The Definitive Source for Houston Pet Lovers | April 2017
ALSO INSIDE: NICKELODEON’S LIZZY GREENE ON RESPONSIBLE PET CARE
MEDIA HOUNDS
Meet Lisa Hernandez of KHOU and other media personalities with their pets
Houston PetTalk Magazine
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APRIL 2017
Editorial
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really prefer to be original and not use “tired” phrases but there is one phrase that I can’t seem to find a replacement for: “It takes a village." Those words seem passe but yet they so aptly describe what is required to combat the issue of pet homelessness, overpopulation, abuse and neglect. The “village” is comprised of government entities, charities, individual citizens, media and more who all play an important role in the many aspects of tackling such an enormous issue. One role in particular that is important but often overlooked is the media’s role in animal welfare. Here in Houston, we are fortunate to have many media personalities and media outlets that are animal lovers and are willing to give their time as emcees for charity events or give air time or print space to promote adoption, spay/neuter, fundraising, etc. and each April, PetTalk takes an opportunity to thank some of these benevolent “Media Hounds”. Featuring a cross-section of radio, television and print media, this April’s fun group will not disappoint as they pose with their pet and answer questions to give our readers a chance to
Issue 3: Volume 17 www.houstonpettalk.com
know a bit more of their personal side. Enjoy meeting these Media Hounds in our feature story, including our beautiful cover girl, Lisa Hernandez, morning anchor for KHOU 11. Lisa has worked tirelessly for the animal community for many years and even with her busy schedule (she's also a new mom), she still finds time to volunteer at Fort Bend County Animal Shelter. We also want to give a shout out to CityCentre for allowing us to photograph at one of Houston’s trendiest, hottest venues. And speaking of CityCentre, PetTalk’s Doggy Party on the Plaza with Platinum Sponsor Houston Dog Ranch is back at CityCentre for our 8th year so don’t miss the fun April 1, noon to 5. We will celebrate all things dog with vendors, demonstrations, entertainment and the ever-popular Rescue Me Parade sponsored by Hyundai. In addition to our annual Media Hounds issue and Doggy Party, PetTalk has another fun tradition in April, our 9th annual Pets in the Wildflowers Photo Contest sponsored this year by Bingle Vet. I don’t need to tell you how fabulous the Texas wildflowers are so get out there and take your best shot
and enter your pet’s photo in the Novice division or Professional division. Learn more on page 20. Houston is full of fun things to do with your pet, from dog parks to shopping to events and travel, you can find everything you need to know right at your fingertips with PetTalk’s new FREE App, PetTalk GoFetch. Just download from the Google or Apple store or visit the website, www.pettalkgofetch.com to find resources, business listings, reviews, deals, events and articles. You might have noticed that we are showing off some photos of our reader’s pets in our full page GoFetch Ad (see page 61). Your pet could be chosen for our ad too so be sure to create an account, upload your pet’s photo as your profile picture and watch for our ad in each issue of PetTalk. Also, PetTalk GoFetch is our official calendar site - yet another reason to download the App and find events in your area including photo ops with the Easter Bunny! Enjoy this issue and thank you for your loyalty to Houston’s number one resource for all things pet!
Merrymaking at Media Hounds Photooshoot
HOUSTON PETTALK MAGAZINE 14781 Memorial Drive, Ste. 510, Houston, Texas 77079 281-556-6560 www.HoustonPetTalk.com
Owen Conflenti, KPRC Morning Anchor, shares a "group hug" with editor Michelle Mantor and photographer Evin Thayer during the photo session with local Media Hounds - one of our favorite issues of the year! Thank you to CityCentre for allowing us to photograph at their great venue - also the site of Doggy Party on the Plaza April 1st so be sure to join us from noon to 5! Cover image by Evin Thayer.
Art Director: ANDREW BURWELL © Copyright 2017. 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?
Catch someone reading their PetTalk as they travel the globe? Snap a pic and send to: info@houstonpettalk.com.
Machu Picchu, Peru Melissa Gilhart made it high into the Andes Mountains with her copy of PetTalk to enjoy... we love it!
Red Square, Moscow Friedrich Arnold in front of St. Basils Cathedral at the Kremlin.
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Henrietta On:
10 REASONS It’s Better To Be A Dog Than A Two-Legger
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2.
