Counselor’s Corner - May 22 Issue

Dear Teachers,

In the early morning of May 1, a couple in southeastern Tennessee woke up to a mysterious dog sleeping in their bed – snuggled between them.  

Julie Thornton Johnson said "My husband asked, Whose dog is this?' In a very urgent but calm voice," She originally thought the pup was one of their own three dogs, who often sleeps in the bed as well.  But when Thornton Johnson turned around, she saw a 90-pound, red nose pitbull-labrador mix that she didn't recognize.  "My husband and I locked eyes – and sure enough, in between us was absolutely not our dog," said Thornton Johnson. At first they were "taken aback ... (but) it was obvious then that she was of no harm to anybody. She was just a pup having a spend-a-night party."

So they turned to Facebook. Thornton Johnson took some pictures and selfies with their new house guest and shared them on social media.  "This is the weirdest post I have ever had to make," she wrote on Facebook. "Is this your dog?"  Within hours, Thornton Johnson found the owners, Cris Hawkins and Felecia Johnson, and learned the dog's name: Nala. Nala had escaped from about 2 miles away.  They soon Johnson came to pick up their pup – but it took some convincing, since Nala still snuggling in her new home-away-from-home.

As I think about how your students have spent their time in your classrooms this school year, I know they've found a home-away-from-home.  They've known your classroom was safe to be themselves on good and bad days.  They've known you would celebrate their successes and overlook their failures.  They've known they could grow in Jesus and can snuggle up to His love and affection for a lifetime. 


Thank you for RESCUING your students this school year! 
Mindy