postheadericon In A World Where We “Bearly” Discipline . . .

BABY BEAR GETS SCOLDED

Brown bear’s parenting method snapped in Ukraine’s Simferopol Zoo…….

What the little chap had done to incur his mother’s wrath remains a mystery, but the chances are that he won’t do it again! A baby bear made his mother angry. She tried to explain Something to him in the corner, and then shook him by the neck.

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She pins him in the corner for a dressing down. First, the mother glares angrily at her son as he stands a few feet away looking guilty and sheepish. Within seconds he is backed into a corner with a terrified expression

As she roars her disapproval. Shortly afterwards he finds himself airborne after She seizes him by the scruff of the neck and propels him from side to side.
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Perhaps THIS will teach you a lesson: She picks him up by the scruff of the neck and swings him around.

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A word in your ear: The crestfallen cub approaches his mother. Sorry Mom!!

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Never mind Mommy loves you! He gets a bear-hug to show the row is over.

postheadericon Stubby, a war dog hero.

I just got this tidbit from a friend and thought it was really interesting especially since our war hero is a pit bull mix, a type most maligned when it is their owners who should be maligned. 

Expect Different

This is one heck of a brave dog.  I never knew of such an animal.  Thought you all would be interested in this. This is a very good info. WHAT A DOG!!!!!!!

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SGT. STUBBY

WAR DOG HERO!

Meet America’s first war dog, a stray Pit Bull/Terrier mix, named Stubby. He became Sgt. Stubby, was the most decorated war dog of World War I and the only dog to be promoted to sergeant through combat.

One day he appeared at Yale Field in New Haven, Connecticut; while a group of soldiers were training, stopping to make friends with soldiers as they drilled. One soldier, Corporal Robert Conroy, developed a fondness for the dog. He named him Stubby because of his short legs. When it became time for the outfit to ship out, Conroy hid Stubby on board the troop ship. In order to keep the dog, the private taught him to salute his commanding officers warming their hearts to him.

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Stubby served with the 102nd Infantry, 26th (Yankee) Division in the trenches in France for 18 months and participated in four offensives and 18 battles. The loud noise of the bombs and gun fire did not bother him. He was never content to stay in the trenches but went out and found wounded soldiers.

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Stubby entered combat on February 5, 1918 at Chemin Des Dames, north of Soissons, and was under constant fire, day and night for over a month. In April 1918, during a raid to take Schieprey, Stubby was wounded in the foreleg by the retreating Germans throwing hand grenades. He was sent to the rear for convalescence, and as he had done on the front was able to improve morale. When he recovered from his wounds, Stubby returned to the trenches.

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After being gassed and nearly dying himself, Stubby learned to warn his unit of poison gas attacks, continued to locate wounded soldiers in no man’s land, and since he could hear the whine of incoming artillery shells before humans could, became very adept at letting his unit know when to duck for cover.

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He was solely responsible for capturing a German spy in the Argonne. The spy made the mistake of speaking German to him when they were alone. Stubby knew he was no ally and attacked him biting and holding onto him by the seat of his pants until his comrades could secure him.

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Following the retaking of Chateau-Thierry by the US, the thankful women of the town made Stubby a chamois coat on which were pinned his many medals. There is also a legend that while in Paris with Corporal Conroy, Stubby saved a young girl from being hit by a car. At the end of the war, Conroy smuggled Stubby home.

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After returning home, Stubby became a celebrity and marched in, and normally led, many parades across the country. He met Presidents Woodrow Wilson, Calvin Coolidge, and Warren G. Harding. Starting in 1921, he attended Georgetown University Law Center with Conroy, and became the Georgetown Hoyas’ team mascot. He would be given the football at halftime and would nudge the ball around the field to the amusement of the fans.

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Stubby was made a life member of the American Legion, the Red Cross, and the YMCA. In 1921, the Humane Education Society awarded him a special gold medal for service to his country. It was presented by General John Pershing.

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In 1926, Stubby died in Conroy’s arms. His remains are featured in The Price of Freedom: Americans at War exhibit at the Smithsonian. Stubby was honored with a brick in the Walk of Honor at the United States World War I monument, Liberty Memorial, in Kansas City at a ceremony held on Armistice Day, November 11, 2006.

