Vault: This Woman Was Fired For Saving A Dog!

Summary

The Bert Show Episode Summary

Podcast: The Bert Show
Episode Title: Vault: This Woman Was Fired For Saving A Dog!
Date: January 16, 2026
Host/Cast: Bert, Jeff, Valerie Cheatham (guest), and various cast/callers

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Episode Overview

This episode centers on the controversy involving Valerie Cheatham, a longtime assistant manager at Neiman Marcus, who was fired after intervening in a situation where two dogs were left in a hot car. The show's hosts and callers discuss the ethical, moral, and legal implications of Valerie's actions, critique the response from Neiman Marcus, and debate the responsibilities of employees and pet owners alike. The tone is candid, outspoken, and supportive of Valerie.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Incident Breakdown

• Valerie Cheatham’s Actions [(00:11) & (03:15)]:

  • Valerie, seeing two dogs locked in a hot car (sunroof open, windows slightly cracked; reported temp was 89–90°F), tries to get water to the animals.
  • She removes her shoes, gets on the hood to reach the sunroof, but is confronted by the car’s owner, Ramona Lindsay, who yells and files a complaint.
  • Valerie is fired by Neiman Marcus for "inappropriate behavior."

• Details from Multiple Angles:

  • Police and Bystanders note community concern; other customers and an off-duty officer (working store security) observed the situation and couldn't intervene due to job restrictions [(03:30)].
  • Owner’s Defense: Ramona Lindsay claims the dogs were fine due to open sunroof and that she was gone 15–40 minutes [(00:49)].
  • Animal Welfare Facts: Humane Society representatives clarify that even with open windows, a car can heat up to deadly levels rapidly [(02:23)].

2. The Moral Debate

• Universal Outrage: All show hosts express disbelief and support Valerie’s actions, emphasizing animal safety over property or customer status [(01:52), (09:06)].
• Comparison to Child Neglect:
  • Bert and others draw direct comparisons, asking if people would ever accept leaving a child in similar circumstances [(08:10)].
  • Valerie provides a somber reminder of a local child’s death under similar conditions [(08:31)].

3. Corporate Responsibility and Customer Status

• Neiman Marcus Criticized [(09:34)]:
  • Show suggests the store prioritized a big-spending customer over an employee’s ethical decision.
  • Discussion includes speculation about the influence of customer spending history on the outcome [(09:34), (13:33)].
  • Valerie refutes the idea that spending should affect decisions regarding life or safety [(07:45)].
• Mall Security and Animal Training: Valerie questions the proficiency of mall security and police in handling animal welfare emergencies [(06:38)].

4. Valerie’s Perspective and Aftermath

• Her Position:

  • Valerie is clear she’d repeat her actions to protect any creature in distress, regardless of personal cost [(01:36), (07:45)].
  • She has no interest in pursuing legal recourse against Neiman Marcus, focusing instead on future employment [(10:44)].

• Public Support and Job Offers:

  • Callers from the business and HR community offer Valerie job opportunities live on-air [(15:11)].
  • Cast and callers encourage listeners to protest Neiman Marcus’ decision by boycotting the store [(16:02), (17:33)].

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Valerie on Her Actions:

  • "If I had to do over, I would do it again." [(01:36)]
  • "Tonight I'm going to go home and sleep like a baby. And I hope the people in corporate can do the same." [(01:46)]

• Animal Safety Facts [(02:23)]:

  • "On an 85 degree day... in 10 minutes the temperature in a car climbs to 102 degrees. In 20 minutes... to 120 degrees... That causes brain damage, death, ruptured blood vessel. I mean, it can kill your dog."

• Valerie on Priorities [(07:45)]:

  • "This whole thing is not about me. It's not about her. I want people just to think about the animals that we share our lives with... we should put their needs before ours."

• Critique of Corporate Priorities [(09:34)]:

  • Bert: "Maybe Neiman Marcus takes a look at that and says, well, this woman is a big spender here... it's gonna be easier for us to lose an employee than it is $50,000 spender."

• Valerie's Exit [(16:55)]:

  • Bert: "If Neiman Marcus came back... said, 'Oof, boy, did we screw things up... Why don't you come on back, we'll give you another $10,000,' would you take your job back at Neiman Marcus?"
    Valerie: "Not after I had the heart attack." [(16:55)]

• Listener Support:

  • Multiple business professionals call in to offer Valerie employment [(15:11–15:55)].

