Page 25 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2018

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FUR-EVER HOMES
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Considering putting a new pet under the tree this Christmas?
The need for adoptive families
is definitely great at local animal shelters (the Jackson County Animal Shelter reports an overwhelming intake of 150 new animals each week), but make sure you’re ready for a lifetime commitment and the challenges of pet ownership.
News 25’s Taylor Rubach and Payton Malone have some tips about pet adoption. Both have fallen in
love with pets they met at work and later adopted. Ollivia, a foxhound, was featured on News 25’s Pet of the Week segment and never made it out of the studio. “The moment I saw her, I knew she had to come home with me. She was so timid and shy, but now over a year later she is anything but,” says News 25 Meteorologist Payton Malone. “Being a hound, she likes to let her voice be heard and there’s not a moment she isn’t talking to me or sometimes talking back to me.”
Taylor Rubach, News 25’s Evening News Anchor, met her baby Charlie, a border collie mix, during a photo shoot for the Jackson County Animal Shelter’s annual calendar last year. “When she came into the studio,
my eyes were immediately drawn
to her. Taking her home with me
was probably the quickest and best decision I ever made,” says Rubach.
“Moving to South Mississippi and starting a new life in television was
an extremely emotional experience, Malone said. “I had to leave all my friends and family behind. After rescuing Ollivia, my mental health definitely improved. Instead of spending the holidays alone, I was spending them with my newest best friend.”
Tip #1: If you plan to adopt a puppy or kitten, be prepared for how much energy and curiosity they have. Make sure you have the time and energy to take them for regular walks and tire them out.
“I wasn’t really prepared for how wild she is and how exhausting she can be at times. Then I heard that Charlie had been surrendered twice, and was very upset. I kept thinking how could someone want to give her up?” Rubach said.
Tip #2: Be prepared to lose a few personal items.
“It’s never a dull moment with Charlie. Even though she does decide to destroy things that I need like chargers, makeup brushes and
photo courtesy of
Dani Bolf Photography
NEWS 25 METEOROLOGIST Payton Malone with Ollivia and News 25 Anchor Taylor Rubach with Charlie.
shoes,” says Rubach.
“Ollivia has destroyed more than I’d
like to admit. Fortunately viewers of News 25 can’t see my shoes as they all have a nice touch from Ollivia.
As a puppy she chewed up all my plants, and was not too fond of the Christmas tree. I spent the majority of the holidays on the ground,” laughs Malone.
Tip #3: Foster before you Adopt
Many local shelters offer the chance to foster pets before you officially adopt them. This gives the shelter room to take in more animals and gives you a chance to see how well the pet fits into your life before making a permanent commitment.
“Rescued pets give so much love and affection. You can see how much they truly appreciate you for getting them out of the shelter. I have always been a believer in second chances,” Rubach said.
Don’t miss News 25’s Pet of the Week, Tuesdays at noon on NBC 25 or visit wxxv25.com/pet-of-the-week.
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December 2018 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 25
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