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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 25, 2020)
Cottage Grove Sentinel Community B1 WEDNESDAY | NOVEMBER 25, 2020 Betty Kaiser: Chatterbox Pet Tips ‘n’ Tales Giving Thanks in Tough Times Betty Kaiser H ere in the USA, we happily set aside one day every year to join with family and friends, eat too much and count our blessings. Normally, there’s a whole lotta cooking go- ing on, grandkids to be hugged, family gossip to be caught up with and blessings to be shared. It’s called Thanksgiv- ing This year is a little dif- ferent. The meaning of the day is the same but this time, for many peo- ple, it’s hard to find a blessing to count. Early this year, a pre- viously unknown killer virus — COVID-19 — began making its way around the world. In spite of masks and social distancing, things have not gotten better. Peo- ple are still getting sick, dying and fearful uncer- tainty abounds. Then, to top it off, hanging over our heads is the most controversial Presidential election — ever! Tempers are hot, name-calling is rampant and common sense is ig- nored. What a year! Looking back, I imag- ine that’s how the Pil- grims felt in 1621. They were pretty excited as they arrived on the shores of the New World in 1620. However, after they endured the trip across the ocean on the Mayflower, more chal- lenges and grief awaited them than expected. That first winter, more than half of the new Plymouth colonists died from malnutrition, dis- ease and exposure to the harsh weather. The oth- ers were helped to sur- vive by the Wampanoag Native Americans who taught them how to grow food and later made a peace pact with them. The Pilgrim’s first Thanksgiving is believed to be in the autumn of 1621. After a horrible year of deaths and near survivor starvation, the remaining Pilgrims cele- brated their harvest with a festival as was the cus- tom in England. The now-50 colonists were joined by about 90 Wampanoag tribesmen. Historical accounts are sketchy but it seems that they celebrated together with joy. For three days, they ate their harvested crops and venison from the tribesman. They played ball games, sang, danced and ate along with the Na- tive Americans who had helped them survive. Each side prayed and thanked their gods during the three-day cel- ebration. The Pilgrims were religious separatists from the Church of En- gland and worshipped one God. The native tribe of Wampanoag was also deeply religious. They worshipped idols and paid homage to more than one God. We celebrate this well- known story as the first Thanksgiving in the New World. Unfortunately, peace didn’t last between the English settlers and their one-time Wampanoag allies. There was a hor- rible war in 1675 and the natives were massacred. A yearly blessing of gratitude for harvested crops has been in place in most countries of the world for centuries and remains so today. How- ever, it took the United States awhile to make it a federal holiday. A woman is credited with making Thanksgiv- ing happen. Sarah Josep- ha Hale, editor of Godey’s Lady Book — a colonial women’s magazine — wrote letters over 36 years to five presidents requesting the holiday to unify the northern and southern parts of the country. But it was her letter to President Abraham Lin- coln that convinced him to support legislation establishing the holiday. In 1863, he proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day each November. Later, President Frank- lin Roosevelt, signed a resolution making the fourth Thursday in No- vember as the Federal Thanksgiving holiday. The date was formally approved by Congress in 1941. So, what are you thankful for this Thanks- giving? Some years it’s harder than others to be thankful: Times of war, the loss of loved ones and lingering illness, are especially hard. Perhaps we should think like Pilgrims. This year, for our pro- tection, Governor Brown has imposed rules to keep us healthy to slow down the coronavirus pandemic. Restrictions have been put on everyday activ- ities like shopping and dining out. Limited so- cialization with friends and family is especially hard to cooperate with. Isolation is never fun on holidays. At our house, there will just be two of us and the Dachshunds to celebrate Thanksgiving. There will be no large family gath- erings or feasting for three days. Probably no games will be played unless it’s Pinochle or UNO. However, life will go on. Dinner will be topped off with pumpkin pie. A deer or two will wander around looking for roses in the garden. Squirrels will chase each other up the trees; birds will empty their feeders and raccoons do whatev- er they do! Our gratitude will be all about the basics. We have each other, good friends and neighbors, live in a warm house, have food to eat and wildlife to entertain us. Family will check in from all over the country. Just hearing their voic- es will bring smiles. Our biggest blessing will be that we don’t have — the COVID virus. And our most fervent prayers will be for those who are lying in a hospi- tal bed fighting for their lives, mourning the loss of loved ones or home- less in the cold. God help us all! We can do this! Have a happy memo- ries Thanksgiving. trict has counseling for families and students in person at either Apple- gate Elementary or Crow Middle/High School Monday through Friday by appointment. Call 541-935-2100. • With so many of our fall and holiday tradi- tions being canceled, stay positive. Find joy in the small everyday things that make you smile. Think of one thing that makes you happy. It may be a bird in your yard, your child’s or