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Mr Desy's Classroom Pet “Naja” Corn Snake

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Mr Desy's Classroom Pet “Naja” Corn Snake

Birth
Death
6 Oct 2010
Burlington, Des Moines County, Iowa, USA
Burial
Animal/Pet. Specifically: Buried at Home Add to Map
Memorial ID
View Source
Naja was a popular pet in Mr. Desy's life science classroom at Horace Mann Middle School in Burlington, IA. She was beloved by many students through the years. Naja was often handled by the children, and sometimes given kisses by them. She died of natural causes (old age) in the home of Joe and Phyl Desy in Burlington, and was laid to rest in their backyard.

Naja's talent was ESCAPE ARTIST, managing to escape from her cage and roam through the nooks and crannies of the school. Each time she would eventually be found to the relief of everyone.

If you would like to give your condolences or have a message for Mr. Desy about Naja you can send a message via the suggestion option under the EDIT tab.You can also leave flowers for her.

Condolences and Messages:

Naja: 10/20/2010
Dear Mr. Desy, I wish to extend my condolences to you upon the loss of your beloved Naja.He bought many wondrous moments to the staff and students in BCSD. Naja can attribute his longevity as a memorial to your loving care. Thank you for sharing him with us.

Naja: 10/19/2010
The reason why the Paper did this story was because " Naja" touched alot of lives while she was on this Earth, and sometimes it takes something like this article to make people realize that learning doesn't always mean a pen and paper. Naja touched alot of students over the years and same with Mr. Desy.

10/19/2010
Mr. Desy's science class was among my favorites throughout my school years. I loved the snakes and tarantulas we got to hold. I remember begging my mom to let me bring a snake home for the summer, but to no avail. Mr. Desy, I'm sorry for your loss. You're a fantastic teacher!! Best, Laura Smith

In the year 74, as in 1974: 10/19/2010
My sincere sympathy Mr. Desy in the loss of Naja. I clearly remember holding Connie and Naja to this day. They are the first and ONLY snakes in my life. You helped in my fear, but mostly you taught me tolerance for all living beings. I spent many lunch periods with you teaching me chess and holding your snakes. I remember you fondly throughout the years. Thank you for being a life long teacher Mr Desy!

i remember: 10/18/2010
Naja was there when I went to Horace Mann! That was only about 15 years ago though. I find it funny that they did an article on this but it's kinda nice cuz it lets everyone reminisce.

Naja: 10/18/2010
Mr.desy was the coolest teacher. Naja was the first snake I'd held and was not afraid. The tarantula he had was a different story though. Mr. Desy, thank you for the memories and sharing her with us.

Naja: 10/17/2010
I remember Naja from my days at Horace Mann in Mr. Desy's Class. She was the first snake i ever held and the reason that I am not afraid of snakes today. Mr. Desy taught us that we didn't need to be afraid, but to be respectful. Naja was the reason that I wasn't afraid to move a gardner snake out of the way of the lawnmower. Mr. Desy is the reason why I have respect for nature. Because of these two wonderful teachers, I have a love of nature, and a facination of all living things. Thank You both

Naja: 10/16/2010
...a boa constrictor if memory serves me. Naja was a cool snake, and Joe Desy was/is a great teacher. My condolences to Joe and his students, past and present!

Naja: 10/16/2010
She was a wonderful snake and the 1st snake I held. I know personally she will be missed, the students learned alot when Mr. Desy brought her to the classroom. Thank you for bringing her and teaching kids about snakes. And Honestly who cares if people are negative, their just uneducated when it comes to Naja!

True Teachers: 10/16/2010
A couple of true teachers. Heres to You Naja, Thank You for everyone You touched in many ways for all those years.And to You Mr. Desy, I am sorry to hear about Naja.She lived a long life and will be remembered and charished,by all that embraced her presence in the classroom.You are a true teacher of the flock.

Naja the Snake: 10/16/2010
I have many fond memories of Naja and Connie from Horace Mann. R.I.P. Naja!

Naja the Cornsnake: 10/16/2010
To the writer who questioned whether Naja ever "enjoyed being tied in a knot": Naja was never abused. After spending 99% of her time in a cage, I think she relished those moments to be out of her cage and provided with opportunities to exercise in any way she was offered. The 'knot' was never pulled tight like a rope knot. I would never allow my snake to suffer such abuse. Naja was a teaching tool, not a comical fool.

Naja: 10/16/2010
I remember Naja! She was the first snake I ever held, and I was never afraid of snakes after holding her. It is because of Naja that I have a reptile as a pet now. Sorry Mr. Desy!

Naja: 10/16/2010
She is the only snake I ever held. I know for a fact She will be truely missed. The students really did enjoy seeing her and learning about snakes.Thankyou for bringing her to the schools

Naja: 10/14/2010
I loved Naja! She made me find snakes fascinating rather than scary. My husband has heard so many stories about her. If you're reading this Mr. Desy, thank you for sharing her with all of your students.