Warm The Hearts Of All Your Friends With This Story

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postheadericon MORE ON A JOURNEY IN GRIEF

MORE ON A JOURNEY IN GRIEF:

LOSING A BELOVED DOG OR OTHER BELOVED PET

First a personal photo memoir followed by the listing and a partial description of a few books to help one through the grief process.  It is never easy to lose a beloved;  I still see all the faces of mine and know they are waiting for me with all my beloved family and friends who have gone before me.

My Wendy—My Heart

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A Few of Our Beloveds Never to Be Forgotten

Waiting at the Rainbow Bridge

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My Al with His Favorites from Our  First Bonnie in the Hotel Bed in England in 1989 to His Last Favorite Pistol in Bed Before My Beloved Al Passed

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We all endure the pain of loss and grief whether the loss be of family, friends or beloved pets, in this case, dogs. Our beloved Dogs.  I still mourn my childhood pets: dogs, horses, cats, and a couple of wonderful ducks; most of all I mourn my dogs.  When people to me wanting another dog, but not knowing if they can go through the pain of loss again, I always tell them:  “One must endure the pain of losing beloved dogs in order to have the joy of having them.”  It is never easy.  The loss of my Wendy last summer was certainly not as difficult as losing my Al two summers ago, but it hurt as she was my constant companion for almost fifteen years as I expressed in a previous blog post. 

I would like to devote some time to exploring some of the books on grief that have been written about the total sadness overcoming and sometimes consuming one  at the loss of a pet.

I was asked to judge the Dog Writers Of America’s annual book review last year.  My first choice and the book that won first place for the best human/animal bond book was the following:

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a 30 day guide to healing from the loss of your pet by Gael J. Ross, LCSW, is a powerful journal on the loss of a beloved.  I found this book even helpful when I lost Al.  Journaling is always a way to deal with grief and other emotions as a part of the healing process.  Using a guide to journal entries, memories, photos and more, this book chronicles the life and loss of a beloved dog.  I usually have a few copies on hand to give to those who come to me after losing a dog.  Amazon carries this book and it is well worth the purchase and the journey.

The books featured in this post on grief are all available on Amazon and are all helpful in dealing with the heartache of loss. 

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By the way, grief does go both ways.

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postheadericon Across “The New Rainbow Bridge”

As this blog continues to feature grief about losing one’s beloved pet, I came across this heartbreaking and heartwarming "The New Rainbow Bridge."

Across "The New Rainbow Bridge"

Unlike most days at Rainbow Bridge, this day dawned cold and gray, damp as a swamp and as dismal as could be imagined. All of the recent arrivals had no a what to think, as they had never experienced a day like this before. But the animals who had been waiting for their beloved people knew exactly what was going on and started to gather at the pathway leading to The Bridge to watch.

It wasn’t long before an elderly animal came into view, head hung low and tail dragging. The other animals, the ones who had been there for a while, knew what his story was right away, for they had seen this happen far too often.
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He approached slowly, obviously in great emotional pain, but with no sign of injury or illness. Unlike all of the other animals waiting at The Bridge, this animal had not been restored to youth and made healthy and vigorous again. As he walked toward The Bridge, he watched all of the other animals watching him. He knew he was out of place here and the sooner he could cross over, the happier he would be.

But, alas, as he approached The Bridge, his way was barred by the appearance of an Angel who apologized, but told him that he would not be able to pass. Only those animals who were with their people could pass over Rainbow Bridge.

With no place else to turn to, the elderly animal turned towards the fields before The Bridge and saw a group of other animals like himself, also rly and infirm. They weren’t playing, but rather simply lying on the green grass, forlornly staring out at the pathway leading to The Bridge. And so, he took his place among them, watching the pathway and waiting.

One of the newest arrivals at The Bridge didn’t understand what he had just witnessed and asked one of the animals that had been there for a while to explain it to him.

