February 2014

Austin Woman Magazine

“Happiness is a warm puppy.” —Charles M. Schulz

FEBRUARY 2014

1/22/14 3:06 PM

0412Cover.indd 1

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BRENDA LEE FELDMAN CEO, Inchbug

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DENICE BETTENCOURT In Support of Family & Friends

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DIANA MALDONADO Morgan Stanley

ANITA BRAUN

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SISSI GALLOWAY RE/MAX River City

KRISTI MCKENZIE, MD, PA Obstetrics and Gynecology

A heart-felt THANK YOU to the staff of BANG for providing hair and makup for the ladies of Go Red.

www.bangaustin.com Executive Team Members: Olivia Juarez, Anna Sanchez, Rina Patel, Sharon Hopkins and Teresa Alvarez

Bang Salon and Day Spa Owner, Shaune Haas

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SPEAK RED

MICA MOSBACHER

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CINDY NIELS

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KAY ODER, CBPA Insperity

SARA W. PANTIN

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AMY PORTER

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AMY REINARZ

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BRIDGETTE REINCKE The Reincke Group

8th Annual

Go Red For Women® Photo Campaign

by Korey Howell Photography to benefit the American Heart Association

Because of my family history, once a year I ask my clients to join me in the fight against the #1 killer of women - heart disease. Every woman you see here has made a generous contribution to the American Heart Association.

Speak Red. Heart disease is no match for the power of women’s voices.

SUSAN SALCH

Austin Humane Society Volunteer

KAREN SHULTZ

Brilliant Ideas Group

OLYMPIA SOBANDE - DONNA SOBANDE Korey Howell Photography - Austin Telco

LUCI TEMPLE

Farmers Insurance,® Owner

RENAYE THORNBORROW AdventuresInWisdom.com

KARIN TRUXILLO, BROKER In Memory of Nicole Truxillo

Indicates continuing participation in this annual photo campaign.

GENA VANOSSELAER - VICTORIA VANOSSELAER Nonprofit Consulting - Korey Howell Photography

DR. KIM WAMPLER, OD Cedar Park Vision Center

LESLIE WARD

VP External Affairs, AT&T

DR. TENESHA WARDS KRIS WHITFIELD Infinity Wellness Center

Mayor Pro-Tem, City of Round Rock & Co-Owner CheckSmart

In Memoriam - Diane Graden 1948-2013

Heart disease kills more women than all forms of cancer combined. This year, I lost my dear friend and the one who first introduced me to the American Heart Association. With your help, we can end the No.1 killer of our mothers, sisters, daughters and friends.

For more information: AustinGoRed.heart.org or contact brooke.brown@heart.org

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Contents F E BRUA RY

74

On the Cover

MISSY MCCULLOUGH Lifelong Animal Advocate.

By Julie Tereshchuk

80

Feature

UNCONDITIONAL LOVE Why dogs are near and dear to a woman’s heart.

Photo by Annie Ray

By Molly McManus

Contents february

62 on the scene

style

savvy women

26 5 things

54 CANINE COUTURE Doggy Style

93 all the right questions Are You

56 fashion Splurge or Steal?

Ready For a Dog?

28 around town

Photos from Austin Events

30 philanthropy Go Red for Women Summit 32 spotlight event 34 horoscopes

Cupid’s Undie Run

Happy Birthday, Aquarius!

must list 36 Pet organizations Austin’s Dog

94 job envy

gourmet

96 last word Tail-wagging Love at First Sight

58 Dog-Friendly Dining 62 romantic dining

Chowhound

Aphrodisiacs

to your health

Services

68 fitness

40 Must read Paws for a Good Book

70 health Four-Legged Therapists

44 must love dogs AW Readers Love Their Dogs

72 Expert Opinion

home

opposite sex

46 Floral i nspiration Red Roses and Beyond

High-Flying Aerial Art

Keeping Heart Healthy

86 memo from JB

Death Row Dogs

Sanctuary

88 Relationships

V-Day Dilemma

52 GUILTY P LEASURE Sinfully Soft

90 simply irresistible

48 interior design Creating a Bedroom

14 Austin Woman F E B R U A R y 2 0 1 4

Melanie McLeroy

John Faught

on the cover Photo by Annie Ray. Makeup by Lauren Lumsden, Rae Cosmetics, 512.320.8732, raecosmetics.com. Puppies courtesy of Dr. John Faught and Brigitte Coon from Firehouse Animal Health Center, firehouseaustin.com.

Photo from The Seduction Cookbook: Culinary Creations for Lovers by Diane Brown.

To Do on Valentine’s Day

Volume 12, issue 6 Co-Founder and Publisher

Melinda Maine Garvey vice president and Co-Publisher

Christopher Garvey associate publisher

Cynthia Guajardo Co-Founder

Samantha Stevens Editor-in-chief

Deborah Hamilton-Lynne associate editor

Molly McManus copy editor

Chantal Rice Art Director

Niki Jones ad designer

Jennifer Day ART ASSISTANT

Nora Iglesias marketing and operations manager

Katie Paschall brand manager

Jasmine Vallejo Account Executives

Kelly Keelan, Alexis Arendas 512.328.2421 contributors

Rudy Arocha, Courtney Bell, Leo B. Carter, Jill Case, Teresa Chang, Jacqui Devaney, Andy East, Kaneisha Grayson, JB Hager, Dana Hansen, Kathy Bell Hargrave, Ashley Hargrove, Lauren Lumsden, Nora Iglesias, Monika Kelley, Carrie Leigh, Jeff Loftin, Deborah Mastelotto, Rachel Merriman, Coby Neal, Nick Paul, Hope Petersen, John Ramspott, Annie Ray, John Pesina, Sarah Quatrano, Megan Russell, Jarred Tennant, Christopher Smith, Elizabeth Breston, Stephanie Stokes, Julie Tereshchuk, David Wheeler Interns

Courtney Bell, Paige Brady, Leo B. Carter, Jacqui Devaney, Sam Jackson, Hope Petersen, Ricky Rodriguez, Megan Russell Austin Woman is a free monthly publication of AW Media Inc. and is available at more than 1,150 locations throughout Austin and in Lakeway, Cedar Park, Round Rock and Pflugerville. All rights reserved. For submission requirements, visit awmediainc.com/contribute. No part of the magazine may be reprinted or duplicated without permission.

Visit us online at austinwomanmagazine.com.

Email us at info@awmediainc.com.

512.328.2421 • 3921 Steck Ave., Suite A111, Austin, TX 78759

From the Editor

FEBRUARY Launch Party Feb. 11, 6 to 8 p.m. at Vom Fass

RSVP: aw.ticketbud.com/austin-woman-magazinefebruary-launch-party

Join us in celebrating the launch of our February Puppy Love issue at Vom Fass. Limited space available. RSVP for you and a friend today!

18 Austin Woman F E B R U A R y 2 0 1 4

brings to pet owners and their charges through her work at Animal Trustees of Austin. Austin is definitely a dog city and we are blessed with an amazing coalition of organizations dedicated to the well-being of our four-legged friends. We introduce you to the women on the forefront of animal advocacy and what they are doing to make our city the most pet-healthy in the U.S. In this issue, we also bring you the puppy loves of our staff and our readers, dog-friendly restaurants, pet products and fashions, tips for training your dog and ways pets are used to help improve the health of Austinites.

Cupid’s arrow would not let us overlook Valentine’s Day. We explore the truth about aphrodisiacs and serve up a sensuous menu, take a look at creating a bedroom sanctuary, speak the language of flowers and feature hot looks for all budgets. We also found five exciting and diverse ways to spend that special evening in a group or with your special someone.

February is also American Heart Month, and while the main focus is on our romantic hearts, it is important to take care of our physical hearts as well. Megan Russell brings us the latest on preventing and treating cardiovascular disease.

I could cite study after study to confirm that having a dog is good for your health.

Patients who have survived heart attacks live longer if they have a pet; having a dog reduces

Is there something you want to tell us?

Whether you have a great story idea we should know about or you want to give us feedback on the magazine, we’d love to hear from you. Email us at submissions@awmediainc.com with “Feedback” in the subject line to tell us your thoughts.

stress and lowers your blood pressure; dogs lessen anxiety in Alzheimer’s patients, as well as autistic children; dog owners make fewer visits to the doctor in general and dogs can even lower your risk for getting the common cold. An impressive list indeed, however, the best health benefit of having a dog comes down to one thing: love. Nothing beats the power of love, and when you have a dog, you can never feel unloved. Love is just a whistle away. Snuggle up with Fido on a cold winter’s day and send us an email about your puppy love. We would love to hear from you.

Here’s to all the dogs I have loved and to all the dogs in your life.

deborah hamilton-lynne Editor-in-Chief

Have a burning relationship question?

It’s the month of love and our relationship expert, Kaneisha Grayson, is dying to answer all of your dating questions! Submit your question to submissions@awmediainc.com with “Ask Kaneisha” in the subject line.

Photo by Kathy Bell Hargrave.

L’amour, l’amour!

Yes, it is February and love is in the air. Love is such a tricky thing. There is love at first sight, never-ending love, unrequited love and, of course, head over heels in love. Poets, philosophers and psychologists try to define love, try to teach us how to love and be loved and try to help us when we fall in and out of love. But for me, the best way to learn about unconditional love is to get a dog.

Throughout my life, I have had many dogs (Susie, Bozo, Baron, Deacon, Caesar, Misha, Lucy and now Bandit and Satchmo) and they have always shown me love and defined pure joy. Dogs are always happy to see you and they don’t try to hide it. They shake, they dance, they yip and they smother you with kisses if you will let them. Each morning, my dogs come bounding out ready to start the day and they remind me of how blessed we are to begin a new day. No matter how long I am gone— hours, days or weeks—they are there to greet me with no hesitation. A dog will comfort you when you are down, make you laugh when you need to and protect you fiercely when they sense that you are in danger. There are so many heroic dog stories and, don’t get me wrong, I love cats too, but have you ever heard of a cat giving up its life to save its owner?

So this issue is dedicated not only to love, but especially to puppy love. What joy could shine brighter than the light in our cover woman Missy McCullough’s eyes as she cradles those adorable pups? And what joy she

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Contributors RUDY AROCHA

COUR TNE Y BELL

ANNIE R AY

Julie Tereshchuk

photographer “UNCONDITIONAL LOVE”

WRITER “Chowhound”

COVER PHOTOGRAPHER “missy mccullough”

COVER WRITER, “missy mccullough”

Page 80

Photographer Rudy Arocha is a native Texan who moved to Austin to pursue his education in fine arts as a sculptor. He later rediscovered his passion for photography when his grandfather gave him a camera as a gift. Rudy graduated from the Art Institue of Austin and specializes in portrait photography. When not photographing, Rudy enjoys music, the outdoors and spending time with his fiancée, Maggie.

After shooting 10 dogs in your studio for this issue, are you considering going in to the dog portrait business?

“I would love to. They are fun and challenging at the same time. The challenge is keeping their attention but when you get the money shot it’s all worth it.”

Page 58

Courtney Bell is from Columbia, Mo. Moving here in 2011 to finish up her degree in English literature from St. Edward’s University, Courtney fell in love with the city of Austin.

Through her internship at Austin Woman, Courtney has learned to find creativity in her surroundings and loves to write about the food culture of Austin. She most enjoys writing about the bar and restaurant culture of Austin.

What Austin restaurant do you like to take your dog to, And why?

“I love taking my dog, Lucy, to Moontower in South Austin. It’s a great outdoor bar with a relaxed vibe and wonderful live music every night of the week. Lucy loves hanging out by the firepits and playing with other local pups. This is just one of many places we like to go together.

South Austin has so many parks, creeks and restaurants that we frequent on a nice afternoon.”

Page 74

Since 2005, Annie Ray has focused on bringing out the “real stuff” in everything she shoots.

You could be a cupcake from the up-and-coming local bakery or a celebrity moonwalking up Madison Avenue. Her relationship with every subject will make 1,000 words say so much more. Annie has a one year old English bulldog named Walter, who is the light of her life. “He is super smart and loves everyone he meets human or animal. Most of all, he LOVES FOOD.” What makes a dog photogenic?

“I have never met a dog who isn’t photogenic. They all have these faces that must be photographed ASAP!”

Page 74

Growing up in England, freelance writer Julie Tereshchuk constantly lobbied her parents to buy a pet. Throughout the years, the campaign by the kid who grew up wanting to be a veterinarian met with limited success.

To fill the void, Julie was always the one who volunteered to take care of the classroom pets when school closed for the summer.

Much to her mother’s horror, Julie arrived home with a succession of caged birds, bunnies and guinea pigs. Today, with a life split between Austin, New York and London, Julie still doesn’t have her own animal companion. However, she’s an unashamed doting aunt to Tulip, the cutest poodle pup in NYC. What did you learn about Animal Trustees that every Austin pet owner should know?

“They welcome all customers. By paying for their extremely affordable wellness services, pet owners are helping support the clinic’s programs, which provide free treatment to those unable to pay.”

have the last word?

We love hearing your stories. Send in your submissions for our April Last Word column for a chance to be published. To be considered, email 500 words or less to submissions@awmediainc.com by March 1. April’s topic: “It’s Not Easy Being Green.”

20 Austin Woman F E B R U A R y 2 0 1 4

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AW COVER WOMEN IN THE NEWS Women’s Fund of Central Texas celebrates its 10th Anniversary A dedicated group of Central Texas women is preparing to celebrate its $1 million milestone of grant giving to nonprofits that make life better for women and children in our community.

“The Women’s Fund of Central Texas started 10 years ago because the needs of women and children in our community are so great,” says MariBen Ramsey, vice president and chief philanthropy officer of the Austin Community Foundation.

During the past decade, more than 50 nonprofits have received grants ranging from $5,000 to $20,000. Organizations receiving grants meet a variety of needs, including health, education, elder care, child care, nutrition, counseling, training and empowerment.

The 2014 nonprofit grant winners will be announced and honored on Feb. 5 at the Power of the Purse Luncheon held at the Four Seasons Hotel Austin. The luncheon’s keynote speaker will be November 2011 AW cover woman, Lynn Meredith, a Women’s Fund member and president of the board of directors for the MFI Foundation. womensfundofcentraltexas.org

2013 Banner Year for Kendra Scott Designs Honestly, we at AW don’t know how she does it. Our October 2006 cover woman, super entrepreneur and fashion icon, Kendra Scott surpassed $24 million dollars in revenue in 2013; gave birth to her third son, Grey; co-hosted CNBC Prime’s Crowd Rules; made plans to open 10 new retail locations in addition to her existing nine locations and has hinted that she plans to expand her design empire to possibly include clothing and accessories.

Whew! For a woman who started a small jewelry collection from her kitchen table with a $500 investment in materials and whose jewelry is carried today in Nordstrom’s, Bloomingdales and Neiman Marcus as well as more than 1,000 specialty boutiques nationwide, we can only imagine what 2014 will bring.

Baked By Amy’s Back in 2002, Publisher Melinda Garvey, looked for a subject who would epitomize the ideal Austin woman for the magazine’s first cover, and she found that woman in Amy (Miller) Simmons. In 2002, Simmons was juggling the responsibilities of nine Amy’s Ice Creams stores and raising her two young sons. Fast forward to December 2014, with 15 retail locations throughout Austin and in Houston as well as San Antonio, Simmons is also expanding her brand through Baked By Amy’s, a custom bakery located in the Austinville 78750 location. The bakery emphasizes creativity and flavor.

Simmons tapped managing partner Erin Fellows to head the team of designers and bakers. Here is an AW insider’s best kept secret: Every year in mid-February, the Amy’s Ice Creams team shuts down ice cream production in Austin and Houston, and completely revamps their facility for 200 Amy’s folks to hand-dip strawberries. Using the best fresh strawberries completely smothered in Callebaut dark chocolate imported from Belgium and drizzled a white chocolate lattice makes for the ultimate chocolate-covered strawberries. Happy Valentine’s Day from Amy!

Connect with us! find us online at austinwomanmagazine.com The Cat’s Meow

Win this!

Retweet for This Couple’s Retreat

Featured event Celebrate Black History Month University Day and the African American Community Heritage Festival, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Feb. 22, HustonTillotson University Campus.

Sounds of Blackness, a Celebration of Black History musical production, 6 to 8 p.m., Feb. 15, Manor High School.

Eyes on the Prize: The Promised Land film screening and discussion with director and writer Dr. Paul Stekler, 6 to 8:30 p.m., Feb. 6, Carver Museum and Cultural Center.

