Posted on 06/08/2013 12:48:06 AM PDT by nickcarraway
The world is a lot different now than even a generation ago.
My next to youngest son graduated last year from HS. In his Junior year there was one suicide and one drug related death; in his senior year, another suicide. Counselors were brought in. My son had two classes, his senior year, with the boy who committed suicide (he was an acquaintance). None the less profoundly hard for all to deal with. One grief counselor actually attended the boy’s schedule WITH A a canine companion (my guess to make the kids feel less threatened by a mental health professional). The dog was a method of easing the classes into addressing what the occurred. I thought then, and now, that it was a good idea.
None of us know what may have happened in that community (a rash of drug deaths, suicides, a car accident that killed a group of students) that precipitated Prince coming on staff.
Now to the rude and juvenile comments about the kids appearance...how ugly for some to judge the appearance of another and publicly pronounce them ugly...and then wonder why young people succumb to bullying via drugs or suicide? Maybe those kids received more “unconditional love” from Prince than they found in their own hyper judgmental world?
And for the record, dozens of years before “bullying” became a buzzword, i lost a cousin to suicide because she had been tormented for a port wine stain on her face....I wish they mental health counselors were used back then. Maybe she would not have felt so hopeless.
I agree with you—well put.
what is the big deal if a doggie gets to hang around school?
I’m sure these kids don’t all have perfect lives so having a dog there may help them.
Moreover, I bet it cuts down on acting out.
AND it teaches kindness to animals.
Articulate and wise comment.
Don’t you know though..everyone here is SOOOO tough and strong and they were that way since age 2(ha).
I’m surprised there wasn’t some kid with allergies that caused the dog to be tossed out.
http://www.theindychannel.com/news/ex-worker-sues-city-over-service-dog-for-paprika-allergy
That’s what would have been written in our, (my) day...not today.
Thanks, this is cute. The kids look so normal and sweet, not spikey hairdos, tattooed faces, nose rings, sulky expressions on their faces. Anyone wanting to call anyone a name based on a photo, please submit your driver license photo for public voting. The dog may be a therapy dog rather than a mascot because of special training it had, rather than just pc preferences. There is no place, no situation which is not made better by the presence of a golden retriever.
“... to the rude and juvenile comments about the kids appearance...”
Your words speak volumes, PaMom. Some see these kids as less than attractive but MOST see these kids as we do.. that is, young, beautiful, and their entire lives ahead of them. I pick up my son every day from high school. I see black, white, asian, hispanic, tall, short, thin, heavy, short hair, long hair, preppy clothes, wild clothes etc... I see a group of young people.. full of life with so much ahead of them. In a way, I pity them.. their country is not what ours was when we were that age. Sometimes you learn a lot about someone from what they say and what they consider important. Hugs, Mom
Hmm - true. My kids are getting their yearbooks soon..... (And I didn’t want to show mine to MY mom!)
When our kids were young they would go to an evening at the school: “Reading with Rover”. Someone with a trained dog would read to the young kids, and older kids would read their books all snuggled up with the dogs. Probably 15 dogs scattered throughout the school and you would get 10 minutes with each of them and then switch.
It was just a fun thing for our kids, but for kids that didn’t like to, or difficult to read, it really motivated them.
(thank you very much)
We got a 3 legged golden from rescue who went on to pass the assistance dog test and did some reading programs like you described. We spent a bunch of money for water treadmill therapy where he re-learned to walk quite well.
He was an inspirational old guy, unfortunately he just keeled over dead one day, and still miss him.
All of you that I’ve pinged....please, please show us your picture so that we can judge how you look! I think that all 3 of you are nothing short of cruel and bullies!
:-)
Nicely done.
Thanks for posting this, nick!
Pinging Shimmer!
My post was referring to what other kids would say when signing the yearbooks. The others were joking around too. And the kids all look pretty normal if you ask me. But I suppose in 30 years they’ll be looking at their photos and laughing “Man - can you believe we dressed like that!? And look and my hair!!!”
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