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

December 28, 2009

2009 Ends on a Good Note 

This sure has been a tough year for us, and I know for many of you and your businesses as well. Everyone has had to be so careful with their money. Donations went way down for us, and so did the number of adoptions. We were struggling so badly financially that we had to put a limit on the number of animals that we could take in. That was not an easy thing for us to do, but we had to pay our bills. We just hung on the best that we could. Then in November things turned around. Many people made some very generous donations and others stopped by the shelter to drop off food, toys, supplies, etc. We even had several adoptions right before Christmas. Businesses in Fayette County contacted us and wanted to help support us in different ways. Fayette County has really been wonderful to us this year, and we can’t thank all of you enough for your support in such a difficult year. We really appreciate all the help we have received from the community.

With so many good things happening to us at the end of the year, we are very optimistic about 2010. We wish you all a very Happy New Year and hope it brings many blessings to you and your family.  

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

Man Arrested for Fourth Time for Animal Cruelty

            Lotta “Laddie” Lewis was once again arrested for animal cruelty and for two counts of violation of probation, just 6 months after being convicted of animal cruelty for the third time. He was first arrested and found guilty in 2000, then 2003, and most recently in March of this year. Fayette County Animal Rescue has taken in over 50 animals from Mr. Lewis and spent between $10,000-$15,000 rehabilitating them. Fortunately, we have found forever homes for all of them.

            In March of this year we seized 3 horses, 3 kittens and 8 dogs. The horses were underweight and did not have access to fresh water and food. The dogs were sickly and living in deplorable conditions. The kittens were living in a filthy rabbit hutch with no air circulation and were given bread to eat. We also found 4 dead horses on his property. Mr. Lewis pled guilty and was given 8 years probation. He was also ordered to pay restitution to us in the amount of $4,000, of which we have received none. In addition, he was not allowed to own animals for the length of his probation. 

            For some reason, Mr. Lewis did not follow the terms of his probation. We recently discovered that he owns several horses, all of which are underweight. They were living in 2 pastures with no grass, just dirt and weeds. There was a filthy pond available in one pasture, and dirty water in barrels and troughs in the other. The barrels and troughs were green with algae and barely had any water in them. But worst of all, the horses were very skinny, with rib bones showing and hip bones protruding. When I spoke to Mr. Lewis I asked him if he noticed the bones showing on the horses, and he said no.

            I also checked one of Mr. Lewis’ properties to see if there were animals there. I found a dog in a kennel in the backyard. Therefore, Mr. Lewis was arrested for two counts of violation of probation (for possessing animals) and for animal cruelty because of the conditions of the horses. He was in court twice last week, but both hearings were continued. He’ll be back in court October 12 to face the animal cruelty charges and October 30 to face the violation of probation charges. I sincerely hope that he receives a strict enough punishment this time so that he will learn his lesson and never abuse animals again. However, I’m not holding my breath.

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

A Big Mac and a Pickles Belong Together 

            No, I’m not talking about a MacDonald’s sandwich, I’m talking about two of our rescues named Mac and Pickles. Mac is a very large hound mix male. He had been at FCAR for a very long time. He is nine years old, had a root canal and also had a steel plate inserted in his leg. Mac is very large and we required a tall, sturdy fence from anyone who wanted to adopt him. He is a very sweet dog and we took him to every adoption day hoping he would find a home. But, given his size and age, not many people were interested. Fortunately, Mac finally got adopted in February by a very sweet lady named Nancy. We were thrilled for him!     

            Mac had shared a yard at the shelter with a very shy dog named Pickles. She is a lab mix that had been rescued from a cruelty case when she was a young puppy. She and her siblings had been neglected since birth, so they were very afraid of people for so long. Pickles is still a little shy, but she will eventually warm up to people. She especially loves being around dogs. She and Mac had been in the same yard for a long time and loved to play together. Once he went to his new home, we tried to place another dog in her yard so she would have a companion again. But, no one could take Mac’s place. Then, the unbelievable happened a few weeks ago.

            Nancy came to see us because she felt that Mac needed a companion. She asked if there was any dog at the shelter that got along with Mac. I had to laugh at that question because the answer was so easy. Of course – Pickles!!!!! She adopted Pickles and now she and Mac are back together! They have found their forever home and are together, just like a Big Mac and a Pickles should be. We couldn’t be happier for them.

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

Tugger’s Transformation 

            We rescued Tugger, along with three other dogs, from an animal cruelty investigation. The dogs were being severely neglected. “Chainey” was tied with a very  heavy chain to a tree. There was a padlock around the part of the chain that was used as a collar. He had no shelter and no food. There was a small plastic bucket with a little bit of water.  “Stinger” was a puppy that was running loose. She had a broken leg and a terrible case of mange. She was so scared of us that we had to set a humane trap to catch her. “Shady” was a black female shepherd mix who was chained to tree. She was terrified of us, too, and kept backing up into some bushes to hide from us. Like Chainey, she had no doghouse or food. She didn’t even have water. So we found a bucket and gave her some.                  On another visit to the house, we saw that a makeshift doghouse had been built and Chainey and another puppy had been moved to it. It was wooden and was divided into two parts. Chainey was chained up inside one side of the doghouse, and a little tan puppy was chained up in the other side. Not only was he chained up, but the door to the doghouse on his side was nailed shut. Why? I have no idea. We were just amazed at what we saw. We got him out and gave him some food. He ate so fast that he vomited. There was a tiny bit of water in a plastic bowl, but it was rusty looking and disgusting. We named the puppy “Tugger” because he tugged at our hearts.

