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My goal in life is to be as good of a person as my dog already thinks I am. - Unknown

Underhouse Rescues – Interesting, but Dangerous

            Within the last 2 weeks my colleague, Yvette Gilbert, and I went on a couple of interesting rescues; they were both under houses. Now, we have crawled under houses before to rescue puppies, but to have to do this two times in a row was a little strange.

            A woman in Braden called us and said that a dog had been crying under her house for a few days and it would not come out. She called Animal Control but they cannot go under houses. So Yvette and I went to her house and got on all fours and crawled under it. Yvette saw the dog and immediately went to him. He had on a collar which had part of a chain attached to it. He had apparently broken free from his tie-out chain and ran under this house. The remainder of his chain got tangled around a pipe under the house so he could not get loose. Yvette dodged nails and debris and got to the dog. Then her flashlight went out and she was in the dark! Somehow she set him free and he came running to me. He almost knocked me over; he was so happy to be loose! I had to struggle to hold him and get a leash on him. Once I did, he practically dragged me out from under the house. I held onto the leash with one hand and tried to balance myself on the other and my two knees. The dog was fine, just a little skinny. He is very friendly and playful. We named him “Braden” and he is ready for adoption.

            Exactly a week later, a similar situation occurred. A man called us and said a puppy had been crying under his house for 3 days. He had no idea how it got there. He also called Animal Control but they could not help him. He decided to bust a hole in the side of his house. He got a shovel and started digging towards the sound. He dug for a few days and then called us. Yvette and I went out there to see what we could do. Since she went in first at the last house, I figured it was my turn to go in first. But this was different. This was not a crawlspace under a house; it was a manmade hole under the house. I had to get flat on my stomach and crawl like a soldier in the mud. (Yes, it just happened to be pouring rain that day.) I crawled in as far as I dared, about up to my ankles. I saw the puppy and he was behind a mound of dirt. I used a small shovel to knock away some of the dirt and scare him into a corner. Once I got him in the corner, I used a catchpole to try and trap him. It took a lot of tries because he kind of rolled up into a ball. Every time I missed I had to slide the pole back to Yvette. She would reset it and slide it back to me. I finally latched on to a leg and dragged the puppy out. He was very scared and tried to bite me. I didn’t mind. I expected it and I was just so glad to get him. (I think I was running out of oxygen under there!) He and I were both covered in mud and Yvette was soaked to the skin. We tried to decide who had it worse, but we couldn’t come up with a good answer. We both looked very attractive, though. I rushed the puppy to the hospital to have him checked out and to get some shots. He was in good health like Braden. I then gave him a bath at the shelter and wrapped him in some warm towels. I cuddled him for awhile, too. Soon he was playing and was very happy. He has an amazing personality. He went to his first adoption day Saturday and found a new and wonderful home. He is definitely in a much better place. I named him “Catchpole.”

            We can laugh about these stories, but it is really dangerous for us to go under houses to rescue dogs. We have seen all kinds of things under houses that we don’t want to encounter. At the first house there were upturned nails that Yvette and I had to avoid as we placed our hands on the ground. We could have really been injured when the flashlight went out and we were in the dark. You can help us avoid these situations by boarding up any holes around your house. Please check your house and any other buildings on your property as soon as you can. We would greatly appreciate it.

Mail your tax-deductible contributions to FCAR. P O Box 44, Rossville, Tn. 38066 Tax ID # 62-1836008

Adopting a Pet Requires a Commitment on Your Part

When people adopt a cat or dog from Fayette County Animal Rescue, they submit an application and sign a contract. The adopter promises to provide food, water, shelter and medical care for the pet, as well as the required vaccinations. Giving monthly heartworm prevention and flea and tick prevention are also mandatory. If the pet exhibits any behavior problems, the new owner must try to correct them before surrendering the pet to us. However, if someone decides they no longer want the pet they adopted from us, they are required to return the pet to us instead of giving the dog or cat to a friend or another shelter. We will always take back a pet that someone wants to return. However, adopting a pet means that you are making a long term commitment, especially if you adopt a puppy.

Three of our former dogs were returned this week. One is an adorable small affenpinscher mix. He was born at the shelter two years ago and was adopted as a puppy. Many people see a cute puppy and want to take it home. We tell people that puppies are a lot of work. They need a lot of love and attention, and it can take a while to housetrain one. In other words, the adopter needs to be prepared to make a commitment to work with the new pet. No one should adopt a puppy if they aren’t willing to do this. We provide tip sheets on raising a puppy and we let the new owner know that we are always available if they have any questions or concerns. If the adopter does not socialize the puppy and teach it manners, the puppy will grow into an uncontrollable dog that may have many behavior problems. The dog is no longer a “cute and adorable” puppy, so he is returned to us. That is what I feel happened in this case. The poor dog barked nonstop for the first two days he was at the shelter. He is now in a foster home which is helping with his transition.

An Australian shepherd puppy was also returned because he bit someone. He had no behavior problems until he was adopted. He started showing signs of aggression toward men. We told the new owners to take him to obedience class and we also gave suggestions of how to help the puppy deal with his fear of men. We even mailed them some tip sheets. We kept in touch but the adopters did not follow our advice. I can’t blame anyone for returning a dog that bites someone, and I can’t say that he wouldn’t have bitten someone if they had worked with him, but I wish they had at least given him a chance by following our suggestions. He deserved at least that much.

We often hear some interesting reasons why people return a dog or cat to us, but this reason really surprised us. A man who adopted a puppy from us three years ago returned him because he “couldn’t get rid of the fleas.” I asked him if he had been providing flea and tick prevention and he said no. I asked him if he had been providing heartworm prevention, and he also said no. He had not been doing that for the last two years. As mentioned earlier, providing those items are requirements of the contract. I’m sure once the dog is tested, he will be heartworm positive. This is extremely upsetting to all of us at Fayette County Animal Rescue. The dog should have been returned two years ago if providing for his welfare was a problem.

Adopting a pet can bring so much happiness to you and your family. However, you must be prepared for a lifetime commitment. If not, please wait until the time is right. It is very stressful for a dog and cat when they are removed from their home and placed into a shelter. The animals we have rescued have already had a rough start in life; we want them all to have happy endings.

Mail your tax-deductible contributions to FCAR. P O Box 44, Rossville, Tn. 38066 Tax ID # 62-1836008

Everyone Deserves a Chance

A couple of weeks ago two of our volunteers found a dog and her six puppies at the end of dead end street. All of them were covered in fleas and ticks, were extremely dirty and had obviously not had any human contact during their entire 6 weeks of life. And if that was not bad enough, all of these babies were emaciated and had actually been eating corn out of the field to survive.

The little runt of the litter is named Chi Chi, and she is adorable. We were a little concerned about her because she had labored breathing for the first two days we had her. She only weighed three pounds, whereas all of her siblings weighed at least six pounds. By the third day, however, Chi Chi was breathing normally and started becoming very active. She is so tiny but she has very big ears that stick straight up! As cute as she is, though, Chi Chi may have trouble getting adopted. Why? She is blind. One of the other puppies named Ronnie is also blind.

As you may already know, Fayette County Animal Rescue is a no-kill shelter and we don’t believe in putting down animals just because they are blind and may have very little chance of getting adopted. What you may not know, is that we are also a sanctuary, meaning we will be the forever home for the dogs and cats that never get adopted. So what will we do with Chi Chi and Ronnie? They will be treated the same as all of our other dogs. They will get spayed and neutered, get all of their shots and then be put up for adoption. The volunteers who found them are now fostering them in their home. They are working on the puppies’ socialization skills, holding them and playing with them every day. When they are ready for adoption, we will provide websites and other helpful information about blind dogs so that the new owner will be educated about their new pets. We feel that these two puppies deserve a chance to live in a home and be loved. They are both so sweet and very playful. They don’t cower in the corner of the kennel. Instead, they are always running around, and they run to the gate when someone enters the kennel. They can find their food and water without any trouble.

We already have a blind dog named Trinity at the shelter. Her brother, Tex, is blind in one eye. They are amazing. Trinity never has any trouble finding her food, water, doghouse and most importantly, her swimming pool. She loves to get in it and splash around. She also loves to beat up on her brother, Tex. They are very happy and they have a large yard in which they live. They are both available for adoption, but if no one takes them home, they will stay with us forever.

Many people disagree with our “no-kill” policy. They feel that we should euthanize any “unadoptable” pet to make room for more “adoptable” ones. We at Fayette County Animal Rescue, however, feel that life is precious and we want to give all of these animals a chance to find a forever home. We rescue animals and want to give them a better life than they previously had. They have yards to run in and play in, and they get love and attention from the staff and volunteers. We’ve been surprised many times when a dog or cat we thought would never get adopted did find a home with some wonderful people. We feel that there may be some more wonderful people out there that might want to adopt Chi Chi and Ronnie. If you could see how adorable, sweet and playful they are, you may even consider taking them home. If you are interested in more information on Chi Chi and her siblings or are interested in adoption an animal, please contact us at (901) 854-2565.

Thank you Kirsten!

Kirsten Burns, 10, daughter of Dale and Michelle Burns, recently saw an article about Fayette County Animal Rescue (FCAR) in the Fayette Falcon and wanted to help the animals.  She put a collection box at her mom's place of employment and raised $100 for FCAR. A huge thank you to Kristen! This money will be put directly towards the medical bills for our rescues.

What is Fayette County Animal Rescue?