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99% of two-leggers actually look better clothed. Humans can't tinkle anywhere they damn well please. This problematic predicament is especially menacing for the ladies. Just look at the line to the bathroom at a rock concert. Need I say more? Humans can't scratch their left ear with their right foot unless they are a Chinese acrobatist. Dogs never have to say "Honey, can you scratch my back right here? No, over to the left, ooh, ooh, no, up just a little, yeah there!" Wow, wonder what a Chinese Crested could scratch? Dog parents don't have to save for college. We simply give our young to anyone that will have them.
3.
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6.
Two-leggers have to have bank accounts, 401k's, mutual fund investments and stock portfolios. Dogs only need a good secret hole in which we hide our most coveted of possessions: last night's dinner bone and an occasional Greenie for which we summoned the willpower to delay devouring until we could savor the moment.
7.
Humans have a litany of doctors to visit… the ob/gyn, the proctologist, the endocrinologist, the radiologist, the orthopedic surgeon, psychiatrist, etc. Dogs have only one doc that knows our body from head to tail. They talk nice to us, pat us on the head and they even knock us out for dental work. And the best part, the human pays! Humans don’t get to eat poop. Well, I guess they could if they wanted but for some reason they don’t see the glory in this food group. Humans have to refrain from just about any sign of complete happiness resulting in a loss of body control. If a human were to wiggle their butts, bark, turn in circles and drool when they are excited, they would be put into a white coat with their arms tied behind their back. Us dogs, we do this and we get a Beggin’ Strip piece of bacon! Here's the one that really gets me. Humans are supposed to find a mate and remain monogamous. I emphasize SUPPOSED TO. Four-leggers on the other hand, can run the neighborhood sampling the wares, no commitments, no strings attached and definitely no mortgages! Yeah, it's definitely A Dog's LIfe...
8. 9.
10.
Henrietta Illustration by Jim Tweedy, Colorizing by Desiree Lonsway
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wo-leggers get a bum deal. My cousin Hector and I were pontificating the juxtaposition of humans vs. dogs over a fabulous bottle of Dog Perignon (vintage 1996), and as the last bit of bubbly tickled my tummy, I concluded that I'm lucky to be living a dog's life. Hector and I decided to come up with our top 10 reasons why it’s better to be a dog than a human and of course we want to share our conclusions with you... Humans have to be responsible for themselves. They get jobs so they can buy a box to live in, a car to drive, chow to eat, and many other seemingly needless items to prove to the world how fabulous they are. Dogs on the other hand just find a human who does all of those things for us, and with just a few licks on the face, we get it all for free (we learned this strategy from our top selling how-to author, J.K. Howling, who wrote The Pooch That Knows How To Mooch. Humans have to wear clothes. Do you know how much money would be saved if humans could run naked like canines? Ok, forget that visual. Perhaps
Unleashed
ANIMEALS ON WHEELS BRUNCH
Heather Holland with "Ginger"
Jennifer Kouvossi with "Mochi"
Jerri Moore
M.A. Shute with "Lulu" and "Bimmer"
Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston’s Best Friends Brunch drew over 200 people and plenty of pups to Hotel ZaZa. IM raised more than $100,000 from the brunch, which is a main source of funding for aniMeals on Wheels, a program that provides much-needed food for dogs and cats belonging to IM’s Meals on Wheels seniors.
Martin B. Cominsky and aniMeals senior Elaine Achez with "Baby"
Jim Moore, Jerri Moore, Karen Winston, and Neal Hamil
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Photos by Tom Callins
Heather Holland and "Ginger"
The Invocation at aniMeals on Wheels "Best Friends Brunch" As I sat at my table admiring the many supporters who had given their time on a Saturday afternoon as well as their money for tickets to the aniMeals on Wheels “Best Friends Brunch”, it was a heartwarming site! These Houstonians were supporting Interfaith Ministries program that provides pet food to the elderly who do not have the resources to buy food for their beloved companions. As we settled down to our seats for the program to begin, Rev. Gregory Han stepped up to the microphone to offer the invocation. I was so drawn to his words of love and wisdom that I asked if I could share his beautiful, unifying message with PetTalk readers. I know you will love his message as much as I did…it’s a reminder of the role of steward that we play in God’s world filled with so many enchanting souls. -Michelle Mantor
and “Will you please join in a spirit of unity gratitude:
just peoIn many relig ious traditions, animals, not so it is with ple, have a special place in creation. And friends. They our pets, our best friends, our faithful act that are part of the saving and restoring comp Quran, aniGod made with Noah. In Sura 6 of the ah, the commals are implied to be part of the umm h to the munity. And St Francis of Assisi would preac regation. birds as he saw all of creation as his cong
so much We know that our special companions bring and time, to our lives. As we gather here in this place e with us we give thanks for the creatures who resid s for the as companions and friends; we give thank and give loyalty and love which enrich our lives in turn, us joy. We have been entrusted their care;
us companprotect and bless the animals who give friends and ionship, and help to make us their true
we see the worthy companions. Thro ugh our pets may of mercy, depth of compassion, practice the power nurture a disco ver the strength of tenderness, and spirit of humility. Amen.”