You see, that poor animal was a rescue. He was turned in to rescue just as you see him now, an older animal with his fur graying and his eyes clouding. He never made it out of rescue and passed on with only the love of his rescuer to comfort him as he left his earthly existence. Because he had no family to give his love to, he has no one to escort him across The Bridge.

The first animal thought about this for a minute and then asked, "So what will happen now?" As he was about to receive his answer, the clouds suddenly parted and the gloom lifted. Approaching The Bridge could be seen a single person and among the older animals, a whole group was suddenly bathed in a golden glow and they were all young and healthy again, just as they were in he prime of life.

"Watch, and see" said the second animal. A second group of animals from hose waiting came to the pathway and bowed low as the person neared. At each bowed head, the person offered a pat on the head or a scratch behind the ears. The newly restored animals fell into line and followed him towards The Bridge. They all crossed The Bridge together.

"What happened?"

"That was a rescuer." The animals you saw bowing in respect were those who found new homes because of his work. They will cross when their new families arrive. Those you saw restored were those who never found homes. When a rescuer arrives, they are allowed to perform one, final act of rescue. They are allowed to escort those poor animals that they couldn’t place on earth, across The Rainbow Bridge.

"I think I like rescuers," said the first animal.

"So does God," was the reply.

Author unknown but I wish I had written it.

shepinmanger


My prayer group has been talking about service; sadly, I do not feel I am serving God nor man right now in my selfishness of keeping my own life going.  In the new year, that is going to change.  I think I might serve best, by adopting an old rescue dog or two to ensure their quality of life at the end.  I know that God loves all his creatures and that He will take care of us in eternity, but easing the way for a few of them would be wonderful for them who have no families so that they would have a family for whom to wait at the Rainbow Bridge..  I took my Snoop in when he was very young until I could place him. Well . . . he is still here twelve years later: tearing up paper, stealing food from the counters including the Thanksgiving turkey a few years ago (not cooked so I washed it off, smoothed his teeth marks, and cooked the damned thing), and practicing his other endearing habits. I keep threatening that he will go to the Rainbow Bridge a little sooner than he might expect, but then he just gives me that look and a kiss and I am a goner as usual. 

If you want to read an outstanding book about how a dying rescued dog changes the life of a family and especially their mother as he finds new life and purpose, please read:
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I Am Listening With A Broken Ear by Vicky S Kaseorg  I read this book on the way to china; did not sleep, just read it on my trusty Kindle which then in my typical fashion I left on the plane. (Oh, well I have my eBooks on my tablet and iPhone I am happy to say in preparation for my ADD losses—left my good glasses on the plane also).   It is a wonderful spiritual story of redemption both for the protagonist and her rescued dog.  I won’t say more, just Google Amazon and get it for it is very timely in light of the anniversary of our own Redeemer’s humble birth.

postheadericon Two Horses

Two Horses
Author Unknown
Just up the road from my home is a field, with two
horses in it. From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse.
But if you stop your car, or are walking by,
you will notice something quite amazing….

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Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind.
His owner has chosen not to have him
put down, but has made a good home for him.
This alone is amazing. If you stand nearby and
listen, you will hear the sound of a bell.

Looking around for the source of the sound,
you will see that it comes from the smaller
horse in the field.

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Attached to the horse’s halter is a small bell.
It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is,
so he can follow.

As you stand and watch these two friends,
you’ll see that the horse with the bell is always
checking on the blind horse, and that the blind horse
will listen for the bell and then slowly walk to
where the other horse is, trusting that he
will not be led astray.

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When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, it stops occasionally and looks back,
Making sure that the blind friend isn’t too far behind
to hear the bell.

Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw
us away just because we are not perfect or because we
have problems or challenges.

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He watches over us and even brings others into our lives
To help us when we are in need..
Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by
the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives.
Other times we are the guide horse, helping others to
find their way….

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Good friends are like that… You may not always
see them, but you know they are always there..
Please listen for my bell and I’ll listen for yours,
and remember…
Be kinder than necessary-
Everyone you meet is fighting
Some kind of battle.
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Live simply,
Love generously,
Care deeply,
Speak kindly…….