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• The Incident News Recap: 00:11 – 01:45
• Ethical/Moral Debate Among Hosts: 01:52 – 04:20
• Valerie Cheatham Joins Live: 03:15
• Details of the Confrontation: 03:30 – 04:20
• Animal Welfare Science: 02:23, 04:44
• Neiman Marcus Response & Corporate Speculation: 06:35 – 09:56
• Call-In Job Offers and Listener Reactions: 15:11 – 16:02
• Discussion of Boycott as Protest: 16:02 – 17:51
• Closing Remarks and Farewells: 17:51 – end

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Conclusion

This Bert Show episode powerfully explores what happens when corporate priorities and ethical action collide. Valerie Cheatham is overwhelmingly supported for her intervention to save dogs in danger, with both the hosts and listeners questioning Neiman Marcus' values. The discussion broadens to larger questions about animal welfare, corporate accountability, and doing "the right thing" even when it costs you. Valerie's integrity and public support are at the heart of the episode, with many listeners inspired to act both for her and for animal safety going forward.

Transcript

[A]

The Bird Show. You guys might have seen this story on 11 Alive a couple of days ago. If you did, I'm sure you were as infuriated about it as we were when we got wind of it also.

[B]

So it was quite a scene.

[C]

And Valerie Cheatham, assistant manager of Precious Jewelry at Neiman Marcus, was in the middle of it. On August 2, two of my co.

[B]

Workers and an Atlanta City police officer who works part time for us were pointing out the windows, saying that there were two dogs locked in a car in the parking deck.

[C]

Cheatham says it was 90 degrees. She got the number for animal control and went to write down the tag number on the black BMW when she realized the sunroof was open and decided to get some water to the dogs.

[B]

Because the car was so tall, I could not reach inside. So I took my shoes off and got on the hood, and that's when the owner came out yelling, screaming, cursing.

[C]

The owner of the dogs, Ramona Lindsey, says cheatham damaged her $80,000 car. She complained about Cheatham's actions to store managers and filed a police report on the telephone. The owner of the dogs, Ramona Lindsay, told us she loves her animals and that they go everywhere with her and that on this day, she left her sunroof open and her window slightly cracked. She says her dogs were fine. But in the police report, the officer says other customers complained of seeing the dogs in the car. And Atlanta Humane Society officials say even with the sunroof open, the temperature can climb to 105 degrees in under five minutes. Lindsay, who says she spends thousands of dollars a year at the store, says she was trying on clothes for between 15 and 40 minutes. Cheatham was fired for improper behavior. If you had to do over, I would do it again.

[B]

I told our human resources manager that I was 46 years old. I've never been fired from a job. I'd given almost 10 years of my life to that company. But I said, tonight I'm going to go home and sleep like a baby. And I hope the people in corporate can do the same.

[A]

Can you believe it?

[D]

For her. Good for her for doing that. Absolutely.

[A]

What do you think, Jeff?

[E]

I just.

[A]

I.

[E]

Fascinating.

[A]

Speaks for itself, huh?

[E]

Yeah, same thing. I emailed you before. I'll never shop at that store again.

[A]

Yeah.

[E]

Neiman Marcus.

[D]

Because Ramona.

[E]

Any of them.

[D]

Because Ramona Lindsay. That's the name of the woman who. The dog owner. She. She enjoys that car more than she enjoys her. Like, she's upset about her $80,000 car, and she's got two lives in the car that she put at risk.

[F]

Now, she said she was in there from 15 to 40 minutes. And I'm a member of the Humane Society, and I have these little stat.

[A]

You here, she's ready to go.

[F]

On an 85 degree day, okay, just 85 now, it was hotter than that. In 10 minutes, the temperature in a car climbs to 102 degrees. In 20 minutes, the temperature climbs to 120 degrees. On an 85 degree day, she was in there between 15 and 40 minutes. That causes brain damage, death, ruptured blood vessel. I mean, it can kill your dog. And there was actually an arrest made not two weeks ago for another person who had locked dogs in their car. It just hit. It's the worst thing to do. And I would have done, say I would have broken window, though.

[A]

Now she's saying, she's saying that, well, my sunroof was open, so they were getting air. Everything was fine.

[F]

Yeah, there's not circulation.

[A]

Well, Valerie Cheatham was the assistant manager at Neiman Marcus in Buckhead. And like she says during the 11Alive clip there, she was there for 10 years of service, and she's the employee that got fired. And Valerie's on with us right now. Hey, Valerie.

[G]

Hi.

[C]

Good morning.

[A]

How are you today?

[G]

Fine, thank you.

[A]

I mean, shocked. Like, how did this all go down? After Ramona obviously got upset that you climbed on her car, she goes back in and talks to your manager and tell us about that conversation.

