The Pet Issue
IN NEED OF
FUREVER
HOMES Dawson County Humane Society’s long-term residents need you
GALLOP Enjoy a horse-back riding excursion at Fausett Farms
JUMP IN Keep your furry little friend safe in the lake
September/October 2020
Dawsonville
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CONTENTS
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2020
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Dawson Health Summer lake safety for your dog
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Dawson Spaces Take a relaxing horseback ride through Faucett Farms
Wild Birds Unlimited
Dawson Faces Get to know the vet behind Hillside Veterinary Services
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Furever Home Longtime residents of the Dawson County Humane Society
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EDITOR Alexander Popp PUBLISHER Stephanie Woody ADVERTISING SALES Jennifer Richardson CREATIVE SERVICES Chelsea Sunshine, Magazine Design
Dawson Reads “Must Love Dogs”: Still a classic?
PHOTOGRAPHY Cole Carter, Jacob Smith, Erica Schmidt CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Erica Schmidt, Jacob Smith DAWSON LIVING A Division of Dawson County News Dawsonville, GA A Metro Market Media Inc. property www.dawsonnews.com
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D A W S O N H E A LT H
DAWSON HEALTH
Lake safety for man’s best friend By: Dr. Will Gholston at Whitmire Animal Hospital Dawson County boasts some of the best recreational activities that North Georgia has to offer. There are countless ways to spend your summer in North Georgia, thanks to the lakes, rivers, waterfalls, hiking trails and other scenic outdoor adventures. However, spending time on the water does raise some concerns for the safety of your pet. Here are just a few tips to keeping your pet safe while spending time at the lake: 1. First, ensure your dog is properly vaccinated. Leptospirosis is considered to be the most widespread zoonotic disease in the world. It can be spread from infected animals to people, including your pets. Leptospirosis is spread through the urine of infected animals and rodents. It can get into water or soil and survive there for months. Leptospirosis is more common in areas with warm climates and high annual rainfall. Dogs with access to ponds, lakes, and streams are at a higher risk for developing leptospirosis. Rural areas, like land in Dawson County, that have had exposure to potentially infected wildlife and farm animals, have an increased
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threat for contamination. Contact with leptospirosis can develop into a severe, life-threatening illness that affects the liver, kidneys, brain, lungs and heart in your dog. You can keep you dog safe by vaccinating for leptospirosis at your canine’s annual wellness appointment. 2. Another thing to be aware of while spending time outdoors with your canine is stagnant water. Even though Dawson County has received a lot of rain this summer, water flows typically slow down later in the summer, leading to rivers and lakes becoming stagnant. Warm weather brings a rise in the risk of blue-green algae on lakes and ponds. Blue-green algae is toxic to dogs and can be fatal. It’s best to avoid small bodies of water that are not moving with your pet. Think about bringing fresh water for you and your dog while hiking or spending time outside. 3. Keep in mind that not all dogs are great swimmers. Even though you may have confidence that your dog is an excellent swimmer, all pets have their limit. Recognize signs that your dog may be getting
tired and be sure to offer easy access for them to exit the water. Keep a watchful eye on boat traffic and changes in river currents. A great option to keep your canine safe is a life jacket. Life jackets can be great to help train a new pet how to swim or keep your senior dog safe while cooling off. Most life jackets include top grab handles so you can lift your dog out of the water, and reflective trim for nighttime visibility. While riding on a boat or in rough waters, it’s a great idea for your canine companion to wear a life jacket. 4. Lastly, water in your dog’s ear can potentially lead to ear infections. You can talk with your vet about an ear cleaning solution that you can use after your dog has gone swimming. Keeping your dog’s ears and fur dry, will help keep your dog less prone to hot spots, infections and other skin issues. Summer is a great time in North Summer is a great time in North Georgia to enjoy time on the water with your pet. I recommend you talk to your vet about ensuring your canine is properly vaccinated and prepared for swimming activities.