grand- child’s laughter, a call from a special friend or relative, or just the joy of another healthy day. For information about the Angel Trees loca- tions, deadlines and where to notify, vis- it www facebook.com/ groups/202378264532/ permalink/101589606 63594533/?sfnsn=mo • Once again, please be careful on the roads. Another accident over the weekend near Terri- torial and Jackson-Mar- low Roads. Also, roads have been wet, so please slow down, watch for the lights on Stoney Point, and be very observant of others. • Stay safe, wear a mask and keep the 6 foot dis- tance. Let’s do our best to stop this virus! Contact Betty Kaiser’s Chatterbox at 541-942-1317 or email bchatty@bettykaisr.com LORANE COUNTRY NEWS Contributed by Lil Thompson for The Sentinel • The Lorane Grange Ham Dinner fundrais- er scheduled for Dec. 13 has been postponed until early 2021 due to our vi- rus numbers riding and the current restrictions by the govenor; it is the Grangers desire to keep everyone safe. • The CAL School Dis- QUALITY SENIOR LIVING IS EXPANDING IN COTTAGE GROVE! Our new luxury suites are now available for reservations! Magnolia Gardens Senior Living has completed construction of 37 new suites. EXPERIENCE EXTRAORDINARY Reserve your suite by November 30, 2020 and secure your introductory rate special for two years! We are a full-service Assisted Living & Memory Care Community with 24/7 Immediate Placement for Urgent Admissions. Call (541) 514-2485 for more information or to schedule a personal tour! Assisted Living, Memory Care & Independent Living 1425 Daugherty Ave., Cottage Grove, OR 97424 (541)-942-0054 • www.MagnoliaGardensSL.com T By Mary Ellen “Angel Scribe” Know-better pets Dana and her sons, Harlan (14) and Boone (13) D ana has always been immersed in pets’ lives. Her mother was on the board of directors of their local animal shelter. At 18 years of age, Dana trained as a dog groomer and opened a pet shop. “I noticed that animals fed a natural raw diet were thriving with health benefits: energy, and shiny coats, while those fed bagged/can foods had health concerns at an early age,” said Dana. “Dogs on a natural diet’s health versus processed food were like night and day; clear eyes, shiny coats, alive personalities, exuberant energy levels, and greater flexibility.” Wanting better nutritional value for her pets, her fam- ily purchased a supplement company created by a pet nutritionist. “We saw amazing results!” said Dana. “One client’s se- nior cat’s diet was switched from kibble to natural with our supplement added and now it has the strength to jump on counters.” As a skeptic, I began adding Dana’s product to my 18-year-old twin cats, Myster E. and Whyspurr’s food. I read the literature that the product reduces litter box odor, prevents diabetes and bladder crystals and for dogs less backyard clean up, no doggie smell, arthritis etc. Not expecting much, I was shocked because the results were amazing. The first day, the cats quit throwing up, they stopped massive shedding, Myster E.’s cloudy eyes cleared, his failing kidneys improved and with that his energy level. He no longer sleeps on the floor because he can spring onto the bed. He took interest in playing again. It is a relief not to have to worry about pets’ health. I mix Dana’s product in with cooked beef or chicken and add warm water for easy absorption in to their senior digestive systems. “In the beginning it was difficult promoting a raw pet diet as people were not open to the concept, but with education and experiencing the health changes our business boomed,” said Dana. “Imagine adding years to your pet’s life! What we eat is important. One customer’s 18-year-old Sheltie had to be carried upstairs into their home. After two days on the raw diet, he was running up the stairs. A furless Labrador adopted from a shelter was sporting a beautiful coat after three months. Reading website testimonies (www.KnowBetterPetFood.com) about pets regaining their health, having more energy and their parents’ peace of mind, leaves me in happy tears and determined to continue our mission of making and posting human grade ingredients and recipes.” The family currently has two rescues: Sally, a Taco Terrier (Fox Terrier-Chihuahua mix rescued from Romping Paws Rescue in Washington State), the life of their household and Pea, a 16-year-old Jack Russell-Min Pincher mix who has been on the raw diet from two months of age. She still has all her teeth and hunts mice and rats, although a little slower, but still successfully. “Dogs are fun. Every day they bring a new joy into our lives. Their sweet spirits keep ours up during the pandemic. When Harlan, Boone and I went on vacation, the dogs were with a pet sitter and we arrived home to no pets. We discussed how, ‘A home without a pet isn’t a home’. Our pets are family, and we want them to live long and healthy. Animals have taught my children com- passion, responsibility, love, empathy, joy and created giggles. What animals’ gift to us ignites my passion to give them health. I made the correct career choice and am happy that my sons are following in the same paw prints.” — www.Knowbetterpetfood.com TIPS: • Dana suggests, “A healthy pet treat is dehydrated meat.” • A Tips ‘n’ Tales reader wrote, “Last week, a little girl came visiting dressed in a pretty dress, high heels and a batman cape. She then dressed my dog in a dress with ruffles and we went for a walk with our masks on. We had fun and got plenty of smiles from everyone.” I would love to do an article on your pet! email me at angelscribe@msn.com, or visit Pet Tips ‘n’ Tales on Face- book at www.facebook.com/PetTipsandTales
