Patricia Urreta took on Maggie as a foster, but the 10-year-old basset hound mix found her way back to Patricia's home and into her heart. 
- story by Denise Jacobs

Speculation turned to observation when Maggie, about ten years old, came to the Hancock Animal Shelter as a Bayside stray and to Ms. Urreta as a foster. Maggs—or Miss Maggs, as Urreta affectionately refers to her, is Urreta’s sixth and longest-staying foster.

During the foster phase, Maggie was once adopted out, but as Urreta explains, “She did not get along with the adoptive family’s other dog. It just didn’t work out, so poor Maggie had to come back. I continued to foster her, and it went on and on and on.” 

As many of us do after losing a beloved family pet, Ms. Urreta decided she would not own another dog.  “When my Jack Russell died, I said, ‘I just can’t do this again,’ but I just felt so bad for Maggie that I gave in.”

​And that’s how, in January of 2018, Maggie, with her Basset Hound body and Labrador face, found her forever home. Urreta has no regrets.  “Maggie loves people,” she says, “and she has been ‘the best dog ever.’ ” ​

Still, despite the mutual adoration, Maggie’s predisposition to chicanery is more effective than a crossword puzzle at firing Ms. Urreta’s neurons.  Urreta points to a sturdy but small steel trash bin with one of those pedals you must step on to open. Urreta explains that when she left the apartment earlier, the bin was where it belonged and, when she returned, in another place entirely. The trash can was not opened or pilfered; it had simply been moved, as if Maggie had her own ideas about home decorating.

​“Now, you tell me how she did that—because I don’t know!” 
​
Ms. Urreta has also discovered that, despite arthritis in the legs, Maggie is somehow able to reach the middle shelf of the kitchen tea trolley. In the adoptive process, the learning curve can be steep for both humans and animals, but Miss Patricia is a pro, and she solved this dilemma easily with a bit of rearranging. Edibles no longer sit on the trolley’s middle shelf.  Adoptive or not, as most dog owners learn sooner rather than later, to train a dog is to train the human. 

To have a successful relationship with a shelter animal, it can be helpful to remember that no dog is perfect from the get-go. It’s important to give a new pet time to learn the household rules of conduct.  Urreta advises patience.

She says, “Animals need time to build trust. Shelter dogs have sometimes been in a shelter for weeks and are traumatized.  They will have accidents.” Then, sadly, “Adopted dogs are sometimes too quickly returned to the shelter.” 

On the topic of shelters, Patricia Urreta praises Denise Hines, her daughter and volunteer with Friends of the Animal Shelter, a non-profit organization that supports the Hancock County animal shelter. 

​“Denise does an amazing job,” Urreta says. “She has helped so many dogs get adopted. She knows all these dogs. She writes about them and posts about them on Facebook.”

As for adopting an older dog vs. a younger dog, Ms. Urreta finds it rewarding to give love and comfort to an older animal that others might pass by.

“Besides,” she observes, “Maggie is my speed. She moves at my pace.  We both dislike the heat, and neither one of us wants to stay outside very long.”  More importantly, “It’s a blessing to be able to give older dogs comfort.”

And no photo album is required to see the love written on Patricia Urreta’s face as she sits on the steps looking down at her precious Miss Maggs.  It is, perhaps, the look of one who, while giving comfort, has found a measure of the same. No album required. ​

If you know a Hancock Shelter adoptee who would make a great Shelter Star, please let us know!  Email basic info and owner's contact info to:  editor@bslshoofly.com 

The dogs below are available at the Hancock County Animal Shelter as of September 16, 2018.  Call the shelter at (228) 466-4516 for availability.  Check out the Facebook page of the Hancock County Animal Shelter for latest adoptables! 

NUFAN is one of the sweetest, most content dogs you'll ever meet! ?This 1 yr old Border Collie/American Pit bull Terrier mix thrives on the affection of children, other dogs, and even cats! ? Nufan never meets a stranger! Lol! He's a sucker for a tummy rub, and will go belly up if he thinks you'll oblige him. He's also a fan of long walks, so we think he'd be an awesome buddy for active school aged children or older, seeking a best friend and confidant.

A home with a fenced yard would be ideal for Nufan, as he loves to romp-n-play in our exercise yard with his doggie pals at the shelter. When Nufan's previous owner moved out and abandoned this sweet boy, he was fostered by a compassionate neighbor, who discovered that he is both house and crate trained, and he loves kiddos. ❤ 

​He was the perfect house guest and playmate to her young children. Nufan would be a wonderful addition to any family, or a marvelous companion for an active single person/couple or retirees. This awesome boy deserves a second chance at unconditional love!
​
*Nufan's adoption fee is $75, which includes neutering, worming, vaccines, microchip, and a free vet check with one of our participating veterinarians.

KIWI is a 1 yr old Terrier mix, who has the most lovely chocolate brown and cream colored fur. We think she is uniquely beautiful, and we are crazy about her distinct eyebrows! ? They kinda look like fuzzy little caterpillars. ? 

Kiwi is a playful and energetic pup, and would benefit from daily walks and exercise to keep her healthy and happy. A home with a fenced backyard would be ideal for this sweet girl . She is friendly and welcoming of other dogs, so she could easily join a home with existing pets. We recommend that Kiwi join a home with children at least 12 yrs of age, as she is fearful of small, rambunctious kiddos.

It appears that she is also crate and house trained because she keeps her kennel clean, and no accidents thus far.? In addition to being a trusted family pet, Kiwi would also be a cool companion for an active single person/couple or "on-the-move" retirees. She's definitely a dog who likes to be included in the fun. ?

*Kiwi's adoption fee is $75, which includes spaying, worming, vaccines, microchip, and a free vet check with one of our participating veterinarians.

We love SPIKE'S ears and "frosted face," and the fact that he is whip smart! This 5 yr old Belgian Malinois is a favorite of our kennel techs, who spend time playing fetch with Spike as well as reinforcing his obvious training. He is great with other friendly dogs and seems open and affectionate towards all...except cats. Absolutely NO cats! ?? 

Spike walks beautifully on a leash/harness, and he is house and crate trained. He would be a loyal partner for a single person/couple or active retirees. Despite his age, Spike enjoys being active, which includes daily walks, romping-n-playing in a fenced backyard, and games of fetch, which he loves! ? He could also join a family with older children, looking for a best friend with which to exercise and share adventures. Please consider coming in to meet Spike...he is a shining star at our shelter! ?

*Spike's adoption fee is $50, which includes neutering, worming, vaccines, microchip, and a free vet check with one of our participating veterinarians. Spike is heartworm negative.
​

ZULA is a one-yr-old American Staffordshire Terrier/Labrador Retriever mix, who is super sweet, playful, and loving. ? She would be a great pal for school aged children or older, who would enjoy romping-n-playing with Zula, taking her for walks, and playing ball. An active single person/couple would also be an ideal fit for for this fun-loving dog.