            Last week we received an email from a lady in Fayette County that was very upset with us (Fayette County Animal Rescue) because we would not pick up the stray dog in her neighborhood. Based on the communication that we had with this lady, and many other similar phone calls that we get, we wanted to take this time to explain what FCAR is and is not.

            FCAR is a non-profit animal rescue organization. We are not funded by the county. We are not the county shelter and we are not the pound. We receive zero dollars from your taxes and operate completely on donations.

            FCAR is a NO KILL shelter. We do not kill any of our rescues because they are ill when we rescue them. We do not kill any of our rescues if they have not been adopted within a certain period of time. We do not kill any of our rescues to make room for an animal that someone in the community deems ‘more adoptable’.  If we rescue an animal, we are taking on the responsibility for the animal for their entire life. If the animal gets adopted, our policy is that we will take the animal back at any time if the owner is no longer able or willing to care for the animal. If the animal does not get adopted then they will be able to live out it’s life at our shelter.

            FCAR does not take in stray animals. There is an endless need for animal rescue in Fayette County and please understand that if we could save every single animal that needed help we would. However, we are limited in funding, space, resources and volunteers so we must limit the number of rescues that we have at our facility so that we can provide them with the care that they need. We have chosen to focus our limited resources on rescuing animals that are in dire circumstances either due to animal cruelty, neglect or poor health. This is not because we do not want to rescue stray dogs that appear to be healthy and adoptable. We simply do not have the resources to be able to do so.

            If you find a stray animal we encourage you to post signs in the neighborhood, put ads in the paper and on bulletin boards and contact us to check our ‘Lost’ animal list to see if anyone has reported the dog missing. We will not be able to rescue the animal however we will do all that we can to help find the owner of the animal. If you feel that the dog should be picked up then you should contact Animal Control, which is operated by the County.

You may or may not agree with the goals and philosophy of FCAR, especially when the result is that we do not pick up the adorable stray dog in your yard. However, please keep in mind that our volunteers and supporters are spending an inordinate amount of time and money doing all that we can for hundreds of abused and neglected animals every year. If you also care about the animals in our community we encourage you to actively work to make a difference whether it be through other rescue organizations, working with the county to setup a county run shelter or come out and volunteer with FCAR. The more volunteers we have, the more donations we raise, the more people that become involved, the more animals that we can save in Fayette County.

Mail your tax-deductible contributions to FCAR. P O Box 44, Rossville, Tn. 38066 Tax ID # 62-1836008

Animal Cruelty Calls

Fayette County Animal Rescue recently pressed animal cruelty charges against a young couple. A young puppy they owned died and we seized the remaining momma dog and her young puppy. We gained legal custody of the two dogs and I dread to think what may have happened to them if we didn’t. Would they have perished as well? We would love to thank the person who called the shelter and asked us to investigate those dogs’ living conditions. She may have very well saved the remaining two dogs’ lives. Fortunately, she left her phone number and I plan on calling her and letting her know what happened. So many people have called the shelter to report animal cruelty, and I want to give some tips to those of you who may need to do the same one day.

First of all, please leave a message if no one is available to answer the phone. We do not have a full-time staff at the shelter, so you may get the answering machine. You do not have to leave your name, but please leave your phone number. Recently a woman called and wanted us to check out an “urgent” situation, but she did not leave her phone number. She left the address but I could not find it on my map. I even went online to Mapquest and couldn’t find it. By the time the lady called a third time, she sounded very angry on the answering machine and threatened to report us! How could we investigate if we couldn’t find the place? Fortunately, we finally found someone who knew the location of the street. We investigated the situation and there was absolutely no cause for concern. The dog I saw had plenty of water and shelter and she was very healthy. I have no idea why this woman called, and I wonder what was so “urgent.” Therefore, please always leave a phone number so we can get in touch with you if necessary.

That leads me to my next point. Please have all the necessary information before calling, mainly the street address. Also let us know if the animal is injured so that we can bring some necessary supplies; if the dog is aggressive, we may need to bring a control stick.

Please don’t call to report something unless there is actually something to report. What I mean by that is quite often people call and we go investigate, but the animal is fine. Actually, some of the calls we receive are the result of a neighbor dispute. It is a waste of our time to go to someone’s house only because his neighbor hopes to get him in trouble for some reason. But, if you are unsure about anything, call us. We’d rather be safe than sorry.

Lastly, please be patient. We receive a lot of cruelty calls, and investigating them is our top priority. However, we have a lot of other duties to keep our shelter running. In addition, some people want us to correct a situation that we can’t. They will see a dog chained to a tree and they consider that cruel treatment. Quite frankly, we hate seeing a dog chained too, but it is a legal means of confinement. Therefore, we cannot make the owner do anything.

In conclusion, we want to thank all of you that have called and reported animal cruelty. Because of you, many dogs and cats are living in better places and being treated humanely. Most importantly, some are alive only because you cared enough to make a phone call. Thank you from the bottom of our heart.

Mail your tax-deductible contributions to FCAR. P O Box 44, Rossville, Tn. 38066 Tax ID # 62-1836008

Thank You Fayette County for Answering Our Plea for Help

To see those headlines a couple of weeks ago on the front page of this very paper “Fayette County Animal Rescue May Close Doors” was the most gut retching thing for me to take. Every newsstand I walked by it seemed jump out at me.  I keep a copy of that front page in my office at my home and at the shelter office as a constant reminder of how fragile all of our lives are; four legged and two legged.

I want to thank each and every one of you that opened your checkbooks and very generously have helped us these past couple of weeks. We are still struggling but we have been able to pay our current debts and have gotten enough money to keep our doors open at least a few more months.  You have our guarantee that we will continue to work as hard as ever with fundraisers and applying for grants so that we will continue to be a dependable humane organization for the county that we work so very hard for and the animals that live here.

I would also like to thank Craig Robbins of Talk Radio 600 AM that interviewed me and asked his listeners to please help us and the checks are coming in from that venue also. I have a friend that has been involved with animals for many years serving with the Humane Society of the United States, Animal Control Association of Tennessee and The Tennessee Humane Society Paul Miller, to help us. He works up in the Northern Region now and he sent out a press release all over the United States asking for help and if you can believe it we are receiving checks from as far away as Pennsylvania and California. We are humbled and blessed by everyone’s generosity.

Thanks to everyone that stopped by our shelter and dropped off supplies along with checks and much love for our rescues.  Many had no idea how wonderful a shelter that Fayette County could call their own. Thank you all for your support and kind letters. Please visit our website for updates at www.fayettefcar.com

Mail your tax deductible contributions to FCAR. P O Box 44, Rossville, Tn. 38066 Tax I.D. # 62-1836008

Happy Moments at the Shelter

            Some days I just don’t want to leave the shelter. I love being with dogs, and I have been around some of our dogs for as long as three years. I almost feel like they are my own. Some of them make me smile and laugh every time I see them. It gives me such joy to play and interact with them. As with all dogs, they crave love and attention, and all of us at the shelter give them as much as we can.  I love to call out their names while walking along the property because I know I’ll see some tails wag and some heads pop up and turn in my direction.  I want them to know I’m thinking of them even if I don’t have time to play. They need to know they are loved. I also like to spend time at the shelter because of the love I feel from them. They make me laugh a lot, and there are many days when I need that.

            Sonny is a beautiful shepherd/chow mix. I have always been crazy about him. He has been at the shelter almost six years.  He knows some commands and he gives the best hugs. He doesn’t jump all over me trying to knock me down. Rather, he waits for me to ask for a hug. Then he jumps up and puts his paws around me. I hold his head in my hands and we just look at each other. It is so sweet. (He gives better hugs than some people I know.)

            Blondie is our “Queen of the Shelter.” Like Sonny, she has been with us almost six years and she is spoiled rotten.             Blondie is a pretty yellow lab mix. She prefers to live inside the shelter. When it’s her turn to go outside, she runs around the property on her own. She enjoys being in the sun and exploring. When I call her to come back inside, she usually refuses until I go to where she is and give her a belly rub. She and I would sometimes run around outside together, too, and I really enjoy doing that with her. She is a big dog, but she expects anyone who adopts her to treat her as a lap dog.

            Tex and Trinity are two beautiful collie mixes. They arrived at the shelter two and half years ago and they were very sick puppies. They survived and are strong and healthy now, but Trinity is completely blind and Tex is blind in one eye. Trinity is absolutely amazing and her blindness is not a hindrance. If you watch her run around her yard, you would never know she is blind.  She knows where her doghouse is, where her food and water bowls are and, most importantly, where her swimming pool is. Most of our dogs have small plastic swimming pools in their yards during the summer and they love them. Trinity gets in her pool and plays like crazy. She just splashes around in that pool like she is having the best time in her life. It is so much fun to watch her do that. I taught her to come to me when I am sitting on a bench in her yard. When she finds me, she puts her two front paws on my thighs and gives me kisses. Tex gets very jealous when we do that. She is also in charge of him and definitely rules that yard. That is fun to watch, too!

            Tiffany is an American Staffordshire terrier, and her appearance frightens some people. She is very stocky and muscular. She has a stance that makes her look ready for attack. However, if a stranger walks up to her, she does quite the opposite. She will let anyone pet her. Then she slowly falls to the ground, rolls over on her back, and raises her four legs in the air in anticipation of a belly rub. It is just an automatic behavior for her and I love to watch it. (Of course she gets the belly rub if I’m there.)

            Our shelter animals depend on me for a lot of things, but I also depend on them to keep providing that unconditional love that keeps me going. That is just one of the reasons having a pet is such a wonderful experience.

