October 2016

The Definitive Source for Houston Pet Lovers | October 2016

Meet

Lacey

PetTalk GoFetch Cover Contest

Winner

Crazy Wacky & Silly

Things Pet Parents Do

Feeding Raw

Is it Right for Your Pet?

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

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DOGGIE DAYCARE | OVERNIGHT SLEEPOVER | SPA TREATMENT

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TWO PAW-SOME LOCATIONS: CALL TODAY!

3113 S. SHEPHERD DR. 77098

281.815.2871

711 W. GRAY ST. 77019

713.524.2820

October is National PET WELLNESS MONTH

Sunset Bo

ANIMAL C

Sunset Boulevard ANIMAL CLINIC For special offers visit SunsetAnytime.com/offers This month is National Pet Wellness Month, and we would just like to remind pet owners that preventative care is the best way to help pets live healthier and longer!

Sunset Boulevard ANIMAL CLINIC

Sunset Bo

ALWAYS OPEN - 24/7

ANIMAL C

CALL ANYTIME 713-574-9052 or VISIT SunsetAnytime.com 2525 sunset blvd | houston, tx 77005

Thank you for voting for us four years running!

Best Veterinary Clinic 2013

•

2014

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2015

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2016

OCTOBER 2016

Editorial

W

elcome to the most fun month for pets and their owners! Of course this is my opinion but there is so much going on socially that includes our pets, plus the fundraising gala season for pet charities is in full swing and if we are lucky, the weather also cools down. October is full of Fall Festivals or Halloween themed events, giving pets and their parents an opportunity to socialize, play games and dress up in costumes.

Whether it be for a photo op or for a costume contest, it always makes me giggle when I see some of the creative concoctions pet moms and dads come up with.

And, speaking of those costumes, that’s only one of the things that some pet parents do that is considered silly or wacky. Dressing your pet in crazy attire is one thing, but what about the parent that builds an entire room for their pet’s pleasure?

I once went to a photoshoot where the owner had built an entire room for her 6 small breed dogs, replete with ramps constructed so that the little ones could walk up, have a seat

oulevard

CLINIC

oulevard

CLINIC

Issue 9: Volume 18 www.houstonpettalk.com

and view the outdoors through the windows. In this issue, we explore some of the over-the-top antics of pet owners as we highlight some of the more common pet parenting styles. I must confess I’m guilty of some crazy stuff too. I’ve driven thousands of miles rather than flying so my dog could vacation with me and just last year, I traded in my dream car for an SUV so that my new Briard could be comfortable.

Some people call us pet lovers crazy, I call us blessed!

How about our cover girl Lacey, with her sweet smile? Lacey was the winner of our PetTalk GoFetch Cover Photo Contest. Along with several finalists, all chosen by random drawing, Lacey and some other very cute pups are featured on page 26. You never know with a random drawing what you’re going to get so I must say I was apprehensive about a pet being chosen that might not be cooperative at a photo session but all 7 dogs were completely amazing!

Also in this issue, I hope you will check out the Travel Feature I wrote about my trip earlier this year to

One Lucky Girl Meet Lacey, the smiling mixedbreed gal that owns Sarah Weinstein. Lacey was chosen in a random contest drawing of entries submitted by users who created an account on PetTalk's new App, PetTalk GoFetch. Lacey was a great sport, even willing to wear a Halloween hat sporting cats! See page 27. Thank you Lacey - you are a great cover girl!

Photo: Evin Thayer

North Central Costa Rica. I traveled to a quaint retreat called Leaves and Lizards for an Equine Therapy Workshop and vacation. While there, I wrote a daily blog and the article in this issue is Part I of a series detailing the experience, the retreat, the personal growth I experienced and more. This is one of the most profound adventures I have ever taken and although I’m biased, I think you will enjoy reading this feature.

It is only an excerpt of the original 9 days of blog posts so I urge you to go to www.houstonpettalk.com, search Costa Rica, and read the blogs in their entirety. They offer more detail, anecdotes and photos.

It was a magical, transformative adventure and I’m honored to share it with you.

Be sure to visit us on Facebook each weekday in October to enter our GoFetch contest plus check out the Halloween Photo contest on page 29.

Enjoy this silly, spooky, zany month with your pet! Find all the action at www.pettalkgofetch.com.

HOUSTON PETTALK MAGAZINE 14781 Memorial Drive, Ste. 510, Houston, Texas 77079 281-556-6560 www.HoustonPetTalk.com Art Director: ANDREW BURWELL Editor's Assistant: REBECCA BURWELL-BOTELLO © Copyright 2016. Reproduction or use without written permission of articles, editorial or pictorial content in any manner is prohibited. Houston PetTalk does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial, nor do the publishers assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. Houston PetTalk does not endorse any specific product or service contained herein; we do encourage you to support our advertisers whenever possible. All photos ©copyright depositphotos unless otherwise stated.

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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WHERE

IN THE

WORLD

IS PETTALK? You never know where on this planet you might find a PetTalk reader enjoying their copy!

Snap a picture of one of our readers and send it to info@houstonpettalk.com.

Palm Springs, California John Newcaster in front of Cold Nose Warm Heart Boutique in Palm Springs, California.

Juneau, Alaska Roberta Rainville and Jan Peterson show off a recent copy of PetTalk to fellow travelers in Alaska. The duo reported fabulous sightings of Humpback Whales, Orcas and Bald Eagles everywhere!

8th Annual Spooktacular

Saturday, October 29 • Oak Meadow Park Finalist on America’s Got Talent

11,400-acre master planned community Homes from the $220s to over $1 million 281-304-5588 or toll free 1-866-232-0270 www.bridgeland.com/howl-o-ween-fest

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CHRISTIAN SCOOBY!

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Dogs must be leashed and under control at all times, current on all vaccinations and wearing a current rabies tag. Aggressive dogs are not permitted on the premises. Dogs must be removed at first sign of aggression.

By bringing a dog to this event, you are taking responsibility for any damage or injury caused by that dog to any person or other animal. In addition, if you or your dog is injured or suffer damage from a dog at this event, you agree that Bridgeland Development, LP is not responsible for the damage or injury.

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Choosing the right food is one of the most important decisions you can make for your pet.

Talk to your veterinarian today, and together, we can develop a nutritional plan that’s a great fit for you and your pet!

Have your pet’s food conveniently delivered straight to your door with VCA Home Delivery

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Katy VCA KELLIWOOD ANIMAL HOSPITAL 960 S. Fry Road Katy, TX 77450 281-492-2780 VCAkelliwood.com Shop

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Kingwood VCA KINGWOOD ANIMAL HOSPITAL 2526 Green Oak Drive Kingwood, TX 77339 281-358-3146 VCAkingwood.com Shop

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Lake Jackson VCA LAKE JACKSON ANIMAL HOSPITAL 210 That Way Lake Jackson, TX 77566 979-297-3044 VCAlakejackson.com store.VCAlakejackson.com

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Pasadena VCA ANIMAL MEDICAL CENTER OF PASADENA 5018A Fairmont Parkway Pasadena, TX 77505 281-487-8233 VCApasadena.com Shop

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Spring/The Woodlands VCA WOODLANDS ANIMAL HOSPITAL 428 Rayford Road Spring, TX 77386 281-367-7553 VCAwoodlands.com Shop

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Sugar Land VCA SOUTHWEST FREEWAY ANIMAL HOSPITAL 15575 SW Freeway Sugar Land, TX 77478 281-491-8387 VCAswfreeway.com Shop

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Spring VCA SPRING ANIMAL HOSPITAL 1811 Spring Cypress Spring, TX 77388 281-353-5167 VCAspring.com Shop

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©2016 VCA Inc. VCA logo is registered trademarks of VCA Inc. or its affiliated entities.

