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Houston
June 2013
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{contents}
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cover by Sonia sellers
6
by 6 Frightened Fireworks
10 Fleas and Our Pets 12 Puppy 101 Is Your Dog A Trust Fund Baby?
Preparation 14 Hurricane for Your Pet
16 Centerstage Jack’s Story
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publisheR Shannan Parker Tel: 281.781.4727 info@texascatsanddogs.com
editor Tiffany Robinson tiffanyrobinson99@gmail.com
DESIGNER Fran Sherman 314.275.2208 fran@shermanstudios.com
Contributing Writers
20 24 26
Lisa Cari Tricia Fagan Christie Cornelius Monica Schmidt William Given Texas A&M Nadine Joli-Coeur
photographer Sonia Sellers Photography
18 Harold the Cat Cat vs. 20 Grumpy Colonel Meow
22 Pet Product Reviews Deogi, 24 Dougie Rescue Reporter
26 Marketplace 28 Find Your Furever Friend {June 2013}
ADVERTISE WITH US!
281.781.4727 • Houston@TexasDogsAndCats.com Next Issue: July 2013 Advertiser’s Deadline: August 15th 2013
5
By William Given
frightened by M 6
ost us look forward to celebrating the 4th of July with family gatherings, parades and picnics but the highlight of all Independence Day festivities is most certainly watching the night sky light up with a dazzling display of fireworks. But for some dogs, and more than you might expect, the pops, booms, and bangs are absolutely frightening.
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Just why some dogs seem to freak out every time they hear the screams of bottle rockets and the bangs of firecrackers while other dogs could not appear to care less isn’t known. This common noise phobia can even turn normally confident dogs into barking, drooling, trembling, whining messes. The good news is that there are a few things we can do to get our dogs through the night comfortably.
By holding your dog close and speaking to him in a reassuring voice, you want to say to him “it will be okay,” but what the dog really hears is, “you are right to be afraid.” That is not the message you want him to get. Reward calm behavior.
Desensitize Your Dog Depending on your dog’s level of sensitivity, keeping him calm and relaxed during the year’s noisiest holiday will take some preparation. There is some time before the Fourth of July for you to get your dog accustomed to the sound of fireworks. It is commonly referred to as desensitization. It is a simple process and may prove successful with dogs which have a mild to moderate phobia. • Play a video or audio recording of fireworks at the lowest volume as background noise a few times during the day or when you get home from work. • Pair the sound of fire works with treats and especially meal time. This allows your dog to relate the sound of fireworks to something he enjoys. • Gradually increase the volume of the recording over the next several days and continue to pair the sounds of fireworks with things your dog likes. • Like all processes, continue this several times a day until your dog can listen to the sounds of the fireworks at a moderately high level without showing any signs of fear. Easing Your Dog’s Fear Don’t change your behavior. Continue in your role as a strong pack leader. Act confident and unbothered by the noise out-
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side. Don’t coddle or baby your dog. By holding your dog close and speaking to him in a reassuring voice, you want to say to him “it will be okay,” but what the dog really hears is, “you are right to be afraid.” That is not the message you want him to get. Reward calm behavior. Keep your dog inside as much as possible on the day of the festivities. If you have a home with a basement, which naturally blocks the sound of fireworks, turn the space into a comfortable nighttime refuge with a soft bed, a few of his toys, food, and water. You can help your dog through the night more easily with frequent visits and keeping the mood upbeat. Other things you can try • Play a CD of soothing classical music or the comforting sounds of nature. • Turn on the television or use a fan to mask the noise of the fireworks outside. • Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise during the day so he will be tired and want to sleep at night. • Spend the night with family or friends who live in a neighborhood where fireworks are prohibited. A Severe Fear of Fireworks For a dog suffering from a severe phobia, nothing may work to ease his fear. There are several overthe-counter and prescription drugs as well as natural supplements that can help noise phobic dogs. Ask your veterinarian about an anti-anxiety medication, calming agent, sedative, or other options. Medication may be best solution for getting you and you four-legged friend through the fireworks this season. Take a few proactive steps, and the holiday traditionally known for the rocket’s red glare with fireworks bursting in air won’t cause your dog too much distress.
