ANIMAL

AID: A SCHOOL AND PRESENTATION

PET

CLUB

(INSPIRED BY KAREN TALBOT AND M.O.M.S RESCUE)

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PART

"TAKE

ME

HOME"

Written by Donna M. Swajeski Music by Melissa Pascoe (THIS PLAY CAN BE PERFORMED WITH AS MANY CHILDREN OR ADULTS AS NEEDED BUT HERE IT'S FOR 7 ACTORS. THE STAGE IS SET UP WITH 7 PODIUMS. THERE ARE DOG PHOTOS ON THE 4 MIDDLE ONES: ANGEL,A GOLDEN RETRIEVER, SPARKLE, A CHIHUAHUA, RUFUS, A MUTT, AND TROUBLE, A PIT BULL. A SCREEN IS BEHIND THE PODIUMS FOR THE FILM PORTION OF THIS SHOW.) NARRATOR 1 Ever wonder when you see a homeless dog where he came from? Did you ever think that was once someone's pet? How did he get that way? This is where the story begins NARRATOR 2 Angel was a Retriever with eyes that twinkled like dark stars. He lived with his owner, Barney. Everywhere Barney went, there went Angel like his golden shadow. Barney and Angel played ball together. They took walks down shady lanes, and for a treat, Barney let Angel chase squirrels. ANGEL But only for fun. Barney taught me to love every living thing. The birds. People. (BEAT) Even cats. (SIGHS) It was a good life.

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NARRATOR 1 Then, Barney lost his job. Angel didn't understand all this talk of the Economy. He only knew that, as hard as he tried, he could not get Barney to smile again ANGEL Even when I dropped a ball at his feet to play fetch. That always used to get him NARRATOR 1 So Angel retreated to a patch of sun on the carpet and waited. (BEAT) One day Barney called to Angel. There were packed suitcases everywhere. Barney had lost his house. He had to move somewhere where no dogs were allowed. There was no money left. Angel slipped his nose under Barney's hand. He tried to tell him nothing mattered ANGEL Not bones, or toys, not anything but being together NARRATOR 1 But Angel did not have the right words to say it. Barney scratched the tickly part behind Angel's ears. He said he would teach Angel something that might save his life one day. It was the last gift he could give his friend. And for the next few days, Barney taught Angel a special trick. NARRATOR 2 One morning, Barney was gone and another man took Angel away. Barney had taught Angel that people were good. So he eagerly poked his nose out of the car window as they sped along. He caught tantalizing trails of scent. Trees. Meadows. Pavements wet with rain ANGEL How can anything bad happen when the world's so beautiful?

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NARRATOR 2 Then Angel was taken into a big cement building full of cages... ANGEL It was called a shelter NARRATOR 2 And, there, Angel heard a terrifying noise. Like the loudest thunder ever. It was the sound of dozens of dogs barkingin colliein German Shepardin Welsh terrier. He tried to make out what they were saying but it was too confusing. Angel was put in a kennel. Through the bars, Angel looked for Barney. Surely he was coming for him SPARKLE Don't hold your breath, Big Guy. NARRATOR 2 Angel turned to see a frail little Chihuahua named Sparkle in the next cage SPARKLE They don't come back for you. You're stuck here now. ANGEL I didn't do anything wrong. SPARKLE None of us did. NARRATOR 2 Sparkle was a sweet little dog who talked in a voice like chirping sparrows. She explained that people come here to meet you and take your home if you're lucky. Sparkle suddenly straightened up and wiggled her ears.

But why?

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SPARKLE Look sharp, Goldilocks. We've got visitors. (EXCITED) This is going to be my lucky day. I can feel it NARRATOR 2 Curious, Angel peeked out and saw a young couple strolling past. Some dogs jumped, some wagged and Sparkle tried calling to them. SPARKLE Hey, over here! Pick me. Yoo hoo! (AS SHE CALLS, SHE STARTS COUGHING) NARRATOR 2 Sparkle watched them pass sadly. She explained that all the dogs are here because they have no homes. That's when Angel realized because Barney had no home, no job, he had to leave Angel. He wondered how Sparkle ended up at the shelter. SPARKLE I was the prettiest puppy. Stunning if you ask me. Then - I did a terrible thing. ANGEL You bit someone? SPARKLE Worse. (BEAT) I got old. I'm 12 now. Got arthritis and I cant see very well anymore. (PROUD) But once upon a time, I paraded on a leash like a dream. Everyone on the block wanted to play with me. Now, Im no one to nobody. NARRATOR 2 And she curled up into a ball of sorrow, hiding the tears in her cloudy eyes.