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Unleashed
PUPPY UP HOUSTON SPRING WALK
Photos by Nature Dog Photography
A very successful first annual Puppy Up Houston Spring Walk is in the history books and supporters are already planning next year's event! The Puppy Up Foundation was formed to find out why dogs are getting cancer and often the same cancer as humans get. This great fundraiser supports a mission of education, awareness and research. Photos: Nature Dog Photography
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Unleashed
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inn W e c a l 1st P
Runner up: Cathy Hengst
Runner up: Cindy Castelblanco
Clara with "Rayna"
LOVE TAILS
Photo Contest Winners
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e know how much our readers LOVE your pets and many of you showed us just how much in our recent LOVE TAILS photo contest, sponsored by VERGI 24/7. We had so many great entries it was difficult to choose a winner. Finalists
ABOUT VERGI
VERGI 24/7 is a special Emergency and Critical Care Hospital providing continuous, 24/7 doctor and nursing care for the safety and welfare of patients. Conveniently located in the heart of Houston, their staff maintains the highest technical skill in all aspects of veterinary critical care and are dedicated to providing a “home away from home” environment for all patients. VERGI also offers a broad spectrum of diagnostic procedures through in-house
were selected by public voting and a panel of judges from VERGI 24/7 chose the winning photo. Meet winner Clara with her dog "Rayna" sharing a love moment. Clara won a gift basket from VERGI 24/7. Congratulations to Clara and the finalists!
Runner up: Reese's Pieces
Runner up: Sarah Reyes
testing and external laboratories. This means they can diagnose and make a comprehensive assessment of your pet’s emergency needs quickly. They strive to offer sound advice, optimal veterinary care and will do everything in their power to make sure you spend many happy, healthy years with your pet. Simply said, VERGI's motto is "We Save Lives"! Learn more about VERGI 24/7 by visiting www. vergi247.com. Houston PetTalk Magazine
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The Dish
H
ey Party Animals...Did you know you can add your own pet related event to our event calendar online? Head to: pettalkgofetch.com/event
FOR A FULL LIST OF EVENTS, DOWNLOAD THE FREE APP OR VISIT: WWW.PETTALKGOFETCH.COM
ist
al 2016 Fin
2016 3rd Place Winner: Yuki-Hime, Owner Olivia Garland
TEXAS WILDFLOWER CONTEST
Begins April 1
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t’s no April Fools! Get ready to take your best wildflower shot with your furry one! PetTalk’s 9th Annual Pets in the Wildflowers Photo Contest, sponsored by Bingle Vet, starts April 1. Photos of pets (no humans, please) taken in beautiful Texas Wildflowers can be entered in the contest until April 21 when public voting will commence to select finalists in two categories: Novice and Professional Photographer. The winners, selected by Bingle Vet, as well as all entries will have their photographs featured in the June issue of Houston PetTalk. The Novice winner will also receive a $200 Gift Certificate for Annual Vaccinations to Bingle Vet. About Bingle Vet: Bingle Vet is a family-owned veterinary practice committed to the compassionate care of pets while providing impeccable service to pet parents. They not only value your time with a 10 Minute Guarantee, they want you to become a part of their family. With 2 locations in the Greater Houston Area, book your pet’s appointment at BingleVet.com.
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News CAP Doghouse Competition: Enter Your Design Do you love dogs and want to help homeless animals? If so, pick up your hammer and explore your creative side by building a one-of-a-kind doghouse for entry into the "Best Little Doghouse in Texas" Designer Doghouse Competition and silent auction benefiting Citizens for Animal Protection (CAP) at the Houston World Series of Dog Shows July 19-23, 2017, at NRG Center. Any individual, business or group can enter - it makes a great team building project! Thousands of people attend the show to view, vote or bid on their favorite Puppy Palace. Prizes will be awarded: People’s Choice, Kid’s Choice and Dixie’s Choice. Be a part of something unique that benefits animals seeking a forever home. Click here for Rules & Regulations and Entry Form. Send questions to: royaldixie@sbcglobal.net.
