Animal Talk/News

I have had more than my share of physical problems as I’ve gotten older. I know that the cause of a lot of them is the same one as for a whole lot of other people.

I suffer from what one writer once referred to as “the Disease of the South,” obesity. In my case I retired, moved back home and got back into the “biscuits-and-gravy-and-Southern-Fried-chicken routine and…

Oh let’s be honest. I got into the Southern-fried-everything routine! Now I, too, am doing my dead level best to try and get the pounds off, and like so many others, none too successfully.

When you think about it, that’s also how we get our children and also our animals on the wrong road. There are few parents out there who haven’t delighted in watching their kids eat, and when they want seconds or thirds, why, we just give it to them, don’t we? We don’t like to admit it, but it’s true.

Now my wife, Fran, and I are trying to get a lot of excess weight off our adored cat, Winston.

But Dr. Justin Woolsey of the Greene County Veterinary Hospital says, with a cat, depending upon what they are eating, their food just can’t be cut back in a manner many would consider reasonable, because doing so can cause life threatening liver problems. So it’s an agonizing road to travel to get your feline back down to at least a more reasonable weight.

The answer is, of course, not to let them get that way in the first place.

The same holds true for dogs.

Humane Society Veterinarian Dr. Barbara “Bobbie” Hodges told me a long time back that if well-meaning people had any idea of the agonizing death to which they were subjecting their canines, they would never over feed their animals.

Truth is, while dogs are “our best friends,” we turn out so often to be their worst enemies by literally feeding them to death.

One way for both we and our pets to keep weight off is through exercise. Actually, the reason why obesity is especially prevalent in the South is an ever-increasing sedentary lifestyle.

Obesity in our forefathers back around the turn of the last century was rare. Is it because they didn’t eat that much? Hardly. In fact, they ate as much and often even more than we do today. They just burned up calories about 10 times as fast as do we today.

Back then they didn’t have the work-saving machines, tools and home conveniences we do. Physical labor in the 1920’s and 1930’s certainly wasn’t for sissies. Blue-collar folks engaged in such activity from sun-up to sun-down and often beyond.

Their children (in some cases, those of us who are now senior citizens) didn’t spend three-quarters of their time in texting, playing video games, or sitting in front of televisions, but rather were helping their parents with the chores.

Maybe that, I thought, would be the thing to do with “Big Winston.” I chuckled as I said to Fran, “I’m going to send Winston to work on a farm and that’ll get him back into shape in a hurry.”

“That,” she replied, “is an excellent idea.” I puffed out my stomach – uh, chest–and said in a somewhat pompous tone, “I thought you’d agree.”

I should have seen it coming.

Fran slowly turned, and, with her voice dripping sarcasm, replied, “I wasn’t talking about Winston, but you could start pitching a little hay.”

Following long reflection, I guess I’m going to take the easy route. I’ll just put Winston in his carrier, and off we’ll both go to join Weight Watchers.

You might recall, a few weeks ago when I made an appeal for someone to adopt two older dogs, Big Lady and Devin, whose owner had recently passed away. That appeal was quickly answered and Big Lady and Devin now have the best possible home any dog could ever want. The two dogs are now members of the Gosnell family; Ed, Shannon and their three daughters; Austin who is 13, Kaitlyn 10 and Amanda 20.

Ed was pretty apprehensive about adopting two more dogs, especially older ones. Nonetheless, he agreed to take Shannon up to at least look at Big Lady and Devin. Well, it was love at first sight and both dogs went home with the Gosnells. It turns out that this definitely was a match made in heaven.

Immediately upon entering the house, Shannon told me that after sniffing the place out, they acted as if they’d spent their entire lives with the Gosnells. The children were besides themselves. The Gosnells had well prepared for their new family members and had beds ready on the floor … or so it was planned. Well, in keeping with the “Best laid plans….” axiom, things initially turned out differently. When Shannon went to check on the kids that evening, Kaitlyn was in Big Lady’s bed on the floor and Big Lady was lying on her back on the bed with her feet up in the air, loudly snoring away!

