Doc - fanninsentinel.com

COMMUNITY NEWS
SUZY-Q
continued from pg 1A
once and she stated, “It is such an
impressive operation. Once you
arrive there with a van filled with
dogs in crates, there are a bunch of
volunteers there to take over, make
the dogs feel comfortable and foster
them until they are able to meet and
greet with their forever families. It is
a long haul and to see all those people there when you drive in is a great
relief and such a sense of fulfillment
that we are all doing the right things
for these animals.”
The HSBR van has seen many
miles on the road and we do not
think it is very smart to push it to its
limit and drive it to Jersey anymore.
If something were to happen while
on the road it would be detrimental
to the animals to say the least. So we
have arranged a trade with another
local Rescue – Castaway Critters.
We do a trade with them--we vet two
of their animals, and they take two
of our animals to Jersey for us. It is a
wonderful arrangement and we are
happy to get the animals vetted as
they do the transport. James Bond
and his wife Diane from Castaway
Critters volunteer and drive many
of the transports to Eleventh Hour.
Diane did the drive last month, and
James is driving up there this week!
We have also engaged with Karen
Wilson. She and her husband had a
rescue called Second Chance that
they started together. Her husband
passed and second chance was disbanded, but Karen continues her
efforts to save all the animals she
can through arranging animal transports. She works with HSBR, Castaway Critters and FOGAS (Friends
of Gilmer Animal Shelter). They
send at least 20 dogs and several
cats from the groups just mentioned
to Eleventh hour EACH MONTH!
We call her our Transport Organizer.
Since you have all the background
you need--now back to Suzie Q.
Our Animal Manager for HSBR,
Susan Blankenship, attended the
Dock Diving Extravaganza held last
month at the Cohutta Country Store
in Blue Ridge and wanted to bring
some animals to perhaps be adopted
out at the event. Here is the story of
Suzie Q, in her words:
ART CENTER
Dyer, “Country Maiden”; Second,
David Vanderlaan, “Pinto Beans”;
Third, David Ferguson, “School’s
Out.”
“When we were getting ready
for the dock diving event, I decided we would pull animals from
Fannin Animal Control. We don’t
have many fosters and therefore
few dogs. While there, we saw a
beautiful, pure bred German Shepherd approximately 6 years of age.
She looked to be in very bad shape.
She was limping, matted, depressed
and just all around in poor condition. I informed Karen Wilson-our “Transport Organizer” who in
turn contacted Jan Eaton, FAMA
(Fannin Animal Medical Account,
which saves animals from euthanasia), to go check her out. James
Bond from Castaway Crittters also
went to check her temperament out.
It turns out she was a beautiful dog
with a great personality.
Karen and I decided to have Animal Control take her over to Copper Basin Animal Clinic to find out
what was going on with her medically. She was found not only to
have Heartworms but also be in terrible pain due to severe hip dysplasia. At that point we were concerned
if she should have to be put down.
Her outlook didn’t look good at
all. While trying to make a life and
death decision regarding her, Carol Shannon, owner of the Mobile
Grooming Van, drove to Copper
Hill and bathed her and cleaned her
all up so she not only looked better,
I’m sure she felt better too.
Karen then contacted Eleventh
Hour Rescue in New Jersey and explained the situation of this lovely
dog. After a couple of days, Eleventh Hour made the decision to have
her transported to them in New Jersey where they are going to see to
it that she is treated for Heartworms
and taken to the University up there
for treatment for the hip dysplasia.
They have offered a very generous
budget to get her medical attention
and to find her a new forever home.
While she is waiting for the transport, Dr. Mitchell at Copper Basin
Vet Clinic is boarding her for free;
she is getting excellent care by not
only Dr. Mitchell, but Robbii and
the rest of the staff, who have fallen
in love with Suzie and are making
sure she is not in pain and keeping
her comfortable.
This wonderful, sweet German
Shepherd, now named Suzie Q, has a
great chance for the life she deserves.
You just can’t get better than that.”
A great big thank you goes out
to all the people involved with saving Suzie Q, and from the pictures
here you can see the before and after and how much happier see looks
being all cleaned up and getting the
medical and emotional attention she
needs.
Being able to help animals like
this reminds us all of how important the work we do as volunteers is,
and what a difference we can make
in an animal’s life. A special thank
you goes out to Eleventh Hour as
well! Who knew the long and winding road to New Jersey would be so
rewarding!
