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January
10, 2004
January 9th was the day Polar was to visit a
school in New Jersey. The day started out very cold as we headed towards our destination.
This would be the farthest Polar had traveled for a visit, and we all were excited about
being invited to come meet new friends. I had been contacted by Nancy who is a teacher at
the school, as a visit from Polar had been desired for the school. Nancy gave wonderful
directions, provided us with a lovely lunch and was our tour guide through the entire
school. Millburn Regional day school is a school
for the handicapped. There are a bout
100 students at the school ranging in age from five to that in the teens. It is a
two-story building with an elevator, so we started our visit on the first floor, going
into each room and watching how most of the students got excited to see Polar. Most of
them wanted to touch his soft fur and give him a pat or two. There were some who were
scared of him, and they of course could keep their distance. I understood but I think
Polar sometimes wonders why these children don't want
to pat him. He just wants to have people pet him.
As we made our way around the school it
was very obvious that all the staff members had been anxiously awaiting Polar's visit. I
could hear them saying, "Is that the dog in the wheelchair?" And, when I
initially walked into the building without Polar they asked me if I was the person coming
with the dog, so I knew that Polar's visit was something they were looking forward to!
When it was time for us to go up to the
second floor, we made our way to the elevator and Polar hesitated at first. He had
never been in an elevator before, but some gentle coaxing got him in the box that closed
its doors. Up wasn't bad. It was going down that he didn't really care for as he probably
felt like he was falling! As we made our way around the second floor for visits and
kisses, the students seemed to get more excited about Polar. Finally we made it to our
last room, and it was already two hours later so Polar was very tired. But he still had a
friendly wag of the tail and a kiss for anyone that wanted it! It was a wonderful visit
for both Polar and myself and my mom who came with us, as she was my navigator.
We said our good-byes and climbed in the
truck for the ride home knowing that Polar had made lots of new friends today. That is a
great feeling. The trip was 274 miles round trip so it was certainly a long day for all.
Take Me Back for More
January 2,
2004
This was right before Christmas, and Polar went
for his visit loaded with gifts for all his kids! I helped him pick them out, and all the
children seemed to really like them. Hopefully they will color some pages for him to share
with his other friends!
Here is Polar helping his Octorara
kids with their reading skills.
Here is Polar in music class with his
buddy Chanse. Look at the huge smile on Chanse's face. He just loves having Polar with him
in the class. Then, he really works hard!
 Polar will be taking a road trip to
Millburn, New Jersey to visit some students there. I was contacted by Nancy who is a
teacher at the Millburn day school. She wanted Polar to come and visit. So as long as it
doesn't snow, we will be traveling to New Jersey to visit students there. Polar loves road
trips, and I hope we don't get lost. There will be close to 100
students at the school for him to visit with, and some of them will be in wheelchairs, or
have walkers, so it should be lots of fun for Polar! Hopefully the students will enjoy
Polar as much as I do!
Take Me Back for More
December
26, 2003
This is Polar opening his FAVORITE Christmas
present this year!! It sang to him and he just loved it!!
Take Me Back for More
December
16, 2003
Polar went to his class yesterday in the
morning. Mrs. Brown wanted him to go with them to music class as Chanse doesn't like to
participate during music. Well, you should have seen it. What a difference it made. With
Polar there, Chanse had no problems participating! Mrs. Brown said she liked having
Polar with the class in the morning. We will be trying to squeeze one more visit in before
Christmas! How do you like this? It's a little
tough to make us out but Polar and I are on the cover of the Lancaster-Lebanon
Intermediate Unit 13 book. IU13 is an education service agency in my community of
Pennsylvania.
Take Me Back for More | 
