Monday, August 19, 2013

Death of a Class Pet

I'm not in school right now; we don't go back until September 3rd.  But, I will have sad news for my last year's class when we go back... our gerbil, Gerbie, died last night.  She's been vacationing at my house this summer and when I cleaned her cage last night, she wasn't acting right.  I told hubby that I didn't think she was going to make it... and, when I went to check on her an hour or so later, she was no longer with us.  She was about 1 year and 8 months old, which I think is good for a gerbil.


I'm a big ol' sap when it comes to animals anyway... but I feel slightly silly feeling so sad about a rodent, but we loved Gerbie!  I won't have those kiddos in my class since they're moving up to 4th grade, but I have no doubt they'll be popping in to say hello and check on Gerbie... so I'm sure they'll be bummed to hear the news!

So, that's my news for today.

On a brighter note, I have been shopping at TpT off and on all day today and taking advantage of the BTS sale!  :)  Gerbie would want me to spend money, right?  You can still get an extra 10% off using the code BTS13 until midnight... and I think it's midnight west coast time.  Gerbie would want you to shop too!  Just tell your significant other that when he/she wonders why you're splurging later!

9 comments:

  1. So sorry to hear about Gerbie! Your kids will probably want to write cards.
    One of the girls in my class was on the playground today and found a snail. The next thing you know there's a rumor going around that we are getting a class pet snail. Umm, no.

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  2. So sorry about Gerbie. That's why I don't have a class pet - too traumatic for me when that happens. I'm sure a little retail therapy can't hurt at all...
    -Lisa
    Grade 4 Buzz

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  3. So sorry for Gerbie! I sure hate that for your kiddos and for you. I am just as big a sap about all animals.

    Good luck breaking it to your kiddos.

    Tina
    Flamingos and Butterflies

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  4. Aww, so sorry to hear about Gerbie. My classes have had a few much loved critters pass over the years. It's never easy. I always think it's kind of a good thing, though, because the kids grieve something small. I don't mean it to sound harsh, but they get to practice little grief; I think it helps them deal with those feelings in a safe place.

    Do you have plans on getting another little guy for your class?

    Heather
    Peacocks & Penguins

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  5. I'm so sorry:( I lost my class pet rat this summer. I know the kids are going to be stopping by to see him and he isn't going to be there. I still get teary eyed when I think about him.

    Heather
    The Busy Busy Hive

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  6. I know how it feels. I have had several class pets over the past few years. My was known for having THE class pet. I have only had gecko lizards, and have had success breeding and incubating them in the classroom! Some of the babies did not make it and then last year, I rescued a lizard from another classroom teacher. I spent the summer nursing it back to life, feeding it by hand. It suddenly stopped eating, and it died at home. I have decided that I cannot do classroom pets for a long time now. I never realized how invested I would become in caring for them, and how upset I would be when they were ill or died.
    Sidney
    Teachingisagift

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  7. So sorry! My class pet (a leopard gecko) got real sick in the spring and the kids saw her not acting right. I took her home and she ended up dying at home a few days later. I was very sad and cried--I'm a sap for animals too! She was only a year and half and they are supposed to live for years....so it was a shock. Anyways, I finally did get another one but not until school was out so the students don't know about it yet. Losing a pet is never easy....

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  8. I'm sorry to hear about Gerbie! This is why I have a Tortoise as a class pet - that thing will probably outlive me. I know my current & former students would be devastated if it died. Every year they freak out after the first fire drill when they realize I am not going to evacuate the tortoise too...
    -Jen
    Tropical Teacher

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