Launch

Go, dog, go

For several years, White Rock-area resident Erica Upham has spent a large chunk of her time exercising, as one must when aiming to qualify for (or preparing to compete in) the world’s most famous footrace, the Boston Marathon. Training for marathons while working full time and managing life’s daily responsibilities is doable but difficult. Upham, who possesses both an entrepreneurial and animal-loving spirit, figured out a way to do it all — run regularly, spend quality time with her dogs and other fleet-footed training partners, and earn a respectable income.

Until a few months ago, Upham worked at University of Texas at Dallas in the career center, where she gave students advice about their resumes and interviewing skills. “It was cool to see them go off to do things they love to do,” she says. Unfortunately, she was not as enthusiastic about her own career.

A few weeks after her May 31 wedding, she set up a website for Out of the Kennel, hoping to get a few pet-related jobs here and there. Having done plenty of unpaid pet sitting for friends and family, she knew she would enjoy the work.

“I thought it would be a hobby,” she says. But it quickly became difficult to manage everything. She received an offer for another position at UT-Dallas. When she didn’t feel particularly excited about the opportunity, “that was a real clue” that she should think about following her dream, she says. After just a few weeks in business, Upham quit her job to devote all her time to Out of the Kennel. With her wedding paid for and no big financial responsibilities on the horizon, she says, “I thought, it’s now or never It was a great time to take a risk.”

Among other services, she offers dog running for pets that need a little more exercise than a standard walk (except when it is too hot). Upham has been a runner since she was in the ninth grade. She’s run six marathons the most recent was fast enough to gain her entry into the 2015 Boston Marathon. She trains with the Dallas Running Club two days a week, and the responsibility of running with her high-energy canine clients motivates her the rest of the time, she says.

“I love dogs. I love the outdoors, running and walking,” she says. She also appreciates her clientele: “Everyone I work with is a huge animal lover.”

Her own canine family — Samson the schnoodle and Winston the Airedale terrier — have it good at the Upham house. “We treat our dogs like children,” she says. “We even make food and dog treats for them.”

So today Upham is among those lucky people who love their jobs. “Being around dogs and cats is so enjoyable,” she says, “I don’t feel like I’m working.”

—Larra Keel

FOR MORE INFORMATION, visit outofthekennel.com or call 972.364.7019.

Exploring Your Construction Checklist

KNOWLEDGE OF YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

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(214) 823-0033

6318 Gaston Avenue Suite 202 Dallas, Texas 75214 www.bellavistacompany.com

What gives?

Small ways that you can make a big difference for nonprofits

Support Lake Highlands High School football …

when you buy a Black Out T-shirt from a LHHS cheerleader for $12. A portion of the proceeds will go to a local charity (at time of publication, still to be determined).

Lake Highlands-based business Herb’s Paint and Body sponsored the T-shirt project. Black Out shirts are designed for wear at this season’s Wildcat football games, especially the fan-designated Black Out game versus rival Berkner Rams Sept. 26. To purchase a shirt, contact Glenda Gerteisen at 214.912.3278 or glenda9920@swbell.net. For a complete Wildcat Football schedule, visit lhwildcatclub.org.

Take five … miles, that is. The Dallas Running Club hosts the annual Breakfast Bash run at Winfrey Point at White Rock Lake Sept. 6 at 8 a.m. The Dallas Running Club is a nonprofit group that promotes good health. Membership is $30 per annum (discounts are available for families, students and seniors) and includes a free race the first Saturday of most months. DRC races are $10 each for non-members. Register for the race or membership at dallasrunningclub.com. Race day registration also is available at Winfrey Point from 6:30-7:30 a.m.

Confirm fall’s arrival …

… by plucking the perfect pumpkin. Yes, nothing says autumn in Lake Highlands like the late-September appearance of the annual pumpkin patch at St. James Episcopal Church on Audelia Road at McCree. Pumpkin purchase proceeds benefit the church’s youth group. Look for the pumpkins the last Sunday in September through Oct. 31. St. James is located at 9845 McCree.

KNOW OF WAYS that neighbors can spend time, attend an event, or purchase or donate something to benefit a neighborhood nonprofit? Email your suggestion to launch@advocatemag.com.

A lifelong athlete, Patty Heitz found herself sidelined by shoulder problems. She went to her local Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas when pain lingered after rotator cuff surgery at another hospital. Tests revealed a serious staph infection that went all the way into the bone. Surgery to remove the affected bone and tissue plus antibiotic implants and injections cleared the way for a reverse shoulder replacement procedure. She regained full motion in the affected shoulder, but twinges of pain in the other shoulder sent her back to Baylor Dallas for a second rotator cuff surgery. With both shoulders back on track, Patty returned to the course. “Now if I don’t play well,” she jokes, “I can’t blame it on my shoulders.”

For a physician referral or for more information about orthopedic services, call 1.800.4BAYLOR or visit us online at BaylorHealth.com/DallasOrtho

City View Antique Mall

The kids are back in school! Indulge in a little shopping relaxation for yourself! Start planning for the holidays with antiques & accessories from our 65 dealers! Open daily. 6830 Walling Lane (Skillman/Abrams) 214.752.3071 cityviewantiques.homestead.com

T.HEE GREETINGS

Happy fall y’all. It’s tail gate time! T. Hee Greetings-9661 Ste.110, Lake Highlands. 214.747.5800 t-heegifts.com

The Store In Lake Highlands

HAPPY EVERYTHING...Start a collection with just one platter and collect a different attachment for eveyr holiday & special occasion. It’s a functional piece & decoration.10233 E NW Hwy @ Ferndale (near Albertsons) 214.553.8850 Mon-Sat 9:30-5:30

TheStoreinLH.com

Painting With A Twist

Express your inner artist! Instructors lead attendees in creating paintings with a featured piece of art. Bring your imagination and beverage. Perfect for private parties and complimentary valet parking. 5202 W. Lovers Lane 214.350.9911 paintingwithatwist.com/dallas

THEgoods

Advocate Ornament

Call 214.560.4203

Advocate Goods

More than 200,000 sets of eyes are checking out these items right now. Get your specialty items or featured products in front of your neighbors that love to shop local for unique items. Read online at advocatemag.com/digital

Easy green

Stacie Bon has always enjoyed gardening. It’s a love passed down from her mother and her grandmother (who is 100 years old now). Bon has a vivid childhood memory of one of her grandmother’s plants — some hen and chicks succulents potted in a metal container on her back steps.

Bon took the name of that plant for her gardening blog, henandchix.com. She started the blog to share information with her friends and family. But while Bon has a green thumb and an interest in landscape design, she realizes that many people aren’t so plant-savvy. “I love gardening, and I wanted to show people you don’t have to be a horticulturist to have a nice garden,” she says. “It doesn’t have to be complicated.”