400 Life August: Taming the Wild

400 LIFE AUGUST 2019

ALSO

Horses helping people thrive Woman, rescue dog on a mission

Taming the Wild Kim Mross makes a name for herself as pro snake wrangler

A lesson on local wildlife

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from the editor One day during my freshman year of college, I walked into my dorm room to find one of the most unusual sights I’ve ever encountered. On the floor, in the middle of the room, was a small fish bowl. Inside the fish bowl was an iguana.

I don’t know exactly where the iguana came from or why my room was chosen as a safe haven to abandon it, but I do remember springing into action, because I suddenly had a pet, albeit one I was grossly uninformed about how to take care of. I got a larger fish tank, some veggies, a few rocks and twigs and a heat lamp. I set everything up in my dorm, moved the iguana into his new digs and gave him (I think it was a him) a name: Goliath.

Unexpectedly, Goliath became a heartwarming member of my circle of friends at college. They were all eager to give Goliath rides on their shoulders (but less enthused when he went to the bathroom on them.) And when I brought Goliath home that summer, he became a permanent member of the family. We constructed a new massive, multi-level crate, and Goliath quickly grew into his name.

Growing up, our family had only owned dogs and cats as pets, so the experience will always remind me that the animal members of our homes can come in all shapes and sizes. After reading this August issue of 400 LIFE magazine, you’ll be reminded of that too. We asked readers to send us pictures of their exotic pets, and we were bombarded with everything from turtles to squirrels to baby cows and all kinds of reptiles and amphibians.

Listen, dogs and cats will be always be wonderful, and they’re celebrated in this magazine too, but there’s a whole wide world of animals that can be meaningful members of a family.

— Brian Paglia

inside

contributors Publisher STEPHANIE WOODY Editor BRIAN PAGLIA Production Manager TRACIE PIKE Staff Writers ALEXANDER POPP KELLY WHITMIRE Advertising director NATHAN SCHUTTER Advertising DEBORAH DARNELL STEPHANIE MCCABE

All Things Wild...

Kim Mross taking the villain status away from snakes. PAGE 4

MAKING A DIFFERENCE Horse farm offers unique type of therapy. Page 12 ADOPTION SUCCESS Woman and her dog educate, entertain. Page 16 WHAT’S THAT? Some of the region’s more elusive creatures. Page 18

Photographer BEN HENDREN Special contributors JENNIFER COLOSIMO REBEKAH TAYLOR-WISEMAN JORDYN PAUL-SLATER ALYSSA FREYMAN

This magazine is a product of the

EXOTIC PETS Local residents show off their unique friends. Page 26 400 FACES Meet your pet’s favorite doctor at Crestview Animal Hospital. Page 14 400 SPACES Yard Mutts offers training, daycare, dog pool and more. Page 20 400 HEALTH Totally Running dedicated to finding the best shoe for you. Page 24

www.ForsythNews.com Advertising rates available upon request.

Call (770) 887-3126 or email marketing@forsythnews.com

August 2019 | 400 LIFE | 3

‘I am proud to be the crazy snake lady in the community.’ Kim Mross gained a reputation on social media for her knowledge about snakes. Now she has permits to remove snakes from homes and relocates them, takes them to a center or keeps them herself.

Word got out to the film industry, so now she also works to clear movie and television sets of potentially hazardous wildlife.

Along with removing snakes from local residents’ homes and working on movie and television sets, professional snake wrangler Kim Mross does educational programs in schools on native Georgia snakes during the fall and winter and works with the Georgia Reptile Society on outreach initiatives to promote reptile ownership.

Story by Brian Paglia | Photos by Ben Hendren

I

nside Kim Mross’s home are various artifacts of her obsession. A coiled snake skeleton sits atop an amethyst rock on the living room coffee table.

Nearby, in a glass case, is a whale vertebrae fossil. On a wall, shark teeth are displayed in chic frames. A taxidermized fox poses on the hearth.

She warned her husband of this.

“Nobody understands my level of passion when it comes to wildlife,” Mross says she told him, but he was game, so she plunged further into the field. She is now a professional snake wrangler.

Mross regularly makes house calls to relocate snakes and works on movie and television productions around Georgia to clear the set of snakes, spiders, turtles and the like. She also runs All Things Wild North Georgia, a website that provides educational Continued on Page 6

Mross has a collection of reptiles in two rooms and the garage of her home.

Among them are three ball pythons named Marilyn, Moulder and Scully, along with Janice the timber rattlesnake and Lucille the copperhead, above.

August 2019 | 400 LIFE | 5

“The snakes I’m catching are absolutely enormous — 4-foot copperheads, 7-foot rat snakes. Where we’re at, no one’s killing anything, and there’s no houses, so these snakes are really old. They’re getting to their full size.”

— Kim Mross, professional snake wrangler

resources about wildlife native to the Mross started responding to bad region. information and in the process Mross, though, was not allowed to rehabilitate the snake’s image, have pets as a child living in Atlanta, even venomous ones. “Taking the she said. The neighborhood dogs and villain status away from them,” cats had to suffice.