Mail your tax-deductible contributions to FCAR. P O Box 44, Rossville, Tn. 38066 Tax ID # 62-1836008

Fayette County Animal Rescue May Close Doors

           For the past 7 years Fayette County Animal Rescue (FCAR) of Rossville, TN has been blessed with financial supporters which has allowed us to save thousands of cats and dogs from abuse, neglect and abandonment. Working on a shoe-string budget FCAR has accomplished so much; from building a sanctuary that houses over 100 animals, to promoting humane education in the community, to certifying 3 of our volunteers as Animal Cruelty Investigators. The accomplishments go on and on thanks to our generous supporters that provide the resources to care for the animals and our selfless volunteers that donate hundreds of hours of their time to finding the animals forever homes.

            Unfortunately, due to a significant decrease in donations and a tremendous increase in our shelter population due to animal seizures from cruelty investigations, we currently find ourselves in a desperate financial situation. Fayette County Animal Rescue is in danger of having to close its doors if we are unable to raise enough money to pay our current bills and those in the near future.

We currently need to raise approximately $10,000 to pay our current bills, primarily our veterinary and utility bill. In addition, we must secure funding that will allow us to meet our $8,000 monthly expenses that will allow us to continue to operate. This does not include money needed for any improvements to our facility; this is simply what we need to continue to keep our doors open.  

Please consider donating to help the animals of Fayette County Animal Rescue or adopting one of our more than 100 cats and dogs and giving them a forever home. You can view a list of our adoptable animals on our website at http://fayettefcar.com.  If you would like to see our facility or discuss our current programs, please call us at the shelter at (901) 854-2565. We currently hold more events and have more volunteers than we ever had in the history of our organization and the future is bright if we can get over this financial hump. We deeply appreciate your support.

Mail your tax-deductible contributions to FCAR. P O Box 44, Rossville, TN 38066 Tax ID # 62-1836008

Stop Dumping Animals: It’s Illegal and Inhumane!

This is an open letter to those pet owners who dump their pets somewhere because they do not want to care for them anymore. Have you read the Animal Cruelty Laws for the state of Tennessee? According to code 39-14-202, it is a Class A misdemeanor to “Abandon unreasonably an animal in the person’s custody.” I don’t know about you, but I think it is pretty unreasonable to leave an extremely young puppy or kitten out in the elements with no food or water for who knows how long. How could you do that to a helpless animal? I know that sometimes you can’t afford to provide for your animals and your families come first. I completely understand that. However, dumping your pets and your responsibilities on others is not the answer. People call the shelter every day asking what to do with pets that were dumped in their yards or on a nearby road. These are the kind of people that are kind enough to take on your burden. The shelter has been unable to take in new animals for a long time, and it breaks our heart to tell these people that we can’t help them. Your problem has become their problem. Do you honestly think that once you dump your pet it won’t suffer or die? Do you think that it will be taken care of because you left it at an animal hospital or at a shelter?  Just because these animals are left somewhere other than where they belong does not mean they will live a long and happy life. Some have to be turned over to animal control; hospitals can’t keep abandoned pets and shelters many times have no room. Let me tell you what recently transpired at a local animal hospital within the last few weeks.

·         Three 4-week old kittens were left in a cardboard box at the front door. They were all very sick and one died soon after arriving.

·         Six kittens and their mom were also left in a cardboard box at the front door.

·         One three day old lab puppy was left outside the back door. She was covered in maggots and had large puncture wounds on one entire side of his body. The wounds had to be flushed frequently. The staff had to feed her through a syringe and a tiny bottle. She died a couple of days after being dumped.

·         One 10-day old kitten was left outside the back door. She was bottle fed for a few days but died in less than a week.

You may be surprised to learn that these babies usually die so quickly after they are abandoned. Many are too young to be without their mother’s milk. They have no immune system, so they can easily die from infection. What about heatstroke? Yes, it has been hot enough here for an animal to die of heatstroke. There is no shade behind the animal hospital where the aforementioned animals were left. Dehydration can also occur quickly, causing death.

Here are some solutions in case you have another unwanted litter of animals at your house.

First of all, Fayette County Animal Rescue cannot take in owner surrendered animals. The reason is that we are busting at the seams already with sick, injured and abused animals. These are animals that have no one to care for them. If it’s your pet, it’s your responsibility. Therefore, if you need to find it a home, I suggest you visit a website called Petfinder.com. On this website you will find numerous local shelters and rescue organizations that may be able to take in your pet. There is a link on that website where people may post an ad if they are looking for a particular breed of dog or cat. Read those ads. Someone may want the kind of pet you have.

Next, advertise in newspapers that you are searching for a home for your pet. However, don’t give your pet away for free. This type of ad will attract people like “Class B Brokers” who may sell your pet for research. Charge some amount for your pet. Some veterinarians and some pet stores may allow you to post a flyer about your pet. Also, just ask around. You never know who may want a dog or cat.

The root of this problem is that too many dogs and cats have not been spayed and neutered. Many of you tell me that you can’t afford it. There is an organization called the Animal Protection Association that offers a low cost spay/neuter program. The Collierville Animal Shelter has also received a grant for such a program. Contact either of these organizations for more information about a low cost spay/neuter option for your pet.

A lot of this may be new information to you. Part of our mission at Fayette County Animal Rescue is to educate people about animals and about solutions to problems such as this. Therefore, we are happy to provide any information you need regarding such issues. Feel free to call us at the shelter and we will assist you as best we can. Just remember that dumping your pets is inhumane and illegal, and you can get arrested for it.

Mail your tax-deductible contributions to FCAR. P O Box 44, Rossville, Tn. 38066 Tax ID # 62-1836008

In March 2005, Fayette County Animal Rescue seized 7 puppies and 2 dogs during an animal cruelty investigation. These animals were being kept in rabbit cages, without food or water, and suffered from an array of various illnesses along with being severely emotionally traumatized.

I had the privilege of fostering 4 of these animals and I don’t think that I ever truly understood the amount of emotional damage that can be done to an animal in such a short period of time. I knew that the development period prior to 12 weeks was important, however this experience truly brought home the damage that can be done by irresponsible individuals. Seven of the rescued animals were just 4 months old, yet the trauma that they had endured made a significant, long-term impact on their ability to trust people.

One of the animals most severely affected was Puff, a small dachshund mix, that was the smallest of the rescued puppies. She was originally lovingly protected by her brother, who would lay across her whenever anyone came near them. She has an achingly sweet personality but was terrified to be around anyone that did not run on four legs. But to see her personality blossom as she ran through the yard with the other dogs, you could just see that there was a ‘normal’ dog in there, hidden behind all of the fear.

For months on end Puff would not come anywhere near a person unless she was cornered, at which time she would lay belly up and wait to be picked up. I never imagined how much I would appreciate a dog that only ran 50 feet away from me in the pouring rain, and at that point could not even imagine this terrified dog actually walking through the door herself. Puff continued to make small improvements, the first day she licked my hand – WOW!, and with the help of another foster family who gave her a new environment to grow in, she has come a lifetime.

Many people are thrilled when there dog learns to shake or roll over. I am all smiles when Puff gets off the couch and races to the bed to “wake” me or comes up to me to be petted, and actually walking inside herself makes my whole day. She will now eat in front of me, take food from my hand, and absolutely adores sleeping in the bed as long as she gets half of my pillow (we’re still negotiating for the pillow but right now she is winning). She has also become my grumpy dogs’ favorite playmate and somehow always manages to find the spot on the couch right next to me.

Puff will never be an outgoing, goofy dog that loves everyone they see but she is loving, sweet and tremendously loyal once she learns to trust you. She has come a long way and we know in our hearts that there is some patient, loving soul out there that will give Puff the forever home that she deserves.

We have placed seven of the nine animals that we rescued during this cruelty investigation in loving homes. One day soon we can only hope that Puff & Grant also find families of their own along with over 100 other cats and dogs that are at our shelter. For more information on these and other FCAR rescues available for adoption, please visit our website at http://fayettefcar.com.

Mail your tax-deductible contributions to FCAR. P O Box 44, Rossville, Tn. 38066 Tax ID # 62-1836008

Humane Societies-A Few Facts and Figures

On a recent trip to Memphis I happened to drive by the construction site of the new Memphis Shelby County Humane Society which is well underway. The land that it sits on was leased to them by Shelby Farms and sits on a 4 acre piece of land.  I visited their website because as you know what “curiosity” does to one and here are a few facts for you.  This $5 million facility will not only give them more space at 22,000 square feet but they will no longer have to outsource all of their veterinary services because they will have a full service veterinary clinic on site.  How awesome is that. 

One thing that really raised my eyebrows was that they recently kicked off their first campaign party of the year and raised $300,000.00. Wow!  All of this is on their web site so you can verify this information if you want to at www.memhishumane.org.  They sold a reception area for $75,000.00, an Adoption Gallery for $100,000.00, a Dog Adoption Area for $100,000.00, dog and puppy kennels at $10,000.00 each (they sold 3 of those) dog lifestyle rooms (4 of those sold) at $15,000.00 each and I am not sure what dog lifestyle rooms are but at $15,000.00 each I think I want to live in one.  It is some interesting reading.  There are projects like these all over the United States; I have visited several myself.

Any business person knows they did not break ground on a project of this magnitude without already having the $5 million guaranteed.  Well I got to thinking that FCAR needs to have one of those campaign parties. I mean since elections are right around the corner and everyone else is campaigning; why not us. We will not come to your door. We will not shake your hand and make any false promises.  We have the following for sale this month and every month. Prices vary monthly of course.