MALLORY is a British Lab, surrendered to us by her breeder/trainer. She has been trained in basic commands, and was mostly used for breeding. Mallory is 3 yrs old. MALLORY likes toys and is crazy for tennis balls and playing fetch. We are seeking a loving home for Mallory, so she may experience life outside of a kennel and truly be part of a family. ? 

Mallory initially came to us quite skittish of people, but our young volunteers Sabrina and Kennedy have worked on confidence building and leash training, and now this sweet girl is wagging her tail and enjoying affection and attention. In fact, she revels in being petted and doted upon. ? She makes instant friends with other friendly dogs, and seems drawn to calm-natured older children.

With a little patience and understanding, Mallory will blossom once in a home environment, whether it be in a family with children, or as the constant companion to a single person/couple or active retirees.
​
*Our adult dog adoption fee is $75, which includes spaying, worming, vaccines, microchip, and a free vet check with one of our participating veterinarians.

This group works hard to help find dogs & cats homes at PetSmart adoption events, transports dogs out of state to save their lives and helps the local pet overpopulation problem with spay and neuter programs.  Click below to find out more, join and/or donate today! 

If you've ever thought about fostering a shelter dog, this story is for you:  it blows apart four common myths and demystifies the process! 
- by LB Kovac, photos by Ellis Anderson 

She’s a current board member of FOTAS and organizer of the shelter’s weekly adoption, which takes place every Saturday at Pet Smart. Having worked in so many roles in the shelter and in the foster community, she has a unique insight into the truths, and myths, of fostering animals. ​

​Myth 1) I don’t have enough money

Costs can easily add up when owning a pet. Even small dogs or cats require some combination of food, crate or kennel, toys, and space to play.

As a pet parent, you would shoulder most of these expenses on your own. But, as a foster parent, those costs are shared with a community. The shelter and FOTAS distribute donated food, toys, leashes, and other necessities among foster parents, helping to defray costs.

And what could be the most expensive part of pet ownership – veterinarian visits - are provided free through the shelter. “There’s a vet on staff, if your foster animal needs medical services, and you have access to worming medication and flea and tick preventatives, among other things.” 

​2) I can’t because I have other pets or kids

An important part of the fostering process is getting animals ready for experiences outside of the shelter. In the shelter, animals spend much of their time in the kennel, but, outside in the big ol’ world, they encounter all kinds of strange noises and sounds and smells. Being socialized early on, in a safe environment, will ensure that the animal can thrive once it gets to its forever home.

“We welcome fosters with families and pets,” says Hines. “They can help the animals get used to interacting with other cats and dogs.”

There are some preventative measures in place, to make sure that both foster animal and foster family members are all safe and healthy. Along with an application, families or individuals looking to foster an animal must demonstrate that their own pets are spayed or neutered and up-to-date medication.

In turn, the shelter workers do their part to screen animals before fostering, only sending out animals that will work in a foster environment. “We never place an animal that is a medical threat,” says Hines,  “and we work to make sure that they have a temperament suitable for other animals or kids.”

​3) I’ll be stuck with it forever

Although some foster situations do turn into adoptions, not every foster needs to be a lifelong commitment. Some fosters are just for a few days - think pet hotel.

The Hancock shelter participates in a rescue transport program, which matches adoptable animals with potential pet owners all over the country.

Before these animals “fly” to their new home, they need a place to stay – a hotel room, if you will. Willing fosters can take these animals for a few days “vacation,” so they can relax while waiting to be transported.

The shelter also sometimes experiences overcrowding. When space is limited, workers look to fosters to take extra animals until some are adopted or transported.

“Some fosters do take much longer,” says Hines, “but the typical case lasts less than 10 weeks.” 

4) They don’t need me to foster

Fostering is, according to Hines, “critical to the shelter.” Without the work of fosters, animals would die.

Like all shelters, the Hancock shelter strives to be a no-kill shelter. However, the shelter is constantly walking a very thin line.

“Adoption rates in this area are high, but intake numbers are also high,” says Hines. In the past, the shelter has been lucky to find short-term fosters who could take in animals until others were adopted or transported out of state.

If the numbers were to tip just a little – say a few less adoptions one month, or a few too many animals found wandering the streets the next – the shelter wouldn’t have enough space or resources to provide for the animals. “We rely on the fosters; if not for them, some of these animals would have to be put down,” says Hines. 

If you’re interested in fostering an animal, you can contact the shelter through their website or by calling (228) 466-4516. You can also check the shelter’s Facebook page for up-to-date information about emergency foster situations.

To all those who do support the shelter’s efforts, Hines has this to say: “This community is great about letting others know about the needs of the shelter… I love those animals, and I love our volunteers.” 

The teaching principles she used as a lifelong educator and coach have helped Kathleen Markey become an effective trainer for dogs - and their owners. 
- by Ellis Anderson 

“You use many of the same methods for teaching children as you do dogs,” says Markey.  “In both cases, you first need to get their focus.  And you reinforce positive behavior, whether it’s been asked for or not.”  

She points out that impulse control training also is important to teach to young canines and humans. 

But there’s a major difference between the two as well: dogs communicate mostly through body language.  Markey explains that dogs watch their owners carefully and in most cases, “know the owners better than the owners know themselves.”

But that’s not a two-way street.  People often don’t notice or they misinterpret their dog’s body language.  “They’re talking to us all the time, but we don’t know what they’re saying.” 

For example, if you’re hugging a dog and it rolls its eyes back so that the whites are visible, that’s known as “whale eyes.”   It’s a sign of anxiety, not ecstasy.   

“I sometimes see a dog being forced to greet another dog or kid and it’s showing whale eyes and ears back – clear signs of stress,” Markey says.  “The dog is very scared.  The owner should pay attention to that.”

Reading a dog’s body language is one of the primary things Markey teaches in group classes and while working with individual dog owners.  In short sessions, she can evaluate the behaviors causing issues and begin to work with the owner on retraining the dog.  

Markey says that some behaviors can be addressed much better on the dog’s home turf.  

“If your dog won’t stop barking when the doorbell rings, or if it’s counter surfing, I can’t train it in my yard.  And we can cover a lot of ground in 35 or 45 minutes.”  

The retired educator especially likes teaching children about dogs, individually and in groups.  Teaching them the basics in dog behavior and care can cut back on the chances of being bitten and help make them lifelong animal advocates.  The workshops and kids’ camps also stress the responsibility owners have for their pets. 

In fact, Markey has written an illustrated children’s book about relating to and caring for dogs.  Titled “Whoodies Dos and Don’ts of Child Safety,” it’s told from the perspective of Markey’s celebrity dog, Who Dat. 

Who Dat came into Markey’s life in 2010, after the BP oil spill had left thousands of dogs unable to be cared for by their owners.  Many were abandoned.  Other’s were surrendered.  Like a small Maltipoo.