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fleas and our
Reprinted with permission from Texas A&M
{pethealth}
the itch that keeps on itching:
pets
O
f all the joys spring offers us, one of the most troublesome things about this time of year is the increase of insects on our furry friends. Of all these creepy pests, adult fleas cause the most problems for our pets.
In order to become adults, fleas need warm weather, between 70 and 80 degrees, and around 70 to 80 percent relative humidity. “Those ideal conditions are usually what we are experience during this time of the year, which is why we generally see more fleas coming out in the spring,” said Dr. Alison Diesel, lecturer in dermatology at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (CVM). Unlike many geographical areas where seasonal differences occur, fleas can be present yearround in Texas because of our warmer winters. While many people think fleas are relatively harmless except for making our pets itch, fleas can cause numerous other health 10
problems in our pets. For example, some animals may react to an allergen found in fleas’ saliva, causing the animal to have an allergic reaction. This causes the animal to itch and ultimately scratch, which can lead to a secondary skin infection. If there is a massive amount of fleas, anemia could even become a potential problem, especially with small animals that do not have large amounts of blood. Fleas also carry diseases like tapeworms and Bartonella (which causes “cat scratch disease”) that can infect both pets and humans. While there is no way to completely prevent fleas from reaching our pets, a key factor to controlling fleas is breaking their life cycle either by killing the
adults and/or at least one of the juvenile stages. “The flea life cycle has four phases: the adult fleas lay eggs, the eggs hatch into larvae, the larvae turns into pupae, which, eventually, turn into adults,” said Diesel. “Targeting several phases of the flea lifecycle is best, particularly when dealing with an infestation. The easiest stage to target is the adult flea since they live on the pet. The other stages, such as eggs, larvae, and pupae, are present in the environment.” With regards to specific therapy for fleas and secondary problems, your pet’s veterinarian is a valuable resource for the best options and possible medications. “Your pet’s veterinarian can help recommend the most ap-
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propriate product to help prevent fleas based on other factors (other skin conditions, food allergies, etc.) as well as discuss the appropriate way to administer the product,” said Diesel. “I suggest using a flea prevention that lasts the entire month and is still effective if the pet gets wet.” Using flea prevention products once every 30 days provides the best protection for your pet from flea bites and can even prevent a flea infestation from being established in your pet’s environment. It is important to minimize an animal’s exposure to fleas by avoiding infested areas and pets. “There are some things which can be done to minimize exposure to fleas: avoid known infested areas, do not allow your pet to come into contact with wild animals or burrows, and protect areas of the house where wild animals may enter to minimize wild animals from establishing residency in the first place,” said Diesel. “If fleas become a problem inside the house, try vacuuming once a week.” If the flea presence grows larger, there are various in-house treatments and exterminators to aid in flea removal. “Focus on places where the pets spends most of their time inside the house because that will
contain the most concentrated area of fleas,” said Diesel. “Also, don’t forget under beds and furniture, behind curtains, and along hallways connecting rooms when treating the house for fleas. It may be best to contact a professional exterminator when there is a large flea burden present.” In addition to treating animals and the inside of the home, it may also be essential to treat the outside environment around your home. This can be done by treating areas of the surrounding property that have an unusually high populace of fleas. “This includes shaded areas, under trees and bushes, in dog houses, under porches and decks. As with indoor control, when the burden is high, a professional exterminator may be the most help,” said Diesel. The best approach to managing fleas is to practice prevention continuously throughout the year by treating all pets with proper medication as well as treating the inside and outside of the home if there is a suspected infestation. “It is much easier to prevent fleas than to treat fleas,” said Diesel.
dog daycare & bakery • Cage-Free Boarding • Open 7 Days Per Week
www.houstondogdaycare.com • Don’t forget to visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/jacksons.place
{puppy101} by Tricia Fagan
trust fund baby? is your dog a
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any of us must work to earn a living. The need to work puts constraints on our behavior. Whether you work for yourself or a company, you will need to show up on time, work hard, and get the job done. Anyone that fails to meet these requirements will lose their jobs or businesses. It is powerful motivation.