Well, things evened out and both Big Lady and Kaitlyn now occupy the same bed together. Oh, and remember how Ed was initially apprehensive. That didn’t last long as Devin now sleeps on the floor right next to Ed’s side of the bed! Shannon continued that Devin impatiently awaits for the kids to come home from school and when they arrive, it is a true love fest.

The only little fly in the ointment was one of the Gosnell’s three cats, a Siamese. While their other two cats and the dogs quickly bonded, the Siamese kept trying to sneak across the table to launch an airborne attack on the dogs. Shannon several times scooped him off the table just before he was ready to pounce. Even that didn’t last long however as now the two dogs and the Siamese take naps together on one of the beds.

This is truly a wonderful ending and proves my point that often older animals are the best ones to adopt. We thank the Shannons so very much for opening their home and their hearts to these two precious older dogs.

A wonderful gift

Our city and county elementary classes are forever making wonderful gifts of food, toys, blankets, etc. to our animals. The other day we received from the Freewill Baptist Church Preschool Class, tons of food and treats for our animals. Accompanying this wonderful donation was a note thanking the Humane Society for “taking care of all of God’s creatures.” What a wonderful gift at such an appropriate time of the year.

Speaking of the time of the year, the Board of Directors and members of your Humane Society accompanied by yours truly, Fran, Weaver, Winston, Oliver, Jennifer the Precious and Felix the terrorist wish you and yours a truly joyous Easter. As is written, “He is Risen. He is Risen indeed!”

A while back I wrote an article on some longstanding canine residents we called the “P” puppies because they all had names that began with the letter “P.” They’ve all been adopted save the dog pictured above, Prissy, a one year old Rot mix and ee don’t have a clue as to why she hasn’t. Prissy has been with us almost one full year and she so desperately needs a home. She is so very loveable and she absolutely loves playing outside with tennis balls and other toys, taking long walks or just curling up at your feet. Won’t someone please adopt this wonderful, precious animal who has been an orphan far too long. Just drop by our Animal Adoption Center at 950 Hal Henard Road and our staff will be thrilled to introduce you to our adored Prissy. We’re sure, you’ll adore her as well! Oh, and she comes with a greatly discounted adoption rate!

Taz Crosses the Rainbow Bridge

About a week ago, one of my favorite dogs who who had a one in a thousand personality, quietly passed away. Taz belonged to Chris Schackleford, an “adopted” daughter who takes care of our cats when we’re out of town. His name (a shortened form of Tazmanian Devil) fit him to a “T,” I kid you know when I say that when Tax was wearing his sunglasses, he was definitely Mr. Cool! In honor of Taz, Chris wrote a little poem which I wanted you to read. God Bless you Taz, you’ll certainly be missed

TAZ

Taz was our pet

As most people say

To us he was family

Now sadly he’s passed away

He lived for many years

That was little comfort

It did not stop our tears

Taz was our protector

Never did we fear

If a bad stranger came calling

He’d just bite ‘em in the rear

Taz was our friend

You could tell him all

He would listen to your problems

No matter how big or small

Taz is gone now

I can still see his face

God has now called him

To his final resting place

Taz, We will miss you

You’re always in our hearts

We’ll carry you with us forever

We’ll never be apart.

I’ve noticed over the past year that the supporters of your Humane Society really get started early. As a recent example, Allie Shelton, whose parents are Randy and Julie Shelton, celebrated her 4^th birthday by instead of presents for herself, putting together a big pile of food and treats for our animals. Now just how wonderful is that?

One of the duties our beloved Adoption Center Manager, Amy Bowman, has so willingly taken upon herself and to which she truly looks forward, is accepting invitations from our schools to make presentations to the students relative to everything from how to approach an animal to how best to treat and nurture them. Following these presentations is an always lively question/answer session. These efforts are reinforced year after year throughout the elementary grades.

Just recently Amy met with the Hal Henard 4^th Graders. Amy was so proud when the students correctly answered her questions as to how best to approach a strange dog and the necessity for the spaying and neutering of pets with information they had learned from her the year before. What came next was unbelievably kind. As a show of their support, these 4^th graders not only donated food and other items to our animals but also presented Amy with a whopping $156.00 they had collected for our animals. Thank you so very much Hal Henard 4^th graders and a great big “Woof-Meow” to each of you!