Mross said. She added, “People Mross’ father, a fire chief, loved to only know of the bad things.” camp, however, and he would identiMross gained a reputation in fy wildlife for her during hikes, social media communities as a including snakes. source for sound snake knowl“He said, ‘Leave it alone and [it] edge. People started asking Mross won’t mess with you,’” Mross to remove snakes from their propremembered. “So I never had that erty, so she got permits through fear in me. I was always open-minded t h e D e p a rt m e nt of Nat ur al about wildlife.”

Resources for wildlife trapping, Mross’s first career was as a prenative species and nuisance conschool teacher, but that was largely trol. She’d either relocate the unfulfilling. Then, when she had her snake, bring it to a local wildlife son, Cade, who is now 17, she center as a rescue or take it in herfocused on parenting. But Mross kept self. herself involved in the animal world One day, she got a call from Los and developed an expansive knowlAngeles. The movie “Tag,” with edge. She volunteered at animal shelthe actor Jon Hamm, was filming ters. She took animal rehab classes. in Georgia, and the production She worked with area biologists. She crew needed a snake wrangler. helped conduct surveys of gopher torMross went to the set in Stone toises in South Georgia.

Photo by Brian Paglia Mountain and combed it for any As social media emerged, Mross potentially hazardous wildlife. It Among some of the reptiles Mross has rescued is saw more and more people post picwas relatively tame, Mross said, this Australian blue-tongued skink named Drago. tures of animals they had found, parjust rat and water snakes. ticularly snakes, and she was struck But Mross’ name started to get by the comments she saw from other people. They often misiden- around, and she got more Hollywood work. She worked on the tified the snake or condoned killing it, even nonvenomous ones set of the movie “Irresistible,” with actor Steve Carell and direcMross knew to be beneficial to local ecosystems. Many com- tor Jon Stewart, and has a contract with “The Walking Dead,” the menters perpetuated old wives’ tales. Most of the comments were Continued on Page 8 tinged with fear.

6 | 400 LIFE

| August 2019

wildly popular zombie television series.

The locations are often remote, in areas where snakes are unharmed by human development, which can lead to some big discoveries.

“The snakes I’m catching are absolutely enormous — 4-foot copperheads, 7-foot rat snakes,” Mross said. “Where we’re at, no one’s killing anything, and there’s no houses, so these snakes are really old. They’re getting to their full size.”

They are the kind of habitats that snakes used to enjoy more of around the region, Mross said. As Georgia’s population continues to grow, particularly around metro Atlanta, the snake’s natural environment is dwindling, leading to more encounters with humans — and more Facebook posts.

“We’ve gotten rid of their habitat,” Mross said. “They can’t camouflage like they used to.” Mross added, “They’ve always been there; you just didn’t always see them.”

So Mross is as busy as ever. She’ll sometimes make between 10-20 house calls in a day. Pest control companies call for her services. Mross does educational programs in schools on native Georgia snakes during the fall and winter and works with the Georgia Reptile Society on outreach initiatives to promote reptile ownership.

No surprise, Mross is one herself. She has a collection of reptiles in two rooms and the garage of her home just over the Forsyth County border into Cherokee County.

Among them are three ball pythons named Marilyn, Moulder and Scully, along with Janice the timber rattlesnake and Lucille the copperhead. Mross also has an Australian blue-tongued skink (named Drago) and a tarantula (named Nicotero, after “The Walking Dead” make-up artist, Greg Nicotero.) All her reptiles are rescues.

Yes, rescuing a snake might still seem outrageous to some, but Mross has sensed a shift in public opinion toward snakes in the last three years. She sees more people sharing accurate information on social media, and fewer advocate killing snakes, especially nonvenomous ones that play an important role by eating rodents that can carry fleas or ticks.

“More people are embracing these armless, leafless creatures,” Mross said, “and it’s a beautiful thing.”

“This is the craziest thing I could have ever imagined,” Mross said. “I am proud to be the crazy snake lady in the community.”

To learn more about regional wildlife, visit Mross’ website All Things Wild North Georgia at www.allthingswildnorthgeorgia.com.

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| August 2019

“We’ve gotten rid of their habitat. They can’t camouflage like they used to. They’ve always been there; you just didn’t always see them.”

— Kim Mross, professional snake wrangler

Her passion led to her work on movie and television sets, where she combs them for any potentially hazardous wildlife before filming.

She has worked on the set of the movie “Irresistible,” with actor Steve Carell and director Jon Stewart, and has a contract with “The Walking Dead.” Above, Mross with actor Khary Payton who plays Ezekial on the popular zombie television series. Left, Mross on the set of “The Walking Dead.”

Photos courtesy Kim Mross

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Beyond the Bridle

How a horse lover is changing human lives

Hannah Campbell Zapletal owns WildeWood Farm Inc., where she helps empower other children, adults and entire families at the hands of horses.