By that time, Markey had been working with Animal Rescue New Orleans (ARNO) for five years – she’d started volunteering immediately after Hurricane Katrina.  The program’s director, Charlotte Bass, had encouraged her to pursue certification in dog training.  As a trainer, Markey was able to reduce the rate of adoption return, simply by helping families and their new dogs learn to cohabitate peacefully.  

In 2010, Markey, who had grown up with dogs in Chicago and later always had a dog companion who’d travel with her while recruiting for college basketball teams, was in deep mourning for a long-time dog who’d passed away.  She was so distraught, she began working in the cat room at the shelter, unable to be around dogs that reminded her of the loss.  

Charlotte found Markey in the cat room one day and proclaimed, “I’ve got your dog!”  Markey protested that she didn’t want another dog.  Charlotte ignored her and brought in “a little bit of white fluff.”   Markey protested again.  She’d always been a big dog person.  Charlotte persuaded her to take the dog home for the weekend. 

“If this is a yappy dog, I’m not taking it,” said Markey.  

The two-year-old bit of fluff and Markey have been inseparable for the past seven years.  

​The dog promptly dubbed Who Dat – “Whoodie” for short – and became part of the Saints fan costume act that Markey and a friend had started a few years before.  The two teachers had used a bonus to buy Saints season’s tickets in the nosebleed section.  As a gag, the two costumed as nuns from the fictional “Order of the Long-suffering Fleur de Lis.”  Markey’s friend was Sister Who, while she became Sister Dat.  The pair quickly became crowd favorites at every home game.  Whoodie joined the act and had his own adoring fans on game day. 

“There may have been a time or two when he actually watched games inside the Superdome,” says Markey, smiling.  

In 2017, Markey made the move to Bay St. Louis. She’d been visiting a retired teacher friend who’d relocated and enjoyed the natural beauty and slower pace.  As her retirement as an educator approached, she wanted to expand her part-time pet-sitting/dog-training service into a full-time business.    BADS was born 

Markey and Whoodie, can be often seen walking their guest dogs or riding on a scooter through the streets of town.  The trainer’s volunteering with Friends of the Animal Shelter and she offers programs to help raise awareness about dog-human relationships. 

Markey says that the most rewarding thing about working with and owning dogs is their unconditional love.  She tells a story about a recent beach walk with a gigantic Great Pyranese, Buddy, who’s a regular in her daycare.  The pair came on a distraught woman sitting alone on the beach.  When they stopped to chat, the woman confessed she was upset after being affected by the government shut-down.  

“Before you know it, Buddy put his head in her lap,” says Markey.  “He made her forget her troubles for a minute and smile.  

“It’s what dogs do.”

More than 400 Hancock County dogs and cats got a new chance to find quality homes in the North last year, thanks to a lot of determined volunteers and an ingenious transport program. 
- story by LB Kovac

​Denise Hines is a volunteer with Friends of the Animal Shelter, a non-profit organization that supports the Hancock County animal shelter. The group focuses much energy on public awareness and raising money for free spay-neuter vouchers to reduce the number of throw-away pets.

Friends volunteer work ranges from spreading the word about adoptable pets on social media, to playing foster parent to new puppies, to simply playing a round of fetch with a bored dog. 

Hines also drives the van. 

​Friends of the Animal Shelter partners with Animal Rescue Front, Inc., or ARF, a Massachusetts-based organization that pairs full shelters in the South with emptier ones in the North. It helps overcrowded shelters like Hancock County's transport dogs and cats to shelters where there is a 100% adoption rate. 

“We transport them into areas where there are almost no ‘disposable animals,’” says Hines. 

Once a month, she, as well as a few other dedicated volunteers with Friends, pack up a big blue Ford Transit van with adoptable dogs and cats for the first leg of a cross-country trip out of the South.

Their first stop: Madison, Mississippi. “Rescue groups from across the region converge there,” says Hines. The animals ride in crates in the back of the van, with Hines and other drivers making frequent stops to clean the van, get humans and pets a snack and allow everyone a moment to stretch their legs.

From there, Hines says, “[Animal Rescue Front, Inc.] drivers take them up North.” Some animals will go to shelters in Virginia or Massachusetts, but some might travel more than a thousand miles to shelters as far away as Maine.  Friends coordinates similar trips with other transport groups too. 

It’s a long trip, but well worth it, both for volunteers and their furry passengers. 

Below:  Just a few of the Hancock Shelter dogs that were saved by transport to the North in 2017.

Potential adopters in most northeastern states have to jump through lots of hoops to adopt a puppy or kitten. There are home visits and lengthy applications to fill out. There’s often a requirement that every member of the family must pledge that they want the pet.  Adoption fees are in the $400 range.  

Even with these strict requirements for adoption, many of the dogs and cats that make this trip north are adopted before they even arrive at their destination shelters.

Last year, Friends of the Animal Shelter was able to save more than 400 dogs and cats by transport. 

While transportation is a partial solution for the Hancock County shelter’s overcrowding problem, it still costs money. Each pet needs to have necessary shots, and tests for heartworms and infections, in addition to being conditioned for crates, transportation and family life. 

None of this is provided by the county or the state; it is all funded by private and corporate donations. “Thankfully, the community is supporting it,” says Hines. 

And that support (you can donate online now by clicking here!) is gladly welcomed because the other option, euthanasia, is unthinkable to the volunteers, who have seen too many worthy dogs meet their untimely ends.  

Many shelters, like Hancock County’s, resort to euthanasia at times because there simply aren’t the resources – food, money, volunteers, medication and space – needed to keep animals healthy until they are adopted.

But both transporting pets out of state and euthanasia are merely stop-gap measures.

​According to the ASPCA, Mississippi has no statewide laws that require the spaying or neutering of animals before licensing or adopting. Hines argues that such lax regulations create an excess supply of unwanted animals.

“In the North, many places require a renewable license for any pet; to obtain it, you have to be current and up-to-date on vaccines, and the pet must be spayed or neutered,” Hines says.

“Puppy mills simply don’t exist in these states.  To license a dog that’s not spayed or neutered, people have to meet official requirements to become certified dog breeders.”

An NPR piece featured on “Morning Edition” points out empty shelters are now common throughout New England states and the whole of the Northeast, thanks to government programs: “spay and neuter programs, combined with strong participation by rescue groups, have greatly reduced the number of unwanted dogs” in these areas.

Once sterilization became a normal part of the pet adoption and licensing process, there were fewer unwanted and abandoned animals in those states.

Volunteers believe that if Mississippi were to adopt similar laws, the number of “unwanted” animals in the area would likely eventually fall to numbers that the local shelters could manage.  The need for pet transportation groups and putting down sick or injured animals would become the exception, rather than the rule. 