Deanna Norton, proprietress of The Dawg Haus Pet Grooming Salon, continues to be so very supportive of our efforts. A Certified Master Groomer, Deanna is one of the only handful of groomers that I have ever found who will also groom cats. Deanna frequently transforms animals that are in truly horrific shape when they enter our facility, into dogs and cats ready for a runway at a pet show. Not only that but she immediately takes what we consider our Emergency cases and even often devotes the extra time to pick them up and drop them back off at our facility on Hal Henard Road. All of this I want you to know, is done as a contribution! A short while back we got in an adorable Maltese but one which was just covered in painful knots embedded in her curly hair. But as is always the case, the unfortunate little dog returned to us bedecked in bows and a bandana, simply beaming and looking absolutely beautiful.

Would you believe (and I’m not kidding, folks), that even our own Feline Sumo Wrestler Extraordinaire, Big Winston, actually purrs when getting a bath at the Dawg Haus??!!!! How Deanna does it, I’ll never know! We urge all of our supporters with pets, to avail themselves of Deanna’s magnificent service by calling The Dawg Haus (located in the Eastgate Shopping Center on Tusculum Blvd.) at 638-3669.

We also receive a lot of assistance from area businesses that help us by providing significantly reduced prices and rates. Among these are, as always, long time supporter Tractor Supply over on the By-Pass, just one of the many local businesses that so support our efforts. Also I wish to mention Rusty Edwards over at Major Appliance Headquarters at 8245 East Andrew Johnson Highway. Not only does Rusty offer excellent and prompt repair service at very reasonable prices, but he also has unbelievable deals on brandy new scratch and dent Frigidaire appliances. For more information, just call 257-3100.

As always, we urge you to support whenever possible, those who support your Humane Society. Fran and I certainly do.

About a week and a half ago, an acquaintance asked me why it had been so long since I had written a column about our feline children. I replied that, “Well, they just haven’t done anything worth reporting.” Well, that’s changed.

Tomorrow, Fran is hosting what I refer to as a “Family Dinner.” Anyone who knows Fran knows that she keeps a lovely house. They also know she never thinks so. Consequently I knew that beginning about three weeks ago, she’d start cleaning the place to such an extent she’d even clean the immaculate areas (which is probably about ninety percent of the house). We both knew from the get-go, that we’d have to have a meeting with the kids. That didn’t make things easier.

After gathering everyone in the Sun Room, Fran announced that we were indeed having a family dinner and for that reason they would have to be “temporarily relocated.” She learned that phrase from the Katrina Disaster and thought that would be the best way to phrase it. Sad part is, so did our cats. Weaver started with, “I am NOT going into a FEMA trailer.” Felix chimed in, “If you think you’re sending me to Huston, you’d best be thinking again!” Our little girl Jennie started to cry, wiping away crododile tears with her paws and sobbing, “Mommy, you don’t love me anymore!”

Poor Fran just sat there shell shocked. I quickly jumped in with, “Calm down! Your mother only meant that you wouldn’t have free run of the house because my family will be here.” Too late, I realized what I’d said. “Well that’s a fine ‘How do you do?’ now isn’t it?? Chimed in Big Winston.” Why didn’t you tell us your Family doesn’t like us!” he continued. “But they do!” I quickly replied knowing it was too little too late. “Well, then why don’t they want us around?” asked Oliver. “But they do want you around! I stressed. “It’s your mother who doesn’t want you ………………….” Oops!

Alhough it took several hours, we were finally able to placate the little “darlings” with the promise they’d be fed only Fancy Feast for the next week with double portions tomorrow. They seemed placated.

Late last week I had one of those electrical defibrillator/pacemakers known as an ICD implanted in my left chest. For you who are unfamiliar, they’re a cool little device that only cost about as much as a new Buick and that hopefully shock you back into existence should you suffer cardiac arrest. You uhhhh don’t want to know what it feels like if it goes off. Anyhow, everything went just fine and the next evening I was home in my own bed none the worse for wear except for an annoying ache in the upper left chest where the device was implanted. I finally feel asleep and at some point woke up and opened my eyes as a result of a searing pain. No, the device hadn’t gone off. It was worse than that. Standing on my chest with his right front paw right on my incision, was almost 30 pounds of Big Winston. “He immediately said, “Daddy, I wanted to make sure you were alright. While gritting my teeth I replied as sweat poured down my forehead, “Thank you son, now will you PLEASE get off my chest?” He did but as I lay there gasping, Fran awoke. She asked, “Is something wrong?” I replied with but four words, “Get me my drugs!” And so it goes.

