Archive for May, 2008

This Was A Good Week

Saturday, May 24th, 2008

By

Todd De Haven

We all have our good days and our bad days, even good weeks and bad weeks. This week was certainly one of my better ones.Two things happened, both of which underscore why I so love our neck of the woods.

On Tuesday I had the privilege of addressing the Noon Exchange Club at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The Exchange Club is such a wonderful organization that is so committed to Greeneville and Greene County. As I was standing up at the podium prior to launching into my spiel about your Humane Society and our animals, I looked out over the members and it almost seemed as if I were attending a school reunion. Included in the audience were John McGuffin and Bill Hickerson. John probably dropped the “ny” from his name because everyone referred to him as John. I did too because John was a sports jock and still looks awfully tough. But Bill Hickerson I still refer to as “Billy,” ‘cause he’s a bank president and therefore less intimidating. It was great seeing the incomparable Valdean Dobson who spent so many years at The Greeneville Sun and who attended with her husband. Also in attendance was John Duggins whom I hadn’t seen in a coon’s age. It took John almost forty-five years to attempt to repay me for an alleged clipping and roughing the passer penalty that went uncalled during a high school touch football game conducted in one of the legendary Coach Don Riley’s P.E. classes. I say “attempt” because John doesn’t now recall whether the clip was by me or my late twin, Spencer. I assured him that my memory was better than his and it had to be … now what’s his name again? Oh yeah, Spencer. Introducing me was Sam Doak. Sam and his lovely wife Emily also had twins whom Spencer and I used to baby sit when they all visited Sam’s mother, Mary, out in Tusculum. Sam and Emily moved into the house when he retired from an illustrious career as a naval officer and returned home to Greeneville.

Now all of those above have long have understood what you also now know, that my elevator never did get much past the second floor. That’s probably why I can get away with so much; people have always looked upon me with sad eyes and humored me along. But while you’uns know me, Lois Underhill doesn’t.

I received a call from Lois the other night to ask me a question concerning the Humane Society. Right off the bat, I figured she wasn’t from around these parts but I’m careful. I’m always reminded of the time shortly after I started writing this column over a decade ago, when someone complained about “this Yankee” moving here from New York and trying to come up with dumb animal ideas. Of course as most of you know, “this Yankee” attended Roby Fitzgerald School. Therefore I did ask Lois from whence she came and she replied that she moved here from Las Vegas two years ago. Boy, did she experience culture shock! While I could only partially answer Lois’s questions, we had a marvelous conversation, just long enough that now she too understands that I’m nuts. What it all boils down to is we’re so fortunate to have such wonderful people not only from here, but also moving into our area. Oh and don’t worry if you’re not from here, the accent will come along soon enough.

  

I know everyone joins me in sending a great big Woof-Meow out to Hannah Leonard, daughter of Ivy and Bob Leonard, who celebrated her 8th birthday on May 17th by instead of having presents brought to her at her birthday party, had gifts for our animal brought instead! What a mountain of toys, treats, food and even cash our furry charges received as a result. Bless you Hannah! All of our animals send you tons of kisses and licks!

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Everyone Will Be Welcome At The Dog House

Saturday, May 17th, 2008

By

Todd De Haven

I am always so happy to plug those businesses who support the efforts of your Humane Society. No small business here in Greene County does more for our animals than The Dawg Haus, a local pet grooming service. Owned and operated by Deanna Norton and Rhonda Wallace, the girls are relocating The Dawg Haus to a far more convenient address in town at 813 Tusculum Blvd. in the East Gate Shopping Center. To welcome everyone they’re planning a huge Grand Open House event on Saturday, May 31st. Throughout the year, Deanna and Rhonda take many of our animals and make them look irresistibly precious, thereby helping to insure they are adopted into marvelous homes. Now they’re even helping us to raise money at their own Grand Open House. Everyone is invited and there will be free treats for everyone be they two or four legged! The Dawg House is also providing at their Grand Open House, a professional portrait photographer to photograph you and/or your pet! There is not only no sitting fee, you’ll even receive a free 8 x 10 portrait! The portraits will be by appointment only, so just call the Dawg Haus at 638.3369 to schedule yours. Also, if you purchase additional copies, 10% of the profits will go to benefit our animals!!! So make your portrait appointment; then get your pet into the Dawg House the last week in May to make them all gorgeous. Come Saturday, May 31st, all you have to do is get the children in their Sunday Go To Meetin’s, talk dad into going (I know, that won’t be easy but you gotta’ try) and go have a real professional family portrait made! What a meaningful and marvelous gift family portraits make for grandparents, other family members and even close family friends. Why, you can get three quarters of your Christmas shopping done by June 1st and help our animals at the same time! Cool, huh?

