FAST FIVE Rebecca Fowler: Leader of the pack
DEVIN WEEKS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years AGO
Devin Weeks is a third-generation North Idaho resident. She holds an associate degree in journalism from North Idaho College and a bachelor's in communication arts from Lewis-Clark State College Coeur d'Alene. Devin embarked on her journalism career at the Coeur d'Alene Press in 2013. She worked weekends for several years, covering a wide variety of events and issues throughout Kootenai County. Devin now mainly covers K-12 education and the city of Post Falls. She enjoys delivering daily chuckles through the Ghastly Groaner and loves highlighting local people in the Fast Five segment that runs in CoeurVoice. Devin lives in Post Falls with her husband and their three eccentric and very needy cats. | June 3, 2023 1:00 AM
Meet Rebecca Fowler, a Post Falls resident and animal lover. She is trustworthy and dependable, with a fun-loving spirt. Improving the happiness of pets lives is what led her to start Fowler Farms Animal Care. She strives to make sure the pet parents are happy knowing their "kids" are safe, well taken care of and having a great time during their visits. Visit fowlerfarmsdoggydaycare.com for details.
1) How did you get into dog and pet sitting, and what do you love about it?
I started pet sitting out of state in 2014 on a small scale as a second job. I found that too many dogs didn't get to socialize because of the owners' busy schedules, which made me sad. When I would take my dogs on outings, I would offer to take others with us, which led to me starting up my service. This service has continued to Post Falls where we moved to in 2019. It extended into house sitting and pet care when I found many pet owners needing breaks for their animals at times when they were not home or on vacation. It is so rewarding when my "doggy clients" get so excited when I show up on their days.
2) What is a funny or exciting experience you had while caring for someone else's pet?
I had one client that I worked for for 10 days. Every morning I would get up and start my day with yoga and stretch. That pup would come out, get down and start stretching along with me. This went on every morning. I took pictures and sent to the "mom" who thought it was a kick as he never displayed that behavior before. Too cute!
3) How would you describe the relationship humans have with animals and the important roles they play in our lives?
Dogs and cats, like people, are basically social creatures, which means they are happiest, and feel the safest and most content, when they are with others. I find my pets bring me joy and comfort when I need it. They sense your moods, encouraging you to play when you are down. Cuddling up when you are sick or need it. I couldn't imagine my life without my pets.
4) What's something people would be surprised to know about you?
At a party or in a large group, I am not the loudest or most interesting storyteller in the room. Get me in with a group of dogs.... I am the alpha! I don't try to be, it just happens. Others come into the area where the dogs are — sure, they get attention, but all eyes are still on me, because if I go to leave the area, the whole pack wants to follow.
5) What is your favorite animal and why?
I have a soft spot for dogs. I have five dogs of my own, each with their own personalities and quirks. Dogs generally have positive, fun-loving attitudes. They are quick to forgive and always ready to go do something fun. Them always trusting the good in you, quick to forgive and always showing love is something we as humans can learn from our companions. All my animals, and clients pets, make me a better human.
• • •
Do you know someone in Kootenai County who makes our community awesome? Send Fast Five suggestions to Devin Weeks, dweeks@cdapress.com, to highlight locals who contribute their time and talents to make North Idaho such a special place.
ARTICLES BY DEVIN WEEKS
Coeur d'Alene Garden Club grant supports Lake City High garden project
Coeur d'Alene Garden Club grant supports Lake City High garden project
Students in the outdoor studies program, Coeur d'Alene Garden Club members and some happy honeybees gathered in the Lake City High School xeriscape garden Monday afternoon as final touches were added. The students and garden club members have been working together the past several months to replant and revive the little garden that was first planted to the north of the school entrance about 13 years ago. “This is a huge project for me,” said junior Emily Zuetrong. “I want to be a firefighter, so I love being out in the environment and doing all these things and having this here."
At long last, first-time homeowners move into Post Falls' Britton neighborhood
At long last, first-time homeowners move into Britton neighborhood
Puffy white clouds rolled across the deep blue sky as that new home smell wafted on the breeze. The sun shined on the celebration unfolding on Britton Road in Post Falls. And just as happens on a lucky wedding day, the skies opened long enough to sprinkle rain and blessings on the first-time homeowners who received the keys to their brand-new homes. "We are standing in the middle of a first-in-the-nation solution to restore the American Dream of homeownership for our hard-working families whose wages have not and will not catch up to our escalating market rate prices for real estate," Panhandle Affordable Housing Alliance Executive Director Maggie Lyons said Thursday.
Panhandle Health's Ekizian leads charge for Medical Reserve Corps volunteers
Panhandle Health's Ekizian leads charge for Medical Reserve Corps volunteers
Although she didn't grow up in a family of doctors or first responders, Jennifer Ekizian found her calling in the realm of public health. This was after she set off to become a nurse but ended up obtaining an emergency medical technician license and a master’s degree in public safety and leadership with an emphasis on fire and working in law enforcement and fire dispatch. “However, I ended up doing my internship with the Office of Emergency Management," she said Wednesday in her Panhandle Health District office in Hayden. "That was my first exposure to emergency preparedness.” While continuing her emergency response training and experience, she spent years working in real estate, which was never a truly fulfilling career for her. “I just got to a point in my life when I wanted to help people," she said.