Todd De Haven

I have previously written about this topic, but as with other subjects, I periodically remind folks of what we can and cannot do.

I cannot tell you how many times the following has occurred. It’s a cold, rainy and wind swept Sunday evening about 8:30 pm. I answer the phone and on the other end is a very upset individual pleading for assistance for a dog that is tied to a stake with only a lean-to for shelter and a food bowl full of soggy food. I explain to the caller that the situation which they have just related, terrible though it may be, does not qualify as an emergency and well may not even be in violation of the law. Nonetheless I urge them to, between the hours of 11:00 am and 5:00pm, to please go to our Animal Adoption Center at 950 Hal Henard Road and file a complaint. I also tell them the situation will be investigated by our trained investigator. Upon hearing what I’ve had to say, the complainant then becomes extremely irritated and angry, demanding that if I don’t personally immediately go out and investigate this situation, then I should resign my “highly paid” position with the Humane Society. I tell them that is not possible for several reasons and I try and calm them down. Sometimes I succeed but often I don’t.

Similarly, we get cruelty and neglect calls every day at our Animal Adoption Center, some of which we are already aware. A great many of these cases fall, despite what most of us would consider horrid conditions, within the parameters of existing State Law. When we explain this to the caller, sometimes they too begin berating us, many even resulting to the use of shouting and expletives to convey their anger at “The Humane Society.” The verbal abuse hurled frequently at our wonderful staff, would indeed make a sailor blush.

Because of such calls and personal complaints, I have to explain that whether we or anyone else agrees or not, we are restricted by the current State Law which basically states, if the animal has shelter (as ridiculously insufficient that such shelter often is), food and water, we are powerless to intercede. You don’t like the current laws? Then I suggest you contact your State Representatives and Senator. We don’t write the laws and as with everyone else, we have to work within them. I therefore ask of everyone, if you make a complaint and don’t get the response you deemed appropriate, please don’t call back and excoriate us. Usually, we feel the same way you do.

Finally, we only prosecute the most egregious instances simply because our intent is to educate rather than prosecute. Often we’re successful by taking the educational route and changing the individuals attitude and behavior. So if we go to court, you may rest assured it is an horrific and absolutely unconscionable situation. Are those who are found guilty sufficiently punished or suffer any jail time? I honestly can’t tell you the last time over the past couple of years, I remember anyone ever serving so much as even one day in jail regardless of the severity of the abuse. Whose fault is that? I can’t answer that question. All I can say is that I have suggested we cut back on taking cases to court because for whatever reason, the punishments meted out aren’t worth the efforts involved for us to prosecute them.

Oh by the way. When it comes to my being “highly paid,” if one were to give me an AIG level percentage bonus, that would raise my income derived from being your Humane Society President to……”0.”

One reminder I frequently issue is the one about making provisions for our pet(s) after we’re gone. Most of us forget to do that and as was related last week, your beloved animals could become “homeless” in an instant. Followed by a little thinking, a few phone calls can often preclude that from happening.

The first thing to do, is to sit down and think of those family and close friends who are those we refer to as, “animal people.” A good candidate might be one who not only knows your pet, but has even remarked along the lines of “I wish I had a pet like your dog.” Of course, there are undoubtedly those among your close family and friends who while they love animals, would not be willing to have one themselves.

Assemble a list of your family and friends whom you think would be the most likely candidates and make it a point to ask each one if they would be willing and if so, are they prepared to take care of your pet should you die, especially if it’s unexpectedly. Also and if you are financially able, you may want to include in your Will, money for the care of your pet. If that initial list doesn’t pan out, then expand the list. You might be very surprised at the individual on whom you eventually decide will make the best new “parent” for your animal(s). Finally, if no one really wants to make the commitment to adopt your pet, maybe there will be one or two who would be willing to take in your precious pet until they could find it a GOOD home.

