 |
| Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie Bazinet Third-grader Julee Cote was one of many students in Rachel Burgeois’ class who enjoyed spending time with kittens from the Halfway Home Pet Rescue. |
By Natalie Bazinet
Staff Writer
CARIBOU — Students of Rachel Burgeois’ third-grade class had very special guests on Dec. 20 when Norma Milton and a bundle of furry kittens visited their classroom.
Considering that there were a bunch of free-range kittens adorably milling about their little chairs while Milton educated them on how to keep cats safe and healthy, the students displayed impressive attentiveness.
Milton showed the students how to care for kittens and cats, including the right way of picking them up and stressing the importance of keeping kitties inside during the cold, winter months.
Students were eager to answer Milton’s questions and, as kids do, sometimes provided answers to unasked questions by sharing stories about their own cats.
Showing their appreciation for Milton’s visit, the students of Burgeois’ class presented her with a gift bag filled with some very important goodies that they’d earned in the months leading up to her visit.
Instead of getting toys or treats for their good behavior this year, the class agreed instead that good behavior would merit toys and treats for their new four-legged friends.
The good-behavior cat goodies that the class gave the Halfway Home Pet Rescue were a symbol of just how well behaved they are — and the bag was over half full.
 |
 |
| Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie Bazinet One beige fluffy kitten stood like a little mannequin as Halfway Home Pet Rescue President Norma Milton explained how delicate the kitties’ little bodies are. |
Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie Bazinet Not even Teague Park Principal Steve Austin was immune to the irresistible charm of the Halfway Home Pet Rescue kittens — he’s shown here with one of many beige kittens Teague Park third-graders were visited by on Dec. 20. |
 |
 |
| Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie Bazinet Through some very good behavior, students of Rachel Burgeois’ third-grade class earned dozens of cat toys that they gave to Norma Milton and the Halfway Home Pet Rescue to show their appreciation for her visit. Shown here presenting Milton with the bag was Devon Hebert. |
Aroostook Republican photo /Natalie Bazinet Michael Cyr gingerly pets a kitten during the Halfway Home Pet Rescue visit to his classroom at Teague Park. |
 |
 |
| Aroostook Republican photo/Natalie Bazinet Abbie McNeal, at right, made sure to hold the kitten how Norma Milton (not pictured) taught her — picking it up by supporting its rear end as to not harm the delicate kitty’s body. As shown above, the kitten didn’t seem to mind being passed around the classroom. |
Aroostook Republican Photo/Natalie Bazinet This little third-grader got to cuddle with a kitten as well during the HHPR visit at Teague Park on Dec. 20. |
