Category Archives: Prevention

abused female teen

Looking at the spectrum between bullying by boys and boys becoming abusers in relationships

It is very important to know how bullying grows and becomes more intense as bullies grow.  The connection between boys who bully and who then become relationship abusers is discussed in this relationship….<click here>

Schoolyard-bully

Reasons to Have a Bullying Awareness/Prevention Program in Schools

There is some very good research showing how programs that provide kids with awareness and protection skills helps lower the amount of bullying that occurs.  To read more…<click here>

Is There Anything Good About Bullying?

This article highlights the possible benefits of bullying. It seems to go counter to the concept of kindness, however we feel we need to share all opinions and information in order to be fair. To read more <click here>

Dad Demonstrates His Support of Ending Bullying

A caring father shows his support for his son and his strong committment to making schools take more action in ending bullying…to read article <click here>

Boy and Dog

A Boy and his Irish Wolfhound

I am posting this story because it is so much to the core of Bully No More’s belief in the power and need for kindness.  Please feel free to pass it to anyone you know who will appreciate it. I couldn’t find its original author, so if you know, please let me know. 

— Michele Koonin

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Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog’s owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer.

I told the family we couldn’t do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure as they felt that Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker’s family surrounded him.

Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker’s transition without any difficulty or confusion.

We sat together for a while after Belker’s Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives.
Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, “I know why.”

Startled, we all turned to him.

What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I’d never heard a more comforting explanation. It has changed the way I try and live.

He said, “People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life — like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?”

The six-year-old continued, “Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don’t have to stay as long.”

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Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

  • When loved ones come home, always run to greet them;
  • Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride;
  • Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy;
  • Take naps;
  • Stretch before rising;
  • Run, romp, and play daily;
  • Thrive on attention and let people touch you;
  • Avoid biting when a simple growl will do;
  • On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass;
  • On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree;
  • When you’re happy, dance around and wag your entire body;
  • Delight in the simple joy of a long walk;
  • Be loyal;
  • Never pretend to be something you’re not;
  • If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it;
  • When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle them gently;

There comes a time in life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it.

You surround yourself with people who make you laugh, forget the bad, and focus on the good, so, love the people who treat you right.

Think good thoughts for the ones who don’t ~ life is too short to be anything but happy.

Study Links Prevalence of Bullying, Teasing to High Dropout Rates

“This study suggests that teasing and bullying at the high school level is a noteworthy problem that is associated with the most serious negative outcome, failure to graduate”… <click here to see full article>