            We seized the dogs and took them to the animal hospital. We had to use bolt cutters to remove the padlock from Tugger’s chain collar, just like we did for Chainey. He had a lot of ticks all over him, especially in his ears. When we got him back to the shelter, he calmed down a lot when he was put with Chainey, whom we suspected was his dad. As we expected, all the dogs were unsocialized, obviously because they had been neglected and had very little human contact. This is a very common problem with all of our rescues; cats, horses and dogs. Many can gain socialization skills and act like “normal” animals, but some don’t.

            Tugger was having a difficult time adjusting to people. He was just too afraid of them. Then we placed him in a foster home, which made all the difference in the world. He has really come out of his shell, and I was so happy to recently see his transformation. We had not taken him to our weekly Saturday adoption days for awhile because he would get so stressed out and most people aren’t interested in adopting a dog like that. Well, we took him to adoption day last Saturday and I couldn’t believe how different he was! He was such a happy dog, wagging his tail all the time and even enjoying being around people, and we have his foster mom to thank for working with him. He is definitely ready for his forever home now. Tugger is housetrained, crate trained, good with kids, dogs and cats. As with all our rescues, he has been neutered, microchipped and is up to date on all his shots. He has also been on heartworm prevention and flea and tick prevention. He has grown into a beautiful and sweet dog. And yes, he still tugs at my heart.

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

Wonderful Pets Available!! 

            We have some very special animals at the shelter that are looking for a forever home. So instead of having a “Pet of the Week” column, I’m going to tell you about several “Pets of the Week.” These dogs are very special to me for one reason or another, and I’d like to introduce them to you.

            Juliette is a very sweet pit bull. I rescued her along with 3 other pit bulls that had been used for dog fighting. Her owners were convicted of animal cruelty and sentenced to thirty days in jail. She is very loving and really enjoys playing with toys. She is great with kids and gets along with some dogs. All she wants to do is jump in your lap and be petted. She is always happy, and she sure is in a much better place than before she was rescued.

            I rescued Pickles a long time ago along with her four siblings. I got them from a junkyard, and the poor puppies had no food, water or shelter. Worst of all, they all had a terrible case of mange that is highly contagious. The poor puppies were missing a lot of hair and had bloody scabs from scratching so much. They had obviously been neglected by their owners because they were so afraid of people. It took a long time for these puppies to heal and become healthy enough for adoption. All four of Pickles’ siblings were adopted a long time ago, so Pickles is definitely ready for a home. She is a lab mix and is very friendly. She is shy, but once she gets to know you, she will really open up to you and love you. She has been in a foster home and is house trained and crate trained. She is a really good girl!

            Shooter is another puppy that was rescued with a terrible case of mange and had been neglected by his owner. It also took a long time for him to become healthy enough for adoption, but he’s ready now. He’s a black lab mix and a perfect size. He has a great personality and loves people and other dogs. He loves to just sprawl on the floor in hopes you will rub his belly. And how can you say no to such a cute face! He is in a foster home so he has learned some manners and is housetrained. He would make a great family pet.

            We aren’t quite sure what breed Stinger is, but she has long black hair and a sweet face. She was rescued as a puppy and like Pickles and Shooter, she had a terrible case of mange. She also had a broken leg. She has been with us a long time, and she really needs to be loved by someone. If we could even get her in a foster home, that would help her come out of her shell. She is small and black and very sweet. She just needs a chance with someone.     

            With the economy the way it is today, it’s probably not the best time for you to adopt a pet. If not, won’t you consider fostering one of our dogs? We pay for everything. You just need to provide a lot of love and attention, which is what our dogs would love to have. Please call our office at (901) 854-2565 if you have any questions.

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

Heroes Spotted in Fayette County!

When most children our dreaming of their 6th birthday party, they are thinking of all the fun they will have, the cake and ice cream, but especially dreaming of the piles of presents all wrapped up in pretty colorful packages. I must admit that I did. Now think of being a triplet, would that mean triple the fun and presents? Wow, what a pile that would be!

But three soon to be 6 year olds ( left to right) Heather, Ashley, and Miller Galloway, the son and daughters of Dr. Stephen and Dr. Melanie Galloway, owners of Animal Care Hospital in Oakland, were dreaming of their party but instead of dreaming about all the new, shinny items they would get, they were dreaming of how they could help others that would never have a birthday party, or a present. The silent ones who have been through terrible experiences through their lifetimes and are now at a rescue place where they patiently wait for a person or a family to hopefully come and adopt them. So they decided to have a big birthday party but for all the guests to bring items that these rescue animals need instead of presents for them.

After their birthday party they brought their haul out to Fayette County Animal Rescue. Needless to say we here at FCAR were speechless. I personally count not believe how selfless these great kids are. It makes you truly believe that there is hope for the future. Thank you Heather, Ashley, and Miller Galloway and thanks to your wonderful parents for raising you with such wonderful morals. Fayette County Animal Rescue.

