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Signal Mountain Happenings

Check back often for all the latest Signal Mountain news between issues of the Mirror.

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Giving a Four-Legged Gift

12/20/2018

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Few gifts engender as much delight as an animal, especially if the receiver of said gift is a child. I remember my excitement and joy the year my parents surprised me with a doggie. I experienced those same feelings even more intensely as we watched our daughter’s face the year we gave her a gorgeous Persian-mix cat – her smile lit up my heart. If you’re considering such a gift now or later, consider the following:

The most fulfilling way to find an animal is through shelters (or rescue organizations – most breeds have one). Here are 10 good reasons why:

10. You’re not supporting a puppy mill. While retail, online, or flea markets sellers may tell you otherwise, most of their puppies come from breeders who may be raising them in truly shocking conditions. Unless you can buy directly from the breeder and see the conditions for yourself, it’s not recommended.

9. It’s less expensive. The adoption price of animals in most shelters includes shots, spay/neuter, license, and sometimes microchipping. These costs are not included in retail purchase.

8. The Shelter Pet Project makes it easy. Visit this online sight, choose dog or cat and enter your zip code. When I searched, there were 145 dogs available in my area and filters for gender, age, size, and breed.

7. Shelter animals can be easier on your house and family. Many shelter pets are already house-trained, leash-trained, and accustomed to being part of a family, so they acclimate more easily.

6. Shelter employees know the animals and can assist you in choosing one that will be compatible with your family and lifestyle.

5. Adopting an animal that has been relinquished is rewarding for both of you. Shelter animals are usually there due to a move, divorce, or some other life change. They haven’t done anything wrong. They’re just waiting for a new family to love them, and many adopters will tell you that rescued pets respond as though they know they’ve been saved. (It sounds weird, but I can personally attest to it.)

4. Research shows that animals are beneficial to both physical and mental health. Dogs especially force us to be more active, which can lower blood pressure and decrease feelings of loneliness and isolation. Few things are better for mental health than loving an animal and having that love returned.

3. Adoption changes their whole world. In addition to adopting an abandoned animal, you may be saving one that’s been abused or neglected. No animal deserves that. Providing a loving home gives that animal a whole new life.

2. You’re helping more than one animal. Every adoption makes room for another abandoned one and helps support the shelter financially, as well. It’s estimated that 6 to 8 million animals a year are waiting for adoption in shelters.

1. By adopting, you are saving a life. Because of the incredible number of animals in shelters, many are ultimately euthanized due to overcrowding. Saving one makes space for another one to wait for adoption. Saving one may actually save two.

Shelters and rescue organizations have applications, hoping to find long-term housing and good matches between people and their pets. They need to know about the housing situation; number and ages of your children; your lifestyle and activities; number and type of other pets (when we adopted our greyhounds, we were asked about cats – greys often think they’re rabbits).

Our local shelters include the Humane Educational Society of Chattanooga (heschatt.org); McKamey Animal Center (mckameyanimalcenter.org); Pet Placement Center (petplacementcenter.com); East Ridge Animal Center (eastridgeanimalservices.org); A Paw and a Prayer Dog Rescue (Facebook); and Trooper’s Treasures (trooperstreasures.com). Their websites provide information on costs, available animals, and steps of adoption.
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Of course, the first two considerations of giving people an animal is whether they want one and whether they can care for it responsibly. If the answer to both is yes, you may be giving them these animals the best present of their lives - certainly a lasting one.

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​Liz Klinefelter Is Enjoying Traveling with Her Family and Painting

12/7/2018

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Lovely Liz Klinefelter recently returned from a wonderful trip to Austria with her daughter, Sara Sharp of Hixson, and her granddaughter, Trenna Sharp. Next, she exhibited in the Mountain Arts Guild (MAGI) show this past fall. Truly a gal on the go, Liz is enjoying some great experiences.

On the Austria trip, the three generations had a ball touring Vienna, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, and its surroundings. Trenna, after having fun in Austria, took off for Ireland, first visiting Dublin then heading up to Belfast.

Back at home, Liz got ready for the MAGI exhibit, held in the Exum Gallery at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Works of 16 local artists were exhibited. Liz’s watercolors of flowers plus works of other Signal Mountain artists including Sandy Boone, Leslie Dulin, Sandra Talbott, Moggie Henry, and Barbara Voss, were on display. 