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Yet, there are people who have so much money that work is not a requirement. Some of those with a bit too much money, and a bit too little self-control, are often in trouble for their rowdy behavior: drunk driving, taking illegal drugs, misbehaving in public. You know who they are - movie stars, musicians and heiresses who became rich and famous at a young age. Too much money acquired much too young. Think about it. If you are nineteen years old, and you have all the money you could need or want. Why would such a person show up on time, be polite, honor their commitments? Don’t get me wrong, many people who became wealthy when young are very responsible people. This article is about the ones that go “bad”. Wait a minute! Isn’t this is a dog training article? What do poorly behaved wealthy teenagers have to do with dog training? Well, this article is about living beings who receive everything they need without any behavioral requirements. If your dog receives all the treats, toys, play, attention, and walks he wants, without any behavior requirements, why would he do what you ask? Fido! Come! Or stay there. Either way, Fido gets a hot dog. Do you think Fido will come? Rover, Sit! Or not. Either way, rover gets a chew toy. Rover and Fido will be naughty, spoiled
{June 2013}
If you want a well behaved dog, and not a trust fund baby, make Fido and Rover’s rewards contingent on their behavior. trust fund babies. If you want a well behaved dog, and not a trust fund baby, make Fido and Rover’s rewards contingent on their behavior. Fido wants to go outside? Fido must sit to get his humans to open the back door. Rover wants a treat? Rover must rollover for a reward. Fido paws at you for a treat? No treat for that behavior. Now, I don’t mean to wait until your dog sits perfectly before you let him outside if your dog has never sat for you before. Do some training before you ask for a behavior. Ask for good behaviors before dolling out payments from your dog’s trust fund (or letting him outside, taking him for a walk, or giving him a new toy). Avoid having badlybehaved trust fund baby. Teach your dog that riches depend on being wellbehaved. Happy training!
Tricia Fagan Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed DogS Gone Good www.dogSgonegood.com trainer@dogSgonegood.com (713) 557-1949 13
hurricane preparation for your pet
Do your Homework!
If you are planning to evacuate with your pet, make sure you know which places are pet-friendly! If you are not evacuating with your pet, make sure you find a boarding facility that is hurricane rated.
Microchip!
Stop by the Houston Humane Society’s low cost clinic to get your pet microchipped! This simple procedure will ensure that you would be re-united with your pet if he/she becomes lost and is turned into a shelter or vet clinic! Tags & Collars can fall off, but microchipping is permanent and it is only $25!
Vet Records and a current photograph of your pet!
Store them in a waterproof container (like a Ziploc bag). You may need to show proof of vaccines, plus if your pet becomes lost a current photo will help shelters identify them.
by Monica Schmidt – Houston Humane Society
Get a Carrier!
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Make sure you have a size appropriate carrier for each of your animals. Carriers should be large enough for your pet to stand and turn around comfortably.
STOCK UP!
Make sure you have enough pet food, water, and an ample supply of any medication your pet may be taking for up to 2 months!
NEVER EVER LEAVE YOUR PET BEHIND
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{centerstage} 16
jack’sstory by Lisa Cari
photos by Steven Moore Photography
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J
ack’s story of rags to riches is not unlike many stories of twists and turns and paths crossed for a few of Houston’s homeless pets.