Management Services Provided by VCA Animal Hospitals • Animal Healthcare of Texas, P.C. Rocky McKelvey, DVM - owner

Texas City VCA MAINLAND ANIMAL HOSPITAL 3015 Palmer Highway Texas City, TX 77590 409-948-8401 VCAmainland.com Shop

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Tomball VCA TOMBALL VETERINARY HOSPITAL 28800 Tomball Pkwy Tomball, TX 77375 281-351-5441 VCAtomball.com Shop

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AT VCA ANIMAL HOSPITALS, WE NOURISH HEALTHY LIVES

Henrietta On:

All Hallow's Eve Illustration by Jim Tweedy, Colorized by Desiree Lonsway

Normally we canines are a risky group That love to run and play, But October is a special month Where we can hide while "on display" It started in pre-Christian Celtic days As the season turned mild to cold, Crops were gathered and put away Safe from winter's hold This festival marked a new season While also noting the end, As it was thought this time of year Was a macabre, living-dead blend It was a spooky notion of other worlds Full of spirits, fairies and ghouls, Strange beings of a dark sort Who played by different rules Fast forward to modern days And what two-leggers believe, It's a reason to dress bizarre On All Hallows Eve Crazy costumes abound Like a Skeleton, Witch and Devil, Or any creative garb Thought to be on a spirit's level Now what does this mean For us canines known as dogs?

It means we are subjected to attire Of Scarecrows, Pumpkins and Frogs!

We're made to wear crazy stuff Like flashing lights and wigs, My cousin Hortense's mom Even dressed her as a Pig Humiliating would be the word That pops in our doggy mind, At least the costumes have one thing: A hole for the tail on our behind

As much as we deplore The things we have to wear, The joy it brings our parents Seems unusually rare

Just think of the poses Our masters want us to strike, And each comes with a treat Our ultra-favorite delight

They laugh and giggle And post on Facebook for all to see, "Isn't he cute?

He's now a Monkey"

But there is a reward Much loftier than food, One that ignites the Centuries-old feud

And as if the digital display Is not enough stress, Two-leggers think it's cool To enter us in a costume contest

As a charlatan of the Halloween night I can deftly become a Rat And Princess Newman Will be one sorry Cat!

Yes it's a bit embarrassing To wear Butterfly Wings, But my compadres and I Decided there are worse things

I will tease her endlessly Until she develops a vendetta And I can't wait to hear her say: "I can't believe it, it's you Henrietta!"

Our parents find such joy In something so wacky, Since we love to see them smile We're OK with being tacky

I'll smile my best 100 watt smile For the Princess who thinks she's a Queen, "Yes Princess, it's me I enjoyed the chase, Happy Halloween!"

After mulling it all over We decided to think this way: Why not play along?

We could have a field day!

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The Dish October 2016 For the full list of events and news: www.houstonpettalk.com

H

ey Party Animals...Did you know you can add your own pet related event to our event calendar online? Go to www.pettalkgofetch.com/event.

News Local Custom Decor and Accessories Lorena's Imagerie Designs are something unique and different that combines photography, dogs and digital art. For every type of dog lover, there’s a different style of apparel!

If you don't find your breed

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or would like something just for you, Lorena is happy to customize. www.lorenasimagerie.com

Lights! Camera! Action!

Houston BARC Foundation Gala The bright lights of Broadway will sparkle for BARC Animal Shelter and Adoptions October 14th at the Junior League of Houston. Hosted by the Houston BARC Foundation, the BARC on Broadway Ball will feature silent and live auctions, entertainment, cocktails, dinner and dancing. It is sure to be the red carpet event of the year!

Chairs Elizabeth Brock, Elsie J. Eckert, Sidney Faust and Judi McGee will have created a fabulous event to help the animals at Houston's Animal Shelter and Adoption Facility, BARC. The shelter takes in over 25,000 animals each year and is the only shelter in Houston

Photo from BARC Foundation 2015 Gala featuring 2016 Chair Sydney Faust with Don Faust and Michelle Mantor.

required by law to accept every dog, cat, or other animal. BARC needs your help so they can continue providing care, adoption services and education.

Created in 2010, Houston BARC Foundation raises money to support BARC’s programs. Funds raised through the Ball will specifically help fund construction of BARC's new adoption campus. Don't miss this star studded evening! www.houstonbarcfoundation.org

New Tomball Animal Shelter Abandoned Animal Rescue is moving to seven acres in Magnolia and building a new shelter! The property has an existing home that will become the Office, Cattery, and Clinic. The new dog building will be a separate structure with access to play yards. AAR anticipates moving in about one year. If you would like to donate to help ongoing

operations, contact info@ aartomball.org.

Howl-O-Ween Photo Contest Benefiting Citizens for Animal Protection Local animal shelter Citizens for Animal Protection (CAP) and Rover Oaks Pet Resort are teaming up to present the first annual Howl-O-Ween Photo Contest benefiting CAP. The contest starts on October 1 and ends on October 31, 2016. There are three ways to participate in this exciting fundraiser.

Visit www.gogophotocontest.com/caphowloween to enter or vote. Each entry is a $5 donation to CAP, and participants can enter multiple times. Learn more about the contest by visiting the website. www.gogophotocontest. com/caphowloween

The Houston SPCA Calendar Photo Contest Is Now Open Make your pet a star!

The Houston SPCA 2017 Calendar Photo Contest is now open for submissions and voting. The top 29 photos with the most votes will be included in the 2017 Calendar, and the photo with the most votes overall will be the cover star! Enter today, vote for your favorites, and share the contest link with your friends and family. Contest for online entries closes October 14 at 11:59 p.m.

CT. All proceeds from calendar sales benefit Houston SPCA’s lifesaving mission. www.gogophotocontest. com/HoustonSPCA

Events 10.1.16 & 10.22.16 MUTTS + MELODIES with Pup Squad Animal Rescue 1-4pm, Free GreenStreet 1201 Fannin St., 77003 Pup Squad Animal Rescue will be hosting pet adoptions on The Lawn for anyone looking to add a furry friend to the family. Mutts + Melodies takes place the first and fourth Saturday of each month from 1-4PM. www.pupsquad.org

1819 Heights Blvd., 77008 See ad on page 23. www.saecheights.org For more pet blessing events, see page 56.

10.8.16 DOGPOP Festival

10.2.16

10am-2pm, Free Raven Tower 310 North St., 77009 DogPop is the “little brother” of Puppies for Breakfast with a pop-up market flavor. Live music from DJ-Illset, a custom fenced dog play area, over 50 local vendors and artists, food trucks, drinks, and an amazing dog costume contest. www.houstondogpop. com

Blessing of the Animals

10.10.16

St. Andrews Episcopal Church in the Heights 4pm, Free

AAR Tomball Golf Tournament 11am-1pm, Starting at $150 Gleannloch Pines Golf Course 19393 Champion Forest Dr., 77379 www.aartomball.org

10.15.16 Houston Boxer Rescue Wine Walk

Enter the Howl-O-Ween Photo Contest Benefiting Citizens for Animal Protection, sponsored by Rover Oaks Pet Resort.

3-5:30pm, $35 Spring Street Studio 1824 Spring Street, 77007 6th Annual Houston Boxer Rescue Wine Walk at Spring Street Studios.

Get out of the house and enjoy live music, taste wine, and participate in

ASK THE

VET

Jennifer Hennessey, DVM, CVJ Animal ER of NW Houston, Owner www.animalERnwh.com

Is my dog feeling sick every time I see him eating grass in the yard?

-Ms. Ostermann While it is a common rumor that dogs are feeling ill or sick to their stomach when seen "grazing", it is not always a sign of stomach upset or any illness.

Some pets develop the curious and silly tendency to nibble on those ticklish grass blades for no reason. Some pets with stomach sickness do however seek ways to help settle their tummies and this is one method, but a grazing pup does not always mean a sick one is on your hands. As always, when your pet's habits change or if they are acting ill in any way, seek your veterinarian's care to make sure your pet is healthy and feeling good.

Why does your dog pant? And why the wet puppy nose? Ask your pet questions for Dr Jennifer Hennessey at Facebook/AnimalERnwh to see if answers you have been curious about appear in our column each month!

