Bodey

A Teacher and Some Very Special Children Rescue a Sad, Skinny Dog Named Bodey (a.k.a. Will)

Jeaninne Kato, a fourth grade teacher at First Street School in Lincoln, Ca., lost her beloved golden mix, Bogey, very suddenly to cancer in late September. Not yet over her grief, she knew she had to find another companion for her other golden mix, Bonney, who was so sad, she wouldn't leave the garage to play and run in the yard she shared with Bogey. When Jeaninne heard of Homeward Bound from the shelter in Roseville, she ran to the ranch in Elverta, hoping to find just the right friend for Bonney. Her 4th grade students tell of the rest of the story best:

"Once upon a time there was a dog named Bodey. Bodey lived a very hard life. If he even dared to go through the doors, they would beat him up. They would never let him in the house. They also wouldn't feed him until he worked hard. After he was given to the pound and taken in by Homeward Bound, a lady, Mrs. Kato, saw him. She thought about him for awhile, then gladly answered, 'Yes.' So she took Bodey home with her. Well, Bodey is happy, and he's keeping company for Mrs. Kato's other dog. I think that Bodey is going to live a happy life, now that Mrs. Kato adopted him." Jose Montano

"There once was a dog named Bodey, and he was afraid of doors. He always stays by Mrs. Kato's side. He seems to love children and likes to play sometimes. He has a little bit of white on his face. He is very cute. He needs to be fed four times a day. He is skinny. He was probably abused as a little puppy. He was probably fat before his previous owner stopped feeding him. Now he gets chicken and rice for his Pancreatitis and is doing much better with Mrs. Kato. He is glad to be with Mrs. Kato and is playing more often. Bodey is very fun to be with. He likes to be loved by children. He is probably playing with Mrs. Kato's other dog right now." Jamie McDowell

"Bodey had a hard life until a teacher named Mrs. Kato adopted him. When she first saw him, he had a white face with a scar on his nose and a scar right by one eye. He was very skinny and sad when Mrs. Kato first got him. I think he is very, very happy now. Bodey is a very cute dog, he will be spoiled. He had Pancreatitis, but he is better now. One day in class he threw up and I felt very sorry for him. I played with him on morning, it was fun. He is soft. The next afternoon, I pet Bodey for a long time." Nathan Paddeck

P.S. Bodey is learning new things every day. His love knows no limit and Bonney has a new friend. As another student, Maria Luisa Ruiz, says, "Bodey is happy just like Bogey's spirit."