| Sources |
- [S113] Manes Funeral Home, (http://www.manesfuneralhome.com), 4 Jun 2007.
Robert Bob Hicks obituary
- [S24] The Newport Plain Talk, (http://www.newportplaintalk.com), 13 Jan 2008.
Just Plain Talk - Run beagle, run! Forrest gets his wheels
More rain than our hometown has seen in quite some time blew in sheets over the hills and roads last week resurrecting parched ponds that had disappeared last summer.
You may recall last the Plain Talk carried a story I wrote about a beagle that had been struck by a truck near Lower English Creek Road. The dog suffered extensive spinal damage paralyzing it and was transported by residents who witnessed the accident. We were attempting to find the owner of the dog that wore an orange hunting collar but no name or veterinary tags. Dr. Carol Hood, Newport Animal Shelter manager, began treating the injured dog. I visited him shortly after the accident and then got a call last week to update me on his condition. We still have not been able to locate the dog's owner.
The shelter staff has named the beagle "Forrest" after the Tom Hank's character, Forrest Gump. Here's some explanation on how that name came about. Because the beagle has been in a cage and fully cared for, the folks were thinking about a way to make it possible for the dog to have a little freedom and mobility. They borrowed a mini-wheelchair from Cedarwood Veterinary Clinic. Dr. Hood is familiar with the Cedarwood folks because she owned and operated the clinic for many years. Shelter employees, like Erica Jenkins, strap the beagle into the small two-wheeled carriage and then he's off. "Within a microsecond he was wheeling around," said Dr. Hood. "Run, Forrest, run." He almost made a great escape out the door, probably headed to White's Foods for some treats. I watched him for a few minutes easily navigating the pen area one afternoon. Dr. Hood said there is still a slim chance his spinal cord might heal, but they will be looking for a special-needs home. Until then, the shelter will be his foster home. Forrest has an incredible will and enjoyment of life, said Dr. Hood. When I walked up to his cage he began barking, probably anticipating someone would let him out and place him in his mini-wheelchair for a few minutes joy ride. The rest of the story on the handcrafted wheelchair is this. Dr. Hood said that Jamie, whose husband is one of the Wilton Springs Hickses, loaned the wheelchair. It is surprising how a small thing such as a set of little wheels can make such a big difference in the life of a crippled dog. So I visited Cedarwood clinic on Thursday to talk with Jamie Hicks, who is the assistant to Dr. Sandra O'Conner. There were assorted little animals milling around, as office pets that greeted me. I found out that Jamie, who is a Fox from Chestnut Hill, is married to Robbie Hicks. His brother is Brad, and I know them as the pumpkin boys, the sons of the late Bob Hicks of Wilton Springs. Jamie told me the story of how the mini-wheelchair came to be. It so happened that they had a pet Boston terrier named "Shelby," who was about age seven when she died in February last year. The dog played with the children. Jamie and Robbie have four girls: Olivia, Gracie, McKala, and Ella. Sometime in July of 2006 Shelby was discovered injured and could not use her hindquarters. Jamie was able to find a brochure at work that showed various devices to help crippled animals and showed it to Robbie. He is handy with tools and a welder and was able to make the wheeled harness. Before that, Cedarwood folks used braces to help straighten and strengthen the animal's spine so she could use the wheelchair. Shelby took off in the chair and lived many months, often visiting the clinic and even was in a chamber Christmas parade. Today, the Hicks family has another Boston terrier named "Toad," who had some problems walking as a pup but is doing well now. Jamie is glad the wheels are being put to good use by the beagle.
The care this beagle has gotten is typical of the kind of concern and attention the entire staff gives to the animals that happen into their care. We are fortunate to have the shelter. Their Rolling Rescue program has been successful in adopting out animals. If you want to be a volunteer in that program, there is an orientation and training session today at 2 p.m. at the animal shelter. Just show up and help.
In plain talk, most handicaps can be overcome by people putting their hearts and minds together to help find a path for an easier ride.
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
Name Judy Paralee Costner
Event Type Marriage
Event Date 04 Aug 1978
Event Place Cocke, Tennessee, United States
Gender Female
Spouse's Name Robert Thomas Hicks
Page 230
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(Age 59 years)