Special Dogs Need Special Homes 

            Recently we rescued a large amount of dogs from two men who could no longer care for them. All the dogs were either chained to a tree or lived in a small pen. Their living conditions were awful, and almost all of the dogs were heartworm positive. The dogs were never around any people except for the two men who owned them. The men did not spend much time with the dogs, either, so they are very unsocialized.  They are afraid of anyone they don’t know, and they are still getting used to us. The dogs will come up to their kennel gate and lick our fingers when we approach them, but if we open the gate they run to the back of their kennel in fear.

            Unfortunately, we rescue a lot of dogs who are unsocialized because their owners never paid any attention to them. It can be really hard to get these dogs adopted sometimes. Most people want a happy dog that is going to run and play with them immediately, and we completely understand that. But a lot of unsocialized dogs will eventually warm up to people and learn to trust them. It just takes a lot of time. Once they become a little more “normal”, these dogs make great pets. They become so affectionate and attached to you, because now they have found someone they can trust. Most of us in animal rescue have a dog like this, and we can tell many stories about how our dog acts so funny sometimes.

            My husband and I adopted Trace from FCAR about 3 years ago, and he has made great improvements. However, he still spends most of his time under our bed because he is afraid of everything. He acts fine around the few people he has gotten used to, but he hides from everyone else. Nevertheless, we love him so much and wouldn’t trade him for any other dog. We can tell how much he loves us, and that makes him so special. He was rescued when he was only 3 months old, so it’s hard to imagine what happened to him so early in life to make him the way he is. My guess is that he was completely neglected. Well, that isn’t the case now!

            If you are considering adopting a pet, I hope you think about adopting one with special needs. You will be loved and rewarded in so many ways. It may take a lot of time and effort on your part, but it is so worth it.

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

Last of Blackburn Horses Get Adopted! 

            About a year ago, Fayette County Animal Rescue seized seventeen starving horses from George Blackburn of Williston and charged him with animal cruelty. Blackburn’s mother took eleven of the horses during Blackburn’s initial court appearance. She was caught in Texarkana and charged with animal cruelty in transportation. The eleven horses were taken in and rehabilitated by a wonderful rescue group in Texarkana. All but a few of the horses there have been adopted. FCAR then had to put the remaining six horses in foster care. So many wonderful people volunteered to care for the horses. Many donated much needed hay, money and anything else we needed. Our caring vet treated the horses and soon they were healthy and ready for adoption. Secret, Applejacks and Franklin were adopted pretty quickly. Bandit, the colt, was lucky enough to get adopted by Priscilla Presley and Elvis Presley Enterprises and is living at the Graceland stables. That left Tippy and Sonoma.

            For some reason, it took awhile to get them adopted. Since they had been together for so long, all of us really hoped that one person would take both of them. Well, our wish came true. A very kind lady adopted both horses a couple of weeks ago. I have to admit, I really miss seeing the two of them grazing in the pasture or running around and playing, but I am so thrilled they now have a home. I would often compare their personalities to the day I first saw them. Tippy had lost a large amount of hair due to malnourishment. I had never seen a horse that looked like that, and it was quite a sight. She and all the horses always had their heads hanging down low, and they were all so afraid of people. But once they were socialized and healthy, they became different horses. They would come up to me even when I didn’t have treats to give them. They loved to be petted and I loved petting them.

I had always loved horses since I was a child, but I was never around them. Rescuing these horses was quite an experience for all the FCAR volunteers. I learned a lot about them. (It took awhile for me to say “lead” instead of “leash” and “halter” instead of “harness.” Hey, I’m a dog person.) But as I would visit them in the pasture, I would see them as another example of how all companion animals should be: healthy, happy and loved.

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

FCAR Rescue Adopted by Priscilla Presley & Elvis Presley Enterprises

In April 2008 FCAR rescued 17 horses from a situation of extreme cruelty and neglect in Williston, TN.  The owner was ultimately convicted of animal cruelty and all of the animals were released to the care of Fayette County Animal Rescue.  Well one of those horses has just found a little piece of heaven and was adopted by Priscilla Presley and Elvis Presley Enterprises. The official announcement and welcoming for Bandit will be on January 8, 2009.  Media and fans from around the world will focus on Graceland for Elvis' birthday celebration which will include Bandit's introduction as the newest addition to the Graceland family.

Recently quoted in the Commercial Appeal:   "Unfortunately several didn't make it," said Presley, who says she is grateful to Fayette County Animal Rescue and the state for rescuing most of the horses.

For additional details go to: 
-  http://www.elvis.com/news/full_story.asp?id=1685 
-  http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/jan/08/priscilla-brings-rescued-horses-to-02/
-  http://www.wmctv.com/global/story.asp?s=9639160

For the CNN Larry King Live interview with Priscilla Presley and tour of the horses including Bandit, go to:  http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/bestoftv/2009/01/08/lkl.presley.graceland.tour.cnn?iref=videosearch

To read additional details about Bandit's rescue, click here and scroll down.

Baby pictures of Bandit when we first rescued him:

Volunteer at FCAR

Pictured at left is Bandit with some of Fayette County Animal Rescue's junior volunteers.  They spent time during summer vacation learning about horses including grooming, handling and training. Bandit was the perfect teacher and student for the girls!

We need volunteers of all ages to help with our dog, cat and horse rescues.  If you can help, contact us at (901) 854-2565.

