The summer heat didn’t discourage some enthusiastic children who are participating in the Summer Reading Program at the Sabine Parish Library.
It all began when 21 children, ages 8 to 12 years, heard the story of The Incredible Life of Balto, by Meghan McCarthy. Robbin Jordan, who is the children’s librarian and plans the popular summer reading programs for children at the library, read the story to them.
This true-life story was about Balto a Siberian Husky dog who became famous for leading a dogsled team through a blizzard in 1925 to deliver diphtheria serum to Nome, Alaska, during a diphtheria epidemic. Balto. Who once had been deemed unfit to be a sled dog, became the symbol of loyalty, courage, bravery, and teamwork. Sadly, Balto’s future life did not go so well. Years later, poor Balto was part of a traveling side show where he was badly abused.
When the public found out, school children and adults worked together to purchase him from the sideshow. They then found him a new home at the zoo in Cleveland, Ohio, and Balto lived happily ever after until he died in 1933. After hearing Balto’s sto- ry, the children at the Sabine Parish library wanted to do something to help animals in need.
The group of children of children decided to work together to support the animals at the Sabine Animal Shelter. Together 21 children made more than 20 fleece blankets for the dogs that are housed at the shelter.
The children, with Mrs. Jordan and some dedicated mothers, traveled to the animal shelter on June 8. They delivered the carefully made blankets and were welcomed by Shelter Manager Lisa Butler and her staff.
Although the shelter dogs wouldn’t need the blankets in the summer heat, Mrs. Butler assured the children that they would be greatly appreciated later this year.
The happy children visited the large kennel area to say hello to the dogs and even give them some treats and lots of affectionate petting.
It was a summer ad-venture for the children in the library’s reading program titled “All Together Now”. It was also a big treat for the dogs to receive all those happy visitors.