Born on the streets in the Rice Military area, Jack was able to stay alive by hunting and stealing food left for other outdoor cats in the area. He was spotted running into a culvert by an animal lover that just moved into the area. She couldn’t believe how many homeless cats and dogs she came across in just a few months. She successfully lured him out using stinky cat food, and took straight to vet to see if he was microchipped and make sure he was okay since he was quite thin. She put up Found Cat posters in the area in hopes of reuniting him with his family. Jack was named Johnny back then, and he was not considered feral, just a little under socialized with people or maybe he was just a typical cat, aloof. Her elderly cats were not happy about him taking up residence in her home and she tried for weeks to integrate him into the cat pack after she didn’t have any luck locating his owners, if he had owners She wanted him to be able to free roam in her home, but for his own safety he had to be kept in one of the bathrooms. This was not ideal and couldn’t see this going on long term. Don’t get me wrong, the bathroom was big and beautiful but not a life for cat. She reached out to her animal loving friends to see if they could foster him while she looked for a rescue group to take him into their program, as most no-kill rescue groups require a foster home and/or a sponsor so they don’t have to be boarded or go to
{June 2013}
a shelter. Fostering also allows for behavior modifications and to see how they interact with human family members and furry family members. Her friend Pat invited them both over so she could take some snap shots of him and she could get some cat-love. Pat’s cat had recently passed away and she missed hearing the purrs of a happy cat. When Pat heard the name of the cat, Johnny she knew it was meant to be. Her husband was battling cancer at the time, and his name was John. She didn’t even take snapshots of him since she knew he was not going to leave – he was now home. Johnny earned the nickname Jack with his new found charm and a spacious home to roam. He made friends with the two dogs that were cat friendly by only resting in their beds when he felt like it. He had a sense of humor too, and put up with his new little sister that was bottle-fed after she was found just days after being born in some bushes in the Heights. Valentine loved to pounce on Jack, even though she was the size of a Guinea Pig and Jack was now super strong and healthy and the size of a small mountain lion. He led her on wild chases of tag throughout the 3-story home and taught her how to be a cat. He is now king of this palatial estate set in a forest by a bayou where he can watch birds, squirrels, raccoons, rabbits and sometimes a peacock or two, and loving every minute of it.
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{pawz-itivelynatural} By Nadine Joli-Coeur
I
haroldthecat
rescued Harold 1 1/2 years ago just before Christmas from a local Houston rescue. and brought him home to a house with two chocolate Labs, Lucky and Callie. Not sure what to make of the two big dogs and vice versa, Harold, in his playful nature, became fast friends with Lucky Harold is turning two this month and as our Cat product tester, he has been a hoot.
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Harold’s morning starts around 5am with his first feeding. Around 6.30 he wakes me up for his second breakfast. His is convinced we are not on to his scheme but we plan accordingly. Harold’s Diet Harold’s diet consists of 90%+ wet food and a little dry. Why is that? Cats inherently have a low thirst drive and if you only feed a dry diet the system has to strain due to the lack of hydration. I also feed a less processed diet so he can absorb more nutrition in every bite. Steer clear of ingredients such as gluten, hulls, corn, soy and wheat. Harold then heads for a quick drink from the fountain and starts his day. Did you know that many cats don’t drink from a water bowl because their instinct is that still water is not safe (in the wild)? Chronic poor hydration is probably the number one underlying cause of issues later in life with kidneys. As for treats, I am always trying new things. One thing is for sure, Harold does not like anything processed. His absolute favorite treats are the Weruva dehydrated treats. They come in chicken or fish in a small jar, and I am sure I could make him do tricks for them. Harold’s litter habits When we first adopted Harold he liked to pee on our dog beds. I still am not sure
{June 2013}
