Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Profile Story "Adyson and Shanah"
I was having internet connection difficulties at my house, but hopefully this time it will work...
Megan Keany
November 25, 2008
Adyson
There is a saying that dog is man’s best friend, and Shanah Fahey is a true believer of that.
When Shanah was 20 years old, she was visiting her friend Brittany in Richmond for a weekend of summer fun. She had really wanted a puppy and when she found out she was living in an apartment for her junior year of college, she had an even bigger motive.
“I’m a very impulsive person. When I say I’m going to do something, I’m going to do it… which can be good and can be bad,” says Shanah.
With her long blonde hair and acrylic nails, Shanah looks like she belongs in Los Angeles at the Playboy Mansion, but she is actually aspiring to go to law school and currently has a job working for a senator.
Shanah is a charitable person and always helps others in need, so it is no surprise that she went to the SPCA in Richmond to look for a dog to adopt. Her childhood friend Brittany joined her on the search. As they walked through the putrid hallways lined with cages they saw many dogs, looking miserable as if they were in an orphanage or jail.
The animal shelter was deafening from the loud barks of the dogs. “You just feel so bad for them and their living conditions. My heart ached for all of them and I wish that I could’ve taken all the animals home that day,” Shanah recalls.
She could only choose one dog and when Shanah got to Adyson’s cage, she remembers her sweet eyes and beautiful golden coat. Adyson was 3 months old and in Shanah’s opinion, the cutest dog in the shelter.
“It was love at first sight,” Shanah says.
Although she had wanted a dog, buying Adyson was a spur of the moment thing. “My mom and dad weren’t very happy and cut me of financially for a few weeks,” Shanah says.
Now, 3 years later Shanah’s parents love the 60 pound German Shepard, lab mix and refer to her as their “grand-dog.” Shanah believes that if Adyson could speak she would call them “Mimi” and “Popi.”
Shanah’s parents not only love Adyson, but are grateful because the dog saves Shanah and her boyfriends’ lives last year.
On October 8, 2007 Shanah was living in an apartment with her boyfriend James and Adyson when at 4:30 a.m. the dog jumped on the bed and woke the couple up.
“It was very unusual because Adyson was potty-trained and I wondered what she could possibly want so early in the morning,” Shanah recalls of the incident.
Shanah tried to quiet Adyson but to no avail. She walked from the bedroom into the living room and saw that their sliding glass door which connected to a porch was an eerie orange and red color all over.
“My stomach dropped and I ran in the room to get James,” Shanah says.
The couple and Adyson exited the apartment just in time. Moments after they got out, the glass door imploded and their apartment burned to the ground.
Shanah and James feel as though Adyson had an instinct that something was wrong.
“She saved our lives,” Shanah says.
If Adyson hadn’t woken Shanah and James on that early fall morning, who
Megan Keany
November 25, 2008
Adyson
There is a saying that dog is man’s best friend, and Shanah Fahey is a true believer of that.
When Shanah was 20 years old, she was visiting her friend Brittany in Richmond for a weekend of summer fun. She had really wanted a puppy and when she found out she was living in an apartment for her junior year of college, she had an even bigger motive.
“I’m a very impulsive person. When I say I’m going to do something, I’m going to do it… which can be good and can be bad,” says Shanah.
With her long blonde hair and acrylic nails, Shanah looks like she belongs in Los Angeles at the Playboy Mansion, but she is actually aspiring to go to law school and currently has a job working for a senator.
Shanah is a charitable person and always helps others in need, so it is no surprise that she went to the SPCA in Richmond to look for a dog to adopt. Her childhood friend Brittany joined her on the search. As they walked through the putrid hallways lined with cages they saw many dogs, looking miserable as if they were in an orphanage or jail.
The animal shelter was deafening from the loud barks of the dogs. “You just feel so bad for them and their living conditions. My heart ached for all of them and I wish that I could’ve taken all the animals home that day,” Shanah recalls.
She could only choose one dog and when Shanah got to Adyson’s cage, she remembers her sweet eyes and beautiful golden coat. Adyson was 3 months old and in Shanah’s opinion, the cutest dog in the shelter.