The Dawg Haus offers full service grooming, pedicures and even tooth brushing (any vet will tell you that oral hygiene is just as important for your pet as it is for you, not to mention that your dog’s breath smells so much better when he’s panting in your face at three in the morning ‘cause he’s hungry). Now listen to this, sports fans; The Dawg Haus even offers Blueberry Facials for dogs! And if that isn’t enough, they even offer aromatherapy baths!. Put the last three altogether and you wives will definitely want to take your dog places you’d never take your husband.

For do it yourself types, The Dawg Haus even sells aromatheraphy pet shampoos, collars and leads, toothbrushes and toothpaste (uhh, even though your dog may love it’s taste, you don’t really want to get it mixed up with your Colgate). Oh, you mustn’t forget to pick up some of those delicious Bark Bar Doggie Treats (even if you don’t own a dog, if your husband refuses to go for the family portrait, stick one of those into his lunch – it’ll result in his snarl and bark being so much more realistic). And get this, If you mention this edition of Animal Talk, you’ll even get $5.00 off full grooming and baths!! Why, when Fran learned of the aromatherapy baths, she even wanted to send me! I mean it folks when I say, it doesn’t get any better than this! So come on out. Fran and I are planning to go and we’re looking forward to seeing everybody at The Dawg Haus in the East Gate Shopping Center on Saturday, May 31st, from 10:00am to 3:00pm. Don’t miss it!

 

 

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Your Pets Know When You’re Stressed

Saturday, May 10th, 2008

By Todd De Haven

My wife, Fran, became critically ill and last week all seemed a blur until around Wednesday evening. Our cats also sensed something was very wrong. At the time they didn’t know what it was exactly until Fran, who came home this past Sunday, told them. As she came through the door, all five were sitting apprehensively in the kitchen. Even though she was exhausted, prior to going to bed, Fran sat down on a kitchen chair and they all ran over to her with Felix jumping up into her arms. “Mommy, where have you been,” asked Felix? “Mommy was in the hospital,” my wife replied. “Were you very sick,” asked Winston? “Yes,” said Fran, “your mother was awfully sick but your mother’s Oncologist Dr. Patel working along with Dr. Jose Garza and all the wonderful nurses and staff members at Takoma Regional Hospital made sure I’m now much better.” “We’re so glad,” said Oliver. He continued, “We knew something was up, only Daddy wouldn’t tell us what. It was obvious when he fed us that he didn’t know what we like; Yuck!” “We also knew something was really wrong,” said Felix, “when Mr. Knabel from across the street cut the lawn this last week.” “Yes,” said Fran, “and what made it especially meaningful was that his wife is at home herself recovering from very serious surgery. I hope you understand children, just how lucky you are to be living here in Greene County and in this neighborhood with such wonderful people.” Fran also wanted me to again tell all my readers that her illness reminded her of how important it is for anyone who has a pet to right now make contingency plans for their animals should they die unexpectedly.

   

Fran, I and our five feline children certainly aren’t alone in our sentiments nor are we unique in our experiences when it comes to hospital care. There are the wonderful healing talents of all of our local physicians such as Fran’s oncologist, whom I refer to as “The World Renowned Dr. Dharmen Patel” and of course, my “Dad,” Dr. J.R. McKinney. They’ve been recently augmented by Greeneville’s newer physicians, several of whom work as Hospitalists at Takoma Regional. One such specialist is Dr. Jose Garza who rolls out of Del Rio, Texas. A truly down to earth person, Dr. Garza simply exudes optimism and good humor. When first I stepped off the elevator the morning we knew Fran would be going home, I loved the way he vaulted out of his chair with his big infectious grin and threw up his arms as if to say, “We won!” Such a gesture was just what the doctor ordered. Not a reserved, “I think everything’s going to be alright.” but one reflective of a resounding, “YESSS!” I sincerely meant it as I stuck out my arm, pointed straight at Dr. Garza’s chest as he stood behind the nurse’s station and in my patented command voice announced, “You are THE MAN!” I sure hope Greene County realizes what a treasure it now has in one of it’s newest physicians and we hope he remains with us for many years.