• Utility Bill                 $379.99   If we pay late (we try not to)   $399.69

• Phone Bill                 $129.57

• Dog Food                  $700.00 (per month)

• Vet Bill                     $3,578.85 as of June 12, 2006

FCAR has a yearly budget of $100,000.00, which is exactly what the Memphis Shelby County Humane Society sold a Visit and Play Pavilion for at their first campaign party. Oh don’t get excited. We have not even gotten have way there this year. In fact since Katrina hit donations were down last year by $30,000.00. So we are still suffering.  We have some horse cruelty cases that I want to take care of but we don’t have the money to treat these animals unless something comes in this week. We are not ignoring these animals by any means but we need your help and we need it now in the way of cold hard cash and lots of it.

We will continue to work hard for Fayette County and we have some great volunteers and we also have employees that we need to pay. We have managed to get an attorney to represent us pro bono in cruelty cases in court now which means greater success in getting the maximum penalties against these criminals.

I want to thank those of you that have been so generous to us and continue to give monthly donations. I also want to thank Blake Kukar for the truck load of dog food he donated recently.  Below is a list of other items that we use on a daily basis at our shelter.

1. Cash Donations
2. Responsible Homes for our Rescues
3. Large & medium wire collapsible crates
4. Small & medium cat & dog beds (that will fit in regular washing machine)
5. Nylabones & Kongs
6. 5' or taller scratching posts
7. Cat litter
8. Cat & dog treats
9. Food - Science Diet (dog, cat, puppy, kitten) dry and canned
10. Laundry soap, bleach & dryer sheets
11. Pinesol, Clorox Wipes, Windex, paper towels (regular rolls & round rolls for dispensers) & garbage bags
12. Frontline or Advantage Flea Treatment for dogs and cats
13. Interceptor & Revolution (dog & cat - all sizes)
14. Stamps
15. Large plastic water buckets
16. Large dog houses
17. Outdoor kennels
18. Fencing
19. Pavers (to be used in play yards where the dogs are digging)
20. Office supplies - Medium & large bubble envelopes, copy paper, printer cartridge (HP57 C6657A & HP58 C6658A), sheet protectors, legal-sized envelopes, 6 1/2" X 9 1/2" envelopes, strapping tape, Sharpies, 8 1/2" X 11" half fold cards
21. Gift cards from Sams Club, Walmart or Home Depot

Mail your tax deductible contributions to FCAR, P O Box 44, Rossville, Tn. 38066 Tax ID # 62-1836008.

June is Adopt A Cat Month

June is Adopt a cat month and Fayette County Animal Rescue has many loving cats that need a good, permanent home. They have been spayed/neutered, microchipped, current on vaccinations and just waiting to give you and your family a lifetime of love and companionship. But before you make that lifetime commitment consider the following.

BEHAVIOR
Tigers, lions, bobcats, mountain lions and domestic cats are all related. Cats have been domesticated for more than 5,000 years, since human beings began to farm and needed cats to control rodents at home and in grain storage areas.

Before You Bring Your Cat Home
You will need food, food dish, water bowl, interactive toys, brush, comb, safety cat collar, scratching post, litter and litter box.

Feeding
An adult cat should be fed one large or two smaller meals each day. Kittens from 6 to 12 weeks need to be fed four times a day. Kittens from three to six months need to be fed three times a day. You can either feed specific meals, throwing away any leftover canned food after 30 minutes or free-feed dry food (keeping food out all the time).

Feed your cat a high-quality, brand-name kitten or cat food (avoid generic brands) two to three times a day. Kittens can be fed human baby food for a short time if they won't eat kitten food softened by soaking in warm water. Use turkey or chicken baby food made for children six months and older. Gradually mix with cat food. Cow's milk is not necessary and can cause diarrhea in kittens and cats. Provide fresh, clean water at all times. Wash and refill water bowls daily.

Grooming
Most cats stay relatively clean and rarely need a bath, but they do need to be brushed or combed. Frequent brushing helps keep your cat's coat clean, reduces the amount of shedding and cuts down on the incidence of hairballs.

Handling
To pick up your cat, place one hand behind the front legs and another under the hindquarters. Lift gently. Never pick up a cat by the scruff of the neck (behind the ears) or by the front legs without supporting the rear end.

Housing
Cats should have a clean, dry place of their own in the house. Line your cat's bed with a soft, warm blanket or towel. Be sure to wash the bedding often. Please keep your cat indoors. If your companion animal is allowed outside, he can contract diseases, get ticks or parasites, become lost or get hit by a car, hurt in a fight or poisoned. Also, cats prey on wildlife.

Identification
If allowed outdoors (again, we caution against it!), your cat needs to wear a safety collar and an ID tag. A safety collar with an elastic panel will allow your cat to break loose if the collar gets caught on something. An ID tag or an implanted microchip can help insure that your cat is returned if he or she becomes lost.

Litter Box
All indoor cats need a litter box, which should be placed in a quiet, accessible location. A bathroom or utility room is a good place for your cat's box. In a multi-level home, one box per floor is recommended. Avoid moving the box unless absolutely necessary. Then do so slowly, a few inches a day. Cats won't use a messy, SMELLY litter box. Scoop solids out of the box at least once a day. Dump everything, wash with a mild detergent (don't use ammonia) and refill at least once a week, less frequently if using clumping litter. Don't use deodorants or scents in the litter or litter box (especially avoid lemon scent).

Play
Cats delight in stalking imaginary prey. The best toys are those that can be made to jump and dance around and look alive. Your cat will act out her predator role by pouncing on toys instead of people's ankles. Don't use your hands or fingers as play objects with kittens. This type of play may cause a biting and scratching problem to develop as your kitten matures.

Scratching
Provide your cat with a sturdy scratching post, at least 3 feet high, which allows the cat to stretch completely when scratching, and stable enough that it won't wobble when being used. It should be covered with rough material such as sisal, burlap or tree bark to further prevent household destruction. Cats also like scratching pads. To train a cat to use a post or pad, rub your hands on the scratching surface and then gently rub the kitty's paws on the surface. When the cat starts to scratch furniture or rugs, gently say no and lure her over to the scratching post. Praise your cat for using the scratching post or pad. A sprinkle of catnip once or twice a month will keep your cat interested in it.

HEALTH
Your cat should see the veterinarian at least once a year for an examination and annual shots, and immediately if she is sick or injured.

Ear Mites
These tiny parasites are a common problem that can be transmitted from cat to cat. If your cat is scratching at his ears or shaking his head, he may be infested with ear mites. You will need to call for a veterinary appointment, as your cat's ears will need to be thoroughly cleaned before medication is dispensed.

Feline Urological Syndrome (FUS)
Both males and females can develop this lower urinary inflammation, which is also called Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD). Signs of FUS include frequent trips to the litter box, crying, blood in the urine and straining to urinate. If your male cat looks "constipated" he may have a urethral obstruction (he can't urinate). This can be fatal if not treated quickly. Urethral blockages are rare in females. About 5 percent of cats are affected with FUS. Special diets may help prevent this condition.

Fleas and Ticks
Fleas are a problem that should be taken seriously. These tiny parasites feed off of your pet, transmit tapeworms and irritate the skin. Carefully check your cat once a week for fleas and ticks. If there are fleas on your cat, there will be fleas in your house. You may need to use flea bombs or premise-control sprays and treat all animals in your house. Make sure that any sprays, powders or shampoos you use are safe for cats and that all products are compatible if used together. Cats die every year due to being treated improperly with flea and tick control products. Consult your veterinarian. There are several new methods of flea and tick control.

Medicines and Poisons
Tylenol is FATAL and aspirin can also be FATAL to a cat! Only use medications prescribed by your veterinarian. Keep rat poison or other rodenticides away from your cat. Call your veterinarian.

Neutering
Females should be spayed and males neutered by six months of age. Neutering a male (removing the testicles) can prevent urine spraying, decrease the urge to escape outside and look for a mate, and reduce fighting between males. Spaying a female (removing the ovaries and uterus) helps prevent breast cancer, which can be fatal 90 percent of the time, and pyometra (uterus infection), a very serious problem in older females that must be treated with surgery and intensive medical care. Since cats can breed up to 3 times per year, it is vital that your female feline be spayed to protect her from having unwanted litters.

Claws
Cats needs to scratch. When a cat scratches, the old outer nail sheath is pulled off and the sharp smooth claws underneath are exposed. Cutting your cat's nails every 2 to 3 weeks will keep the nails relatively blunt and less likely to harm the arms of both humans and furniture.

Vaccinations

• Vaccines protect animals and people from specific viral and bacterial infections. They are not a treatment. If your companion cat gets sick because he is not properly vaccinated, the vaccinations should be given after your pet recovers.
• Kittens should be vaccinated with a combination vaccine (called a 3 in 1) at 2, 3 and 4 months of age and then annually. This vaccine protects cats from panleukopenia (also called feline distemper), calicivirus and rhinotracheitis (flu-like viruses). If you have an unvaccinated cat older than 4 months of age, he needs a series of two vaccinations given 2 to 3 weeks apart, followed by a yearly vaccination.
• There is a vaccine available for feline leukemia virus (FeLV). This is one of the two immune system viruses (retroviruses) that infect cats. The other is feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). There is no vaccine available for FIV. Cats can be infected with either virus for months to years without any indication that they are carrying a fatal virus. You cannot look at cats or kittens and know if they are infected—a blood test is necessary. All cats should be tested for these viruses. Infections can be transmitted at birth from the mother or by being bitten by an infected cat. Neither virus can infect humans. Many outdoor and stray cats and kittens carry this infection. Because of the fatal nature of these diseases, you should not expose the cats already living in your home by taking in untested cats or kittens. To be safe, keep your cat indoors, but if your cat does go outside, he should be vaccinated against feline leukemia virus. No vaccine is 100 percent effective.

