Whether it’s love at first-sight or it takes a few tries, rescues and pets adopted from shelters and community organizations have proven to be blessings for many in Dallas ISD. Some pets have come from more unusual places like Dallas ISD’s Environmental Education Center.
Lola is a 5-year-old shepherd-pit bull mix we adopted from Operation Kindness in 2016 after her first two strikes. A year later came Ella Fitzgerald (“Ellie”), a 5-year-old Treeing Walker Coonhound, also from Operation Kindness and also with two strikes, because whatever Lola wants, Lola gets, and Lola wanted a puppy. While they have proved many times why it took three tries to get it right, we are so glad they waited for our family to take them home. They make us laugh, keep us fit, and protect us—mostly from squirrels and rabbits, but probably from other things, if needed. Here they are supervising Mom while she works.
Karla Genter, Evaluation and Assessment
Geoffrey is a Westie mix who was abandoned over five years ago on a school playground. He was rescued after being left outside in the pouring rain by my husband Forrest Oliver (Dallas ISD retired teacher). He has been such a joy and is loved and adored by all. Geoffrey is very affectionate but fiercely independent. He enjoys his daily walks and meeting new people as well as our neighbors. The neighborhood children love petting him and giving him treats, which he frequently buries to be enjoyed at a later time.
Ronald Mart, Dallas ISD substitute.
Emerald is a female iguana I have had for a year. I also have Brownie, a rabbit I have had for a few months and that came from the Environmental Education Center, and Shadow, a chicken that is a few weeks old.
Brittany Toomer, CityLab HS
Layla and Ava came into my life in 2018, a few months after my sweet dog passed away. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to open my heart for two more dogs, but they really made it hard not to! They are so sweet, and I love the bond they have with each other. Everyone in my family loves these two, even my stubborn dad.
Lisette Ceniceros, School for the Talented and Gifted in Pleasant Grove
We adopted three cats over the summer. First, we got the sweetest little sisters, Rosemary and Vera, and a few days later, we adopted our big, handsome boy, Dasche.
Carey Bain, Ignacio Zaragoza ES
Here is my very sweet dog, Rai (pronounced “rye”) snuggling on me while I try to work. When I’m on my laptop is her favorite time to seek attention and put her head on my keyboard!
Poonam Dubal, Mental Health Services
The majestic feline you see above is Princess Snowbelle. As a former dog person, I never imagined I’d fall in love with a cat, but here we are. She loves expensive, grain-free treats and being brushed, particularly under her chin. As her appearance would indicate, she’s a bit of a diva and loves to act as my own personal alarm clock on weekdays and weekends alike. She isn’t a lap cat but deigns to sit near me instead. She was adopted from Operation Kindness two years ago and celebrated her 11th birthday in August.
Jordan Hillis, Moisés E. Molina HS
These are Angel and George, they both turned 6 years old this past summer. We rescued them from DAS and are now a bonded pair. They love to go to the park and chase tennis balls on the weekends and ride along during errands in the car. They also have helped foster many of the bottle baby kittens we have had over the past few years by being stand-in parents and showing the ropes to the babies. We are so thankful for these snuggle bugs.
Kristen Trueblood, W.T. White HS
Skank came to our family as a stray – found in the garage eating dog food – very hungry and a bit injured. He is sweet, quite the charmer, and ever so handsome. He is big on napping, “skanking” around the neighborhood and spending time between the great outdoors and inside. Kerry Glittenberg, Urban Park ES
I rescued Charlie from under my patio at home when he was 1 month old. He is now 2 years old and does not think he is a cat. My family have five dogs and his favorite name Barlie. Charlie will play fetch and wrestle with Barlie. The funny thing is my vet refers to him as a dog, too. He can be a monster sometimes, but I love him. Letha Cannon, Downtown Montessori at Ida B. Wells
I am a total dog mom, and this is my little lovebug Ollie. I got her at 6 weeks old in 2004, and she is now over 16.5 years old. Her age may show in her white hair but not in her attitude and actions. She still enjoys walks and spending the night at my mom’s visiting her 16-year-old chihuahua. We also catch up daily after work by sitting together on the couch and relaxing before dinner. Annemarie Fehrenbacher, Irma Rangel YWLS
This is my old man baby, Tito. He just turned 15 years old, and I’ve had him since he was 2 months old. He is spoiled rotten and gets just about everything he wants because he’s now blind in one eye and going deaf. He enjoys sun bathing, car rides, and taking long walks with me around our neighborhood. Tito is also well-traveled and has flown a lot more than some people. When I lived in New Jersey for college, he would fly back and forth with me often. He has been to Canada, Mexico, and many states throughout the country. Edgar Salas, Woodrow Wilson HS
Gizmo is a 5-year-old adorable Pomeranian. He is an amazing communicator with a big personality that loves attention. Gizmo does tend to forget he is a small dog at times, especially when he is trying to chase away possums and raccoons twice his size. Gizmo has been a great working companion throughout COVID. We enjoy his love and affection! Yesenia Ramirez, Early Learning
Butch, in front, and Boots are quite the pair. Although not litter mates, they are best buddies. Both were feral cats. Butch was the most feral, found around 9 months old, and it took about one year for him to not be so scared. He’s around 3 years old and is my lap cat now. He loves to play with balls, with dog bones, and chase Boots. Boots was found around 6 weeks old and grew up to be such a statuesque cat. He’s quite the talker and loves to snuggle.
Meet my fur baby Henry. He was a gift from a dear friend and has brought so much joy to my life. He is a 4-year-old Shih-Tzu mix who loves to cuddle any chance he gets and always has a smile on his face. He loves his squeaker toys and to snack on carrots & apples, he has been my saving grace during the pandemic. Saida Guzman, Human Capital Management
Changes in the work environment that have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic mean sharing tamales with Dallas ISD colleagues is impossible this year. But Barron is committed to keeping the tradition alive next year even though she is now the one making the tamales with the help of her sisters. Her mom, Margarita Martinez, passed away last year.
The tradition of sharing tamales outside the family also started with Barron’s mother. She would take tamales to a nearby Boy Scouts troupe and would share them with police officers, who later would buy them from her by the dozens. She was well know around the neighborhood for her delicious tamales. Even the mailman was a fan, and soon the whole local post office was ordering tamales.