if it is because he didn’t like them, wanted to dominate them or just liked to do it. It wasn’t a quick fix but adding a second and third litter box and making sure it was always clean seems to have cured the issue. I also do not use clay. I prefer something like corn based litters. My concern is two fold - dogs love cat poop and digesting clay is hazardous for them, also cats like to lick their paws continually and I didn’t want clay pieces making their way into his digestive track. I make it a habit of cleaning out his litter box(es) daily so that he does not get into any bad habits. If you notice your cat peeing outside the box or in another area which is not usual for them there could be an underlying reason (medical or stress related). Playtime Of all the toys / games / beds I have tried he likes most but LOVES only a few. The most used is his cat tower; so much so, I finally got him a second one. When researching cat tower products I looked for durability and at the carpet. I was concerned that some carpets could have traces of formaldehyde. The one we carry has carpet that is made in the U.S. in a plant in Georgia. As for games he loves toys that roll, crinkle or are interactive. He gets a lot of his stimulation from chasing or being chased by
our lab Sydney. Other things I use is a wand (feathers are his favorite) or if I am not going to be around a fling ama string (love this TOY - http://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=bMmxm-R_thw ) Stress My boy can be very sensitive. Last August my 10 year old male lab - was diagnosed with prostate cancer. At one point when Lucky wasn’t doing well Harold started to pee on the couch or bed and started to gag (almost throwing up). Initially I just thought he went back to his old habit but he didn’t look right so I took him to the vet. He was very sick and ended up having to spend two nights there with fluids. It is very difficult to know when a cat is in pain or distress. Some of the common signs are going to the bathroom outside their litter box, be more demanding for attention, excessive scratching, decreased appetite, diarrhea, constipation or other G.I.. issues. Because cats have a low thirst drive they can become dehydrated very quickly so it is always better to be proactive and take them to the vet. Part of the realization I had was that I needed to be aware of any changes in my cat’s surrounding as it does affect him. It also made me realize that I had let go of my stress as it was affecting him and wasn’t helping anyone. 19
grumpy cat vs colonel meow: grumpy cat
grumpy cat
tail of the tape By Christie Cornelius, DVM, Last Wishes In-Home Pet Hospice, Houston, TX
G
rumpy Cat and Colonel Meow are two felines who have taken the internet by storm. They have their own blogs, Facebook pages, Twitter accounts, and merchandise for sale. They made the internet “meme� (an idea that spreads like a virus by word of mouth, email, blogs etc) mainstream. Who are these famous felines? Below are little-known facts about the larger-than-life purrrsonalities:
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“Grumpy Cat” a.k.a. Tardar Sauce Gender: Female Born: April 4th, 2012 (1 yr old) in Morristown, AZ Breed: Mixed - resembles a Snowshoe/Ragdoll/Persian, but looks nothing like her mother or father. (mother is a calico, father is a gray and white tabby...although there could be a different father since cats are known to be a little promiscuous). Tardar’s petite size and famous face likely due to feline dwarfism - mom and dad were normal sized domestic short haired cats. Tardar’s back legs are a bit longer than her front legs, and she walks with a slight wobble in her back end sometimes. Family: Tardar has a brother, Pokey (also a dwarf and really the grumpy one) and both live with their humans Bryan and Tabitha. When Tardar was a kitten, her fur was speckled with dark spots and a member of her family said it looked like tartar sauce (it was writ-
ten down wrong and the family kept it that way).
unlimited food. 600 people lined up to see her at the event in Austin, TX.
Notoriety: Became an internet sensation after her photo was posted on Reddit on September 22, 2012. Her famous frown was thought at first to be photoshopped, but it is 100% real and natural. She is only photographed once a week.
Appearances: Anderson Live and Good Morning America, TIME magazine photo shoot, interviewed by Forbes magazine, Lil BUB and Friendz - a documentary exploring the Internet cat phenomenon, numerous internet sites
Original Meme: “I had fun once - it was awful”.
Trademark: Grumpy Cat’s name and face was trademarked in January 2013.
Activities: Loves to hide behind the curtains, loves to be held and rubbed by her humans; likes to sleep a lot on her back. She is afraid of heights and jumping. Favorite foods: tuna and Starbucks coffee cake Job: Spokesperson for Friskies cat food. They flew Tardar first class to South by Southwest and paid for a chauffeur, a personal assistant, and
Awards: Meme of the Year - 17th Annual Webby Awards 2013 Website: www.grumpycats.com Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ TheOfficialGrumpyCat: 945,496 “likes” You Tube video: “The Original Grumpy Cat” has almost 9,400,000 views.