Horses Adopted! 

On April 18th our last 2 horses from this case, Tippy & Sonoma were adopted!!

FCAR Needs Homes for Rescued Animals

     Due to the economic downturn, the impact to our community has been devastating, and it has not overlooked non-profits, including Fayette County Animal Rescue (FCAR). However, we believe that the services that FCAR provides to our community are more important than ever and we are determined to do everything we can to help. The animals always need us, it is a 24x7x365 day a year need regardless of how the stock market is doing. In times like these we come face to face with a staggering increase in requests for assistance, especially from people that never imagined they would need to ask for help before.

     Unfortunately as the need exponentially increases, the resources available to fill that need have also diminished significantly.  With all of the news coverage everyone fully understands the impact to people in our community, however the impact to the animals has been all but overlooked.  For example, you may not have realized how FCAR has been affected.

     First, as was mentioned, the number of calls for services and assistance have skyrocketed.  People who have lost their jobs or had their homes foreclosed can no longer afford to care for their animals. 

     Second, our donations have decreased significantly.  Obviously this is understandable as everyone has tightened their belts to guard against the uncertainty ahead.  But what you may not have also realized was the other funding sources that have decreased.  Corporations are cutting back on event sponsorships or grants.   Foundations have less money available for grants as they usually have the bulk of their assets tied up in the stock market as well. 

     And finally, and we did not see this coming, adoptions of our animals has dropped radically.  Again, if you stop and think about it you can make the direct correlation from an uncertain economy and less disposable income to a reduction in people’s willingness to adopt a new animal into their family.  This is the number one issue affecting FCAR right now. Our supporters always come through with donations, especially in hard times.  Our volunteers also spend countless hours doing anything they can to raise much needed funds and we are committed that our animals will get the care they need.  But it is finding homes for our rescues that has put us at a standstill.  We cannot rescue more animals until we place the animals we have in new forever homes and make space at our shelter.

     As always we deeply appreciate your support. Please keep your ears open for any opportunity to place an FCAR animal in a new home and refer potential adopters to us or consider adding a new furry friend to your own family.

FCAR is a non-profit, 501c3 organization serving Fayette County.  Mail your tax-deductible contributions to FCAR, P.O. Box 44, Rossville, TN  38066 Tax ID# 62-1836008.  Phone:  901/854-2565

This Week at FCAR
~By Dana Scheiterlein

    Puppies are just so cute! We have a few at FCAR that are almost ready for adoption, and I am sure they will find homes very fast. No one can resist a baby, it is genetically bred into us, their cute faces and wobbly little legs make us want to protect them, to pick them up and cuddle them close to us. This is great; it is Nature’s way. We take these fresh new little beings into our home, love them, train them, and raise them according to our ways. Their life slates are clean. They have just come from a mother who provided everything, even cleaned up after them, now this is what we must do.

    If you get a new puppy, you have got to be willing to be patient. First, it has probably just been separated from its mother, or at the shelter we have already gone through some of the puppy blues and it has transferred its imprinting to the caretakers. The puppy will do the same to you, but then remember you are now the mother. The new pup will have to be trained and it will take a while. It is a baby; it will go through the stages of growing up. If you have children you know that potty training or teaching them what to play with did not happen right away. It took many times of you taking objects out of their tiny little hands or mouths and replacing them with items that were more suitable. I am pretty sure that a three-month-old baby, no matter how hard anyone tries, will not be able to be potty trained.  You have to be patient until the child or the puppy can grasp the concept. Puppies do grow up faster so this process is accelerated, but it will still take time and dedication on your part. It is very rewarding when you see the light bulb go on in their heads and they know what you want them to do.

    Some people might want a dog but not have the patience for puppy training, then what? Please, consider an older one. We are full of them and so are most of the shelters across the nation. The more time I spend with each of the older dogs, the more I see the hidden treasure in each and every one of them. Some of them come right up and try everything they can to get your attention. Others are shy or may be wary of trying and getting their hopes up, but if you give them a chance they just melt into your arms.

    Each dog is unique, but it has been proven that if you change the environment of a living creature that it will change and adapt to the new one. The older dog might take a bit of training to adapt into your household but it will be a considerably shorter time than with a puppy. Many of these dogs are already housetrained! Some will have obstacles to overcome, but doesn’t everyone? With an older dog they grasp the idea much faster and positive reinforcement and love will conquer any habits they might have that you cannot live with. They really do want to please you. The one constant that I have always heard about rescue animals is that they make the best pets, maybe this is because they truly appreciate having a loving home, because they know what it is like not having one. 

    If you are interested in adding a new member to your family, contact FCAR today or go to http://fayettefcar.com to see details on the animals we currently have available for adoption.

FCAR is a non-profit, 501c3 organization serving Fayette County.  Mail your tax-deductible contributions to FCAR, P.O. Box 44, Rossville, TN  38066 Tax ID# 62-1836008.

March 1, 2009

Help Whitaker!
~ By Gina Thweatt 

Recently Animal Control received a call regarding an injured puppy. The owners of the puppy wanted Animal Control to come to their house to euthanize their puppy because he had been hit by a car. This is not a service that Animal Control performs, however Chief Whitaker’s compassion resulted in a call to Fayette County Animal Rescue with a request to save the puppy.