Story by Jennifer Colosimo | Photos by Ben Hendren

H

annah Campbell Zapletal was born in Haiti where she grew up on her family’s horse farm training equine to pull buggies that would revive the local commerce.

She comes from a long line of horse people before her, but what makes her a horse lover by nature is actually what nurtured her into an expert — one with a reputation for turning problem horses into (what Zapletal calls) the upstanding citizens they have the potential to be.

She’s always had a gift for working with horses, and spent many years doing just that once she graduated from college here in the U.S. and started her own farm in 1996; but these days, her passion extends to the other side of the saddle — helping people through the power of her favorite animal.

“Problem horses were my specialty for many years,” said 12 | 400 LIFE

| August 2019

WildeWood Farm Inc., is at 5150 Oak Grove Circle in Cumming. Visit www.wildewoodfarminc.com for more information.

“Unlike other forms of therapy, horses give instant feedback.

They’ve got a way of bringing stuff to the surface right away, things that if we’re just talking, you wouldn’t pick up on.”

— Hannah Campbell Zapletal, Owner of Wildewood Farm Inc.

Zapletal. “But one day I was given a mare that nothing I knew how to do could fix her. But I read this book by Monty Roberts — one of the premier horse trainers of this generation — took notes, went out to the mare and decided to see if it worked.

Within four days she was a completely different horse. In fact she was so different, the girls at the farm for lessons accidentally caught her and brought her to the barn. They were brushing and grooming her when I got there.”

Convinced, she pursued and completed the Monty Roberts Certified instructor course in 2000 and hasn’t looked back … especially since she’s had three small children since then, and it’s a lot safer to teach people than it is to train horses. Also since then, she’s incorporated her farm, and WildeWood Farm Inc., is what life for her little family looks like today.

With 24 horses of their own (16 of which they use to teach), Zapletal calls herself a one-woman-and-three-kid show, loving a job where she can bring her kids to work (3-year-old Isabelle even rides her own pony to help out) as well as empower other children, adults and entire families at the hands — sometimes 18 of them, if you’re on Titan — of horses. They offer riding lessons, summer camps, birthday parties and equine assisted-learning programs. And despite Zapletal’s absence from horse training, she still gets “plenty of horse time” working with a local breeding facility, teaching trailer loading and running the farm.

“We start at the beginning,” Zapletal said of WildeWood. “Your horse is not prepped and ready for you when you arrive. You have to learn how to catch the horse, lead properly, groom and tack up and go down to the arena and ride, then come back up and untack, regroup, wash and maybe put the horse up.”

In short, riding lessons at WildeWood translate into genuine horsemanship.

“I don’t want to teach riders, I want to get to the horsemanship

level, where you really know what you’re doing,” she added. “The more you’re around horses and exposed to different kinds of horses and different styles of horses, the better horseman you become.”

Zapletal’s Unchaining Struggling Teens program teaches girls and boys to identify and recover from many of the issues they face today.

Whether it’s school stress, trouble with friends, suicidal thoughts or anger management problems, among others, Zapletal believes that getting in front of a horse to start pinpointing the root of those issues is key to empowering teens to heal.

“I have a real affinity for kids that are shy and withdrawn. I like to facilitate drawing them out,” Zapletal said. “Horses do the work, and it’s fun to get to see them five years down the road and hear them say, ‘I can’t believe how much horses changed my life.’”

As a certified equine facilitator trained by the E3A in equine assisted learning, her sessions can certainly change lives. Each session builds off its former, addressing not only parental concerns, but teaching teens to identify the root of their issues and equipping them to envision a plan to feel better.

“Unlike other forms of therapy, horses give instant feedback,” said Zapletal. “It’s not about whether they like you or not, so if you’re doing something incorrectly, they are quick to correct it. They’ve got a way of bringing stuff to the surface right away, things that if we’re just talking, you wouldn’t pick up on, so [with their help] I can pinpoint things to bring to a therapist’s attention.”

Zapletal’s heart doesn’t stop with teens. In fact, her end goal is to create a place where anyone can come to feel safe and included.

“It’s equally rewarding to work with people now, moreso than just horses,” she said. “My heart is to pour into people, into families and help them be a part of something bigger than themselves.

Something real, and practical. I want the farm to be a place where people can plug in, and where families are not only welcome, but maybe even created.”

August 2019 | 400 LIFE | 13

400 faces

Crestview Animal Hospital

Getting to know your pets’ favorite doctors

Many a sick furry, or even scaly, friend has found themselves under the care of Drs. John McGruder and David Sewell and their team at Crestview Animal Hospital on Pilgrim Mill Road.

Opened by McGruder, who earned his veterinary degree f r o m t h e U n iv e r s i t y o f Missouri in 1984, Crestview has seen a lot of changes in its 35 years, including all types of animals and modernization of medicine and techniques. The original lot is still part of the current Crestview property, which has expanded to keep up with demand, most recently with an expansion in 2012.