[G]

Well, what happened was that after she was yelling at me, told me to get off the car, there was a bit more confrontation. She said she wanted to smack me in the face, but she didn't want to be arrested. She knocked the water out of my hand, said, get your GD water out of here. Said she was going to call the police. And at that moment, I realized the police would be a good idea. And there was a police officer who was there watching what happened, because she worked security for us but could not leave her post. So I wanted to get the police also. So that's when I said, come on, let's go inside. And when we walked inside, that's when I tried to drop into the background and she started yelling and screaming at the officer.

[D]

I'm curious, did it say in that clip what kind of dogs these were? I mean, I'm assuming.

[A]

Can I guess?

[D]

Like, little? Yeah, I'm assuming because I make just.

[A]

This side of a ferret dog. Yeah.

[D]

Cause I make a conscious effort not to take my big golden retriever in my car in the summertime. There's, I mean, he is so wanting a car ride and I can't give it to him because I'm a responsible pet owner. Ramona Lindsay's dogs.

[G]

How I hate to disappoint you. One was a standard poodle. The other one actually I never saw. I just had an impression of a smaller white dog. But the standard poodle was the one that got out of the car twice and tried to come into the store.

[A]

Really?

[D]

Yeah. Just wanted the air conditioning.

[G]

I don't know.

[A]

404-741-1005 so let me just set the scene here again. You're inside the store and somebody comes into you and complains about this car. You don't know who Ramona Lindsay is at that point?

[G]

No, I was walking back into my apart to the co workers and the police officer were pointing out the door, which is glass. And to say that there were the two dogs locked in the parking lot. I did not realize this was even Animan Marcus client because she was in the common parking lot. She could have been in any of 200 stores.

[E]

What?

[A]

What?

[E]

Do you know what time of day, Remember what time of day it was and what the temperature was about?

[G]

Yeah, it was a bus o' clock in the afternoon. And I did look online after all this happened and at that time it was 89 degrees.

[A]

89 degrees at that point. So I'm really interested in the response from Neiman Marcus. So this woman complains because you walked on her car. I'm assuming you took your shoes off.

[D]

I did.

[A]

All right, so you get on the hood of her car and you have what, a bowl of water in hand to give to the dogs. Inside the car I have a little.

[G]

Plastic bowl and a plastic bottle of water. And I had been on there for about two seconds because I didn't even have time to get up to the sunroof, which, interesting enough, she complained that there were scratches on her sunroof which was open.

[H]

Right.

[D]

You didn't even make it the dogs.

[E]

But that you never touched.

[G]

I never touched.

[D]

Right.

[E]

What was the reason for your dismissal?

[G]

They said inappropriate behavior. I was told that Neiman Marcus position was that I should have gone through proper channels. That is calling mall security, which that's what I was doing with the phone number for animal control. I did find out, however, after all this happened and I was terminated. I got a copy of the police report that said that the officer who took the report had had several complaints also and had called mall security. And mall security went out, saw that the sunroof was open and said those dogs are okay. But my question is, what kind of training do mall security personnel or even police officers have on animal welfare? Because there are beginning and intermediate feature threats, and a dog should not have to be comatose before someone decides it's too late.

[A]

Val, I'm not saying that this is right. This is just, it seems like an obvious question. Do you know the spending history of Ramona at Neiman Marcus?

[G]

Not at all. And I don't think that should be an issue. One thing that I'm afraid that people are going to lose, focus on this. Because for me, this whole thing is not about me. It's not about her. I want people just to think about the animals that we share our lives with and that we should put. I think we should put their needs before ours.

[D]

Well, you know, part of me wonders if people should ask the question, even though I'm not sure if people who would leave their animals in a hot car would be able to determine, but I'm hoping they will. Like, would you leave your baby in that car? You know, if you say no, then you can't leave another life in that car. It is still alive. You know, and then you can't use.

[A]

The answer that I love my. I love my pets. They're in the car with me all the time.

[G]

Well, the one thing that was in my mind this whole thing was, I don't know if you remember two years ago, the little three year old who was left in a car about a block away from Margulis.

[A]

Of course.

[G]

And she was not on the top deck where there was no sun. She was even in, you know, in the lower parking deck where there was shade and was checked on several times during the day by her mother. And she died.

[E]

Well, see, to me, that's. I mean, all the stuff leading up to it, like, that's all irrelevant. Like the dogs being left in the car. It's just a situation. Like, I'm more upset that you have lost your job.

[D]

Oh, yeah, absolutely.

