June 6, 2003
Well today was Polar's final visit to Mrs. Brown's class for the summer! What a bitter sweet day it was for all of us. Polar was his normal happy self, and rushed down the hall to the room. He had seven children anxiously waiting in the seats as we entered the door. You
could hear them all yell, "POLAR'S HERE! POLAR'S HERE!" His tail was wagging non-stop and he flew in the door and around the corner to give out Polar kisses to all that wanted them! He went immediately to the center of the circle for all the children to tell him about their week. But, they didn't. Instead, they just started petting him and hugging him and saying how they would miss him over the summer.

Daniel spent hours working on these cards for Polar, using some of the presents that Rochelle provided such as Golden stickers and cards.

And, this is the thank-you letter that the class wrote to Rochelle:                

I was a basket case by now. I never realized how much he and I looked forward to our weekly visits to these special children. While we where there we found out that two of the children will be going to different rooms next year. That is sad, but good for the children. I am afraid we will lose touch with those children, so Polar gave all the children a group picture from the birthday party in a special card! They all loved the photos and put them in their backpacks to go home. The remaining five students will be in Mrs. Brown's class next year along with some new faces. We have already been asked to pick up where we left off today in September, which by the way we are both looking forward to!

I'm not sure what Polar and I are going to do on our Friday afternoons off now, but hopefully we will find something to keep us out of trouble and also keep Polar involved in what he loves to do  and me too. I will share how I felt today as we said good bye, only because I feel it is important! I was very sad, and of course I cried like a baby along with Mrs. Brown. I will really miss these children. They were so much fun to be around and I learned a great deal from them. I am sure they didn't even know that they taught me anything, but they did. I thank them for opening up their hearts for Polar and me, and will cherish every moment we were able to spend with them. I wish we could have had more time in the class room with them as I am sure Polar would have been wonderful. Maybe next year we can work something out with my job to get time off for class. I'm working, but it's a different kind of work.

Polar and I are going to visit a skilled nursing care facility on Wednesday and this time we will actually know someone there. My husband's Aunt is there now, so we will get to
visit her! I am also excited that Polar's new parts for his cart finally came. We hope to now adjust it to fit better and make him more comfortable! 

If anyone ever thought about doing therapy work with you dog, do it. The rewards are endless and it gives you new friends and it can take you all over the place! Thank you for letting me share our adventures with you. Hopefully they will continue.

Take Me Back for More

June 8, 2003

This kind gentleman comes in every week to the veterinarian office where I work, just to see Polar. He always brings him a treat. His Golden, Xyla, also gives Polar important pointers on how to greet someone appropriately.

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June 12, 2003

This funny photo shows Polar watching me doing grooming. What a silly mess!

I got a call today from the Manager of Zany Brainy as they are having a special pet day at their store next week and would just LOVE to have Polar come and have the kids meet him and hear all about his story. We will be meeting eight to nine-year-old children. I will be very anxious to see Polar's reaction to a large group of possibly 30 kids. That scares me, but I know he loves it.  

Take Me Back for More