group he brought to shelter as part of the summer enrichmentment program.   I thought he was exaggerating until I met the students.  When asked to come up with their own campaigns to promote kindness to animals, the students brainstormed during our 45 minute session.  But the ideas didn't stop there -- many of the students worked on their posters at home and returned to school with camera-ready art.


Fionna's exquisite life-like drawing of a cat
catches your eye and then delivers an emphatic directive.



100 Ways to Help Animals

Lafayette Elementary School 4th graders in Ms. Fratto, Hallstrom, and Culver’s classes strategized before the break on ways to help animals.  The brainstorming session resulted in a list of 100 terrific ideas.  Ten of those ideas are listed below. 

1. Give animals food
2. Adopt an animal
3. Buy animals toys
4. Protect animals
5. Hold a food drive, toy drive
6. Make posters to convince people to adopt animals
7. Volunteer at a shelter
8. Be nice to animals
9. Advertise shelter animals in the newspaper
10. Send ideas about caring for animals to congress
The students made sure that their fifth suggestion, hold a food drive, was not only carried out, but was a huge success.  The fourth graders' school-wide food drive to support the League's Rescuers Food Bank netted nearly 200 pounds of cat and dog food and treats!   Thank you! 

Look Who is Sitting Side-by-side

Just yesterday I was saying to someone that my cats, Merl and Charlotte, like each other okay, but that they don't cuddle or sleep next to each other, let alone groom one another.  And then last night, Max said, "Mom, look at this!"  There was Merl and Charlotte, side-by-side, fur touching fur.  And, you guessed it, while we were smiling at the pair and commenting on their cuteness, Charlotte started grooming Merl.  She bathed his face and ear. 
Maybe I can save my sofa by telling someone that I don't ever expect Charlotte to stop using it as a scratching post.  It's worth a try! 

A Very Happy New Year to All!

 This is a very happy time for many WARL alums, including three very recent adoptees.   I was thrilled to learn this morning that Sailor (pretty white cat) and Skipper (Sailor's very best friend) moved into  their forever home over the weekend.   Sailor is an outgoing fellow, but his timid friend, Skipper, rarely peeked her head out of the hidey-hole in the cat tree.  No one worried about Sailor, he is a cat with an abundance of personality.  But Skipper, though gorgeous, could rarely be seen. When their new person came to the League looking for a pair, Sailor must have known this was it -- he persuaded Skipper to come out for a quick introduction, and the rest, as they say, is history.  Their adoption was Skipper's holiday miracle.

More good news.  Judy, a rather round and extremely lovable cat had been a staff favorite for some time.   People were drawn to Judy because of her size, but no one applied to adopt her -- until this weekend.  Judy is starting out 2013 with a family of her own.   We hope that they will keep us posted on the weight loss program that Judy started while living at the League.   Four months ago, Judy tipped the scale at 24 pounds.  By her adoption day she had slimmed down to 22 pounds. 

And, what a treat to read about Carnival and see the picture of her at home with a huge rope toy of her very own.  Pretty Carnival came to League as part of a terrible hoarding case.  She was very protective of her newborn litter.  The pups were outgoing, and people-centered.  But Carnival remained fearful of people and came back to the shelter where she stayed for months.  Even though staff and volunteers worked with her, she remained hesitant. That all changed shortly after she moved into her forever home.  She is doing great - I hardly recognize her as the scared dog at the shelter, wrote a friend of Carnival's guardian. 

Skipper, Sailor, Judy and Carnival were among the  1,713 dogs and cats who left the League for permanent, loving forever homes in 2012.  Happy New Year!

We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE updates.   And, look who we heard from the other day.  I miss having Donny or Jules sit on my desk, next to my keyboard while I'm working, but I am thrilled that they've not only found their forever home, but  have completely settled in.  Cats and beds go together like peanut butter and jelly.  And, we heard that Donny and Jules slept with their new person from day one.  During the day they tend to lounge wherever is most comfortable.  My guess, from the look of Donny sprawled on his perch, his forever person had to do a little redecorating in order for Donny to fit comfortably.  