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NARRATOR 3 Soon a worker put a leash on Angel to take him There, he met another dog named Rufus. A mixed Half terrier, half boxer, half who knows what. thing whole about him was his heart, which was

outside. up mutt. The only very big.

RUFUS You're new here, right? (CONFIDENTIAL) Well, heres a tip. There's one dog you should avoid. Trouble. The pit bull. Mean as they come. Stick to your side of the yard or she might attack. ANGEL Thanks. I know pit bulls have a bad reputation. But I'm not sure why - since I don't really know any. (CURIOUS) How did you end up in the shelter? NARRATOR 3 Rufus explained that his people had a new baby and had no time for him anymore. They'd simply turned him out into the street the day they brought the baby home. RUFUS At first I ran around sniffing everything. It was like the best kind of holiday. But then I got lost and walked miles, trying to find my way home. I was hungry and tired when the shelter picked me up. I thought my family would come looking for me. (BEAT) But they didn't. ANGEL I'm sorry. RUFUS Don't be. At least I know what love is. I had some good years sleeping on comfy couches and being taken care of by my family. Many dogs come here as puppies. All they know are cement floors, hunger, and fear. They have no one to

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hug them. Or teach them how to be good pets. I was very close to my family, especially, Billy, the boy who went off to college. (SAD) I don't understand why I was put out. I love babies. SPARKLE It's true. When puppies are brought in, scared, their moms gone - Rufus comforts them. He's good that way. RUFUS I would have loved a new baby in the house to crawl over me and share my toys. Why didn't my family see that? NARRATOR 3 But Angel had no answer. Outside in the yard, a Scottie wrestled with a pug. And a handful of wiggly puppies played together. Suddenly a shadow loomed up. It was Trouble. A fierce looking pit bull. All the dogs scattered. Trouble's teeth gleamed. She had a 'stay out of my way' look in her eyes. But Angel had learned from Barney that all animals and people were good. So he walked right up to her. ANGEL Hello I'm new here. RUFUS Uh, oh. (WORRIED) This is not gonna be pretty. (TROUBLE TURNS TO ANGEL AND SPEAKS IN A MENACING VOICE) TROUBLE Back off! I don't want company. Leave me alone RUFUS Told you. She'll never get out of here with that attitude.

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NARRATOR 3 Rufus told Angel that the shelter was overcrowded because of all the homeless dogs. The shelter workers did their best. They fed the dogs, walked them, and cared about them. But every day more and more cats and dogs ended up on hard times. And ended up on the shelter's door step. The shelters needed help as much as the animals did. They had no more room and tried hard to find homes for the dogs. Everyone was doing their best. Except Trouble. RUFUS So, take my advice, and stay away from her NARRATOR 3 Like the other dogs, Angel started to move away from the pit bull. But then he saw something that changed his mind. Angel approached Trouble again as Rufus tried to stop him. But Angel wasn't afraid. Because he saw somethinghe saw NARRATOR 2 That all time Trouble was trash talking, her back legs were shaking. (BEAT) She's the one who was afraid ANGEL That's why you act tough, right? That's why you make so much noise. You don't want people to see you're afraid! TROUBLE (DEFENSIVE) No. I'll fight you if I have to. Go away. I'll never get a home or belong to anyone and neither will any of you. You're full of hope you'll be rescued and that's stupid because our story never has a happy ending. Look around! We've been thrown away like garbage. Forgotten. Because we're an inconvenience. A responsibility no one wants any more. We're invisible.