Worms
Kittens and cats can be infected with several types of worms. A microscopic fecal examination can detect if these worms are present. If deworming is necessary, it should be done under a veterinarian's direction.

Additional Information:

• The average life span of an indoor cat is 13 to 17 years.
• Keep antifreeze safely stored and away from your cat. If you suspect that your cat has been poisoned, call your veterinarian at once

Mail your tax-deductible contributions to FCAR, P O Box 44, Rossville, Tn. 38066   62-1836008

A Heartfelt Thanks to Boy Scouts Troop 95 of Somerville

Words are just not enough to express my gratitude for the hard work and dedication that I witnessed from the young men of Boy Scout Troop 95 of Somerville that worked so hard on their recent fence project for Fayette County Animal Rescue. For years it was a vision of mine to have a privacy fence even though my kind neighbors never complained, to somehow limit some of the noise of the many rescues here at our sanctuary.

Thank you Scout Masters Larry Searles and Scott Lindsey, Orry McDonald and Robby Scheiterlein for completing your Eagle projects Ms. Mary Ann Tapp, Morris Lumber, Hayes Kruzan, Zack Johnson, Tyler Holcomb, Talbot Kruzan, Brandt Score, Holt Lindsey, Reid Lindsey, Tyler Searles, Thompson Ferguson, Jonathan Heeron, Wesley Howell, Michael Kelley, Tyler Henley, Tad Lindsey Jim Score, Bret Kruzan Scott Lindsey and John Knopf and the many Mothers involved.

Respectfully, Delores D. Provow and Yvette Gilbert, Founders, the Board of Directors of Fayette County Animal Rescue and the Many Volunteers and especially the many needy animals that cross our doors every day. Bless you all.

Skin Problems in Pets

Dogs and cats suffer from many problems which affect their skin. It is important to understand that the skin is an organ, just as the liver and kidneys are organs. The skin functions as a barrier to protect the body from infection, caustic substances, ultra violet light and dehydration. Good health and proper function of the skin is dependent on the health and function of the other organs which make up our pets bodies.

Diseases which affect the skin can be placed into one of two categories: primary and secondary skin disease. Primary skin diseases are those which affect the skin directly, such as mange or flea and tick hypersensitivities. Secondary diseases are those which initially involve other organs and thereby affect the skin, such as hypothyroidism.

The diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases can be difficult and time consuming. The following are some of the common diseases and conditions affecting the skin and a brief description of their diagnosis and treatments.

Allergies: Humans with allergies usually react by sneezing, but your pet reacts by scratching. Both you and your pet are reacting to an allergen, which is a substance that causes sensitivity. Most allergens are inhaled, but a few are the contact type, such as an allergy to wool. Some allergens are found in food, most commonly corn, wheat, soy, beef, and dairy products. The first signs of allergic reactions are scratching, licking, biting, or rubbing the skin. This can lead to infection characterized by red bumps and pimples. Because of the discomfort, it is important to get professional help as soon as possible.

Bacterial Infection: A bacterial infection is common, but is usually secondary to another underlying disease such as an allergy. Treatment for bacterial infections may include antibiotics— either given orally or topically. It is important to seek professional help to treat the bacterial infection while searching for the underlying disease.

Hot Spots or Acute Moist Dermatitis: Hot spots are usually a result of self trauma and resulting infection that occurs as your pet tries to relieve itself from some pain or itch. Treatment includes thorough cleaning, topical and systemic antibiotics, and anti- inflammatory agents.

Pyoderma: Pyodermas include a wide range of infections which result in the formation of pus. Pyodermas vary in severity. Treatment is similar to that for hot spots, but typically is longer term. Shampoos and rinses are also helpful.

Atopy or Allergic Inhalant Dermatitis: Atopy is a very itchy skin disease which is the result of allergies to microscopic particles in the air. Diagnosis is based on clinical presentation and absence of other causes such as ectoparasites. Treatment includes dietary supplements, antihistamines and steroids, and is often long term. In very refractory cases skin allergen testing and hypo sensitization may be helpful. Shampoos and rinses are also often helpful.

Ectoparasites (external parasites) include mites, fleas, and ticks. These parasites break the barrier formed by the skin and allow bacterial infections to occur. They also may lead to allergic conditions. Diagnosis is achieved with gross observation and microscopic examination of skin scrapings. Treatment depends on the parasites present and includes antiparasitic drugs and antiparasitic shampoos and rinses.

Fungal Infections include Malassezia sp., Dermatophytosis (Ring Worm), and Dermal Coccidioidomycosis. Diagnosis is achieved via culture of the organisms, microscopic examination of skin scrapings and blood tests which identify antibodies to Coccidioides immitis. Treatment includes topical and systemic antifungal drugs and antifungal shampoos and rinses.

Food allergies: Food allergies often manifest themselves as skin problems. Food allergies are usually diagnosed by ruling out other possible conditions. Treatment is trial feeding of hypoallergenic diets for a minimum of six weeks.

Irritant Contact Dermatitis: Contact allergies are diagnosed based on history of contact and clinical presentation. Treatment includes washing the exposed areas to remove the irritant. Patients that are itchy are given steroids for a short period of time. It is important to prevent re-exposure.

Autoimmune Skin Diseases: There are several autoimmune skin diseases and the foundation of diagnosis is surgical biopsy. Treatment includes combinations of dietary supplementation, steroids, and immune modulation drugs.

Secondary Skin Disease: Secondary skin diseases such as hypothyroidism are diagnosed via clinical testing for the underlying disease. Diagnosis often requires blood tests, biopsies, and X-rays. Treatment of the underlying condition usually results in improvement of the skin problems.

Diagnosis and Treatment
Your pet's skin problems very often combine two or more of the above diseases. For example, flea infestation hypersensitivity can lead to pyoderma. Because of the complicated interactions between the skin and other organs within the body and due to skin's varied response to insult, diagnosis and treatment of skin disease may be difficult and time consuming.

The skin scrape is the mainstay of diagnosis. Several small areas of your pet’s skin are shaved to remove hair. A scalpel blade is used to scrape up the top layers of skin. The resulting material is viewed under a high-powered microscope. In addition to skin scrapes, blood tests and surgical biopsies are necessary to diagnose some skin diseases.

Treatment of skin disease may include steroids, antibiotics, antihistamines, topical drugs, antifungal drugs, shampoos and rinses and dietary supplementation or modification and surgical removal of masses. In some cases, therapy must be continued for months and even for life.

Remember the Story? Delores—do you know when to stop? 

The Story of Stanley and Charlene---Well they are still doing great!

  Back in January of 2005 if you can believe it being that long ago; the following story ran and it went briefly like this.  Anyone reading the Falcon last week saw our Pet of the Week article about Stanley and Charlene, the Beagles.  Well, we got a lot of calls for foster homes and by the time this paper is released Wednesday, they will be in a loving, caring home.

 I did however receive a copy of the article from someone that had written across the top “Delores-Do you know when to stop? These pitiful old animals should have been put to sleep”.  Now I would have loved to call whoever sent this to me and explain why we chose not to euthanize these wonderful two dogs, unfortunately this person did not sign the note and there was no return address on the envelope.

First, I do not make the decision whether to euthanize an animal or rehabilitate it and offer it a chance for a second life.  Staff members that are knowledgeable in the veterinarian field always make that decision and they consult with our veterinarian, Dr. Stephen Galloway of Animal Care Hospital in Oakland.  Our corporate charter and our mission statement that no animal will be euthanized unless it is medically impossible to relieve their suffering also bind us.  Stanley and Charlene are not suffering now nor will they suffer in the future. As was stated in the article you would not believe that these two dogs were ever unhealthy.  They run and play in the exercise yard and some of the other little puppies have a hard time keeping up with them.

I had asked Dr. Stephen Galloway of Animal Care Hospital to address this issue and he did very eloquently with an article “What are we teaching our children”?  Well, I just wanted to update you on our Stanley and Charlene.  They did not go to a foster home even though many very well meaning people called with very good intentions but with the special attention these two seniors needed we decided that they absolutely love it at FCAR and it was agreed they call this sanctuary home.  Like all of us seniors we have our good days and bad days; our aches and pains and we have our really good days of running and playing and lying in the sun and just feeling good to being alive.  So for those that have called and asked for an update on Stanley and Charlene here it is and any time you would like to come to the shelter to visit you are so welcome just give us a call and we hope you enjoy these pictures.

Mail your tax-deductible contributions to FCAR, P O Box 44, Rossville, Tn. 38066

First Annual Pet Walk, Adoptathon and Pet Reunion A Huge Success

The combined efforts of Gina Thweatt, President, Laurie Benedict, Vice President and dozens of Fayette County Animal Rescue volunteers made the first ever Pet Walk, Adoptathon and Pet Reunion held at Cameron Brown Park in Germantown a huge success April 1. 

Several hundred people turned out from all over the Mid South area with their pets to participate in this family oriented event for food, fun and entertainment along with prize drawings for many donated gifts from area restaurants and businesses totaling over $500.00.