​And stricter cruelty laws would not only dole out severe punishment to offenders, they would change the cultural norm of what's acceptable.  

“If the government has respect for the animals and strict penalties for animal cruelty, that’s eventually reflected in the attitudes of the residents," says Hines. 

But until that happens, volunteers like Hines welcome the continued support of the community in getting these pets to the loving homes they deserve. Hitting the road, in this case, saves hundreds of lives each year.  

Robbie MacDougal, Shetland Sheepdog and canine journalist, looks at research revealing that pets - and even photos of them - can improve a marriage.  

A new study funded by the U.S. Department of Defense as part of the Military Research Consortium explores the role of evaluative conditioning as a path to strengthening marriages and their support systems. Why this is of interest to our understanding of the human-pet companion bond is that animals were an important part of the research.

The Association for Psychological Science reported that a group of psychological scientists, with James K. McNulty of Florida State University leading, developed a method for helping marriages that is not a surprise to me: pictures of puppies and bunnies.

Researchers brought in 144 married couples, all less than 40 years old and all married less than five years, and assessed their feelings about their spouses. They showed participants pictures of their spouses, followed by negative and positive words or images, and asked them how they felt about their partner.

Then they showed the participants a slide show once every three days for six weeks. Half were photos on a split screen with the spouse and positive images and words like incredible and wonderful. Half saw the split screen with neutral photos of things like chairs and neutral words.

Every two weeks for eight weeks the researchers measured attitudes and asked them how they felt about their spouse.

What this study measured was based on the concept of evaluative conditioning, which simply means identifying something or someone with a feeling, good or bad, that sticks with the something or someone.

​You may have experienced this, for example, when you’ve eaten something, gotten sick, and forever hated that food. Another example happens when you identify a memory with a song. You hear a song, and you go back to a place or a time, maybe with a certain person.
​

This is where the bunnies and puppies come into the research. Hoping to retrain how spouses felt about each other, the researchers showed participants images of their spouses paired with positive words or images (the bunnies and the puppies) over a period of time. The theory was that the positive feelings would enhance positive feelings toward partners.

The intervention worked, and marital satisfaction was improved. James McNulty and his associates were a little surprised at how effective the images were. McNulty was quoted as saying, “It was like they went on 13 artificial good dates.” I am not surprised at the results — nothing is better than puppies and bunnies. 

The overall takeaway is that you associate friends, spouses, siblings, and coworkers with positive and negative thoughts and experiences that will influence relationships. Let us be a part of the positives in your relationships. Not only looking at pictures of puppies and bunnies, but also having them in your life will make your relationships more satisfying.

Just another way we make your lives better! Keep your tail high and your feet dry and think aboutadopting a pet from the shelter.
​

Robbie MacDougal, Shetland Sheepdog and canine journalist, introduces a few of the regular winter time pet residents of Bay Hide Away in Lakeshore.  Most will be headed north soon.  See you next year! 

Silly from Wisconsin
My cat Silly, she can love you one minute & hiss at you the next. She loves to travel in our motor home. Silly sleeps on a rug on the dash and sometimes she even wants to drive. She loves Bay Hide Away Campground. She loves to watch the birds & has lots of sunshine for all her naps. Silly's quite vocal when she wants to eat, especially at 2am. But all in all, we wouldn't trade her.  She's our little girl.

Marco Polo from USA
This is my mugshot from the paper shredding incident.  But I was framed, the cat did it!  After my rescue from Alabama and transport to Connecticut, I found my forever home.  I now travel the country in a travel trailer (which is a whole lot easier to guard than a house) with my human.  I get to sniff new places, score treats from new neighbors, and ride in a truck.  But the place I have the most fun and spend the most time is Bay Hide Away.  It's nice to have a place to come home to when you're 'On the go'.  Marco Polo.

The next time she wouldn’t come back in! I would see her outside the door but she would run and hide as soon as I opened the door. After three days, we had to trick her and catch her in a live trap.  She stayed inside for the rest of our four-month stay. 

This year, when we came back to Bay Hide Away RV Park, we worked with her outside during the day again, letting her explore near the motorhome.  Now she is happily sleeping all day inside and going outside at night.

​This is the place to be for all of us who live here full time and those who come and see us. Who knows the next dog you see walking down the street on the end of a leash could be from Michigan or Wisconsin or Iowa – anywhere.
 
Gentle readers, Daisy told me I need to end with her special sign off so, keep your tail high and your feet dry.

​Love, Robbie

A tribute to a remarkable rescue dog and Shoofly columnist, Daisy Mae, who passed away in January.  Daisy Mae, we won't forget you. 
​- by Christiana Richardson, PhD

In addition to being a management consultant, I am also a grief counselor. Many a client has been helped by having Daisy sit next to them while we talk. Daisy worked with me at the American Red Cross – responding to emergencies where she would sit with the children to be a calming force - a mannequin as we taught pet first aid. Sometimes the participants had her so bandaged that only her nose was sticking out.

Together we wrote about and talked about issues that matter – not just to animal people but to everyone. Taking care of and loving and being loved is a gift not to be taken lightly. We are who we are because of the love in our lives. Make room for love and love in return.

This morning my constant companion of 15 years died in my arms. I will love her forever. I hope that you have had and will have the gift of unconditional love. I will cry with my friends and I know how lucky I have been. As Daisy said – dear gentle readers keep your tail high and your feet dry!

Puppy Dog Tales will go on – Daisy’s brother Robbie will be writing. I expect a rougher edge as he is a dominate male.  Here is a photo of him last year with Daisy in her Micky Evans bustier. Mikey is not one who dresses up.  Too frivolous!

​The sign on her cage read: 13 months old, excessive barker, not housetrained. Her chances of survival were slim until Lost Dog and Cat Rescue saw her. She was spayed and then taken to the PetSmart in Alexandria, VA.

I just happened to be there getting cat food and this dog walked over to me. She was up for adoption and it took about 20 minutes until she was mine. Two days after joining our family she got very agitated, tugging at me and whining. Shortly thereafter I had a seizure. She had alerted me. After doing this twice more my doctor said she had the gift and she became my registered seizure alert dog.

From this day forward she has been my constant companion and a game changer in my life. I was a management consultant and Daisy went with me. We stayed in hotels and ate in their restaurants. Daisy liked the tables with tablecloths to the floor and we wrote an article for the hotel magazine about that.

Soon we were writing for numerous papers on all things animal. Daisy got such a good reputation that I was asked to also do some writing. I became a journalist writing on many topics and Daisy and I have been on the masthead of three newspapers and a columnist for the Shoofly Magazine.
​

What do dogs think about during the summer when it's too hot to go outside and play?  Daisy Mae, columnist and seizure-alert dog, clues us in.

