Bruce
11-28-2000, 07:57 PM
I just read this article in USA Today, and thought this article could benefit all of us.
Once a week a teacher brings in a dog to a class of first graders. She has come up with an idea to tap into children's natural affinity for animals and use it to teach values everyone can agree on.
The teacher said "it's not heavy handed. it's a more subtle way of getting children to understand that you have to treat every living thing, every human being, with respect.
In a lesson last year the children talked about training a dog with praise to reward good behavior. They then took that extra step. They discussed about who in your family needs praise.
Once they grasped the idea that positive reinforcement gets desired results , they start using it with each other all the time.
Then it was said that this idea extended back in time to a quote from St. Thomas Aquinas who said "the way a child treats an animal will predict how he will treat fellow human beings."
In my opinion, I truly believe that if their is one important lesson we all should learn in life, it is to respect each other and to respect all living things. Life is to precious for us to disregard the lesson these first graders have learned from man's best friend.
Once a week a teacher brings in a dog to a class of first graders. She has come up with an idea to tap into children's natural affinity for animals and use it to teach values everyone can agree on.
The teacher said "it's not heavy handed. it's a more subtle way of getting children to understand that you have to treat every living thing, every human being, with respect.
In a lesson last year the children talked about training a dog with praise to reward good behavior. They then took that extra step. They discussed about who in your family needs praise.
Once they grasped the idea that positive reinforcement gets desired results , they start using it with each other all the time.
Then it was said that this idea extended back in time to a quote from St. Thomas Aquinas who said "the way a child treats an animal will predict how he will treat fellow human beings."
In my opinion, I truly believe that if their is one important lesson we all should learn in life, it is to respect each other and to respect all living things. Life is to precious for us to disregard the lesson these first graders have learned from man's best friend.
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Googy
11-29-2000, 06:38 PM
Bruce,
My words exactly.Any time anyone treats these helpless creatures badly will go to hell !!! ,They bring us so much love.If we ever see any unkindness always report it to the Humane Society.Never walk away from it, then you become evil too. The quote from St. Thomas Aquinar said it all. Thanks Bruce for posting this.What a great teacher, most are like her.
Googy
My words exactly.Any time anyone treats these helpless creatures badly will go to hell !!! ,They bring us so much love.If we ever see any unkindness always report it to the Humane Society.Never walk away from it, then you become evil too. The quote from St. Thomas Aquinar said it all. Thanks Bruce for posting this.What a great teacher, most are like her.
Googy
LiceN
11-29-2000, 08:51 PM
Googy, you and Bruce are so correct in saying you can tell by how a person treats animals, as to what their makeup is. I am a great animal lover, and want to share how attentive my scottie, Ben, is. I have had some teary days lately, and last night, I really let it go, after I got my hubby to bed. Ben climbs in my lap, puts his front feet on my chest, and would kiss my cheeks as my tears fell. He would wait, cock his head to the side, then do it again. They have such an insight to unusual happenings. I dearly love him....(I feel better today!) Betty D.
Bruce
11-29-2000, 10:47 PM
My friend Bob and his wife just bought a little Yorkie. They dressed up the puppy with a red body suit with white trim for Christmas and they even have some tiny antlers to really dress him up. The dog didn't seem to be bothered by it at all. The puppyis a real extrovert in that he expects everyone to pet him. Yes, Googy and Betty, I share your love for dogs. Bruce
Googy
11-30-2000, 01:38 AM
I loved reading your posts,Betty and Bruce.We have out lived 5 dogs and one precious cat.We are limited to having pets in our condo.Really though it is Ok .I just remember them and the love and joy they brought us.
Blessings,
Googy
Blessings,
Googy
Carole
12-01-2000, 07:22 PM
I just had to add something (don't I always!)
I love having this post about our dear beloved animals. I believe that the commitment to an animal is the same as you would make to a child; a being, a life-form, that is dependent upon you for more than just it's food and shelter, but love as well, for an animal will love you unconditionally. As I hung my Christmas ornaments, I have ones for each of my furry friends I have had and it's a reminder of how many years of comfort they each brought to me; it's a giving I can never regret; they always bring me such joy and laughter every day that it outweighs any inconvenience or work each might entail - lol - what tails they have, too.
CC
I love having this post about our dear beloved animals. I believe that the commitment to an animal is the same as you would make to a child; a being, a life-form, that is dependent upon you for more than just it's food and shelter, but love as well, for an animal will love you unconditionally. As I hung my Christmas ornaments, I have ones for each of my furry friends I have had and it's a reminder of how many years of comfort they each brought to me; it's a giving I can never regret; they always bring me such joy and laughter every day that it outweighs any inconvenience or work each might entail - lol - what tails they have, too.
CC
Betty H
12-03-2000, 07:56 PM
Gosh, you all sure bring back the memories. We had a dog named Daisy for 18 years,YES 18.
She was named after Dagwood & Blondie's original "Daisy" because she looked just like her. When the kids were young, about 30 plus years ago, my husband took them to see a friend's puppies. You guessed it, that night they came back with the next member of our family. She was a good and faithful friend to all of us for all those years. The love was mutual.
Anyone who harms an animal, should receive the same treatment
Thanks for sharing,
Betty H
She was named after Dagwood & Blondie's original "Daisy" because she looked just like her. When the kids were young, about 30 plus years ago, my husband took them to see a friend's puppies. You guessed it, that night they came back with the next member of our family. She was a good and faithful friend to all of us for all those years. The love was mutual.
Anyone who harms an animal, should receive the same treatment
Thanks for sharing,
Betty H
Bruce
12-03-2000, 09:07 PM
Betty H, my last dog was like a close friend and I named him Buddy. He trusted me so much that I removed a bone stuck between his teeth with a pair of pliers. He never moved a muscle when I operated on him. He loved to ride in my vehicle which was one of those VW "Things". Do you remember those vehicles? He was so big he would ride with his nose pressed against the windshield, front legs in front and rear legs on the back seat. I sometimes wonder if God created dogs to be a faithful companion for us humans. Bruce
Googy
12-04-2000, 01:47 AM
" One more for the road " !!! Yes Bruce and everyone.God did create pets to be our faithful companions.They ask nothing from us,just to be loved and fed.
Love,
Googy
Love,
Googy
Syl Miller
12-04-2000, 07:29 AM
We have an adopted Greyhound, Champagne. Any of you that have followed the plight of the Greyhound know that this breed has suffered probably the most, at the hands of man. Yet, they are the most trusting and loving pet that God ever created. We adopted Champagne when she was 1 year and 3 months old. She had run a couple of maiden races and failed miserably and was to be put down until she was rescued by the Tampa Greyhound Rescue and Adoption Agency. She is 9 years old now, happy, well adjusted, runs when she wants to and suffers only from excessive love and attention. She plays like a puppy and is always there when we need comfort.