"Give A Hoot About Animals" Writing Contest

Read this winning entry for the "Give A Hoot About Animals" contest! Learn more about the contest here.

Honorable mention, ages 12-15

Nathan F., age 14, Northbrook, IL

Hoot Was Just the Beginning 

Just one step into my aunt’s house, I found the aura that I had been looking for. Since her home is inhabited by her furry friends, it always has a scent of “Meat Kibbles” and drool, but I never minded it. The infamous “Camp Run a Pup” was probably one of the best things that happened to my small suburban life. Other than school, and sports, I loved the camp, like a home.  

In this pet “playpen”, as I call it, animals were safely and happily treated by my aunt and her helpers. I saw the makings of this business and I knew that I couldn’t give up the chance to play with the pups. I volunteered my school vacations to come and do anything that was needed to make sure the dogs were pleased. Walking, cleaning, feeding, and playing were just the limits I had made to this volunteer work. I knew that I needed to help the animals and make sure that their parents wouldn’t have to worry about the difference in the atmosphere of the camp. I even helped with some of the prices for care, and we let in animals, no matter what species they were, and no matter what they owner’s price was. One of the dogs was abused by their owners, so we set upon the task to adopt him and give him a special place somewhere, where he knew he wouldn’t ever be harmed.

I think this experience changed me in a way never done before. I knew that having my own dog was a challenge, but I think I got the feel that animals need to be treated with the best care.  They needed our help, when they had no idea of the environment they were in, and were scared of being away from home. I love this camp and I think that I wouldn’t mind working there all of my life. 

But inside school, the pressures of homework and friends always collide until the day ends at 3:30. Every other Tuesday, my Student Council (Government) meets and finds ways that we can make our school and our world a better place. I am one of the heads of the Council and I make some of the final decisions of what is to become of our school profits. Through countless food sales and fundraisers, our school combines the money for places that need our help. In the beginning of the year, we collected supplies from every student for a dog shelter, which had a no- kill policy.  

I helped collect and found that even a few towels could help a cold or wet pup in need. We needed to find the perfect place to donate our items, and found one with the option of never killing dogs. I knew that this safe haven had to be helped, because they spend their lives caring for dogs that need a friend. For the end of the year project, I have the idea of adopting an animal at the town zoo, for a price. Our school mascot, the Wildcat, was a unique animal that I found were endangered in some parts of the world. We will be donating a portion of our collected money and helping a wildcat to have a secure plate of food, every day. 

Overall animals are important the every persons life, especially mine. I always recognize the organisms on our earth, and realize that they deserve as much of a chance at a good life, as we do. I want to continue in the future with more projects and to keep working on the job I was born to do.