Many students do not know much about their teachers, more specifically, their pets. That is why I have created a list of the pets of West Salem High School teachers, as I am a senior at West Salem High School. To begin this, I sent an email to every teacher at West Salem High School, and the following owners of pets are the teachers who participated. I asked those teachers to send a picture (or two) and a short description of their pet(s). I anticipate you will find this list entertaining and give insight into your teachers’ lives.
1) Toby- Mr. Kies
I’m glad that Toby found his forever home! It sounds like he just needed someone to show that they truly care about him. His story sounds much like my rescue cats’ stories. They too were mistrusting of humans, but have become such love bugs, like Toby.
Lucy sounds a little mischievous by the way she sneaks food! Sometimes the best pets need to have a little fun… well I guess being forced to puke isn’t that much fun.
3) Jazz- Kmart
“Jazz is 6 year old yellow lab. He is ‘the bestest boy’, at least that’s what I call him. We got him from Angie & Dave Hemker. Angie is the middle school art teacher. He loves to fetch and thinks he’s a 90 pound lap dog. He has completed our family! He is so silly”- Kmart.
I love when big dogs don’t realize they’re too big to be lap dogs! Jazz sounds like one of a kind because of his silly personality.
4) Percy- Kmart
When cats rarely purr, it makes it even more special when they actually do! It’s good to hear that it was love at first sight with Percy!
“Neptune is flighty and funny. Snowshoe is more affectionate and loves to snuggle on your lap. He (for some reason) loves me in particular. Both of them are friendly and tolerant (for the most part) of getting smothered by my two daughters”-Mr. Rueckiem.
These kitties sound like two peas in a pod! Like most siblings, they seem to be opposites, each having their own lovable personality.
7) Raina Mae- Mrs. Volden
“This is Raina Mae. She is a polydactyl tabby (meaning she has extra toes). She is 13 years old. She is sweet and sassy. She loves donuts so if you have a donut, you don’t have one for long”- Mrs. Volden.
Raina Mae sounds like one lucky cat with her extra toes. Maybe I could have good luck if I shared a donut with her!
8) Buddy- Mrs. Volden
“This is Buddy. He is a pure-bred sweet boy. He is also 13 years old and spends his time looking for someone to pet him and running away from Raina Mae (who is always trying to kill him)”- Mrs. Volden.
Buddy seems like such a sweetie!
9) Louie- Ms. Armstrong
“Louie is a miniature schnauzer. He is 10 years old and still barks at snowmen! He can’t seem to understand why snow is in that shape”- Mrs. Armstrong.
Louie seems like such a goofball in the way that he barks at snowmen! I’ll be sure to make my snowmen this winter far far away from him.
10) Mooshi- Mr. Gibbons
“Cat, Mooshi–who acts more ‘like a dog’. She was declawed and abandoned, and showed up at the inlaws farm/barn 4 years ago. Was probably 2-3 years old at that point. She had become a self-sustained hunter, [and] was also a bit of a recluse in the barn, but took a liking to crossing the road with my fiance Lexi. Because she kept showing up, she spent more time with Lexi and was warm to coming into the house. In the span of about 6 months, we flipped her from being a night-time hunter outside to a sleep-in-our-house at night and hunt during the daytime cat. She goes to the door when she wants outside to do her business, [and] comes back to the door when she’s done, but also uses a litterbox when needed. Essentially now a house cat that goes outside to play, hunt[,] and go to the bathroom. Will go on walks with us, no leash”- Mr. Gibbons.
I’m glad to hear that Mooshi has a home now, though it sounds like she spends most of her time outside still anyway. I wonder if she gets two dinners, one being the mice that she catches, and one provided at home. She sounds like one lucky kitty!
11) Rhea- Mrs. Prom
“I have a cat named Rhea. She’s 10 years old and a tuxedo cat. My husband had adopted her the year we started dating, so I inherited Rhea when we moved in together. She loves to snuggle under the blankets, lay in a sunny spot, meow for attention, and above all, treats. She’s very sweet and tolerate, but of course, tends to hide around new people”- Mrs. Prom.
Rhea sounds like such a snuggler! She seems like one good cat to inherit.
12) Lily- Mr. Jehn
“Lily is a tiger cat. She is 14. We rescued her from the Humane Society to replace a cat who died eating lily flower, which is toxic to cats. Lily is very personable with our family and wants to be where the action is”- Mr. Jehn.
I’m glad to hear that Lily was rescued! I didn’t know that lily flowers are poisonous to cats, so I’ll make sure to keep mine away from it.
13) Bailey- Mr. Jehn
“Bailey is a golden retriever. She probably is really a bronze retriever because she doesn’t retrieve much of anything! She is 10 years old. We got her from a family who was allergic to her. She smiles at people when they greet her so we have to always be mindful to tell strangers that she is smiling and not bearing her teeth in anger”- Mr. Jehn.
I love it when dogs try to smile like humans! It’s so cute when their little teeth stick out, so I’d happily greet Bailey.
14) Mittens- Mr. Milne
“Mittens is approaching 17 years old. She is an orange Tabby cat and was orphaned when she was a kitten. We have had her ever since. She loves to be near people she knows well. Mittens always sits with her front paws crossed“- Mr. Milne.
I wish I had an orange cat. I’ve heard that they are quite crazy compared to other cats, though it sounds like Mittens is calm.
15) Ezra– Mrs. Dacquisto
“My German Shepherd, Ezra, is a 5-year-old super sweet, smart, lazy, and spunky pup. She loves to swim, play frisbee, walk in the bluffs, have pup play dates, and sleep. She truly is the sweetest girl”- Mrs. Dacquisto.
It sounds like Ezra has an exciting life! She’s active, but lazy at the same time.