PONTOTOC COUNTY, Miss. (WTVA) - A South Pontotoc second grade class recently adopted two beagle mixes from the Pontotoc County Animal Rescue and Shelter.
On Thursday the students finally got to see the animals in person.
Student Nick Fletcher said, "We thought it was a good idea if we'd actually adopt both of them and we'd be really excited about it."
Student Destiny Waldo said, "It makes us feel very, very happy because we all like dogs."
The puppies, a brother and sister, got a rough start in life after being found abandoned on a county road.
Katie Jackson, who's with the animal shelter, said, "There were no houses on the road, they were both skin and bones and were covered in fleas. The little boy had about a three inch gash on his back leg all the way down to the bone."
The students decided to adopt the puppies, which they named Drake and Daisy, after reading a book about two dogs that save their owner from a dangerous situation.
Now, these students are helping save the two pups with a "Pennies for Puppies" project they started.
It's a lesson about how working together can make a big difference.
Teacher Deana Tryon said, "Their brains are soaking it all in and we want to give them as much information as possible in order to be good citizens."
Jackson said, "It's good to start them at such a young age to learn how important adoption is and how many animals die at shelters every year. There just aren't enough homes and we want to get across to kids how important that is."
With the approval of their parents, it's hoped one or both of the puppies will be adopted and taken home by one or more of the students in this class.
