Milliron Monday: Safetytown

The Athens Messenger June 22, 1989

Abbott "Pete" Smith D.V.M.

June 16, 1938 - February 22, 2010

Welcome to Milliron Monday where every Monday we celebrate the legacy of Pete Smith, D.V.M., and  Milliron: Abbott “Pete” Smith, D.V.M. The Biography (Monday Creek Publishing 2017), including his wife Jody (1938-2021). Pete, a well-known veterinarian in southeast Ohio, and Jody lived life to the fullest. They continue to motivate and inspire.

Dr. Smith and Jody were often asked to make appearances at community events, including Safetytown, a local event sponsored by "civic organizations and businesses in cooperation with Athens City Schools, city administration and area police, fire and natural resource organizations."

Safetytown (sometimes spelled Safety Town) is basic safety awareness for kids. I remember sending my son to Safetytown at nearby Hocking College. He learned a lot about traffic patterns as he pedaled his tricycle through a maze of orange cones, stop signs, and crosswalks. But his favorite Safetytown event was learning about snakes and turtles from Dave Sagan. 

June 16, 1988, Dr. Smith talked to Safetytown kids about "dangerous and sick animals", a topic Dr. Smith new very well. June 22, 1989, Jody brought her cat (in photo) to share with Safetytown kids. The caption, "The cat... is a 'retired' blood donor for her husband's veterinary clinic, and now comforts clients who are grieving for sick pets." Both Dr. Smith and Jody enjoyed taking time out of their busy schedules to volunteer for this annual community service.

Safetytown is an important part of growing up. I highly recommend sending your kid(s) every summer. Volunteers, like the Smith family, make Safetytown memorable for many. I am sure the kids remember hearing Dr. Smith and Jody talk about animal safety.

Connect with Gina...

Milliron Facebook Page

Amazon Author Page

Milliron: The Biography

www.gmcknight.com

www.mondaycreekpublishing.com

Through captivating, powerful, and emotional anecdotes, we celebrate the life of Dr. Abbott P. Smith. His biography takes the reader from smiles to laughter to empathy and tears. Dr. Smith gave us compelling lessons learned from animals; the role animals play in the human condition, the joy of loving an animal, and the awe of their spirituality. A tender and profound look into the life of a skilled veterinarian.

 

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Milliron Monday: Girl, 10, Writes Contest a Story of Smart Horse

Abbott "Pete" Smith D.V.M.

June 16, 1938 - February 22, 2010

Welcome to Milliron Monday where every Monday we celebrate the legacy of Pete Smith, D.V.M., and  Milliron: Abbott “Pete” Smith, D.V.M. The Biography (Monday Creek Publishing 2017), including his wife Jody (1938-2021). Pete, a well-known veterinarian in southeast Ohio, and Jody lived life to the fullest. They continue to motivate and inspire.

August 1948, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Cuyahoga County Fair sponsored a writing contest. Jody's entry was about a horse. The newspaper ran a portion of Jody's story, but when Jody and I talked about it (several years ago), she couldn't remember who actually won the contest. I am hoping that the entire story is saved somewhere and we will find it in Jody's stack of papers (as she saved everything). But as of this writing, we haven't found it.

Girl, 10, Writes Contest a Story of Smart Horse

     Joyann Haley, 620 Coleman Road, Mansfield, O., is only 10, but she knows that horses are intelligent.

     Miss Haley yesterday became one of the many to enter the Plain Dealer-Cuyahoga County Fair Contest, writing a letter to tell of her experience with a horse named Babe.

     "I was trotting on an old black mare named Babe," she writes. "When I tried to brush a fly off her mane, her head went down and the next thing I knew I was sitting on the ground with one foot caught in the stirrup. Babe stopped as though she knew that if she kept on trotting she would have kicked me. Although Babe isn't pretty, I think she is plenty smart and I am glad she is."

    Entries continue to arrive daily from scores of towns and cities. One came from Florida. Cash prizes and tickets for the 52d Cuyahoga County Fair at Berea, Aug 19 to 22, are being prepared for the winners. The most interesting letter in the opinion of the judges will win $25 for the writer.

The article continues, sharing two more intriguing entries, but Jody's entry won the headline.

Connect with Gina...

Milliron Facebook Page

Amazon Author Page

Milliron: The Biography

www.gmcknight.com

www.mondaycreekpublishing.com

Through captivating, powerful, and emotional anecdotes, we celebrate the life of Dr. Abbott P. Smith. His biography takes the reader from smiles to laughter to empathy and tears. Dr. Smith gave us compelling lessons learned from animals; the role animals play in the human condition, the joy of loving an animal, and the awe of their spirituality. A tender and profound look into the life of a skilled veterinarian.

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Milliron Monday: Apple

January 1983 - Pete, Apple, Colonial, and Streak 

Abbott "Pete" Smith D.V.M.

June 16, 1938 - February 22, 2010

Welcome to Milliron Monday where every Monday we celebrate the legacy of Pete Smith, D.V.M., and  Milliron: Abbott “Pete” Smith, D.V.M. The Biography (Monday Creek Publishing 2017), including his wife Jody (1938-2021). Pete, a well-known veterinarian in southeast Ohio, and Jody lived life to the fullest. They continue to motivate and inspire.

Johnny Appleseed, also known as Apple, was the first foal from Cricket and Alrod. Apple's bloodline included Standardbred, Saddlebred, and Morgan. Apple became one of Pete's favorite mounts. He enjoyed Apple's ground covering trot and fast walk. Pete penned a poem in Apple's memory:

Requiem - My Horse

by Pete smith

How I loved you, Apple!