Emergency & Critical Care Services Nights • Weekends • Holidays "We understand that pets are family"

27104 HWY 290 WEST, STE 107, 77429

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the silent auction. www.houstonboxerrescue.org

10.15.16 Strut Your Mutt Houston 9am-1pm, Stude Park 1031 Stude St.,77007 This fundraising festival includes interactive games and activities for you, your dog and your whole family! Register today and break those sneakers in for a day of lifesaving milestones. www.bestfriends.org

10.15.16 & 10.16.16

friendly event. www.pughearts.com

10.26.16 K9s4COPs Unleashed 6:30pm JW Mariott 5150 Westheimer Rd.,77056 K9s4COPs annual fundraiser featuring live music, Hard Dog/Fast Dog demonstration, and special guests including Joel Lambert, a 10 yr. Veteran of the Navy SEALS, star of the Discovery Channel’s Hit Show Lone Target/ Manhunt www.k9s4cops.org

1:15-2pm, $15 Houston Humane Society 14700 Almeda Rd, Houston, TX 77053 Halloween themed cat yoga class at the Houston Humane Society. www. elgatocoffeehouse.com

10.29.16 Howloween Fest 10am-3pm, Free Carter's Pet Depot 9333 Katy Fwy., 77024 Celebrate the season with photo ops, weenie and apple dunking, costume contest, PAWmkin carving, goodie bags, and more. See ad on page 4. www.carterspetdepot.com

6pm Sat. and 11am Sun. Starting at $250 Haras Hacienda 26427 Peden Rd., 77355 This exciting soiree and U.S. Premier Working Equitation Championship will benefit Be An Angel Fund and Virtuosi of Houston. www.harascup.com

10.22.16 Pugs on the Bayou 6-10pm Bayou City Event Center 9401 Knight Road, 77045 Join Pug Rescue for silent and live auction, pug pen, kissing booth, costume contest, dinner, cash bar, and more! All pug lovers welcome at this family

ŠBridgeland

Angels and Horses 2016 HARAS CUP Soiree

Bridgeland's Halloween Fest

10.29.16

October 29

Bridgeland's HOWL-O-WEEN FEST

Annual Dogtoberfest

10am, Free Oak Meadow Park House and Hahl Rd., 77433 See ad on page 12. www.bridgeland.com

10.29.16 El Gato Coffeehouse Costumed Cat Yoga 11:15am-12pm and

Join Front Porch Pub, 217 Gray St. for their 3rd Annual Dogtoberfest, 11am to 9pm featuring rescue groups, photo booths, grooming stations treat tucks, costume contest and food drive. www.frontporchpub.com

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(281) 835-4445 14420 Fondren Rd, Missouri City, 77489 One block south of Beltway 8 on Fondren.

What we do is more than mere business transactions.

We provide both peace of mind and outstanding pet care.

Plus we guarantee your satisfaction!

The Blessing of the Animals

YOU’RE INVITED Owners are invited to bring pets on a leash, in a carrier or appropriately restrained, for a blessing by Father Jimmy.

All Animals Are Welcome!

SUNDAY, OCT. 2, 2016 4:00 TO 6:00 PM

ST. ANDREW’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

1819 HEIGHTS BLVD. Join us for a lawn party with live music by Lords of Kool. Meet the horses of HPD’s Mounted Patrol and adoptable pets.

Enjoy hot deity dogs, Saint Arnold beer, lemonade, children’s activitie s, face painting and give-aways.

Each blessed pet will receive commemorative cer tificate.

DONATED PET FOOD AND CASH WILL SUPPORT ANIMEALS ON WHEELS. DON’T BE LATE! THE BLESSING BEGINS PROMPTLY AT 4:00PM.

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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meet

SPENCER bradley...

is a cairn terrier/schnauzer a 7 month old lhasa/ mix with a lot of personality, wheaten mix. Bradley is a he is a 5big lap dog and one little very of sweet boyBorder that loves loves also Terriergetting pups looking sitting up on thepetted, couch for and newto homes. likes ridetv.inEnchilada your watching He is lap very in is approximately 3on great the He getsbehaved, laidcar!!! back, months oldwell and 5 lbs, he with dogs andgets romps quietother playful, should stay in and the 15 lb on and plays the yard, he is great within the dogs. range when fullyother grown. approx. years some old and Also, he1.5 stilltypical needs leash Enchilada little 15 andwill justneed onehouse happy pup andlbsthat house training. training. little guy!

Shaggy Dog Rescue is a 501 (3)(c) non-

profit rescue group dedicated to saving Shaggy Dogs from B.A.R.C., and H.C.P.H.E.S restoring them to good health and readying them to go to new loving homes, all dogs are spayed/neutered, micro-chipped and fully socialized before adoption.

Please visit our web-site for adoption applications and information on other dogs available, and for donations!

Houstonshaggydogrescue.org Houston PetTalk Magazine

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PetTalk GoFetch

Cover Contest Winner and Finalists

M

eet PetTalk GoFetch Cover Contest winner "Lacey" and the other finalists selected in a drawing from user accounts created in PetTalk's

new business listing and event tracker. Users uploaded a photo of their pet and a random drawing took place in late August. Congratulations to these super cute pups! Download

the App for iPhone or Android or visit www.pettalkgofetch.com to check out this valuable and FREE service.

Plus, watch for more PetTalk GoFetch contests on our Facebook page!

Dallas

Owners: Annie & Ryan Schniederjan Favorite Toy: Blue Rubber Ball Unique Habit: Dallas is known as an escape artist and she spins around in a few circles right before she gets her food. Yes, eating is happy time!

Winston

Owners: Andres Penafiel & Merlly Zavala Favorite Toy: Chuckit Ball Unique Characteristic: Winston loves going to the park, especially the ones with water features so he can swim. He also has his own Instagram account, @fluff_bros.

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Lacey Rawlins

Owners: Sarah Weinstein & Cameron Kirkpatrick Favorite Toy: Lacey’s favorite thing is not a toy and she doesn’t even fetch…she just loves hugs and kisses!

Unique Characteristic: According to mom, our cover girl is happiest when interacting with humans. “She feeds off of people's energy towards her. When people fawn over her, she hams it up even more. She loves going around town to dog friendly places and meeting people. And people love her just as much!

We share her fun Houston adventures on her Instagram @Lacey_Rawlins and love connecting with fellow dog owners!”

Houston PetTalk Magazine

27

Rigby

Lulu Electra

Owner: Melissa Talamas Favorite Toy: Blue Squeaky Gummy Bear Unique Characteristic: Mondays are Rigby's favorite because mom's girlfriends come over to watch the Bachelor/Bachelorette. Rigby digs all the extra attention. He’s got his flirt going on!

Owner: Glass Slipper Animal Rescue Favorite Toy: Her little sister Misty. Lulu is available for adoption at the time of print but she must stay together with her sister as a pair.

Unique Characteristic: Her beautiful blue eyes!

Violet

Nugget

Owner: Toni Hudson Favorite Toy: Very simple…yarn!

Unique Habit: Violet is quite talented. She throws her treats in the air and caches them. Wow, she is quite self sufficient!

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Owner: Simonne Serrano Favorite Toy: Squeaky Lumberjack Beaver Unique Characteristic: Nugget loves to play sand volleyball at Wakefield Crowbar and have Girls Night In with mom and her friends.

HENRIE TTA’ S F R IGH T F UL LY F UN

halloween costume photo contest Sponsored by Sunset Blvd. Animal Clinic Enter October 1-31 Vote November 1-9

Calling all devilish dogs, hair raising hounds, creepy cats, bone chilling canines, masquerading mutts... we want to see them all!

In exchange for sharing your best Halloween costume photo with us, Sunset Blvd. Animal Clinic is giving away $300 in services to one lucky winner!

S

unset Boulevard Animal Clinic is a full service 24/7 veterinary hospital located in the West University Place/River Oaks area of Houston. Their professional and courteous health care team

aspires to excellence in medical quality and client service. Sunset utilizes cutting edge and state of the art knowledge, equipment, and techniques that are available to care for your pets and exceed your expectations.

Enter Online at www.houstonpettalk.com or facebook.com/houstonpettalk This contest will run from October 1, 2016 to October 31, 2016. Public voting to determine finalists will be November 1, 2016 through midnight November 9, 2016. Public voting will decide finalists, then a panel of judges will determine the winner. The winning photo will be published in the December issue of Houston PetTalk Magazine. Photo submissions should be high resolution (1 MB or larger). No stock photos please.

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What KIND of PET PARENT Are YOU?

The Wacky, Silly and Totally Bizarre Things Pet Owners Do - All In The Name of Love!

