"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

Sydney S., age 13, Coral Springs, FL

My Compassion for Animals 

So you want to know what I have done to show my “hoot” for animals? Read on and you shall find out. The list is endless but these are just a few.

Because I care deeply for animals I spent a lot of time trying to help them in anyway possible, either by donating food, toys, or helping them find their way back home when they lose their path.

Just last weekend I was camping for girl scouts and one of the girls in my sister’s troop caught a giant snapping turtle on a fishing pole by accident. So I went over to it and I picked it up (he was very heavy) and took pliers and cut the hook out of his mouth and then we sent him on his journey home after we cleaned his shell and fed him turtle-appropriate food.

Sometimes I go out in my neighborhood on my bike on the lookout for lost dogs with my ‘take the dog home’ kit, which consists of dog treats, leash and collar, and a compact water bottle and dog bowl. I have only succeeded in catching and bringing home 2 now-happy dogs, but who knows what the future holds.

I also try to work around the days that my school or camp goes to the zoo, circus, movies starring animals (live ones) and most definitely rodeos. The last thing I want is to promote something as cruel as those listed above and me paying money to someone else to hurt animals.

 y own dog is also a very happy dog. She is a pug. I love her very much and care for her all the time. I try very hard to make her feel the same about me. I have taught her many things. I take her out to the Bark Park and nice walks around the neighborhood.  She knows to play hide and go seek. I clean her folds and ears and brush her teeth every weekend.

I love animals and I’m always trying to improve my knowledge of them. I want to be a farm veterinarian when I grow up. I love to write essays about things I love and animals so this is perfect. I have had a poem about beluga whales published in a poem book, I have won 2nd place for Florida on my essay against rodeos and had honorable mention on my social studies project on coral reefs. When I pass away I would like to be made into a brick for the artificial coral reefs. I have a special connection with animals and they are a big part of my life.