[E]

Because regardless of whether it's dogs in a car or a lost child or a shoplifter or a man hitting a small child or a woman or whatever, you attempted to intervene on something for the better good. And rather than praising you for going above and beyond the call of duty to be, I mean.

[A]

My assumption is this woman spends 30, 40, $50,000 at Neiman Marcus every year. My assumption, she's driving around in an $80,000 car. She's driving around with the dogs in the car. That's just my Assumption. I may be totally out of line, but maybe Neiman Marcus takes a look at that and says, well, this woman is a big spender here. I mean, it's gonna be easier for us to lose an employee than it is $50,000 spender.

[D]

I mean, I'm angry that they fired her. And I'm also angry at Ramona Lindsay. I'm saying her last name so that her friends know exactly what she did, that she didn't take responsibility for her actions. You know, this is. Goes into play with that. Like you, she is someone who's obviously, I don't know. You have to take responsibility for your actions, even if you're embarrassed. If you've done something wrong, then don't. Now a woman has lost her job because Ramona got embarrassed.

[A]

Before we jump to conclusions about things, we do have Ramona's phone number. So we should at least try to get her on to tell her side of the story. You want to try to get her on? Mm. Hold on one second, Valerie.

[G]

Okay, sure.

[A]

Have you talked to her yet, face to face?

[G]

Oh, no, no.

[E]

Just since she did the attempted slap, slap, slap.

[F]

Valerie, do you have any recourse with your former employer?

[G]

I don't know, and that's really not something that I want to concentrate on now. To concentrate on me and becoming gainfully employed again.

[F]

Right.

[E]

I'm sure you won't have any problem finding a job. How long did you work there?

[G]

It would have been nine. It was nine years back in March.

[E]

Is this Ramona?

[A]

Hold on one sec.

[E]

Hi, Ramona. It's Jeff Dollar with the Birch Show, Q100 radio. I'm wondering if we could talk down the air for just a second. Talk to you? Jeff Dollar with the Birch show at Q100 radio. The story that was on 11 Alive. What's your attorney's name? I have to call her back. She hung up. Got disconnected.

[A]

Oh, she must have Beth bet cell phone. You think so? She won't. Come on. What'd she say? Call my attorney.

[E]

Yeah, but she's got to tell me our attorney's name before I do that.

[A]

That Nugent dude. Hold on. The phone calls are starting to come in.

[F]

I don't think that he would take her case.

[D]

Right.

[A]

Even I can't help you. One call doesn't do it all here. Sorry.

[F]

Sorry. You locked your dogs in the car.

[A]

Hey, Terry, you're on all the hits. Q100. Hi. Hey.

[H]

Hi, everyone.

[A]

Hi.

[H]

I'm just curious. I'm a dog owner. And I'm a human resources manager. And I'm just curious to know, what grounds did they terminate you on? I mean, what did they say when they terminated you for?

[G]

That it was coded as inappropriate behavior.

[H]

Well, I would sue them for wrongful termination. I mean, clearly there was a reason why you went out to, you know, the car and, you know, if there was no damage to the car, I just can't believe that they would fire you over something like that. I mean, so it's so clear that you were trying to help. And I think somebody said it earlier, people are so selfish when it comes to their pets. You know, it's all about them. I love my dog, so I'm going to take my dog and leave them in a, you know, 105 degree car. It's just ridiculous. And if I were you, the advice I would give you as a human resources professional, I would sue them for wrongful termination. I mean, clearly there were witnesses there that saw that the dogs were in the car. They weren't properly ventilated.

[G]

It was hot.

[H]

And I would sue them for wrongful termination.

[A]

Didn't Jessica come in here one day and tell us that it was actually okay for you to bring dogs in the Neiman Marcus?

[E]

No, I think that's Bloomingdale's, which, by the way, is a much better store than Neiman Marcus.

[G]

Neiman Marcus is dog friendly. We have customers, had customers that would regularly bring in their smaller dogs in the carriers, and. And those dogs had fun because they would come out and the sales associates and would all play with them and they had attention.

[A]

So she could have brought the dogs in the store and nobody would have kicked her out for that. Especially if she's spending money. A big spender. Yeah.

[D]

Now, Valor, I'm curious, do you think this is also a case of the squeaky wheel gets the oil? Because you said once you got back into the store, and I'm not justifying it, I'm just curious, you got back into the store and you said you kind of at that point wanted to, you know, lay low. And it was Ramona Lindsay who made the biggest stink as soon as she got in the store. And they just kind of, you know, caved to her.

[G]

Well, once I walked into the store, I realized, you know, now I am on Neiman Marcus property as an employee. So I just throwed a sidle behind the police officer and didn't say another word to her, even though she was calling me names. She even said, I hope you're somebody because I'm going to have your job.