It’s time to treat yourself and your honey to a 75-minute luxurious and relaxing Heart and Sole Couple’s Massage at Hiatus Spa and Retreat.

Tweet @austinwoman with the hashtag #AWMediaGiveaway for a chance to kick off your Valentine’s Day weekend with a hot-stone foot massage and love chakra aromatherapy.

It may be the month of puppy love, but let’s not forget about our other furry housemates. Find out what makes your cats tick and why they’re (a little) better than dogs.

(Whether you agree with that statement is another story.)

More events at austinwomanmagazine.com.

Check out austinwomanmagazine.com

We loved our 10-Day Challenge (read all about our results at austinwomanmagazine.com/the10-day-challenge) so much that we decided to make 2014 “The Year of AW Challenges.” Each month, one of our staff members will take on a challenge, recording the results for readers to follow. This month, follow Editor-in-Chief Deborah Hamilton-Lynne as she attempts to teach three old dogs new tricks. Hamilton-Lynne and her dogs, Bandit and Satchmo, will attempt to join the pack at Taurus Dog Training in preparation for their upcoming appearance as animal artists at the Animal Trustees of Austin annual gathering, Petcasso.

@austinwoman

24 Austin Woman F E B R U A R y 2 0 1 4

We love Austin and every day in February, we are going to tell you what we love about the city we call home. Join in the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.

Can’t get enough of this issue?

2014 AW Year of Challenges

Follow us

28 Days of Love For the City of Our Hearts

like us

➥ ➥

Five ways to pick the ultimate date night.

➥ ➥ ➥

Girlfriend-approved Valentine’s Day etiquette tips.

facebook.com/austinwoman

SIMS’ fifth annual Heart of the City benefit concert.

We’ve got the lineup.

More dogs! Bobbi Colorado’s Canine Camp.

Plus: reviews of dance, art, theater and more.

The latest must-see films from Sundance 2014.

find us

austinwomanmagazine.com

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on the scene /

5 things

4

1 2

3

5

Five Things to Do on Valentine’s Day Whether you are 50 years married or on a first date, the 14th is full of excitement.

Compiled by Jacqui Devaney

1

2

3

4

Russian House Valentine’s Day Dinner

Fourth Annual Roller Disco of Love

The Glass Project

Othello

Feb. 14 and 15, 8 p.m.; Feb. 16, 3 p.m.

Feb. 13 to March 2

Ready to go back to the USSR? The Russian House boasts a menu of original Russian, Serbian, Uzbek and Ukrainian cuisine crafted by Eastern European chefs. For the Russian House Valentine’s Day Dinner, the chefs have curated a five-course meal served with complimentary Champagne. This carte du jour features gourmet chow such as an avocado salad tossed with crawfish and flying fish caviar, and chicken honeydew bathed in spicy pomegranate. For more spirited folks, the Russian House has more than 75 houseinfused vodkas created from ancient Russian recipes.

Get out your polyester and afro picks, grab some friends and special someones, and get ready to boogie all night in the name of love. This late-night Valentine’s Day event keeps the party going well in to the witching hour with some of Austin’s finest musicians, including Dimitri’s Ascent, Metranohm, Omar Chow and Bonus Junk.

Disco hits and favorites will shower the rink with synth pop and a lot of reverb. In addition to skating, there will be rooms pumping up the jams with more local Austin DJs. Embrace the lights, the excitement and the nostalgia of an old-fashioned night at the disco, equipped with skates and romance.

The “minimalist” style of Philip Glass is being presented

by Ballet Austin in a performance that is equally haunting as it is beautiful. Glass has composed more than 20 operas, eight symphonies, two piano concertos and numerous film soundtracks. Choreographer Stephen Mills believes Glass’ outlook on the world is “rhythmic, pulsating, anxious and hopeful.” This new production promises a full evening of compelling, provocative choreography shaped by Mills’ innovative approach to movement. Just an hour before each production, take part in Footlights for a look at the final preparations for this magical production.

Russian House, 307 E. Fifth St., 512.428.5442, russianhouseofaustin.com

Austin Roller Rink, 11600 Manchaca Road, 512.292.7528, eventbrite.com

The Long Center for Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside Drive, 512.457.5100, thelongcenter.org/ event/the-glass-project

26 Austin Woman F E B R U A R y 2 0 1 4

Austin Shakespeare presents a classical look at Othello, a tale of a hero lured in to jealousy and doubt by Shakespeare’s most villainous antagonist, Iago. Othello marries young Desdemona and attempts to build a life together, despite their differences in age, race and experience. Their marriage is sabotaged by the envious Iago, who convinces Othello that Desdemona is unfaithful. Experience this new production that celebrates the clarity of Shakespeare’s language with honest adherence to the story of Othello’s tragedy, from the grandeur of nobility to the personal intimacy of true love.

The Long Center for Performing Arts, 701 W. Riverside Drive, 512.457.5100, thelongcenter.org/ event/othello

5 American Icon Valentine’s Day Bash It’s easy to fall in love with the music, and this looks like it’ll be a bad case of the butterflies.

Bad Sports, The Bad Lovers, Pharaohs and DJ Mike Mariconda are bringing in the punk rock, garage rock, powerhouse rock and all other kinds of rock this Valentine’s Day to knock the socks off of your better half. Bad Sports is a band whose music is a powerful fusion of punk-rock velocity and attitude, hard-rock guitar raunch and power-pop hooks. The Bad Lovers are a local garage-rock powerhouse of awesome. This is an easy way to skip on heart-shaped chocolates and $200 bar tabs for a night that is full of noise and full of fun.

The North Door, 502 Brushy St., info@ndvenue.com, ndvenue.com

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Ximena de Sabra, M.D.

512.472.4011

www.WestlakeEyes.com

A rou n d t ow n

AW Media Inc. January launch party

Ashley Kamrath, Shari Arnold, Deborah Hamilton-Lynne, Shannon L. Boggus

Iliana Rodriguez, Lizzie Velasquez, Alexis Jones

Marcia Natoli and Sonia Molad-Einstein

Dancing with the Stars Austin presented by Lexus of Austin

Mark and Vicki Eidman, Charmaine and Gordon McGill and Marcie and SamDitzell

Will Hardeman and Anna Anami

LaurenCaffey, BillyCasey and Carolyn Modi

TEDxAustinWomen Brave Starts Here

Brooke Brightwell and Angela Silverthorne

28   Austin Woman F E B R U A R y 2 0 1 4

Katie Miller and Delia McLinden

Chris Spears, Maja Kermath, Kim Love

Launch party photos by Monika Kelley. Dancing with the Stars photos by David Wheeler, Jeff Loftin and John Pesina .TedxAustinWomen party photos by Jarred Tennant.

on the scene /

on the scene /

phil a nth ropy

Go Red for Women Summit Jennie Stewart shares her survival story with heart disease and the upcoming American Heart Association’s educational summit.

It happens silently. Unexpectedly. It can happen to the old, the young, the strong and the healthy. And it is the No. 1 killer of women worldwide.

Every minute, one woman dies from heart disease. More women will be killed by heart disease this year than all forms of cancer combined. And unlike cancer, there are often no prior symptoms before a heart attack. Just ask Jennie Stewart.

An active mother of three and a fifth-generation member of her family’s business, Covert Auto Group, Stewart had just arrived home from her youngest son’s baseball game one evening when the symptoms started.

Her left arm ached. Pain, similar to heartburn, crept through her chest.

Huddled in the bathroom, drenched in icy sweat, Stewart knew something was terribly wrong.

Then the doorbell rang. The doorbell that saved her life.

Wendy Wilbanks, Stewart’s friend and director of a preschool, had been trained to recognize the signs of a heart attack. Almost immediately, she sprang in to action. Within minutes, an ambulance was on its way.

“There were no previous symptoms. No trigger. I was a healthy 41-year-old woman. I didn’t believe it,” Stewart says. Two stents in her heart later, Stewart is alive to tell her story.

“Even in women for which there are no indicators of heart disease, such as being overweight, high cholesterol, high blood pressure or a family history, a heart attack can still happen.”

30 Austin Woman F E B R U A R y 2 0 1 4

It’s scenarios like Stewart’s that American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women hopes to prevent.

For more than 10 years, Go Red for Women has been working tirelessly to prevent heart disease in women.

Sponsored by women, for women, Go Red for Women has saved more than 650,000 lives so far, and they’re not slowing down.

One of the most recent developments launched by the American Heart Association is Mission: Lifeline. Mission: Lifeline was developed to aid in the treatment of ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), the most severe form of heart attack that can result in permanent damage to the heart muscle. Recently, Mission: Lifeline expanded to help existing STEMI systems of care incorporate out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

resuscitation in to their systems.

“Because of Mission: Lifeline, I was able to get help in record time and have no damage to my heart muscle,” Stewart says.

Stewart is excited to be able to give back to the Go Red for Women Summit this year.

“Being asked to chair Go Red was a no-brainer,” she says. “Without all the help and support from Go Red and Mission: Lifeline, and most importantly, my friend Wendy, I might not be here today.”

The Go Red for Women Summit will be held Feb. 26 at the AT&T Conference Center. The summit will feature a day of education and networking, ending with a luncheon and style show. Tickets start at $150. Donations can also be made online at austingored.ahaevents.org.

“Most importantly,” Stewart adds, “it will be a day of support. Go Red helped me learn that I am not alone, and I want other women to know the same. Together with my amazing leadership team, we are educating other women in matters of the heart. We need to spread the word about this silent killer.”

Go Red for Women Summit, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Feb. 26, AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center, 1900 University Ave.

Photos courtesy of The American Heart Association.

By Hope Petersen

Sponsored Events National Wear Red Day Feb. 7 The American Heart Association is sponsoring its National Wear Red Day to raise awareness for heart disease, the No. 1 killer of women. The red dress has become an iconic symbol of the Go Red for Women campaign and the fight against heart disease. Held the first Friday in February each year National Wear Red Day seeks to bring attention to this silent killer of women. heart.org/austin

20 Colors/20 Hours Feb. 7 and 8, 7 p.m. to 3 p.m., PureRyde RealRyder Indoor Cycling 20 Colors/20 Hours is a 20-hour-long indoor cycling fundraiser that invites anyone from beginning riders to cancer survivors to hop on a stationary bike and raise funds to help Austin-area cancer patients and their support networks. Hosted by Cancer Support Community Central Texas (CSCCT) and Color Cancer, this first-time event strives to support cancer patients, survivors and their families. 20colors20hours.com

mingle with makers, artists and other interesting folks at thinkery21 – a new monthly series for adults 21 and up.

join us for a lingerie fashion show, typewriter rodeo, chocolate making and more.

advance tickets $15 or $20 at the door purchase online thinkeryaustin.org/thinkery21

Guitars Under the Stars with the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet Feb. 8, 6:30 p.m., One World Theatre

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cal

Join these Grammy award-winning guitarists at One World Theatre for a night of cocktails, dinner and dessert to support Austin Classical Guitar Education, a program that helps support more than 30 classical guitar programs in Austin schools. Tickets start at $125. austinclassicalguitar.org

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Illuminate Austin Feb. 22, 4:30 to 8 p.m., Mueller Lake, Park and Hanger Come and take a luminaria-lined evening walk at Mueller Lake organized by SafePlace to help support victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, as well as help raise funds for one of the most crucial support systems for victims of abuse. illuminateatx.org

CASAblanca Gala Feb. 22, 6 p.m., Hyatt Regency Austin One night to make a difference for children: Join CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) for an evening of dining, casino games, silent and live auctions, a wine pull, a photo booth and more to raise funds for children in the Austin area who have experienced abuse or neglect. casatravis.org/events/casablanca

FREE BUNDTLET when you purchase a bundtlet

Austin-Westlake 2785 Bee Cave Rd, St. 333 Austin, TX 78746 (Located by Trader Joe’s) 512.329.8333

Expires 2/28/14. Limit one coupon per customer. Cannot be combined with any other offer.

Redeemable only at the bakery listed. Must be claimed in-store during normal business hours. No cash value.

ab

le

on the scene /

sp o t ligh t ev ent

Strip down to your tighty whities to raise money for the Children’s Tumor Foundation (CTF) in this year’s Cupid’s Undie Run! Hosted in more than 25 cities throughout the U.S., Cupid’s Undie Run is a charity run that raised more than $1.3 million last year. Participants strip down to their unmentionables and go for a one-mile run in rain, sleet or shine. The party starts at noon, with the run taking place at 2 p.m. and more fun until 4 p.m., when the after-after party is left in your hands. Whether you join a team or run alone, be prepared to go all out to end neurofibromatosis in children. Not brave enough to bare it all?

No problem! Feel free to make a donation at hopecur.com/cur/participants.asp. For more information on CTF, visit ctf.org.

Cupid’s Undie Run, Feb. 15, Rattle Inn, 610 Nueces St., cupidsundierun.com/city/austin.

B See the complete February calendar of events at austinwomanmagazine.com.

32 Austin Woman F E B R U A R y 2 0 1 4

Photo by John Ramspott.

Text by Hope Petersen.

Cupid’s Undie Run Ready, set, strip! Get weird with a short-distance run to raise money for the Children’s Tumor Foundation.

on the scene /

horoscopes

Happy birthday, Aquarius!

Jan. 21–Feb. 19 Your month: It’s like the old adage “Water, water everywhere but not a drop to drink.” Simply replace “water” with the words “career opportunities.” You see professional possibilities all around you, but none are quite gelling. Just ask yourself, “Will they hide my super-bright Aquarius light under a conservative barrel again?” Don’t be in a hurry. As the year progresses, you’re going to find it easier to implement your offbeat ideas and find support for them career-wise. If you get a quirky business idea, don’t dismiss it. Just be patient.

➺

The thinker and the seeker. Astrologically, they’re the same, thinking and seeking, and they are your theme for this month and this year.

Each sign communicates, dispenses knowledge and seeks information in their own unique way, but we experience Mercury in retrograde for almost the entire month, from Feb. 6 through the 28th. When Mercury retrogrades, we’re unexpectedly shown where our lives need revising.

It can throw us back a step, but we need to look at the apparent chaos as course corrections and revise accordingly. The best state of mind during a Mercury retrograde is non-reaction.

Pisces (Feb. 20–March 20): That deep-in-the-heart urge you feel to help those less fortunate is sometimes karmic, and you’re an intuitively helpful person. Frequently, when you say the right thing to the right person at the right time, you help yourself as well. The end of January began a time period that made you really, really helpful to someone, and after Feb. 12, that friend may come back to you and repay the favor in some really great way. Don’t feel guilty; bask in it, maybe for the rest of the year.

Aries (March 21–April 20): If you were thinking you might get a break in February, think again. Radical life changes are still the theme of this year and you’re reassessing every old relationship, value and belief you’ve ever had.

It’s a hard time for old friendships and the ones that don’t work for you anymore. History without a backward glance. Your focus right now is on self-examination and your attention is naturally on the people you love: family and as-close-as-family friends. Even this stirs up a conflict between the home you’re making, the relationships you’re cultivating, the friends you had and the demands of the outside world.

34 Austin Woman F E B R U A R y 2 0 1 4

Taurus (April 21–May 21): Facing hard truths is a key element in getting the clarity that you need this month. It seems like every one of your friends has a piece of their mind they would like to give you, and you already have plenty of your own mind, thank you very much. You’re conflicted by your love life (trouble with commitment and moderation?) and your work (too much work, too many conflicts), so you’re spending too much time in your head. Go on and think.

And study. And discuss. And postpone serious decisions for later in the year.

Gemini (May 22–June 20): You’re always the fun one, and everyone loves how your mind flits from one thing to another like a butterfly in a flower garden.

But this month (and this year), you need to zero in, get specific and concentrate on the important work stuff you know you have to do. Right now, this is the most important thing you could do, but you feel a little let down by friends who won’t understand and miss their light-hearted buddy. There may be a glitch with loans, insurances or jointly held finances, but it won’t last. Just be patient and stay true to your vision.

Cancer (June 21–July 22): Suddenly, the flaws in your current financial plans and investment strategies are crystal clear. You may be overwhelmed by the need to make some big changes in your financial life plan, but just know your payoff is not going to be short term. The status of shared resources and debt is changing in your world too, and (eventually) for the better. Don’t worry; if cracks appear in the plan now, it’s so that you can correct them and move forward smoothly. Fortune cookie: Expect a (delayed) windfall through a will, insurance settlement or bank loan.