Once you’ve cleared this hurtle, you can be comfortable in the knowledge that you have done everything possible to insure your pet will be well cared for following your death and often by someone with whom they are already familiar.

Remember, since we’re a “No Kill” facility, we cannot take additional animals into our Animal Adoption Center if the ones we have go unadopted. Those fifty-six adoptions means that a like number of animals that formerly had the most dismal of futures, will now be up for adoption by a loving family.

I love going up to the facility is because I get to meet and greet the wonderful folks who adopt our animals. Just this past week, I met a precious family of four consisting of a young man, his wife and two young daughters. Just prior to their arrival, I had remarked to Amy Bowman, our fantastic Manager, that no one was going to ever come up that hill on what was, the coldest and most snowy day so far this winter. No sooner had that comment left my lips than this marvelous family pulled into the parking lot and it wasn’t a half hour later that they were signing adoption papers!

We know times are rough and all of us including your Humane Society, are negatively impacted in the same manner as are all of you. That is why I am so very encouraged when I see that the folks of Greeneville and Greene County are still making room in their homes for our adorable critters. It may not be for several years but eventually we’re going to emerge from this deep recession as strong a nation if not stronger than we ever have been. When we do, those who have adopted our animals will just a few short years from now, get that warm feeling of knowing that regardless of how difficult life became for them during the downturn, they still were not only able to make room in their homes for another family member but indeed, they saved a life.

Speaking of appreciation, I want to tell you how appreciative we are to the talented guy who designed our website (greenecountyhumanesociety.com), Matt Hensley, owner of MT Computing Solutions, 423.638.2320. We recently informed Matt that we were going to have to redesign a form on the website and asked that he do it and then bill us for the work. Matt not only fulfilled all of our requirements but did so at no charge. Now this was no simple adjustment and Matt had every right to expect to be remunerated for his professional expertise. The fact that he chose to donate this work means that we can do that much more for our animals. You know, just about everyone who does work for us whether it be Doug Reneau of DR Plumbing, Kim Neas of Neas Welding and Steel Fabricating or the incomparable Buford Davis and his outstanding crew to mention butt three examples; they all pitch in and help us cut costs whenever and wherever they can. You all are treasures!

While we get absolutely no funding from our local and county government, that in no way means, we don’t receive county assistance.

Sheriff Steve Burns and Jail Administrator Neil Matthews have for years provided us with workers from the county’s Prisoner Worker Program. Overseen by Jim Lowe, this program is nothing less than a God Send to us and without it, we would be severely limited in our capabilities.

The prisoner workers assigned to our facility have become an integral part of our overall program; one from which they themselves gain immeasurable benefit. These workers do everything from cleaning kennels, assisting in facility repairs and feeding our animals to the more pleasant aspects of providing necessary post surgical attention to the animals, socializing them and providing them exercise. As a result of their assignments, these prisoners are often integrated in a small way into a part of society to which many have been heretofore, under or even unexposed. They learn, through the daily care of our animals, the importance of not only appropriate animal welfare but more importantly, how proper behavior and a good work ethic is paramount for their avoiding a return to the lifestyle and/or behavior that originally resulted in their incarceration.

This prisoner worker program provides additional all important benefits. It provides the freedom for our Manager Amy Bowman, to appear with our animals in front of elementary students to demonstrate how proper citizenship entails appropriate behavior toward animals. These appearances in our schools compliment the nationally recognized and award winning Kind News Educational Program that through our efforts and your generous financial support, is provided to our elementary students in both our City and County Schools. These workers also help provide much needed assistance to our staff when they respond to injured animal emergencies during normal business hours. Additionally, it is because of these “extra hands” that we are better able to address acute cruelty and neglect situations requiring immediate attention.

Without the Prisoner Worker Program, we would be hard pressed to conduct many of these very important functions,. Neither would our animals receive the individual attention they so desperately need and deserve. I know that the over two twenty-five hundred members of our organization along with our Board of Directors, stands with me in support of Sheriff Steve Burns and Jail Administrator Neil Matthews for their assistance in aiding us in our efforts on behalf of the animals of Greeneville and Greene County.

Finally and as one who is retired from the field of law enforcement, I am extremely gratified that we have an individual the quality of Steve Burns, serving as our Sheriff.