After operating his own practice in south Forsyth, Sewell, a Marietta native who graduated from Ross University, joined Crestview in 2008.

McGruder said the area was much more rural when the hospital opened, meaning there was lots of work with pigs, horses, cattle and other farm animals.

Today, the vets said all kinds of animals have been treated at the hospital, which is also working on innovative practices, such as regenerative medicine like stem cell or platelet-rich plasma therapies.

While well-known to patients who walk on four legs, gallop or slither, many human residents might not know their pets’ favorite doctors, so 400 Life spoke with the pair about why they do what they do, the unique animals cared for and some personal favorites.

What made you want to be a veterinarian?

McGruder: “I grew up on a farm, and we had several different species of animals. I got out of the Army realizing a degree in animal science wasn’t a great future, so I decided I would go to vet school.”

Sewell: “Mine’s a little bit of cliché, but it’s very true: it’s just a very strong love for animals and working with animals. Primarily growing up in east Cobb, it was dogs and cats, not farming, but I always knew that I wanted to work on small animals.”

Being open since the ‘80s, have you seen a change in how people treat pets?

McGruder: “Absolutely, and a lot of things we do today, in 1985, you’d never do. People would have never paid for it. We see a lot of animals that are 14, 15, 18-years-old. Back at that time, anything over 10 was old. [Ages] 9 or 10 was about when they stopped treating them … A lot of things we do today, we didn’t do because the animals didn’t live that long.”

“Of course, anesthesia is much better. At that time… it was much more difficult to do long, complicated procedures.”

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What are the most unique animals you’ve had to treat in your career?

Sewell: “I get asked this question a lot, so I have a go-to: I did an internship at LSU, and I got to do a dental procedure and extraction on [live mascot] Mike the Tiger, the Mike the Tiger that was there in 1999. That was definitely one of the most interesting animals I’ve worked on.”

McGruder: “We used to see a few big cats — lions and tigers — from Chestatee Wildlife Preserve on Hwy. 52. We saw several of those cats. I’ve seen a couple of very large pythons. I think the biggest one I’ve seen weighed about 40 pounds.

“I attempted to treat a camel once: it didn’t go so well.”

Since you work with other’s pets, do you have any of your own?

Sewell: “I have four children, so they would have an entire house full of pets if I’d let them, but we have two cats, a dog, we have chickens and, unfortunately, the ball python my son loves to torment me with. We have leopard geckos and fish and all the little stuff, as well.”

After a long day of treating animals, how do you unwind?

Sewell: “Deep breaths. I’m a gym member, so I love to get some exercise, sit in the sauna. My wife and I both play adult league soccer, that’s probably one of my biggest outlets. That’s been a great thing.”

McGruder: “For years I ran, and that was always one of the great things in the afternoon, to just go out and run for 45 minutes or so. It completely changes your attitude. I still walk a lot. Once in a while, I get on a tractor and do something. I enjoy that, it’s fun for me, and we have a little property in Dawson County that I go up to just to be outside.”

Favorite books, music, TV or movies?

Sewell: “I’m a big Johnny Cash fan, so he wrote two autobiographies, both of which I love.”

McGruder: “I like to listen to Johnny Cash, as well. I read a book last week called ‘Empire’ … it was the rise and fall of the Comanche Indian tribe in the west. It’s fascinating reading the stories of Lewis and Clark. That’s mostly what I read.”

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How adopting a pet can change lives Woman and her dog, Frankie, educate children, adults about rescues Story by Alyssa Freyman | Photos by Ben Hendren

A

ll around the world are animals in need of a home. According to dosomething.org, there are approximately 7.6 million animals that enter animal shelters each year. Some are found in terrible conditions and have trouble getting adopted based on their personalities.

Marie and John Kirkpatrick have opened their home to pets for years.

The couple has adopted all of their dogs. They believe that rescuing dogs is the best way to give them a home.

“We get our dogs from different places,” Marie said. “Frankie was from German Shepherd Rescue. Lola and Marley are from Georgia Poodle Rescue. Puppy is from a puppy mill out of Dawson County. When we got her, she was full of worms and smelled. I must have bathed her a million times and she still stunk. [She didn’t have a] tail. They apparently docked her tail and the vet said she had not seen anything like that. Who knows what they did to her.”

One of their dogs inspired Marie Kirkpatrick to write a children’s book.

Frankie, a Belgian Malinois, was adopted by the family years ago after struggling to find a forever home.

His breed of dog is very playful, energetic and loud, which caused some families to return him to the shelter, according to Marie. His first owner had prized sheep, which Franklin would nip at. Frankie’s second owner was a man who wanted a dog to run with. Because Frankie’s breed is protective, he barked at another runner, scaring him. Frankie was returned again to wait for someone who would keep him for good.