But the doctors don’t do it alone. The most attractive Eva Fields, Dr. Patel’s PA, is such a caring, loving and supportive person. It takes very special people to work in the practice of Oncology. While I can’t remember everyone and apologize to those I forget, I want to preface the following by saying Fran and I both love you all. The list includes Gina Cancienne and the entire 3rd floor Nursing crew; the incomparable Blanche Brown from Housekeeping; Bernadette Keyes and her ICU team including Jim Cox and Tina Miller (Fran says that if it weren’t for Tina’s rooting and urging her onward, she’s not sure she would have ever made it home); those wonderful Respiratory Therapists and all the Lab Techs to whom I fondly refer as “Dracula’s Finest.” There was also Chris Wills down in X-Ray who doubles as one of the wonderful members of the Takoma singers whom Fran and I both so love and who even treated her to an in room serenade and prayer on Saturday evening. Then of course there were the prayers, visits, flowers, fruit baskets and a stuffed cat for Fran to love absent her own more “lively” felines, from folks such as; Steve and Erney Poenitz, Randy Dean, Kitty and Gregg Jones, Amy Bowman and Wendy Palmer, Tom and Mary Helbert, Bob and Carol Brown, Ron and Jo Knabel, Rev. Carolyn Isely, our dear friend Camellia Fox and everyone else who knew of Fran’s illness. We all know, however, to Whom All the Glory goes. As is so beautitfully illustrated in the paintings found throughout Takoma, it was He who guided the hands of those wonderful medical professionals. May God continue to richly Bless you, each and every one. 

 

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A Salute To Our Volunteers

Friday, May 9th, 2008

ByTodd De Haven

I always like to periodically highlight a group of folks that no successful charitable or non-profit organization can do without, it’s volunteers.

You’ve heard me frequently say that we have the largest and overall most committed group of volunteers we’ve ever had since I’ve been a Board member of your Humane Society and that’s been over eleven years.

We’ve always had wonderful volunteers throughout our history, many of them very committed. But never have we had the number nor the willingness to serve in any capacity that we have today. As I was telling someone just yesterday, I’m afraid I’m afraid to pinch myself for fear I’ll wake up and they’ll all be gone.

Do you know we have high school students who come to help do the really necessary but not most pleasant task of cleaning our runs and cages. And fine representatives of their age group don’t come once or twice a week either. Nosiree Bob, they are there every single day! Then there are the family units that often come on the weekends to play with, love and exercise our animals. Often the same people will come weekly.

There are those volunteers who have told us they’ve been hesitant to volunteer because since they don’t know from week to week when they’ll be able to come to the Adoption Center, they figured we probably wouldn’t want them. Absolutely not true! We value all of our volunteers regardless of how little or how often an individual can come to help us. Also, we have volunteers who hesitate to come out because they really just want to love and play with the animals. We tell such folks to please come whenever they want because the socialization and exercise of our animals is one of the most important aspects of guaranteeing friendly, adoptable animals. Anyone with any experience whatsoever with a non-profit totally privately funded organization will tell you that as many volunteers as an organization may have, it can always use more. Truer words have never been spoken. Yes, we are indeed blessed with our volunteers, more so than in our entire history. But we still need more and always will.

If you’d like to become one of our volunteers, we have dozens of animals with wagging tails and soft purrs just waiting for you. To get started, all you have to do is to drop by our Animal Adoption Center at 952 Hal Henard Road and speak to either Amy Bowman, our Manager or her assistant, Wendy Palmer and they’ll be so glad to explain everything to you. Try it and I believe, as have so many others, that you’ll find it one of the most rewarding experiences of your life.

 

 

Congratulations to Jim Cox, one of those marvelous folks in the Takoma ICU and his wife Karen, on their new “child,” an adorable Schnauzer named Lily. Parents and “daughter” are doing fine!

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