Houston Pet Photographer Raises Money For Heights Animal Shelter Houston photographer Megan Murray teamed up with Friends For Life animal shelter to offer a special pet portrait fundraiser in February. Sixteen dogs and one cat participated in the Portraits For Life event and received a beautiful keepsake photo. The event raised $1000 for the shelter. That’s enough to spay/ neuter and vaccinate 15 cats or provide a year’s supply of heartworm preventative medicine for 40 dogs!
Caring for Hearts... at Both Ends of the Leash!
Doggy Part on the Plaza Rescue Parade
Events
low cost vaccinations, microchipping, music, food trucks and more.
4.1.2017
4.8.2017
PetTalk’s 8th Annual Doggy Party on the Plaza
Shaggy Dog Rescue 5K
Noon to 5pm CityCentre Don’t miss PetTalk’s signature event, with Premium Sponsor Houston Dog Ranch, at CityCentre featuring celebrity emcees and judges, costume contest, Rescue Me Parade, over 70 vendors plus more! See ad page 24.
4.1.2017 & 4.2.2017 Pin Oak Charity Horse Show The Great Southwest Equestrian Center located at 2501 S. Mason Road in Katy Come enjoy the two final days of this 2 week show. Find information and schedules at www.pinoak.org.
4.2.2017 Champions Paws For A Cause 1pm to 4pm Gary Greene Real Estate 8817 Louetta Rd. Spring 77379 Paws for a Cause is a fundraiser for area rescue groups and will include adoptions,
Stude Park 1031 Stude St 7:30am to 1pm Benefitting Shaggy Dog Rescue, this annual fun run is a great way to help out a worthy cause. Run in the race and then stay for festivities. Sign up at www.shaggydog5k.com.
4.8.2017 Wolf Sanctuary Birthday Party 11am to 5pm St. Francis Wolf Sanctuary 2757 St. Beulah Chapel Rd. Montgomery 77316 Come out to the Saint Francis Wolf Sanctuary and meet the pack! Wolves are always born in the spring and the Sanctuary enjoys throwing them a birthday party. Participate in guided tours of the wolves, games for the kids, food trucks, silent auction, bounce house, shopping, and more. All proceeds go directly to supporting the wolves at this non-profit Sanctuary.
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The Dish 4.15.2017 VIP PetCare Microchipping Katy Tractor Supply 444 FM 1463, Katy VIP Petcare provides high value wellness and preventative veterinary care through Community Clinics hosted at local pet stores. Be sure to use the COUPON on page 42 in Houston PetTalk Magazine!! Vaccines for dogs and cats available along with microchipping, deworming and other services. For other clinics, visit www.pettalkgofetch.com.
4.22.2017 Ft. Bend Cares 4th Annual Doggone Fun Run Sienna Plantation 9802 Maroon Peak Missouri City 77459 8am to 3pm Meet the vets from Animal Planet's 'The Vet Life', check out vendor booths, participate in the costume contest, and more! Stay for kids carnival, 10am to 3pm. Find more information at www.pettalkgofetch. com/events.
4.26.2017
Houston Humane Society Fun Run
and compete in our doggie costume contest, join the Alumni Parade if your dog was adopted from HHS, or simply enjoy refreshments, pet friendly vendors and activities. Your support and participation raises money and awareness for the many animals saved and cared for daily at the HHS shelter. Dog participation is encouraged. Entry fee includes a lrace shirt, dog-danna, and race goodie bag. For more information or to register, visit www.houstonhumane.org.
K-9 Angels Spring Fling 6pm to 9pm Cottonwood, 3422 N. Shepherd K-9 Angels, a local rescue group, invites you to join the fun at their annual Spring Fling featuring a live band, silent auction and raffle. Dogs for adoption will also be available. Learn more at www.k-9angelsrescue.org.
April Special at Houston Humane Society
Event. Any dog that’s been at HHS 30 days or more has a special $50 adoption fee, and all cats have a special 2 for 1 adoption fee of $50.