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ANGEL It doesn't have to be that way. I'm going to teach you something that someone I loved taught me. It can save your life. You have to reach out to people. Because they might be as scared as you are. NARRATOR 3 And Angel began to teach the pit bull the last thing Barney taught him. Know what it was? (BEAT) How to give your paw to someone. How to shake hands. Trouble laughed when Angel demonstrated, lifting his paw. TROUBLE Fool! We are going to end our lives in this miserable place. No sun, no kind words, no warm arms around us. We're never going to run and play again or curl up in a soft chair in our very own home. We are never going to be free or loved or treasured. NARRATOR 1 But Angel didn't give up. He showed Trouble over and over how to shake hands although she ignored him. Soon Angel grew very sad for missing Barney. He stopped eating. But he still held onto hope. Even when days stretched into weeks. Then one day there was news SPARKLE Guess what? I heard from a bulldog who got it from a corgi that the shelter's having an adoption day! We'll have a chance to strut our stuff and find an owner. So get your beauty sleep tonight, doggies. Tomorrow you might find someone to take you home TROUBLE Don't believe it. You can't trust anyone.

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ANGEL That's a terrible way to live. TROUBLE It's the only way I know how. NARRATOR 1 Adoption day dawned. Everyone was excited. The dogs were out in the yard, in their best collars. Hoping for someone to call their names, look their way. Angel was still sad. And Trouble was tied on a tight leash so she couldn't hurt anyone. She just stood there looking mad at the world SPARKLE This is Trouble's last chance. She knows if she's not picked today, she will never have a home --. (SPARKLE DISSOLVES INTO A COUGHING FIT AS THE OTHER DOGS LOOK WORRIED.) RUFUS Don't cough! People don't want sick dogs. You have to be perfect. SPARKLE Hey, it's not my fault. It's cold and I caught a sniffle. But I'll keep quiet. So people will want me. (SPARKLE HOLDS HER NOSE, TRYING TO QUIET HERSELF.) NARRATOR 1 Adoption day was held on a beautiful May morning. Visitors passed the cages of Sparkle, Angel and Rufus without a second look. There were so many dogs that needed homes. A woman named Nancy happened to be walking by the shelter. She was sad and stopped to sit on a bench. Tears were in her eyes. Something was bothering her. She saw the shelter's open doors and decided to walk in. She was

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looking at the cages when she suddenly stopped in front of Angel because his eyes were as sad as hers. She asked a shelter helper NANCY(ALSO NARRATOR 2) What's that dog's name? (BEAT) Oh, look, it's written on his card. (READS) Angel. (EMOTIONAL) Angel! Look at you, Boy. You look like your heart is broken. (GENTLY) Don't worry. I'm taking you. NARRATOR 3 Then Nancy snapped the leash on Angel and with that sound, suddenly all the long walks and wonderful times with Barney came rushing back to him. Angel looked up hopefully and Nancy was smiling, the most beautiful smile he'd ever seen. He'd been picked just in time because the shelter was closing. NARRATOR 1 But as the people started leaving and the doors were shutting, Trouble broke off her leash and made a run for freedom. She knew this was her chance to escape. TROUBLE Out of my way. I'm getting out of here --! NARRATOR 1 The pit bull didn't realize it but, as she rushed to the door, a child stepped in her way. The child started screaming because she was scared of big dogs. Trouble skidded to a stop, rather than knock her down. The shelter people were rushing to Trouble. Angel feared this wouldn't end well but -- suddenly -- a miracle happened. Trouble slowly, nervously, put her paw out to the girl. Just like Angel had showed her.

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NARRATOR 3 For a moment, time froze. Trouble's whole future hung on that moment. Then the terrified girl put her hand out, too, and took Trouble's paw. She circled her arms around Trouble and clung to her soft fur. Trouble stayed very still. It had been a long time since she was hugged and it felt very good. "Daddy, I want this one!" Everyone was surprised. Most of all, Trouble. TROUBLE (STUNNED) Wait. Did she pick me? ANGEL I told you! You can never stop believing that good things will happen. NARRATOR 1 And Trouble left with the child leading her, as meek lamb. She finally had her new start. Angel went back goodbye to Rufus who was standing, smiling(for yes, can smile) next to Billy, the teenager who had loved

as a to say dogs him.

RUFUS Can you believe it? When Billy found out his family dumped me, he started searching everywhere for me. He's living off campus now. He said I was his best friend growing up when he was lonely. And you never forget old friends. He's taking me to live with him! ANGEL Why is Sparkle's cage empty? Did she find a home? RUFUS (SAD) She was taken to the vet. She has no chance to be adopted now that she's sick. It's good news for us. But bad news for Sparkle.