UPDATE
Suzie Q was first fostered by a
young couple in New Jersey with
one dog and four cats. This is an
email sent Aug. 1 about their experience:
“Next month my husband and I
will celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. I know that the gift for
this anniversary is traditionally silver, but we have decided that there
is no better (early) gift to give one
another than to make Suzie a part
of our family. So we will officially
adopt her on Saturday. Thank you
for saving her so she could be a part
of our lives. We will treat her like a
queen and give her all the love and
respect that such a noble and beautiful dog deserves.”
Thursday, September 13, 2012 • FANNIN SENTINEL Page 9A
VOTE
William
“Doc”
Mitchell
Post 1 Commissioner
PROVEN LEADERSHIP
MILITARY VETERAN
“Urgent Fury” - Granada
“Just Cause” - Panama
“Desert Storm” - Kuwait
Leadership Recognition
LTC Mitchell’s leadership style has been refreshing and successful. As one of
only two veterinary commanders in the USAR, LTC Mitchell provided public health,
subsistence inspection and veterinary service for ail active service components
and U.S. federal law enforcement agencies tor all states east of the Mississippi
River. LTC Mitchell is always caring for his troops, their training, their careers, their
weli being and the mission of the 422nd. Watching LTC Mitchell in the field, or in the
USAR Center is leadership in motion There is always activity, productivity, learning,
improved soldier skills, smiles on the troops, regardless of conditions. LTC Mitchell’s proactive style is always present in anything the 422nd does. LTC Mitchell is
the professional I want at my table when planning for any contingency operation.
He has the ability to combine clinical and military skills and requirements into sound
recommendations.
Col. James G. Perlmutter
LTC Mitchell brought his exceptional leadership and professionalism in leading
the 422nd Medical Detachment. During his tour as commander he has been given many challenges, attacking each with scrupulous attention to detail along with
an appreciation for ihe impact on Army readiness, training and quality of life. LTC
Mitchell has the fortitude to speak his mind and do what is right. He attacks all tasks
with firm resolve and brings them to closure in an efficient and timely manner.
Brigadier General Rodney D. Ruddock
VOTE NOVEMBER 6, 2012
The two pictures of Susie Q on this page were taken when she was removed from
Animal Control. They show (top) matted fur and (above) how thin she was.
continued from pg 1A
Honorable mentions were: Kathy
Aspy, “Spiral Rainbows”, Charles
Cessac, “Out of the Dark #1”,
Donna Curry, “Foggy Martins”,
Vicki Hale, “Stirling Falls”, Don
McGowan, “Middle Prong of Little
Pigeon River” and Jeanette Jenkins,
“Morning Glory.”
Show judge was Paul Dunlap, assistant professor in the Department
of Visual Arts at North Georgia College and State University.
Free computer classes
at Fannin County Library
Fannin County Public Library in
Blue Ridge is conducting computer
classes on Thursday, Sept. 13 and
Tuesday, Sept. 25. The first class is
a basic skills class entitled Mastering Your Mouse on Sept. 13. This
class will be an introduction to using
a computer mouse for novice users.
There will be two sessions from 5 to
6 p.m. and from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Library.
The second class is Learning to
SKYPE on Sept. 25 from 5 to 7
p.m. Participants of this class must
have their own laptop computer that
is equipped with a “webcam.” This
Wilhelm Schweizer
Pewter
Since 1796
Lisa and Charles Dyer with judge Paul Dunlap. Charles Jim Shirey, second, Nature, “Conversation with the WInd”
won first in Fine Art with “Country Maiden”
class is for intermediate users and not
for beginners. Registration is required
for all classes. For information and/or
to sign-up, please call the Library at
706-632-5263 or check out the library
website at www.mountainregionallibrary.org. The classes are free, but are
limited to 16 participants per session.
Visit these fine
merchants in the
Copper Basin,
it’s only a short
drive from Blue
Ridge on Hwy. 5 to
Copperhill, TN
Iron Bridge Cafe
Collectable
Bavarian Christmas
Ornaments available.
Breakfast All Day
$2.99 Plates
• Biscuit & Gravy
• 2 eggs, grits & toast
• Cheese omelette, grits & toast
• French toast
• Pancake
• Egg, cheese, bacon, sausage biscuits
$5.99 Lunch Plates
Donna Curry, Carolyn Dawson and Gene Curry
Crowd attending opening
111 Ocoee Street, Copperhill TN
423-496-1166
We give back to the community with a Free Dinner,
4-6 PM the first Wednesday of each month
423-548-0019
104 Grande Ave., Copperhill