The puppy was only 3 months old and had extensive injuries.  He had two broken back legs and a contusion in his lung. He was in extreme pain. FCAR picked the puppy up and rushed him to the wonderful staff at Somerville Animal Hospital.  Dr. Weatherly operated on both legs, inserting pins to aid in the healing. However, a few days later, one of the legs became very swollen and infected. One of the pins had begun pushing through the skin creating a small hole, causing blood to ooze. The puppy had to be rushed to an emergency veterinary hospital, and spent the weekend there on intravenous fluids. After leaving the emergency room he had to have another surgery to repair the pin and flush out the infection.

The puppy was named “Whitaker” in honor of Chief Whitaker, who was instrumental in saving his life. He is in a foster home receiving constant care while his legs are healing.  In just two short weeks Whitaker’s medical bills have already totaled over $3,500, and he is still facing more surgery.

If you can assist with Whitaker’s medical bills, please send your donation to FCAR and put “Whitaker” on your check.  We appreciate your generosity and assistance in saving this young puppy and giving him the opportunity to live a long, happy life. 

Please also ensure that your animals remain safe in a secure fenced in yard or on a leash when they are outside of your home.  Not only is it your responsibility as an animal owner but it is also the law. 

FCAR is a non-profit, 501c3 organization serving Fayette County.  Mail your tax-deductible contributions to FCAR, P.O. Box 44, Rossville, TN  38066 Tax ID# 62-1836008.

This Week at FCAR
~ By Dana Scheiterlein 

    Last time I talked about how nature’s calendar was moving forward while we were busy dealing with the funky weather. So most of us put off taking our pets to the vet, after all we have many excuses. It is expensive, no time, kid’s busy schedules. When the economy goes south the first two things that suffer are our animals and our teeth. We stop going to the vet and dentist. Does this mean that we can look forward to a future of animal overpopulation, and people with gingivitis?  What a fun thought!

     We are already suffering from an animal overpopulation. Fact is that according to surveys done by many different shelters and Humane societies on average each year 10.5 million dogs and cats are “euthanized” (which is a misnomer because to euthanize means to kill an incurably ill or injured animal to relieve suffering), because most of these animals are not incurably ill or injured. They are just unwanted. This number is just the ones that are reported. A lot of them are not reported, because it is not a priority. Plus this does not take into account the stray animals that are die by starvation, disease, freezing, predators, or are hit by cars.

    Animal Protection Association, a low cost spay/neuter clinic 901-324-3202 www.spaymemphis.com has a handout on Cat Math: With only one unsprayed female cat having a small litter of only 2-3 kittens (which we all know is on the conservative side) in 8 years will produce 2,072,514 kitties.

    Why in the world are we not spaying or neutering are animals? All of the facts show us that by getting our animals fixed we are extending their lifespan, and the earlier the better. A dog or cat can be fixed when they weigh more than two pounds, and are two months old. The longer you wait the more likely they are to get a myriad of problems. Males may get testicular cancer or prostrate disease. Females may get a pyrmetra (believe me you don’t want the details on this disease)! Or they get breast cancer. Did you know that this is fatal in 50% of female dogs and 90% of cats? If you want to talk about expense, I have had two cats, that got this type of cancer and the operations were very expensive. Both were older rescue animals and their chances of getting this disease would have been reduced to one seventh if their original owners had fixed them before they were 6-9 months old.

    Sterilization will not make your animal fat and lazy, lack of exercise and overeating will. It is not a dangerous and painful surgery, it is the most common surgery performed on animals. It will not drastically change their personality; they will still love and care for you. They might be calmer and it may help males lose their need to mark their territory with urine.

    Also your children do not need to see the miracle of birth. We have plenty of documentaries that you can either watch on TV or rent. This way you do not have to deal with the unwanted brood later on. If you had to watch or better yet hold an animal being “euthanized” because nobody wants them, if you had to look them in the eye as their life faded away, you would be sure to have your pets fixed from that moment forward.

FCAR is a non-profit, 501c3 organization serving Fayette County.  Mail your tax-deductible contributions to FCAR, P.O. Box 44, Rossville, TN  38066 Tax ID# 62-1836008.

Spring at FCAR
~ By Dana Scheiterlein

      Wasn’t this past weekend beautiful? Japan celebrates February 7^th as their first day of spring. But about one month ago I noticed what was the first sign of spring for all of us “country folk” that are lucky enough to live out here in Fayette County. No, it wasn’t the first seed catalog arriving in the mail, nor was it the daffodils and crocus that are poking up through the soil. It was the sweet smell of “Ode de Pu’,” otherwise known as Skunk.

      Getting into the car to drive to work in the morning the perfume overwhelms your senses. What does the invasion of Pepe La Pews mean? It means that spring has sprung in the biological animal calendar and everyone is going into heat.

      Even though we are curled up in our covers and the roads are icy, nature is preparing itself for the new season. Your cute, innocent dog or cat that you have not got around to fixing is about to give you an Easter (or sooner) gift, probably one that you do not want. Did you know that for every human baby that is born there are 7 cats and 15 dogs born at the same time. Even for the most avid animal lovers this amount is overwhelming.