“Colonel Meow” Gender: Male Born: October 11, 2011 (Age 1.5) in Seattle, WA Breed: Himalayan-Persian Mix Family: Colonel Meow was abandoned on the side of the road and rescued by the Himalayan and Persian Society. He went to the doctor and was cleared for adoption through Petco where he met his Master, Anne Marie and his Master’s Male Servant Eric. Colonel Meow reluctantly shares his domain with another feline, “Brawd” and “Boots” the Golden Retriver. Notoriety: Colonel Meow rose to internet fame after being featured on the internet news site The Daily What in September 2012. He is known for his unique fluffy coat and intense facial expressions. He spends his time planning world domina{June 2013}
tion, recruiting his minion army and requesting lots of treaties and scotch on the rocks. Activities: In his own words: “I’m a cat. I have the unfortunate ability to [poop] in my fur. Sometimes when I’m scared I open my eyes really wide and then fall asleep. I like to go on walks with my leash, but when that gets hard I sit down. I like my friend Boots, a stupid golden retriever who never know when I’m sneaking up. My favorite thing to do is eat. When I’m not eating, I feel like I forgot to eat so I go back to eat again. I’m really good at staring, and if I stare too long I forget what I’m doing and fall asleep. I’m really fluffy so I cough up a lot of hair balls. That scares me, so much so, that I will meow until someone comes and holds me. I’m the apartment police. So if you are going to the bathroom I might scratch and meow at the door to
say, “who’s in there? open up!” I like my butt scratched.” Favorite food: Scotch Job: The new CEO of BuzzFeed Appearances: CNN’s Anderson Live with Anderson Cooper, numerous internet sites Awards: Paw Nation’s Top 20 Celebrity Pets of 2012 (ranked #9), Award of Excellence by BuzzFeed.com Website: www.colonel-meow.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ colonelmeowinthecity 166,563 “likes” You Tube videos: have racked up 1,300,000 views
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{petproductreviews} 22
reviews pet product
EZ X Harness
I love taking my dogs for walks and they enjoy it as well. The fresh air, the sights, sounds and smells. The nearly dislocated shoulders, the stitches, the screaming “Oh Dear God NO! Run squirrel, RUN!” Sadly I’m not exaggerating. Our Olde English Bulldog, Bentley is 59lbs of FUN! She’s generally very laid back but when its time for a walk, the inner demon comes out! I have to say, I was impressed from the get go with the EZ X Harness! Its not like a traditional harness that the dog steps into (not an easy task if your pet has arthritis or shoulder pain). This one has a large loop you simply slip over the dogs head and 2 straps that fit through the front legs and snap at the dogs back. Attach the 2 D rings at the center of the shoulders and your off! What I liked the most though is that all the control comes from the center X which is placed deep on the dogs chest; if they pull its not crushing the windpipe. Also, the harness connects to the leash at the dogs shoulder blades. This design allows me to stop the pulling from the chest as well as control her movement from her shoulders. I’m happy to say that after 3 weeks of using the EZ X Harness I no longer dread our daily walks. In fact, Bentley is doing so well she is now allowed to safely walk on the same leash with her little partner in crime and best friend Yoda the Yorkie! The EZ X Harness are made in America and come in several sizes, colors and patterns and you can’t beat the price! They can be ordered online at www. EZXharness.com
Bungee Pupee leash
What can I say- I LOVE THIS LEASH!!! I first met the owners of Bungee Pupee after an unfortunate incident involving my Bulldog, Bentley during a walk. There I was, minding my own business, enjoying our walk and the beautiful weather. What I didn’t know was that my daughter was playing hide and seek. Upon seeing us walking she let out a hi-pitched yell for Bentley! Bentley, whose heart belongs to our daughter took off running to find her! Several scrapes, scratches and 4 stitches later I was a hot mess. Bungee Pupee leashes were invented due to a similar accident with the owner of the company so they chuckled a bit when I told them the tale. After playing with the leash for a few minutes I could see how the design would absorb the shock from the sudden pull and quite honestly give me enough time to brace myself if she randomly bolted off again! I am now the proud owner of 5 Bungee Pupee leashes and will never go back to a regular leash. Combined with the EZ X Harness and a bit of additional training, our daily walks have turned from OW to WOW! You can find Bungee Pupee leashes at many high end retailers through Houston or order online at www.bungeepupee.com
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{dougiedeogi}
Dougie Deogi Rescue Reporter
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d gs cats Texas
Well, ‘sup peeps?