“When we adopted Franklin, the story was that nobody wanted him,” Marie said. “We go up to PetSmart ... They had these German Shephard puppies and they had [Frankie]. We [thought he was really cute]. So we brought him home.”

The family fell in love with him instantly and made a permanent home for Frankie.

“Everything that nobody loved about him, we loved,” revealed Marie.

Later, Marie got the idea from her children to write a children’s book about Frankie’s journey and the importance of adopting pets in need. With dedication, she was able to self-publish her first book in 2015, “Frankie Finds His Family,” with the help of illustrator Patrick Carlson.

While she has never met Carlson, it seems like he knows exactly 16 | 400 LIFE

| August 2019

Marie and John Kirkpatrick have opened their home to pets for years. Frankie, a Belgian Malinois, is the subject of a children’s book Marie wrote and shares with local children.

how she wants the book to be illustrated.

“I have this scenario in my brain,” Marie said. “We do everything over email. I’ll send him a clip on the computer of what I want [something] to look like. I don’t know what it is, but we just click. He goes from the pictures that I send him and the details that I send him, and he reads my brain, and he just does it.”

Years later, she has published three books featuring Frankie and his other animal friends. These have been a hit among the children.

Marie does interactive readings for children around Forsyth County, where children can be part of the story through props and playing catch with him.

“My goal is that the ‘Frankie the Dog’ book series will help to educate our children in a positive, fun manner as they read about Frankie’s many adventures,” Marie said in her author description. “I really want everyone to think ‘Pet Adoption First.’”

On her website, frankiebooks. com, children can sign up for the Frankie book club. There, they will receive in the mail updates about Frankie, a signed photo of the dog, and special activities to do.

Children can also send in their drawings and pictures of their pets.

Her books are available to purchase through Barnes and Noble and her website, frankiebooks.com. Each book comes with coloring pages.

Frankie and his owners do more than interactive readings for the community. They recently participated in Forsyth County’s Stuff the Bus event, which collected more than 60,000 items needed for the upcoming school year.

For those looking to adopt, Marie suggests recognizing your current lifestyle and what kind of dog would best suit that. Asking the volunteers at the animal shelters about an animal’s behaviors is a good way of knowing whether that pet is right for you.

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DISCOVER THE WILD

Local expert talks about some of the wildlife inhabiting Forsyth County Story by Alexander Popp

W

ith its many parks, wooded areas and generous access to Lake Lanier, Forsyth County is brimming with natural wildlife.

In just a few minutes you can be walking down the Greenway looking for birds and deer or out on a boat in Lake Lanier watching fish jump and turtles bask in the sun.

But what are some of the more interesting animals or

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica Distinct with its bright blue plumage and daubed mud nests, the barn swallow is easily one of the most interesting birds to roost in Forsyth County.

Often seen flying over bodies of water, pastures and other open areas, Demos said that the barn swallow is almost constantly in motion, skimming down over water and tall grass to eat insects on the wing or scoop up water and other materials to build mud nests for its young.

According to Demos, each year this small, migratory bird travels hundreds of miles, crossing the Gulf of Mexico from South America to build nests, earning its title as a “trans-gulf migrant.”

“The amazing thing is that they are flying all the way from

insects that live in our county? The ones you have to go out of your way and get lucky to see.

To answer that question, 400 Life sat down with Jenny Demos, environmental education coordinator for Forsyth County Parks and Recreation, to talk about five of the more elusive and rare creatures that call our county home.

South America … and in order to do that they’ve got to keep flying nonstop the entire way,” she said. “They could be going 600 miles in one trip before they can stop and put down.”

Demos said that in the 1800s the barn swallow was fiercely hunted for its bright blue feathers, which were sought after and highly valued for women’s hats. But along with more than 800 species of migratory birds, the Migratory Bird Treaty Photo by Alan Vernon Act of 1918 made it illegal to hunt, kill, capture or take any part of the barn swallow or its nest.

Look for the barn swallow in meadows, fields, farmyards or over water. Its nests can often be found on manmade structures like homes, barns, stables and bridges.

Northern Walkingstick Diapheromera femorata When you are a fragile creature struggling for survival, with very little to defend yourself, sometimes the best offense is to just blend into the background, becoming just a mossy spot on a log or a leaf blowing in the wind.

And that’s exactly what the Northern Walkingstick has become an expert at, according to Demos.

At first glance the Northern Walkingstick appears to be just an oddly shaped twig, clinging on to a tree or whatever else it can find, but on closer inspection this clever insect is a master of disguise that has adapted its behavior and looks to fly under the radar of predators.

“Camouflage is their game,” Demos said. “They’ll hang out and act like sticks in a tree, but if you see them and disturb them, they actually will hold on with their legs and shimmy back and forth like they are a stick being blown in the wind.”

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| August 2019

Photo by Andrew Cannizzaro

Demos says that in Forsyth County, the Northern Walkingstick can be found in or near the tree canopy, where it spends most of its time eating leaves and trying not to be noticed by predators.

