As an example to the students, I wanted to write a short post on my Identity Day Project for 2011. Last year I decided to share my love of the Los Angeles Lakers basketball team, but this year I wanted to share my love of dogs. I hope that students will reflect on their project, and share their day!
Ever since I was a little boy, I always wanted a dog. Basically since I was five I had asked for one from my parents, but they did not believe in having animals in the house. I always promised that when I was a “grown up”, I would get a dog. Although I knew this was going to happen, I did not realize how much I would love having animals!
As I started my first teaching job in Colonsay, Saskatchewan, I remember signing a contract and getting my first dog from the Saskatoon SPCA. As I have always loved the Los Angeles Lakers, I decided to name my dog Kobe (named after the basketball player Kobe Bryant). The first time I saw him, I was in love! He was such a kind animal to me, and I really enjoyed his company.
After a few months in Colonsay, I decided to take a position as a grade 4 teacher in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan. Kobe spent a lot of time at home alone, and he had separation anxiety which was very tough on him. Instead of giving him back to the SPCA, I decided that I would try getting another dog. During a trip with the basketball team that I coached, we all went out to a farm and got a brand new puppy. Although she was the shyest of the litter, I was very excited to bring another dog home. Since I was with my basketball team, I asked them to name my new dog. Seeing that I already had Kobe, they thought it was appropriate to name her “Shaq” (named after another Los Angeles Laker at the time, Shaquille O’neal).
Shaq and Kobe immediately got along although there was some fights for food. Kobe’s separation anxiety was gone now that he had Shaq in the house, and they really enjoyed playing with each other. One day as Shaq was getting older, I noticed that she seemed a little “off”. Deciding to take her to the vet, I found out that she was pregnant with puppies! After a few months, on one of the coldest days in winter, Shaq had 10 puppies in the house! For about 6 weeks, I had 12 dogs living in the house and had NO sleep! When the puppies were ready, I gave away each one to people in Maple Creek. I know that many of them still have their dogs.
Kobe and Shaq traveled with me as I moved from Maple Creek to Rimbey, and then eventually to Edmonton. In the past year, Kobe was very sick and I had to put him down so that he wasn’t feeling pain anymore. That was probably one of the hardest days of my life and I miss him everyday.
After about a month of healing, I felt that it was time to welcome a new dog into the house. With my brother, I decided to go to the Edmonton Humane Society, and that is where I found a new puppy! I decided to name him Odom after current Los Angeles Laker Lamar Odom. Although having a new puppy in the house can be very tiresome, it is really awesome to have another dog in the house, especially for Shaq.
My dogs have meant a lot to me and I really feel that I am a better person for having them in my life. Although they definitely can be a lot of work and shed a TON of hair, I really enjoy the companionship that they provide me everyday. All three of my dogs have been so different, but each one of them will always have a special place in my heart. Please feel free to watch the slideshow I made below or ask any questions!
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrUVb2dS5Dk&feature=channel_video_title&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active[/youtube]