(and love the memory of you still)

Rush of hare-brained gallop,

Earnest walk, flashing trot

Honest smell of sweat and manure

of Levi's and leather

Esthetic experience of flow

of form and function

Raw joy of oneness with nature

Your crafty innocence

Solo time with my therapist

Illusion at its best

Thank you, Apple, for the chance

to glimpse the power

and the glory

and the majesty

of God himself!

Connect with Gina...

Amazon Author Page

Milliron: The Biography

www.gmcknight.com

www.mondaycreekpublishing.com

Through captivating, powerful, and emotional anecdotes, we celebrate the life of Dr. Abbott P. Smith. His biography takes the reader from smiles to laughter to empathy and tears. Dr. Smith gave us compelling lessons learned from animals; the role animals play in the human condition, the joy of loving an animal, and the awe of their spirituality. A tender and profound look into the life of a skilled veterinarian.

The Western Novelist: An Interview with Anna Elizabeth Judd

The Western Novelist: An Interview with Anna Elizabeth Judd
by Gina McKnight
Archived from the June 2021 Issue of Florida Equine Athlete
No duplication without permission.
 
It’s always fun to connect with a fellow horse-lover and writer! Anna Elizabeth Judd (Lizzy) writes about the thrill and adventure of living in the old West. She has a knack for engaging readers into wild and wooly scenarios that entertain. A horse owner, Lizzy writes about horses from her own experience and imagination. As a horse trainer, she knows the value of horsemanship and good barn ethics. A best-selling author, Lizzy writes modern western novels and children’s literature. The author of many books, her website states: “Anna provides it all as if you are in the saddle along for the journey. Her rare books bring the readers joy from nearly every genre they can appreciate.”
 
Welcome, Lizzy!
 
GM: Every Western writer must love horses! When was your first encounter with a horse?
LM: I was nine years old when I got my first horse. His name was Kennedy, he was about 25 years old. If I remember right, he lived for about six months after we got him. My mom wanted to get me a horse, she grew up with them. So, he was delivered on my ninth birthday and we put him in the backyard until we could find somewhere to board him.
 
GM: Describe a day in your life with horses...
LM: The best part of my life is spending every day with a horse. I am truly blessed. Many people might think I am crazy, but one of my favorite things is cleaning stalls. It’s very relaxing. But for the most part, when you train horses, it gives you the chance to have a lot of horses and get paid at the same time. One of the most rewarding aspects of training is when you get a horse, especially a wild one to come in the middle of the round pen on their own and let you touch them for the first time. It gives me chills every time. They are definitely magical creatures.
 
GM: As a writer, do you weave your own horse history into your books?
LM: Yes, all my books are based on personal horse-related stories. My children’s book “The
Boy Who Couldn’t Talk” is based on a young boy with Autism. Adam was a young boy when I was just a kid who would enter the horse shows in a group we called Unique. My mom started it for children with disabilities.
 
GM: Do you have any funny horse-related anecdotes?
LM: I don’t know about anecdotes, but several of my children’s books are learning how to read. I love to write poems and rhymes, so one of my favorites, is “Taffy tussled the thistles tangled in her tail trying to taste the timothy.” I don’t know, it's fun sitting with the dictionary coming up with the words to rhyme.
 
GM: You have written about horses, training, and horsemanship. What training methods do you use?
LM: I train using the horse’s natural instincts. A great book to read is Xenophon. He was a Greek general in 355 BC. My first book “The Handbook of Horsemanship” has several references that talk about his training style.
 
GM: Of all the horses in the world today, which breed, and riders/trainers inspire you?
LM: Many years ago, I was given a rodeo bronc to train. She had quit bucking and was of no use to the contractor, so he gave her to me. Her name was Libby, to this day thinking about her brings tears to my eyes. She had a heart; unlike any horse I have ever been around. I used to work with girls that had been abused and Libby had a way of bringing them out of their shells. I miss you very much… Below is the poem she inspired me to write.

The Brilliance of Your Stature

Creates an Image of Perfection

Floating Throughout the Land

Free to Roam

In the Face of Adversity

Your Strength Shines Through

From Every Fiber of Your Being

With a Heart of Fire

Passion to Survive the Existence of Time

Your Chi Flows In a Glow

Infecting Life’s Energy

To the Beings in Your Presence

Through Evolution You Became Extinct

Your Image Silenced from Sight

Although the Essence of Your Soul

Placed In the Ground to Flourish

Once Again. Recognized as

“The Grass Remembers Them.”

The Horse

 

GM: What advice do you have for novice riders and those looking to purchase their first horse?

LM: Buying your first horse, can be exciting but you must also beware. The best advice is to trust your instincts. When you go to the place and see the horse; look at how the person keeps their barn, tack, and feed room. Are they clean will organized, or messing and cluttered? A good horseman will always have good clean tack and know where things are. Then, how does the horse react to you and the owner? Are they calm and well-behaved? Do they run all over the owner, get pushy or bite? That is the sign of a spoiled horse. Or….. are they nervous and fidgety? That can be a sign of abuse. Trust your instincts, no matter how much you want to buy a horse, take your time. The horse will pick you when it's right. So, if you are not a trainer with experience, be careful.

GM: What does horsemanship mean to you?

LM: Great question… a horseman is someone with a passion in their heart for animals. The only way to train or handle a horse is with love, respect, and natural instinct training. You never break a horse, you train them.

Connect with Lizzy…

FB https://www.facebook.com/thewesternnovelist/

IG https://www.instagram.com/westernsbyjudd/

Or https://annaelizabethjudd.com

Lizzy and Kennedy