A

By: Michelle Mantor re you one of those people that proudly wear the label “crazy pet parent�? If so, you are happily joined by thousands of others who feel the same way you do! In my many years of publishing Houston PetTalk, I have seen some funny, crazy, bizarre, weird behaviors and activities from pet owners but my thoughts are this: I would rather see a pet parent spoil their pet or find humorous ways to make their life together more fun than I would to see the pitiful

faces of homeless animals or the starved, emaciated bodies of neglected pets. Yes, there is a happy medium but I must say, I continue to be amazed and tickled by some of the crazy things people do so I figured we might all need a good laugh or a reminder that pets are in our life to provide love, laughter and joy. And, what better month to explore the topic than October - the one month of the year you can dress your pet like your favorite action hero or spooky goblin and not be called loco!

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The Family Fanatic

A

few decades ago, it was accepted that pets lived outside, visited a vet only if they exhibited emergency level symptoms, ate table scraps and were trained with a rolled-up newspaper.

Hallelujah that we have progressed from those days, but have we gone too far the other direction? Not only do pets live indoors, they rule the household in some cases. They sleep in their owner's beds, smile widely for the family Christmas card, dress up for the Sunday NFL game, eat high dollar kibble and, for the super extremists, they get orthodontics.

Yes, doggie braces do exist. Over 80% of pet owners consider their pet part of the family. With the change of just one letter, pets have moved from the pethouse to the penthouse!

Slumber Party

Play Dress Up

For those "All in the Family" pet parents, co-sleeping is just one more way they show their opinion about their pet's stature in the family. More pets than not sleep with their owners. This is true even though the pet takes over the bed and forces the humans to sleep in a sliver of space.

Personally, I think it would be a great business to start a new mattress size.

Forget King size, let's move up to Family size!

Dressing your pet up for an outing or contest gets mixed reviews from our readership. Some folks say it's downright torture to make your pet dress like a bee or a hotdog. Others think it's cute and harmless. At Houston PetTalk, we've seen plenty of dogs that seem to love their clothes or accessories and plenty that work hard to remove them. Our advice: Let your pet decide.

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PetTalk Facebook Fans Share Their Wacky Pet Parenting Moments We asked our FB Fans to show us their silly side with their pets and we got lots of crazy responses.

Here are a few of our faves:

Kate Christenbury "I take my cat with me everywhere I go."

Lindsay Feagin Robins "Group themed Halloween costumes with all 3 of my kiddos! :-)"

Mia Rose Greco "Luke Randon Greco enjoys his own seat in the car."

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The Collector

T

he bleeding heart of all pet parents, the Collector has a slew of animals, all with a STORY. Whether saved from the jaws of death at a shelter, found in a storm sewer or just "he wandered into the yard one day", the Collector can't help trying to save as many animals as possible given their living situation plus one more. If they can accommodate 3 pets, they have at least 4 and so on.

Collectors often lament that they have "too many" pets but in reality, when one passes on, they replace it with another. So in fact, they like it this way! And, if it works for them, be thankful they are willing to keep saving creatures that need a helping hand.

Visiting a Collectors house can be a chaotic experience. "This is Sally's bed, she likes to sleep by the pantry." Yes, the bed is totally in the way of the flow of the kitchen but it's ok. Sally is happy. "The reason we have cat food in the laundry basket on top of the dryer is because Buzz (another dog), will eat Lulu's food (the cat). And so the story goes. Accommodations are made for each critter and their individual idiosyncracies and the whole brood is totally content.

The Spoiler

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Modular Dog Beds and Accessories Most people have a bed for their pet, but not everyone has a Modular Dog Bed. These cool dog beds are sleek, simple, and modern. Modular Dog also makes cool doggy designs for dog houses and other accessories.

Start your custom order online at www.modulardog.com.

ŠClare Louise

he Spoiler is by far one of the most common pet parenting styles. From lavish clothes and the best toys to luxury vacations, nothing is too good for this parent's furbaby. Is spoiling a bad thing? Well, that depends. If buying your dog an elaborate dog house or building your cat a tree house in your spare bedroom is spoiling, then that brand of spoiling is fine. You are providing your pet with a comfortable or engaging environment.

On the other hand, if you are allowing behaviors or rewarding behaviors you will later regret, then that kind of spoiling is bad. For instance, if you put a piece of cheese in your mouth and have your Lab puppy take it from your lips because you think it's cute, but when your 90 lb. Lab tries the same thing and it doesn't go so well (for you), then you have created a bad situation even though your intentions were good.

Spoiling a pet is ok and that is different than a spoiled pet. Making sure your pet doesn't constantly get something for nothing is the best way to keep a balanced relationship. You can lavish your dog with a diamond necklace (because frankly, they have no idea they are wearing diamonds), but make them sit for dinner or hold a sit-stay for 15 seconds before giving them that tasty treat.

Feel like spoiling your pet? Here are some options:

Diamond Dog Collar Everyone buys a collar for their dog or cat, but if you want to really spoil your pet, purchase a GIA certified diamond collar. Crazy or not, you can create a personalized piece with one of a kind flair at your local jewelry store. This collar design is called Chiban and is made with white gold, diamonds, peridot and onyx, by Jari.co.uk.

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The Athlete

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eing active with your pet is important but we all know that pet mom or dad that looks for every chance to get outdoors and take athleticism to a whole new level. They need action, action and more action!

(Usually can be found with a Lab/ Golden/Border Collie next to them).

They go running and hiking with their dog, set up agility runs for their cat, throw frisbee in the park or go to the beach for a day of swimming and ball retrieval. They make the rest of us tired just thinking about all of that activity. The Athlete lives a healthy lifestyle and loves sharing the exhilaration and competition of play with their pet.

The only warning here is safety. The Athlete can sometimes get caught up in the moment and end up with a dog that may have a heatstroke, snake bite or torn/burned paw pads.

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Hydro Hound

Flyin' High The beauty of playing frisbee with your dog is that it's simple, cheap and can be done just about anywhere.

From your backyard to the local park, there are plenty of choices. If your pup shows a passion for catching a flying disc, you might want to check out Houston Frisbee Dogs Club for information on competing in this exhilarating sport, www.houstonfrisbeedogs.com

Athletic outings with your dog are great for you both - you get exercise and bond at the same time. For those that love the water, from kayaking, swimming or stand up paddling to boating or surfing, keep your pup safe with a Good2Go flotation vest in neon colors available at Petco.

Grooming Gone Wild

G The Worrier

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n human nomenclature, this person would be somewhere between a hypochondriac and a helicopter mom. Often willing to stay home from work because "Max" just didn't seem right, the Worrier frets over every aspect of their pet's lives. Is their food good enough quality? Is the water at the daycare filtered? Oh, and forget going on vacation! Who would take care of the furbabies with the care and caution required to watch their every move?

Often a veterinarian's best customer, the Worrier can also be the veterinarian's worst headache. Mostly because they have already visited Dr. Google for whatever malady they think their pet has and have both a solution and tons of questions. But, it's better to be safe than sorry! (Their Watch for more on this feature story at

favorite mantra).

Many Worriers parent stable dogs and cats and it's good that they are willing to put their pet's safety, health and well-being at the top of their worry list. However, they can also create a neurotic pet that has no self-confidence. Never being allowed to make a choice, mistake or have a "job", some pets don't do well with the negative energy that is produced by worrying. If your pet is anxious and unsure of itself and displaying unwanted behaviors, take a look at your parenting style. Are you pushing negative energy in the form of worry into your relationship? Pets understand energy and body language much more than words so try to chill and enjoy the moment without projecting possible outcomes. , www.cw39.com.

rooming in the animal world is considered social and a way of bonding. If you want your pet to have a unique look, there are many options in today's creative grooming industry. Just be sure you keep your pet's comfort in mind. Limit the time and use safe products.

I

f you fall into the parenting style of viewing pets as part of the family, and you are on the extreme end of the spectrum, then grooming your cat with a brush that simulates your tongue could be for you. Strange? You decide. Pre-order your Liki Brush at www.kickstarter.com.

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Like a Frankenstein in a Bottle This cool monster-themed bottle toy comes with one plastic bottle inside, but when that is done you can replace it with a new one!

