"When I was six-years-old my parents came to get me at my friend's house," said Kaytlyn, "and Mom had the cutest puppy, Molly, on her lap! Molly is paws-itively the best dog; cuddly, fluffy, and small enough for a lap with the super-smarts of a Lab.
 
In the mornings, Molly jumps on my bed and kisses me awake. I love it!  She also has a heart of gold and knows when I am sad because she licks my tears away and cuddles with me."
 
Kaytlyn's mother, Mrs. Stevens, has been a grade school teacher for 25 years and she is now onto “repeat customers”. Her first generation of students are requesting their own children be in her class. It is no wonder, "I love teaching," said Mrs. S. "Teaching is my life and passion, not a job."
 
Just before Christmas, 13 years ago, (in the olden days) I saw an ad in the newspaper for puppies.  Our children, Kaytlyn and Christopher, were old enough for a pet so we chose Molly, the runt of the six, as an early Christmas gift."
 
"Molly is a fuzzy mix of Shitzu and Black Lab," adds Kaytlyn, "so we playfully call her a 'Shlab'! Sometimes we call her, 'The Sh-moo' or Molly Moo-p because she is the color of a cow."
 
"In second grade we use animals and pets as writing subjects," said Mrs. S. "So I go on and on about my dogs because my students love it.The children feel like an extension of my family, and we have our love of pets in common. One day, my husband phoned me at school  from the vet's office and told me that Molly was deathly ill. I tried so hard not to cry. But finally, I broke down and the children wanted to know 'Why?'. I told them and one student lovingly drew a picture of an angel for Molly. It was beautiful. I still have it."
 
"We raised our children along with Molly and Buddy," said Mrs. S. "Having pets teaches children how to be gentle, compassionate, responsible and to respect others. On the days our children were cranky and would snipe at us, in the next minute, their inner gentle spirits would turn and love on a dog."
 
In grade two, one of Mrs. Stevens' students asked her if she wanted one of his dog's puppies. Our family went over 'just to look' and sure enough we left with an irresistibly cute puppy, Buddy.
 
Well the 'cute' wore off right away.  That little Rat Terrier-Pomeranian curmudgeon did not like little children, plus he was very nervous and peed on everything! It is no joke - he was born on April Fools Day! Because Buddy was so out of control, we gave him to another family. But, a week later we 'had' to take him back, after he tried to bite one of their children. Buddy was thrilled to see us and changed his attitude, growing into a wonderful dog."
 
"Buddy's nicknames are 'Buddy Boop' like Betty Boop and Spud Bud," said Kaytlyn. "Buddy's crazy habit is that he loves laying on the hot summer concrete. I ask him, ‘Why are you out there in the blazing sun in a fur coat?’. Buddy looks at me as if to say, 'Hey, don't bother me. I am tanning.'  One of his best attributes is that he is a foot cuddler. It is a great winter treat to have him heating up our toes!  My favorite thing about dogs is looking into their understanding wise-deep-brown eyes."
 
"Our dogs have a weird food 'thing'," said Kaytlyn. "They love each other and are fed together, but Molly always eats Buddy's food first, then hers.  Poor Buddy then comes to us crying because he's hungry. We don't know what kind of telepathic mind control Molly has over Buddy, because he always gives into her.
 
Maybe his understanding is based on his love for her? Since Molly was diagnosed with 25% kidney function he may sense that time is precious.  Molly is on an expensive food, but mom explains, 'She is my "baby" and deserves it to help prolong her life.' Dogs see into your heart and in one's life span only a few people or pets are ever allowed there.  There is nothing like loving a pet, or a pet loving you! They enrich your life and since my brother moved out, Molly and her 'best bud', Buddy, are my 'other' siblings.
 
It is hilarious when it snows because Molly's lab breed has her irresistibly dancing and prancing in it, but her short Shitzu side has her sinking down into the snow with her little legs - making her disappear so you only see the tips of her tail and nose!"

"Fireworks terrorize Molly, so on July 4th she hides under my bed," explained Kaytlyn. "I give her the homeopathic remedy from the feed store called TFLN which stands for Thunder, Fireworks, Lightening and Noise.  It is amazing how it naturally calms her fear."
 
A great big “HELLO" to all of Mrs. S's students in the ‘Pig Pen’ who consistently READ, READ, READ and are taking good care of their pets by learning and incorporating new ideas from  'Pet Tips 'n' Tales!'

Mary Ellen's Silver Persians swam their way into readers and viewer's hearts! They have appeared in International magazines and newspapers around the world. (France, England, Canada, China, Germany, USA, etc.)

Also, several National and International TV shows featured the swimming felines teaching pet-water-safety.