Your words give me much to think about. One thing that I ponder on is how utterly dependent you humans are on us when you express yourselves. References to animals are ingrained in your day-to-day commun

Now as for you humans and your inclination to mess with our heads, it is my belief that you spend an inordinate amount of time dressing us up, putting odd things on our bodies and taking photos. Flattering to get the attention but strange behavior for us to behold and endure. I found this video on YouTube that highlights Halloween costumes.

Look at the faces on the pets and the people. Who seems to be having the most fun? Who are the adults here? Wow! This is fun. On behalf of my fellow named animals I’m feeling pretty important. We really are the center of your world.
 
Here are a few tips you may want to follow. I am making sure that I do not go out in the heat of the day. When I do go out I pick a spot with shade or I do not venture out. I don’t wear shoes, so pavement is hot! Walks early and after sunset are all my feet can handle.
 
If I can’t go into a building I refuse to be left in the car. A girl could get in heat stroke territory or worse in just a few minutes. I drink plenty of water, changed frequently during the day. Groady grows quick in warm water. I get an allergy bath once a week and a good daily brushing. Then there is always the pool!

The bad news is she's moving to Chattanooga, the good news is her positive influence on this community will continue to improve our lives, for many years to come.
- by Pat Saik

Pets love massage as much as people do.  Here's how you can relax your dog or cat, while giving them a checkup.  
- by Daisy Mae Delray, columnist and registered seizure alert dog

Before you begin the massage you can do a diagnostic massage to check for abnormalities. A friend of mine who has a Persian cat with lots of hair found an abscess on her cat, just under the armpit. We had shown her how to do a diagnostic massage a few weeks before so she was able to avoid a major infection.
 
A diagnostic massage is a simple technique every pet owner can do. It simply means feeling all over your pet’s body with a light touch, noticing any parasites, warmth, coolness, sores, swellings, tumors, discharge; anything out of the ordinary or anything your pet seems sensitive to. If done on a weekly basis, your hands and eyes will know when something has changed that you need to pay attention to or to seek veterinary help with.
 
This is a suggested guideline of how you can do this type of massage. You can do this in any order you and your pet prefer.
 
●Start by touching your pet’s head with both hands and run hands down your pet’s cheeks and mouth.
●Look into their eyes and mouth, sniff for any off odors, look for marks, discoloration, chipped or dirty teeth.
●Feel around ears for lumps, hair mats, and other abnormalities. Look and sniff in the ear.
●From ears, move hands down their necks to the throat. Check for abnormalities, tenderness.
●From the throat move your hands down their chest, shoulders and front legs. Flex the legs, check the feet.
●Move your hands from the feet and down the back, sides and stomach, feeling for warmth, coolness, or anything unusual.
●Check rear legs and feet the same way you did the front.
●Feel and look at the rear area, around and under the tail and underbelly. Look for parasites, discharges and sniff for off odors.
 
Keep a journal of what seems different. You can use this with the vet. Be sure to check weight periodically. Watch your pet walk, both towards you and away, looking for stiffness, pain, or abnormal gait. Don’t forget to monitor stool production and consistency, and urination habits and flow.
 
You are using your eyes, your hands, and your nose to imprint a baseline impression of your pet’s body. Once you have done this a number of times you will notice something that is off normal.
 
Keep your tail high and your feet dry!
 
Love, Daisy Mae

 A formal English tea in a small Mississippi town raises money, awareness and community spirits for friends and lovers of animals. 
- by Daisy Mae Delray, columnist and registered seizure alert dog

This month, Daisy Mae (our columnist and registered seizure-alert dog), introduces Jackson Galaxy, Animal Planet Host, who explains how kids and cats can coexist peacefully and playfully! 

In addition to his show on Animal Planet, Mr. Jackson’s website,  highlights animal rescue and shelter programs that save and place pets in good homes. His 501 (C) 3 Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk animals by transforming the places they live and by helping the people who care for them.

He also works to make sure that placements “stick” by teaching pet parents how to work with their pet kids. Add human children to the equation and you have an opportunity to teach two different species how to live together in harmony and how to avoid having tails pulled or getting scratched.

With young people in the household, learning the basics of cats and their natural behavior will make for happy everybody. In this video, entitled Cats and Kids Go Great Together, Mr. Galaxy share his thoughts on good relationships. The critical elements are to supervise kids and cats at all times, to teach your children empathy towards all living things at an early age, and to learn the basics of cat body language.   One of the keys to good placement is matching personalities of the cat kid with the human kid (children size or grown up kid).

Our partnership with cats goes back a long time.  Feline DNA suggests that the domestic cat has been with humans from their wild counterparts in the Middle East nearly 10,000 years ago. Anyone who has spent time with a cat knows that they are more mysterious than the household dogs.

Do cats think of their owners as parents? Siblings? Friends?  Rubbing around our legs when they greet us, cats are signaling that they regard us as friendly but at the same time slightly superior to them. When living in a family group, kittens rub on their mothers, females rub on bigger cats. The reverse rarely occurs.

Why do cats sometimes suddenly bite or scratch the person who is petting them? You have most likely missed a warning sign. Most cats love to be petted but only for a short while. Flattened ears and a slight switch of the tail lets you know that it is time to stop.

Why do cats knock objects off tables and shelves? Some are really just clumsy and others bat things off tables just to get your attention or because they do it for their own entertainment. In our household Ginger will hop on a table and you will hear scoot, scoot, crash. He seems to find this very amusing.

Why do cats climb into boxes, especially those that are too small? Cats love to feel protected and hidden, especially when they are taking a nap. Cardboard boxes are just dandy for felling secure. Why they pick boxes that are too small is a mystery.

Here are some things you may see but don’t know the why of:

• Licking cats of the same size and status grooming each other. This behavior helps the cats bond and reduces the potential for aggression. It is a genuine demonstration of affection.
• Kneading.    This is what kittens do to stimulate their mother’s milk. In adult cats this is affectionate behavior and the person being kneaded is seen as being in a superior, mothering role.
• Lying on its back with belly exposed.  This is one relaxed cat that trusts you and its environment.

Dog lovers may not agree that cats make excellent pets and companions but our household of dogs and cats disagree. Dogs and cats teach your children to take care of and nurture other living things. We make you healthier and happier and bring you joy.

If you have a cat in your life you will find as Yogi Berra said “ You can observe a lot just by watching”. If you don’t have a cat in your life, consider adding one to your family. You will have a built in stress reducer. Just watch this video and you will be convinced.

Well gentle reader, keep your tail high and your feet dry.

Love, Daisy Mae

This month, Daisy Mae (our columnist and registered seizure-alert dog) takes a look at one reason she narrowly escaped euthanasia herself:  the color of her fur. 
- by Daisy Mae Delray

Their statistics also show that it takes longer for adult cats and pit-bull type dogs to be adopted. All dogs and cats need homes and the initially overlooked ones are often the best pets. They seem to appreciate the rescue a little more.