These cute pups need homes! By Erica Schmidt eschmidt@dawsonnews.com
The Dawson County Humane Society houses dogs and cats of all breeds and ages that are waiting to be adopted. We sat down with Shelter Director Jason Hutcherson to learn about some of the adoption center’s longest resident dogs. If you or someone you know is interested in adopting one of these dogs, you can call the Dawson County Humane Society at (706)265-9160 or email them at customerservice@ dawsoncountyhumanesociety.org. For more information on any of the dogs listed or any of the others at the Humane Society, visit the Humane Society website at https:// dawsoncountyhumanesociety.org/.
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MEET THE LONGTIME RESIDENTS OF THE DAWSON COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY Name: Pterygota (Terry) Age: 6 years old Breed: Pitbull Personality: Given his freedom and the space to roam, Terry is a very well behaved and sweet dog. But he does not like to be caged. Terry does very well with both kids and adults, but doesn’t like other dogs.
IN NEED OF A FUREVER HOME
Name: Kato Age: 11 years old Breed: Retriever mix Personality: Don’t let the fact that Kato is 11 years old fool you — she’s full of spunk and energy! She doesn’t like cats, but according to human society workers, she isn’t openly aggressive toward other dogs. Above all, Kato loves car rides and loves splashing around in the creek.
Name: Gracie Age: 12 years old Breed: Pointer mix Personality: Gracie is the protective “big sister” for Bodhi. That protectiveness means Gracie doesn’t get along well with other dogs; but she loves her little brother. .
Name: Bodhi Age: 13 years old Breed: Beagle mix Personality: Though Bodhi is diabetic and mostly blind, he has a lot of love to give and an irresistible personality. Due to his illnesses, Bodhi requires a lot of care and shouldn’t be separated from his big sister Gracie.
Name: Weezer Age: 6 years old Breed: Black lab mix Personality: Though he might take a little bit to warm up to you, Weezer is actually a very loving dog. Those that know him well say it’s not uncommon for him to crawl up on the lap of a trusted pal. Weezer has a few fears though, and should probably be in a household without kids, cats and other dogs, where he’s free to be himself.
Name: Crocus Age: 6 years old Breed: Pitbull Personality: Crocus is a big goofball. He’s a big dog that thinks he’s a lap dog and loves to cuddle up with his people. Crocus isn’t fond of being in a crate though and may tear it up if he’s shut inside for too long.
Name: Titan Age: 7 years old Breed: Bully breed mix Personality: Titan has a rambunctious spirit and loves to jump around when he gets excited. The people who have taken him out for a “dog days out” say that he’s a great dog to be around. Titan likes other dogs, but is not a fan of cats, and due to his jumping, he may not be right for a household with small children.
September/October 2020
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DAW S O N S PAC E S
DAWSON SPACES
Take a horseback ride
THROUGH THE FAUSETT FARMS TRAILS By Jacob Smith jsmith@dawsonnews.com If you have ever driven along Hwy. 183 in Dawson County, you have most likely driven past Fausett Farms. Known around the state for their beautiful sunflowers, in 2013 Fausett Farm owners Danny Fausett and his family added two hand cut, tenmile horseback riding trails to their property and almost immediately saw local interest in the trails skyrocket. Both trails sit on nearly a 1,000 acre plot of land in Dawson County, offering landscapes shaded by under beautiful trees for riders to take in the mountain air and get some peace.
Many surprises are found along the trails. Just a few miles up one loop, riders will find a body of water with flat grassland along the side of it. Fausett said that a lot of riders will camp next to the water and enjoy the silence of nature all night. If a rider decides they want to camp, Fausett has a fenced area of greenery just a few hundred yards away from the grassy area for horses to roam around and sleep in at night. After rounding the small lake, riders will go up steep hills before reaching an opening where multiple
North Georgia mountains can be seen. From that view, Fausett Lake and part of the river can be seen as well. One of the trail loops will take you alongside the river and one will take you back down the mountain. Headed back down the trail, you may even see bigfoot, Danny Fausett said. Fausett said that his son had thrown away a sheet of iron that had been cut to look like bigfoot that they had used for target practice, and when Fausett found it he knew where they should put it.