      So when I hear that someone doesn’t want to spay or neuter his or her animal, I want to scream. I have heard all the arguments and excuses. A female does not need to have the “maternal experience”; no it will not make her mellower, no everyone does not want an animal just like yours (no matter how great yours is). Even if you think that it is too expensive to have your female spayed and that you will keep a close watch on her, it is an impossible job. If she is an indoor dog, you will have to go through about 18 days of diaper wearing. Dogs do not like diapers, they pull or chew them off constantly, and if you put her outside, a male dog can smell her 10 miles away. When I found out that fact I was amazed 10 miles! And the male will do everything in his power to get to her!

     If it is a female cat, well if you have ever been around a female cat in heat then I do not need to tell you the torture that is. The constant yowling, etc… And the moment you let her outside, bam, bambinos!

     As for the males, what can I say? Dudes it is not a slam on your manhood to have your male dog fixed! Your male dog can and will impregnate any female dog within a 10-mile radius. This is not a “great, at a boy” thing. You should have to pay puppy support!  As I drive home from work, I have noticed the roving bands of dogs. One just down the street a trio consisting of a Rottweiler, a beagle and a chow mix, this will produce about 8-10 Rottoweagles. I do not think that this breed is AKC registered. Again, your male dog will find any way it can to get to the female; this is just not responsible pet care.

     If you have a male tomcat, by not altering him you have just given him a life sentence. Most male toms never see there first birthday. They fight, get diseases or infections, and never make it home. It is proven that if you have your animals fixed it will greatly extend their life spans; they will be healthier and happier. Otherwise, they will only have one thing on their minds and they will defy all odds to get the job done. 

     There is a wonderful organization in Shelby County, the Animal Protection Association that will spay/neuter your pet for a very low fee.  You can contact them at 901/324-3202 or go to their website at http://spaymemphis.com.  Save a life… spay or neuter your pet today.

FCAR is a non-profit, 501c3 organization serving Fayette County.  Mail your tax-deductible contributions to FCAR, P.O. Box 44, Rossville, TN  38066 Tax ID# 62-1836008.

February 2, 2009

This Week At FCAR
~ By Dana Scheiterlein 

   This week I must confess something.  I am a bibliophile. For those of you who have not heard this term before, it means that I love to collect and read books. It drives my husband crazy when I feel that within the household budget one category should be for reading material, besides he has his own category for farm implements. It was an uphill battle for him when it was just me, but my two children also inherited this trait, especially my daughter, so he has decided to join us and read a few of the books that we leave around. A lot of you have probably read or seen the movie Marley and Me, but another book that came out around Christmas was Dewey. It is a story of how a kitten was able to make a difference in a small town library then spread this difference to the town, country and then gained international notoriety. I started reading this book yesterday and was instantly drawn in by how the kitten arrived at the library; it was shoved into the night book return box during the coldest night in this Iowa town. Dewey’s little kitten paws were frostbitten and took quite a while to heal.

    What has become of our society? I mean that it is wonderful that we have so many conveniences, disposable diapers, cups, plates, trash bags, razors, etc…ad nauseam. Just glance at the side of the road wherever you are driving and you will see all of the things that we just toss out of our car windows. We cannot even wait to get home to put this stuff in a trashcan. We want it instantly gone from our hands or sight. We have become a disposable nation that wants instant gratification. What is this teaching our children? What has it taught us?

    I can tell you what I have observed at Fayette County Animal Rescue (FCAR). It has taught a lot of people that EVERYTHING is disposable. And if anything is of the least bit of trouble just throw it away. The phone calls started coming in shortly after Christmas, “I got my (fill in blank- son, daughter, wife, brother, etc..) a (fill in blank-puppy, kitten, dog, cat, iguana, etc…) and we just can’t keep it. It is too much work. Where should I take it?”  This just gets me so frustrated. But then I realize that these are the people who at least feel a bit of remorse and call.

    Most don’t, they just take the little puppy or kitten and drop it off either in the wild or somewhere in a busy location where they think that some “kind-hearted” person will do the right thing and take the animal home. This is NOT what happens to most of these disposable animals, truth is they die. They are not equipped to be let loose in the wild and fend for themselves. Most have just come from their mothers or a home or even a shelter. They have already been through a trauma of trying to adjust to a new home environment, new people, and now they are thrown out into the coldest nights with no food or water. They are not trained to get their own. If you have watched any National Geographic or Animal Planet then you have seen some shows on how hard it is to take a wild animal that has been in captivity and retrain it to live in the wild. If it is hard for a wolf or lion how do you think a cat or dog will do? Almost always they will die, some will be killed fast by a car or predator, others will starve, get sick and die slowly.

    Like Dewey, animals ARE NOT disposable. So please consider when you get a new animal. They are living beings, with feelings. It will take some time for them to adjust to the new household and learn the rules. If you have children, they did not come fully trained. If you are in a relationship or married, I bet you are still working on training them. My husband and I have been trying to train each other for decades and neither one of us have made a lot of headway. Animals are fast learners compared to humans. It usually only takes a new animal about two weeks to fully adjust to our household. If it is a puppy, it will take a longer and a lot of positive reinforcement, (I find that cookies help, even with horses, children, or husbands).

    When you decide to bring this new life into your home, be prepared, take the time and you will be greatly rewarded. You are making a commitment and we need to get back to ideals that when you make a commitment or give your word that it should mean something. This is what we should be teaching our children and teaching ourselves.

