Where are you from originally?I was born and raised in Nashville, TN.

What did you do in your previous life? Whatever I wanted to do.

How did you happen to come to Fernandina? Moved here from Rock Hill, SC in April of 2010 because my husband had a job at the King's Bay Naval base and I wanted to live close to the beach.

Why did you choose to get involved with the Humane Society? Originally I was a member at the dog park for our small dog, G.I. Janie and only went a few times a week. Then in September of 2010 I rescued our big yellow lab, Honey Kay, and HAD to start going EVERYDAY. So I figured that if I was gonna be there all the time, I might as well help out while I'm there!

What do you do for NHS? I started as a pool person and then transferred to the office a few months ago.

Do you have pets of your own? My husband and I have 3 four-legged furry children. One rescue cat Cassie, one "spoiled rotten bratty ratty" Rat Terrier, G.I. Janie, and a rescue Yellow Labrador (or as we call her our "Lap-rador"), Honey Kay.

What would you like for others to know about you and/or NHS?

I absolutely love the dog park! It's the nicest dog park we've ever been to before and we will miss it terribly when we move to Indianapolis, IN for my new job! While there are parks in Indy, I seriously doubt that they will be as wonderful as the park here. Honey Kay will miss the pool most of all, and Janie will miss chasing the lizards in the jungle behind the pond on the small dog side and the squirrels in the trees on the big dog side. I will miss the sense of community at the park and all the friends I have made over the past year and a half.

I think the best thing about the dog park is that all the profits, after all the bills have been paid of course, go to the shelter next door. Without the dog park, the volunteers and the community, there would probably be no shelter for all of the dogs and cats in need.

The next best thing about the dog park is what I tell any dog owners who are trying to decide about whether or not they want to get a membership, "It's like a gym membership for your dog!" After an hour or so of playing and socializing at the park, the pups are tired enough to give me a few hours of peace and quiet after we get home. It's the best investment any dog owner can make!