Status Updates From Rez Dogs

All cynicism aside, I liked the end of this book. I can't write much about it without posting spoilers, so I won't. I enjoyed learning from this book and reading about the Penacook tribe.

We need to be kind to each other and all living things,
Make the circle strong for those who come after us.

I agree with this, but the cynic in me fears that most people don't value kindness or being kind. I know that comes off as negative, but that's honestly how I feel. 😔😭

I appreciate how Ms. Mendelson opened up to her class about one of her own snap judgments. She showed her students that she wasn't perfect.

'I think that what we all need now is to know each other better.'

Great point from Ms. Mendelson. People need to do this in general instead of being so quick to judge each other. People need to be open to listening to one another.

It was interesting to have a memory refresher about the illnesses that the pilgrims spread to the Native Americans. That's not a pleasant memory refresher, but it's a reminder regardless. 😖

I'm glad that this chapter also covered the connection and friendship between humans dogs. That was very sweet to read about. 🙂

This chapter touched on Indigenous boarding schools and the forced sterilization of Native American women. I already knew about both of these topics, but they're still sobering and tough to read about. So heartbreaking.

Plus, even when she was told a story she'd heard before, there was always something in that story that was more.

I love this idea. This is how I feel about my mom's stories.

I had no idea that Native American people donated money to help Irish people during the Irish potato famine. I liked learning about that.

A dog needs people as much as people need a dog.

I agree with this idea completely. 😊

I'm not going to read another chapter from this book today because I'm not in a hurry to finish it.

I already knew what frybread was, but it was fun to read about it. I didn't know that frybread was connected to treaties from the United States government. I'm glad that I learned more about Native American history from reading those two chapters.

I loved the emphasis on family at the end of the third chapter, and the younger generation taking care of the older generation. That was so heartwarming and touching.