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PAGE 2A PICKENS COUNTY PROGRESS THURSDAY. MAY 20. 2004
What you can learn from a dog
Furry philosophers won’t lead you astray with fashion, diet or social choices
When many people think of dogs, the first
images which come to mind are generally of dirty
animals, occasionally bearing fleas, who have a
tendency to eat dead stuff and sniff the rear ends
of their fellow species.
But, that’s what they like to do and who are we
(other than one level up the food chain providing
most of their food, housing and medical care) to
say the four-legged animals are wrong?
Personal cleanliness aside, however, there’s a
wealth of information that man’s best friend can
teach us.
utes to show how excited they are to see each
other. That habit alone would set back heart dis
ease and aging problems more than all the goofy
exercise products ever invented.
Dogs also have lessons for us on style. Have
you ever seen a dog trying to get into a ridiculous
ly tight pair of jeans, wearing shoes they know are
uncomfortable or being embarrassed about that
picture of them with Elvis-style sideburns found in
an old yearbook?
Of course not, with the exception of some show
animals, most mutts stick with their
For example, despite the fact you r T'V»-j/~\-p tVlof natura l style — no tummy-tucks,
rarely meet a dog following the
Atkins or South Beach diet craze, you
don’t see too many dogs classified as
morbidly obese. Those who are
supersized don’t stress about fitting
into their swimming trunks each sum
mer.
The reason behind this is obvious
to any dog lover. As a group, canines
take pride in the excessive amount of
cardio workouts they fit into their
schedules.
Imagine if humans took as much pleasure in
running as dogs do. Dog owners know that if you
confine a dog in a pen, house or on a chain, the
animal will go nuts to get out for a daily jog.
Take that attitude and mold it to your personal
circumstances.
Around a quarter to 5 p.m. everyday start
breathing heavily and running back and forth at
the front door of your office or worksite until the
boss releases you from your own cage.
Or, imagine if people greeted each other as dogs
do — by running in circles around the yard or
street for ten or fifteen minutes. No handshake or
hug, just two retired men, stressed-out mothers or
busy executives running in circles for a few min-
critter lying
in the drive
way as your
personal
guru.
facelifts or liposuction at the ken
nel.
It must be noted, however, that
many of the beasts do enjoy
“enhancing” their scents by rolling
in foul smelling piles, the way
many humans rely on aftershave or
perfume.
So, while they aren’t perfect, there
are lessons to be gleaned by closely
watching them.
The next time you are confronted
with a choice, think what would my dog do?
The furry philosopher will guide you to the
correct choice most every time.
If you follow the dog’s guide to life, you’ll
never have to apologize later for saying something
stupid, buying something you can’t afford or
agreeing to join a committee with meetings you
know you’ll never attend.
Finally, bear in mind the lessons dogs give us
on heated political discussions, awkward social
situations, or aggressive salesmen — if you
encounter someone who bothers you simply run
away, barking loudly and go on about your busi
ness.
Tell us what you think via the internet: the progress online message board
www.pickensprogress.com
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Reflections
By Elaine Jordan
Thunderstorm Majesty
The deliciously-cool bubble of
air came riding down from the
North on a cold front last week to
break the back of our too-early hot
spell. And even the thunderstorms
that came along for the ride were
welcome.
The day had been unseasonably
hot and humid for May. I and my
cats had retreated out onto the back
deck overlooking a deep, tree-shad
ed hollow. There the semblance of
coolness made us feel better.
Suddenly a hush fell, and even
the few birds still calling sounded
too loud in the still, breathless air.
Off on the far horizon clouds began
to mass in the wedgewood blue sky
and I could see the riffling of the
wind in the treetops, long before I
could hear
any sound.
As the distant
sky began to
darken, I was
glad I had
such a shel
tered vantage
point from my
house on this
hillside, fac
ing the span
of hills and
valleys. The real drama and
majesty of a spring thunderstorm
lies in its approach and I had a
front row seat.
Darkening clouds came closer
and lightning flashed back off in
the hills. Another flash, closer this
time, and I counted the seconds
until the thunder rolled over me,
trying to gauge the distance of the
storm. Soon the far ridge was blot
ted out from view as a grey sheet
of rain swept over it. The birds
became quiet and then the wind
made a rush down the valley, bow
ing the trees before it. Lightning
flashed closer now, making me
wince. I and the cats decided to
make a prudent and hasty retreat
back into the house.
Rain swept up my hillside and
then it was dancing pirouettes on
the deck, like miniature ballet
dancers. It ran in silvery streaks of
rain-gleam down the windows,
leaving tear-tracks in its wake.
Soon the sky lost it darkness
and the rain began to thin away.
Off on the far ridge, a glint of
afternoon sunshine came closer,
hard on the heels of the retreating
rain. I went back out on the deck to
breath in the cooled, refreshed air.
The heat and humidity had been
driven South in front of the storm.