FOR WE WALK BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT

postheadericon A DOG’S LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT—Very Moving

A Dog’s Last Will and Testament—Unselfish to the End     (Author anonymous)

 

When humans die they prepare a will in order to leave their home and everything they own to all those they love.

 

If I were able to write I would also make out such a will:

To a poor lonely full of longing stray I would leave my happy home, my food bowl, my cozy bed,

my soft pillow, my toys, and my beloved lap– The gently stroking hand, the loving voice, the place

I had in someone’s heart, and the love which at the end will help me towards a peaceful painless end

while being held in loving arms.

And when I die then please don’t say:

“Never again will I have a dog the loss is much too painful.”

Find yourself a lonely unloved dog and give it my place in your heart.

That is my bequest.  The love I leave behind is all that I have to give.

postheadericon Strange But Wonderful Relationship

" Much of life can never be explained but only witnessed"
– Rachel Naomi Remen, MD
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NAIROBI ( AFP )A baby hippopotamus that survived the
tsunami waves on the Kenyan coast has formed a strong
bond with a giant male century-old tortoise in an animal
facility in the port city of Mombasa
, officials said
The hippopotamus, nicknamed
Owen and weighing about
300 kilograms (650 pounds), was swept down Sabaki
River into the Indian Ocean , then forced back to shore
when tsunami waves struck the Kenyan coast on
December 26, before wildlife rangers rescued him.

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"It is incredible … a-less-than-a-year-old hippo has adopted a male tortoise, about a century old, and the tortoise seems to be very happy with being a ‘mother’," ecologist Paula Kahumbu, who is in charge of Lafarge Park , told AFP .

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"After it was swept away and lost its mother, the hippo was traumatized. It had to look for something to be a surrogate mother. Fortunately , it landed on the tortoise and established a strong bond.

They swim, eat and sleep together," the ecologist added.
"The hippo follows the tortoise exactly the way it followed its mother. If somebody approaches the tortoise, the hippo becomes aggressive, as if protecting its biological mother," Kahumbu added.

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"The hippo is a young baby, he was left at a very tender age and by nature, hippos are social animals that like to stay with their mothers for four years," he explained.

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"Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves."

postheadericon A Dog’s Purpose Through the Eyes of a Six Year Old

Before I launch into my BIG POST after not posting for several months, I want to share the following vignette. Since Al’s death I have wondered about my purpose, my future, my way of life.  I have no idea what God will call me to do, but I hope to do as much good in the world as our beloved dogs. Aren’t they grand?  Without them, I would not have made it through the past months.  Certainly they cannot take my Al’s place in any stretch of the imagination, but they are good company (when they are not decorating the floor with mud, sneaking behind the couch to leave a present for me when it is raining and they do not want to get their behinds wet, or trying to take food from my mouth or in the case of Snoop from the counter or the table or wherever else he can find a tidbit.  I have loved dogs from my earliest childhood with good reason: they are loyal, affectionate, playful, sometimes courageous and protective when necessary, and warm on a cold night.  I have a lover affair going with dogs, all dogs from purebreds to mixed breeds but especially Cavaliers.  More on my Cavaliers in my next post!!!  The little boy in the following has it right!!!

A  Dog’s Purpose Through the Eyes of a Six Year Old   

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish 
Wolfhound named Belker.  The dog’s owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their 
little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping 
for a miracle. 
 
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer.  I told the  family we 
couldn’t do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia 
procedure for the old dog in their home. 
 
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be 
good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure.  They felt as though 
Shane might learn something from the experience. 
 
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker’s family
surrounded him.  Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last 
time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on.  Within a few 
minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. 
 
The little boy seemed to accept Belker’s transition without any difficulty 
or confusion.  We sat together for a while after Belker’s Death, wondering 
aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.
Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, ”I know why.” 

Startled, we all turned to him.  What came out of his mouth next stunned 
me.   I’d never heard a more comforting explanation.  It has changed the 
way I try and live. 
 
He said, ”People are born so that they can learn how to live a good
life — like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?” The 
Six-year-old continued, ”Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they 
don’t have to stay as long.” 
 
Live simply. 
 
