Sunday, January 27, 2013

Pets from Home


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For the past couple of weeks families have been invited
to bring their pets in to play. 

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jan 21 030 jan 8 025
          We've met several dogs and a cat.
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      A guinea pig from the kindergarten class.
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          And a beautiful corn snake.
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We learned to ask first if we can pet a dog and how
to safely meet a new dog by making a fist with our
hand and letting it sniff it first.
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We found toys for the cat to play with when it tried to escape
the classroom.
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The children loved following the animals around the room,
in and under furniture.
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The pets inspired conversations and stories about the children`s
experiences with animals.
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And not just with the children. 
This dog helped make connections between parents.
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A snake is an unusual pet for most of us and
they come with a negative reputation.
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But the children modeled for all of us how to overcome
some fear and discomfort with the pet snake.
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The family also brought the snake`s skin that it had recently shed. 
Wow look at the head, you can see the eyes too.

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       Pets are calming, loving and teach us so much.