I was in 6th grade. My science teacher was Mr. Kilduff. I remember he was a sharp dresser and had jet black hair and he was a strict, demanding teacher. He expected a lot, but I learned a lot.
I was one of a group of 6 that he had picked to do a special science project.
We ordered fertilized eggs and put them in an incubator in the classroom and followed their progress every day. We monitored the temperature. We rotated and turned them. We had binders and recorded all our observations.
Every afternoon, we met at the back table and took turns cracking open an egg to see the different stages of development. We put them in petrie dishes with formaldahyde for preservation. I can still see everything about it vividly. We wrote down every detail.
At 21 days, the remaining ten eggs started to crack and hatch!
It was absolutely fascinating to be a part of this. They were like our 'babies' after 3 weeks! A few died, and the rest were divided between us 6 group members to take home as our reward (along with an A for our science grade!)
My chick was beautiful. She was the sick one with lots of diarrhea and I nursed her back to health. I was very attached to Beeper. She loved to 'beep, beep' all day long. My dad took a cardboard box and fitted it with an extension cord and a light bulb to keep her warm.
She grew up and I would give her some roaming time in the backyard.
One Saturday my neighborhood friend, Sheree Bodoff, came over. I was in the backyard with Beeper keeping an eye on her and Sheree came out to see me through the kitchen door.
Our brown Dachshound, Gretchen, ran out as fast as she could. Gretchen ran right to Beeper and clamped her tightly in her mouth, turned and carried her straight back into the kitchen and took her to her bed under the desk. She was very proud of her kill. Bit Beeper right through the heart. At least the death was instant.
I was beside myself with grief.
I cried and cried and swore my hatred to our beloved family dog (who was just following her instincts). I was unforgiving to my friend who opened the door.
We had a funeral and buried Beeper in the backyard. I forgave Gretchen and loved her till the day she died. I also forgave my friend, Sheree. Sometimes mistakes just happen and our friendship was more important than this mistake.
I had good parents who helped me talk about and learn from it.
Childhood.