Danny Fausett, who owns and operates Fausett Farms in Dawson County with his family, has created a series of horseback riding trails on the farm property, offering stunning views and quiet contemplation.
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DAW S O N S PAC E S
“I pulled that right out of the trash and brought it up to the horse trail and hid it,” Fausett said. “Maybe we’ll scare a couple of people and then have them laughing about it with their friends.” That is the kind of fun energy that Fausett provides to Fausett Farms, he said. “I want to be coming to work laughing and having a fun time every day,” Fausett said. “Just don’t feel like it would be worth it if I didn’t.” The second half of the trail is much more strenuous than the other side. Fausett said that he based it’s design off of horseback riding experiences with friends in Wyoming. Fausett said that a lot of people will come to ride this trail to get their horses in shape for an upcoming riding season. The Fausett family land was first established in 1858, one year before Dawsonville was even established as an official city in Georgia. Fausett’s grandson will be the sixth-generation of a Fausett male at Fausett Farms. Places like Fausett Lake and Fausett Family Road are now named for the historic Dawsonville family. Fausett gets to ride about once a month. His horse Smokes, a 15-year-old smaller stature breed that allows Fausett to ride without the struggle of getting Smokes saddled. Bringing others joy is the entire point of everything they do at Fausett Farms. From hosting weddings, to letting amateur photographers come practice their skills at a discounted price, Fausett said that sharing their land is the best thing that the family can do for their community. “I see people come here,” Fausett said. “They enjoy it and they thank us for doing it. We like to share what we have because a lot of people don’t have another place to go.” With all the rich history behind Fausett Farms, the sunflower farm and the horseback trails, plus the sixth-generation Fausett currently in training to take over, Fausett Farms should be a staple in Dawson County for 170 more years.
September/October 2020
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DAW S O N FAC E S
DAWSON FACES:
Seth Stowers By Erica Schmidt eschmidt@dawsonnews.com Dr. Seth Stowers, owner and operator of Hillside Veterinary Services and a lifelong native of Dawson County, said that he has been doing his job since May of 2018, but that his interest in the agriculture and livestock industry dates back much further than that. “I got my start when I was about 5 years old and my grandpa gave me a calf for my 5th birthday,” Stowers told the Dawson County News. Stowers said that he has always wanted to be a vet, but was always wary of how much school pursuing a veterinary career would require. “I always thought I wanted to go to vet school, but I never thought I could go to school for that long,” Stowers said. “I started going to North Georgia but they didn’t offer any agriculture classes, so I went there for my core classes and just got burned out. I just didn’t feel like it was for me and thought there was no way I could finish four years, much less an additional four.” But the motivation for Stowers commit and head off to vet school came when one of his calves he suddenly got sick. “The first calf that I had on the farm was out of one of those three cows I bought and I had to pull it by myself, which was the first time I’d done that alone so I thought very highly of that calf,” Stowers said. “When he was about 4 months old he got a little sick and we didn’t know what it was so I called some local vets around and nobody was willing to come out to the farm, they said they only see dogs and cats and they wouldn’t come out to the farm.” Despite getting medicine to administer to the calf himself, Stowers said that two days later the calf was dead. Without knowing what the calf had died from, Stowers was concerned about a disease spreading to the rest of his herd so he decided to take the calf to Athens for a necropsy. “So kind of on the drive from here to Athens, I was just talking to the Lord and I said, ‘Lord, if you’ll let me get into vet school I’ll come back over here and I’ll take care of these farmers’,” Stowers said. While he could have just as easily moved somewhere
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Lifelong Dawson County resident Seth Stowers owns and operates Hillside Veterinary Services, a mobile vet clinic that services large animals such as cows and goats.