I am a mostly black dog who was almost euthanized, so hearing about this got my attention. Big black dogs are consistently the hardest dogs to place – even if they are friendly and healthy and well-trained.

There are a number of reasons for this sad statistic, including the fact there are lots of black dogs, there are so many to choose from, they don’t photograph as well, and they look “ordinary” - whatever that means.  To make it worse, a bad depression is often referred to as a visit from the "black dog."  Finally, black dogs are often portrayed as the “bad guys” in the movies.

In January 2014, NBC did a piece on black dogs.  It appears that big black dogs are starting to get some attention, but there are still too many of them overlooked.

Singer, songwriter Emmy Lou Harris wrote a song for the movie, Cats and Dogs. Ms. Harris rescued a black dog that was the impetus for her animal rescue in Tennessee, Bonaparte’s Retreat, which led to her hit song for the film. She calls the song Big Black Dog.

Daisy Mae's top ten reasons to adopt a black dog or a black cat:

Reason number ten: We don’t clash with your furniture or clothing

Reason number nine: We don’t clash with any collar you might choose either

Reason number eight: Ease of vacuuming! You can quickly spot the areas of most need

Reason number seven: We hide the dirt well

Reason number six: We make an excellent “backdrop” for a second lighter colored dog

Reason number five: Availability! We are available at every shelter and rescue place

Reason number four: No annoying questions about breed. People are content with “BBD

Reason number three: Excellent for night walks. The “bad guys” are afraid of us

Reason number two: Status symbol potential –we are black pearls

Reason number one: WE NEED YOU

Keep your tail high and your feet dry.

Love,
Daisy Mae

by Seizure-alert dog Daisy Mae Delray
This month - Daisy Mae, inspired by other non-human candidates for office, announces her own candidacy to raise money and awareness for animal issues!

See Daisy Mae's NEW PAGE - Animal Shelter Updates - under the Cleaver's "RESOURCES" menu tab.  You find out what's new at the Hancock Animal Shelter and see dogs looking for their "furever" homes!

Campaign season is heating up for political office and I am already seeing “vote for __” signs popping up in yards and rhetoric filling the air like cotton at harvest time. I was wondering about campaign promises having to do with the protection of us animals.  That caused me to wonder about running for office myself to represent our interests.

I am not a novice at this as I have interviewed senators, governors and mayors for stories I have written in the past. I even applied for a position in Federal Government. That was for Chief of Staff for the President’s dog, Bo. In my application I wrote. “In general a chief of staff provides a buffer between a chief executive, i.e. First Dog and that of the executive’s direct reporting team (handlers, chefs, walkers, media, etc.).”

I went on to state, “As Chief of Staff I will be working behind the scenes to solve problems, mediate disputes and deal with issues before they bubble up to 1st Dog. Often I will act as confidante and advisor to 1st Dog, acting as a confidential sounding board for ideas.” I did not get that position, which in a way is a good thing, because if I was there I could not be here.

To prepare myself, I checked to see how animals have done in political races. I was not surprised to find numerous examples, such as the race in 1938 in Milton, Washington State where Boston Curtis, a brown mule, won his Republican precinct seat by 51 votes. Several animals in the U.S. have been elected mayors of small towns such as Rabbit Hash, KY, where a black lab named Junior Cochran won the majority of votes.  In Lajitas, Texas a beer-drinking goat named Clay Henry III became mayor and in August 2014, a seven-year-old mixed-breed dog named Duke became the new mayor of Cormorant, Minnesota.

Three races in particular caught my eye. Stubbs the Cat won the race as honorary mayor in Talkeetna, Alaska. Stubbs was elected mayor in 1997 and he recently retired to run for senate as he realized that “Alaskans needed a resounding voice, even if it is in the form of a meow.” I liked his media campaign which you can see on Youtube below: 

One thing I really liked about Stubbs was that he stayed above the fray and stuck to the issues. When asked if his running was just a hairball idea or if he was truly serious, Stubbs replies, ‘I don’t believe my personal hygiene is any of your business.’ Yea for candor!

In another race, a senate seat this time. Hank the Cat, a Maine Coon, ran in the 2012 United State Senate election in Virginia. Details can be found on the official site http://hankforsenate.com. Hank’s story was an inspiration to me. He and his siblings were picked up by animal control and scheduled for euthanasia but were rescued by Animal Allies and adopted into a family in Springfield, Virginia. Hank’s platform was based in part on the need to raise awareness and funding for spay and neuter programs. By the end of the campaign more than $60,000 dollars had been raised and Hank won 7,319 write in votes, coming in third in the Virginia senate election.

My last example is a little closer to home. In Fairhope, Alabama, a seven-year-old Labrador retriever by the name of Willie Bean Roscoe P. Coltrane ran for mayor. He was the only dog running against seven men. Willie Bean was invited to candidate’s forums and other events. I like the energy he brought to the election process, adding a little fun and the other candidates embraced the idea of Willie in the race.

There was a serious side to Willie's campaign and that was awareness of animal issues. His campaign raised funds for the local animal rescue organizations by asking for a dollar per vote. I also liked his campaign slogans which I may borrow: “sniffing out the issues,” “a doggone good choice," “if you can’t run with the big dogs, then don’t run for office,” and “always one leg up on the competition."

Okay, I am announcing my candidacy for the position of Hancock County Supervisor at Large for Animal Issues. I am too late to get on the official ballot so it will have to be write-in only. We are just starting the race so I will give you additional information in my next column.

Right now, I am focusing on campaign materials and strategy. I will be running on issues important to all citizens of Hancock County which include: No more puppy mills, along with spay and neuter, as a start. More to come!

Please contact us if you want to serve on my campaign committee. I can be reached through my person at 228.222.7018 or Christina@figaroconsulting.com.

Keep your tail high and your feet dry. Love, Daisy Mae

A dynamic local organization proves that people really can better the lives of Hancock County's animals.
- by Ellis Anderson
photos courtesy Friends of the Animal Shelter

While the organization’s name is Friends of the Animal Shelter, it could also be Friends to Animals, Friends to Pet-Lovers and Friends to the Community.  Perhaps that’s why in conversation, the group is usually referred to simply as “Friends.”

Founded in 2001,  Friends, a 501(c)3 charitable organization, has thousands of supporters and 200+ members.  Dr. Christina Richardson has served as Friends president for the past two years and one of her goals in office is to create more public awareness about the group and exactly what it does.

Richardson says that Friends was started in 2001 by Mickey Hemsley and Paula Leone, animal lovers who were concerned about the soaring rate of euthensia of unwanted pets at the Waveland animal shelter – which at the time, served as the only animal shelter for the entire county with it’s human population of 40,000 people. 

One of the group’s early goals remains in place: To end euthanasia as a viable means of control for the pet overpopulation problem in Hancock County.   To achieve that goal, Friends works as a support group for the County Animal Shelter.

Richardson says there’s a lot of confusion about animal welfare and rescue groups and explains the difference. 