It's a great way to recycle, plus its so much fun to chew and hear the crackly noise. www.amazon.com, $13

Cozy Night Indoors Keep your kitty indoors for halloween night, and surprise her with a warm and cozy treat with this pretty patterned bed, in a festive fall orange. www.amazon.com, $18

Glamorous Ghosts and Sleek Looking Skulls Looking for something to WOW your pals this fall? Try having a custom set of earrings made by Esquivel and Fees! Their pieces are hand made from precious metals and stones. www.efsterling.com, Prices Vary

Two Tricky Treats Give your pup a long lasting treat this year.

Split antler chews are great for a long distraction. The opening allows your dog to get at the softer marrow inside without hurting himself.

For a quick healthy treat, try these great sweet potato chips (for dogs). They are simple, delicious, and make a perfect reward for good behavior. www.krisers.com, $7-$20

Self Reflection This is the one night that many people leave the house, which means a lot of street traffic.

Set yourself up for safety with pet safe reflective sprays that can be used on anything, even fur! www.albedo100us.com, $14-$19

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Our Favorite Costume Picks For Halloween 2016 Trick or treat is way more fun in costume! With so many events, costume contests, and other activities this October, it's no wonder that costumes for pets are flying off the shelves. These spooky and cute costumes are our favorites ones this year.

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

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To read the daily blogs in their entirety, visit www.houstonpettalk.com and search Costa Rica.

PART I OF SERIES | BY MICHELLE MANTOR

Leaves & Lizards Retreat Align With Nature, Renew Your Spirit, Connect With Animals

P

ure Vida. This simple but powerful phrase is considered the national mantra of Costa Rica and once you visit this lush Central American country, you begin to understand why.

Translated to “pure life”, Pura Vida is an expression that embodies an attitude of optimism, carefree joy and appreciation of all life has to offer. Costa Ricans, referred to as Ticos, seem to grasp the notion that they have a naturally beautiful country filled with a plethora of wildlife and that living in such a place surely deserves inhabitants with happy faces!

In early 2016, I traveled to

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Costa Rica for my second visit. I wanted to return to this nature’s paradise for several reasons. First, I wanted to see those smiling faces again. Ticos are some of the happiest people in the world and just being around them is very “settling” to an overstressed foreigner. Second, I wanted to see the North Central area of Costa Rica where the jungle exists and the looming Arenal Volcano stands tall (I only visited the coast during my first trip). And third, I wanted to find an adventure vacation that would immerse me into the world of horses as a way to work through my fear of these majestic

beings and also give me a sense of whether or not I would ever want to own a horse in the future.

While looking for a vacation experience that included horsemanship, I stumbled across a quaint, authentic boutique hotel called Leaves and Lizards Retreat. Not only did this retreat offer unparalleled views of the Arenal Volcano and many other amenities I was looking for including yoga, massage and the opportunity to do some farm chores with the resident animals, but it also offered a unique horse centric program called Eponicity. This program was described as

“Equine facilitated learning methods which encourage people to look within themselves to find balance, regain strength, renew spirit and rediscover personal power.”

I decided it was fate when one of the Eponicity workshops was available during the time I was looking to travel. I booked my trip with both excitement and fear and now I want to share with you a little about this life-changing experience.

The Retreat Leaves and Lizards is unlike any “hotel” I have ever visited. I actually don’t think the word hotel is a

fitting moniker. Retreat is a good description but it still feels inadequate.

My impression is that Leaves and Lizards has the personal touch of a Bed and Breakfast by offering a connection with other guests and the owners (should you choose) via group dining and excursions, while also offering the multifaceted options of a resort (massage, infinity pool, yoga) and the remoteness to allow the connection with nature on this 26 acre working farm and horse ranch replete with private, incredibly unique lodging options dotting the landscape.

Although my trip was to take part in the Eponicity workshop, traveling to Leaves and Lizards without a “horse driven purpose” is also a great option.

Horseback riding is one of the offered activities for those that would like to see the breathtaking countryside by horse, but I would feel remiss if I didn't note that I am giving a horse centric version of this remote jewel but by no means do horses have to be in your itinerary to have a fabulous experience.

During the nine day trip, I wrote a blog each day. The experience was filled with such diversity, from the description of the culture, food and people to the characteristics of the Leaves and Lizards property and the equine workshop, that each time I sat down to blog, I found that I could write pages and that paring down the

day's adventure was a daunting task. I feel exactly the same way now. I can't possibly begin to justly describe this nirvana and the equine workshop in only a few pages! So I decided to compromise with myself by publishing this article as a Series and providing an EXCERPT of my daily blogs with the hopes that as a reader, you will want to visit our website to read the blogs in their entirety.

These excerpts are just snippets and do not give the "whole picture" so I urge you to read the full versions to really get a feel for this magical place, the animals that inhabit it and the impact it has on humans. It is truly a transformative experience.

Day 1: After a nearly 4 hour flight from Houston to San Jose and then a 3 hour van ride to the retreat, owners Debbie and Steve met us as we pulled in, along with their welcoming committee, Sam (Golden Retriever), Willie (mixed breed) and itty bitty Tootsie (probably a Chihuahua of sorts weighing in at 4 lbs.). After check-in, I was driven to my cabin. We traveled through the lush, mountainous property consisting of multiple pastures for the horses, cows and other farm animals (the retreat produces their own milk, cheese, butter, some meat and some fruits), past various other cabins to my cabin, the Toucan. It’s hard to explain the charm of this property and my home for

the next 9 days. My best participating in a rodeo. description is a tree house Ok, I can do this! I took a that’s not built in a tree. deep breath, put on my The interior makes ample boots and headed out with use of the local wood, even my flashlight. Down the using branches in crehill and back up another, ative ways and gorgeous I made it to the restaurant murals everywhere you unscathed for a delicious look (painted by Steve). The meal – a sweet cornbreadfront porch juts out over like muffin, tomato basil the jungle canopy with a soup, pasta, vegetables and direct view of the Arenal chicken.

Volcano. It’s simply perfect and exactly the remote yet modern retreat I was lookThis morning, we started ing for. the day with yoga once Debbie left me to unagain, led by our teacher pack and to report back to for the week, Francesca. the restaurant for dinner A very soothing person, at 7pm with the parting Francesca led us through note, “Be sure to stay on Iyengar yoga, a form the gravel road and use of yoga that focuses on your flashlight because of alignment. Our session snakes." What!!?? Home of went from Yoga to Doga as many venomYoga becomes Doga ous snakes, I as Tootsie joins in the had no desire morning yoga session. to meet up with the most famous one, the Eyelash Pit Viper.

Gorgeous but deadly.

Even though everything is nice and all, I started to wonder what I’ve done…I’m going to be living with jungle creatures, no A/C, facing my trust issues with horses, giving up electronics (no TV or WIFI in rooms), ziplining 300 ft. above the ground and

Day 2:

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Tootsie joined in helping us with our poses. Tootsie is the biggest personality I’ve seen in a 4 lb. body!

Next up is some horse time. Debbie takes me to a barn-like area that is specifically for feeding the horses, hosing them down, etc. What is different about this set-up that I haven’t

a fear of horses and my first experience is to enter their feeding area, walking past head after head after head, wondering if they will bite me. We finally exit the trough and Debbie explains how to have a respectful relationship with horses. She demonstrates by showing me that the

Waiting with anticipation to see which horse selects me.

Standing with Suzy after the selection process, waiting for the unveiling with the group.

seen before is that the grass/feed is in a middle section that a human can walk through but the horses can only get their head into this “trough” to eat. Talk about trial by fire! I’m here to overcome

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horse next to her, which is about 2 feet away, is being polite by not entering her personal space. She says he is wanting a drink of water and she is sitting on the side of the water station.

She gets up, moves away

and the horse moves in to drink. I didn’t even notice the horse waiting patiently next to her proving that this is going to be a truly interesting experience – testing my awareness, my ability to be in the moment, my ability to read the subtleties of the equine world but even more difficult than learning the equine communication will be my own willingness to be my authentic self, showing vulnerabilities to both the horses and the group that’s arriving tomorrow.