This is Dougie Deogi, rescue reporter extraordinaire, comin’ at ya from beautiful, HOT Houston. So, I’ve been a bit under the weather lately. I’ve missed a few articles cuz I’ve been in the hospital. Wanna know why? Because I have this horrible genetic condition called “hydrocephalus.” That means “water on the brain.” My body makes too much spinal fluid and it is trapped inside my brain. It causes a lot of problems. Some of the most common are • Sleepiness • Excess vocalization • Hyperexcitability • Blindness • Seizures • A large dome-shaped head (due to intracranial swelling) • Crossed-eyes • Coma • Abnormal breathing Me, well my symptoms were seizures. Just out of now where, I started having seizures. My “mom” was totally freaking out. I spent several days in the hospital getting a lot of different tests. Finally found out it’s this hydrocephalus thingy. (I guess we know now why I have the big head!!) Now I find out it is common in tiny little under-sized dogs like me. I guess the breeders are so set on making TINY, TINY TEACUP TOYS that they don’t think about all of the health problems something bred down so much will have. Like hydrocephalus. Like bad knees, luxating patella, where the knee caps pop out. Sometimes it’s so bad, little dogs cannot walk without surgery. My friend Coco, an IMPERIAL shih tzu, has this. She had four surgeries on her knees. Also, a disease called Legg-Perthes disease – this is where the top of the femur leg bone goes all necrotic and dies. Kinda tough to walk with a rotting femur. And the smaller the breeders make the dogs, the WORSE it is. SO, if you are buying a TINY, TEACUP, MINIATURE puppy of some kind, beware. Dougie Deogi, over and out. Dougie is the official spokes dog of Lone Star Shih Tzu & Lhasa Apso Rescue. www.facebook.com/LSSTLAR {June 2013}
Doggie Daycare, Boarding, Grooming and Obedience Training 6434 Washington Avenue Houston, TX 77007 713-868-7555 deogi@deogidogspa.com
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joysofjune The Trixie Fantasy Board was created to heighten your cat’s skills in smell, taste, sight, physical exercise and mental stimulation.
You’ll never touch, change or buy cat litter again. The CatGenie automatically washes, sanitizes and dries itself. Ask your favorite store about it!
These Cat Nip crumbles will drive your cat crazy! Everytime your kitty scratches the paper a burt of catnip particles releases! Available at Natural Pawz!
The Nita Ottosson line of puzzles isn’t just for dogs. Mix and match the puzzle tiles to give your feline hours of frisky fun! Available at Natural Pawz!
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A treat maze, massage center, scratch pad, grass patch and so much more! This Catit Senses Activity center is like a Disney world for cats! Available online.
Watch as your cat ‘springs’ into action after these colorful springs! Available at Natural Pawz
Ready for a game of catch a kitty? Our own cats go insane for this kitty fishing pole! Available at the Pawty Palace!
The lean, mean, stringflinging machine is a battery-operated cat toy that hangs on any door knob. A cord flings in & out for kitty’s non-stop amusement!
The vivid colors on these fun carriers allow you to take your pet out in style. It is fold-able! It is easy to use. Easy to clean and well-ventilated.