There are several national groups like that work animal issues, rescue and educate people, like the Humane Society of the U.S., and the ASPCA.

There are also many humane societies and rescue organizations that work locally.  The Humane Society of South Mississippi runs the Gulfport Shelter is a good example – most people on the coast are familiar with that group and their work.

The Hancock County Animal Shelter is run by the county, using county employees and funds.  The cities of Bay St. Louis, Diamondhead and Waveland also provide some financial support.  In many places, communities have their own shelters.  Here, there is one shelter and it’s supported by the communities served.

The problem is the county’s annual budget sets aside a finite amount of funds each year to run the shelter.  Meanwhile, there is no limit to the number of strays or surrenders (dogs/cats that are dropped off at the shelter by people) that come into the shelter each month.  No one can predict how many injured animals will be brought in each week.  And even a psychic couldn’t foretell how many animals might be adopted in a given year. 

So frequently, the shelter runs into shortfalls.  And in the sad world of logistics versus life, dogs and cats are put down. 

Friends of the Animal Shelter works to fill that gap and save animal lives.  The organization does that through a number of programs.

SNAP – The Spay/Neuter Assistance Program is set up to primarily help people in the community who already have animals.  In 2014, Friends gave out over 1000 vouchers for low-cost or free spaying or neutering of pets.  Several area vets work with Friends and accept these vouchers. 

Trap/Neuter and Release Program – Since feral cats are a big problem in Hancock County, Friends volunteers trap the cats and after they are neutered or spayed, the cats are returned to their colony (if there’s someone willing to feed them).  Non-breeding cats in a colony actually keep out new ones, eventually ending the cycle.

Richardson says that the spay/neuter programs help the problem of pet overpopulation more than most people realize.   Statistics make her point.  In seven years, one female cat and her offspring can produce 420,000 cats.  One female dog and her offspring can produce 99,000 dogs. 

Shelter Support – Friends help out by purchasing medical supplies and equipment that the shelter can’t obtain on its own.   Friends also collects supplies and food for the shelter and provides transport and volunteers to take adoptable dogs and cats to area Pet-Smarts each Saturday, where many find their “forever homes.”

The GUMBO fund – Donations to Friends can be designated to help injured or sick animals brought into the shelter.

Community Outreach – Events like Barksgiving, Tea With Friends, the Holiday Tour of Homes and the Second Saturday baked goods table help bring awareness to the public, as well as raising funds that will be funneled into local animal welfare.

Currently, Friends has a grant that allows them to purchase pet food that is then donated to the Food Pantry, so people struggling with budgets aren’t forced to surreneder their pets to the shelter.   Owners and pets stay together and pressure is taken off the shelter.

The old Waveland Shelter was badly damaged in Hurricane Katrina and has been replaced with a new facility built in the county with help from the Bucksmont foundation.  Yet, with room for only twenty dogs, it was already too small by the time it opened. 

However soon, the Animal Rescue Site will be offering funds and volunteers that will work with Friends.  They’ll actually triple the current capacity of the shelter by building addition (see details and donate here!).

According to Richardson, one reason Friends has been so successful is that they provide a way for people to make a difference.

“Friends tries to present a positive approach,” says Richardson. “We don’t play on emotions.  Our calls to action give people a way to change things for the better.”

Richardson has several animal companions of her own, including miniature horses.  Her seizure-alert dog, Daisy Mae Delray has written and published articles about animal awareness for years – and is a regular correspondent for the Cleaver with her “Puppy Dog Tales” column. 

Although, of course, Richardson writes the columns herself from Daisy’s perspective, she jokes that when Daisy Mae is not feeling well, the writing just doesn’t flow. 

“There’s nothing wrong with treating animals with the same depth of empathy that you treat a human,” says Richardson.  “Studies show that there’s a strong tie between the way we treat our animals and the way we treat our children.”

“Everything is interrelated.  It’s respect for life, period.”

Friends is currently looking for volunteers, especially to help with the feral cat trap catching program, but all the programs  need helping hands. 

“We want people who really love and care for their animals and want to help improve the lives of other animals in Hancock County.   And have a great time working with Friends.” 

Check for the Cleaver's monthly updates from the Hancock County Animal Shelter!

by seizure alert dog Daisy Mae Delray
This month - Daisy Mae takes part in a reading program at the Boys and Girls Club.

Bobbi and Bob Cat are real and this is their story. It was August 29th, 2005 and Hurricane Katrina was slamming the Coast, flooding homes, taking away dreams and lives changing the coast forever. Bobbi, a brown hound mix dog with no tail was tied to the porch of the house where she lived and a white tabby named Bob Cat who also had a bobtail was by her side.

The wind and the rains came and there was no rescue in sight. Bobbi and Bob Cat had eaten all their food and drunk all the water that was left. After days Bobbi finally broke her chain and went in search of family, food and water. No luck. They were on the street for four months until they were rescued and taken to the Best Friends Animal Society shelter that has been set up in Celebration Station. That’s all of the story you get. To find out what happens you will have to get the book and ask your children to read it to you.

I am fortunate as I get to be read to on a frequent basis.  I am part of the Friends of the Animal Shelter Reading with Friends program. There are two sides to reading with Friends. One is to help children gain confidence in their reading and the other is to educate them about pet companions and how to take good care of them.

Micky Evans, founder of Friends and her beloved Catahoula, Isobel, went to schools and anywhere there were children to teach them how to be good stewards to their pets. One day while she was in her store (before the storm) a woman and her son came by and the boy recognized Micky and Isobel from a presentation she had given. When Micky asked him what he had learned he said, “spay and neuta your pets”. Kids are like sponges and they absorb as much as we can give them.

We started out reading at the library and then last year started at the Boys and Girls Club here in Hancock County as a joint project with the Hancock County Library. Club Director, Shannel Smith (Cleaver Good Neighbor, February 2015) was eager to help the students improve their reading skills and the parents were presented the idea at a parents meeting and like the idea. So what we do on the first and third Wednesdays is show up with dogs and we get read to. We educate a little but the real focus is to increase reading skills. It is so much fun for me to have the kids remember who I am and to be so eager to read to me.

Right now we have me and my brother Robbie and our beagle friend Rosie. We are adding another therapy dog for next time so that means we can read with 12 children at a time – 3 for each dog. The kids select a book and take turns reading aloud. If one stumbles on a word the others help out. What excites me the most is the improvement we see every time we come.

Natalie Beam is the Youth Services Director for the library and she and Nel Ducomb, Community Outreach Director join us. They pick the books for the kids to read at the right age level so it is not too easy and not too hard.  Natalie told me that an important part of reading to a dog is that affirmation we give them. We don’t correct their pronunciation or step in and read a line. The average pooch has a vocabulary of about 165 words so we understand more than you would expect and we turn our heads, prick our ears and gaze adoringly at the person reading out loud.

