[Dailydrool] Gumbo and the chair

[Sabrina Nicholls]

Gumbo loves kids. I adopted him when he was 5 and don't know his 
history, but he loves all kids. Gumbo tutors third grade. Four students 
read to him once a week, 15 minutes each, for an entire semester. They 
all improve significantly, and it is very rewarding. We use an unused 
classroom. Today, after all the students were finished, I had to put 
away books, stickers, blanket, etc. Instead of holding Gumbo's leash, 
which is required at all times with students, I put his leash loop under 
a chair leg while I packed to leave. My back was to the open door, but I 
heard some young children shouting, "There's a dog in there!" Soon, 
there were lots of excited voices outside the classroom, and I heard 
someone say "The chair!" I turned to look. Yup. Gumbo was at the door 
with the chair dragging behind him. And there were about a dozen first 
graders trying to pet him. He licked as many faces as he could reach. 
Gumbo loves kids.

Sabrina Nicholls, Gumbo and Ellie