In the first Freddy Friday post I told you how Freddy loves to go on new adventures. I really love visiting new places too. Freddy and I went to my parents' house in Virginia for Christmas. He really likes it there. My mom has two dogs, Sophie & Jackson, and one of my sisters brought her dog, Big Boy. All of them got along so well. Freddy always enjoys his trips to see his "Grandma and Poppy" (my mom and dad). He especially enjoys running around the open space outside. This makes me wonder if Freddy could ever survive in a city since there isn't much space to run around.
Top: Sophie and Jackson Bottom: Freddy and Big Boy
Big Boy and Freddy love to snuggle. They are great cousins!
Freddy loves running around the open grass in Virginia!
Freddy always enjoys a hike through the woods in Virginia.
I had to pick the thorns off of him when we got back though...
In order to test Freddy out in a city I decided to stop in Washington D.C. on the way home. We got a parking spot on the street right along the National Mall (It is not a shopping mall. It is actually a tree-lined, narrow park). We were both happy for the chance to stretch our long legs. So many other visitors stopped to admire Freddy as we walked along. I mean, he is super cute afterall. Grown-ups and children would pause to ask if they could pet him. It is always important to ask a dog's owner before you reach out to pet their dog. This will keep you more safe from a dog who could be frightened or in a bad mood. Freddy loved the extra attention. We checked out some of the sites. Look at the photos below to see what we saw. I bet you know some of the presidents I'll talk about! In our classroom we discuss them each day during our math routines while counting money and identifying coins!
Someone was kind enough to take a photo of my best buddy and me! :-)
We took a walk along the water to see the Jefferson Memorial.
Thomas Jefferson, our 3rd president, is on the nickel! He is also on the $2 bill.
Did you know our country even made a $2 bill?!?
Posing in front of the Washington Monument (he was really checking out the hotdog cart I think!!)
George Washington, our 1st president, is on the quarter and the $1 bill.
I think I found the Lincoln Memorial more interesting than Freddy did...
actually, he may have been distracted by another hotdog cart! This dog sure LOVES food.
Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president, is on the dime and the $5 bill.
We continued on our way home. I spotted a sign for a scenic stop while passing through Annapolis, Maryland. When I hear that something is "scenic" I figure it means that it is as pretty as a picture. Freddy and I figured we might as well stop there! Why not? We were in no rush and the sign made us curious to what we would see when we followed it. We had to pay three dollars in quarters to get into Sandy Point State Park. Freddy LOVED the idea of taking a walk again after being in the car for a while. Unfortunately it ended up being a short visit by the time I found enough quarters to get in, because it began to rain! :-/ At least we know it is there if we would ever like to stop again!
Freddy posing on the northwestern shore of the Chesapeake Bay in front of the Bay Bridge.
Freddy has been a big hit with my students. Since he is my best buddy, I speak of him often and also model several writing samples to include him in my stories. On Mondays, when we share what we have done on the weekend, Freddy is almost always included in my synopsis.
Right now, as I type, he has his head rested on my lap...probably wondering about the next time I will give him a treat, take him for a walk or bring him on a new adventure of his own. You see, I am not the only one who loves new experiences. Freddy also enjoys meeting new people, going new places and bounding around in fields, on trails and through mountains.
It is only fair that Freddy get a highlighted day each week on my blog I think. So, for my first "Freddy Friday" I will give you his background story (well at least as it pertains to me).
One summer, while only working part time, I decided I would like to use my free time to volunteer for a good cause. I have had dogs as pets in the past including: Precious the Beagle, Mollie the Golden Retriever and Sugar the Boxer. They were all amazing pups! I knew having a pet was a lot of responsibility, so I figured volunteering with animals would be a better fit for my spontaneous and busy lifestyle.
One summer weekday, while petsitting for my friend's miniature poodle, I was driving to the public library to return a book. I passed the entrance by mistake and took the next driveway into the complex as I shook my head at myself thinking of how silly I was. I thought to myself, "Here is my opportunity to check out the Franklin Township Animal Shelter." The shelter was in the same area as the library, so I was passing right by. I figured I should see what the shelter looked like inside to decide if I would want to volunteer there. As I entered I was greeted by several friendly faces of volunteers helping out. There were cats, kittens and guinea pigs all where I could see. I asked if I could enter the area where they kept the dogs.
As I entered I heard echoes of barking and yapping. Many big dogs sprung up to jump on the gates of their cages. As I walked by each dog I said hello and tried to calm them down...until I came to a handsome fellow named "Fred". Fred laid there cool as a cucumber. He did not get up, he did not bark and he looked a little sad. "Come on over, buddy," I called to him, but there he laid with his head down, barely raising his eyes to glance at me. On his information sheet it told me Fred was most likely a Rhodesian Ridgeback mix and was found as a stray dog in Middlesex, New Jersey. There was not much more information on him other than a guess that he was maybe about one year old.
I rushed to the library to read up on Rhodesian Ridgebacks. I had already read about them in the past. I knew they were bred in Africa as lion hunting dogs. They are extremely fast and athletic pups. I don't have a yard and I live in a small condo, but I knew there was a dog park not too far away. I returned the books to the shelves and I went back over the the shelter to speak with Katie
Nordhaus, the Animal Control Officer in my township. I went home to rethink if I wanted a dog. I was having so much fun with Mrs. Sahns' dog, Maggie, as I petsat for her. I could NOT get Fred off of my mind. I went back two days later to visit the calm and gentle dog I had seen the day before, and here is what I saw...
Oh, so he really does bark...and he didn't pay
much attention to me either on my visit.
I stood in astonishment as this
dog jumped higher than my head!!
I put the video in slow motion so you could see...
After my visit I was a little worried while wondering, "What will my neighbors think if this dog barks all day, or what if he chews my furniture and jumps on everything?!"
It obviously did not scare me away. Here he is right by my side. Stay tuned for more Freddy Fridays where I'll explain more about what an amazing dog and friend Freddy is!! <3
This post is dedicated to my dog, Freddy. He is my very best friend. Freddy is a wonderful listener, athlete, dance partner and cuddler. Please enjoy the pictures of my furry buddy...
Running at the dog park
This is when we visited the beach Thanksgiving weekend.
The snow really excites Freddy.
Freddy loves to shop at PetSmart.
Freddy loves spaghetti!
Relaxing at the park while Ms. Tricarico does schoolwork
My dog, Freddy, really thinks it is great that I am trying new things lately. He has been begging me to try something new. On our walk today we noticed some drawings on the blacktop. There were two colorful hopscotch games some children had drawn earlier.
First, I explained to Freddy how to play. He was so good!
He flew through the first set of squares with no problem.
Next, he waited for directions on how to read number words.
Last, he needed a rest. He was so tired from playing twice.
I hope you've been getting outside to play this summer!
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