I feel free!

Joan Sieber Ware

WHEN I was growing up, there were lots of times when I didn't feel free. Sometimes I felt sad and lonely. Sometimes I felt confused or discouraged. At those times, I would go down to the basement and sit on the big sofa. My dog, Betsy, would always come and sit with me. She comforted me. She also taught me a lot about freedom.

Betsy lived freedom. When she was a puppy we made a small fenced area in the basement to keep her in one spot. She always found a way out. When she got bigger we gave her half of the basement. But she learned to jump up on the door and turn the doorknob with her paws!

Finally, my dad built a tall fence around the backyard. That would keep Betsy in for sure! She sat in the backyard watching Dad work very hard. Then, just as he finished nailing in the very last board of the gate, she gave a little run, sailed through the air, and went right over that gate! Nothing could keep Betsy from being free.

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