See Our Dogs & Kids On TV!

In case you missed Allison Rosati's special report on NBC5 News tonight, click here to see the Sit Stay Read kids and dogs in action at Manierre School. The story is already sparking lots of interest in volunteering. Yeah!

Many thanks to NBC5 producer Katie Ernst for making the story a reality and giving the kids and volunteers a real boost.

Great job everyone!

P.S. Be sure to rate the video on the NBC5 site.

Circus Dog in Training

Shandy's brother, Bandit, got a bit bored the other day and decided to learn a new skill--balancing on the exercise ball. If only we could get him to do it on cue we could start our own Cirque d'Canine.

NBC News Goes to the Dogs

Thanks to the great story by Rick Kogan in the Tribune magazine, Chicago's own channel 5 news heard about Sit Stay Read!

A crew visited the Monday program at Manierre this week and the kids and dogs couldn't have been more impressive. Here's a peek at the dogs getting ready to head into the school. That's SSR volunteer Karen Poshard and Mickey posing for the camera and Gail Schwab's Sara awaiting instructions in front of Bonnie Tucker and Rocky.

You'll have to wait for the story to air next week to see the kids. We'll send an email alert as soon as we know the date.

Great job Manierre team!!

Hydrotherapy for Tida

Tida, an English Bulldog, is a favorite in the Sit Stay Read programs. Both kids and adults fall for this sweet, gorgeous girl so there were some disappointed folks when she was sidelined for knee problems.

The good news is that she's doing well in her therapy. Her Mom, Christie Wallace, sent this video to show Tida at work in her therapy pool. Go Tida! Everyone wants you back soon.

April Poem of the Month

This classic poem from Maya Angelou has always been a favorite of mine. It takes on added meaning when you think of how a child's "wings are clipped" by not being able to read.

Caged Bird
By Maya Angelou

A free bird leaps
on the back of the wind
and floats downstream
till the current ends
and dips his wing
in the orange sun rays
and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks
down his narrow cage
can seldom see through
his bars of rage
his wings are clipped and
his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.

The free bird thinks of another breeze
and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees
and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn
and he names the sky his own
But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
his wings are clipped and his feet are tied
so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings
with a fearful trill
of things unknown
but longed for still
and his tune is heard
on the distant hill
for the caged bird
sings of freedom.