Stray Dog…What do I do?

June 30, 2009

By Jennifer Serda
Anchor

A few months ago I was at the park walking my dog Mo when we came across a stray poodle mix. It was the friendliest dog but I was left standing there, on my own, wondering what the heck to do!

After standing there for a while, with no cell phone, I scooped him up and took him to my vet. In retrospect that was probably not the best thing to do so I have done a little digging to make sure you and I know what to do if we are every in the same situation.

According to the Humane Society of the United States if you are going to rescue a stray dog, like I did, you should always have a cat carrier or cardboard box and collars and strong leashes for dogs; these are good items to keep in your car at all times.

Also keep a list of phone numbers of the local animal control, a shelter, and a 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic with you. Here are a few numbers:

Muscogee County Animal Control: 706-561-8602
Lee County Animal Control: 334-745-9835
Harris County Animal Control: 706-628-4000
Russell County Animal Control: 334-298-6563

For more tips on what to do if you find a stray animal check out the Humane Society of the United States website.

(This is Hermione from the Harris County Humane Society and is looking for a forever home. She is about 4 months old and great with other dogs, children, and plays well with kittens. To learn more about adopting Hermione call the Harris County Humane Society at 706-628-0007) 

A Year In The Life…......

June 29, 2009

By Ashley Ball
Reporter

So…... while I am well past my year anniversary at WRBL, I thought I would take a moment to recap some of my crazest memories here in Columbus.

February 18th: My first day at WRBL (moved to Columbus without a place to live, signed a lease after work)
March 4th: 3rd week on the job- Auburn University student is murdered. It was amazing to see the community and the campus come together to honor this young woman (I spent the week trying to figure out what the new girl could do to help)
Some time shortly after: Man kidnaps his three kids
March 19th: Police find man and his three kids dead in their car. It was probably one of the saddest things I have ever heard.
March 27th: Just over one month on the job- Shooter kills 3 innocent people at Doctor’s Hospital (I am completely traumatized by crime, trying to figure out where in the world I moved). It is still heartbreaking to watch the families mourn.
Some time in May: Started working weekends…....... Friday’s became my Monday’s…. bummer right?
June: About to die from Georgia heat…..... (no one told me it would be this hot!)
July 11th: A house on 431 goes up in flames just hours after family leaves for beach vacation. I snap this picture with my cell phone because my video camera batteries were dead when I got to the scene.
August 5th: Body of Missing Pittsview Man found (It was one of the most difficult pieces I’ve had to do, but his family was kind enough to share some memories with me)
August 27th: Plains Peanut Festival- I had a “ball” spending the day in Plains, talking to folks from all over. Stood in line for half an hour to get books for my grandparents autographed.
October 4th: Dinner on the farm- area farmers host organic dinner to raise money for trip to Italy.
October 5th: Soldier Homecoming at Ft. Benning…. Family welcomes their dad back after over a year in Iraq…. daughter and mom fight over who gets the first kiss.
October 27th: The highlight of my life…. President Jimmy Carter KISSES me on the cheek durnig a photo opp after our interview (gotta find that picture)
November 3rd: An area church hosts an election prayer vigil the night before the Presidential election. Snapped this picture as I was leaving the sanctuary. Faith is a powerful thing.
November 11th: Interview WWII Veteran who broke his hip on his way to vote…... funniest 92 year old I have EVER met.
November 16th: Get thank you note from WWII Veteran and his wife about the story.
November 22nd: SOA Protest at Gates of Fort Benning…..... It’s a reporter’s nightmare and a photograhers’s dream. I spent two days navigating through thousands of people trying to tell both sides of the story.

Okay for all those with a calendar, yes I have fallen short, I have run out of steam. More pictures and stories to come later.