In the far distance, a brief rumble
of thunder sounded now and again,
retreating, dying away. Nearby a
timid bird call sounded, then
another and another. Soon the
usual chorus of birdsong swept
through the still-dripping trees and
life returned to normal.
For now, the majesty of the
thunderstorm has been forgotten —
until the next time.
Jasper Montessori
celebrates with
International Festival
Jasper Montessori School (serv
ing students ages 3-6) recently cel
ebrated our diverse world with an
International Festival and Olympic
Games.
During show and tell, each stu
dent shared facts, maps, flags,
music and souvenirs while dressed
as a child from their chosen coun
try.
The children also competed in
Olympic Games such as Frisbee
throw, sack races, water-relay race,
shoe kick and pennies-in-flour
relay race.
After the games, the students
recharged over an International
food buffet where each child had
brought in a dish from their studied
country.
According to Alexandra Bryan,
the school’s founder and lead
teacher, “Everyone had a wonder
ful time while learning about dif
ferent cultures. We plan to hold the
festival every year.”
See who is listed?
The Business
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ww w.pickensprogress .com
|3tcfeens Count? progress
(USPS 431-820)
Published by Pickens County Progress, Inc.
94 North Main St. P.O. Box 67 Jasper, GA 30143
(706) 253-2457 FAX (706) 253-9738
JOHN R. POOL DAN POOL
Publisher Editor
WILLIAM E. POOL
Managing Editor
Published each Thursday at Jasper, Pickens County, Georgia. Entered at
the Post Office at Jasper, Georgia 30143 as Meal Matter of Second Class.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE PICKENS COUNTY
PROGRESS, P. O. Box 67, Jasper, GA 30143.
One Year’s Subscription: $16.05 in Pickens County and in Gilmer,
Cherokee, Dawson and Gordon Counties. $23.54 in all other Georgia
counties; $28.89 out of state.
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NATIONAL NEWSPAPER
ASSOCIATION
May is National Foster Care Month
More than 1,000 new
foster parents needed in Georgia
It isn't always easy being a fos
ter parent, but as most of Georgia's
3507 families who foster children
across the state will tell you, it is
also extremely rewarding.
The month of May marks
National Foster Care Month, and
the need for foster parents in Geor
gia has never been greater.
Foster Care Month is a wonder
ful opportunity to celebrate the
thousands of foster families across
America who are providing safe,
stable, and loving homes for chil
dren and young people who are
unable to live with their birth fami
lies.
In Georgia, Foster Care Month
gets an official start as Gov. and
Mrs. Perdue, who have fostered a
number of newborns over the years,
issued a state proclamation and
spoke on the need for more foster
parents at 10 a.m., Tuesday, May 5,
at the Capitol.
And being a foster parent is a
rewarding experience. And yes,
there are challenges, but you'll
understand when you see a child
bloom and grow under your care.
From the Perdues to your neighbors
who have taken in a foster child,
they'll all tell you how wonderful it
is to know you are making a life
long difference to a child. The
guidance and nurturing you give to
a foster child can mean the differ
ence between a long, happy, and
productive life - and a life that ends
in prison or early death.
In Georgia, more than 14,000
children are currently in state cus
tody, and too many must live in
group homes and child-caring insti
tutions, and sometimes in hospitals.
We need more foster parents. And
we need foster parents not only for
newborns and toddlers, but also for
teens, sibling groups, and special
needs (physical and/or emotional)
children.
Children in DFCS custody range
in age from birth to 21; the average
age is about 9. About 45 percent are
white and 56 percent are African
American, with the remaining 5
percent representing other ethnic
backgrounds. Some children
remain in foster care throughout
their teen years, and nearly 3,992
young people are eligible to receive
services through the Independent
Living Program. The transition pro
gram prepares teens ages 14-21 for
independence and adulthood.
The state is required to have a
permanency plan for all children
within 12 months after a child
comes into care. Options include
reunification, placement with other
relatives or guardian, adoption or
another permanent living alterna
tive. Children currently remain in
foster care for an average of 19
months, and many return to their
birth families. Often, the foster par
ents, when reunification is not pos
sible, decide to adopt the child per
manently.
Requirements for becoming a
foster parent include training, phys
ical exams, drug screens, and crim
inal record checks. Re-evaluations
are done annually. Foster parents
SELF STORAGE
3 Locations
REFUGE RD.
CAMPUS DR.
HWY. 5 NORTH
are reimbursed financially, accord
ing to the age of the child, and
medical treatment and clothing
costs are covered by the agency.
If you are interested in becom
ing a foster parent, call 1-877-210-
KIDS or your local DFCS County
Office.
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R & R
UGA FANS
Georgia Bulldog Club Meeting
Thursday, June 3rd at 6pm
Pickens County High School
$15 per Fan includes BBQ Dinner
Hear Coach Mike Bobo with the inside scoop!
For reservations contact
Sam Naff at 706-579-1004
or e-mail snaff@alltel.net
North