     I have learned a lot more humanity by watching animals then I have by observing some people. I have seen animals express almost every feeling that I have seen in humans, good and bad, but the difference is that animals are much more forgiving. Whereas humans will hold a grudge and have prejudices, animals do not. They are loyal to the end, even if it means sitting by the side of the road waiting for the master that never returns.   

FCAR is a non-profit, 501c3 organization serving Fayette County.  Mail your tax-deductible contributions to FCAR, P.O. Box 44, Rossville, TN  38066 Tax ID# 62-1836008.

This Week at Fayette County  Animal Rescue (FCAR)
~By Dana Scheiterlein, FCAR Shelter Manager

   “What is FCAR?’ After reading a few of my emails, my husband brought to my attention that saying “This Week From The Shelter” could actually be misleading. It gives off the idea that we are either a branch of The American Humane Society or ASPCA, both of which are wonderful organizations that do incredible work on a national scale. It could also imply that we are like a pound or a part of the county government, which is not true. We are an independent organization that primarily relies on the charity of caring individuals and by begging for handouts from a few wonderful businesses. We get by day by day on a wing and a prayer and it truly amazes me to watch this in action.

     Our two Founders became Cruelty Investigators because they could not continue to look the other way when they saw abuse in our county. Our newest Cruelty Investigator left a career to become a full time officer with zero pay because she was “called”. And we have a truly loving base of dedicated volunteers that help out whenever they are able.  We do not have unlimited (or even limited) resources to draw upon and therefore try to concentrate on the cruelty and abuse cases which seem to grow in number weekly.

     Most of you have probably watched “Animal Cops” and other shows like that. This is what we get. And to take these injured, starved, sick, abused, and beaten animals, nurse them back to health physically then try to rehabilitate them mentally takes a lot of time, love and devotion. Some of the animals that have been treated the worst and have the most reasons to have given up on us humans still want to reach out. You can see it in their soft eyes. They cower at the back of their pen, shaking and terrified yet if you look closely you can still see the flicker of hope.

     One such dog was inside our “shelter” undergoing medical treatment when I arrived. His name is Ari. He was part of a group of about 47 dogs that we got from a hoarding case. Most were heartworm positive and he was one who had not really had much human contact. He had set himself up as the “protector” of three of the younger dogs including Caity that you might have read about in the Falcon a few weeks ago. He never fully came up to me when I would put my hand down to him, he would almost work up his courage to, but then run back. He would quickly and very gently take a doggie cookie from me, then run out the little doggie door into his back pen.

     Last week I had a small volunteer crew working at FCAR on Saturday, so after they had left I hung around to finish some things when the van load of dogs came back from the adoption day at Petco in Cordova.  I took Caity out and walked her around outside then took her inside. Next, I went to get Ari who was very shy. I struggled to get him out of the top crate but he seemed to become super dog and he locked up all of his four legs and there was no way that I could budge him. I stepped back to see if he would jump out but he was afraid of the height, I don’t blame him it was like a three story building to him. Finally I crawled back up into the van and although he looked at me for a moment then he came to me and clung to me wrapping all of his legs around me like my children used to when they were young. I just held him for a while and told him “I got you, you’re safe”. Soon I was able to put him down and walked him around to get some fresh air.

    When I came in on Monday morning to see how everyone was doing and to say good morning to all the dogs inside, for the first time Ari ran up to my fingers and gave me a couple of quick kisses. Now he does that every time I come in. These breakthroughs are what keep us going out at FCAR.

    When you get a new animal you have to have patience, you have to put in time; you have to love them, even if they have issues and work through them. Remember, they are living beings with feelings, needs and hopes. You cannot turn them off when you want. When you get an animal, think about it, it is a lifetime commitment, their lifetime. They will give you their unconditional love, loyalty, and will be there whenever, even if you are sick, grumpy, or have decided not to shower today, they don’t care. All they wish in return is some one to love them back. 

FCAR is a non-profit, 501c3 organization serving Fayette County.  Mail your tax-deductible contributions to FCAR, P.O. Box 44, Rossville, TN  38066 Tax ID# 62-1836008.

This Week at the Shelter
~By Dana Scheiterlein, Shelter Manager

I know that it seems hard to believe that we are already half way through January. If you are like me the days are flying by faster than I can keep up with them. My christmas tree is still up, my diet still needs to begin, I haven't been to the gym yet. Time seems to be flashing by me and I am in slow motion. Everyone is talking about the ushering in of a new age in politics and with our country, the bad economy, the rising crime, things good and bad, but as they all talk, the days still whirl by.

As most of you already know, we have been filled to the brim with cruelty and abuse cases, so much so that poor Gina is juggling every which way to try and help all the new cases out. She has been in the freezing rain teaching people how to build shelters for their animals, trying to teach them how to even feed them. For example, yesterday while I was here we had 7 more cases that Gina will have to go on each involving multiple animals.

