Critters Care Story Time--"If You Were a Parrot"

Telling the tale!

showing off B.C.

On Tuesday, May 7th, I had the wonderful opportunity to work with a small group of Garden's Elementary autistic students for a story time presentation regarding the whimsical tale "If You Were a Parrot".  This fun book takes listeners on a journey of what their life would be like if they were one of these colorful birds.  For example, with feet that have 2 toes in front and 3 facing backward they would be able to climb curtains, bookshelves, and plants.  And with a hooked beak they would be able to chew through furniture legs and eat a popsicle--stick and all! Of course I brought canine Chloe and feathered one B.C. along as my Animal Ambassadors, which really excited the kids as I'm sure none of them had experienced an up close meeting with a parrot.  I believe though they all enjoyed the story, they loved meeting the Animal Ambassadors more.  Following the tale, I brought B.C. out of his carrier to show them some of his unique characteristics.  Such as the fact he is missing one toe nail because of a fight he got into with a Macaw at the pet store before I adopted him (obviously the Macaw won!); that he uses his foot to eat a cracker, which I had him demonstrate with a wheat thin treat I had brought along; and that he is 29 years old, but this is yet young for him!    After this they were all given the chance to come and pet Chloe for a picture, as well as look at B.C. more closely while he safely sat in his carrier.  It was a great session and really enjoyed the chance to bring a new experience for these delightful kids.
 

Some of the students giving Chloe loving hugs (notice B.C. in the background watching with wonder!)

Kids eying B.C. up close while he is safely contained :-)

All the kids with Chloe & B.C.

Critters Care Story Time--"The Lucky, The Tale of Two Dogs"

On Friday, April 12, I had a fantastic opportunity to introduce another new team to Browning Elementary when Sarah Magill, with her rescue pup Barbie, accompanied Chloe & me.  We presented to Ms. Steury's 3rd grade class where I read the story "The Lucky Tale of Two Dogs" that traces the lives of two canines who happen to live "in the very same town, on the very same street," but who share very different lives with their families.  The lucky dog has lots of daily interaction

Barbie

with his family, from playtime to walks around the neighborhood.  The unlucky dog spends most of his time alone in the backyard "rarely hearing a friendly voice."  These comparisons give way to hope when the unlucky dog meets a "kind lady" from the animal shelter who helps him find a new "family to love."  The book tells a simple story that makes it easy for children to understand what dogs need to be healthy and happy. 

After the story I had the class participate in a Venn Diagram activity where they compared the differences and similarities that existed between these 2 situations prior to the unlucky dog being rescued.  For example, they both were given food and water (although the unlucky one not in as healthy a way as the lucky one), but differed in the attention and human interaction they experienced.  Sarah and I then related the rescue stories of both Chloe and Barbie, after which the students again participated in another Venn Diagram activity relating the similarities and differences before they were rescued and

Reading the story while Chloe explores the classroom

afterward.  For example, both Chloe and Barbie came from neglectful situations, but unlike Chloe, Barbie had a litter of puppies found with her.  And after their rescues they were both very much timid and afraid, but through time became very loving and trusting.  However, they differed in that Chloe has found her forever home with my husband and I, but Barbie is still being fostered by Sarah--though I, for one, would love Sarah to keep her ;-)

I was extremely proud of Barbie as this was her first time to work in a school environment and she did exceptionally well.  All the kids got a chance to pet her and get their pictures taken before we departed, and Barbie seemed quite at home with all the youngsters.  Of course Chloe was her usual "chilled" pupster having become quite the Browning campus mascot!

Students were very excited about story time's question/answer opportunity!

Sarah was a great help and the kids loved hearing Barbie's rescue story!

Barbie was a real natural for photos with the kiddos

Of course Chloe is used to these events as she is practically the Browning school mascot!

                                                      

Barbie getting some love from the students

Critters Care Story Time--"Henry the Dog with No Tail"

On Tuesday, April 2, I had the great opportunity to work with 2 teams for a story time presentation at Browning Elementary regarding the tale "Henry, the Dog with No Tail".  Jeff with his Australian Shepherd, Henry, who have participated in presentations and reading events with me before, and then a new team consisting of my father, Russ, and his dog, Cleo--a Newfoundland mix.  My 2 canine ambassadors--Serenity and Chloe--accompanied me while my mom assisted in picture taking.  We worked with Ms. Crow's 3rd grade students that were very excited to have so many loving pups in their classroom!  I started the presentation with having the kids guess the various dog breeds that

they were meeting and was not too surprised to hear "Pit Bull", "German Shepherd", "Labrador", and "Golden Retriever" as these are the dogs they are most familiar with.  I then read them this delightful tale that takes the listeners through the journey of Henry, who feels different from his other canine friends because he lacks a tail, so goes in search to find one for himself.  Along the way he begins to discover how a tail doesn't necessarily work for him, and in the end accepts his unique qualities, as well as do his other friends with paws.