IPad Games for Cats are Nice, But the Cat Dancer is Top Toy in My House

Yes, I uploaded games on my IPad for Merl and Charlotte.  And, yes they play with them sometimes.  Merl is a fan of Cat Fishing 2.  Charlotte likes the Jitterbug game, but would much rather play with the Cat Dancer.   The Cat Dancer is all about packaging.   You can barely see the toy, which is described on Amazon as the original interactive cat toy. Spring steel wire and rolled cardboard create an irresistible lure for cats...  It is the cheapest toy I've ever bought, and yet I resisted purchasing one for the longest time.  I refused to spend money on what is basically a piece of steel wire with four tiny roles of brown paper.   The cat room at the League has several Cat Dancers.  And, when the brown paper lures are pulled off of the wire, we get more.   We get more Cat Dancers because the cats love them.  I hesitated buying a Cat Dancer for home because I figured I could make my own, for about $3.80 cheaper than the $3.99 price tag.  After trying a number of combinations, and tiring of yelling at Charlotte to stop whatever improper behavior she was engaged in, I broke down and bought a Cat Dancer.  And, when that one was misplaced I bought two more.  The home Cat Dancers are pure entertainment for all.  Merl and Charlotte leap, twist and pounce on the waving wire and I, the controller of the Cat Dancer, break into hysterics watching their aeriel twists.  And best of all, when Charlotte is sharpening her nails on the sofa, or knocking photos off of the piano or  chewing on electrical cords, all I have to do is pick up the Cat Dancer and wave it.  Charlotte stops her naughty behavior immediately and leaps for the Cat Dancer.   At $3.99 a pop, the Cat Dancer is much less expensive than a new sofa!  

Fourth graders at Lafayette Elementary School in Washington, D.C. did some quick calculating and learned that caring for an animal companion can be costly.  They want to make sure that every cat and dog has plenty to eat this holiday season and beyond.   They also learned that the Washington Animal Rescue League's Rescuers' Food Bank helps people care for their cats and dogs.  Income qualified guardians apply for food assistance and then are eligible to pick up cans or bags of food every month.  Food in the Rescuers' Food Bank is donated to the League by generous patrons -- like those in the Lafayette Elementary School community.  The food drive is an all-school effort; the school's artistic security guard Officer Nicholson, created the drop-off boxes and Cozy Girl, a WARL alum and companion to school psychologist Harriet Kuhn, eagerly to lent her "Please feed my friends" pose in front of glittery donation box for a promotional photo.  Food will be collected between now and December 21st.    

So much good news!

Javi and Hachi settled in China

What a great couple of days.  The holiday spirit is in full swing.

Donny (and Jules)  will get lots
of brushing in his forever home

Best News # 1 -- Jules and Donny went home!    Their new person was looking for an older pair of cats and it was love at first sight.  

Best News # 2 -- We got an update from Hachi in China.   He is loving life and is thrilled to be spending so much time with his favorite boy, Javi, and all of his friends.

Sachin and Sidharth prepare for the
onslaught of book buyers at the
League's Holiday Open House.

Best News # 3 -- Sachin, and family including brother Sidharth and the ever rambunctious Sparky, came to our holiday event where the young author sold a lot of books.  Proceeds from Get A Clue benefit the Washington Animal Rescue League's medical center.  If you didn't get a copy at our event, the book is for sale through Amazon.

Best News # 4 -- Jeremiah, the older dog, who came here from West Virginia in hopes of finding a forever home just did -- two minutes ago his adoptions papers were signed and finalized.   

Can't wait to report more best newses!

Justice!

Animal abusers often get away with their crimes.   Not so in the case of Sean Delontay Branch.  He was sentenced to 120 days in jail for brutally killing a puppy.  The 24-year-old admitted to dropping a cement slab, that weighed more than 90 pounds, on King Tut.  The six-month-old sleeping puppy was tied to a neighbor's fence.  Branch's reasoning?  He was mad at the pup's guardian. 

Kudos to D.C. Superior Court Judge Herbert Dixon, who told Branch, ""I don't think you understand the depravity, what it says about someone who does that." The sentence was one month more than what was sought by prosecutors.  The judge who handed down the sentence didn't stop with jail time -- Branch will be placed on three years of supervised release after his jail time. And, he was ordered to pay $450 to a crime victims' fund and complete a class that teaches anger management

We are Thankful for caring kids!

Generous Janney Elementary School friends

The day after Thanksgiving has become a shopping frenzy -- but not for all.  At the League it looks like Santa made an early appearance and several second grade elves brought toys and treats for the dogs and cats. Ms. Da Silva's 2nd grade class at Janney Elementary School decided  to bring a little fun to the cats and dogs currently housed at the League.  Jack, Ben, and Tomas delivered a basket full of awesome gifts for the animals.  And, classmate Henry is here right now visiting the dogs in hopes of adopting a new family member! 

Sailor checking out the toys

During this season of goodness and gluttony, we are grateful for young people who care about the animals.   In addition to the basketful of toys and treats, the students dropped off colorful artwork.  The caption on a drawing of a cat and a fish reads, "I hope you get adopted.  I really hope so.  love Liam."