“It was love at first sight,” Shanah says.
Although she had wanted a dog, buying Adyson was a spur of the moment thing. “My mom and dad weren’t very happy and cut me of financially for a few weeks,” Shanah says.
Now, 3 years later Shanah’s parents love the 60 pound German Shepard, lab mix and refer to her as their “grand-dog.” Shanah believes that if Adyson could speak she would call them “Mimi” and “Popi.”
Shanah’s parents not only love Adyson, but are grateful because the dog saves Shanah and her boyfriends’ lives last year.
On October 8, 2007 Shanah was living in an apartment with her boyfriend James and Adyson when at 4:30 a.m. the dog jumped on the bed and woke the couple up.
“It was very unusual because Adyson was potty-trained and I wondered what she could possibly want so early in the morning,” Shanah recalls of the incident.
Shanah tried to quiet Adyson but to no avail. She walked from the bedroom into the living room and saw that their sliding glass door which connected to a porch was an eerie orange and red color all over.
“My stomach dropped and I ran in the room to get James,” Shanah says.
The couple and Adyson exited the apartment just in time. Moments after they got out, the glass door imploded and their apartment burned to the ground.
Shanah and James feel as though Adyson had an instinct that something was wrong.
“She saved our lives,” Shanah says.
If Adyson hadn’t woken Shanah and James on that early fall morning, who
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Profile and Final Story
For my profile story I interviewed Shanah Fahey who graduated last year from High Point University. I originally intended to write the article about the apartment fire she was in last year, but ended up getting very good information on her companionship with her dog, Adyson, and how the German Shepard mix got Shanah and her boyfriend out of the apartment before it was too late. Adyson has been with Shanah through many experiences such as the death of Shanah's mother a few weeks ago. Hopefully I will be able to accurately portray the relationship between Shanah and Adyson.
For the final story I will be writing about the Bead for Life organization. Their website is beadforlife.org
For the final story I will be writing about the Bead for Life organization. Their website is beadforlife.org
Sunday, November 16, 2008
First-Person and Performance Story
It was interesting to write a story in the first person, as I never had before. I also found it difficult to describe the scene and add enough detail. It was a learning experience and hopefully my article will be interesting to others.
I think it would be beneficial to be able to edit our articles when they are handed back. I find myself learning a lot from the comments, but would like the opportunity to fix my mistakes and have it reviewed again.
I have some ideas on who I would like to write about for the performance story, but am still looking for the most interesting person!
I think it would be beneficial to be able to edit our articles when they are handed back. I find myself learning a lot from the comments, but would like the opportunity to fix my mistakes and have it reviewed again.
I have some ideas on who I would like to write about for the performance story, but am still looking for the most interesting person!
Monday, November 10, 2008
First Person Story
For my next story I would like to write about how I am adopted. I think it is an interesting part of my life that many people like to ask me questions about. In particular I want to write about the day when I received a call from my birth mother when I was 18 and we talked for the first time in my life. Luckily, it is something that I remember very distinctly and remember a lot of details. It is a very personal experience and hopefully I can turn it into a good story that people will enjoy reading.
Death Story
Megan Keany
Dr. El-Tantawy
November 4, 2008
Death Story
“The only two jobs I’ve ever had are life guarding and working at a funeral home,” says Neil Whitaker, director of Sechrest Funeral Home in High Point, N.C.
What he likes about working in the death industry is the personal reward of helping families honor their loved ones and put them to rest. “I don’t want to just know about Mr. Smith, tell me about his hobbies, what did he do? I’m serving his family, but I want to know what I can do to make this tribute more personal to him,” Neil says. He feels that families appreciate that about Sechrest which is the oldest funeral home in High Point.
Neil encountered a personal experience himself a few years ago when he received a call that his friend Michael was dying. He was unaware that his friend was at the point of death until Michael’s wife called Neil to inform him. “Michael wants to talk to you. He has a special request and doesn’t think he can get it,” the wife told Neil. Michael’s wife told Neil to come see his friend. Neil asked if he could go to their home the next afternoon because he had a funeral service to oversee in the morning.
