Dec24
Little Kids Cut a Big Check for Dogs!
Posted at 07:47 AM | Permalink
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Comments (14)
My favorite part about the holidays (actually ... maybe my second favorite—next to feasting on my mom's famous Cashew Nut Roast) is how people come together to help those in need. While we're all toasty indoors, dreaming and hoping for a "White Winter," countless "backyard dogs" will not do so well in the ice and snow, struggling just to keep alive on freezing winter nights. To help these dogs, PETA staffers spend every winter weekend helping ease the pain in their joints by delivering sturdy dog houses and straw to man's best friend.
After learning about all this, a class of third-grade students at Samuel Staples Elementary School in Connecticut and their teacher Ms. Ellen Linker raised over $800 for the dogs—for the second year in a row. Wow!
Well, this class definitely gives me that fuzzy feeling deep inside. To show the students how much we appreciate their dedication to animals, we'll be sending along a holiday package filled with comic books, stickers, a copy of Ingrid Newkirk's book 50 Awesome Ways Kids Can Help Animals, and a card signed by PETA staff members. Please post a comment below to join us in thanking these students who gave up their lunch money and allowances to help animals in need.
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I hope the actions of these generous students inspire you to be an "angel" for a freezing, lonely backyard dog this winter. Do you think your school, office, family, or friends would want to pool funds to purchase a doghouse? That would be perfect! Together, we can make sure that dogs who would have shivered through long, cold nights have a dry place to curl up in and try to be warm.
And please remember to tell everyone—maybe put up a flyer?—that animal companions should always be a part of the family. This holiday season (and all year long), please take your dogs inside.
Posted by Liz Graffeo
TAGGED:
kids dogs backyard dogs dog house happy things TeachKind
Comments
What a great group of kids!
I have three dogs, and they all live inside with us. Yes, we have dog hair issues, and sometimes we'll be relaxing reading a book when a german shepherd will leap OVER us, but we wouldn't have it any other way!
Posted by: Cate | December 24, 2008 08:24 AM
Thank you kids for supporting PETA & helping these poor dogs! I'm sure God will shower your kids with blessings! Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!
Posted by: Niranjan | December 24, 2008 09:04 AM
Thank You, children. Although this act of kindness was not childish, so I shall call you ladies and gents. ;) When I was younger I had a dog that stayed outside, and even though he was half saint bernard and people would tell me all the time that he wouldn't be cold, I always brought him inside on cold nights or days. Seeing as he weighed 160lbs and was just as big as me, I knew I was freezing outside even with layers of clothes on, it was hard for me to imagine him being warm. Having a doghouse can cut down the windchill factor and create a space for the dog to gather it's own body heat and warm itself up. It's something EVERY outside dog should have, regardless. So thank you, thank you, for providing these dogs with shelter for the winter. You all truely have the spirit of the holidays within you! :)
Posted by: Blu | December 24, 2008 09:21 AM
It's not just the weather problem
Dogs are social creatures, and they GO INSANE when forced to live chained or penned up.
There is no point to having a dog if the dog is treated like a lawn ornament
We need to get laws passed limiting chaining and tethering.
Many areas already have these laws.
Posted by: kelly | December 24, 2008 12:11 PM
And these are the kinds of people who oppose anti-chaining laws in your community.
Let's expose these people and get dogs off the chains!
Posted by: kelly | December 24, 2008 12:13 PM
Woo! Go kids go! You are awesome! Keep up the love for animals!
Posted by: Canaduck | December 24, 2008 12:21 PM
What wonderful children, I hope their parents are proud. I also wish my kids had their great teacher for organizing this!!
Posted by: June Black | December 24, 2008 01:27 PM
I am sorry but a dog house does not take the place of a warm comfortable couch in the livingroom for a dog to lie on. My dog is part husky and although he loves the snow and cold weather, when he has had enough, he scratches on the back door to be let back in. He is never left outside if no one is home.
Posted by: Rex's Mom | December 24, 2008 04:03 PM
Rex's Mom, I think Peta would agree with you!
The problem is that in these communities there are NO LAWS that force people to bring their dogs in.
Peta is at least providing these dogs with warmth and protection until better laws get passed
Posted by: kelly | December 24, 2008 06:53 PM
Good Job ! you should all be very proud !
Posted by: Alyshia | December 25, 2008 12:51 AM
Very well put, kelly!
Posted by: lynda downie | December 25, 2008 02:23 AM
Good Job!Hopefully we can all provide a nice warm home for dogs
Posted by: yesenia | December 26, 2008 12:40 AM
This is a wonderful idea. I don't see dogs left outside very often where I am from, but that doesn't mean it doesn't happen in other cities. This is a great way for kids to learn about how to care for animals. What makes me even more sad though, is all the homeless kitties who don't have big fluffy coats to stay warm...
Posted by: Laurel anderson | December 26, 2008 06:39 PM
You guys RULE! Although we don't getsnow that often down here in oz, we still bring our Australian shepard inside, but when she wants to go back out, well, she just sits at the door. A year or so ago, we had a massive hailstorm, which cloacked the ground like snow, when it finally stopped, we took her out side, and while we played, she ate and attacked it! Sooo funny, nice work guys! =]
Posted by: Paws | December 27, 2008 07:09 PM