Cope’s Gray Treefrog Hyla chrysoscelis Like the Northern Walkingstick, Cope’s gray treefrog opts for neither fight nor flight, instead choosing to blend into the background when predators are around.

It can’t match the chameleon for color changing ability, but according to Demos, Cope’s gray treefrog has the interesting ability to morph its coloring and pattern to fit whatever tree or rock it hides on.

Spending much of its day hiding in cool, moist locations, Demos says that this little grey frog comes out at night to eat

swarms of pest insects like mosquitoes, gnats and flies.

“They like to live in the understory area of forests and wooded areas,” she said. “They need to be relatively close to some sort of area that will flood in the spring, like a wetland area. They will lay their eggs in places where there are no fish.”

Look for the Cope’s gray treefrog in those forest and wetland areas, but be careful when handling. Demos says that the frog’s skin can secrete a toxic substance to deter predators. — photo by Brian Gratwicke

Groundhog Marmota monax

each year, one closer to feeding sites for the summer and one deeper in forests for the winter.

But the groundhog’s burrow isn’t For an animal so just some hole in the ground to curl up totally ingrained in the and sleep in. Demos says that this popular consciousness, it’s pretty amazing how giant rodent builds a home full of difmuch interesting stuff ferent chambers for sleeping, nursing, about the groundhog or hibernating and pooping. woodchuck goes totally Even though you probably won’t be unnoticed. able get a look at the groundhog’s From its habits and sweet digs, Demos said that many physiology to its dope other animals like foxes, skunks and crib, this “giant ground snakes are happy to pick up the lease squirrel” has got a lot Photo by Shenandoah National Park after the groundhog has moved on to a going for itself. new location.

According to Demos, Demos said to look for the groundhog in those grassy open the groundhog is often found on the edges of wooded areas were areas, but don’t get too close.

You’ll know you’ve startled one there’s plenty of weedy plants like clover, alfalfa and dandelions when you hear the signature high-pitched whistle that its other to munch on. nickname, whistle pig, came from.

Demos said that typically the groundhog makes two burrows

Eastern Hercules Beetle Dynastes tityus Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to lift and move 100 times your own weight?

Well, for the Eastern Hercules beetle, the largest beetle species in the eastern United States, that dream is daily life.

Starting out as a huge hairy grub eating decaying wood under fallen trees, the Eastern Hercules beetle eventually becomes a hulking tank-like insect that feeds on rotting fruit and tree sap.

Demos said that while rather passive and defenseless in the

grub stage, adult male Eastern Hercules beetles have large pincers on the front of their head used to fight other males during the breeding season. She said that male beetles will lock horns and attempt to flip each other over.

Look for the Eastern Hercules beetle in areas with stands of fallen trees, but according to Demos, your chances of finding one will really depend on where you are and what season it is.

— photo by Katja Schulz August 2019 | 400 LIFE | 19

400 spaces

Yard Mutts

Where your dog can train, play, swim and stay

Abby Freeman works with a dog at Yard Mutts. The staff specializes in behavioral issues and provides a safe environment for dogs to play in.

Story by Rebekah Taylor-Wiseman | Photos by Brian Paglia

I

n the five years that Abby Freeman worked for Rucker Pet, she joked and dreamed that she would one day run a doggy daycare, and that dream became a reality when Yard Mutts opened to the public in April at the former home location of Rucker Pet. At Yard Mutts, it seems that every dog has its day ... every day. Through individualized play and positive reinforcement strategies, the dogs who take advantage of the daycare, boarding and pet pool are certainly “living their best lives.”

The staff at Yard Mutts is committed to understanding each canine client in order to learn what brings them the most enjoyment. All dogs don’t enjoy life the same way, Abby said.

“Some want to run and play all day and some want to nap more,” she said.

And the staff of Yard Mutts looks beyond the surface.

“We can’t assume a Frenchie only wants to play with small dogs,” Freeman said. “Perhaps that particular dog lives in a 20 | 400 LIFE

| August 2019

home with big dogs and fancies herself a big dog too. We are here to do the best thing for the dog.”

To ensure a safe environment, all potential canine clients undergo an evaluation to earn a Yard Mutts Certificate, but the staff doesn’t shy away from dogs who present behavioral or temperamental challenges.

Abby and her trainer, Jenna Reasons, are also experienced dog therapists with a mission to give back to the species that is aptly named man’s best friend.

“There’s a reason for every quirk. We want to help dogs enjoy daycare and feel safe, not just mask undesirable behaviors.” Freeman added, “I 110 percent believe that dogs are capable of empathy.

They are happy when we are happy and know when we are upset. It’s such a unique and powerful gift, and it’s a privilege that these amazing creatures want to spend their time Continued on Page 22

The daycare is a kennel-free facility. Dogs are allowed to roam and play with friends. The space is air-conditioned and has an epoxy floor to ensure that it can be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after each day of play.

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with humans.”