Leo (July 23–Aug. 23): Consider this month part of the universal tempering process: You are the raw steel and February, the forge.

You emerge from the fire purer, stronger and tougher than you ever thought possible, and later you’ll laugh and tell stories about this month. But be not afraid. You can’t force things to happen now so you must allow things to happen (difficult for you) and adapt.

Be patient. Avoid ego-driven selfassertion and power struggles (all Leo traits). Here’s a fortune cookie: You will receive a (delayed) gift or windfall from a will, insurance company or bank.

Virgo (Aug. 24–Sept. 22): Virgos should be happy when finances are happy, and this month, money comes from multiple, unexpected sources: social contacts, partners, others. Money comes suddenly out of the blue from staff shake-ups, sisters, brothers, neighbors, children, from spouses, business contacts and friends, from passion and from compromise. In fact, money comes from almost every other source except from your own personal efforts. So, what should you do? Nothing; you might mess things up. Just adapt to whatever happens, be social, avoid self-promotion and you’ll drift effortlessly through February to your ultimate goal.

Libra (Sept. 23–Oct. 22): You’re still basking in a period of forward momentum, progress and achievement, so don’t chase success; allow things to come to you. This is another social month too, and you handle it with networking genius.

Let your career coast and focus on your personal life because inner

harmony leads to outer harmony.

If a love affair dissolves, it’s weak and a new love affair will arrive. If you take a new approach to your career, it will be a creative change.

Even long-term changes with children will be happy ones. The key to February: Change without effort brings happiness.

Scorpio (Oct. 23–Nov. 21): Scorpios are known to work hard, but hard work alone isn’t enough this month. You need to focus on emotional harmony and mending fences, especially with your family.

You’re going to be sorely tempted to finally clear the air with a few family members, get some things off your mind, tell them what you really think, be brutally honest. We have one recommendation: Don’t.

Social graces will get you everything you want in February, and if you go off on someone you love now, you will just have to take it back later. And you Scorpios hate that, don’t you?

Sagittarius (Nov. 22–Dec. 21): Your finances hit a rough patch this month and you may find yourself on a tight money leash, and this may make you act a little crazy. No one said that all persons of the Sagittarius persuasion need be cheerful and extravagant all the time, so please calm down. It may be hard to give up your trademark lavish gifts and impulsive splurges (and we know this cramps your usual generous style), and you may find you need to work harder for the money than you’re used to, but it’s only temporary. Personal wealth and financial freedom are just a few months away.

Capricorn (Dec. 22–Jan. 20): You want to make radical changes but for some reason, you can’t.

Or you make changes impulsively then regret them. It’s true, the planets are impelling you to bring change in to your life, but you need to be thoughtful about it.

Don’t rush in to anything. You’re usually so confident about your decisions, but this month, you question yourself. Consequently, you don’t feel very good about yourself and you may not even be sure why. This malaise won’t last, but for now, try to block out what everyone else is telling you. The only voice you need to listen to this month is your own.

By Deborah Mastelotto deborah@pinkaustin.com

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P e t O r g a n i z at io n s

Austin’s Dog Services, From Adopting to Grooming The must-know Austin dog organizations supplying pet therapy, organic raw-diet foods and much more.

AUSTIN PETS ALIVE Since 2008, Austin Pets Alive has been adopting pets from local shelters, caring for them with their large network of foster parents and eventually finding them permanent homes. They have been central to the establishment of Austin as a no-kill city. If you’re interested in becoming a foster pet parent, adopting a needy pet or volunteering at APA, go to austinpetsalive.org and browse through their photos of dogs and cats in need of loving families. You can also visit one of their locations at 1156 W. Cesar Chavez St. or 3108 Windsor Road in Tarrytown.

The Bones & Co. Owner of The Bones & Co., Ryan Cummings, inspired by his own Paleolithic diet, decided to bring raw, unprocessed foods to our canine companions. The Bones & Co. has been doing all it can to reverse the negative pet-food industry trend of valuing shelf life over health. This Austin company is feeding dogs what they were intended to eat and leaving out all the fillers, grains and preservatives that are proven to have negative impacts on a dog’s health and energy levels. The company’s food is grown locally and prepared locally. There are custom diet plans that will cater specifically to the needs of your dog. If you’re interested in upgrading your dog’s diet, The Bones & Co. website, thebonesandco.com, makes it simple.

The Canine Center for Training and Behavior Not seeing eye to eye with your dog? There’s no doubt of the love between you, but sometimes a dog needs a little behavioral help from a trained expert.

The Canine Center for Training and Behavior has been training dogs and their owners for 30 years in Austin. In a facility complete with multiple training stations and more than three kilometers of trails, the trainers here offer everything from nutrition consultations to private lessons that meet your dog’s individual needs. With a rewards-based approach, the dog experts at the Canine Center are confident they will be able to solve your issues, from the minor to the most serious behavioral concerns. Find information about classes and camps at morefunthandirt.com, or visit them at 6901 Old Bee Caves Road.

36 Austin Woman F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4

The Bones & Co. photo by Teresa Chang. Emancipet photo by Dana Hansen. Ruff Cuts photo by Carrie Leigh.

By Leo B. Carter

Crank up the giving.

You look like a philanthropist—perhaps it’s the heart?

We’re making donating easy for philanthropists like you on March 20-21, 2014. Just go to AmplifyATX.org and choose

Do te

Fundra

from hundreds of Central Texas nonprofits to make a donation. With your help, we can raise $4 million, making it a rocking good day for your favorite charities.

#amplifyATX

Austin Dogtown

Paws of Austin

Looking for your dog’s home away from home while finally treating yourself to that much-needed vacation?

Austin Dogtown provides a variety of options and prices for boarding your furry friend. Owner Rebecca Brannian has been caring for Austin animals all her life. And it’s not just boarding they provide. If you feel bad for cooping your dog up all day while you’re at work, Austin Dogtown also provides affordable day-care packages. It’s located at 537 Woodward St. Set up an appointment to tour the facility by calling 512.535.4244. For more information, visit dogtownaustin.com.

Paws of Austin is a nonprofit organization specializing in the rescue of unwanted large-breed dogs. As educators, the organization spreads knowledge about spay and neutering options, pet welfare and how you can help reverse pet over-population.

Paws is also involved in pet therapy at schools, retirement homes and hospitals. If you are interested in adopting or donating to another worthy cause, visit their website, pawsofaustin.org.

Austin Dog Alliance For the Austin Dog Alliance, pet rescue and adoption is just one part of the solution. Through their reading classes, summer camps and pet-therapy sessions, they promote education and empathy for our four-legged friends. The Dog Alliance’s canine-assisted programs are unique in their scope, educating and treating people of all ages and disabilities with the help of dog therapy. They even have pet-assisted programs to teach children and adults with autism necessary social and workplace skills. Their training camps and classes range from a course specifically to prepare dog owners for the arrival of a new baby, to puppy training and socialization with experienced trainers. Check the website, austindogalliance.org, for a full list of services and events.

Emancipet

Ruff Cuts

Emancipet, a nonprofit clinic, has been one of the pet healthcare leaders in Austin for years. Regardless of an owner’s ability to pay, Emancipet provides much-needed spay and neutering services for beloved dogs and cats. Although they are not a full-service veterinary center, they do offer preventative medicine such as vaccinations and heartworm tests.

Emancipet also has opportunities for animal lovers to volunteer and donate to the cause. Keep an eye on their calendar to see when the mobile spay and neuter clinic will offer one of their free days. For more information on services and events, go to emancipet.org.

Ruff Cuts provides Austin dog lovers with high-quality mobile grooming services. The best part is you never even have to leave your driveway. Ruff Cuts uses only all-natural and pet-safe shampoos and conditioners. It’s time to treat your pup to a full-service spa day. Ruff Cuts provides everything from basic fur cuts and nail trimming, to teeth brushing and blueberry facials. The next time you see that languid look in her eyes, you’ll know your dog is craving a moisturizing aloe treatment. Check out their services at ruffcutsoftexas.com, and set up an appointment by calling 512.522.0334.

austinwomanmagazine.com 39

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M UST RE A D

Paws for a Good Book Poetry, novels and true stories about our favorite four-legged friends.

By Courtney Bell

Dog Songs by Mary Oliver Sometimes there aren’t enough minutes in the day for a novel. Mary Oliver’s newest poetry collection gathers short poems about the joys and heartaches of being a dog lover. A special bond is formed between human and canine, and Oliver chronicles the extraordinary moments of bringing that new pup home, taking them on long walks and eventually dealing with the loss of that special friend. Oliver, a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, is known for her meditations on the natural world and memories of her Ohio upbringing. Dog Songs creates an intimate portrait of our devotion to our dogs and what that says about human nature.

Sophie by Emma Pearse Sophie tells the true story of the Griffith family’s beloved 3-year-old cattle dog. On Oct. 25, 2009, Sophie went overboard in the waters of Queensland and swam 5 nautical miles to the safety of the shores of St. Bee. Pearse outlines Sophie’s incredible feat of surviving the dangerous waters of the Great Barrier Reef and tapping in to her feral instincts to survive in the wild. Through interviews with the Griffith family and animal experts, Pearse recreates Sophie’s extraordinary journey back to her family and demonstrates the unbreakable bond between animal and human.

Devoted by Rebecca Ascher-Walsh Devoted collects 38 extraordinary true stories of loyal canines and their impression they left on the world. Littered with striking color photos of these beloved pets, Ascher-Walsh’s book not only tells you but also shows you how devoted these animals and their humans are to each other. The story of Shana, half wolf and half German shepherd, tells how this gigantic half-breed saved the lives of her owners during a horrible snowstorm by dragging them through a trench she built back to safety. Stories of heroism and true love like these are plentiful in Devoted and will bring tears to your eyes.

40 Austin Woman F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4

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days 28 of loving Austin

Call today for a complimentary consultation 512-343-9355

Join the 28 day challenge, it’s easy!

#LoveYourAustin Why do you love Austin?

The AW Staff shares why we love our city throughout the month of February. Get our attention on Twitter or Facebook sharing why you love your city and use the hashtag #LoveYourAustin.

Those who are chosen will be featured! facebook.com/austinwoman

@austinwoman

Compassionate Women’s Health and Wellness Annual Gynecological Exams Treatment of Menopause Breast Cancer Screening and Risk Evaluation Treatment of Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Family Planning Treatment of Abnormal Pap Smears Teen Health Evaluation and Treatment of Osteoporosis

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Old Yeller by Fred Gipson This classic tale of a boy and his dog in the Texas Hill Country is a deeply moving story for all generations.

Living in a small cabin built by his father, Travis lived the simple life along Birdsong Creek, raising cattle, farming and hunting for food. His life became more interesting upon the arrival of a big yellow lab, and he gained not only a friend, but a protector. Travis teaches Old Yeller about living on a farm and warding off coyotes, but it is Yeller in the end who teaches the heartwarming life lessons to Travis. This Newbury Honor book is about the love between a boy and his dog, and is ideal for nighttime for parents and their kids.

The Art of Racing in the Rain

by Garth Stein Stein’s novel examines the human-dog relationship from a new perspective, Enzo the golden retriever. Enzo believes he is different from other dogs: He watches television to educate himself, he studies human gestures to interpret feelings and he studies his master Denny’s language. As Enzo approaches the last leg of his life, he recalls all that he and his family have been through and how it resembles a car race, over too quick. Stein taps in to the dog’s psyche in a graceful manner that comes across as deeply touching and not cartoonish.

Where the Wild Fern Grows

by Wilson Rawls All Billy Coleman wants is his own hunting dogs to train for the state coonhunting competition.

Growing up in the Ozarks, Billy is told by his parents that they can’t afford the pair of redbone coonhounds that he has always wanted. For two years, Billy works to save up for a pair of pups until finally earning enough money. Billy travels to get the pups and learns along the way home that caring and training them will be no easy task. This classic tells the story of a boy and his two beloved dogs, Old Dan and Little Anne, the hardships of the wild Ozark Mountains and tough life lessons that come their way.

Just for Kids Harry the Dirty Dog

by Gene Zion This series is about a white dog that loves to get dirty but hates taking baths. Kids will love adventuring with Harry through the mud, to the beach and solving neighborhood problems. The simple language and plot twists will keep young children interested and engaged.

Harry the Dirty Dog is easy enough for kids to read on their own, and exciting enough to read together.

Because of Winn-Dixie

by Kate Dicamillo Opal doesn’t have a lot of friends until Winn-Dixie comes along. This stray dog becomes Opal’s best friend and helps her find her place in a new town among strangers. Winn-Dixie and Opal create a bond that helps ease Opal’s longing for her mother and helps her come in to her own in Naomi, Fla. This book is a great read for kids 9 and older.

Clifford the Big Red Dog

by Norman Bridewell Everyone loves this giant red dog, especially Emily Elizabeth. Clifford is the best friend a kid could ask for and your kid will love to go on silly adventures with Emily and Clifford.

Children, babies to preschool age, will love learning to read with Clifford the giant red dog.

austinwomanmagazine.com 43

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M u s t L ov e D o g s

‘Dog’stintacious AW readers love their dogs.

Carrin Welch “Maddie’s sweet demeanor has turned many a cat person over to the dog side!”

“Morris is simultaneously silly and serious, and he snores louder than any person I have ever heard snore.”

Karen Holmes “Kacy has to be the happiest dog in ATX.”

Frances Knox

Nancy Nicolas “Jesse is our daily reminder that everyone deserves a chance to be part of a family.”

“Olivia and I rescued each other this summer. She has a heart of gold and the sweetest face in Austin.”

Lonni Swanson “Lady, at age 13, may be a bit elderly and creaky, but she is such a sweetie with a heart of gold!”

Ines Gaschot “Loker and Clark are so full of expression and joy that it’s hard to be sad when they’re around!”

April Geary “Hank is my co-pilot, my trail guide, my best friend and sometimes my blanket.”

Peggy Wingate “Karma brings joy to everyone who sees her frolicking in the park or curled up in my lap.”

44 Austin Woman F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4

Jaynee Collins

Renee Blaine

“At 13, Snoopy is an adorable character. He is unconditional love, joy and entertainment.”

“Bentley is the most loyal, lovable, hardworking bird dog who will hunt with me and hang by my side at all times.

HOME /

F l o r a l i n s p i r at io n

Red Roses and Beyond Let your flowers speak for you this Valentine’s Day.

Nothing has come to symbolize love and Valentine’s Day more than a dozen red roses.

In Victorian days, nosegays were often sent as a message during the courting ritual to express unsaid feelings for a young woman.

We asked our favorite floral designer, Coby Neal, to go beyond the traditional dozen red roses and speak the language of flowers through his designs.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words but what about flowers? The language of flowers, also known as floriography, dates back thousands of years as a means of coded communication.

Historically, plants and flowers have been used as symbols in religious writings and the poetry of Shakespeare, gaining interest in Victorian England and the United States during the 19th century.

In conservative Victorian society, floral arrangements allowed the sender to express certain feelings to the receiver that would have been controversial if spoken aloud.

Although floriography dictionaries vary, with each species having multiple meanings, a consensus of definitions for common blooms has surfaced, oftentimes originating from the appearance or behavior of the flower itself.

If red roses are too near and dear to your sweetheart, Coby Neal recommends adding unique filler flowers like misty limonium, French heather, hydrangeas or genestra. Another fun way to add excitement to a classic red rose arrangement is to select a unique vase or ribbon treatment to add to the vase itself.

This Valentine’s Day, place purpose behind your floral token and tell your lover how you really feel with an encrypted message in your thoughtfully curated bouquet of flowers.

Meanings of Flowers Going beyond traditional red rose arrangement, this design includes unique offerings such as peonies, stargazer lilies, ranunculus and anthuriums layered upon classic tulips and pink spray roses.

Coby Neal’s recommendations for a floral gift: Contemporary woman: phalaenopsis orchid Classic woman: calla lilies Trendy woman: cymbidium orchid Traditional woman: dozen red roses Romantic woman: garden roses, David Austin roses

46 Austin Woman F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4

The Language of Flowers

Red roses: love, I love you, respect, beauty Pink peonies: happy marriage, compassion Calla lilies: beauty, elegance, sweetness Hydrangeas: thank you for understanding Red tulips: believe me, declaration of love Orchids: beauty, refinement, thoughtfulness

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HOME /

i n t e r io r d e s ig n

To Sleep, Perchance to Dream Creating a bedroom sanctuary that combines fantasy and function.