Love generously. 
 
Care deeply. 
 
Speak kindly. 
 
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like: 
 
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them. 
 
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride. 
 
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure 
Ecstasy. 

Take naps. 

Stretch before rising. 
 
Run, romp, and play daily. 
 
Thrive on attention and let people touch you. 
 
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do. 
 
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass. 
 
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree. 
 
When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body. 
 
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk. 
 
Be loyal. 
 
Never pretend to be something you’re not. 
 
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it. 
 
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them 
gently. 
 
ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY!

postheadericon I RESCUED A HUMAN TODAY

 

My beloved Snoop is a rescue dog.  I joke that he came for two days and stayed nine years.  He is a big black lab mix,

my constant shadow.  He is very obedient and smart as a whip.  His favorite illegal pastimes, though, are rooting through waste

baskets and garbage cans so he can eat any goodies he finds or chew up any tissues he finds.  He is an expert at clearing

the kitchen cabinets of anything that entices him including very recently my lovely T Bone steak.  I call him my gypsy lurcher.

He knows that he is wrong for after he gets into the garbage, skilled as he is at opening garbage cans, or surfs the counter

tops as he then slinks guiltily off with guilt written on his lowered face avoiding me completely.  I was so mad at him one day

for his usual counter surfing that I chased him around the house with a fly swatter!  Snoop really knows

what he is doing and he knows the repercussions; I think that perhaps he should join Tiger or now Jesse James in going to

a rehab center for his addiction!

Having Snoop in my life has been a blessing. Totally loyal to me, I have no doubt that he would protect me if needed. 

He is a great watch dog, but sometimes gets carried away in his zeal. I will adopt another rescue when the time is right,

but do not support Peta and HSUS in their campaign to end the breeding of purebred dogs as their motto in advertising

now seems to be  ”buy a purebred and sentence a shelter dog to death.”  If HSUS and Peta are so concerned about the

fate of shelter animals, why are they not running shelters or supporting shelters to help dogs directly instead of using

all the millions in donations they receive on advertising their cause and big salaries.  While I am on a roll, I will stop

as the following vignette is so sweet I wanted to race to the Delaware Humane Society shelter to be rescued.

                              snoop and me 3 21 10                                                                   HORRORS! SNOOP AND ME ON A NO MAKE UP DAY!                          

                                                                                                           

I rescued a human today. 

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively  into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her.  I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly,  so she wouldn’t be afraid. As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I  didn’t want her to know that I hadn’t been walked  today.  Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn’t want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn’t feel sad about my past. I only have the future
to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone’s  life. She got down on her knees and made little
kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her.

Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised 
my paw to assure her that all would be well. Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly
jumped into her arms.

I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to 
see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor.

So many more are out there who haven’t walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one. 

I rescued a human today. 

postheadericon GOD Is Busy

 

GOD Is Busy

If you don’t know GOD, don’t make stupid remarks!!!!!!

 

A United States Marine was attending some college

courses between assignments .He had completed missions in Iraq and

Afghanistan .One of the courses had a professor who was an avowed

atheist, and a member of the ACLU.

 

One day the professor shocked the class when he came in.

He looked to the ceiling and flatly stated, ‘GOD, if you are real then I

want you to knock me off this platform. I’ll give you exactly 15 min.’

The lecture room fell silent. You could hear a pin drop.

Ten minutes went by and the professor proclaimed, ‘Here I am GOD,

I’m still waiting.’

 

It got down to the last couple of minutes when the Marine got out

of his chair, went up to the professor, and cold-socked him; knocking him

off the platform. The professor was out cold.

The Marine went back to his seat and sat there, silently.

The other students were shocked and stunned, and sat

there looking on in silence.

 

The professor eventually came to, noticeably shaken,

looked up at the Marine and asked, ‘What in the world is the matter with

you? ‘Why did you do that?’

T

he Marine calmly replied, ‘GOD was too busy today protecting

America’s soldiers who are protecting your right to say stupid

stuff and act like an idiot. Since He was so busy… He sent me.’

The classroom erupted in cheers!

In God We Trust