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Dear Nanny Fran,
Do you ever take Amy as an emissary to
institutions?
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Nanny Fran and Amy visit Ms. Reveron’s class at Tarpon Elementary School for the annual Great American Teach In day, which is observed across the nation.
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Yes, indeed I do. Amy, Her Royal Highness
Amelia Elizabeth and her humble servant, me, spent an entire day
last month at Tarpon Elementary School. We visited five classes;
three were kindergarten and two were first grade. That Wednesday
was The Great American Teach In and we were very proud to
participate.
We enjoyed every minute. Amy adored each
child petting her and giving her love. I had the assignment of
telling Amy's story. There was so very much to tell and there were
so many questions.
The children learned about the terrible
place Amy and other puppies were rescued from. They learned about
the wonderful people at the Humane Society of North Pinellas who
rescued more than 300 dogs from the terrible compound in Opp,
AL.
They learned that ten years ago Amy was
fearful of nearly every person she met and every sound she heard.
They were overjoyed to see how happy and loving she is today. If I
had not told of her previous fears not one person would have
guessed that they had ever existed.
The children also learned of Amy's battle
with cancer over the past few years and they saw the joy of spirit
that she exhibited that day and every day of her life. She is
happy. She is a survivor. She lives life to the fullest.
I also told the children that I never
wanted to hear of them using the word "spoiled" in the same
sentence where when they were talking about their puppy or kitty.
Why? Because you cannot spoil an angel! Yes indeed! I told them
that God put these dear angels on the earth to help each of us
whenever we were sad or had things to deal with that were
difficult. I also told the children that we could never love each
other, our puppies or our kitties too much... that is
impossible!
Each child wanted to tell Amy and I about
their puppy and/or kitty. I asked them to write me a story about
their dear ones and draw pictures. I asked that just for that day I
would just answer their questions. I am proud to say that now I
have many stories with pictures of the children's sweethearts.
One child especially touched my heart when
she approached me. She said she was very sorry for the bad people
who harmed Amy. I thanked her profusely. I will never forget her
kindness and sincerity.
Another little boy asked what bad things
were done to Amy. I said that we don't talk or think about those
things. Amy has chosen to live in the NOW. She appreciates all the
wonderfulness that life gives her each moment and does not think
about the past. She is happy, healthy and joyful.
I truly wish that each day of the school
year we taught kindness, compassion, empathy, tenderness, etc. just
like we teach language, math, etc. I feel that only one day a year
is not nearly enough. Over the years the children have told me
stories of things that happened at their home. Some of those
stories broke my heart. I feel that we need to teach how to love,
respect and care for the animals every day of the year in school to
offset the cruelty, lack of care and kindness the children see in
their home and community on a daily basis.
I was so proud to be with Her Royal
Highness Amelia Elizabeth as she danced from classroom to classroom
bursting with love, kindness and adoration all directed at her.
© 2007 Francene Mattucci. All Rights
Reserved.
PHOTO FOR TROPICAL BREEZE COURTESY OF FRANCENE MATTUCC
Francene Mattucci founded Never Say Good
Bye Pet Sitting Service in 1994. Call 727-512-3206, visit
www.TampaBayPetCare.com or email
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
with
questions for this column.
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