We move on to the Vinculo barn (Vinculo means inexplainable bond) where Debbie brings in her horse Gitana, which means Gypsy, (the Costa Rica horses, Costarricense de Paso also known as Criollo, are a combination of several Spanish horses: Barb, Andalusian, Arab and the Peruvian Stepping Horse), to demonstrate horse behavior and give me a little more insight. She gives me a lesson on personal space and how to approach a horse respectfully, utilizing a Parelli stick for groundwork. She also demonstrates how her horse likes to play games, such as switching directions when the stick is used, moving her horse with just the pressure of her finger – always explaining how to reward the desired behavior from the horse when you get the response you’re looking for. Horses weigh over a 1000 lbs and clearly if this horse didn’t want to move with the pressure of Debbie’s finger pushing

backwards, she wouldn’t do it. But she does and Debbie rewards her with her voice and a few strokes on the neck. Now that is a relationship of mutual respect!

“You want to try?”, Debbie asks. Hmmm…not really but she makes me anyway LOL! With as much calm as I can muster, I use the Parelli stick and next thing I know, the horse is following my directions, running around the ring, turning as I direct and it’s the most amazing feeling – this horse is following me as the leader. Who’d have thought I could go from anxious horse observer to horse leader in just one day? Definitely not me!

With a big smile on my face, we leave the barn and head to dinner at the restaurant for a hearty, delicious meal of tilapia, rice and some vegetables that I can’t pronounce but are really yummy.

At dinner that evening, it occurs to me that this place is like a big family – the workers in the kitchen are giggling, some of the other staff are eating and some other guests have arrived and come in to eat in the big open air dining room with a dead-on view of the Arenal Volcano. It also occurs to me that at this moment, I am very happy.

And it also occurs to me that I have slowed my pace enough from the city to NOTICE that I am happy.

Day 3: Today our program officially starts – we are a group of 12 (from Germany,

Suzy and I during our "join up" process

Switzerland, Arizona, California, Maine, etc.) with varying equine experience but all looking to learn.

After introductions, we head to the Vinculo barn.

Because the relationship with the horse we will ride and work with for the week is so important, the next thing we do is a bit mind boggling – our horse is going to choose us. The twelve of us sit in a circle in chairs facing outward and we are blindfolded. It’s an amazingly quiet process as our instructors leave the ring, go get a horse, bring it and allow it to choose each of us. They repeat the process until all 12 of us are chosen (some horses choose no one and are not

used for the workshop).

It’s harder than I think to sit there for what seems like about 15 to 20 minutes with no sight and just trying to manage my mind.

Eventually, someone takes my hand and leads me about 20 paces, places one hand on the railing and one on “my horse” that has mysteriously chosen me.

Another 20 minutes pass while the process continues and I’m struggling with not yanking off my blindfold because my mind is starting to get antsy. Which horse picked me? What if the horse starts fidgeting and pins me to the railing?

It's so quiet - is there anyone in the arena or is this a big joke? Ok, now my mind

is really running away!

Finally we get to take off our blindfolds and I have been chosen by a white, 20 yr. old mare named Suzy who is described as "steady and will give you what you need and take care of you." She is considered a nurturing horse and she has a couple of offspring at the retreat. I'm happy to hear this. I'm glad I didn't give off vibes of wanting to have an adventure!

Next, we split into two groups and one by one our horse is brought in the ring for us to “join up” together.

This is a process you may have seen in horse whisperer films which is essentially getting your horse to follow you without using a

lead rope. When it was my turn, I tried to stay strong minded and not let the horse feel she could dominate. She almost joined up right away and followed me for a second but I lost her. If you don’t get the horse right away, you revert to the Parelli stick to start managing the horse, getting its respect and eventually laying down the stick and getting the horse to follow you. It takes me a bit to use the stick (only hitting the ground for noise, not the horse) to gain Suzy’s respect. I lay down the stick, bend forward and she walks in the middle of the ring to me.

What a feeling! This is like magic – I never touched Houston PetTalk Magazine

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The inspiring view of the Arenal Volcano from the new infinity pool.

her and she is following me like a puppy around the ring. I’m liking this “natural horsemanship” – it feels respectful, meaningful and lasting.

Day 4: We start the day at 7am with yoga on a platform overlooking the horse ring. I really want to go learn how to milk the cow, which is every morning at 7, but so is yoga and I opt for what I need versus what I want. It’s very centering work to practice yoga and feels good when we are done and ready to have a hearty breakfast. If you think you are coming here to lose weight, you’re in the wrong place...the food is simple but delicious!.

After breakfast, we gather

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to do a Mandala about our emotions (a geometric pattern that represents the cosmos symbolically). We focus on the main values that the Eponaquest program embodies: authenticity over perfection, being inquisitive over just accepting “the way things are” and being congruent rather than conforming (be true to yourself). We work through this session, which is facilitated by our leader and we begin to understand how the horses can see “our real self”, not the masked self we might show the world. Next, we greet our horse, get them to walk, then trot, then slow to a walk, change directions, trot, walk then join up with us. To do this, we

use our energy – amp up the horse to trot and then bring our energy down, signifying we want them to walk. Suzy and I work together and everything goes almost too well. I can’t believe I’ve gotten her to do all of these things and then join up with me…almost.

She starts to join up then stops. I swear I had this little doubt in my mind just when I asked her to join up and then she stopped. Oh great, I have a mind reading horse LOL! We work a little more and we finally join up and she follows me around the ring to my chair where I sit to receive feedback from the group. When I leave the ring, I’m in astonishment.

I have used my energy, at varying levels, to control

and affect everything around me. Seeing this concept in a real life situation with an animal is so cool. I process this as I happily walk up the hill to my massage (part of the package). Yes, this hillside retreat offers much more than an equine adventure, massage, good food and great companions – it offers a mirror to my true self.

Pick up the November Issue of Houston PetTalk to read about Day 5 through Day 8 which includes the surprise night ride, canyoning, swimming with the horses and the rodeo or visit the blog post at www. houstonpettalk.com. Find more about the retreat at www.leavesandlizards. com.

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By A Car ne of the most common emergency situations at VERGI is an animal that has been hit by a car. It’s also one of the worst scenarios any pet owner can imagine. Would you know the right steps to take?

Knowing what to do and what not to do can make a

help you see where the animal is as well as help you be seen by others. You should also put on your vehicle's hazard lights to alert other drivers to your presence, even during the day.

2. Don’t panic. We know this is easier said than done. You can better

emergency muzzle can be made with some bandage or tape to loop over the pet's nose before transporting or handling. However, only use a muzzle if the animal is not having breathing difficulties.

4. Evaluate the situation. Some common injuries following road accidents are cuts, scrapes and broken bones. We also see head trauma and internal injuries including internal bleeding. If you think there may be broken bones, keep the pet still and place them on a hard moveable surface. Cover any wounds

difference in saving a pet’s life. We have compiled six steps to help you be prepared to properly assist any animal after an accident.

1. Think safety first.

Keep yourself safe. If you’re in the road, you’re already in an unsafe area, especially if it's dark. Vehicles may not see you and you can get hurt yourself. If it's dark, use lights. This will

help an injured animal if you don't panic and calmly assess the situation. The animal will also respond to your reaction, if you remain calm, chances are the injured animal will as well.

3. Use Caution. Be aware that injured animals will be scared, in pain or shock and may bite, especially when frightened so handle them with care. An

with a clean cloth and apply gentle pressure to stop bleeding. If they are having trouble breathing, maintain an open airway by removing the collar, opening the mouth and look for obstructions. It is important that you do not give them any medications, food or drink. Depending on the extent of injuries, the pet may need to be admitted

Do You Know What To Do? By: Dr. Laura Noaker, VERGI Emergency and Critical Care Hospital www.vergi247.com

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to the hospital for tests, monitoring and treatment immediately.

5. Contact experts.

Phone your primary veterinarian first. They will typically send you to a veterinary emergency hospital that is prepared for these situations. It is important to phone ahead to ensure they will be prepared for your arrival. They may ask questions such as how the pet was hit, what area of the body appears to be affected and how they are responding. They may also give you advice on how to deal with any injuries and how to prepare them for transport. TIP: Put your vet's number and closest after hours emergency hospital phone number in your phone's speed dial.

