HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2011-07-28, Page 7THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2011. PAGE 7.
A former and longtime resident of
Londesborough, Thomas Hugh
Millar, passed away on July 14, 2011
in his 85th year. Condolences are
extended to Betty and their five
children and families at this time.
Hugh lived in the same home on
the family farm until the fall of 2010
when ill health brought a move to
Huronlea Home for the Aged in
Brussels. A year after their marriage
Hugh and Betty purchased the farm
at the eastern edge of
Londesborough from Hugh’s
parents, believing it a fine place to
raise a family of their own. Hugh
loved life on the farm and was
dedicated to his family.
He joined the workforce at the age
of 14 and over the years
supplemented the family’s farming
income by working extra hours at
Londesborough’s railway station
which ran through the farm, on the
county roads and at the
Londesborough feedmill.
Hugh loved sports and played both
ball and hockey. He passed his
athleticism and love of sports on to
his children, perhaps because he was
involved in coaching for a time and
always encouraged them in
whichever sport they tried.
His children remember Hugh as
someone who was not about having
things for himself. He felt he had all
he needed to be happy. Rather they
recall, he appreciated family, friends
and community; and about giving
his children chances he never had.
They felt Dad was a rock, always
dependable, always supportive and
always calm with a keen sense of
humour. In later years, with the farm
rented out, life became quieter
and easier. Hugh and Betty did
involve themselves with the Happy
Gang Seniors. And they enjoyed
making the rounds of auction
sales and yard sales always finding
a treasure or two, things that
reminded Hugh of former times on
the farm and searching out old
records.
This little poem was part of son,
Randy’s, eulogy: “There once was a
young man from the farm, who was
blessed with good values and charm.
He took a fine wife, lived a good life,
and never did anyone any harm.”
Seems to sum up a good life.
By Brenda Radford
Regulars on Clinton’s main street
perhaps noticed that the business in
the former Sears outlet store, PETS
had closed. About the same time I
noticed a small red PETS sign by the
driveway on the property that was
turned into a kennel some years ago
by Randy and Eleanor Babcock
halfway between Londesborough
and Clinton. Curiosity got the better
of me and I spent some time with
Karen Wiley to discuss “Pawsitive
Effects Training Solutions” (PETS).
In April of 2010, Karen graduated
from Wilfrid Laurier University and
turned her lifelong love of dogs into
a career by opening PETS and doing
evening training classes for dogs and
their owners. She spent her days
working at the Clinton Veterinary
Clinic helping her parents,
veterinarians Peter and Robin Wiley.
However in early 2011, she
recognized she was at a crossroads
and concerned as to how to grow her
business. She was anxious to get on
with doing what she had been
trained for, anything dog related.
Then unexpectedly, the
aforementioned property came up
for sale and Karen was suddenly in
the business of dog boarding and achance to expand her trainingcapabilities.
Karen has had a love and affinity
for dogs all her life and has spent
many years attending courses and
conferences all over North America
and also internationally to get
clarification in training and kennel
management. She holds Certified
Master Trainer and Canadian Canine
Trainer certificates and she also has
a degree in psychology that is of
benefit when working with people
and their dogs. And she has three
house dogs of her own, two Chinese
Crested dogs and a standard poodle.
“Positive methods, positive
results” is the motto for PETS.
Karen believes that puppy behaviour
problems could be eliminated if
owners focused on training by eight
weeks of age. She would like to see
every potential dog owner take a pre-
natal course so they become aware
of what issues they are facing and
how to be a responsible owner.
Changing the behaviour of older
dogs with learned habits is difficult.
The kennel is currently running
three group classes a week. Dogs
and their owners attend a class once
a week for six weeks. Group classes
teach social skills for the dogs.
Between classes the dog and its
owner are to continue the lessons.
Dogs won’t progress without
homework. Seems sometimes it’s
the owners who need the training.
Many people prefer to have private
lessons o they can receive more
individual attention. Karen’s
brochure outlines a variety of
options/classes.
Karen has taught “doggone safe
programs” for children at Clinton’s
Regional Equine and Agriculture
Centre of Huron (REACH) in the
hopes of educating children about
responsible dog ownership, animal
care and a dog’s body language. And
she would like to develop a school
program along the same lines.
The property she bought had a
caged activity area now full of
agility equipment, which was a boon
for Karen’s program. The facility
offers humane care in a safe, clean
and open environment. Early inJune, double gates were installed tothe caged areas so there is no chance
of a dog getting out.
The other aspect of Karen’s
business, boarding animals, is busy
as well. Last weekend she had 17
dogs in quarters. And she does
daycare also, enjoying the chance
to train these animals as she interacts
with them for their exercise and
care and socializing during the
day.
There is also a cat boarding condo
area which is seeing some use too.
Dog toys, leashes and other
equipment is for sale at the kennel
and Karen remarked that she only
has on hand items she believes in
and uses herself.
More information and pictures of
PETS can be found on Karen’s
websites and at: www.pawsitive
effectsboarding.com
Longtime resident remembered
Londesboro welcomes new business
PETS
Karen Wiley started PETS (Pawsitive Effects Training
Solutions) due to her love of dogs, which is evident in her
own life with the several dogs she owns. (Photo submitted)
• 457 Campbell Street, Lucknow - 519-528-5888
• 801 Queen Street, Kincardine 519-396-6463
Mon. - Sat. 10 - 5:30 p.m., Sun. 12 - 5:30
Open ‘til 8 pm Thurs in Kincardine & Fri in Lucknow
During the Month of August
• All Summer Items ...
40%off
• If combined with a new arrival
60% off sale item
(1 for 1)
SOME EXCEPTIONS APPLY (INCL. PANDORA)
LUCKNOW LOCATION
Thursday, Friday, Saturday
July 28, 29, 30
(Regular Hours)
SIDEWALK SALES
HUGE SAVINGS!
KINCARDINE LOCATION
Sunday, July 31, 10 to 5:30
Monday, Aug. 1, 10 to 5:30
SUMMERMARKET
STREET SALES
WILD PRICES!
Watch for our new fall arrivalS
SSizzling
SSummer
SSale
A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the
businesses, churches and community supporters
that helped make Room2Grows first annual
fundraiser a tremendous success. Thank you
to the volunteers at R2G for all their hard
work and continuous dedication to helping
the center grow. The funds raised from the Baby Bottle
campaign go directly to the center to help and support young
families, women and babies in need. We survive solely on
donation and thrive on such fundraisers to help provide these
resources to the community. We would not be able to open
our doors with out the assistance of the community so it is
with great appreciation Room2Grow thanks everyone for all
the support we have been shown.
By BRENDA
RADFORD
Call
523-4296
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