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NARRATOR 1 And that very day Nancy took Angel to his new home with a big yard full of wonderful places to dig. There was even a tree, full of squirrels. But inside the house, the hall was filled with suitcases. Angel froze. This is how it started with Barney! Was Nancy moving only to leave him behind again? Nancy saw his confused look. She pointed to the luggage and told her story. NANCY Today was Mother's Day and my mother died last week. Those are her suitcases full of clothes she'll never wear again. I was going to give them away today but I couldn't bear to. So I went for a walk instead and ended up at the shelter. Mom always said she'd send an angel to watch over me, so when I found out Angel was your name, and when I saw how sad you were, too -- I thought that maybe, just maybe, we could save each other. What do you think? NARRATOR 1 For an answer, Angel licked Nancy's face and said with every thump of his wagging tail... ANGEL I'm yours. I will be loyal forever. I will guard you with my life. I will make you smile and follow you to the ends of the earth. I will sleep near you, rejoice when you are happy and when you're sad, I will be right by your side. No one will ever love you more. NARRATOR 3 And though neither spoke the same language, Nancy understood every word. Angel grew to love Nancy as much as he had loved Barney. Because the heart is a great thing and can be given away more than once. A few weeks after being adopted, Angel was in the park when he saw Trouble with her little girl. She looked so happy.

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ANGEL What happened? You're a different dog! TROUBLE Well, it's like this. The night my family brought me home, they changed my name from Trouble to Beauty. And that's what I became. Beautiful. I never wanted to fight but I had to to survive on the streets. I had no other choice if I wanted to eat. NARRATOR 3 Luckily, the little girl saw through Trouble, past her defenses, right to her beautiful soul. NARRATOR 1 And what happened to Sparkle who was left behind? NARRATOR 3 Even though she only had a little cough, the doc feared her time was up. She had lost her sparkle, her belief. And it was affecting her health. Sparkle felt like her world was ending. But then she heard a voice saying she'd be all right. Sparkle looked around, puzzled. SPARKLE Did someone say something? Speak up. I'm a tiny bit deaf NARRATOR 3 That's when Sparkle saw the janitor, learning his mop against the wall. He's the one who'd spoken to her. Miguel was an older man. His legs ached too and he was not as spry as he used to be. He'd heard the doctor worrying that Sparkle was too old but he didn't see that at all. Miguel thought she was perfect, and to prove it, that night he adopted her.

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NARRATOR 1 Because for every person young or old, there is the right dog just waiting. You can be the hero to a dog and give them a hand. And, in return, dogs can teach you how to be a leader, a kinder person, a better friend. When you get your forever friend, you only have to promise this NANCY You will handle your dog with compassion and a kind touch. You will feed him, walk him, and look after his basic needs. Even if times get rough, you won't abandon him but will find a way to take care of him, just like any other member of your family. Because dogs are not disposable. NARRATOR 3 They have feelings. They have rights. They have hearts. They are counting on you. ANGEL Just like you can always count on them. It's a two way street. TROUBLE It's a promise you make, the first time you snap on that leashto honor and respect. If you give homeless dogs the gift of a second chance, they'll give you back unconditional love. All you have to do is open your heart and ALL DOGS Take us home! ANGEL You can make a difference in a homeless pets life. This is how one very special family did. (NOW WE TRANSITION TO PART TWO, OUR DOCUMENTARY SEGMENT.)

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NARRATOR 1 It started as a school project for a woman named Karen Talbot from New Jersey, her husband Dante and son Matthew. Their school decided to gather food for homeless dogs. But when the family went to the GA shelter that they'd "adopted" and saw it was overcrowded with dogs that had once been loving pets, Karen knew she had to act. So she formed an organization called M.O.M.S. The making of miracle stories. NARRATOR 2 Karen and her volunteers started working with a shelter in GA where the public wasn't allowed. They connected with a woman in GA named Meike Wilder, who had formed a group called Carpathia Paws to help shelter animals. Carpathia was the name of the only ship that came to rescue the Titanic. It seemed a fitting name. Because Meike fought for the right to get inside that shelter by purchasing a million dollar insurance policy herself. No matter that it took almost every cent she had. She and Karen formed a partnership. 2 women dedicated to speaking out for voiceless animals. And soon that partnership swelled into a movement NARRATOR 3 Now, every month mothers and children led by Karen, from NJ, caravan down to GA to meet Meike at the shelter. That's 13 hours each way. The south has no spay and neuter laws and, as a result, an epidemic of deserted animals. It's an area where strays roam the streets looking desperately for food, puppies are dumped on the road sides, animals are shot or hit by cars on a daily basis and sick animals are often left without medical care. And a miracle indeed, did happen... in over 2 years, Karen's placed 2000 dogs in loving homes. Along the way, she's made great friendships, touched many hearts and has given families their best furever friends. Here is their story