6. Prepare for transport. Keep the pet warm by wrapping them in a blanket, keeping the nose and mouth exposed and carefully transport them directly to the hospital. If they have a broken bone, make sure they lay with the damaged leg on top to avoid the body weight resting on the limb. It is best to have someone with you so you can stay focused on the road and they can keep the pet calm.

By following these steps you can be better prepared to handle any emergency situation. At VERGI, we offer a free emergency pre-planning guide available to download at www.

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Health

Big No-No's For Your Pet Toxic Holiday Food By: Andrew Tesh, DVM www.binglevet.com

T

he autumn holidays are a time for fun, friends, family and . . . food toxicity for your pet.

Between Halloween and Thanksgiving, veterinarians see family pets sickened by human foods all to commonly. Here are a few of the holiday treats to avoid:

Chocolate Most people are well aware that chocolate poses a real risk for dogs. Please remember that the darker the chocolate; the more toxic. Chocolate in lowdoses may cause vomiting and diarrhea, but in highdoses can lead to heart palpitations and neurologic disease.

Raisins Grapes in general are toxic to dogs and cats, and raisins, being concentrated grapes, are particularly harmful.

Acute kidney failure can occur if enough raisins have been ingested. Kidney support with IV fluids may help, but the kidney failure could be permanent.

Onions/Garlic

Xylitol This artificial sweetener found in some low-calorie candies and foods can be very dangerous in dogs. It hides silently in many peanut

butter brands that advertise as being low in sugar. Xylitol tricks the dog's body into releasing insulin which, in turn, lowers the blood sugar to danger-

Dogs and cats will develop severe vomiting and diarrhea if enough onion/ garlic is eaten. The real problem occurs hours to days later when oxygen carrying redblood-cells are de-

There is no cure for chocolate toxicity, but rapid diagnosis and supportive care can save lives.

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stroyed by the toxins in the blood.

Oxygen therapy and even blood transfusions may be needed.

ously low levels.

Dogs will become weak and may pass out.

Aggressive IV fluids with

added sugars are needed to counteract the xylitol.

Bones Although not truly toxic, the ingestion of bones can lead to serious consequenc-

es. If not adequately chewed and digested by the stomach, fragments on bone may become lodged in the small intestine. This alone can cause an obstruction requiring emergency surgery. If the bone fragments are sharp enough, they may even puncture the bowel, leading to a severe and life threatening infection. Poultry bones, like chicken and turkey, tend to splinter when chewed and may be the worst offenders.

This list is by no means complete, and if you ever think your pet may have eaten something toxic or dangerous (like bones) - please contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA poison hotline at (888)-426-4435.

Bingle Vet is a full service veterinary practice located at 2025 Bingle Rd., Houston, 77055 For more information, contact them at 713.468.1676.

Health

Vets Gone Wild!

hospital through diagnosis and treatment.

We turned to Danielle Inman from the GCVS Avian & Exotics department for a behind the scenes look into the creation of the show.

in our cases. It was nice to have people with a wholly novel view and a clear respect for our passion and expertise see what goes on with patient care at a busy specialty hospital. The crew was also very cognizant of not being in the way or ever impeding patient care.

How did the filming process affect the staff and clients? Initial client reactions seemed to run the gambit, but we did our best to notify clients that they may see cameras before coming in. I think that as a

What was it like having a film crew follow you around for six weeks? It was actually really refreshing! The production crew was genuinely interested and emotionally invested

whole, staff members are more proud than ever to be a part of the GCVS family and to share what they do on a daily basis with their families and pet owners around the country.

Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists Star in New Series on Nat Geo Wild!

By: Alex Whitney www.gcvs.com

G

...w

ulf Coast Veterinary Specialists (GCVS) is the focus of Nat Geo WILD’s new series Animal ER that premiered Saturday, September 10 at 9pm and runs for six

weeks. GCVS is often the last stop for pets whose care is beyond the capabilities of their primary care veterinarian. The series will follow along with patients as they are rushed into the

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What was your favorite part of the filming process?

I really loved knowing that people would get a more intimate glimpse of the good we do and how much we all love our jobs and our patients.

What did you learn about yourself / your job throughout this entire process? I learned that I am extremely confident in our medicine and the level of care and expertise that we are able to provide. Even under a veritable magnifying glass, we didn't change the way we did things.

What is one thing that you will not see in the show? Us in the bathroom (hopefully)! No, really, what people get in the show is an abbreviated version of all of the time and effort that goes into caring for each patient. There are staff members here 24/7 devoted to caring for our non-human family members.

What is one thing you wish you could change about the show? I wish there were more episodes!

There were so many other amazing cases and patients that they couldn’t possibly fit into six episodes.

With that being said, will there be a season two? We certainly hope so! The show was only able to highlight a handful of our departments and cases, and we would love the opportunity to provide viewers with a behind the scenes look at more of this amazing practice.

Tune in! New episodes of Animal ER air Saturdays at 9PM on Nat Geo WILD.

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Tail End

Blessing of the Animals

Upcoming Pet Blessing Events

Celebrating Saint Francis of Assisi's Annual Feast Day

Cypress Creek Christian Church 6823 Cypresswood Drive, 77379

By: Rebecca Botello

St. Andrew's Episcopal Church

10.2.16, 4pm 1819 Heights Boulevard, 77008

I

f one can quiet his mind and listen to his heart, sometimes a connectivity with the universe can be felt. That connectivity can extend to other humans, plants, and animals. To paraphrase Carl Sagan, we are all comprised of the same materials, and whether you call yourself religious, spiritual, or something else it is common to feel and recognize that connectivity.

During the month of October an interesting event takes place across the world. People from

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all sects of Christianity come together at places of worship with their own pets and animal friends, to celebrate the connection between humans, animals, and nature. Collectively these events are called "Blessings of the Animals."

Although it is a practice performed traditionally at Christian churches, many of these churches happily welcome people from all walks of life to join together as a community.

The patron saint, Saint Francis, was a Catholic monk born in 1181. He was

10.2.16, 11am St. John the Divine 2450 River Oaks Boulevard, 77019

10.2.16, 4pm St. Paul's United Methodist Church Houston 5501 Main Street, 77004

10.4.16, 6:30pm St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church 5102 Dabney Street, 77026

10.22.16, 3pm St. Thomas Presbyterian Church 14100 Memorial Drive, Houston 77079 named patron saint of animals and the environment

just two years after he passed away in 1226. He was known for his work with animals, and for preaching in the forest to birds and other creatures.

Francis believed that all beings could appreciate the love of God. The Blessing of the Animals is part of Saint Francis' Feast Day, which is a day dedicated to Saint Francis and what his name represents.

The celebrations usually take place in the first weekend of the month, but some places of worship will host events later in the month. In addition to the events listed here, check your local listings at www. pettalkgofetch.com for more events near you.

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

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What Is Trap, Neuter, Release?

Managing Feral Cat Colonies By: Catherine Eldredge-Graczyk Feral Cat Assistance Program Manager, CAP

I

began my career years ago when I moved to a neighborhood in San Antonio and noticed there were more free roaming cats than there were people. Dozens of cats could be seen crossing back and forth across the street, fighting, howling, and having kittens in the bushes or on the front porches of my neighbor’s homes. I knew there had to be a humane solution to the population issue and after much research I discovered trap, neuter, and return (TNR).

TNR is the process where feral cats are trapped in hu-

inch off the top of the cats’ ear while the cat is anesthetized; this is the universal symbol and only proven way to identify a feral cat that has been spayed/ neutered. After recovering from surgery, the cats are released where they were originally trapped.

Grounded in science, TNR is the most humane and effective strategy for reducing the free roaming cat population. It has been proven that trapping and euthanizing free roaming cats only contributes to the population problem.

Cats are territorial, and

mane traps, taken to a veterinarian for spay/neuter surgery, rabies vaccination, and ear tip. Ear tipping is the removal of a quarter

when cats are removed and euthanized from a location, new cats will move in and the survivors will breed to capacity. This well

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documented phenomenon is called the vacuum effect.

Trapping and euthanizing is like digging in sand - you can remove some sand, but the hole will just fill back in. TNR stops the problem, because it stops the breeding, causing the colony to gradually diminish over time. Once spayed/neutered, the free roaming cats will also work to keep new cats out of their territory. Many of the issues such as howling and fighting will also stop since these behaviors are associated with breeding.