Start early with your children and have them read to you, their siblings and any pets in the home. If they don’t know the words – the picture can tell the story. Soon they will be getting books out and demanding that you listen to them read.  Natalie pointed out one interesting point. When the kids come to read, they recognize us and we recognize them.

“They are getting affirmation,” Natalie told me. She said that they feel that “I am doing a good job – this dog is sitting next to me and listening."  “When they start school and they don’t have a good foundation," Natalie said, “Studies show the kids cannot catch up.” Something that seems so simple as reading out loud is really quite profound.

So that is the program and what do I want you to do?  Have your children read to you and their pets. You will find that time you spend together is calming, rewarding and so much fun. As an aside, if you don’t have children then you can read to your pets. We understand more than you think we do and we love to hear the sound of your voice. My person yaks at us all the time and we have awesome vocabularies. You can also read more about the benefits of reading programs by looking at the website, www.Librarydogs.com. There is an adorable Today Show presentation on their site about reading to dogs.

Finally, consider having your pet trained as a therapy animal. In the Sun Herald there is a notice that the Pass Christian Library is continuing their sponsorship for the Sit, Stay, R.E.A.D Visiting Pet Teams of South Mississippi Children’s Reading Program. A friend of mine, Eleanor Rose Hunter runs an organization called Angels on Paws out of Slidell, LA. Her group is an affiliate of Intermountain Therapy Animals R.E.A.D. program. Eleanor is working to set up a R.E.A.D, program at the Diamondhead library. If you are interested in more information about R.E.A.D. their website is www.therapyanimals.org.

Send my person an email for more information on the Friends of the Animal Shelter Reading with Friends or to get involved. She is at christina@figaroconsulting.com or 228.222.7018

Keep your tail high and your feet dry – love Daisy Mae

by seizure alert dog Daisy Mae Delray
This month - Daisy Mae visits a confidence-building program in Kiln that benefits both humans and horses. 

To keep those numbers down Friends takes cats and dogs to the PetSmarts in Slidell and Gulfport for adoptions. Every week Georgia Goodell, Penne Rappold and Bev Rice pick up ready-to-go cats and dogs from the shelter to get them before the public in the hopes of a good placement. We need more helpers with the PetSmart program.

Another way we keep the numbers down is the feral cat program where we trap, sterilize and then release cats back to their neighborhood. We need more trappers as Jen has been doing almost every one. For information on how to volunteer for these and other programs contact my person, Christina at 228.222.7018 or send an email to christina@figaroconsulting.com.

Flea season is year-round in south Mississippi and keeping them under control is a challenge and a pain. We have been using food-grade diatomaceous earth in the yard. It is safe and dries up their little bodies. I have friends who have dusted it on their pets and bedding as well. Read more about it here and as always, follow the instructions for usage.

Now on to Gaits to Success. I am dedicating this column to the memory of Peppermint Patty, a Percheron/Tennessee Walking Horse mix who worked at Gaits to Success for many years and was loved by everyone.

Drive up 603 and turn left at Dolly’s in the Kiln. Go a few miles and on the right is the sign for Gaits to Success. It sits on 10 acres and has pasturage, a barn, equestrian ring, classroom, horses, cats, and Carolyn Rhodes. This is no ordinary training facility. This is a PATH Center.

PATH stands for the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International, which is an organization that serves as resource and advocate for equine-assisted activities and therapies, and the equines in this work that inspire and enrich the human spirit.  According to PATH, there are more than 850 member centers worldwide, divided into regions with Gaits being in region 5, which includes Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, Africa, and the Caribbean Islands.

I checked with PATH to see how many centers there are in Mississippi. There are only seven listed:  Mississippi State, Nesbit, Columbus, Burnsville, Brandon, Caledonia and Gaits in Kiln. This is a big deal and a very special gift for the Mississippi Gulf Coast to have a PATH center right here.

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The bond between horses and people is a very special one in working relationship and inspiration. Our two miniature Appaloosas are more than yard art to us. They are in training to visit hospital patients and love being around people. We have a senior citizen in our household with balance issues, and Teo and Cheyenne are very gentle with Gus.

Horses have been used for therapy for hundreds of years.  In 1946, after cases of polio crippled children, riding therapy was introduced in Denmark by Liz Hartnel, an accomplished horsewoman who contracted polio. She was determined to ride again and her daily sessions brought back muscle strength and coordination. She went on to win the silver medal for dressage in the 1952 Olympics.

On Saturday it was breezy and cool as we drove up and parked. Three horses were saddled and ready to go. On staff this morning were Carolyn Rhodes, Director of the program, Lisa Munson, Debi Dowell-Ferris and Dimond Banks. Lisa is a physical therapist who works with children. She loves horses and is impressed by the synergy between the horses and the riders. “The way the children respond - some are over stimulated and then, once on the horse, just calm down.”

Debi was telling me that she loves being around horses and that “I have seen what happens when the rider gets that sense of trust and confidence. Once I saw Carolyn take her hand and put it over the hand of a girl who was wary of the horse, and then put both hands on the horse. I watched the child relax.”

Two parents arrived with their children. Nikki Palermo-Denoux’s son Christian, in the blue striped shirt has been coming since he was four. He is eight now. Today he was riding Levi, a sixteen-year-old horse who had been “thrown away.” He has been working with clients for five years now and is a favorite. Nikki is a veterinarian in Gulfport and she is very happy with Christian’s progress. She is also impressed with the care given to the horses and has a great deal of confidence in Carolyn.

Jeff Mays of Gulfport has been bringing Madie, in pink, for a few months now. It has been very good for her. She is riding Honey and is already using the reins. Honey is a show horse on loan from a local doctor who is very busy with her medical practice.

Watching the riders with their spotters was amazing. They started out a little tentative and then you could see them relax. Riding works on the core muscles and focuses the riders. During the hour-long session riders walked over pipes, around barrels, did cognitive exercises and interacted with their horses.

Gaits to Success was started in 1991. It offers a unique approach to assist clients with mental, physical and emotional disabilities. Volunteers undergo rigorous training as instructors and assistants. I have heard from so many people who have been involved with Gaits, and who see this facility as a real treasure to support and promote. Over the years Gaits has worked with college students, 4-H and Key Club members as volunteers, and has been a location for Special Olympics and Paralympics.

I especially enjoyed watching the parents watch their children grow in confidence while riding. The benefits of riding, along with the cognitive activities, increase self-esteem, self-confidence, attention span, concentration, dexterity, auditory and visual learning, and memory. Most important to me was the happiness I saw in all the faces. At the end of the session it was time to go home.  My person has become a volunteer and will start her training next week. We will keep you updated.

For more information on Gaits to Success call 228.255-5368, or email gaits@gaitstosuccess.org.

Well gentle readers, keep your tail high and your feet dry! Daisy Mae