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(THEATRE DARKENS AND TAKE ME HOME DOCUMENTARY IS PLAYED. AFTER THE DOCUMENTARY, TEACHER TAKES STAGE. HE OR SHE IS THE ONE WHO WILL RUN THE ANIMAL AID CLUB). TEACHER Do you love animals? Do you want to help them? Every day hundreds of homeless pets are abandoned to overcrowded shelters. Dog and cats whose only crime is being homeless. They dont have a voice. But we can speak for them. For those of you interested in animals, were organizing an Animal Aid club in our school. We will meet weekly and sponsor a pet from the on-line animals in our area needing help. As a project, well do a bake sale, raffles, or find other ways to raise the very minimal fee to sponsor a dog that will then get them to a rescue group. (Note: this can range from 25.00 to 80.00) Week after week, well learn how to care for dogs and cats. Well speak to professionals who work with animals and learn how they think and behave. Well learn how dogs can help us be leaders. And how to treat them with compassion and trust. We will do everything from networking to adopt dogs, to collecting food for a local shelter, to learning how to handle a new puppy along the American Humane Association guidelines.(Your club can use lesson plans from the AHAs web site for club meeting content. Download them now at www.americanhumane.org.) So that when youre ready for a pet, youll know how to care for one. That way a dog has the best chance to stay in your family instead of ending up in a shelter. So any of you who want to learn more about helping animals, sign up for our Animal Aid Club and be a hero to a four legged friend.you can make a difference!

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(WHEN TEACHER ENDS SPEECH CHILDREN WITH PETS START ENTERING STAGE. SHOW ENDS WITH CHILDREN SINGING "THAT'S THE THING". TEACHER CAN THEN INVITE AUDIENCE TO TALK TO THE CHILDREN/MEET THE PETS/ SIGN UP FOR THE HOMELESS CLUB. BELOW ARE THE LYRICS AND THE SONG TRACKS ARE DOWNLOADABLE FROM ANIMAL AID WEBSITE).
Thats the Thing Lyrics/Music by Melissa Pascoe (Download music tracks from HTTP://www.Animalaidusa.org) We will be together forever You can see that Im a lot like you used to be We will take every moment Use it up, and smile a lot, and live thankfully Hold a hand (hold a hand) Touch a heart (touch a heart) Shout and sing (shout and sing) Friends for life (friends for life) Thats the thing, thats the thing (thats the thing) Hold a hand (hold a hand) Touch a heart (touch a heart) Shout and sing (shout and sing) Save a life (save a life) Thats the thing, thats the thing (thats the thing) You walked in, the light shone behind you Beautiful, and magical, you opened the door Suddenly you changed every moment Of my life as I knew it before Hold a hand (hold a hand) Touch a heart (touch a heart) Shout and sing (shout and sing) Friends for life (friends for life) Thats the thing, thats the thing (thats the thing) Hold a hand (hold a hand) Touch a heart (touch a heart) Shout and sing (shout and sing) Save a life (save a life) Thats the thing, thats the thing (thats the thing) Every day I wait to see your face and then you come round again Now I know Ill never see the day when we are lonely again

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I would And now Take me Take me

try to see the brighter side of every moment alone youre here, and you are dear, and youll take me home, home, home.

Hold a hand (hold a hand) Touch a heart (touch a heart) Shout and sing (shout and sing) Friends for life (friends for life) Thats the thing, thats the thing (thats the thing) Hold a hand (hold a hand) Touch a heart (touch a heart) Shout and sing (shout and sing) Save a life (save a life) Thats the thing, thats the thing (thats the thing).