At 3:30 p.m. the next day, Neil arrived at Michael’s house. Michael had terminal cancer and was sitting on his reclining chair. The previous night, after Neil had talked to Michael’s wife, Michael was rushed to the hospital after having a major attack and could no longer speak. He could only acknowledge Neil by shaking his head. The end of Michael’s life was approaching.
Neil sat down next to his friend and said, “I understand you want some specific things.” Michael shook his head.
Neil asked, “Does your wife, Mary, know?” Michael shook his head.
“I’m going to step outside and talk to Mary,” Neil told him.
Neil went outside on this warm, fall day. The sun was shining as Mary told him her husband wanted a cowboy funeral.
“He what? As in cowboys?” Neil asked, confused.
Michael was a unique man. He raised championship mules, which to the average person are just mules, but to Michael were high dollar, world champion animals.
“I found out that one weekend every two months, there is a group of about 150 people from Virginia to Georgia who get together and bring their horses and go on camping trips on the trail. Attorneys, doctors, professionals, all part of this group.” Michael loved attending these camping trips.
The only type of cowboy funeral Neil knew in his mind was the ones he’s seen on T.V.
Mary told him that was exactly what Michael wanted. Michael was a petite man with a handle bar mustache that hung just below his chin.
Neil walked back into the house and told Michael he would take care of his requests. Michael stared at him.
“I’m not saying this just to appease you. I promise you I am going to take care of this, Mike.”
Michael looked over to his wife, Mary and she confirmed, “Neil will do it.”
Michael smiled at Neil as he stood up to leave. Neil returned to the funeral home.
When Neil walked through the glass doors of Sechrest Funeral Home his coworker told him to turn around and go back. Michael had died. “Within 30 minutes of me leaving him, he was dead,” Neil says.
Neil is a collector of old funeral memorabilia. He collects antique caskets and that sort of thing. He wanted to use an old wicker casket he had in his collection to put Michael’s body in, but instead they used a coffin they had at the funeral home that was a smooth, cherry wood. It was old-fashioned and the only way to view the body is to take the top completely off.
They dressed Michael in his western shirt and pants. “They embalmed him like that because that’s what they did in the olden days,” Neil says as he crosses his hands over his chest.
Neil put Michael’s boots on the bottom of the coffin and his cowboy hat on the top. Michael had been a Vietnam veteran and had a military funeral. Neil had a horse saddle strapped on top of the coffin to add another special touch.
They got to the cemetery which was in a rural area. They stopped the funeral coach about 3 quarters of a mile away from the main road to the church. They had a wagon with a buck board and Michael’s two championship mules attached to it.
“We took the coffin out of the coach and put it on the buck board and all of us walked to the gravesite,” Neil recalls.
As Neil speaks of Michael’s funeral, he seems calm, like he is remembering something he is proud of. “It was the right thing to do. It felt natural to do that for Mike,” he says.
At Sechrest Funeral Home, the staff works their hardest to ensure that every funeral is as personal as Michael’s. “It is not a 5 day a week job. It is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week occupation,” Neil says.
After 39 years of working with death, Neil still loves his job because he learns a lot about people. It is a personal and rewarding experience for him. “Not everyone is designed to be a funeral director just like not everyone is designed to be a mechanic or a clothing designer. It is what fit, what worked for me.”
Surely Michael is smiling down on Neil, grateful for Neil’s dedication and agreeing that this is where Neil is meant to be.
-30-
Dr. El-Tantawy
November 4, 2008
Death Story
“The only two jobs I’ve ever had are life guarding and working at a funeral home,” says Neil Whitaker, director of Sechrest Funeral Home in High Point, N.C.
What he likes about working in the death industry is the personal reward of helping families honor their loved ones and put them to rest. “I don’t want to just know about Mr. Smith, tell me about his hobbies, what did he do? I’m serving his family, but I want to know what I can do to make this tribute more personal to him,” Neil says. He feels that families appreciate that about Sechrest which is the oldest funeral home in High Point.