4.29.2017 Pet-A-Palooza Galveston Island First Lutheran Church, Winnie St. between 24th and 25th St. Head to Galveston for a fun day of family and canine activities including contests, a parade, food trucks, vendors and the Pee Wee Bowen Band. The event benefits the Galveston Island Humane Society. www. galvestonhumane.org.
Woofstock & Kittypalooza Adoption
4.29.2017 Lynn Susan Park at University of Houston 4800 Calhoun Rd. It’s time for Houston Humane Society’s 36th Annual K-9 Fun Run & Walk. Participate in the 1 mile competitive run or the relaxed 1 mile non-competitive jog & walk. The event is at Lynn Eusan Park, University of Houston, 4800 Calhoun Rd. on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at 10:00AM. At the post-race party, dress to impress
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Pet-A-Palooza Galveston Island
Photo by Robyn Bushong
Houston Humane Society Fun Run
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NATURAL FOOD, TREATS, SUPPLIES & GROOMING
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Media HOUNDS Meet Lisa Hernandez of KHOU and other media personalities with their pets By Michelle Mantor Photos By Evin Thayer
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M
ost Houstonians know the beautiful face and voice of Lisa Hernandez who has been a news anchor with KHOU 11 for a number of years. Lisa is just as beautiful on the inside and our cover girl reveals her true passion… saving animals!
How did you and Sophie find one another? Sophie was picked up near Needville as a stray in December and was taken to the Ft. Bend County Animal Shelter where I’m a volunteer. She’d suffered a dog bite and needed treatment. I asked if I could take her to my vet and she’s been with me ever since! We started out as her medical foster, and ended up adopting her last month. She’s such a sweet girl.
I'm sure Sophie is a smart girl and if she were able to speak our language, what do you think she would say? “Mom is obsessed with picking up dog poop.” And she’s right. I can’t let it sit and stink up the yard! I’m definitely the poop police.
Were animals always a big part of your life? I come from a family of animal lovers and we always found room for a stray! Having respect for animals was big in my vegetarian household. My parents would tolerate nothing less and I’m so grateful for that upbringing.
You have a great reputation in our community for always being willing to help the homeless pets in our midst, including volunteering to be one of our emcees at PetTalk’s Doggy Party on the Plaza. What other volunteer work do you do for animal welfare? I volunteer weekly at the Fort Bend County Animal Shelter in Rosenberg. I walk dogs, hand out treats, pick up poop or whatever they need done! My challenge each week is not to get too sad when I leave the shelter…those faces stay with you. I also host our KHOU/Houston SPCA Pet of the Week segments! I love working with them. They do incredible work to help save lives every day.
If you could say anything to our readers about the homeless pet problem in Houston, what would you say?
Lisa Hernandez KHOU 11 News Morning Anchor with “Sophie”
I really hope Houston implements a spay/neuter law. A million plus homeless animals on our streets is both a public safety issue and an incredibly cruel existence. No animal should have to wander injured, starved or neglected. Houston is better than that! Houston PetTalk Magazine
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Dana Tyson Morning Show Personality Sunny 99.1 with "Penny"
M
eet Dana Tyson, the fun, beautiful voice you hear in the mornings on Sunny 99.1. Dana is a true friend to animals in Houston. Throughout her years as a radio personality, Dana has given many hours of her time to help local rescues through emcee duties, promoting animals for adoption during telethons and acting as a Board member with Houston PetSet. Dana is proudly owned by Fonzi and two 18 yr. old Maltese, Ringo and Starr. Thank you Dana for your very big heart! Dana is photographed with “Penny”, a fabulous stand-in for Dana’s aged pets who due to their senior years, couldn’t make it to the shoot but Dana will share some pics with us on Facebook!
How did Fonzi come into your life? I was emceeing the Houston SPCA pet-a-thon and they gave me this 6 week old puppy to show TV viewers. My daughter had just left for college so I replaced her with the puppy!
Tell us something funny about your dogs. Well, this is kinda crazy but both of my 18 yr. old Maltese eat poop. Could it be the Fountain of Youth?
If your pups could talk to you, what do you think they would they say? “Our mom thinks we like to get up at 3:30am with her - NOTHING could be further from the truth!”
Do you do anything super special for your furry pals? Once when I ran out of treats, I googled good treat ideas and apples came up. So now I slice them apples and they are obsessed. Every time they hear me slice ANYTHING on the cutting board they come running.
If your pets were superheros, who would they most likely be? Hmm…well Ringo makes himself invisible at strategic times so I guess he would be The Invisible Man. Starr can poop on my floor right in front of me and somehow I miss it every time! So she would be The Invisible Woman!