For dogs who need special attention, Yard Mutts offers a board and train program. Abby remembers a particularly aggressive dog who came in for evaluation. Abby recommended board and train, and “by day four, he was back to the friendly and sociable dog the owner remembered from puppyhood.”

The Yard Mutts staff plan to continue their education and certification as a positivity-based provider. Abby recently completed a week of continuing education through the Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training & Behavior. The positive reinforcement approach means that staff members “reinforce good behaviors and tell dogs what to do instead of focusing on what they are doing wrong,” Freeman said.

For those dogs (and humans) whose play style includes swimming, Yard Mutts boasts an aboveground pool that can be included in a dog’s daycare schedule or rented by the hour. Dogs enjoy diving and training for competitions while human clients can enjoy a cool place to hang out with all members of their family.

Abby says she found her “perfect work family” at Rucker Pet and her forever home in Forsyth County, where she raises cats, horses, donkeys, chickens, and of course, dogs.

Abby says her parents “created a monster” when they denied her request for a family pet growing up.

Now, she’s making up for lost time by surrounding herself with four-legged friends and committing to their happiness.

Daycare dogs can sign up to use the pool during their stay. Staff will take your dog out to the pool and throw their favorite toys for them.

Yard Mutts has a 10,000-square-foot fenced outdoor dog park that includes water, benches, and toys for your dogs to play on.

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August 2019 | 400 LIFE | 23

400 health

Totally Running and Walking

Kim Hall helps others find passion in exercise

Totally Running and Walking set to open second location at Halycon Story by Jordyn Paul-Slater | Photos by Ben Hendren

W

ith her background experience with race directing, Kim Hall bought Totally Running and Walking with an intention of displaying her passion for exercise. Hall got her start in the running world as a beginner marathoner in a program called ‘Couches to 5K’ where she fell in love with the idea of using exercise as a method to cope with life’s various stressors. From there, she dedicated her professional life to encouraging others to live a more active life.

“Our goal is to ‘narrow down the wall,’” Hall said. “A lot of bigger companies have these giant walls with all of these different kinds of shoes, and no one knows where they should start. We want to match [the customer] to the shoe best fit for them.”

Totally Running and Walking’s personnel believes that the perfect running shoe is one that fits the needs of the individual wearing them.

“The perfect running shoe doesn’t exist. It’s about finding a shoe that works best for the individual who wears them,” said employee Holli Henderson.

In order to find the “perfect pair,” customers at the store across from The Collection at Forsyth are taken through a comprehensive fitting process that will provide a detailed assessment of what shoe they need.

“When a customer comes in, we immediately take them through our fitting process,” Hall said. “We have a 3D scanner 24 | 400 LIFE

| August 2019

that takes a picture of their foot width, arch type, etc., Then, we have our customers jog or walk on our treadmill to analyze their stride. Then, we match that to a shoe that would be the most comfortable for them.”

Totally Running and Walking often seeks advice from local experts to ensure their products are the best for their customers.

“I’m a firm believer that I should be able to sleep in my shoes,” Hall said. “That’s how comfortable they should be.”

In addition to selling shoes, Totally Running and Walking retails other athletic apparel with everything from sports bras to sunglasses. Apart from retail, Hall aims to push Totally Running and Walking to be a hub for those aiming to progress in living an active lifestyle.

Later this year, Hall will open a second Totally Running and Walking location at Halcyon, the new mixed-development in south Forsyth County, and she plans to use the location’s access to the Big Creek Greenway to have running groups and other events where customers can engage with a consistent community of runners. Also, with their partnership with FurKids, an animal shelter and rescue organization also slated to open at Halcyon, Hall hopes to host collaborative events in which customers can take rescues for walks.

Above all, Totally Running and Walking intends to spread the importance of adding exercise into a daily routine.

Getting a comfortable pair of shoes is only a part of the journey.

“I want people to know that they don’t have to feel intimidated coming in. We are all regular people who have our own struggles and who are trying to fit exercise into our everyday lives,” Hall said. “We want to help people.”

Come in for a free shoe fitting!

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exotic&unique

We asked and you delivered! Here are some of the more unique pets living in Forsyth County. From snakes to lizards, to baby cows, donkeys and squirrels, all of these pets are cherished by their awesome owners!

Angela Green Price V. Green and her little brother, Jase B. Green, have the best pets any one would ask for: Three orphan cows ranging from a few days to a couple weeks old. Bottle feeding Asher, Hope and Champ two times a day is so much fun and watching them play and get special rubs and love from Price and Jase makes missing their Mom seem not so bad.

Grace Clark I keep quite a few exotic pets, mainly reptiles. I take them to educational events at local schools. This is my albino Western Hognose snake, Pumbaa. She is a fan favorite among family and students, thanks to her bright colors, calm demeanor, and upturned nose.

Most people don’t realize that snakes are shy, misunderstood creatures. Pumbaa and my other snakes help people to overcome their fears and misconceptions.