Neil encountered a personal experience himself a few years ago when he received a call that his friend Michael was dying. He was unaware that his friend was at the point of death until Michael’s wife called Neil to inform him. “Michael wants to talk to you. He has a special request and doesn’t think he can get it,” the wife told Neil. Michael’s wife told Neil to come see his friend. Neil asked if he could go to their home the next afternoon because he had a funeral service to oversee in the morning.
At 3:30 p.m. the next day, Neil arrived at Michael’s house. Michael had terminal cancer and was sitting on his reclining chair. The previous night, after Neil had talked to Michael’s wife, Michael was rushed to the hospital after having a major attack and could no longer speak. He could only acknowledge Neil by shaking his head. The end of Michael’s life was approaching.
Neil sat down next to his friend and said, “I understand you want some specific things.” Michael shook his head.
Neil asked, “Does your wife, Mary, know?” Michael shook his head.
“I’m going to step outside and talk to Mary,” Neil told him.
Neil went outside on this warm, fall day. The sun was shining as Mary told him her husband wanted a cowboy funeral.
“He what? As in cowboys?” Neil asked, confused.
Michael was a unique man. He raised championship mules, which to the average person are just mules, but to Michael were high dollar, world champion animals.
“I found out that one weekend every two months, there is a group of about 150 people from Virginia to Georgia who get together and bring their horses and go on camping trips on the trail. Attorneys, doctors, professionals, all part of this group.” Michael loved attending these camping trips.
The only type of cowboy funeral Neil knew in his mind was the ones he’s seen on T.V.
Mary told him that was exactly what Michael wanted. Michael was a petite man with a handle bar mustache that hung just below his chin.
Neil walked back into the house and told Michael he would take care of his requests. Michael stared at him.
“I’m not saying this just to appease you. I promise you I am going to take care of this, Mike.”
Michael looked over to his wife, Mary and she confirmed, “Neil will do it.”
Michael smiled at Neil as he stood up to leave. Neil returned to the funeral home.
When Neil walked through the glass doors of Sechrest Funeral Home his coworker told him to turn around and go back. Michael had died. “Within 30 minutes of me leaving him, he was dead,” Neil says.
Neil is a collector of old funeral memorabilia. He collects antique caskets and that sort of thing. He wanted to use an old wicker casket he had in his collection to put Michael’s body in, but instead they used a coffin they had at the funeral home that was a smooth, cherry wood. It was old-fashioned and the only way to view the body is to take the top completely off.
They dressed Michael in his western shirt and pants. “They embalmed him like that because that’s what they did in the olden days,” Neil says as he crosses his hands over his chest.
Neil put Michael’s boots on the bottom of the coffin and his cowboy hat on the top. Michael had been a Vietnam veteran and had a military funeral. Neil had a horse saddle strapped on top of the coffin to add another special touch.
They got to the cemetery which was in a rural area. They stopped the funeral coach about 3 quarters of a mile away from the main road to the church. They had a wagon with a buck board and Michael’s two championship mules attached to it.
“We took the coffin out of the coach and put it on the buck board and all of us walked to the gravesite,” Neil recalls.
As Neil speaks of Michael’s funeral, he seems calm, like he is remembering something he is proud of. “It was the right thing to do. It felt natural to do that for Mike,” he says.
At Sechrest Funeral Home, the staff works their hardest to ensure that every funeral is as personal as Michael’s. “It is not a 5 day a week job. It is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week occupation,” Neil says.
After 39 years of working with death, Neil still loves his job because he learns a lot about people. It is a personal and rewarding experience for him. “Not everyone is designed to be a funeral director just like not everyone is designed to be a mechanic or a clothing designer. It is what fit, what worked for me.”
Surely Michael is smiling down on Neil, grateful for Neil’s dedication and agreeing that this is where Neil is meant to be.
-30-
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Death Story
In my opinion, this story has been the most difficult, but also exciting and interesting. It was strange contacting a funeral home and the manager asked me to call the day I want to interview someone because in their field of work they never know when they will get business. It is also my first time interviewing someone and asking sensitive questions. I will be calling Neil, the manager of Sechrest Funeral home in the morning to find out when the best time is to come in. I have never been in a funeral home and am interested to see what it looks like and what the employees are like. You have to have a different outlook on life if you work with death everyday and I am fascinated to learn more.
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