Woman and dog make good team at work, home

Augustine "Tina" Rhodes' second chance at motherhood changed her life in more ways than one.

The self-professed 47-year-old "born again mom" began taking care of two grandchildren several years ago, and she hasn't looked back. And in all honesty, they haven't given her the time to, she said.

Between the tae kwon doe and swim team classes for 10-year-old Trey and the task of keeping the children entertained, Ms. Rhodes is one busy lady.

Still, for her, it's the way she wants it.

"The key to good kids is keeping them busy," Ms. Rhodes said, as she wheels a white SUV onto a dirt track that cuts through Augusta Regional Airport, where she has been the wildlife management agent since 2001.

Ms. Rhodes said she took the job -- which consists of keeping all kinds of critters, especially birds, from interfering with the airplanes -- because she wanted to be able to spend time with the kids.

"I traded my heels for boots," said Ms. Rhodes, who worked as an airport receptionist before taking her current job. Most of her day is spent with Mayday, the airport's border collie, who is trained to scare birds from the property. Ms. Rhodes cares for Mayday full time, and she claims the dog is the best co-worker she's ever had.

"She is the airport's dog, but she is my friend," she said. "It's work here (at the airport), love each other at home."

Mayday and Ms. Rhodes inspect the grounds for the deer, foxes and birds that might interfere with the flights.

With just a command from Ms. Rhodes, Mayday will spring from the car and into the tall grasses that make up the bulk of Augusta Regional Airport's property -- scattering flocks of egrets and starlings that land there.

The two met in 2001. In a coincidence that Ms. Rhodes said was a sign the two would be perfect together, both she and Mayday suffered injuries to their right legs about the same time -- Mayday from a snakebite, Ms. Rhodes from a car accident.

"We were out at the same time, and we came to each other at the same time," she said. "When she was laid up, I was laid up, and she has been with me ever since."

She and Mayday work an "invisible job," Ms. Rhodes said. If she is doing it right, no one will ever know they're there because bird strikes will be kept at a minimum. It's the way Ms. Rhodes wants it. And it's the way she said Mayday would want it too.

Reach Adam Folk at (706) 823-3339 or adam.folk@augustachronicle.com.