We’re so happy that Liz had such fun “girl time” with her daughter and granddaughter in Vienna, and we loved seeing her beautiful watercolors at the St. Paul’s show.
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Mutt Strut

12/4/2018

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By Taylor Hixson

Whether you’re considering running your first 5K or you already have a closet full of medals, A Christmas Tail 5K and Mutt Strut is the race for you. Held Saturday, December 8, and benefitting the Humane Educational Society, A Christmas Tail 5K is an out-and-back course that starts at 1885 Grill in St. Elmo, heads across Broad Street and onto the River Walk, and then turns back. The course is flat and fast, and cooler temperatures make running it a breeze. For beginner runners, this will be a great course to run your first 5K. If you prefer a brisk walk with your dog, you don’t want to miss the holiday-themed Mutt Strut.
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Those participating in the 5K will have an opportunity to win awards in several divi- sions. Different than many races, winners will receive a commemorative ornament, and winners over 21 will also receive a commemorative pint glass that is good for discounts after the race at St. Elmo’s favorite spot for a cold one, the Tap House.

“I am excited to work with the Humane Educational Society because I believe in the work that they do with animals and ensuring they are cared for,” said Chris Calhoun, Tap House owner. “I believe [we are] a good fit because of the fact that I am animal-friendly and welcome animals onto the [Tap House] patio, as far as I am allowed to.”

In addition to hosting the event’s registration, the Tap House is also hosting A Christmas Tail VIP Brunch, sponsored by Taconooga.

“When I first visited the Humane Edu- cational Society four years ago, I [literally] cried while walking through the building,” said Taconooga owner Jenny Castro. “I wanted to grab [all of the animals] and hold and cuddle them to bring back the happiness in their eyes. From that night forward, the Humane Educational Society has held a special place in my heart, and really always will.

“We may not always be able to give the biggest contributions or donations, but we will always give the most we can,” Castro continued. “It also doesn’t hurt that we love working with the folks at the Humane Educational Society. The passion they have for the animals is really uplifting.”

Only 24 seats are available for the brunch, where guests will enjoy breakfast burritos, handmade Mexican chorizo, eggs, bacon, pico de gallo, salsas, tomatoes, on- ions, cheese, beans and aguas frescas (passion fruit and mango), all made from scratch. The Tap House will provide a “beermosa” for each guest 21 and over, as well. Brunch will be served following the 5K and Mutt Strut at 11 a.m.

If you’re not the running type, the Mutt Strut and costume competition is for participants of all ages and their canine friends. The Mutt Strut is a 1-mile fun walk

starting at 9:45 a.m., and participants are encouraged to dress themselves and/or their pet in their holiday best. HES will host a holiday pet costume contest following the Mutt Strut at the Tap House, and Angela Williams Photography will be on-site for pet photos, family photos and runner photos with Santa from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Angela’s work has been published in Fido Magazine, American Dog Magazine and First for Women Magazine, and she was a finalist in Best of the Best and featured on The Ellen Show. Photos with Santa will cost $25, with 20 percent of sales donated to help homeless animals at HES.

A Christmas Tail 5K and Mutt Strut has become a much-anticipated holiday event in St. Elmo and the surrounding area, with many runners and Mutt Strutters returning year after year.

“This race first caught my attention because it’s a running race and it had a picture of a dog - two of my favorite things!” said Sara Gibson, who has yet to miss the event. “I keep coming back because it raises money for a great cause and it is a flat, fast, PR-able 5K. I also think it’s really neat that it’s in St. Elmo instead of like most events that are downtown.

“It has a small, relaxed feel and easy parking, which makes race morning less stressful,” Gibson continued. “I am also super-excited that this year they are expand- ing the 5K awards to have the three-person team division and additional activities planned for after the race, making it more of an event!”

After the awards for the 5K and cos- tume contest are handed out, attendees can purchase food from food trucks, make their own ornament or treat for a shelter pet at a station hosted by the Humane Educational Society junior volunteers, and enjoy more festive fun at surrounding St. Elmo businesses.

If you’re looking for holiday fun that makes a difference for our community, you don’t want to miss A Christmas Tail 5K and Mutt Strut on Saturday, December 8. All proceeds benefit the mission of the Humane Educational Society. To participate, register at heschatt.org.
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