Page 6 - 2006

e early morning sun was just beginning to peek over the trees as Dorothy
T:
kipped down the road towards her school bus stop. She whistled a merry
tune as she caught up with Taylor Gibson, a good friend who sat beside her every day on Route 429 in Wasaga Beach. Soon they would be joined by fellow students Ryan and Justin Bodiam, Kolton Groves, Christina Bailey and Khristi Gow, all of them on their way to Collingwood Collegiate Institute for another day full of note-taking, reading during the DEAR programme, working out in the new weight room and other fun activities. Behind her lagged her ever- faithful canine, Toto. He had been obtained from the new Humane Society facility in Collingwood shortly before her parents had left for an extended stay in Nunavut. They had replaced Mr. McMillan who had returned from this far destination to resume his teaching position at CCI. Hence, Dorothy and Toto were residing with Auntie Em and Uncle Henry during their absence and had become inseparable.
Much to bus driver Helen's chagrin, Toto was constantly sneaking on board for a ride to the nearby high school in order to spend the day at CCI with Dorothy. Upon arrival, she would quietly admit him through the doors as hundreds of students hurried through the main entrance in a rush to get to homeroom on time. It was a well known rule that one must never be late for a class! She would rush to her locker in the business wing and if she happens to notice Miss
Wallace or Mr. Nuttley approaching, she would quickly stuffToto
into her locker until the coast was clear. The dog was welcomed
by all students as he made his way from class to class
throughout the day. It had become an easy task for him
to slip into the various rooms and hide among the teens
as they worked because several had hairstyles very
close in resemblance.