If you notice feral cats in your neighborhood, first contact the Feral Cat Assistance Program (FCAP) at www.cap4pets. org or email CeGraczyk@ cap4pets.org for more information.

Never trap cats without having a plan. Start by talking with your neighbors.

This can be done through neighborhood networks such as nextdoor.com or through the HOA. Post information on community mailboxes, or simply stop by and let them know your plans. This is a great way to meet your neighbors and get assistance in helping the cats. You can also find out who may be feeding the cats, so you can coordinate trapping with them.

Next, you can schedule surgery appointments.

There are a lot of low cost surgery clinics in the Houston area such as Citizens for Animal Protection (CAP), Panda Wellness Center, SNAP, and Texas Litter Control. Once you have surgery appointments, you will need to find a safe, temperaturecontrolled place, away from other animals to keep the cats the night before and after surgery. Many people line their garages (during cooler weather), spare rooms, or even the bathroom with a tarp or shower curtain liner and newspaper. You can also do this in your car for transporting the cat to and from surgery. All cats must come in humane traps. CAP will loan out humane traps, as long as you have surgery appointments. The trap loan period is 10 days. You never want to trap a cat any earlier than the day before a surgery appointment, as this will minimize risk of injury and illness. After surgery, you can provide wet food mixed with water and allow the cat to recover for 24-72 hours. The cat can then be released where it was originally trapped.

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

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The Case for Feeding Raw

What You Need To Know By: -Brad Kriser www.krisers.com

R

aw Food continues to be one of the fastest growing categories in the natural pet food market today. So why is it that the people who know best in the natural pet supplies world recommend this?

Raw feeding is the closest thing to a dog or cat’s ancestral diet, and our furry friends are 99% the same from a DNA perspective as the wild wolves and cats that prowl for food.

In lieu of hunting wild prey – either outside or at a butcher’s counter – there are various products and food formats that can give your pet the wild flavors they want and nutrients they need.

Brands like Primal, Nature’s

Variety and Stella & Chewy’s have made it much more convenient than ever to get raw food into your pet’s diet. Today’s raw meals

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are comprised primarily of protein (meat) and some fruits and vegetables, oftentimes with vitamin and mineral fortification to help round out the complete diet.

There are two basic formats of raw that we recommend: Frozen Raw: This is what I feed my pets. Frozen raw has all the natural moisture and nutrients of foraged food, and pets gobble it up! It requires a bit of planning, since you have to defrost the meal in advance (microwaving kind of defeats the pur-

pose). I recommend putting the next frozen meal in the fridge to defrost when you serve the already defrosted meal today, or, if

you prefer, you can safely defrost up to 3 days’ worth of food in advance…just stop short of the entire bag.

You wouldn’t eat week old hamburger meat and neither should your pet!

Freeze-Dried: Among the most convenient, these little patties and niblets of food are lightweight and are the same as the raw frozen diet, but with the moisture removed through the process of freeze drying. It does not change the nutritional structure of

the ingredients, and, like frozen raw, it is thoroughly enjoyed by our pets. Just add water to rehydrate, and freeze dried pieces become delicious meals for your furry friend. They are great for camping

and hiking, or just to have in the house. You can even crumble a small amount over food as a topper to a kibble diet, or break up

little pieces as a treat or high value training reward.

With cats in particular, make sure you’re rehydrating that freeze-dried food. Because they don’t innately drink much water, cats need to get dietary

moisture from their food to maintain their digestive and urinary tract health.

For both species, if freezedried raw is their primary food source, rehydrate it to avoid constipation or dehydration.

As with any raw food, careful handling is a mandatory. Make sure you use a non-porous, stainless steel bowl and wash up thoroughly after handling.

Bone Appetit!

Brad Kriser is founder and CEO of Kriser’s Natural Pet, a pet supply retailer and grooming salon, which has locations in the Heights (250 W. 20th St.), West University (5160 Buffalo Speedway), Vintage Park (15556 Cutten Rd.) and The Woodlands (1925 Hughes Landing).

Daydreamers welcome.

Pet Styling

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Make a Difference

By Honoring A Wonderful Life!

HONOR A LOST PET by making a tax deductible donation to the Harris County Veterinary Medical Foundation in their name.

Your gift helps provide valuable information on pet medical and humane issuesto other pet parents.

To Donate Please Visit

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Win Great Prizes During The Month of October!

Weekday Drawings for a $50 Gift Certificate To One Of Our Sponsors: • ABC Pet Resort • Club Canine • Molly’s Mutt House • Southwest Animal Clinic • VERGI 24/7 Emergency Hospital Just review your favorite pet business at www.pettalkgofetch.com. Watch Houston PetTalk Facebook Page for daily instructions!

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Conservation Corner As appreciative supporters of nature and wildlife, we at Houston PetTalk want to promote education and conservation of the world’s animal population. Each month we bring you information on conservation efforts that are of special interest or have some connection to Houston through the Houston Zoo or other local organizers such as the TWRC Wildlife Center. This issue, we are highlighting efforts to save rhinos. Look for other upcoming conservation stories so that you too can help save a species.

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T

he Houston Zoo is home to three male southern white rhinoceros, Mumbles, Indy, and George, and our guests love seeing them wallow in their mud. However, just a century ago, this incredible

By: Jackie Wallace The Houston Zoo

©Stephanie Adams

The Houston Zoo is Saving Rhinos in the Wild

animal was one of the most endangered of the five rhino species, having been reduced to only a handful of individuals. Its numbers have since rebounded to nearly 17,000 thanks to the wild rhino protection

efforts of zoos and wildlife conservationists.

This work is proof that we can make a difference to save animals in the wild.

But the work is not complete. Rhinos still need our help. Your Houston Zoo supports rhino protection efforts in Africa through several partnerships, including the International Rhino Foundation, Namibia’s Black Rhinos, and Lowveld Rhino Trust.

These three organizations are tireless in their efforts to save rhinos in their native ranges. The International Rhino Foundation works to protect rhinos in Africa and Asia by securing habitats, employing anti-poaching teams, conducting scientific research, and working with local communities

who live alongside rhino populations. Namibia’s Black Rhinos employs local people to guard wild rhinos and creates incentive programs that provide support for local villages that protect rhino populations. If local people see a direct benefit from having rhinos in the area, they will protect them.

Lowveld Rhino Trust works in Zimbabwe to increase populations of both black and white rhinos in the area. Through rhino relocation efforts, medical assistance for wounded rhinos, community education and monitoring efforts, this program seeks to protect rhinos for the long-term.

The Houston Zoo funded the relocation of five rhinos in Africa to increase the population in the wild.

The Houston Zoo works directly to save wild rhinos by providing vital financial support to rhino protection programs which enable community members to conduct anti-poaching efforts and monitor critical rhino populations. Our graphics department designed educational posters to be used by the Lowveld Rhino Trust to educate local community members in Zimbabwe about their amazing wildlife, and our hoof stock department raises awareness of the plight of rhinos annually at our Rhino Save Our Species event, as well as by collecting wildlife-related school books to send to Zimbabwe for educational purposes.

This month, the Zoo’s annual Feed Your Wildlife Conservation Gala, will raise funds to directly support rhino conservation. The event will save rhinos in the wild by providing money to: ❖ Develop programs that employ local people to guard rhinos in the wild.

The more eyes watching over the rhinos the safer they are! ❖ Hire local educators in the communities living around rhinos to influence and inspire children to see the importance of protecting rhinos. ❖ Create educational outreach and awareness materials.

While this glitzy affair is sold-out, there are still actions Houstonians can take to save these incredible animals.

You can take action to help save rhinos by telling friends and family about

"The International Rhino Foundation works to protect rhinos in Africa and Asia by securing habitats, employing anti-poaching teams, conducting scientific research, and working with local communities who live alongside rhino populations." how the sale of animal products (like rhino horn) can impact wildlife, and make the decision to not buy products taken from endangered animals. Or, by simply visiting the Zoo. Every time you visit the Houston Zoo, you help save

animals in the wild because a portion of each ticket and membership goes directly to help wildlife protection efforts. For more information about how to help save rhinos, visit www.houstonzoo.org/saving-wildlife.

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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