out west to be a vet on bigger farms and make more money, but Stowers knew his services were needed more back in his hometown. “That was the conversation with the good Lord was that I’d come back and take care of the farmers around here,” Stowers said, “Because ultimately the farmers here didn’t have a lot of resources, so that was kind of what pushed me to come back here.” Stowers’ said his favorite part about living in Dawson is it’s sense of community. “I love the small town feel, it’s not just that I know people my age but I know people a generation ahead of me and a generation below me too,” Stowers said. “I love just having that small town feel where people are willing to help each other out, and the support that I get here makes me feel like I’m doing what I should be doing which feels really good.” Another thing Stowers loves about Dawson is how so much of the county still feels rural, but with the addition of the 400 corridor there’s also easy access to stores and goods. “It’s nice to have 400 access but also that this side of
DAW S O N FAC E S
town for the most part has stayed agriculture,” Stowers said. “It’s pretty incredible to have so much of the county still agriculture but to also have access to goods close by.” Stowers said that his favorite part about his job itself is the farmers he gets to work with. “Whenever I go on a call, the farmers are always saying things like ‘what can I get you’ and ‘do you need something to drink’ or inviting me in for dinner,” Stowers said. “You’ll never get to work with a group of people that are more humble and giving than farmers are.” One of the best parts about Stowers job, he said, is to help advocate for farmers who are so often portrayed negatively. “You see a lot of articles out in the news about antibiotic resistance and
how poorly animals are treated, and I’m also an advocate for our farmers because I see how their animals are treated and it is not poorly,” Stowers said. “Yes there are videos out there of farms that do not treat their animals correctly, but the farmers that I work with on a daily basis do care for their animals well.” The overall goal of his job, though, is to ensure the health of the animals.
“For a lot of the clients I work with, these animals are gonna go into the food chain at some point, so my ultimate goal is to ensure that we have healthy livestock entering the food chain,” Stowers said. “As a veterinarian, I take pride in it and it’s also part of my oath is to ensure the health of these animals. And ultimately I love beef, so I’m gonna make sure there’s plenty of beef for us to eat in the future.”
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DAW S O N R E A D S
DAWSON READS:
Must Love Dogs BY CLAIRE COOK By Sudie Crouch This book has been sitting in my To-BeRead (TBR) stack for a while after I picked up the hardcover version on the library’s sale shelves. I was excited, but also a bit nervous. I always feel anxious reading a book after seeing the screen version first. Claire Cook’s sophomore novel was adapted for the big screen in 2005, starring Diane Lane as our heroine, 40-year old divorcee, Sarah Herlihy, a preschool teacher trying to reenter the dating scene. John Cusack plays John Anderson, and if you are a woman in my demographic bracket, you grew up with John Cusack being synonymous with rom-coms. Enough time, as in several years, had passed between the last time I had watched the movie to give the book the chance
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to stand on its own. The first few chapters started kind of slow and introduced a lot of characters at once, but it was a nice build up to the rest of the book. Our protagonist had a big family and I think we met every one of them, including the dog, Mother Teresa, within the 40 pages of the book. At the beginning, Sarah responds to a personal ad, only to discover it was her widowed father who had placed the ad. She goes from thinking she will be forever single to juggling two different men – Bob Conner, father of one of her preschool students, and John Anderson, who responded to the personal ad her sister placed with the final dating perquisite being, “Must love dogs.” Cook’s writing paints Sarah as she tries to navigate this new life with the twinges of bittersweet nostalgia and wondering if she could have done something to salvage her marriage. We are able to feel the yearnings and pain Sarah experiences, but they are made
up by the awkward embarrassments that she goes through. Cook creates a story where you feel like you are a friend of the protagonist and are sitting on Sarah’s couch listening to her relationship woes over a glass of wine. There are some pretty big differences between the book and the movie. The names are slightly altered in the movie, which is disappointing. Sarah’s last name is changed from the Irish surname Herlihy to Nolan. Some of the dating scenes were changed in the film version. I don’t feel that it changed the overall integrity so to speak of the outcome; after all, in a romance, we want to see our protagonist happy. But I am not so sure I would have enjoyed the film as much as I did if I had read the book first. The book definitely helped you connect with Sarah’s post-divorce experience and made you feel a part of her world. If you haven’t read the book, this is what I’d call a ‘sweet, easy read’ and a great way to wrap up the summer.
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