And just a note, I want to send a heartfelt thank you to everyone that has let me inside their lives over the past year. I have seen the worst and the best in people, and I am truly humbled by some of these stories and the quiet strength people show in times of crisis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The New Miss Georgia

By Tiffany Simmons
Reporter / Videographer

Everything happens for a reason. That’s the impression that I was left with after meeting with the new Miss Georgia today.

Emily Cook was the kindest person to talk with today. She has only been competing in pageants for the past 2 years and she says things like winning the Miss Georgia pageant was just a dream at one point.

Today I got to see her pick up the keys to her brand new car at Kia. She says she was driving her moms “hand-me-down” for a while and now she is so excited to have a car of her own with new technology.

I asked her what she thought about Miss Capital City relinquishing her crown and she says it just was not the right time for her. She says it has worked out wonderfully for her.

There’s still questions as to whether Miss Capital City knew what all of her responsibility’s would be going into the pageant. Cook says this year she realized that if she were to win the pageant it would be a full time job.

You could still tell that it had not hit her yet. Let’s all hope she does a wonderful job in representing Georgia in the Miss America pageant!

Pet of the Week

By Kelly O'Connell
Reporter

Meet Frack!

He is a 7 month old Golden Retriever Mix who is an easy going and loving dog. She is mellow and just loves to curl up on the couch and watch a little TV or to go for a long walk.
Frack is currently at the Harris County Humane Society.
She is not housebroken but the Humane Society says she’s great with children and dogs.

Adoption fee: $120.000
includes spay/neuter, microchip, age appropriate vaccinations, worming, disease testing, flea and heartworm preventative. All adoptions come with a 30 day gift health insurance policy.

Call (706) 628-0007 if interested.

Weather Conditions Right for Parasite Outbreaks

June 25, 2009

Georgia Veterinary Medical Association

Weather conditions are ideal for massive flea, tick and mosquito outbreaks says the Georgia Veterinary Medical Association (GVMA), but pet owners can take steps to protect their animals and themselves.

“The rainy spring has created a welcoming environment for fleas and ticks so we should be ready for a rough parasitic season,” says Dr. Kevin Chapman of GVMA. 

Pets are vulnerable to fleas and ticks, which flourish in warm weather and can cause several harmful diseases.  A flea lifecycle is anywhere from 12 days to six months.  Warning signs of a flea infestation include mild redness, severe scratching and flea dirt, which are flea droppings left on a pet’s coat.  People may also be bitten if the infestation is severe.

Ticks are most often found near an animal’s neck and between toes or folds of skin.  Tick bites can cause itching and redness.  Severe infestations can cause anemia and could spread infectious diseases such as Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.  Ticks should be removed promptly from a pet’s skin using tweezers without any twisting motions.  The tick should be crushed, avoiding contact with its disease-carrying fluids. 
Although rare, cases of human heartworm infestation contracted from a pet have been reported in the United States.  Heartworms are spread from dog to dog, and potentially to humans, through mosquito bites.  The mosquito obtains a blood meal from an infected dog and can transfer the heartworm larva to a human.  In rare cases the larva can migrate to the lung and create a lesion, which is sometimes misdiagnosed as a lung tumor. 
The Environmental Protection Agency is currently evaluating the flea and tick pesticides sold at stores due to an increase in complaints of bad skin reactions.  Products under review are squeezed from a vial onto the animal’s skin, typically at the base of the neck.

“Over the counter products involve chemicals that have been around for 30 years and often times the product is too toxic when incorrectly applied to a pet,” says Chapman.  “Products sold by veterinarians are new, safer and guarantee protection.”
Pets should be treated with appropriate flea and tick medication recommended by veterinarians.  Although products purchased at veterinarians’ offices may cost more, there are rarely problems associated with them. Veterinarians will also demonstrate proper application of the product and how to examine a pet after exposure to fleas or ticks.  GVMA recommends year-round preventive treatment to control heartworm infestation. 
GVMA is a professional association of more than 1,260 veterinarians committed to advancing the veterinary medical profession and supporting the veterinarian’s role in improving animal and public health