By Stephanie Stokes The earliest Latin meaning of sanctuary is “a sacred or holy space.” But in my secular world, it defines a place of refuge. It is the place where you get dressed and undressed, where we are at our most vulnerable. So in our bedrooms, a sense of privacy is of primary importance. More than any other room in the house, it should always feel private and quiet.

Perhaps because of this, a bedroom should also express a certain softness and sensuality. Yet at the same time, you want colors and lighting that flatter each client’s sensibility. Thus the predominance of pale blues and whites, sometimes greens too.

“Muted” is the buzzword for bedrooms. You don’t want to look at something that’s strong and stimulating.

This is why a bedroom is often known as the woman’s room. When you ask a man what he wants in a bedroom, the general response is, “Whatever she wants.” It is like his gift to his wife.

Bedrooms should also be quiet for sleeping. Quiet colors, as I’ve mentioned, are important. But every element should inspire this restfulness. So this is not, in most cases, the place to hang the Francis Bacon painting of a pope next to the raw side of beef. Supple, light fabrics, dreamy linens, plush carpeting—all these soft textures become important. Everything you touch or sleep in should be comforting, serene, inviting.

The famous line from Hamlet always echoes in my mind when I design bedrooms: “to sleep, perchance to dream.”

w “I get great pleasure from the beautiful bed and silk velvet chairs. But the real beauty is the room’s practicality. To the right of the bed are 14 linear feet of closets behind the millwork.

People who come into the room don’t know I’m sleeping on five sets of suitcases and six sets of bed linens located in modular boxes under my bed. All they see is a luxurious bedroom.

They have no idea how functional and easy this space is to live in.”

q “For under the top of the bed canopy, I created a leaf design by unwinding thick hemp rope and hand-twisting thinner strands of it into a more delicate cord to form the outlines of foliage.”

“The boudoir pillows were custom embroidered in Madagascar by Julia B. Linens.”

48 Austin Woman F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4

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“I had four square modular boxes made for under my bed, two of which I use to store linens, the other two, weekend suitcases.” r

50 Austin Woman F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4

“The envy of every woman who comes into this room are the five sideways jewelry drawers that are squeezed in to a corner of the room.� r

From Elegant Rooms That Work by Stephanie Stokes. Stephanie Stokes is a New York-based interior designer.

House Beautiful named her to their list of top 100 designers.

austinwomanmagazine.com 51

HOME /

GUILTY PLE A SURE

Sinfully Soft Treat your feet (and eyes) to this imaginative hide rug.

A beautiful rug can be a work of art, and Shift—Kyle Bunting’s Studio Rug by John Opella—is no exception. The bright mint, “rita” and teal colors, combined with the depth and dimension of the hide material, make for a stunning sight to behold, equally matched in its luxurious feel. The geometric shapes are reminiscent of the scales of a fish navigating through deep ocean waters, or

52 Austin Woman F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4

a peacock showing its true colors in an act of seduction. This unique and stunning statement piece will be the talk of your next cocktail party, leaving an unforgettable impression on anyone who is lucky enough to set eyes on it.

Available at Kyle Bunting Studio, 5004 Bee Creek Road, suite 200, Spicewood, Texas 78669, 512.264.1148, kylebunting.com.

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style /

C A NINE COUTURE

Pet meds made easy!

Doggy Style Hole In One Golf Sweater, $64, available at Fetch, 3636 Bee Cave Road, 800.286.1620, available at yourdogwilldigit.com

Sew Olive Custom ID tags, $16.99 to $19.99, available at sewolive.com

Tulle tutu, $19.99, available at Lofty Dog, 2700 W. Anderson Lane, 512.451.1858, austinloftydog.com

On-site compounding for custom pet meds now available at Tarrytown Pharmacy!

In cooperation with your veterinarian, Tarrytown Pharmacy can flavor medications, change the dosage method from a pill to a cream, gel, flavored liquid, paste or even treats. If a small dosage is required for the animal, they can compound the medication in to the smaller dose needed, or concentrate a medication for larger animals.

Price upon request. For more info, visit tarrytownpharmacy.com.

Healthy treats!

Woof Gang Bakery makes freshly baked dog cakes for any occasion.

Grain-free peanut butter recipe with a message of your choice.

Prepared with 48 hours’ notice. $12.99 to $21.99. For more info, visit woofgangbakery.com.

Herbs work for pets too!

GreenStar Herbs offers safe, convenient powder, whole-herb, and non-alcoholic liquid preparations for companion animals. Bone & Joint Support is easy to use, and highly effective, particularly for older or injured animals, and is recommended by pet-care professionals. GreenStar can also custom blend formulas according to your veterinarian’s recommendations.

Price upon request. For more info, visit greenstarherbs.com.

Maschio dog cologne, $55, available at dogfashionspa.com

Striped cashmere blend polo sweater with matching hat, $32, available at dogodesign.com 54 Austin Woman F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4

style /

Va l e n t i n e dat e l o o k s

Splurge or Steal?

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When to invest, when to save.

Styled, modeled and written by Ashley Hargrove. Photos by Rudy Arocha.

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56 Austin Woman F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4

It’s every lady’s and the occasional man’s shopping dilemma. Who hasn’t been tempted by outrageously expensive designer clothing and accessories? Sometimes, these designer indulgences are worth every pretty penny, but most of the time, they aren’t. So how do you tell what you should splurge on or when to save?

Everyone needs to set shopping guidelines and budget out what they want to invest in. Figure out what you will get the most wear out of and what you want to use season after season. Invest in those pieces and then use the leftover money for fun pieces that are easily replaceable.

Remember, the higher the quality, the longer it will last.

Now, what to actually work hard and save for? My investment/ splurge pieces include black leather pumps, leather boots, leather jacket, one nice handbag, one winter coat, a nice watch and one special-occasion dress I can change up with jackets, shoes, accessories. Anything leather is a major investment piece; it will last you forever! Everything else isn’t worth your hard-earned money, and only a well-trained eye could tell the difference.

1. Stephen Dweck cathedral hoop earrings, $395 2. Stephen Dweck galactic rock crystal necklace, $940 3. Stephen Dweck galactic rock crystal bracelet, $595 4. Gucci evening clutch, $550 5. Valentino black leather pumps, $675 6. Herve Leger studded bandage dress, $1,540 Available at Neiman Marcus, 3400 Palm Way, 512.719.1200, neimanmarcus.com.

6

1

2

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1. Gold gemstone earrings, $7.99 2. Elise M black and gold wrap bracelet, $39 3. Black and gold bracelet, $29 4. Black sparkle clutch, $12.99 5. Chinese Laundry sidekick cutout heel, $69 6. Black chain dress, $49.99 1 & 4 available at Target, target.com; 2, 3 & 5 available at Y&I Clothing Boutique, 1113 S. Congress Ave., 512.462.0775, hopyandi.com; 6 available at H&M, 11410 Century Oaks Terrace, 512.873.0375, hm.com.

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gourmet /

D o g - F r i e n d ly D i n i n g

Chowhound Austin’s premier dog-friendly restaurants and bars.

Here in Austin, we love our dogs and we love bringing them out and about with us. There are plenty of dog-friendly restaurants throughout town, but a few actually celebrate our canine pals. When going out with friends for a quick drink or a bite to eat with our pooches, we like to see water bowls set out and fenced-in areas for dogs to run free. The following Austin establishments celebrate our four-legged friends and encourage us to ditch the leash.

By Courtney Bell

Banger’s It’s no secret that the big red house on Rainey Street is a dog-loving bar. Walking onto their huge patio, you will be greeted by lots of licks and puppy smiles. There is a gated dog park where patrons are able to let their pups run and play with other dogs, and there is even canine fare on the menu. The Woof Wurst is a mere $4 and is homemade with the best pork, beef and veggies for the puppy palate.

Proceeds from every Woof Wurst purchased go to Austin Pets Alive.

On the third Monday of every month, Banger’s holds Mega Mutt Monday.

This extended happy hour pays homage to the awesome dogs of Austin. Starting at 5 p.m., bring your pooch down and enjoy various activities sponsored by local vendors. Try out free dog training from Train My Dogs Austin. Mud Puppies puts on their annual corn hole tournament with incredible dog-toy prizes, and Animal Trustees of Austin has been known to bring in discounted spay and neuter coupons. Midtown Dog Boarding has provided clips for tips at past events, and Coat and Tails is always in the house creating puppy portraits. Gorgeous pet portraitures are drawn up on the spot, with proceeds going to the rescue group of your choice. With the abundance of philanthropic and fun activities, how could you not want to shake a case of the Mondays with this wooftastic yappy hour?

Local adoption agencies such as Austin Boxer Rescue regularly bring in adorable pups looking for good homes in the area, so if you don’t have a dog but are interested, there is still something for you at Mutt Mondays.

For the human variety, all of Banger’s 104 craft-beer pints are half off for the two hours of fun. This is a don’t-miss event every month if you’re a canine lover.

Banger’s, 79 Rainey St., 512.386.1656, bangersaustin.com

Freddie’s Place While Freddie’s doesn’t allow dogs to be off leash, this is one of the most dog-friendly restaurants in South Austin. In this South First Street treasure, you will find plenty of water bowls and even treat machines for your pup. At any time of day, you will find plenty of dogs hanging out on this large shady patio, catching a relaxing lunch with their human friends.

They love dogs so much at Freddie’s that on Halloween, there was a doggie costume contest and the winner received a free meal for their human. Head down for Sunday brunch with your pooch pal and enjoy breakfast and their famous Bloody Mary bar.

Freddie’s Place, S. First St., 512.445.9197, freddiesplaceaustin.com

58 Austin Woman F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4

No Other School Teaches Them To

SHINE Like This.

When you choose Catholic School for your children, you surround them with a community that shares your faith and your values. Here, your children will learn to shine—with a light that they will carry with them into the world.

Elementary/Middle Schools: Cathedral School of St. Mary Holy Family Catholic School St. Austin Catholic School St. Gabriel’s Catholic School St. Helen Catholic School (Georgetown) St. Ignatius, Martyr Catholic School St. Louis Catholic School St. Theresa’s Catholic School Santa Cruz Catholic School (Buda) High Schools: St. Dominic Savio Catholic High School St. Michael’s Catholic Academy San Juan Diego Catholic High School Learn more about Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Austin www.CSDATX.org

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Yard Bar

Austin Terrier North Austin’s best-kept secret is harbored on a service road off Mopac in the Far West neighborhood. Using fresh ingredients to create gourmet pizzas and sandwiches, Austin Terrier caters to people while celebrating their dogs.

The walls of the restaurant are covered with colorful artwork featuring Boston terriers, chalkboards for kids to draw their favorite pups and tributes to Austin’s efforts to support the well-being of canines everywhere. Austin Terriers supports local dog charities and societies, and features a large covered patio that is dog friendly.

In true Austin fashion, Austin Terriers supports the human health effort with a tasty gluten-free option for their pizzas. Also available for the health conscious, lettuce wraps are an option for their gourmet sandwiches.

Austin Terrier, 3435 Greystone Drive, 512.369.3751, austinterrier.com

The year 2014 brings Austin’s first premier dog bar that’s people friendly. Kristen Heaney, former Longhorn, plans to convert the old miniature golf course on Burnet Road, a 30,000-square-foot plot, in to an agility course and canine hangout where there’s something for humans to do as well. Heaney has started fundraising to raise the startup funds needed and has made great progress, hoping for a summer 2014 opening date. With a full kitchen, hot coffee and cold beer offerings, this is the perfect place to enjoy happy hour with your pooch instead of rushing home for a quick walk before going to meet your friends. Memberships range from day passes to yearly options. Stay tuned for more updates.

For more information on Yard Bar, visit yardbar.com.

Other Austin Fido Favorites North/West

Central

Opal Divine’s Marina 12704 N. Mopac Expressway Opal’s has brought the fun to North Austin with Saturday trivia night, Texas beer Tuesdays and another awesome patio for you and your four-legged friend. Dog domain: Leashed dogs are allowed at the outdoor tables.

Easy Tiger 709 E. Sixth St. This bakery and brewpub features a beautiful beer garden nestled against a water channel in downtown Austin. This dog-friendly outdoor area even has a few ping pong tables for human fun.

Phara’s Mediterranean Cuisine 111 E. North Loop Blvd.

For a night of exotic food, music and belly dancing, come to Phara’s to discover one of Austin’s largest hidden patios. This restaurant is BYOB. Dogs are allowed on the large outdoor patio on a leash.

BB Rover’s Café & Pub 12171 Jollyville Road This neighborhood bar boasts a covered dog-friendly patio, more than 300 beers to choose from, live music and free Wi-Fi. If you live in Northwest Austin or are just in the neighborhood, stop by with your canine pal for lunch and a cold one.

The Bonneville 202 W. Cesar Chavez St. Downtown Austin’s hottest new brunch spot has a dog-friendly front patio and the best water bowls on Cesar Chavez. To complement the people-watching, there are even homemade dog treats.

Haymaker 2310 Manor Road With tons of TVs, a large craft-beer selection and a pup-loving patio, Haymaker is the newest hot spot on the Eastside to watch your preferred game.

Community seating and games galore harbor happiness at this Cherrywood neighborhood favorite.

South

Uncle Billy’s 1530 Barton Springs Road For homemade brews, barbeque and live tunes, head down to Uncle Billy’s large outdoor patio with your pooch.

East

Joe’s Place 1814 E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Enjoy Joe and Connie’s homemade food in their dog heaven backyard on the Eastside. Dogs can run free and play with resident lab Buddy, as long as they’re polite to other diners. The meatloaf is highly regarded in the neighborhood.

Snack Bar 1224 S. Congress Ave. Warm up next to the fire or enjoy a beautiful warm day at the Snack Bar on South Congress. This large outdoor eating area is the perfect place to grab a bite to eat and a cocktail after taking your dog for a walk along SoCo.

austinwomanmagazine.com 61

gourmet /

RO M A NTIC DINING

Can Aphrodisiacs Really Make Your Mojo Sparkle?

With Valentine’s Day around the corner, Austin Woman takes you on a sumptuous journey to uncover the seductive truth about a myth nearly as old as humankind itself.

By Andy East 62 Austin Woman F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4

Aphrodisiacs have been around a lot longer than Barry White’s debut album. In fact, the ancient Egyptians nibbled on winesoaked water lilies, the ancient Romans allegedly indulged in hippo snouts and hyena eyeballs, and traditional Chinese medicine extols the consumption of tiger penis for its aphrodisiacal effects.

While those may not be the most delectable items on the menu, it is clear that humans have long been turning to food to put them in the mood, and throughout the centuries, many foods like chocolate, strawberries and oysters have also been thought to wield the same tantalizing power. But what exactly is an aphrodisiac and do they really work?

An aphrodisiac, as defined by Merriam Webster, is “something (such as a food, drink or drug) that causes or increases sexual desire.” The word itself comes from “Aphrodite,” the name of the Greek goddess of love and beauty, but to determine if something may actually be an aphrodisiac, one must first have a basic understanding of the science behind the human libido.

Sexual desire, like all human emotions, is a chemical state of mind. Whenever we stumble upon something sexually exciting, our limbic system starts revving its engines, sending out

signals to the pelvis instructing our blood vessels to drop what they are doing and dilate. This dilation causes sexual arousal in both women and men. At the same time, our brains start releasing oodles of neurotransmitters, or chemical messengers, such as norepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine, which induce feelings of happiness, well-being and pleasure.

It turns out that certain foods may increase or optimize the amount of these neurotransmitters, which could increase our proclivity to get it on. However, modern science and the Food and Drug Administration maintain that aphrodisiacs are more fiction than fact, and even some researchers suggest that a supercharged libido after consuming foods purported to be aphrodisiacs might actually be a placebo effect rather than the result of their consumption. In other words, if you think it is an aphrodisiac, it probably is.

While there may be no scientific proof that supports the existence of aphrodisiacs, there is no reason why you should not have a lot of fun trying them out with that special someone. Here are some must-try erotic elixirs for those who want a Valentine’s Day pick-me-up.

Write a Sexy Invitation to Dine ➸ Send a single rose with a handwritten message tied to it. ➸ Use a tube of lipstick to write on your lover’s car window or bathroom mirror. ➸ Deliver a pair of sexy underwear with a request to wear it to dinner. ➸ Send a singing telegram. Write your own lyrics to a popular tune. ➸ Transmit an electronic greeting card, writing your own lascivious prose. ➸ Cut out magazine headlines to fashion an anonymous ransom-style note. ➸ Make a box of handmade Erotic Fortune Cookies spelling out specifics for your seduction dinner.

