Hundreds died, but I survived. Way back in 2005, when I was just a puppy, Hurricane Katrina devastated my home. Before that I had a loving family who would take me to the park and play with me all the time. Every September, on my birthday, my family would take me to see all my other friends. “Fetch!” They would shout, and I and my friends would all scramble to catch the red flying disk; I would always catch it first.

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As a teacher of English and a lover of animals, I wanted to find a way to combine my two passions. Given that I have been working at the North Shore Animal League since 2001, I am familiar with the various departments of the shelter. Consequently, in my 10th grade Writing Workshop class I composed an assignment in which the students research the North Shore Animal League website and identify an animal from the “Sponsor Program” to write about. Students were given three weeks to identify an animal, write an outline creating a past, present, and future for that animal, research the animal’s illnesses, and write multiple drafts. The goal of this assignment was to improve student writing, spread awareness of animal care and cruelty, as well as have the students expand their creativity. My students gave these animals a voice and told their stories. Many of the students were outraged at the way these animals looked before the league provided them an opportunity for a new life. I was pleased at the process and the final outcome of this assignment. Next semester, I anticipate a class of 30 students completing the same assignment.

-Antonia Mancini

English Teacher

Holy Trinity Diocesan High School

Humane Educator
North Shore Animal League America

One puppy no parents; this is how I am described by people who walk past me. I felt sad and upset because no one even took a second look at me. I want to realize my hopes and dreams to finally find someone who won’t abandon me. I am going on a journey through my past, present, and future to reflect on my long journey to where I have come from and where I am now.

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Dia duit! Hello! And no, you cannot have my lucky charms! My name is Clancy, and if you can’t tell, my family is native to Ireland. If you must know a bit about me, let’s get this out of the way first. Contained within my downy white hair covered body is a heart literally three times larger than average, and this condition is further worsened by a rather sever heart murmur. But it doesn’t bother me much; I still jump around and play, and do so quite often. Now here is my story……

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Orange, red and yellow flames flicker around me; smoke fills the room and pours into my lungs and becomes unbearable. I cry out uncontrollably in order to warn others and save myself, but it becomes difficult to tolerate. So I lunge out the window with my last bit of energy and collapse onto the cold, soft green grass and lie down helplessly from exhaustion. But revealing more of what happened would be jumping ahead in the story and I would like to walk you through it.

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It has been said that the “puppy stage” is the best part of a dog’s life. So far it’s been the worst part of my life. I hope my luck will change soon.
I was born in a litter of 8 puppies, only half of us survived. We were born outside in an alley in New York City. My mother was very protective over us. We could not go more than a few feet away from her without her getting paranoid and growling at us to come back. As I matured I became very curious. One day I decided to leave because I wanted to go and see the outside world. From that point on I never looked back. It wasn’t a very good decision. My life had almost turned for the worse.

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Of all the things I’ve heard something always stuck with me. I heard it getting thrown around that you should be grateful with what you got, but with my past, it’s been so difficult.

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“There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as expectation of something better tomorrow”. — Orison Marden. The medicine that they give me does not compare to the medicine that I give myself. Hola! Me llamo es Diego; otherwise seen as a miniature, furry black kitty cat. Being a 2 ½ lb, hazel-eyed, 6 month old kitty, I love being cared for and playing with multicolored yarn. My favorite drink is milk from the kitty bowl and strawberry flavored biscuits. At first I may appear very shy. However, when you get to know me, I am the most playful kitty cat you’ll ever meet! You usually don’t notice me coming into the room because of my shy demeanor.

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I remember I was just like all the other dogs until the accident happened. Why was I so different now? Before people would try to pet me, now people can’t even look at me without great disgust like I’m an abomination to all the other dogs! I don’t really remember my family that well. Most of my life I was alone, but I was still very happy and able to help myself. Now, I am not feeling as well as I used to.

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My story has as many dimensions and colors like a rainbow, which is appropriate considering they call me Skittles now. As a ten week old Labrador retriever mix the major difference between me and most other dogs is my illness. I was diagnosed with Pulmonic Stenosis. My short life has been filled with much heartbreak.

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