Showing off Serenity's "butterfly-like" ears

After story time, I introduced the kids to the various breeds that these Canine Ambassadors represented--Australian Shepherd (Henry), Newfoundland (Cleo), Dachshund & Papillion mix (Serenity).  Since I have no clue as to Chloe's mix, I left her as a guess by the students.  The kids learned about the different aspects of each breed, as well as each Canine

Ambassadors individual stories and unique personalities.  For example, the word "Papillion" comes from the French word that means "butterfly", which the ears resemble (and a prominent physical trait of Serenity).  And though Henry's breed is known for loving to work and herd, Henry's favorite activity is just lazing around--although he does sometimes "herd" some small pups at the local dog park!  And despite the fact Cleo is about half the size of a true Newfoundland, which can reach up to 120 pounds for a female, she still maintains many of the breeds features.  But is different in that she does not care to be in the water (Newfies are notorious water lovers that are known for hauling heavy fishing nets through cold water and saving people from drowning).  And Serenity performed her mix to par.  Dachshunds are known for being tenacious hunters that would follow their quarry, enter its burrow, pull it out and kill it.  In short (pun intended) they love to sniff around on the ground.  So when I placed Serenity on the classroom floor that was the first thing she did--sniff all around.  The Papillion breed, on the other hand, is not known for performing a particular task, but rather for being a popular breed among nobility and serve as wonderful lap dogs that also loves to be held.  Serenity exhibited this trait, after she was done sniffing around, by yipping at me to pick her up.  The kids definitely got a great kick out of her performance. 

Lastly the students had an opportunity to ask questions about all the dogs that were present, and one of my favorite youngster comment was "If Chloe is not any kind of breed, is she a mystery dog?"  So I guess I can dub her as my "Mystery Mutt"!

My pops, Russ, telling the class about his pup, Cleo

Henry watching his owner intently while Chloe does

 her "chill" act!

Jeff talking about his pup, Henry

Critters Care--Easter Picture Days

 On Friday, March 22, at Browning Elementary, and Tuesday, March 26, at Gardens Elementary, Canine Ambassadors Chloe & Serenity had a great time posing in their Easter finest with a number of young students.  Those that signed up and made a small donation were able to sit with both pups in a festive spring setting.  I had wonderful assistance on Friday at Browning from my husband, Chris, who took the pictures while I guided the students to their positions and helped them situate Serenity in their lap. 

Ms. Steury, 3rd grade teacher at Browning

Then at Gardens, I worked as the photographer while my friend, Cathy Steffes, helped with guiding the kids to their positions and finding clever ways to focus the pups toward the camera rather than the line of students waiting for their turn.  I especially liked her trick of tossing a plastic egg in my direction so I could get a quick shot of their eyes on the lens and not the enthusiastic kids!  After their photo shoot each participant received a sticker and treat-filled egg.  All photos were then made into special holiday cards that the kids could share and display at home.  It was quite the fun-filled couple of events and look forward to the Christmas season when the pups will pose as "Chloe Clause" and "Elf Serenity"!

Tuesday's assistant, Cathy

Friday's photographer, Chris

Critters Care Story Time--"If You Were a Parrot"

 

On Thursday, March 28, B.C. and I, along with Canine Ambassador Chloe, had a great time

sharing the story “If You Were a Parrot” to a group of 1^st & 2^nd graders at Harmony Endeavor.  Since this was the first time for many of these young students to meet a parrot up close, the room was filled with excitement.  Throughout the story time session I would intersperse fun tidbits about B.C.’s unique personality and quirks, such as:  “He’s afraid of the color orange”; “He’s jealous of my husband, Chris”; “He loves to take a shower with me where he stands on a rod and sometimes chews on a toothbrush”.  After relating this whimsical tale, I asked the kids various questions to see what they retained, and was pleasantly surprised at how enthusiastically they answered all my queries correctly.  I especially had to chuckle when I asked “What color is B.C. afraid of”, and

kids checking out B.C. in his safe enclosure

they all called out “orange!” and then one child asked “Is he afraid of your hair?”   I guess it’s a good thing he sees my locks as more red than orange!  Many of the students wanted to hold B.C. themselves, but I had to explain to them he isn’t quite as friendly as my canine companion, so instead they had the opportunity upon leaving to pet and have their picture with chill-pup Chloe, who was dressed in her Easter outfit in celebration of the upcoming holiday!

kids having fun trying to stand on one leg and sleep like a parrot!