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Oysters Although these mollusks have long been touted as an aphrodisiac for their physical resemblance to a certain female reproductive organ, they are actually teeming with zinc, which fosters testosterone production, a key ingredient for a healthy libido. Oysters are also a source of omega-3 fatty acids and dopamine, one of the neurotransmitters the brain produces during sexual arousal.

Chili Peppers A little bit of picante can make your Valentine’s Day caliente. Chili peppers activate endorphins and contain capsaicin, which raises your body temperature, gets your blood flowing and can spice up any ho-hum libido.

Strawberries

Grapes

The Aztecs did little to hide their intentions with this creamy fruit, calling the avocado tree “ahuacuatl,” which translates to “testicle tree.” While we no longer refer to the tree by the Aztec name, avocados are packed with folic acid, which is linked to the production of histamine, a chemical released during orgasm.

These little crimson and rose delights have long been associated with love, and in many cultures, their tiny seeds have symbolized fertility.

Strawberries are rife with vitamin C, potassium, folic acid, iron and fiber, which provide the key nutrients to any thriving libido.

One of the best ways to boost your sex drive is with a healthy circulatory system, and you need not look any further than grapes. Besides potassium and vitamin C, grapes are chockfull of antioxidants and resveratrol, which is believed to help counteract bad cholesterol.

To maximize their aphrodisiacal potential, you may want to hand-feed them to your partner.

Chocolate

Asparagus

Honey

Although as children, we may have complained about eating this vegetable, asparagus can keep your circulatory system in pristine condition, and contains folic acid and a chemical called protodioscin, which may give your libido an extra boost.

This sticky and sweet delight can help flip the switch on a sputtering mojo. It contains a healthy dose of a chemical called boron, which helps balance estrogen and testosterone levels.

Avocados

The “food of the gods” contains an unmatchable lust-boosting punch.

Chocolate contains theobromine, a stimulant much like caffeine. It also helps the brain produce serotonin (the brain’s happy chemical), phenylethyalanine, which is a similar compound to adrenaline and dopamine and has more antioxidants than nearly any other food on earth. But keep in mind that we are talking about dark chocolate (at least 70 percent cacao) and not milk chocolate.

austinwomanmagazine.com 65

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Spice up your menu with aphrodisiacs.

Chile Lime Shrimp

The menu:

Ingredients:

Tonight’s special: An Evening to Remember!

Appetizer (a little fork play) Chile Lime Shrimp

Directions: Heat olive oil in saute pan to a sizzle over a medium flame. Add garlic and saute until soft, about two minutes.

Add shrimp and cook until pink on one side, about two minutes. Turn shrimp, add ginger and serrano chile.

Cook shrimp until pink throughout, about three additional minutes. Add lime juice, toss with shrimp and remove from flame. Serve immediately on two plates, garnishing with cilantro.

1/2 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger 1 clove garlic, minced 1 teaspoon minced serrano chile

Entree (it’s heating up) Steak Au Poivre with Pink Peppercorns Dessert (try some “low-garb” sweets) Sumptuous Stuffed Strawberries with Mascarpone Cheese and Dark Chocolate

16 medium-sized deveined shrimp, tails intact 2 tablespoons of fresh lime juice 1 tablespoon cilantro leaves

Steak Au Poivre with Pink Peppercorns Ingredients:

1 tablespoon sweet, unsalted butter 1/4 cup heavy cream 1 shallot, minced fine 1 tablespoon coarsely ground pepper 1/4 cup cooking sherry 1 pinch kosher salt 1 tablespoon pink peppercorn 2 8-ounce filet mignon or sirloin steaks

Directions: Heat broiler. Season steaks with salt and pepper on both sides. Place steaks under broiler and cook for approximately three minutes on each side to cook medium-rare.

In a saucepan, melt butter. Add shallots and cook until soft. Add sherry and pink peppercorns and reduce by half. Stir in cream and simmer until sauce thickens.

Place steaks on serving dishes and top with peppercorn sauce. Serve immediately.

Menu and recipes from The Seduction Cookbook: Culinary Creations for Lovers by Diane Brown.

Sumptuous Stuffed Strawberries with Mascarpone Cheese and Dark Chocolate Ingredients:

12 large strawberries 2 drops vanilla extract 4 ounces mascarpone cheese 2 tablespoons grated dark chocolate 1/2 teaspoon fine granulated sugar Directions: Rinse and dry strawberries. With a paring knife, remove the hull and inner meat of the strawberry, forming a cavity in the berry. Cut the meat from the hull and save the green stem and hull.

Mix the stuffing ingredients until incorporated. With a small spoon, stuff the cheese filling into the cavity of the berry. Place the retained hull on top of the mixture and serve cold.

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to your health /

F ITNESS

High-Flying Adored Erinina Ness brings Fire Trapeze to Austin’s aerial arts community.

By Megan Russell with participatory theatrical experiences and immersive technologies.

She also teaches several classes throughout town.

What makes the aerial arts so intense is that it’s a full-body, strengthbuilding workout. To clarify, aerial arts involve more than just flying through the air on a trapeze—which is killer for your shoulders and back.

It also encompasses silks. You may have seen this at the circus: pieces of fabric dangling from the ceiling that skilled artists seem to dance and tumble through so effortlessly, and Lyra, also known as the aerial hoop.

If you’re looking for a workout that will tone your arms, this is definitely the workout for you. Ness makes sure to point out that not only will your arms get a workout, the rest of you will too.

“You must have an intense amount of core strength, leg and back strength, balance, flexibility and an overall awareness of your body. Tying yourself up in knots for a daring drop is like a meditation in concentration. And just being in the air, even before you start adding a lot of elaborate moves, is an awesome cardio and strength endurance workout,” she says.

If you don’t feel you have the strength necessary to pull off this type of workout, Ness has you covered. She teaches a course called Aerial for the Absolute Beginner.

The class is a combination of circuit training to build all the strength and skill you’ll need, and an exploration of multiple aerial apparati.

To find out more about Erinina Ness, or to set up a private lesson, visit her website at erininamarieness. com. Her beginners class takes place Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

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Aerial Arts Locations & Classes If you can’t make it to Ness’ class on the Eastside, there are several other schools Ness suggests you check out.

\ Sky Candy, 507 Calles St., suite 117, 512.800.4998, skycandyaustin.com

\ Trapeze Austin, 9501 Manchaca Road, 512.608.1071, trapezeaustin.com

\ Brass Ovaries, 3111 Manor Road, 512.477.7653, brass-ovaries.com \ Blue Lapis Light, 6701 Thomas Springs Road, 512.288.1929, bluelapislight.org

\ Urban Aerial Arts, 8222 North Lamar Blvd., 323.769.9326, thebamacademy.com

\ Four Elements Aerial Yoga, 314 Congress Ave., #200, 512.900.9247, fourelementsaustin.com

\ Aerial Ballet Austin, 11801 Rim Rock Trail., aerialballetaustin.com

Photo by Christopher Smith.

Soaring high through the air on a trapeze seems like something reserved for circus folk or daredevils. But in 2014, aerial art is looking like the new go-to fitness craze. To help ease you in to it is Austin newcomer and Fire Trapeze inventor Erinina Ness.

“I moved to Austin after nine years of living in New York City, doing what I thought of as a requisite establishing myself as an artist. I performed my last gig on New Year’s Eve 2012 with Moby, no less, and took off for Austin the next day. This city has greeted me with people who wanted to create and were committed to making artistic communities, a refreshingly lower cost of living and usually warm weather,” says Ness of her time in Austin during the last year.

Ness was professionally trained at Circus Warehouse in New York.

After a tour of Peru, Ness decided to pursue what would become her trademark as a performance artist.

She lit the ropes of her trapeze on fire and let her body do the work, thereby becoming the inventor of the simply named Fire Trapeze.

“I first spun fire on a social circus trip to Peru with Dreamtime Circus from San Francisco,” she says.

“That trip was intensely beautiful, trying and—as most good travel and exchange with people is—it was a life-altering experience. I kept getting the message that I could choose to be in the light, choose to shine, choose not to fight against happiness or my dreams. The sun was a powerful image for me there.”

Now in Austin, Ness is part of Crash Alchemy, a cirque troop that merges different artistic disciplines

to your health /

HE A LTH

Four-Legged Therapists Animal-assisted therapy is helping to heal in Austin.

By Jill Case Charles M. Schulz said, “Happiness is a warm puppy.” Apparently, many of the people who benefit from the love and warmth of the dogs and other animals (like cats and horses) who serve as pet-therapy animals, would whole-heartedly agree.

Animal-Assisted Therapy and Activities Animal-assisted activity is what most people think of when they hear about “pet therapy.” (“Pet therapy” is a term that is not used by professionals in the field today; they prefer “animal-assisted therapy and activities.”) This is when dogs, cats or other animals are used to help people have a sense of comfort and joy by interacting with the animals. This often takes place in schools, nursing homes, libraries and hospitals.

Animal-assisted therapy is being used to help people cope with medical conditions such as autism, heart disease, cancer and mental-health disorders.

Fortunately, there are several organizations in Austin working to provide animal-assisted therapy to help young and old in many different settings and with many different issues. Here are some of the many ways organizations in Austin are helping people with the assistance of animals.

Reading Parents, teachers and librarians will tell you that they see the social and emotional benefits of kids reading with dogs. Reading with dogs helps children, especially children with lower reading skills or those who may be reluctant readers, to feel more confident and enjoy reading more. The combination of reading to a dog who doesn’t judge you or comment, along with the comfort that a dog provides, can be magical for a child.

Austin Dog Alliance’s Bow Wow Reading Program uses certified therapy teams (pets and their handlers) who currently work with children at the Pflugerville, Round Rock, Wells Branch and Leander libraries, as well as in Round Rock, Eanes, Georgetown, Jarrell, Austin and Leander Independent School Districts.

They also provide special one-time programs.

Divine Canines has a program called Barking Buddies. Their therapy teams go to many schools in the Austin Independent School District. They also

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work with children at Rawson Saunders School for Children with Dyslexia, and they visit the Austin Children’s Shelter, SafePlace, Helping Hand Home and the Settlement House, to name a few.

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) benefit from animal-assisted therapy with dogs, horses and other animals.

Austin Dog Alliance has launched a program called S+CORE (Student + Canines equals Opportunities for Rewarding Employment). This job-training program, funded by the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), helps prepare students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) for jobs as vet tech assistants, grooming assistants, kennel technicians and other animal-related professions. The students, ages 15 to 25, learn social skills that will help them obtain employment, as well as job skills that will prepare them for jobs working with animals.

R.O.C.K., Ride On Center for Kids, recently received a grant from the W.D. Kelley Foundation to fund research that will examine the relationship between equine-assisted activities and therapy and the behavior of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Their therapeutic riding program currently provides these children, along with children who have been diagnosed with ADD, cerebral palsy, developmental delays, learning disabilities and other diagnoses, with many benefits. Path International registered therapeutic riding instructors teach the children horsemanship and riding skills, which helps them improve their social, cognitive and behavioral skills.

They also often benefit from increased self-esteem, balance, motor control and coordination.

Hospitals Pet therapy is used in hospitals to help patients cope with the stress and anxiety of being hospitalized. It can also help people cope with pain, as well as making them feel more at home during their time away from the things they know and love.

One program in the Austin area that uses this approach is the Woody Pet-Assisted Therapy program at Dell Children’s. Certified pet-handler teams come to the hospital on most Fridays and during special events. The children enjoy the company of the dogs, and they don’t even realize that petting and playing with the dogs is helping them feel less stressed by their environment and their treatment. All the children know is they are happy to have a dog to love.

Elderly Pet therapy is very beneficial to the elderly population, whether in nursing homes, rehab facilities or hospitals. It has been shown to help improve their communication, reduce their stress levels and make them happier.

Therapy Pet Pals takes pets into nursing homes to meet the residents. The animals make the residents feel good on many levels. Non-verbal residents or residents with memory issues enjoy interacting with the dogs because they don’t have to worry about how they communicate; just petting the dog is enough. The animals also bring back good memories of residents’ own pets, which encourages them to communicate.

Soldiers When soldiers come back from war suffering from post-traumatic stress or brain injuries, canine therapy is incorporated in to their treatment, thanks to the dog-therapy teams from Divine Canines. The dogs visit Fort Hood once a month so soldiers can interact with them. The unconditional love they provide seems to help the soldiers feel less stressed and also provides something simpler: fun. Petting the animals seems to calm people and provide a relaxed environment for conversation and healing.

Volunteer Do you have a friendly pet who would be a perfect fit for an animal-assisted therapy program? In order to qualify as a therapy animal, your pet will have to meet certain requirements.

Contact the organization you would like to help for more specific information on what they require of you and your animal. Qualifications include: rP ets must be up to date on their inoculations. rP ets and their handlers must go through training. rH andlers must be 18 years of age or older.

You don’t have to own a pet to volunteer; there are other opportunities to help. Contact the organizations listed for more information about volunteering or about participating in therapy.

Contact Information The organizations listed here offer a variety of programs for people of all ages, and they all work with volunteers. r A ustin Dog Alliance. Provides children and young adults of all abilities with canine-assisted programs that improve their ability to learn and reach their full potential. austindogalliance.org, 512.335.7100 r D ivine Canines. Provides free animal-assisted therapy services to various populations in Central Texas. divinecanines.org r R .O.C.K., Ride On Center for Kids.

Provides healing through horses. rockride.org, 512.930.7625 r T herapy Pets of Texas Inc. Provides pet therapy, visitation and education. therapypetpals.org, 512.347.1984

www.BeeWellAustin.com 12005 Bee Cave Rd #2A Austin, TX 78738 512-225-0766

What is Hippotherapy?

Despite the name, hippotherapy has nothing to do with zoo animals. Instead, it has to do with horses. According to R.O.C.K., Ride On Center for Kids, “Hippotherapy is a physical, occupational and speech-language therapytreatment strategy that utilizes the dynamic movement of the horse to achieve therapy goals.

This type of treatment is effective because the gentle, rhythmic movement of the horse simulates human walking.

The term ‘hippotherapy’ comes from the Greek work ‘hippo,’ which means horse.”

This approach is used to help people who have suffered brain injuries, spinal-cord injuries and strokes, as well as those with cerebral palsy, muscular weakness or visual impairment. It can help to improve muscle strength and range of motion, and increase flexibility, fine motor skills and more.

We Make Your Honey Better Patient Services:

Treat newborn to 18 years Lactation consultation on site Well child check-ups Sick visits Sports physicals ADHD screening + management On site certified pet therapy dog Vaccinations

It is the mission of Bee Well PEDIATRICS to serve the Austin, Texas area with the best in whole-child health care, using the safest and most effective modern medicine and evidence-based alternatives to achieve the optimum physical, emotional and developmental health for our patients.

TO YOUR HEALTH /

Keeping Heart Healthy What women need to know about cardiovascular disease.

By Megan Russell February is American Heart Month, and while many people focus on taking care of their romantically charged heart, it is important to remember your physical one as well.

World-renowned cardiovascular specialists Dr. Bradley Bale and Amy Doneen have written a guide that will inform and direct you in healing and preventing the clogged arteries that are the pathway to your ticker. Their new book, Beat the Heart Attack Gene: The Revolutionary Plan to Prevent Heart Disease, Stroke and Diabetes, is a must-read in 2014, particularly for women who are commonly misdiagnosed when it comes to matters of the heart.

“When I think about women’s health, we’re notoriously under recognized for our heart-attack risk,” Doneen says. “When compared to men, our bodies are unique and special. We may feel differently than any other time in our life and not know why.”

Discovering you may be at risk for a heart attack can be as simple as listening to slight differences in your body.

Doneen uses the story of one patient, Juli, to emphasize this. Juli, a healthy 37-year-old woman, noticed her body was not feeling right. She checked herself in to the E.R. and was diagnosed with pneumonia, due to shortness of breath. This was strange because she had no other symptoms that were consistent with pneumonia, like cough or fever. What was really going on with Juli? This healthy young woman had two heart attacks and because of her health and youth, the doctors never even considered this an option.

“I wish I could say this was an original case,” Doneen says, but she and Bale give many more examples of cases just like this in their book, stories of women younger than 55 who were misdiagnosed with something other than the cardiovascular disease they had. And she points out that it affects 10 times more women than breast cancer. “It happens a lot and it happens prematurely.”