Quoting Yvette Gilbert, Executive Director “We were able to place 6 dogs in loving forever homes and it was so good to see pets that we had adopted previously drop by for a visit”.  Search Dogs South demonstrated their techniques for finding lost loved ones and passed out information on how to prepare for disasters to make it easier to find missing family members or pets.

Mail your tax deductible contributions to FCAR, P O Box 44, Rossville, Tn. 38066 Tax ID #62-1836008

An Open Letter to the Oakland Regional Chamber Of Commerce

To the Oakland Regional Chamber of Commerce, members and The Town of Oakland,  we would like to thank you for the recognition that you bestowed upon our group at the March 30 general membership meeting and awards dinner with the First Annual Community Builder Awards for Outstanding Health, Educational, Recreational or Non-Profit Organization.

We have worked tirelessly throughout all of Fayette County over seven years with our humane efforts and it has not gone unnoticed that the vast majority of community support has come from the fastest growing community in Fayette County; Oakland, Tennessee.  Fayette County Animal Rescue is proud to be of service to the residents of Oakland and with this award we realize that you too are proud to call us your humane organization.

Respectfully,

Delores D. Provow
Chief Executive Officer

In Like a Lion; Out Like a Lamb, A Kitty Named Little Bit, the Howells, and A Tree Climbing Angel

March was a busy month. Many adoption days and preparations for the first Annual Pet Adoptathon, Pet Reunion and Pet Walk held at Cameron Brown Park making this a very stressful month.  Our Board of Directors attended the First Annual Community Builder Awards Dinner Thursday March 30^th presented by the Oakland Regional Chamber of Commerce and we received the very prestigious award of Outstanding Health, Educational, Recreational or Non-Profit Organization.  I can’t tell y0u how much this means to our group to be recognized by the fastest growing community in Fayette County for our hard work. Thank you. 

Now this brings me to the story of the kitty named Little Bit.  I am always in awe of how God intertwines our lives because the story I am about to tell you all began for me during dinner at the awards banquet.

Our group was seated at two tables together and the conversations were of course about animals and it came to my attention that up in Clement Cove, which is right across the street from my home and down from the shelter, there was said to be a kitten in the top of a 50 foot tree and that a particular board member had been told about it at the beginning of the week only I was hearing about it at that moment. Yes, thoughts were going through my mind of popping him up the back side of his head for not telling me when he had heard about it but that action would have only sloshed about visions of NASCAR so what would have been the point. (Ok, those close to me know who I am talking about).  To tell you the truth; I really thought the kitten would actually have come down out of the tree anyway.  I mean just how many skeletons of cats have you found in trees?(my sincerest apologies for ever making that remark)

Well the next day I had forgotten about the kitty and was busy working at my computer on signs when Gina Thweatt our President calls about 2:30 or 3:00pm Friday afternoon and says she is in the parking lot of Target and a lady and her husband, Cathy and Bobby Howell have stopped her in the parking lot (noticing the FCAR signs on her car) and is asking if we have seen her lost kitty that she lives on Clement Cove.  Gina puts the woman on the phone and I told her what I had heard and that I would go to the house where someone had said the kitten was last seen and ask about it. The Howells said they were headed that way and would meet me there.  So I left my home and knocked on the door where the Shipman’s lived and asked my neighbor if there had been a kitten in a tree a few days ago. He said yes and it was still in the top of the tree.  I walked out there and looked in the top of this 50 foot tall tree and did not see a thing. The tree was huge with lots of dead branches in it and I did not see any kitty and he called a few times.  He was telling me how it had rained and he figured it had gotten some rain water because it had been up there about a week and was probably eating bugs or something.  I really doubted the kitty was still up there when he called one more time and all of a sudden I heard a weak meow.  My heart went right to my throat, a gasp, pounding in my ears, weakness in my stomach and a feeling of failure went through my body. I was devastated.  That baby was in that tree all this time.

I got on my cell immediately and started calling everyone I knew, the Sheriff’s Department, the Fire Departments, Chickasaw Electric Company you name it I was punching in numbers.  During that time the Howell’s came up.  I introduced myself and they looked up in disbelief also (I knew the look and the feeling) and I told Bobby just listen and then all of a sudden another little meow.  They too were saddened because they live right across the street and Cathy said she had walked up and down the street right in front of this tree calling her kitty for days and to think her baby was up in this tree watching her and not being able to come down.

My mind was racing trying to figure out how to get this baby down and poor Cathy was trying to talk to me and I know I appeared to be rude not paying too much attention to her but I excused myself and called Trish Lane of St. Francis Animal Rescue whose husband does tree service to see if they could help.  He no longer climbs but knew of someone that lives right around the corner that was in that business which brings me to the story of the tree climbing angel.

I called the phone number that Trish gave me and when a man answered I did not give him much time to respond but very quickly said “I have an emergency, please help me. I am Delores Provow, I operate Fayette County Animal Rescue, I understand you live right around the corner from my home and our shelter and I have a kitty that has been up in a tree for about a week and I will pay you whatever you want to come and get this kitty out of this tree……(long silence)….please?....and he said.. “ I am in Cordova, it will take me about 20 minutes to get there”.  I took a long, deep breath and told Cathy and Bobby help was on the way. In the meantime Bobby had gone home and gotten some dry food and Cathy was shaking it in a bowl and “Little Bit” had come down about 20 feet in the tree.  She had actually been living in a squirrel’s nest. Thank you little squirrel for giving up your home for this wayward kitty.

I went back to my house to see if I could get a ladder and David Gilbert was at the shelter loading up for our big event the next day and he helped me load up one of my husband’s ladders on our trailer and we went back over to the site. When we pulled up the angel had already arrived.  I walked up to a man that looked very much like the actor Vin Diesel (I know people must tell him that all the time) carrying two small bags. I introduced myself, the Howell’s, David and the tree and he got to work.  I don’t know how to describe it but with the grace and the agility of the most experienced mountain climber within 20 minutes he was up in the top of that tree and back down with “Little Bit” safe and secure in her owner’s arms.  It was truly a site to behold and one I shall never forget.  This angel’s name is Joel Benson.  I asked Joel what I owed him; prepared to pay him whatever he wanted and he said not a thing. The Howell’s even offered and he refused. 

Early I mentioned how I stand in awe of how God works quietly entwining our lives; the following leaves me breathless.  Joel asked me how I got his number and I told him that Trish Lane gave it to me and he looked confused that he had thought it was through a mutual friend Connie Shaw.  You see he goes to Church at Heartsong with Connie Shaw and he had heard that she does great work with Fayette County Animal Rescue and thought that she had recommended him. I told him that she is a board member and is our Secretary/Treasurer but she did not mention him. Now the reason she did not mention him was because even though she was sitting at our table that night she had actually turned around and was talking to someone at the other table when we were talking about the kitty so she did not put two and two together.

Now the second and last part of this uplifting article is when we were exchanging names after the rescue of “Little Bit” Friday afternoon Joel wrote on the back of one of his business cards the Howell’s names and as God is my witness I just now, while composing this article turned his card over to get his information because I want to recommend his services to anyone that needs any tree work performed to please use this man and you too will be in awe.  The name of his company is….Black Dog Enterprises, 5050 Hwy 194, Rossville, Tn. 38066 Mobile 550-2520, Home 861-1996.

March 20, 2006

Keep Pets Away from Products 

The animals that share our lives and homes rely on us for protection. Many common household products such as cleaners and pesticides could hurt a pet if not used and stored correctly.

Always read the label first before you buy, store, and use household cleaners or pesticide products. Keep all products out of the reach of pets and children.

_ Don’t spray or store cleaning or pesticide products near pet food or water dishes.

_ Make sure animals can’t get at bait products while they are in use.

_ In the event of a spill, be sure to keep animals out of the area until it is cleaned up.

_ Don’t forget about wildlife. Spraying products on a windy day can carry the product into the water supply for wild animals.

_ Store all household cleaning products and pesticides where pets can’t get at them.

Follow All Label Precautions.

Warnings and directions tell you how to use products safely and correctly. This helps keep you

and your pets safe.

_ Follow warnings to open windows, wear gloves, and not breathe product dust.

_ Keep pets and children away from treated areas as directed on the label.

Keep Products in Original Containers.

 It is very dangerous to put products in food and beverage containers.

_ Containers without tight fitting lids can easily spill, allowing your pet access to the product.

_ If you throw away the original container, you throw away important information needed in case

of an emergency.

_ If the label tells you to mix a product in another container, use all of the mixture. If you can’t use all the mixture, label the new container for use in the future.

Labels Tell You:

_ How to use a product safely and effectively.

_ How to store the product safely.

_ First aid instructions.

_ Phone numbers to call for help or more information.

Mail your tax deductible contributions to FCAR, P O Box 44, Rossville, Tn. 38066 Tax ID #62-1836008

March 13, 2006

Tips for a Healthy Cat

Sneezing

• If a cat has a discharge from his nose he may have trouble smelling his food and stop eating. Offer different foods, preferably ones with a strong odor, or give him chicken, sardines, tuna or room-temperature chicken soup. If there is a heavy discharge from the nose, be sure to clean the cat’s face well to keep nasal passages open.
• Do not give aspirin.
• Add 1/3 capsule Echinacea, a human herbal preparation, to the food three times a day for two weeks.
• Good nursing care and chicken soup should help the animal recover in 7 to l4 days. If the discharge lasts longer or the cat won’t eat, visit the veterinarian.