I was lost in the whirlwind until this morning when someone just basically dumped Jack here and drove off without a look back. Jack's back leg and possibly his hip are hurting him. He is an unaltered young male, 100% Heinz 57. Jack just sat there terrified and trembling. Susan and I just stood there with our mouths hanging open. Jack is one of the sweetest dogs I've met. He is very skinny, but he would not touch his food until I told him he could then he would take one kibble and wait until I said okay for him to eat the next. It took him awhile to trust enough to eat it and whenever I put my hand down to his bowl he would just look up and give me a kiss. He is leash trained and knows how to heel. He knows the word "no", and loves to play fetch and have his belly rubbed. He is a small to medium sized dog, brindle colored, and loves to snuggle. I had him in the office with me for a bit this afternoon and would sit when I told him, but the printers were a new sound to him. He thought about lifting his leg on the fake tree in here at first, but with one no he stopped and did not try again.

This is when something in me snapped. I decided that I had to make a difference here in this small part of the world. My diet will always be out there, my Christmas tree actually looks pretty in the living room, but Jack and the others are who need the help now. They might not have a tomorrow and they can not control that. We really need some help on getting everything fixed out here and we also need help on our adoption days. For out here, I have everyone making some "Wish Lists" but instead of just saying that we have to do something about the mud actually brainstorming ways that it will be doable. Walking stones just sink, concrete would break, so maybe if we started building up a foundation of limestone gravel and keep on packing and layering like they do on driveways, but instead doing it as walkways then seeding the grass on the sides to stop the erosion. That is an example, but I would love to hear of any more that anyone has, but also try to come up with low/no cost solutions.

And PLEASE, yes I am begging, PLEASE come out to help us on our adoption days at the various PetCos and Petsmarts on Saturday The 17th we will hopefully be in Cordova at the PetCo From 9-4 and then 2/7 we will be at the Petsmart at Wolfchase same time. Each Saturday in January, Laurie will be here at the shelter between 10-2. I am here at the shelter on Mon, Tues, and Thurs. from about 9-5, just call us before to tell us when you would like to come out so we can be here and not out in the pasture. Lets all work together and make a difference for Jack and every other silent one here at the shelter and who are still out there hungry, hurt, afraid and have just about given up hope on life. Even better, become someone's forever home!

Reported by Anna Marie Hartman
Fans celebrate Graceland, Elvis Presley's birthday

From Commercial Appeal:  http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/jan/08/priscilla-brings-rescued-horses-to-02/

Priscilla brings rescued horses to Graceland

Animals add homey touch to Elvis' estate, she says

By Michael Lollar (Contact), Memphis Commercial Appeal
Thursday, January 8, 2009

"Graceland is a living breathing home," says Priscilla Presley, and she wants "to keep it the way Elvis left it," including the barn and horses that were a part of life with Elvis.

One of the reasons she is in Memphis today for Elvis' 74th birthday celebration is to introduce the world to two rescue horses adopted by Graceland. They live on the grounds where they were nursed back to health after living in life-threatening situations.

Presley says she intended to introduce a 3-year-old horse, Max, at last year's birthday celebration, but the horse became ill during a 15-hour drive from Maine to Memphis. He missed the birthday while being cared for by a veterinarian.

"He was eating the bark off trees when we got him," says Presley, who says the owner made the right decision by asking for help before Max and five other horses grew weaker.

The latest adoption is a 10-month-old quarter horse named Bandit, rescued last year from a Fayette County farm. Owner George Blackburn was convicted of neglecting Bandit and more than a dozen other horses.

"Unfortunately several didn't make it," said Presley, who says she is grateful to Fayette County Animal Rescue and the state for rescuing most of the horses.

Bandit has gained 56 pounds since arriving at Graceland, and she says he is one of four horses in the barn's eight stalls.

Presley says riding horses was a favorite pastime at Graceland and led to the purchase of the 160-acre Circle G Ranch in Mississippi "to have the freedom to ride."

The horses also add a touch of hominess to Graceland, which she says is important to the family. "When we come back, Lisa loves to get out on the golf cart with her children. It's just great memories for us."

Presley says her favorite part of Graceland is "just walking through those doors. You feel his presence there. You sit down in the kitchen, and it's as if time has stood still. You can feel the presence. Elvis' spirit is certainly there."

From priscillapresley.com:

From Elvis.com:

From KnoxvilleBiz.com:

<The following is planned for> January 8, 2009

9:30 a.m. Elvis Presley Day Ceremony on the front steps of Graceland

The traditional ceremony with a special program hosted by Priscilla Presley, along with Graceland/EPE officials, will feature a birthday cake cutting and a proclamation of Elvis Presley Day.

The public can also view the proclamation event on elvis.com via a streaming LIVE online cam. For additional information on the many other activities available during the birthday celebration, visit elvis.com.

Graceland’s 70th Anniversary Celebration/VIP Tour Exhibit will also kick off on the 8th with the birthday festivities. The colonial style mansion was built in 1939 by a prominent Memphis family that later sold the historic home and surrounding 13 acres to Elvis Presley in 1957. The 70th Anniversary exhibit, included as part of the VIP Tour package, features the original architectural drawings of Graceland, a signed check from Elvis for the down payment ($102,000) on the home, the deed to Graceland and a video presentation that includes memories from those who lived there, including the first family to call Graceland home.

Immediately following the proclamation, the media is invited to join Ms. Presley for the introduction of the newest member of the “Graceland Family.” A 10-month-old colt named Bandit has been adopted and will join the other three horses at Graceland including Max, who Graceland rescued and adopted last year. Bandit was rescued by the Fayette County Animal Rescue in Rossville, TN and continues Elvis’ love of horses and life of all kinds at Graceland.