Pedicures, baking, shopping sprees, binge-watching a favorite show on Netflix, swimming, golfing, hiking — these are a few ways mothers and daughters enjoy spending time together. Margie Cooper and her mom, Sheila Spain, bond over their love of animals. But this is no ordinary love. From caring for colonies of feral cats to horses and even a groundhog named Fluffy, the lengths they go to for their four-legged friends are actually quite extraordinary.
Over the years, this boundless love opened the door for them both to become pet sitters. Spain said, “People needed someone to care for their animals while they were away. To me, it was an easy and fun-loving job, especially because some animals are a lot of fun and they love you back. They are very much like kids. A few of the most unforgettable pets I’ve pet-sat for over the years are Odie, Lula, Mac, Bitsy Boo, Sissy, Maggie, and Bendi. Most of these, I spent more time in their home with them than I did in my own home.”
Although Spain has a big heart and loves every kind of animal — except foxes — several of her fur babies left permanent paw prints on her heart. For Spain, size doesn’t matter. She has raised large breeds like German shepherds and smaller breeds like Jack Russell terriers.
“I had a red, long-haired tabby for 22 years; a cocker spaniel named Rusty; and, of course, our groundhog. All of them were special in my home. Their temperament gives you a clue as to how to treat them. You can tell when they sit in your lap that they appreciate what you do for them, and they return the favor,” Spain said.
Sometimes, Spain’s four-legged friends get the “zoomies” or become rowdy. “You just take it in stride and get rowdy with them because that’s fun,” she said.
When it comes to caring for animals, especially strays, few do a better job than the Middle Tennessee Spay and Neuter Clinic (MTSNC) at 846 Union St. From Jan. 1 to June 30, it spayed and neutered 1,819 cats and dogs. This included 764 female cats, 594 male cats, 242 female dogs, and 219 male dogs. The MTSNC provides veterinary services at reduced rates and, in some cases, free of charge, depending on income or military service.
Does your pet need to be vaccinated against rabies, leukemia, Bordetella, parvo, or distemper? Maybe they need monthly flea protection, to be microchipped, have their ears cleaned and nails clipped, or be tested for heartworms. All of this, and more, is available at the MTSNC.
Local foster organizations such as A Nutter Cat Rescue, Bedford County Animal Control, and the Shelbyville-Bedford County Humane Association require our help. Overpopulation of feral animals across our county, along with a lack of funding and space, and the need for more volunteers and people willing to foster, means the resources of all three organizations are stretched critically thin.
Spain and Cooper are doing their best to address overpopulation in their little corners of our county, but they, too, are overwhelmed. Cooper said, “I live in Flat Creek, and it seems it’s the place for people to drop off feral cats. A neighbor and I have been trying to get them all fixed, but the cats keep coming…”
Strays are usually starving, covered in fleas, and often pregnant. When this happens, Cooper said, “If you see a need, do something. Call for help. Take them to a shelter, or feed and care for them yourself. It could make all the difference in your life just to have a wonderful friend. But please get your animals fixed.”
For 38 years, Cooper’s best friend was a big red saddle horse gelding named Tex. “We rode everywhere together. I loved him, and he loved me. It broke me when I had to put him down.”
She also had a little Chihuahua mix named Buddy. “I called him my little Walmart dog because my friend got him in the Walmart parking lot, and I brought him home with me. I had him for 16 years. It’s been a year since I lost him. Big… little… mutts… I love all animals. I’ve never met a horse I didn’t love. I used to have more pets, but now I only have one house cat, six or seven feral cats, and four chickens. I’ve never been a foster because I know I would want to keep them all.”
Spain said, “There is always a need for donations to shelters, and there is always adoption. Those animals need love, too. If I see an animal that needs help, I will feed and water it. Animals give unconditional love, so they deserve our love and for us to take care of them.”
The compassion of this mother-daughter team reminds us what’s possible when ordinary people refuse to look away. Let’s all do our part for the animals who can’t ask for help themselves. GN
For more information about the Middle Tennessee Spay and Neuter Clinic, go to www.mtsnc.org or follow them on Facebook at Middle Tennessee Spay & Neuter Clinic.