Dehydration

• Canned food usually has more than 75 percent moisture; dry food usually has l5 percent moisture. This is why cats eating all dry or a mix of dry and canned food tend to drink more water. In fact, older cats may develop kidney disease from being dehydrated.
• If you are feeding all dry food and change to canned, you may see your cat stop drinking as much water. This is a good sign that the cat is more hydrated.

Obesity

• Any weight loss program is best done under the supervision of a veterinarian.
• Play together actively 20 minutes a day.
• First, feed only twice a day as opposed to free-choice feeding. Then, reduce the total amount of food in increments of 10 percent a month.
• Monitor your cat’s weight weekly. He shouldn’t lose more than l percent to 2 percent of his weight in a month.
• Feed a high-quality cat food. Avoid “lite” foods; they have reduced protein and fats — the nutrients cats, especially overweight cats, need.

Elimination

• It’s important to check (and clean) the litter box daily to make sure your cat is passing stool and urinating.
• If your cat does not urinate daily, he may have feline lower urinary tract disease and may be blocked. This is an emergency and you must take the cat to your veterinarian immediately for evaluation and treatment.
• Do so also if you see the cat going to the litter box more frequently than usual, see blood in his urine, or note that he does not pass stool for a few days.
• If your cat is having difficulty passing stool, apply a one-inch strip of Vaseline on his paw or give cat laxative (in the mouth) two to three times daily.

Diarrhea

• For simple diarrhea, try an herbal remedy called slippery elm. Anitra Frazier’s book, “The New Natural Cat” (Penguin Group, New York, NY, 1990) is an excellent sourcebook for preparing this and other home remedies.
• If the cat doesn’t improve in a week, bring a fecal sample to your veterinarian to determine if the diarrhea is caused by intestinal parasites.

Strings

• Many cats are attracted to string and similar materials, but the situation becomes dire when it’s swallowed, gets caught under the tongue and continues to be pulled down into the intestines. Since you risk getting bitten by looking under the tongue yourself, check for signs of the cat not wanting to eat and vomiting.
• If you suspect your cat may have swallowed a string, visit your veterinarian immediately.
• Don’t let your cat play with string or string-like toys without supervision, and don’t leave needles, threads, yarns or shoelaces around the house.

Hair balls

• When a cat grooms herself, the ingested hair may get stuck in her stomach, resulting in vomiting. Other times, the hair remains in the esophagus, creating irritation and coughing.
• To help decrease the amount of hair your cat swallows, brush or comb her daily. In addition, give her a hair ball medicine or put some Vaseline on the top part of her paw once or twice a week. The cat will lick it off as part of her grooming ritual.

Mail your tax-deductible contributions to FCAR, P O Box 44, Rossville, Tn. 38066   62-1836008

February 27, 2006

Animal Neglect is Animal Cruelty 

The last couple of weeks have been quite interesting and exhausting for some FCAR volunteers. We have been trying to catch several dogs that have been neglected by their owners for a couple of years. The owners and their relatives feel they have not neglected the dogs because they feed them everyday. However, there is so much more to taking care of your pets than just feeding them. After catching most of the dogs, I have learned the extent of their neglect, and it is quite disheartening.

 To date, we have rescued six puppies and four adult dogs by using a live humane trap. All the dogs have been taken to Animal Care Hospital for evaluation. Three of the four adult dogs are heartworm positive. All of the dogs have bite wounds and must take antibiotics to treat infection and one dog even had a stick embedded in his mouth. Before catching the dogs, my colleagues and I had noticed that some of them were limping. We knew the dogs ran loose and they were often seen running in the street, so we assumed they had been hit by cars. X-rays confirmed that a couple of the dogs had broken legs that had never been tended to. The bones fused back together on their own but these old wounds are still painful to the dogs. One dog also had a broken pelvis and had been shot and another dog also had a bullet inside him. All four dogs were covered in ticks, too. The smallest dog we caught has a leg that will need to be amputated. The poor dog’s leg is bent and he has been walking on the bent part apparently for a very long time. These are just some of their physical injuries. It is obvious they have not been socialized. They are scared of people and have never been on a leash. They don’t even make eye contact with people. Everyone at FCAR is working with them by talking with them and petting them a lot.

Three of the six puppies were found under the house. They were snuggled together between the rungs of a ladder. There was a ton of trash under the house and I just can’t imagine a worse environment for the birth of the puppies. The puppies were only five weeks old when we found them. Fortunately, they are in good health and they have a bright future. A fourth puppy is a few months old and is also very unsociable. She is scared to death of people. However, the staff and volunteers have also been working with her, and she is coming around. I have even seen her playing and wagging her tail, and that’s a great sign. The last two puppies we found further down the road at an abandoned house. We also had to set traps for them, but they were so hungry that they ran in the traps before we left. One puppy had numerous burrs all over him. When I tried to pick him up I felt like I was touching the tips of needles. He even had the burrs on his paws so I am sure it was extremely painful for him to walk. The other puppy and he were very scared of us at first, but they are doing better. They are at our foster mom’s house where they are getting a lot of attention from her and they can play with many other puppies.

Could you find all the examples of animal neglect in this article? Responsible pet owners need to provide heartworm prevention and flea and tick prevention. Annual checkups would have told the owner if the dogs were heartworm positive and therefore they could have gotten treated sooner. A stick in a dog’s mouth may have been found sooner, too. If your dog gets hit by a car, take it to a hospital and get it treated. To prevent that from happening again, provide a fenced in yard for your pet’s protection. I was actually told by one of the relatives of the owner that the dogs have been limping for years and she was convinced they were not in pain! I couldn’t believe my ears. If the owners looked at the dogs they could see the bite wounds as well as the numerous ticks all over them. Something should have been done about those two problems as well.

What about the puppies? First of all, responsible pet owners should have their dogs and cats spayed and neutered. If these owners had done this, they wouldn’t have ended up with so many dogs that they could not take care of. We were extremely lucky to have found the five week old puppies before the bitter cold weather arrived; otherwise they would not have survived. It was so upsetting to see those little babies under the house in such a mess.

Contrary to what the owners and their relatives may think, these dogs have been neglected and now they will have so many problems for the rest of their lives. As usual with so many of our rescues, they have emotional wounds to heal as well as physical ones. Why have so many dogs if you can’t take care of them? It is cruel to do so.

Mail your tax-deductible contributions to FCAR, P O Box 44, Rossville, Tn. 38066   62-1836008

February 20, 2006

IF I DID NOT HAVE DOGS .............

A friend of mine recently sent this cute story about dogs.  For those of us that do have dog families every bit of this rings true.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

1. I could walk around the yard barefoot in safety.

2. My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and laminated.

3. All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture, and cars would be free of Dog hair.

4. When the doorbell rings, it wouldn't sound like a 100 dog kennel.

5. When the doorbell rings, I could get to the door without wading through dog bodies, which beat me there.

6. I could sit on the couch the way I wanted, without taking into consideration how much space several fur bodies would need to get comfortable.

7. I would not have strange presents under my Christmas tree-like dog bones, stuffed animals or have to answer to people why I wrap them.

8. I would not be on a first name basis with three vets.

9. The most used words in my vocabulary would not be: "out", "sit", "down", "come", "no", "stay", and "leave him/her/it ALONE".

10. My house would not be cordoned off into zones with baby gates or barriers.

11. My pockets would not contain things like poo bags, dog treats and an extra leash.

12. I would no longer have to spell the words B-A-L-L or F-R-I-S-B-E- E or W-A-L-K or C-O-O-K-I-E-S.

13. I would not have as many leaves INSIDE my house as outside.

14. I would not look strangely at people who think having their ONE dog ties them down too much.

15. I'd look forward to Spring and the melting of the snow instead of dreading "mud season".

16. I would not have to answer the question "Why do I have so many dogs?" from people who will never have the joy in their life of knowing they are loved unconditionally by something as close to an angel as they will ever get.

17. How empty my life would be....

Mail your tax-deductible contributions to FCAR, P O Box 44, Rossville, Tn. 38066   62-1836008

General Horse Care Guidelines

We get at least one to two calls a week about concerns for horses that people see in Fayette County. Some are legitimate calls and we find out who the owners are and try and educate them on the proper care of their horses.  While sharing your life with a horse can be a rewarding experience, it also means accepting the responsibility of caring for your equine companion for life. Here are some general guidelines for caring for your horse:

• Even routine horse care is a significant and ongoing expense. In fact, the cost of purchasing a horse is often much less than the cost of maintaining one for a year. Make sure you are realistic about your ability to afford quality care before you adopt an equine companion.

• Horses need a regular supply of food. In most cases, they need to have hay or pasture throughout the day, with additional grain feedings twice a day. An average-size horse will eat about 20 lbs. of food a day and drink at least eight gallons of water. Because their stomachs are relatively small and their digestive systems surprisingly delicate, horses need to nibble or graze throughout the day, rather than have one or two meals a day.

• Horses need regular hoof care. Plan to hire a farrier (blacksmith) every six to eight weeks for routine hoof trimming or shoeing. FCAR highly recommends Mike Ward 465-1998.  He is a very dedicated and honest farrier and has helped us with our many horse rescues donating his time and materials.

• Horses need regular veterinary care. At least once a year, your horse will need to be vaccinated against tetanus and other diseases. The veterinarian will also provide routine dental care. Keep in mind that medical emergencies, which are always an unfortunate possibility, can cost several thousand dollars to treat. Dr. Stephen Galloway of Animal Care Hospital specializes in the care of horses so give him a call at 466-9224.

• Since horses are constantly exposed to intestinal worms from the ground they graze on, they must be dewormed every six to eight weeks. Carrying a heavy burden of worms can cause serious illness or death in equines, so regular and timely treatment is crucial to your horse's health.