Critters Care Story Time--"Rabbits, Rabbits & More Rabbits"

On Wednesday, March 6, Chloe (dressed as a bunny) and I enjoyed another wonderful story time

session at Browning Elementary with Ms. Stern's 4th grade class. I shared the book "Rabbits, Rabbits, and More Rabbits!"  Before reading the tale I presented the class with a true/false quiz on various rabbit facts to see what they did and did not already know about these fluffy creatures (such as “Rabbits are cold-blooded and need the sun to stay warm”, “Rabbits are vegetarians”, “Rabbits eyes, like people, cannot see well in the dark”—false, true, false).  I then read the book that introduced the kids to various fun facts about the

Having fun making their own "bunny" ears!

rabbit world, followed with the true/false quiz again.  I believe the kids were  surprised to realize what they thought they knew about bunnies was quite different from what they actually learned from the story!  The students then got a chance to learn about various rabbit breeds and again could see the surprised expressions to realize the little bunnies they typically see in the pet store or in their own backyard are not the only ones out there.  They learned about the small Chinchilla bunny (4 pounds) the Flemish Giant (up to 20+ pounds), and the very fluffy Angora.  They especially got a kick out of the picture I showed them of a small dog sitting on top of the Flemish Giant.  The final activity was for students to design posters for a fictional rescue rabbit adoption event, which they took home for more time to generate something really creative. I was very impressed with all they learned and what they came up with in their imaginative posters!

Some of the rabbit breeds the students learned about...

American Chinchilla

Angora

Flemish Giant

Some of the delightful posters created by the students...

Critters Care at Browning Elementary

On Tuesday, March 5, I had the wonderful opportunity to introduce my pet parrot ambassador, B.C., to Ms. Crow's 3rd grade class at Browning Elementary.  We started with a quick true/false quiz on some fun parrot facts to see where they stood on avian knowledge, such as " Parrots have five toes just like ours"; " Parrots are picky eaters and only eat bugs "; " Some parrots can talk or imitate sounds "; " Like cats, parrots hate water or baths "; and " Parrots necks can twist very far so they can search under things for food" (answers:  false; false; true; false; true), then I went on to story time with the whimsical book "If You Were A Parrot."  After story time, I again presented the previous quiz questions so the students could understand the facts they already knew were correct, and those that were different.  I followed this with more detailed descriptions of the various parrots that were illustrated in the story--Blue & Gold Macaw, Scarlet Macaw, Nanday Conure, and African Grey--along with B.C.'s breed--Red-Lored Amazaon.  This was the time I could bring B.C. out of his clear plexiglass carrier for the students to get a closer view.  There were lots of questions, and lots of fun answers to share about this lovable (and ornery!) 29-year-old feathered friend of mine :-)  I explained to them the reason B.C. has a band around his ankle (because he was imported, most likely from Mexico); his aversion to the color orange; the fact he is missing one of his toenails because of a "spat" he got in with a Macaw at the pet store before I adopted him; how he loves to take showers with me; how he has a special aversion toward my husband, Chris, because B.C. considers me his partner and Chris just gets in the way; and how he loves to sing, but only to really loud video games or movies!  B.C. was definitely on his best behavior, so mama was very proud of him for his first educational outing!

B.C. in the back in his carrier protected from the kids (or the kids protected from his ornery nature?!)

The story time session ended with a writing/drawing activity where I asked the students to relate some of the fun things they learned from this presentation and/or draw what they or someone else might look like as a parrot.  I adored some of the quirky illustrations of B.C.--which just coincides with his eccentric nature--and some facts that stayed with them.  Looking forward to sharing my feathered buddy for future story time sessions!

One of the students bidding goodbye & thanking B.C. for a wonderful visit.

Some of the fun drawings from the students :-)