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Ex pert Opinion Cardiovascular, or heart, disease is a condition that happens when plaque develops in the walls of your arteries. Doneen explains it simply: Think of a garden hose as your artery. It’s not the interior tube of the hose that the water runs through where plaque develops, but in the actual walls of the hose itself. Similarly, plaque grows in the walls of your artery, so you don’t feel it happening. Heart attacks occur when the plaque in the wall ruptures and the body tries to heal this area by forming a blood clot.

The blood clot is what can block the flow of blood, causing a heart attack.

Red Flags That May be Associated with Plaque in Arteries r Migraines r Polycystic ovarian syndrome r Gestational diabetes r Preeclampsia in pregnancy r Autoimmune disorders r Periodontal disease Six Heart Attack Warning Signs Women Ignore (These signs are often misdiagnosed as signs of menopause or even stress from a busy family.) r Shortness of breath r Shoulder or jaw pain r Unusual fatigue r Flu-like symptoms r Heavy sweating r Anxiety The Latest on Hormone Replacement Therapy After the Women’s Health Initiative Trials, it was thought that hormone replacement therapy put women at an increased risk for strokes and heart attacks. But what doctors have learned is that’s not the case. Each patient needs to be looked at individually and checked for vascular inflammation and clotting risk before beginning therapy and during hormonal therapy.

Life-Saving Screening Tests For Women r Carotid intima media thickness test (cIMT) r Coronary calcium test r Inflammatory conditions that can increase

plaque (these can be addressed with simple blood tests) r Sleep apnea testing r Test for periodontal disease or periodontal pathogens r Oral glucose tolerance test

Genes Women Should Be Tested For r 9p21, known as the “heart attack gene” r KIF6, a gene that puts women at an increased risk for heart attacks r Lipoprotein (A) r ApoE. This is the gene that determines how the body metabolizes food. It’s interesting because it can determine exactly what type of diet you should be consuming. It also helps explain why some women may workout and eat right, yet still have bad cholesterol.

The Myth About What Really Causes Heart Disease The most common myth about vascular disease is that high cholesterol is the only cause. In reality, it is only one of many causes, the most common of which being the most under diagnosed—insulin resistance— which causes 70 percent of vascular disease. It’s important to understand that because heart disease is caused by inflammation of the arteries and any condition that causes inflammation puts you at risk for heart disease.

Most importantly, even if you’re healthy and active, genetics can cause a predisposition to cardiovascular disease. Listen to your body and ask your doctor about these tests. Women at any age can have deadly plaque in their arteries, so realizing that you have symptoms that can cause buildup may mean the difference between a heart attack and a healthy future.

Doneen points out that vascular disease “is one of the most identifiable disease states; it’s not a mystery,” but women, more so than men, need to recognize their risk and be proactive about taking steps to minimize it.

To find out more about the Bale/Doneen Method of combining the science of disease-detection with lifestyle counsel, visit baledoneen.com.

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Executive Director Animal Trustees of Austin

Missy McCullough Lifelong Animal Advocate

By Julie Tereshchuk Photos by Annie Ray

74   Austin Woman F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4

Boo-Boo came as soon as his name was called, tiny paws sliding on the concrete

floor as he strained against his leash, tail wagging, eager nose twitching. Outside, the dirt parking lots on either side of the building were packed and a constant stream of people swirled in and out of the building, dogs on leashes and cats in cardboard carrying cases. It’s a typical day at Animal Trustees of Austin.

For 20 years, this little nonprofit that could has been a mainstay of the animalwelfare infrastructure, specializing in veterinary medicine to serve the animals of Austin and the people who love them.

“We are the community clinic for animals,” says Missy McCullough, the energetic executive director who is one of the original co-founders.

Today, she manages Animal Trustees’ $2.6 million annual budget and heads a full-time staff of 27, who provide care with compassion. Daily, they perform the near impossible, serving a rising tide of demand out of a cramped yet spotless 3,200-square-foot building. (Spotless, truth be told, apart from the requisite quota of cat and dog hair, which McCullough deems “an occupational hazard.”) The clinic is open six days a week, and closes only for the major holidays.

In a nutshell, Animal Trustees provides high-quality yet affordable spay and neuter services, wellness care, treatment for heartworm disease and upwards of 900 special surgical procedures (mainly fractures) annually.

The majority of the clientele is domestic companion animals, however, there have been instances of treating the odd ferret (brought to the door during a Petcasso painting session. Petcasso? More on that shortly.), a few rabbits and recently, there were two kids—the ones with cloven feet, not the human kind.

Last year, Animal Trustees’ veterinarian, Dr. Kirk Lewis, even fixed a duck’s gimpy leg after seeing the hindered bird on a television news report. No one is turned away, whether they arrive during a staff holiday party (as one rabbit did) or two days before Christmas. The pregnant festive season guest ended up with a litter of 12 puppies, born at 1 a.m.

Christmas Eve. “I had Handel’s Messiah playing, and it was one of the best Christmases I’ve ever spent,” recalls then Operations Director Hyden Johnson.

“Everybody that works here loves animals,” McCullough says.

Missy McCullough is as dedicated as her staff, and universally loved, says former Animal Trustees Board President Carol Smith Adams.

“Missy is the most selfless person I know,” she says.

“Not only does she care for every animal that comes her way, she does the same for people. She is always going out of her way to help others.” $2 million of the Animal Trustees budget comes from fees for service, leaving an annual $600,000 shortfall. That fundraising challenge is largely met by the Petcasso Animal Art from the Heart event.

The format varies somewhat each year but the essential premise is that “celebrity artists” (aka, the pets, mainly dogs) create a painting. Human artists donate one of their own paintings, inspired by a celebrity artist. The artworks are auctioned off during Petcasso, with the celebrity artists walking the runway while a video of their own creative process is shown to the audience.

“The videos are funny and heartwarming, and show how much the animals and their human companions love each other,” says Smith Adams, who this year, chairs her fourth Petcasso.

KXAN meteorologist Jim Spencer is the longtime host. His dog, Kaxan, a rescue dog who also serves as the TV station’s mascot, is one of the 2014 celebrity artists.

“I’m looking forward to helping ATA even more this year by enlisting Kaxan’s artistic skills,” Spencer says. “I am a huge fan of this unbelievable organization. Missy has operated it with such skill and passion that it has become an indispensable part of Austin’s animal community. What they accomplish on a daily basis is remarkable, and has changed the lives of countless pets and their parents.”

The whole family is encouraged to come to the creative artist’s painting session, says McCullough.

“One year, we had two boys who were literally covered in paint,” she says. “We had to repaint the room, even though we taped paper halfway up the wall.”

austinwomanmagazine.com austinwomanmagazine.com 75 75

Laughing her wonderful no-holds-barred laugh, McCullough recalls trying to get Sheryl Crow’s horse to paint their first Petcasso canvas back in 1997. That painting now hangs in the clinic’s lobby, the buyer generously donating their auction purchase back to the organization.

“Petcasso is fun and different, and you never know what’s going to happen,” McCullough says.

She is quick to emphasize that the entire event is respectful of the animals, and if any of them feel uncomfortable during the event, the show is halted. There’s a green room set up for the celebrity artists, where each animal has their own personal assistant who stays with them throughout the evening.

“All the volunteers want to work in the green room,” Johnson says.

Why should we raise money to take care of pets for people who cannot afford them?

For just that very reason, says Pebbles Wadsworth, former director of the

“People who are in hardship of any kind need the unconditional love that a pet gives.”

University of Texas at Austin’s Performing Arts Center and longtime ATA supporter.

“People who are in hardship of any kind need the unconditional love that a pet gives,” she says. “As a society, we owe it to give back not just to these people, but also their beloved pets. To think that only the more well-to-do should have the beauty of having a pet is not acceptable on any level.”

Animal Trustees’ For People and Animals Without Shelter program—4PAWS— provides free treatment and more for the homeless community, and is believed to be unmatched in the nation.

“It is whatever you need: collars, leashes, surgery, heartworm, flea prevention, food.

If you are a homeless person and you have an animal, we are here for you,” McCullough explains.

There’s also the Emergency Rescue Fund that allows ATA to provide heavily (sometimes fully) subsidized veterinarian medicine for low-income clients.

“Many desperate clients think they might have to give up their pets because they do not have the money for treatment,”

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By the Figures: The Impact of ATA

3 37,267 animals served in 2013 3 23,878 Wellness Clinic patients 3 12,052 spay/neuter surgeries

3 877 special surgeries 3 278 heartworm treatments

Petcasso

April 6, 2014 | AT&T Center | For tickets: petcassoaustin.org Event co-chairs: Carol Smith Adams and Courtney Clark Begun in 1997, and supported that first year by the likes of Ray Benson and Sheryl Crow, Petcasso is the signature fundraiser for Animal Trustees of Austin. This annual event is a fun, creative evening of live music, dinner and a silent auction. It also features a live art auction of paintings, some created by Austin animals, the others painted by well-known artists, many of them Austin locals. The four-legged celebrity artists strut their stuff on the runway while auctioneer Walt Roberts conducts the bidding. All proceeds support the programs and services of the Animal Trustees of Austin clinics. It is a unique way to support an organization dedicated to caring for the tens of thousands of animals in our community most in need.

Here are the stories of two families that took part in 2013.

Kelly Schneider and Kathrin Kersten, with Paloma and Berlin Kelly Schneider became involved with Animal Trustees as a volunteer nine years ago. She was inspired by the organization and the passion of the staff and volunteers.

“Everyone is so dedicated to the animals ATA helps. The animals I saw whose lives were directly affected by the emergency fund changed my life,” she says.

A fourth-generation Austinite, Schneider owns Social Communications, a public relations company that helps local businesses grow.

Originally from Northern Germany, Kathrin Kersten came to Austin to attend the University of Texas at Austin on an athletic scholarship and has stayed for 15 years, working for a communication insights company that specializes in PR and social-media software. Schneider and Kersten share their lives with their two dogs, Paloma and Berlin, and a betta fish named Persimmon. An 18-month-old double doodle, Berlin loves to chase and be chased.

Paloma, a 2-and-a-half-year-old black Labrador enjoys playing ball, running and swimming. Paloma was a bit daunted by the Petcasso painting process, but as you can see from the photograph, Berlin loved it.

Cat, Darren and Athens Aschaffenburg, with Elvis Elvis put the celebrity in celebrity artist. This 6-year-old French bulldog has more than 2,200 Facebook friends (facebook.com/elvisatthew) and loves hanging out with models and A-list actors. He enjoys long walks, a cool breeze, tasty waves, warm sunbeams, lots of attention and snacking on cheese and croissant. His human companion, Cat, shared some basic Elvis truths with us: He knows who let the dogs out, fleas don’t bite him out of pure respect, costumes want to wear him, he once won a staring contest with his reflection in the mirror, and most of all, Elvis wants to use his powers for good, to help other animals. When Cat and Darren Aschaffenburg’s son, Athens, was asked if he had any siblings, he replied seriously, “My brother is Elvis, the French bulldog.”

Cat Aschaffenburg, a makeup artist with human celebrity clients including Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock and Harrison Ford, got involved with Animal Trustees because she believes in their work building a community of professional caregivers and veterinarians.

“Having a pet makes you feel loved, it teaches love and for many without a home, the pets are their home,” she says.

Shanny Lott Austin-based artist Shanny Lott painted the portrait of 2013 Petcasso participant Serge, a boxer then aged 4-and-a-half, whose human companions are Martha, Alex and Rebecca Rochelle.

“Serge was an inspiration,” Lott says. “He was so beautiful and athletic in his own right. That was all the inspiration I needed. When I do portraits of animals, I always start with the eyes and work my way in to the animal’s personality from there. It seems to be the gateway to the soul as it is with all living creatures.” shannysstudio.com

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Smith Adams explains. “Animal Trustees provides the vital services that enable these animals to stay where they belong, with their human companions.”

McCullough says the ever-growing demand for ATA’s affordable care services can be attributed in part to Austin’s rising human population, combined with some unintended consequences of the resolution signed by the Austin City Council in 2010 confirming Austin’s commitment to being a no-kill city. Taking home a free older animal from the city’s now overflowing shelter, for

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cine, and still survive ourselves?” she says. example, seems like a bargain until Undaunted, McCullough’s aim is to the veterinarian bills hit. build a sustainable “Our organization is philanthropic model of critical to this commu“We’re broke every month,” a modern, well-equipped nity now,” McCullough community clinic for says. “If we go away, she says with a shrug people who cannot there is nobody to of her shoulders. afford private veterinary handle those people care. Her vision is to see with animals who canthat model be replicated by other organinot afford private veterinary care.” zations throughout the country. Hindering The challenge is clear. the philanthropic model currently is the “How do we serve more people who popular misconception that Animal can’t afford to pay for veterinary medi-

Trustees will only treat the animals of low-income owners. Quite the opposite. Having fee-paying customers helps the organization’s fragile bottom line. And fragile it is. Ever the optimist, McCullough has learned to trust that the money will keep arriving, however close to zero the bank accounts get.

“We’re broke every month,” she says with a shrug of her shoulders.

With such precarious financials, how has Animal Trustees been able to survive for 20 years?

“Because nobody ever told us we couldn’t do it,” McCullough says. “Every step of the way with this organization, when somebody has questioned us, the answer has been, ‘Yes we can.’ ” It’s almost arrogance, says the former special ed teacher and passionate animal lover. She retired when she was 42, “exhausted,” she says with her signature candor, from 14 years teaching emotionally disturbed children. It took her a year to get up the energy to start volunteering.

Where do you volunteer when you’re a person of Missy McCullough’s sensibilities, a person who rescues the bugs in the swimming pool, a person who still recalls how the death of her adored childhood pet, Timmy, shattered her world?

“He was my soul brother and I was devastated.” Yet, despite her bond with animals, she never anticipated working with them. “When I grew up, girls weren’t vets,” the now 67-year-old explains. “You didn’t have that as an option.”

Working with children became her second passion.

Going to volunteer at the Humane Society’s animal shelter, and becoming one of 10 women who believed things could and should be done better, allowed her to return to her first passion. And what a passion it has turned out to be.

“Many people have ideas, visions and plans that will change their environment and make a better world, but sadly, very few execute them,” says her longtime friend Wadsworth. “Missy had a vision and she ran with it against all the odds.”

Today, McCullough lives on two acres, just minutes away from her son, daughter-in-law and two grandsons. Queen Sasha is one of the lucky dogs that shares her home. It’s Sasha, a snow-white beauty, who rules the roost, though. The American Eskimo pup was left in the clinic’s lobby five years ago. Diagnosed with a severe heart murmur, she was rescued from euthanasia

by McCullough, who led the fundraising efforts to pay for her heart surgery.

“This organization is never going to be about anything other than the animals,” says McCullough, the former teacher who has unflinchingly stewarded Animal Trustees of Austin for 20 years. She’s full of plans for the future. It’s too soon to reveal them here, yet rest assured, they are plans that warrant Missy McCullough’s fierce energy, passion and vision.

You Can Make a Difference: Get Involved with Animal Trustees of Austin While all members of staff are paid, more than 200 dedicated unpaid volunteers are integral to the smooth running of Animal Trustees of Austin, saving the nonprofit $240,000 in salaries a year.

“Volunteers help in every capacity here. As recovery technicians, to make appointments and answer phones, scrub instruments in the back, check people in, check people out and helping out at events. We couldn’t do it without them,” says ATA Executive Director Missy McCullough.

For more information: animaltrustees.org

“My partner is Keni Gallucci and she is not only my life partner, but has been an integral part of the success of Animal Trustees over the last 14 years, first as the clinic director and then as the clinic administrator. All our staff, clients (two- and four-legged) and volunteers love her and look to her for guidance and compassion,” McCullough says.

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Unconditional

L ve Why dogs are near and dear to a woman’s heart.

Dog. (Wo)man’s best friend. I

mean, really, what’s not to love? If you can get past the hair shedding, wetdog smell and constant need for attention, in return, the benefits are endless and your dog will give you years of unconditional love. With a dog by your side, not only do you have an instant best friend, but you also have a protector and built-in alarm system, a walking and running partner and someone to sample your cooking when it falls to the floor, also doubling for a broom and mop. What’s better than being excitedly greeted at the door like you’ve been gone for years?

Or when your dog does something wrong and immediately looks to you with regret in his eyes, silently saying, “I’m sorry.” Or when your 70-pound lab can’t seem to remember he’s not a lap dog, giving you all the cuddling a girl could need.