• Horses need constant access to a dry, safe, comfortable shelter to protect them from rain, wind, and snow. In warm and sunny weather, the shelter you supply will provide your companion with much needed shade. At a minimum, you should have a well-constructed, three-sided shed into which your horse can retreat at all times. You will need to remove manure from the stall or shelter every day.

• Horses need exercise. To supplement the exercise your horse will get when you ride him, he should have a paddock or pasture in which to relax and stroll. No horse should spend all day confined in a stall, except on a veterinarian's recommendation. The pasture should be bordered by safe, sturdy fencing that will keep the horse safe and secure. Barbed wire is not an acceptable fencing material—it has been the cause of many serious injuries.

Your horse depends on your love, care, and commitment. You'll show your love through grooming, petting, riding, and the occasional treat. You must also show your commitment by providing for her needs 365 days a year, in good weather and bad. With good care, your horse can live 35 years or more, so plan to enjoy a long and mutually rewarding relationship with your horse.

Mail your tax deductible contributions to FCAR. P O Box 44, Rossville, Tn. 38066 Tax ID#62-1836008

Attention: Animal Lovers

It's time for us all to take a stand and make a difference. On Dec. 27, 2005, a small cocker spaniel named Ginger was seen exiting the front door of an Oakland residence with her back broken. The break was so severe that Ginger had to be put to sleep. Medical reports revealed that Ginger had previous breaks in her back legs that had healed improperly due to what appears to be lack of medical attention. Her owners are charged with aggravated animal cruelty and are set to stand trial at 9:30am on January 30 in Fayette County General Sessions Court in Somerville. A peaceful rally will begin at 9am that day outside the courthouse to ask the court to assess the maximum penalty if the defendants are convicted.

Animal Cruelty Fact Sheet

What Constitutes Animal Cruelty? Acts of violence or neglect perpetrated against animals are considered animal cruelty. Examples include overt animal abuse, dog and cock fighting and companion animal neglect where the animal is denied basic necessities of care such as fresh water and food or shelter. Many people who witness or hear about cruelty are not aware that legal action can be taken to help stop the problem. Companion animals are primarily covered by state animal cruelty laws, which vary from state to state and county to county. Animal welfare organizations across the country work daily to educate people about the proper care of animals and how to prevent animal cruelty. Animal cruelty can be divided into two general categories: neglect and intentional cruelty.

Neglect

• Neglect is the failure to provide an animal with the most basic of requirements of food, water, shelter and veterinary care.
• Neglect may be due to ignorance on the animal owner's part and is usually handled by requiring the owner to correct the situation. If the problem is not corrected, the animal may be removed from the neglectful person by law enforcement authorities.

Intentional Cruelty

• Intentional cruelty is often more shocking than neglect and is frequently an indicator of a serious human behavior problem.
• Intentional cruelty is when an individual purposely inflicts physical harm or injury on an animal.
• Although many individuals are arrested for intentional cruelty, people who commit even the most heinous crimes against animals are often not prosecuted to the full extent of the law. In states where animal cruelty is considered a misdemeanor, individuals who commit intentional cruelty crimes against animals can receive, at most, one year in jail and a $1,000 fine. Often, perpetrators receive no more than probation.
• Someone who is violent towards animals may be violent towards family members or others.

Animal Cruelty Laws (State-to-state)

• 33 states and the District of Columbia currently have laws that make intentional cruelty a felony charge, while the remaining states treat animal cruelty as a misdemeanor.
• Many animal cruelty laws specifically exclude accepted animal husbandry practices involving farm animals, animals used in research, and lawful hunting and trapping of wildlife.
• Many states now require the person convicted of cruelty to undergo psychological evaluation and counseling, in addition to paying a fine or serving a prison sentence.
• An increasing number of states are instituting cross training and reporting programs that involve social service workers who are likely to see cases of animal abuse during the course of their work in domestic violence and child abuse cases.
• A number of states provide civil and criminal immunity to veterinarians who report suspected cases of animal abuse to law enforcement authorities, as veterinarians are likely to be the first to come in contact with an abused animal.
• Enforcement of animal cruelty laws can be carried out by local police or by humane or municipal agencies that are granted power from the state or local government.

Advice From FCAR

• If you witness or hear about animal cruelty taking place, report it to the local humane organization operating in your county or call your local police.
• Learn about animal-friendly legislation pending in your state from the ASPCA's Government Affairs & Public Policy department. Visit the ASPCA at www.aspca.org and follow the "Lobby for Animal Welfare" link.
• Teaching future generations to respect animal life will make our society more humane. FCAR has many programs available for our local Fayette County Schools. Call 854-2565 and set up an appointment to have one or more of our programs implemented in your school.
• Teaching future generations to respect animal life will make our society more humane. Make sure schools in your town include humane education as part of their curriculum. E-mail the ASPCA at education@aspca.org for classroom resources.
• If you want to adopt a pet, search the Internet for animals available for adoption, visit the FCAR’s online adoption partner PetFinder.com at www.petfinder.com.
• If you own a pet, be responsible and provide it with annual veterinary check-ups and preventative medical care; spay or neuter your cat or dog to reduce pet overpopulation and urge your friends to do the same.
• Support FCAR’s shelter with donations of money, food or supplies. Volunteering your time or fostering a shelter animal is a good way to make a difference. Fostering helps socialize abused or frightened animals before they are adopted.

Mail your tax-deductible contributions to FCAR, P O Box 44, Rossville, Tn. 38066   62-1836008

January 16, 2006

Moscow Man Pleads Guilty To Animal Cruelty

  Benjamin Beuller, of Moscow pleaded guilty January 10, 2006 to animal cruelty.  Mr. Freddie Walker of Moscow, Tennessee seeking $5,000 in damages against Jacob and Benjamin Beuller had filed charges. The charges against Jacob Beuller had been dropped.

  In Court, Mr. Walker stated that his day started in the field with 9 hunting dogs and returned home with only 5.  He did not recover all of his dogs, but found one dog dead.  He cannot find 3 dogs and is afraid the others are gun shy now.  Mr. Walker had raised most of his dogs since they were puppies, and he had gone to Knoxville to get some of them.  He had been hunting with all of them since they were puppies, which he had trained and they always obeyed him and would jump in his truck when he called them; they always came when he called.  The dogs ranged in age from two years to five years old.  He never let them out alone and none of them ever ran off.  One dog was wearing a training shock collar valued at $700.00 and the others had normal collars.

  Only Benjamin Beuller was questioned by Judge Bill Rhea who pleaded guilty to shooting at eight of Mr. Walker’s dogs however he did not know if he hit any others.  Officer Tucker of Moscow confirmed that the defendant had said he had shot at 8 or 9 dogs. The next morning, Mr. Walker, Jacob and Benjamin Beuller and their father went looking for the dogs.  They found the body of one of his dogs, but found no other dogs dead or alive.  Mr. Walker said he did see his shock collar in the pocket of one of the defendants.

  Judge Rhea concluded that the defendant was responsible for the 3 missing dogs and responsible for killing the other dog.  However, the dogs were valued at $1,000 each and the collars at a total of $200.00.  The total restitution awarded to Mr. Walker was $4,200.00.

   Quoting Delores D. Provow, Chief Executive Officer of Fayette County Animal Rescue who attended the proceedings along with Vice President, Gina Thweat “ I am pleased that Mr. Walker took the initiative to go after this man that committed such a heinous crime against his hunting dogs.  I would also like to congratulate Judge Bill Rhea for his just and fair decision.”  

New Frontiers for the Family Dog

“Ordinary” dogs fulfill extraordinary roles in the lives of their families. The true role played by the dogs in our lives defies description. The so-called human/animal bond is not simply a matter of “my dog loves me and I love him back.” That is far too simplistic. This love affair is not simply a matter of lower blood pressure and calmer nerves. Even those tests of this very special love are far short of what really is going on and has gone on for years.

Somehow, our two species became linked in a complex way, and that strange connection has grown in strength until we are both so dependent on it that for many of us a split almost seems impossible. I know that for me to come home and not be greeted by our thundering herd of dogs is unthinkable; it would be terribly depressing at best. Admittedly, my life is rather more doggy than most American households. My husband, Mike and I have nine dogs, but for us each of them is special. Individually and as a pack, they round out our lives in an amazing variety of ways.

One aspect of this affair puzzles me. We also have cats and ponies, but I believe that the dog connection is the most sacred one of all. I certainly love all of our animals (21, at the last nose count) but as deeply as we love our cats and all the others, the control our dogs have over us and we over them is different.

In fact, since this bond goes so far back in our species’ histories, I will venture to say that it is normal for humans to be linked to dogs, and that it approaches the abnormal for that to be missing. There are millions of individual people, of course, entire cultures in fact, in which dogs do not play a role, much less a bonding one.

It is easy enough to think of these kinds of things using our own lifestyles and needs as signposts, but it really goes far beyond that. Many of us have facilitated or just watched dogs in therapy, or have seen the magic of elderly people and companion dogs, or the miraculous interaction of children and the dogs with whom they can share their secrets, the dogs who save lives, detect danger and warn their human family members, the dog heroes... The list of anecdotes is virtually endless. Dogs who are true working companions are another utterly special “breed” unto themselves.

If you are dogless at this time, please go to our web site at www.fayettefcar.com and pick out your new best friend.

Mail your tax-deductible contributions to FCAR, P O Box 44, Rossville, Tn. 38066