Snakes play a massive role in our natural habitats by reducing rodent populations, which in turn prevents the spread of disease, parasites and even house fires.

Like many wild animals, snakes are more scared of you than you are of them, so the safest course of action is to leave them alone. Pumbaa hopes you all take this message to heart and have a wonderful, safe summer!

Alexis Mckinzie I raised three female squirrels when they were about 5 weeks old and just opening their eyes. I got them in October of 2018 and released them in April 2019. They visit occasionally for their whole natural almonds. They also love getting pieces of avocado. They have moved out of their nesting boxes and have found a nest box of their own. I may see two together in a day that visit but sometimes it’s just one. I used to be able to tell them apart when they were little but not anymore.

Camilla Brock The first photo shows our three bearded dragons, Anakin, Mushu and Halo (left to right). The last two photos are of Anakin and I after my high school graduation this May. I sewed him a matching cap and gown so he could graduate with me!

Maggie Weed I have a pet, bottle-raised 2-year-old bull named Lazarus and I have an 8-year-old donkey named George who loves to roll.

I live in the north end of Forsyth County.

Katelyn Elliott Meet Peachy! She is a tangerine carrot tail leopard gecko. Born in August 2018, she is now 1 year old. She’s very sociable and friendly. She loves to explore, and she always has a goofy smile on her face. I love Peachy so much, I even made her an Instagram account called @peachygirlgecko. Leos are native to rocky places like Afghanistan. They are insectivores, meaning they only eat bugs. In captivity, they can live up to about 20 years!

Paul Blizzard Our daughter’s bearded dragon, Comet, loves to hang around.

Since the Women’s World Cup was on recently, Comet was cheering on the U.S. team. What’s more exotic than a soccer playing bearded dragon named Comet?

Kristen Dudley This is my child’s friend Pancake. He is a 1-year-old eyelash crested gecko.These geckos are from New Caledonia.

exotic&unique

Liz Lewis Spirit, above, is a 7- month-old Sphynx kitten. Spooky, top right, is a 1-year-old Sphynx cat. Bottom right, Mavis, who is a champagne yellowbelly ball python. Left, Shrode is a cinnamon pastel lesser ball python.

Gary Mote Left, Spike, a grey cockatiel, is owned by me and my wife, Penny.

Spike is 30 years old.

Right, meet Slick. He is a red translucent hypo leatherback bearded dragon. Slick is the pet of my grandson, Jewett Mote.

David Alexander I am allergic to cats and dogs and with both me and my wife, Lisa, being animal lovers, we wanted a pet!

I was intrigued with chameleons and their colors and features.

I did a lot of research on keeping them as pets. They are difficult to care and require a lot of knowledge to make sure you provide the right care.

Mac was our first Chameleon we purchased at a reptile show. He was the “runt” of his brothers and sisters.

He went home with us and and other chameleons followed. I guess you can say we were addicted.

Mac had several health issues and was a regular at the University of Georgia teaching animal hospital.

He was well known in the hospital. People I had never met would

see him in the hallway and call out, “Hey, there’s Mac!” He was featured in two books that were associated with UGA, won a Pet of the Year photo contest and was featured in

their calendar one year as “Mr. October.” His picture also hangs on a wall at the college.

Mac passed away in 2017. If it wasn’t for UGA and our care, he probably would not have made it to a year old. He lived for five years. If we had to do it all over again we would pick him again and again. Mac is also featured in medical journals.

They have personalities just like any dog or cat. Mac loved to be out of his cage and would hang out with us (most of the time on my shoulder).

Our others have also passed away, but we will get more one day. We truly enjoyed raising them and seeing their personalities shine.

We have had six total, each with their own unique personality.

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exotic&unique

Kristy MacKaben I live in Cumming with my husband, Scott, and three kids, Julie, 13, Johnny 10, and Josie, 4. We also love reptiles. We have a leopard gecko named Candy, a bearded dragon named Thor and a ball python named Venom.

Jake Major Rebecca Megerle My daughter’s bearded dragon, HalByorn, celebrating his birthday.

Lisa Morgan This is my son Samuel Morgan’s bearded dragon, Scarlett. She enjoys the sun and warm temperatures.

I love collecting exotic reptiles. Sunshine, above, is an iguana. She is 1 year old. Ellen the sulcata tortoise, left, is 5.

Bennett Martin This is George the spotted giecko.

Bennett and George live in Cumming.

Brandon Lin I was a school resource officer for Settles Bridge Elementary. At the end of the year, the teacher in the science lab moved to a different school and she needed to find a home for Timmy, so I said I would take him. I got in trouble with the wife because I brought another animal home. But she quickly started to love him as much as I do. I think he’s a dog trapped in a turtle’s body. I have trained him to follow me by snapping my fingers. He’s something else, you have to see him in person; he’s quite a celebrity. I am opening a restaurant and I’ve named a drink after him: Timmy the Turtle.

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