80 Austin Woman F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4

With all of this in mind, it’s not hard to believe the recent survey completed by the British website Daily Mail, in which 2,000 female dog owners were surveyed. The survey found that one out of five women claims she talks to her dog more than her man. In the same survey, results showed that 42 percent have taken time off work to spend the day with their sick pooch, and 32 percent leave their TV on to keep their animals company while they’re away.

Austin dog owners, how would you have polled?

The domestication of dogs has been a part of our history somewhere between 9,000 and 12,000 years, and has been and continues to be used to herd animals for our livelihood, transport us (sleigh dogs) and help us hunt for nourishment, but most importantly, domesticated dogs have served as our companions.

By Molly McManus Photos by Rudy Arocha

In Austin, you see people with their dogs wherever you go. Whether it’s the free side of Barton Springs, walks through the Greenbelt, a great outdoor patio complete with a water bowl or even inside a restaurant— gasp—our four-legged friends can be found. They help us to connect as humans when one person asks another, “What’s your dog’s name?”

“How old is he?” “What breed?”

And while Austin may be known as a music and foodie town, it’s also undoubtedly a doggie town. Yes, we are obsessed and in love with our four-legged friends.

In this special feature of Austin Woman’s Puppy Love issue, we offer an intimate look at AW’s staff and their pups, and profile four Austin women who are making a major impact on the lives of dogs in Austin because, as they say, behind every great woman, there’s a great dog.

Dog Orgs & the Women Behind Them

Austin is among the most progressive cities in the fight to end unnecessary euthanasia and promote pet health. Leading the way are Dr.Ellen Jefferson, Amy Mills, Abigail Smith and Frances Jonon, as well as Missy McCullough of Animal Trustees.

Together, they have built an effective coalition of animal-welfare advocates, including the ASPCA, a partnership made up of the Austin Humane Society, Animal Trustees of Austin, Austin Animal Center and Emancipet.

Dr. Ellen Jefferson

Executive Director, Austin Pets Alive

Ellen Jefferson is no stranger to Austin’s dog scene, serving as a national leader in the animal-welfare community. The founder of Emancipet, which she directed for nine years, Jefferson moved to Austin Pets Alive, a nonprofit that fills the gaps of animal prevention resources, focusing on helping the healthy and treatable pets at risk of being killed in a shelter.

When Jefferson arrived to APA in 2008, she did some major renovating, reorganizing and updating, working with other animal-rescue organizations to resolve Austin’s problem of euthanizing thousands of animals each year.

Within her first year at APA, she reduced the killing of homeless cats and dogs in Austin by more than 20 percent, reaching a 90 percent save rate by 2011 that has remained steady. Thanks to Jefferson’s leadership, Austin is now hailed as the largest no-kill city in the United States, with APA continuing its work of providing resources, education and programs to help eliminate unnecessary euthanasia.

Austin Woman: Are you a big dog or little dog person?

Ellen Jefferson: Big dogs need the most help. The system fails adult big dogs, so I find myself more interested in them. And I’ve always appreciated having a bigger dog around me for security and feeling safe in my home.

AW: What is your favorite aspect of working with dogs?

EJ: It’s really rewarding to be able to save their lives. It’s mind boggling that dogs die in shelters still, so the best part is being able to see them get adopted and live happy and healthy lives.

AW: How does APA help these animals find homes?

EJ: We’ve started a few programs geared towards matching people up.

One is our Match Maker program: We talk to people about what they’re looking for, then we try to find dogs that match the personality they want.

The other program is the Canine Good Citizen Program. We’re taking 60 dogs that have the pit bull look—the blocky head, short coat, over 60 pounds—and training them to behave in social situations. They have to pass 10 different tests ranging from letting a stranger touch them, sitting patiently, having your person go up to another person with a dog. People don’t want the challenge of training a dog and oftentimes turn dogs in because they couldn’t handle them in the first place. The Canine Good Citizen will be better behaved and come with some of that work already done.

AW: What can people do to help?

EJ: If women want to make a difference with their volunteer time, donations or fostering, they should contact us about our big dogs and how they can help. That’s really the only piece that’s not fully fleshed out in our no-kill program. The big dogs, we’re still working our tails off to try and save as many as possible.

For more information, visit austinpetsalive.org.

Ellen and Sun (Canine Good Citizen, available for adoption)

austinwomanmagazine.com 81

Frances Jonon

Executive Director, Austin Humane Society

The Austin Humane Society is the longest standing no-kill shelter in Austin, serving the community since 1952. In 2013, AHS found 11,000 animals homes while also providing spay and neuter services to prevent future homelessness. Executive Director Frances Jonon has been with the Austin Humane Society for 20 years, holding positions such as foster care coordinator and operations director. She has overseen a 50 percent increase in adoption, 65 percent increase to the annual operating budget, a core of more than 750 volunteers, a partnership with Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine and the launch of a feral cat clinic, now sterilizing more than 5,000 cats annually.

AW: What is your favorite aspect of working with dogs?

Frances Jonon: It’s so sweet to watch those first moments of the dogs going home with their new families. Those moments make me truly grateful and they remind me of how important our work is in the community. Not only does it transform the lives of these animals, but it also transforms the lives of the people who love them, and everyone taking part in that journey.

AW: What’s one thing every dog owner should know?

FJ: Learning to read canine body language can help you interpret other dogs and maybe give you more insight about your own dog as well. Subtle displays—the way they are holding their mouth, ears or their gaze, the way they are wagging their tail (not every tail wag is a happy one), their posture when meeting new dogs and recognizing what it all means as a whole—can tell us a lot.

With some practice, the observation of the entire dog and situation can help us to read their happiness, anxiety, fear, anger or sadness, and can help you to be a better companion.

AW: What is a common misconception about dogs?

FJ: You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Dog training isn’t just for young pups. Older dogs can be very talented and with positive training methods can learn just as quickly as pups.

AW: Say your dog is fluent in English for 60 seconds. What would you tell her?

FJ: I’m sure she already knows it but I would tell her how much I love her, to start. And then I would try to reason with her about a couple of things: “Olivia, I promise that I will feed you breakfast first thing every morning. The pug tornado at my feet as you herd me down the hall to the kitchen is really not necessary. Also, we don’t give you chocolate for a reason; it is really bad for you.

Please don’t ever sneak up on the table and eat a six-pack of chocolate cupcakes along with a half loaf of bread again. I do have your vet on speed dial, but let’s try to prevent those phone calls in the future.”

For more information, visit austinhumanesociety.org.

Fun Fido Facts: Austin Dog-Related Statistics 12 dog parks 35 pet photographers Frequent dog celebrations, including the annual Easter Pet Parade & Costume Contest and the Austin Dog Fair.

Opened in 2012, Bow Wow Bones was Austin’s first mobile food truck for dogs.

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Frances and Olivia

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, Texas has about 7.2 million dogs, more than any other state.

Dog-friendly establishments can be found everywhere, from Franklin’s Barbecue and Half Price Books to Zilker Park Boat Rentals (but you need a doggie life jacket!).

Amy Mills CEO, Emancipet

Expense oftentimes stops people who might adopt pets from doing so and is a factor in animals being returned to shelters.

With five clinics throughout Central Texas, Emancipet works to lift the financial burden, making spay and neuter services, vaccines and preventive veterinary care affordable and accessible. As CEO of Emancipet since 2006, Amy Mills drives the organization’s mission. Not only do Emancipet’s services improve the lives of animals and their owners, they also are essential in ending unnecessary euthanasia of unwanted and homeless animals.

A new clinic opens in Killeen/Fort Hood on Feb. 15, augmenting the ones in Austin and Pflugerville and the mobile units in Elgin and Lockhart. Mills is excited to “see the magic they create in that community for animals and people.”

AW: Why is dog (wo)man’s best friend?

Amy Mills: They are everything we want in a friend: loving, fun, non-judgmental and they always love us just the way we are.

AW: What is your favorite memory of you and a dog?

AM: Right after I got my first paycheck, I went to the old Town Lake Animal Shelter and adopted a dog. I remember that drive home with him. He was so happy to be in the car but so little and vulnerable. I knew he was my family at that moment and that I would love him forever.

AW: What is a common misconception about dogs?

AM: A common misconception is actually more about people.

People say, “Pet owners who don’t neuter their dogs are irresponsible.” What I find is that they love their dogs very much, and are just worried about the cost or pain involved with the procedure.

Most people want to spay or neuter their dogs; they just need access to safe, affordable care, which is where we come in at Emancipet. We provide people with the opportunity to do the right thing for their pets, regardless of their financial situation.

AW: How have you personally benefited from owning a dog?

AM: Dogs have taught me the most profound lessons about love.

Life with dogs is happy, but also hard because we know their lives are short. We know from the moment we welcome them in to our hearts that we will lose them, but we love them anyway and they love us back with total devotion. I think loving without fear of loss is such an incredible gift and our dogs are our best teachers of that lesson.

AW: Say your dog is fluent in English for 60 seconds. What would you tell him?

AM: I would say, “I love you more than you can ever know. Thank you for sharing your life with me. And stop drinking out of the toilet; we have bowls for that.”

For more information, visit emancipet.org.

60 local dog-friendly hotels At the Austonian (the city’s tallest high-rise), 40 percent of the residents are dog owners. There’s even a dog park on the 10th floor and a room with professional dog baths and grooming equipment for residents to use.

200-plus dog-friendly restaurants

Amy and Rudy

According to Mintel, 46.3 million U.S. households own dogs (46 percent), with 78.2 million owned dogs in all.

62 percent of U.S. dog owners own one dog, 26 percent own two, 7 percent own three, 5 percent own four or more.

40 doggie daycares austinwomanmagazine.com 83

Abigail Smith

City of Austin Chief Animal Services Officer, Austin Animal Center The Austin Animal Center takes in an amazing 20,000 animals on average each year, and in 2013, maintained a 93 percent live outcome rate, making it the largest municipal shelter in the U.S. to reach and sustain the no-kill status. Through innovative programming and community partnerships, Austin Animal Services is entering its third consecutive year with a save rate of 90 percent or better.

Abigail Smith, the chief animal services officer for the City of Austin, originally got her start in Ithaca, NY, where she served as the founding member and vice president of the New York State Animal Protection Federation. With the Austin Animal Center, Smith is helping to keep Austin a no-kill city, assisting with shelter management, animal control, fundraising, program development, community relations and outreach.

AW: Why do you love dogs?

Abigail Smith: I really love all animals. Growing up, I was the girl that rescued bugs from inside the house, and today, I’m the woman that has nearly lost her life trying to avoid squirrels in the road. I grew up around lots of animals, from horses and chickens to dogs and cats, and I’ve had pigs, ducks and fish as pets. I love dogs, though, because they have such a special way of communicating with us, and form such a strong bond with their people.

I never really felt that our ducks and pigs loved us back quite as much as our dogs did.

AW: What’s your favorite breed?

AS: That’s easy—shelter dog! In most open admission shelters across the country, we’re seeing a very high number of pit bull-type dogs. These are my favorite shelter dogs. They are very misunderstood by so many, but pit bull-type dogs can be the most loving, gentle, loyal companions a family could ever have.

AW: What is a common misconception about dogs?

AS: That what you see is what you get. Less than 1 percent of a dog’s 20,000 genes determine physical appearance. Variation across only 50 genes determines breed-defining physical traits, and in most dogs, only one single gene determines a dog’s head shape. What’s really important for people to remember is that looks don’t determine behavior. My hope is for an end to breed discrimination, especially for those dogs trying desperately to be adopted from a shelter.

AW: How have you benefited from owning and working with dogs?

AS: I think I’m a healthier person, at least emotionally and professionally. My own dogs give me such joy every day. I couldn’t imagine a house being a home without dogs in it. On top of that, I get to go to work every day at a place where our whole purpose is to help pets and people. Having passion for what you do for work has got to be good for you, and certainly, I’m never bored, which I consider a huge benefit.

For more information, visit austintexas.gov/department/ animal-services.

84 Austin Woman F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 4

Abigail and Greta

Did you know?

Every year, only about half of our nation’s homeless and lost pets are adopted in to new homes or returned to their owners.

The other half are killed, making shelter euthanasia a leading cause of preventable death for dogs and cats in the U.S.

The Staff of Austin Woman and the Dogs They L ve

Melinda Garvey

Co-Founder and Publisher

Deborah Hamilton-Lynn

Finnegan Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier 8 Years Old

Bandit Chihuahua, 5 Years Old

“I’ve had a dog as long as I can remember and feel like they are a comforting addition to any family.”

“I love Finnegan because he spoons me on weekend mornings, much to my husband’s chagrin!”

“My favorite memory of Fin is watching him sleep by my son’s bedside as his protector.”

Editor-in-Chief

Satchmo Wirehaired Dauschund 3 Years Old “How can you not love a dog? They are always so happy to see me when I come home and are so much fun to watch.”

“They make my morning when I see how excited they are to begin their day and go outside. It reminds me that each day is a blessing and should be welcomed.”

Niki Jones

Cynthia Guajardo

Jasmine Vallejo

Magoo Frenchton (French Bulldog and Boston Terrier) 3 Years Old

Bella Maltipoo (Maltese and Poodle) 7 Years Old

Riean Yorkiepoo (Yorkshire Terrier and Poodle) 5 Years Old

“Magoo is a constant source of entertainment.

His personality is bigger than his ears!”

“Bella is very smart, sweet most of the time but definitely an alpha dog. I love that she’s a little feisty.”

“Nobody on this earth will love me more, be more patient with my mood swings or keep my secrets better than he can.”

“A favorite memory is going to the Humane Society and officially picking up my baby as her new adopted parent. I drove home smiling all the way!”

“Riean has taught me life lessons. I have learned to love unconditionally. I have learned that you shouldn’t take life too seriously. I have learned that it’s possible to let your guard down with someone you just met.”

Art Director

“Dogs need to be with their people. They’re pack animals and need to be a part of the family.”

“Having dogs has gotten me out of the house more, and I’ve met lots of people through my dogs.”

Associate Publisher

Brand Manager

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memo from jb

Death Row Dogs A tale of four rejects and one happy family.

By JB Hager Photo by Rudy Arocha My wife and I just adopted our fourth reject. Suckers! We love dogs and love the idea of adopting one that might not make it without that adoption. We have good intentions and we love them dearly, but no one could have ever predicted the hodgepodge of loser hounds we would embrace.

86 Austin Woman F E B R U A R y 2 0 1 4

Our first was 18 years ago. He was a Weimaraner rescue. He was 2 years old, gorgeous, but dumber than a leaf of wet tobacco. He was surrendered by a divorcing couple, so we inherited the name Turbo. Weims are gorgeous and wildly popular because a photographer named Wegman put shirts on them, stuck human arms through the shirt and made us all think dogs could eat with a knife and fork, so we got one. Turbo would lose his mind if my wife and I ever hugged. I later found out that the couple who surrendered him because of a divorce were bodybuilders. I imagine he witnessed many steroid-infused fights and didn’t know humans were supposed to be next to each other. He had a dumb-in-the-head look all the time, grew fat tissue deposits faster than we could have them removed and only got hit by three cars. He hated strangers, trees and

soccer balls. Made it difficult to venture out.

We miss him dearly.

Next, there was Diva. We went to the old Town Lake Shelter about 16 years ago. I begged the person working there to let us know which dogs had fewer than three days left. We agreed that we would leave with one of them. There she was, also 2 years old, yellow wiry hair, malnourished and only 8 pounds, half the size she should be.

She was the ugliest dog I had ever seen, but so ugly she was cute. She was small but scrappy, didn’t take any lip from anyone. Our running joke was that we found her in prison trading sex for cigarettes. She always wanted to sleep by my head or if I lifted the covers, she would go down by my feet and keep them warm. As she got much older, she wanted to be as far away from me on the bed as possible. If you touched her while she was sleeping, she would bite your finger off, much like wives do after

“I’ll say this once: Never let your children pick out your dog.”

IT’S YOur NIghT OuT 10-plus years of marriage. Diva made it to 18 years old, best we can guess. We finally had to put her down after she was wandering the house all night, falling down stairs injuring herself. She no longer knew where she was when using the restroom. I’ve been known to do all these things, but there is usually alcohol involved. Diva was not a drinker, to the best of my knowledge.

When my daughter was about 8, we were ready for another dog. We wanted a man’s dog.

I would finally get that running buddy I always wanted. I’ll say this once: Never let your children pick out your dog.

Roxy came to the shelter as a shepherd/ beagle stray who had just given birth under a porch.

