Rocky Remembered

[kvega92]

As some of you know when I first joined this website my Indo Rocky had just died. He was a rescue Bluey. He was a class rescue. When I had told my students about Rocky they were so intrigued that he became a class pet to a group of emotionally disturbed students at an innercity school. I have done a lot of animal resuce but rocky was the first reptile. The kids loved him and learned so much. My students not only loved him but founds ways to support him. They raised money for a bigger home and food by using their curse jar. I have worked with ED kids a long time and it is so nice when you can put something ahead of yourself. If the kids could control their language I would match their jar contributions.

When Rocky came he was faced with many challenges as was I. I had done lab rescue not reptile rescue. My vet of 12 years did not work with reptiles. Rocky required special care and a new vet. I am sure most of you know how hard it is to find a good reptile vet. Rocky ended up at a vet called creature comforts which is a 24 hour animal hospital. With his health issued it was needed. I don't know if any of you are from the Pennsylvania Pocono area but I highly suggest him. When Rocky became sick again for the last time I rushed him there and the woman came in on her day off. They treated Rocky and I with so much care. Allowing me to and the students to have visiting hours. Now as I said Rocky passed away in Feb (actually my bday)
The point to this long winded story is Rocky had racked up a large bill. We had exhausted our curse jar and I had exhausted a lot of my pay check. When Rocky died the vet only charged us for the inital office visit. She told me to take the money and fill the jar back up for the students, so that they could get another pet.

Yesterday in the mail I got a christmas card from Creature Comforts and inside was a newsletter. I thought it was nice becauase my animal vet of 12 years doesnt send christmas cards. What I found really touching was the IN Memoriam page that they had at the end which listed all the pets that died during the year and a special prayer. Right there was Rocky's name. I was very touched by the gesture of this vet hospital. I just thought that I would share that story with you.

[Jenn]

We don't always here about them in today's society but there really are a lot of great people out there. You, your class and that vet's office are some of them!

[Marie]

Wow, that's a touching story. Thank you very much for sharing.

[jasjmm27]

That is awesome! Thanks for sharing the story, it is very nice to hear about the good people that are still out there and working for the betterment of society, not just their pocketbook!

[Tattoo]

It's nice to hear stories of unexpected kindness at Christmas. Thanks for sharing it with us. Did you get your kids another bluey with their curse jar fund?

[SailleSkinklover]

That is a beautiful story, thank you for sharing! And thank you for being one of the good strong people who can work with ED kids. Its people like you who give hope to some of those kids and help them make something worthwhile in their lives.

[kvega92]

The kids did get a new bluey. They have now graduated and moved to high school. Tink is now with me at home because the new county I work in does not allow any pets in our schools. They are more focused on test scores and they feels pets do not have a place in the classroom.

[Jenn]

Stupid test scores! At some point someone in charge is going to realize that they are not what education is all about. Luckly I teach first grade so the test scores aren't stressed quite as much as the uppergrades. It's still amazing how often I test my guys though. My district does not have a policy about animals in the classroom and my principal loves them, so I get to have my turtle and Christopher.

[Zach]

Great story..

[sheslikeheroin]

that is a really touching story....

[shingleback aus]

thats a very nice story

[aggiegirl]

Thanks for sharing your story. Veterinary medicine is a business but there are many vets out there who are in it for their hearts instead of their pocketbooks---thank goodness.
KVega and Jenn---You need to remind your administrators of all the benefits of having critters in the classroom. As more kids spend time alone or with technology, they are learning less about empathy and stewardship. And, as much information as the internet provides, it doesn't allow them to interact with living, breathing things. I take my herps/critters to classrooms, libraries, etc. every chance I get. It sickens me that many classrooms can no longer have critters due to potential safety concerns. We need to show them that it can be done with the proper precautions...Oops, can you tell this is a personal agenda????
Well, despite the fact that you and your students lost Rocky, I guarantee that none of those ED kids in your class will forget the experience. Hopefully, it will guide them with future experiences with pets---or people. Many of those kids may not have good role models at home so your sympathy and concern about your bluey may have actually been a novel thing for them to see....I commend you for your work with those kiddos. Your compassion and concern for animals and kiddos is very evident!

[Tattoo]

As more kids spend time alone or with technology, they are learning less about empathy and stewardship. And, as much information as the internet provides, it doesn't allow them to interact with living, breathing things.

Well Spoken Aggiegirl.

[kvega92]

It is so true. Growing up I have had pets my whole life. I learned responsibility and respect. My yellow lab gave years of service as a service dog. They really give so much. The kids learned a lot and now it seems that some places are just all about testing, testing, and more testing. We test these students so much and we are on such a tight curriculum that we rarely give them the time to explore.