Naja will be missed!: 10/14/2010
My students loved Naja, they absolutely loved her. Sorry Joe.
Naja was a popular pet in Mr. Desy's life science classroom at Horace Mann Middle School in Burlington, IA. She was beloved by many students through the years. Naja was often handled by the children, and sometimes given kisses by them. She died of natural causes (old age) in the home of Joe and Phyl Desy in Burlington, and was laid to rest in their backyard.

Naja's talent was ESCAPE ARTIST, managing to escape from her cage and roam through the nooks and crannies of the school. Each time she would eventually be found to the relief of everyone.

If you would like to give your condolences or have a message for Mr. Desy about Naja you can send a message via the suggestion option under the EDIT tab.You can also leave flowers for her.

Condolences and Messages:

Naja: 10/20/2010
Dear Mr. Desy, I wish to extend my condolences to you upon the loss of your beloved Naja.He bought many wondrous moments to the staff and students in BCSD. Naja can attribute his longevity as a memorial to your loving care. Thank you for sharing him with us.

Naja: 10/19/2010
The reason why the Paper did this story was because " Naja" touched alot of lives while she was on this Earth, and sometimes it takes something like this article to make people realize that learning doesn't always mean a pen and paper. Naja touched alot of students over the years and same with Mr. Desy.

10/19/2010
Mr. Desy's science class was among my favorites throughout my school years. I loved the snakes and tarantulas we got to hold. I remember begging my mom to let me bring a snake home for the summer, but to no avail. Mr. Desy, I'm sorry for your loss. You're a fantastic teacher!! Best, Laura Smith

In the year 74, as in 1974: 10/19/2010
My sincere sympathy Mr. Desy in the loss of Naja. I clearly remember holding Connie and Naja to this day. They are the first and ONLY snakes in my life. You helped in my fear, but mostly you taught me tolerance for all living beings. I spent many lunch periods with you teaching me chess and holding your snakes. I remember you fondly throughout the years. Thank you for being a life long teacher Mr Desy!

i remember: 10/18/2010
Naja was there when I went to Horace Mann! That was only about 15 years ago though. I find it funny that they did an article on this but it's kinda nice cuz it lets everyone reminisce.

Naja: 10/18/2010
Mr.desy was the coolest teacher. Naja was the first snake I'd held and was not afraid. The tarantula he had was a different story though. Mr. Desy, thank you for the memories and sharing her with us.

Naja: 10/17/2010
I remember Naja from my days at Horace Mann in Mr. Desy's Class. She was the first snake i ever held and the reason that I am not afraid of snakes today. Mr. Desy taught us that we didn't need to be afraid, but to be respectful. Naja was the reason that I wasn't afraid to move a gardner snake out of the way of the lawnmower. Mr. Desy is the reason why I have respect for nature. Because of these two wonderful teachers, I have a love of nature, and a facination of all living things. Thank You both

Naja: 10/16/2010
...a boa constrictor if memory serves me. Naja was a cool snake, and Joe Desy was/is a great teacher. My condolences to Joe and his students, past and present!

Naja: 10/16/2010
She was a wonderful snake and the 1st snake I held. I know personally she will be missed, the students learned alot when Mr. Desy brought her to the classroom. Thank you for bringing her and teaching kids about snakes. And Honestly who cares if people are negative, their just uneducated when it comes to Naja!

True Teachers: 10/16/2010
A couple of true teachers. Heres to You Naja, Thank You for everyone You touched in many ways for all those years.And to You Mr. Desy, I am sorry to hear about Naja.She lived a long life and will be remembered and charished,by all that embraced her presence in the classroom.You are a true teacher of the flock.

Naja the Snake: 10/16/2010
I have many fond memories of Naja and Connie from Horace Mann. R.I.P. Naja!

Naja the Cornsnake: 10/16/2010
To the writer who questioned whether Naja ever "enjoyed being tied in a knot": Naja was never abused. After spending 99% of her time in a cage, I think she relished those moments to be out of her cage and provided with opportunities to exercise in any way she was offered. The 'knot' was never pulled tight like a rope knot. I would never allow my snake to suffer such abuse. Naja was a teaching tool, not a comical fool.

Naja: 10/16/2010
I remember Naja! She was the first snake I ever held, and I was never afraid of snakes after holding her. It is because of Naja that I have a reptile as a pet now. Sorry Mr. Desy!

Naja: 10/16/2010
She is the only snake I ever held. I know for a fact She will be truely missed. The students really did enjoy seeing her and learning about snakes.Thankyou for bringing her to the schools

Naja: 10/14/2010
I loved Naja! She made me find snakes fascinating rather than scary. My husband has heard so many stories about her. If you're reading this Mr. Desy, thank you for sharing her with all of your students.

Naja will be missed!: 10/14/2010
My students loved Naja, they absolutely loved her. Sorry Joe.

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