[F]

You can so get Such a good visual of what exactly transpired when you walked in the store. You just see this woman up in arms screaming. You're kind of like, it wasn't me. Leave me alone.

[G]

Like, I'm not happening. And where's my office?

[D]

Now, that's an inappropriate time, Jen. When Ramona Lindsay pitched a fit that she should not have pitched a fit, right?

[F]

Ramona Lindsay.

[D]

You're talking about Ramona Lindsay.

[E]

Okay, we. I just called her, and the first time she said, you need to speak to my attorney, and then hung up on me. And I called back, and she won't give me her attorney's name. And then the third time I called, she just won't answer. Okay, So I don't think she has an attorney. I think she.

[D]

I don't think you're anybody, though. That's why she didn't.

[E]

I don't think she has an attorney.

[G]

I wanted to tell her she could have my job, but then she wouldn't be able to afford the $80,000 home.

[A]

Did you call her up, Jeff, and tell her that you're the guy that does the stuff at the Braves games in between innings? Does she know? I don't.

[E]

Yeah, I think she's actually been the drill in the tool race before.

[A]

Hey, Jennifer.

[H]

Yes.

[A]

Hi. Hi.

[H]

How are you guys?

[A]

Good, thank you.

[H]

Well, I am a regional recruiter for limited brands, and we actually are dog.

[G]

Lovers, and I love to talk to.

[H]

Her about an opportunity to come work for us.

[A]

Valerie, is this kind of job that you're looking for?

[H]

I'm sorry?

[A]

Is this the kind of job that you're looking for?

[G]

You know, it could be. I'm not so sure I want retail again.

[E]

Well, I think the limited customers are much less high maintenance than the even customers.

[A]

Yeah.

[G]

But I would like to talk to you.

[H]

Well, I'd love to give you my information because we actually represent the Limited Express, Victoria's Secret and Bath and Body Works, and I handle all the store managers and above positions. So I'd love to talk to her, get her in touch.

[A]

All I heard was Victoria's Secret. Hold on.

[F]

Can we get a gift card for theirs?

[A]

Valerie, a whole bunch of people are calling up and actually offering you jobs. And like Jeff said, we knew this would happen.

[F]

Well, and I. I'm so glad everybody's being so generous with offering Valerie jobs. But I also think that the loudest voice you can have is not shopping at Neiman Marcus. I mean, that's what we always talk about, is that, you know, taking a stand.

[D]

Absolutely.

[F]

I mean, Your money is where it's going to hurt them the most.

[D]

Because that's why I say Ramona Lindsay's name. I mean, get mad at me for keeping saying her name, but she's the one that put the dogs in her car. And she's the one that took this woman's job. And Neiman Marcus is the one that allowed her to come into the store, badmouth their employee, put these dogs, lives in danger that their employee was trying to be a hero about, and let her go. So absolutely take action.

[A]

When 11Alive called Neiman Marcus, a corporate spokesperson says they don't comment on personal issues or personnel issues. There you go, Valerie, if Neiman Marcus came back to you tomorrow and said, oof, boy, did we screw things up. We handle things totally incorrectly there. Why don't you come on back, we'll give you another $10,000, would you take your job back at Neiman Marcus?

[G]

Not after I had the heart attack.

[A]

You don't think they call?

[G]

I don't think they call.

[A]

You think there's no chance. So no way, nothing they could do to make it right for you?

[G]

It's not that.

[F]

Maybe they could pay for some public service announcements about not leaving dogs in hot cars.

[G]

Maybe a nice donation to the Home Pet Foundation.

[F]

There you go.

[E]

I think in regardless of that, I mean, they made a wrong decision, and I don't see any reason for anyone to shop there. Like what? You know.

[A]

Well, like Jen is saying, the only way that you really get to protest in a place like this, unless you're going out there with signs, is just not work. I mean, it's just not shop there.

[D]

I mean, this is a. This is a country of money, and they let money speak to them. When they made their decision, they, you know, like Bert had said, we are insinuating, but that Ramona Lindsay was a regular there, probably spent a lot of money there, and Neiman Marcus took her side. So money speaks. So, you know, don't shop there.

[A]

All right, Valerie, we'd love to keep in touch with you, and we want to get your email address and phone number, too, because there's a whole bunch of people that really want to help you out in this whole thing.

[G]

Well, thank you so much for calling me. I appreciate it.

[A]

All right. Thank you for coming on with us. Sure to appreciate it also. Bye now. The bird show.