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Owen Conflenti KPRC Morning Anchor with “Deano” and “Millie”
W
hat could be better than a tall, darkhaired handsome man with a joyful personality and big heart for rescue animals? Not much! Meet the guy that has all that plus more, Owen Conflenti.
How did Deano and Millie come into your life? Deano and I met when his litter was featured on KPRC for Puppy Bowl 2014. I staked my claim on Deano and he beat the pack to the first bowl of food and body checked his sibling out of the way toward the second bowl! I got Millie because I didn’t want Deano to be solo. They love each other.
Pets can be pretty silly or crazy with their antics. What are some unusual habits of your duo? Sometimes Millie won’t eat until I play the piano. They also have a thing for my pillow. As soon as I get out of bed in the morning, they are on it!
What do you most like to do together with Deano and Millie? Swimming! We all swim together in the pool and Deano loves to fetch in the water.
If Deano or Millie could talk, what would they say about you? "Why are you always kissing my face?!?"
Do your pups have any bad habits? Millie will snatch anything within paw’s reach from the kitchen counter, edible or not. Also, shoes which will be destroyed if left out for too long. Plus anything on the couch when you leave the house becomes her toy. Deano is a good boy.
What is the most lavish gift you’ve bought for Deano and Millie? Tuition at daycare.
What do you think Deane and Millie were in a former life? Deano was a surfer. Millie was a drill sergeant.
Houston PetTalk Magazine
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Josh Marshall
Investigative Journalist, KHOU 11 with “Buster” and “Sidney”
S
ay hello to Houston newcomer, Josh Marshall and his two rescue pups. Careers in media often mean moving from town to town so we welcome another animal lover to our Houston pet community!
Both of your dogs are rescues and we applaud you for that! Tell us how you found Buster and Sidney? I took a job in Michigan and my family lived in Delaware while my future wife was finishing school in West Virginia. My empty apartment needed some life so I adopted Buster from the Genesee County Animal Shelter where he had been for months. A couple of years later, my wife and I adopted Buster from the KC Pet Project.
We won’t let Buster and Sidney know you ratted them out but share some of their funny antics with us.
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When Buster isn’t getting attention he starts dry heaving. The first few times he did it we thought something was terribly wrong! We started giving him allergy medicine before realizing he was doing it for attention. Sidney figured out what was going on and has started doing the same thing.
Pets can usually train us more than we train them. What about your pair? Our pets have trained us to accept that “new” furniture is actually a “new” bed for the dogs. Letting go of that “new furniture feel” was hard at first but they broke us in rather quickly.
It’s probably a blessing that our pets can’t talk but if Sidney and Buster could speak to you, what do you think they would say?
“Why are you going to the bathroom inside? I’m here if you need anything.” “Mom didn’t feed us. Will you feed us again? I mean, feed us?”
Do you show any tendencies that you are a helicopter pet parent? Any tendencies? How about every tendency? I wish there were background checks for dog park access to make sure there aren't bullies out there.
If your dogs were superheroes, what superhero would Sidney and Buster be? Sidney would be (and has dressed up as) Wonder Woman. Buster has dressed up as Batman but I think he would be more like Mr. Incredible, slightly overweight but still pretty super.
K
im is one of those faces you often see at pet charity events because it IS her passion to help homeless pets find their forever home. She works with many charities to create successful events, thus raising dollars for the very worthy cause of animal welfare.
How did these two sweet dogs “find” you? Brando, my two year old Cava-Tzu was adopted from Tiny Paws Rescue when he was a baby. My vet encouraged me to adopt a puppy to increase Cassidy’s activity. We met Cassidy through a neighborhood family that had Westies.
We see you at many rescue events and appreciate your support of the rescue community. What are some of the groups you support? I have supported and participated in programs and events for Barrio Dogs, The Big Fix, Unity for a Solution, Friends for Life, Adore Houston, Houston K-911
Rescue, K94Cops, Friends of BARC, Lucky Dog Rescue, Tiny Paws, Westie Rescue, Houston PetSet and many, many more! I have also chaired the CAP Celebrity Paws Gala and support many of their events.
Given that you are very involved in the pet community, you’ve probably had a number of pets in your lifetime. Anything unusual? Yes! I’ve had a chinchilla, hermit crabs, lizards, dogs, cats, frogs, fish, you name it–no snakes though, firm rule!
