Sheep, Shawls, Blankets, And Luncheons: Meet Robert And Brenda McKaig

By LYDIA BERGLAR
News Editor

Robert and Brenda McKaig’s life together has been marked by showing care for both animals and people. Robert is well known from his time as the only veterinarian in the county and for starting the Dade County Animal Hospital, but the couple’s involvement in the community goes beyond this legacy.

Both born and raised on Lookout Mountain, the pair can’t remember when they first met. “I’ve just known her all her life,” said Robert. He was born and raised on the land that the McKaigs still call home, and Brenda grew up on the Walker County side of the mountain, near Camp Lookout.

Robert started the Dade County Animal Hospital in 1978. Growing up, he watched vets treat his family’s animals and eventually decided that this was the career for him. “I always liked medicine, but I didn’t want to work on people,” he said.

He treated many types of animals, especially farm animals. Over the years, he watched a shift away from farm animals to dogs and cats and saw private practices give way to corporations. “The veterinary field is not near as personal as it used to be.”

In his career, Robert responded to after-hours calls and made home visits. Brenda said, “You know the James Herriot books? That was our life. Lots of late nights on call. I got to the point where, if I knew what kind of call he was going on, I would know what time to start worrying about him if he wasn’t home.”

Their two children inherited the family’s love of animals and enjoyed participating in 4-H. They started showing sheep through 4-H in 1989. At one time, the McKaigs had about 60 sheep which led to an abundance of wool. Needing something to do with the wool, their daughter got a spinning wheel, and together, she and Brenda learned how to spin wool into yarn. Finding that many people were curious about the craft, they did spinning demonstrations.

Eventually, the kids moved on to showing cows (the McKaigs had a herd of about 20 Shorthorn cattle at one point), but Brenda loved the sheep and started a side business called Sheep to Shawl. She raised and sheared the sheep, spun and dyed the wool, and wove the yarn into warm items. Her favorite part of the process was planning the weaving projects by thinking through colors and styles.

The McKaigs fondly remember one special sheep named Gracie. “She was in more churches than most people,” said Brenda, “because she was in Christmas nativities and Vacation Bible School programs, and we took her to Ag Day in Trenton. Sheep do have personalities, and she was sweet. She loved people and thought she was part of the family.”

Growing up, Robert and Brenda enjoyed participating in 4-H, but the program was noticeably better by the time their kids were involved. Brenda said the Dade County students held their own when competing against much larger counties. “Ted Dyer was a great UGA Extension Agent. He loved his job; he loved the kids. Our kids had friends in every county in Georgia, just about. They had great opportunities, even nationwide.”

The couple now has six grandkids who are also getting involved in 4-H. Currently, the grandkids enjoy showing pigs.

Through her work spinning and weaving, Brenda met a nonprofit group in Nashville called Burning Bush. Although no longer in existence, the nonprofit worked extensively in a Kenyan village called Ndathi to build a health clinic and library, offer micro-lending for small businesses, and help local artists.

In 2007, Brenda was invited to Ndathi with Burning Bush. Bringing spinning wheel kits with her, Brenda went on the trip to help a woman in the village who raised sheep. All of the women could knit, and many could weave by hand, but Brenda helped this woman improve her spinning so she could earn a livelihood by selling yarn.

Brenda recalled intimidating adventures from the trip, like navigating the Nairobi airport, her matatu driver planning how to avoid being carjacked, being escorted by villagers so she wouldn’t be kidnapped, and learning about the bribery system in Kenya.

Brenda reflected, “It was life-changing and eye-opening, realizing what an excess we have here and how much you can do with so much less. I think everybody should go to another country.”

These days, Brenda volunteers with Project Linus, a nonprofit that provides homemade blankets and quilts of all types and materials to any organization that comes into contact with children who could benefit from a blanket. This includes hospitals, law enforcement, fire departments, DFCS (Georgia Division of Family and Children Services), and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates).

Founded in 1995, Project Linus has over 300 active chapters and has donated more than 9,500,000 blankets to children. This October, Brenda became the coordinator for the northwest Georgia chapter in Catoosa, Chattooga, Dade, and Walker counties. She collects, labels, and distributes the blankets.

“Right now, we’re trying to get our inventory built up,” she reported. “There’s just so many opportunities, and it’s not expensive—you can make a twin-sized blanket for $8.” Project Linus sent many blankets to areas of North Carolina and Tennessee affected by Hurricane Helene, and Brenda hopes to have more ready to send in January.

The Dade County team meets the first Friday of each month at 10 a.m. at the Dade County Public Library, and all are welcome to join. The team is putting together kits for anyone who wants to make blankets but doesn’t have the supplies.

For more information, check out the Facebook group called “Project Linus of Northwest Georgia,” or call Brenda at 423-802-1601.

Another way Brenda (with the help of Robert and many volunteers) plays a part in our community is by coordinating monthly luncheons tailored toward senior citizens. At noon on the first Wednesday of each month, all seniors are invited to join in feasting and fellowship at New Salem Methodist Church.

Ruth Keeton started a similar tradition years ago, but she has since died. The McKaigs explained that the COVID-19 era combined with disaffiliating from the United Methodist Church made for a challenging season for their church. “When all of that happened, I felt that we needed fellowship,” said Brenda. “We needed to recover. I started it in March 2022 mainly as a reason to get together.”

She plans the meals, and volunteers make as much at home as possible. The crew includes Sandra McKaig, Sharon Bradford, Melda Morton, Angie Dean, Susan Frost, many of their husbands, and others who have helped from time to time. Wylene Fauscett serves as the greeter at the door. Desserts are potluck style with other attendees bringing an array of treats.

While the luncheons average about 50 people, they never know how many will come. Comparing it to the miracle of Jesus feeding the 5,000 with five loaves and two fish, Brenda said, “We have never yet run out of food. I don’t know how that happens. It’s a miracle and a blessing.” There’s often even enough for leftovers to be taken to the homebound and sick.

The gatherings sometimes feature programs about a variety of subjects. For example, the American Legion Post 106 performed a flag ceremony at one of the gatherings, which was greatly enjoyed. Joey Middleton, a spelunker, has also shared about his caving adventures. The group hopes to feature more presentations on interesting subjects in the future, so reach out if you know of a good program idea.

The McKaigs are pleased that the gatherings have accomplished their goal of combating loneliness and building community. Many widows and widowers attend. Noting that widowers seem to be overlooked more so than widows, Brenda commented, “One fellow said this is the only time he is around other people.”

Throughout their lives, the McKaigs have grown strong roots in this community, but these roots go back to the 1830s when Robert’s family first came to Lookout and Brenda’s family came to the Walker side of the mountain. They are the seventh or eighth generation of their family to live here.

Brenda reflected, “These roots, these physical roots, matter. You can’t just disregard where you came from. These roots have been passed to us. Both of our kids now live on the mountain, and we hope to make a place for the grandkids if they want to be here too. Our kids have traveled the world and seen other countries, but they still want to call this home.”