INTRODUCING "SAMMY"
Yes, we did it. We got another dog. But seeing as how it has been about four months since my last post (time has flown by!) let me back track a little bit first.
Let's see...I started back to work in August teaching both 7th and 8th grade special education-math, ELA, science and social studies. I have a great bunch of eighth graders, my seventh graders wear me completely out by the end of the day. My mornings are awesome, since I teach eighth grade math, my favorite subject. After that, it is off to seventh grade for the rest of the day, ending with a seventh grade ELA class of extremely low readers. (And they hate to read because of it!) I've been looking for all the high interest, low reading level pieces I can find that still teach the seventh grade standards they are required to know for PASS. My year has been insanely busy with a caseload of 26 students, 11 of which have behavior plans that require constant monitoring (since you never know when they might go to a behavior manefestation meeting). I do love my new school, the administration is wonderful.
In late September and early October, I noticed a dog wandering around the school. The first couple of times I thought he was in good shape (but it was real early in the morning, I get to work usually at six). One day we stayed after to get the football team ready for their game, and he came walking over to the cookout. The poor thing was absolutely starving and filthy in awful shape! A co-worker and I decided to give him our burgers. Well, about thirty minutes later I'm on the phone with Jason asking him not to be furious about the fact that I was bring a pit bull home with me. (He wasn't! and said he would have done the same-we are suckers for dogs). We took him straight to the vet. The vet was appalled at the condition he was in and did not think that he would make it much longer. He was about thirty pounds underweight and had scratches and bite marks (like someone had tried to fight him). He even had a cigarette burn mark on his head. He has become a wonderful addition to our family and is absolutely in love with Leela. Casey just tolerates him (but sure did miss him when he was gone to be neutered for a couple of days). We actually think that he is American Bull Dog/Pit Mix. We both were concerned about bringing a pit bull into our family since we only knew they were aggressive dogs, but we've been researching and we are going to be using a great trainer near us that specializes in Bully breeds. I'd love to make him a therapy dog or a good ambassador for the breed. (Baby steps...)
We're getting ready for Christmas (good thing since it is only a week away!) I began my Christmas break yesterday (we got out early). We were supposed to leave today but decided to go out with some friends last night that will be moving probably before we get back. We sure will miss them, they are such great friends. Atleast-they will only be moving about five hours away, and we all are going to work hard to keep in touch. I think it is pretty hard to find true blue friends, and these two definitely are the we'll drop everything if you need something kind. I can't wait to see my family and to see my two year old niece celebrate Christmas. We got her a little princess beautician set (she loves to do hair!) I can't wait to see her, she always yells at the top of her little lungs "AAAAUUUUUNNNTTTT ELLLLLENNNN!!!!" Plus, Christmas is just so much fun with little ones around :-)
Well, I've got some cleaning and packing to do.