{June 2013}
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find your
furever friend All Texas Dachshund Rescue - www.atdr.org American Brittany Rescue - www.americanbrittany rescue.org Austin German Shepherd Dog Rescue-www.austingerman shepherdrescue.org Best Friends FurEver - www.furever.org Boston Terrier Rescue of Greater Houston- www. houstonbostonrescue.org
English Bulldog Rescue Network- www.bulldog rescuenetworktexas.blogspot. com
Miniature Schnauzer Rescue of Houston - www.msrh.org
Friends of Rescued Mastiffswww.mastiffrescue.org
Lone Star Shih Tzu and Lhasa Apso Rescue- www.shihtzu rescue.com
Greyhound Pets of America Houston - www.gpahouston. org
Noah’s Ark - www.noahsarksanctuary.org
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club of Greater Houston, Inc.www.cavalierrescuetrust.org Chesapeake Bay Retriever Relief & Rescue- www.cbrrescue. org
Gulf Coast Cocker Rescue - www.gulfcoastcocker spanielrescue.com
Chihuahua Rescue and Transport www.chihuahua-rescue.com
Houston Beagle Rescue www.houstonbeaglerescue. org
Corridor Rescue, Incwww.corridorrescue.org
Houston Cocker Spaniel Rescue - houstoncockerspanielrescue.com
Dachshund Rescue of Houston - www.dachshundrescue ofhouston.org Doberman Rescue Group - www.dobermanrescue group.org
Southeast Texas Labrador Retriever Rescue www.txlabrescue.org
Lonestar Boxer Rescue www.lsbr.org
English Springer Rescue America - www.springer rescue.org
Great Dane Rescue of Southeast Texas - saveadane.org Great Pyrenees Rescue Society - www.greatpyreneesrescue society.org
Dakota Rescue - www.dakotarescue.org
Husky Haven Inc www.huskyhaven.org
PugHearts, the Houston Pug Rescue - www.pughearts. com S.A.F.E. House Rescue & Adoption www.safehouserescue.org Save Our Strays - www.saveourstraysfortbend. org Second Chance Poms www.secondchancepoms.org
Texas Alaskan Malamute Rescue - www.texalmal.org Texas Collie Rescue www.texascollierescue.org Texas Great Pyrenees Rescue Group, Inc. - www.txpyrs.org Tiny Paws Chi Rescuehttp://tinypawsrescue.com/ Weimeranier Rescue of North Texas www.weimrescuetexas.org Yorkie and Small Dog Rescue - www.yasdr.org Yorkshire Terrier Club of Houston - www.ytcgh.com Zeke Fund Animal Rescue www.zfar.org
South Texas Aussie Rescue - www.southtexasaussie rescue.org
Houston Collie Rescue - www.houstoncollierescue. org Houston Lab Rescue www.houstonlabrescue.com Houston Sheltie Sanctuary www.houstonsheltiesanctuary. com
East Texas Cocker Spaniel Rescue- www.cockerkids.org
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• Killing a cat was punishable by death in acient Egypt. • Cats can jump between 5 & 7 times as high as their tail. • Cats are born with blue eyes. They change at approximately 12 weeks of age. • The oldest cat lived for 36 years. • Cats take between 20-40 breaths per minute. • The average cat can be expected to live for an average of 15 to 16 years. • The most fertile cat gave birth to 420 kittens. (spaying could have prevented this) • Cats’ hearing is much more sensitive than that of humans and dogs. • A cats field of vision is about 185 degrees. • White cats with blue eyes have higher chances of becoming deaf.
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CATS RULE. Meet Harold Did you know that Natural Pawz carries the largest selection of all natural cat food, treats, toys and accessories.
Harold personally tests and approves all of our cat products. This June he turns 2 and we have tons of cat food, treats and toys on special this month.
$5 OFF YOUR PURCHASE OF $10 OR MORE ON CAT PRODUCTS. (Food exempt. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Expires July 31)
With 10 stores and 3 Mini Pawz locations in the greater Houston area, the Natural Pawz team is ready to help you choose the healthiest food for your companion cats and dogs. Free samples available.
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