Page 10, The Gladewater Mirror, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2019

The Right Partner MakesAll the DifferenceWhether you’re just starting

out or looking toward retirement, we’re behind you all the way.

Come see New Accounts Representative Mandy Wood for your Checking,

Savings, CD’s and IRA needs.

Come see Branch President Jon Keller

for your Mortgage needs.

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For love of pigs ...

Oinkin’ Oasis sanctuary saves animalsseen with my eyes. They were literally chest deep in mud, fecal matter and urine. We drove them straight to our vet and they were given antibiotics, deworming meds and vaccinations. They are now living high and dry with plenty of fresh hay to burrow under.”

Mitsy said that the emotional cases are not always about their past situations.

“It is also about the way these sweet souls mourn when they are dropped off or surrendered to us. Some literally cry for days on end because the family they once knew is now gone, forever. We have to watch them go through the stages of grievance and do our best to comfort them and allow them to trust us.”

Their work and the sanctuary southwest of Gilmer which now covers 20 acres consumes their time and resources.

“We typically go through about $4,000 in feed per year and vet bills can range anywhere from $50 to $500 plus every time we take in a piggy,” Mitsy said. “We can easily spend $20,000 a year in just the necessities.”

Most of the funding comes from donations and the couple covers the rest. They hold fundraisers with the next one a Piggy Bank Fun Run 10K, 5K or 1 Mile Walk this coming Saturday at 8093 Locust Road in Gilmer. To register go to https://oinkinoasis.wixsite.com/piggybank or go to Oinkin’ Oasis Facebook. For information call Mitsy Wempe at 562-371-5189. The sanctuary also has sponsorship opportunities as well as one-time donation options. All donations are tax deductible and go directly to the care of the animals with neither the owners or sanctuary board members receiving salaries.

Not surprisingly the Wempes also have seven cats, six from the pregnant mom they recently rescued, an 11-year old Border

COLLEGE STATION, – It’s almost springtime in Texas, which means snakes are beginning to slither away from their comfortable winter surroundings and are on the move.

Dr. Jill Heatley, associate professor of veterinary medicine at the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomed-ical Sciences (CVM), said active snakes could mean bad news for people and their pets. Heatley and veterinarians in the Small Animal Hospital at the CVM are expect to see an increase in snakebite cases as the temperatures rise.

“If you believe your pet has been bitten by a snake, you need to seek veterinary care and the doctor can determine what kind of treat-ment is necessary,” Heatley said.

“We have already seen snakebites in dogs this year,” said Chris-tine Rutter, a small animal critical care veterinarian in the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. “One pet required significant care af-ter being bitten by a coral snake, but is thankfully going to be fine. Coral snake bites and rattlesnake bites are uncommon, but are life threatening when they occur. Copperhead and cottonmouth bites are extremely common during the summer, as are bites from grumpy non-venomous snakes.”

A snakebite on a human can be painful — and also expensive. It is not uncommon for a person bit by a venomous snake to have hospital bills up to $50,000. Hospital treatments can range from one day to several weeks, and include care for damaged tissues and antivenom treatments that can run into the thousands of dollars, according to Heatley. Even nonvenomous snake bites can cause serious infection.

Although snakes are found in most parts of the world — Ireland, Iceland and New Zealand are some of the few snake-free countries — only four types of snakes found in Texas are venomous: the coral snake, copperhead, rattlesnake and cottonmouth (also known as the water moccasin).

“The thing to remember about snakes is that they generally want to be left alone,” Heatley said. “They are probably more afraid of you than you are of them.”

Caution: Snakes will soon be on the move

GHS Bears & Noble book club members Grayson Wragg, Cheyanna Glehorn, Garrett Walls, Tristan Duren, Lindsey Hickey, Jane Gasperik, Leticia Peralta, Karen Peralta and Chrstian Perez read to Weldon Elementary students last week sharing their love of books and reading. Courtesy Photo

Collie and a deaf boxer, also rescues.

The couple’s adult children, both Gladewater High School graduates often help out with the animals. But more help is always welcomed.

“We love visitors and

volunteers,” Mitsy said. “We won’t always put you to work. We love helping to educate others about proper care. Just please remember, ‘Adopt Don’t Shop!’ regardless of the new family member you choose.”

SCHOOL CALENDARSGISD Calendar

2/27,WednesdayBaseball@Time Crowder Tour-

ney-Mike Carter Field1-10 p.m. Jr. High Bear Relays@

GHS2/28, Thursday

1 p.m.-10 p.m. GMS Bear Relays@GHS

Baseball@Tim Crowder Tour-ney-Mike Carter Field

3/1, FridayBaseball@Tim Crowder Tour-

ney-Mike Carter Field1-10 p.m. Bobby Bernard Relays-H

Gladewater Tennis Tourney5/7 p.m. G/B Soccer@Tatum

5:30 p.m. Softball vs. Gilmer-H3/2, Saturday

9 a.m. Sp.Ed. Area BB Tourney@SFA

Baseball@Tim Crowder Tour-ney-Mike Carter Field

3/4, MondayCollege Shirt Day

GHS Cheer Sign UpGolf@Alpine CC-Lgv.

5:30-8:30 p.m. GHS Band Practice3/5, Tuesday

GHS Cheer Sign UpGHS Eng. & SS 9 wk. tests

4:30/7 p.m. Baseball@West Rusk5/7 p.m. G/B Soccer@Kilgore

3/6, WednesdayGHS Cheer Sign Up

GHS Math & elective 9 wk. testsDistrict One Act Play Rehearsal@

Arp HSEarly Band HS Contest@GHS

3/7, ThursdayEnd of third 9 wks.

Cheer Sign UpGHS Science & makeup 9 wks.

TestsDistrict OAP@Arp HS

Baseball@Hawkins TourneyGHS Track@Jefferson

6 p.m. HoneyBear Line Parent Meeting-GHS Lib.

3/8, FridayStudent Holiday

8 a.m.-3 p.m. Parent/Teacher Conferences

Baseball@Hawkins Tourney5/7 p.m. G/B Soccer@SH

5/6:30 p.m. Softball vs. Arp-H3/9, Saturday

Band Trip to Orlando, FloridaSPRING BREAK March 9-15

UGISD Calendar2/27, Wednesday

3:45 p.m. OAP rehearsal in Lion Center

2/28, ThursdayLion Baseball Tourney

Lady Lion Softball Tourney3/1, Friday

Student HolidayDee Mackey Relays

Lion Baseball TourneyLady Lion Softball Tourney

3/2, SaturdayWhite Oak CDE

Lion Baseball TourneyLady Lion Softball Tourney

Girls Regional Powerlifting@Fairfield

3/4, MondayOAP District RehearsalJV Baseball@Overton

3/5, TuesdayOAP District Contest

V District Baseball@Overton HS4 p.m. JV/V Softball vs. Beckville-H