Classy, right? Her boobs were still dragging on the ground, but my daughter somehow bonded uncontrollably with her through a chain-link fence. I suggested we name her Dolly or Anna Nicole, but my wife did not find that amusing. I suggested something less obvious: Mrs. Stokes.

Mrs. Stokes was my sixth grade principal who had breasts so large that only the assistant principal was capable of paddling students. If she was still capable of swinging a paddle, I would have been the most belligerent student ever, then skip off to the principal’s office with a note. We still have Roxy. She’s a world-class guard dog for the house, protector of my daughter. She doesn’t play well in public, much like Turbo. She’s endured numerous makeovers from my daughter: eye shadow, lipstick, you name it. And she’s always up for an impromptu pony ride. We’re lucky we found her.

Then there is the new puppy. I’ll keep this short because we’ve only had him a few weeks.

We started going to all the shelters and rescues around Christmastime. We hit them all up several times, but just didn’t see anything with that instant connection. On a whim, we stopped at the Tarrytown Austin Pets Alive. In the lobby was a litter of 2-month-old Chihuahua mix/mutt pups.

They all had parvo and mange, some with respiratory infections. I know I’m painting a lovely picture. They looked healthy except the one little boy who was half the size of his litter mates. He maybe weighed 2 pounds. His hair was still all gone from being sick. He was getting trampled by his larger siblings. He couldn’t walk very well.

His body was odd shaped. He looked somewhere between a newborn kitten and a Mexican freetailed bat. We all immediately said, “That’s the one!” Although we weren’t sure and still aren’t sure if he’s going to make it, he’s our fourth death-row addition to our family. I’m sure he’ll be as fulfilling as those other rejects we’ve taken in, but we have loved them all and they enrich our lives more than you can imagine.

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r e l at i o ns h i p s up first. Should I go ahead and make other plans—like a fun day out with my girls, for example—so that I’m not sitting home alone eating chocolate-covered blueberries on Valentine’s Day? I’m just not sure what to do!

-Wondering

Dealing with the One-Month V-Day Dilemma How to handle Valentine’s Day when you’ve only been dating for a month.

By Kaneisha Grayson Dear Kaneisha, I’ve been dating my guy for a month and things are going well. (I’m excited!) We haven’t discussed becoming exclusive yet, but I’m feeling secure in the situation. One thing I’m feeling a little awkward about is the fact that Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and he hasn’t mentioned anything about it yet. Of course, I would love to spend Valentine’s Day with him, but I know I’m not up to asking him out or bringing it

Dear Wondering, If Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and your guy hasn’t mentioned it yet, he’s either a last-minute planner (not something I would necessarily want to encourage in any relationship, romantic or in platonic friendships) or not planning on taking you out.

The third, slightly more optimistic (but highly unpredictable) option is that he is so in to you that he assumes the two of you will be spending Valentine’s Day together.

It’s important to note that at this point in the relationship, you shouldn’t necessarily expect the guy to take you out on Valentine’s Day if you’ve only been dating a month. First, going out on Valentine’s Day usually ends up being a

$150-plus affair at even modest establishments, as restaurants hike up their prices to capture the cash of lovebirds dining out. Secondly, staying in for a super-intimate Valentine’s Day can sometimes come across as a grand gesture of commitment—a commitment he may not be quite ready to make. Lastly, it may be worth considering to what degree the fact that he hasn’t approached you about Valentine’s Day plans is a sign that he may just not be that in to you.

There’s no way to know whether he’s just procrastinating, outright avoiding the subject altogether or possibly assuming the two of you will spend Valentine’s Day together. If you aren’t up for asking him out (which I wouldn’t recommend anyway), I don’t think that you should try to hint around at it either to get a reaction out of him. Men are bombarded with ads for Valentine’s Day-related products while watching television, streaming videos and listening to music online.

Believe me, he knows Valentine’s Day is around the corner.

Since there’s no way to read his mind and it sounds like you want to have clear plans for Valentine’s Day, I suggest you go ahead and make other plans. Doing so will show him (and remind you) that you are a delightfully busy woman with a full, happy life—something that most men find absolutely irresistible. If he ends up asking you out a few days before Valentine’s Day, you can calmly and sweetly let him know that you’ve made other plans but would love to get together some other time. You don’t have to rush to tell him that you and your girls will be binge watching Downton Abbey while making homemade hummus. Let him be curious about how you’re spending your Valentine’s Day. It may be just the motivation he needs to make you his one and only—and ask you out earlier the next time he wants to lock you down for a holiday.

Kaneisha Grayson is the author of the recently published book Be Your Own Boyfriend: Decide to Be Happy, Unleash Your Sexy, and Change Your Life. She runs MBA & MPP admissions consulting firm The Art of Applying and blogs about life, love and happiness at her blog kaneisha.com. She lives, plays and eats tacos in her hometown of Austin.

To submit your own question to Grayson, email submissions@awmediainc.com with “Ask Kaneisha” in the subject line.

88 Austin Woman F E B R U A R y 2 0 1 4

Grayson photo by Nick Paul.

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s i m p ly i r r e s i s t i b l e

John Faught Proving through Firehouse Animal Health Center why he’s the cat’s meow.

By Molly McManus, Photo by Rudy Arocha Meow! John Faught, DVM, has as much Southern charm as he does smarts, living out his veterinarian dreams at Firehouse Animal Health Center. Ladies, let me tell you, Faught is the cat’s pajamas, and at a towering 6 feet 4 inches, he is far from intimidating, readily offering a comforting handshake and a warm smile.

Having served as a vet for the past eight years, Faught opened Firehouse a little less than two years ago, his passion for his practice apparent.

“I love helping people take care of their pets and helping them make meaningful decisions that are bonding,” he says. “I love the challenges, trying to figure out what’s going on, how to help people, how to help animals.”

Kittens, canines and pigs—oh my! At Firehouse, Faught specializes in dentistry, medical and surgery, placing emphasis on preventative care and service, primarily tending to cats and dogs, as well as one handsome micro pig that travels via Chanel carrier.

“I want to be a go-to resource for my clients, and that doesn’t just start and stop at vaccines or illness,” insists Faught, who helps to find trainers and groomers, offers nutritional advice and fosters a community of pet-related services.

Speaking of community, Faught is involved with the Star of Texas Rodeo, assisting on the mutton-busting committee, staying true to his West Texas roots. Having lost his dad at a young age, Faught also gives back with Hospice Austin’s Camp Brave Heart, a camp for kids who have lost a loved one.

Getting his start at the top veterinarian school in the state— Texas A&M—Faught tended to wallabies, rhinos, giraffes, lions and the Baylor Bear.

“Every day was a different day. It was crazy,” he says, preferring the more niche line of work he currently practices.

Although he doesn’t have a favorite animal, he did take a moment to reflect on his border collie, Gage.

“There’s truly an unconditional love there. That’s the thing about people: There’s a lot of conditions with your relationships. … There’s a cool bond between humans and dogs that extends in to a realm of its own,” he says.

When he’s not on doggie duty, Faught enjoys golfing, being on the lake and eating Tex-Mex. A 10-year tradition between his friends finds him at Matt’s El Rancho every Wednesday night.

They say a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, but you may have to win over Gage first. Canine compatibility aside, Faught’s simply irresistible appeal won us over this month because of his brain, brawn and heart of gold. Woof!

Firehouse Animal Health Center, 3801 N. Capital of Texas Hwy., suite F-100, 512.765.9009, firehouseaustin.com.

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A l l t h e R igh t Qu e stions

Are You Ready For a Dog? What to ask before adopting a dog from Austin Pets Alive’s Ellen Jefferson.

By Megan Russell Adopting a dog from a shelter can bring joy and light in to your household, not to mention you’re saving the life of an animal. For Dr. Ellen Jefferson, the executive director of Austin Pets Alive, it is crucial to ask yourself many questions before adopting.

“We encourage adopters to think through each issue before finalizing an adoption. This could prevent heartache later. An adopted pet will live many years and we want that pet to stay in the same household for their lifetime, rather than facing being re-homed again,” Jefferson says.

Let’s be honest, most of us adopt dogs for slightly selfish reasons that all hover around companionship and pleasure. But it is crucial to be honest with yourself when considering whether you would make a good pet parent. Jefferson encourages potential new dog owners to ask themselves the following five questions before making the leap.

you become part of a couple, your dog does too. It needs to have a place in your new home, or at the very least, a suitable alternative. That means not returning to a shelter. And consider that as your family grows, you’ll need to adopt a flexible dog breed that will be comfortable with the changes.

3. How much do you know about animal behavior?

This includes the behavior of a particular breed of 1. What happened to your last dog? dog, as well as knowing how to introduce your new If you’ve owned a dog before, one of the first pet in to your new life. For example, a Chihuahua is a things you need to consider is whether you very nervous, territorial dog, so if you have kids, you had to relinquish it to a may want to choose a terfriend, family member or rier or a spaniel. Similarly, You will need to be willing shelter. If so, you definitely some dogs can develop to spend the time, effort want to put some serious separation anxiety after and, potentially, the money thought in to obtaining anbeing in an animal shelto help acclimate your other pet. Make sure that you ter, which can lead to

pet to its new home. do not upset the dog's life by destructive behavior. You having to give it away. will need to be willing to spend the time, effort and, 2. What is your marital status? potentially, the money to help acclimate your pet to If you’re single, you may want to consider what its new home. might happen if you end up with someone who doesn’t like dogs, is allergic or who has pets of their 4. Will you be able to provide your pet own. While it is perfectly acceptable to own a dog proper housing? when you’re single, you need to be sure that when Austin Pets Alive will not allow a dog to become an

outside-only dog. Dogs are in desperate need of living with their “pack.” It is mentally and emotionally cruel to house a dog outside alone unless it is only for short periods of time. You should consider this dog to be your companion, and that means it sleeps near you, can be near you when you are home and is not alone the majority of the time. If you do not have the time to train your dog to behave indoors through a short course of training, which takes a couple of hours a week for about six weeks, then it might not be a good time to get a pet.

5. How active do you want your pet to be?

You should definitely match your lifestyle—your current lifestyle, not your future one—with the personality of the pet so that you both are happy. Collies and retrievers are great dogs for an active family while pugs and bulldogs are good for less active, low-key families.

Under Ellen Jefferson’s leadership, Austin Pets Alive has helped to keep Austin the largest no-kill city in the U.S. since 2011. A vet by training, Jefferson has reduced the killing of homeless cats and dogs in Austin by more than 20 percent. Become a pet owner today and support Austin Pets Alive’s mission to find homes to save animals.

Austin Pets Alive, 1156 W. Cesar Chavez St., 512.961.6519, austinpetsalive.org.

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Job En v y

Melanie McLeroy Living the good life of an entrepreneurial dog trainer.

As told to Deborah Hamilton-Lynne Never envisioning ending up an entrepreneur, Melanie McLeroy pursued degrees in history and classical civilization from the University of Texas, a master’s in environmental ethics and philosophy from the University of North Texas, and attended UT Law School. However, a pair of unruly pups had other ideas, and with a little help from Cupid, McLeroy founded her company, Taurus, a training, boarding and doggie daycare franchise, now focusing on the development of the Taurus pack in training and operations. She also spends time giving back to the Austin community by serving in a variety of volunteer positions, including with the Emancipet board of directors, the Off Leash Area Advisory Committee (a committee of citizen volunteers that advises the Austin Parks and Recreation Department on matters relating to off-leash areas and dogs on parkland), and as Queen b with the b club, a group that raises emergency funds for breast cancer victims and survivors. Do you love dogs and secretly thought of becoming a dog trainer? McLeroy shares her path to the job she loves, the truth about her chosen profession and the love of her life.

Austin Woman: Your educational background is in history, environmental ethics, philosophy and law.

How did you get in to the dog-training business?

Melanie McLeroy: I had bad dogs! When you need to change your dog’s behavior, it’s important to find the right trainer, and William was Mr. Right in more ways than one.

AW: So it was a dog love story. What is it like working with your husband every day?

MM: Definitely challenging at first. We are both a bit assertive, which is an asset for the most part but can lead to conflict. We have different foci: I am very detail-oriented and he is big picture. Now we work synergistically, and we still work very hard to keep our personal and business lives separate.

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AW: What is your role at Taurus?

MM: My official title at present is chief networking officer. William and I have traded off running Taurus over the years. He has taken time off to learn about investing, became a pilot, etc. I have taken time off to devote to nonprofit work. At this point, he has compelling visions for Taurus that I’m fully behind, so he’s running the show and I can focus on going out in to the community to serve in various ways, such as with Emancipet and giving talks for continuing education for veterinarians and their staff.

AW: What is the most challenging part of your job?

people and their dogs, and I see a shift, like the light bulb going on in a client’s head, and time truly stops for a moment.

AW: Beyond working with the dogs, what is the most challenging part of owning and running your own business?

MM: The fact that we are always striving to be better, which is also a very positive thing. The tension created between where we are and where we want to be is challenging but compelling. Ensuring that our pack, our employees, are happy and knowledgeable, because that directly impacts the experience for our canine and human clients. We do a really good job, but we are always striving to be better.

MM: Adapting my teaching approach to my clients’ learning style. It’s a skill essential in AW: What kinds of behavior do you "Teach your dog what a good dog trainer. see most often in dogs or owners, for behavior you want Training the dog is that matter, that need to be corrected? them to exhibit and only about 20 perMM: Owners allow their dogs to bust cent of the equation. reward them for it." boundaries that aren’t good for the It’s teaching the relationship—it confuses the dogs and owners to work with leads to inappropriate behavior. Many their dogs in a way that facilitates optimum happidogs, for example, are pushy for attention and affecness in the household that’s the real challenge. tion, and many of us like that behavior and think it’s AW: The most rewarding? cute. Unfortunately, it confuses the dog about roles; they need us to be good leaders, and if we’re always MM: Changing people’s lives. Taurus is a truly doing what they demand, they feel a vacuum within purpose-driven business. We exist to help people the “pack” that they don’t know how to fill. and their pets. There are times I’m working with

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t h e l a st wor d

Tail-wagging Love at First Sight How an inseparable dog duo led to everlasting love.

My husband, Matthew, and I married exactly two weeks after we met.

I was 27, a graduate student at the end of my degree plan. The year prior, I adopted my first Rottweiler, Toby. Matthew had the sweetest little German Shepard, Maude.

I was sitting on the stairs at the Ninth Street dog park as the sun was coming up. Matthew was taking Maude on a walk before work. He was in a hurry and wasn’t planning on going into the park. Maude had other plans. She ran down to where Toby was playing. It was love at first sight.

Toby was aloof by nature. He was loyal to me and ignored all other living beings. Maude was a worrier, a bit high strung and kept to herself. This unlikely canine couple was head over heels. Matthew and I introduced ourselves and sat together on the steps watching their love affair unfold.

I was planning a move to Alaska after I earned my MSSW. I was going in to the wilderness and never coming back. Matthew was 24 and experiencing his quarter-life crisis.

We decided that we had to get the dogs together again soon. Matthew called later that afternoon for a dog walk. Somewhere along the Barton Creek Greenbelt, all four of our fates were sealed.

There were no dinner dates or meet the parents. We were married two weeks later by a justice of the peace in the gazebo next to the courthouse.

We grew up together, rooted and bloomed. We earned degrees, moved to Minnesota and back to Austin, started careers and businesses, bought houses and added four kids to the mix.

Every couple has a creation story. I once read that psychologists can predict

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the state of a couple’s marriage by the way they each describe their beginning.

It’s all in the telling: Changes in either partner’s tone or word choices throughout the years are key.

As any long-sustaining couple will tell you, it’s not always easy. I truly believe that our story saved our marriage several times during the years. Who could walk away from that kind of luck, that story?

We both still light up when we tell people we married after two weeks. The story is always the same, every telling, even during times when harsher words are spoken behind closed doors. Our story makes us feel like outlaws and reminds us that we got away with the loot.

To this day, I cannot fully explain our beginning. Our whirlwind was not a romance with its usual giddiness. There was seriousness about it, an earnest feeling. I choose to think of it as serendipity. We were two sidelined players who were nudged back in to the game by our dogs. We were what each other needed. Nothing more, nothing less. Besides, the dogs loved each other.

Four kids, many dogs and one cat later, on Nov. 22, 2013, we celebrated our 22nd anniversary, all thanks to a pair of dogs who changed our lives.

—Elizabeth Breston April's Last Word topic will be “It's Not Easy Being Green.”

To be considered, email a 500-word submission by March 1 to submissions@awmediainc.com.

Illustration by Sarah Quatrano.