Do your pups have any “strange” habits (we know most dogs do)? Brando loves to chew toilet paper rolls, he is great at eating mosquitos, and both dogs love to hunt squirrels, mice, and any rodent in sight in the yard. Brando loves to eat the mail – if he hears me opening an envelope of any kind, he is there instantly wanting to take it off my hands (and chew and destroy it).
If Cassidy and Brando could talk instead of bark, what would they say? They would both say that I should be home with them 24/7.
What is the most lavish gift you’ve bought your dogs? I’ve had clothing custom made for my pets for special events, like fashion shows. Fashion Designer Chloe Dao actually designed matching ball gowns for me and Cassidy for the Citizens for Animal Protection gala. She had never designed a dress for a dog before, but I “convinced” her! I definitely buy quality food, especially as Cassidy ages, she needs special food and supplements for her joints.
Do you show any tendencies that you are a helicopter pet parent? I’m not a helicopter pet parent, I am a “drone” pet parent. is that a bad thing?
Kim Padgett
President, The Padgett Group, with “Cassidy” and “Brando”
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We love hearing about weird pet habits. For some strange reason, it makes us feel like our pets are all that more normal LOL! Want to share anything about Zeke or Sparrow? Sparrow likes to climb on our dining room table. No other table, just the dining room table. And Zeke likes to strategically plan for belly rubs by timing out his rollover as you walk in his direction. It’s a good strategy because it usually results in a belly rub. My wife and I are well trained!
So what other things have this dynamic duo trained you to do? They have both trained us to share carrots, bananas, and apples with them. No exceptions. Sharing is caring!
What do enjoy doing with your Zeke and Sparrow? With Zeke, cuddle time is always fun. With Sparrow, run…and run…and run. And then he wants to run some more but there is only so much in my tank.
One of the reasons we love our pets is because they can’t talk. It makes life easier and if you’ve ever had a teenager, you know what I mean! But, if your guys could talk, what would they say? "Dad sings the craziest songs about us, to us. And yes, his voice is as bad as you think it is."
Freddy Cruz
Midday Host/Public Affairs Director/ Image Director, 104.1 KRBE with “Zeke” and “Sparrow”
What do you think your pets were in a former life? Zeke: Teddy bear. Sparrow: Olympic runner.
What do you think Zeke and Sparrow thinks you were in a former life? Failed opera singer.
M
eet the face of that famous and fun voice you hear midday on your radio dial 104.1 KRBE, Freddy Cruz. A super animal enthusiast, Freddy has a heart for furry ones as much as he has a voice that makes you tune in to listen to his show!
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How did your pups come into your life? Zeke chose us back in 2010. Sparrow chose us last year. Both of them came from Citizens for Animal Protection.
What’s the craziest thing either of your dogs has ever eaten? Sparrow broke into our office and got a hold of some Girl Scout cookies. And by "some," he got into 10 boxes. He didn't eat all of them, though. He was nice enough to leave us a few.
A
s publisher of Absolutely! Memorial Magazine, Lara has covered many stories but she confesses that one of her favorite topics is anything pet related. Lara is the proud mom of “Outback”, an Australian Labradoodle with impeccable manners. Super cool dog for a super cool girl!
Lara Bell
Publisher, Absolutely! Memorial Magazine with “Outback”
How did Outback come into your life? We adopted Outback at 5 months- I wanted a Labradoodle because I read they are great with kids and hypoallergenic, which we needed.
What is Outback’s funniest or strangest habit? Outback is terrified of steps. At the CAP Celebrity Paws Gala, we had to walk up steps to get to the runway. It was pretty funny trying to get a 50 lb. dog to the stage. This is not always a convenient quirk!
Given that you love pets so much, did you ever have any “unconventional pets”? At one time when the kids were young we had two dogs, a cat, 2 mini frogs, a guinea pig, 2 hamsters, and a fish. Yes I was totally out of my mind at the time.
If Outback could talk, what would he say about you? “Mom really likes her linen slipcover couches. When I lay on them without a blanket, she goes bonkers!”
What is the most lavish gift you’ve bought Outback? A Zebra Dog Canopy Bed. I brought it home and my husband was like “What the hell is THAT?”
What do you think Outback was in a former life? An explorer. He LOVES to dig and explore!
What’s the craziest thing he ever ate? Not crazy- but one time my husband had
steaks out on kitchen counter marinating them. They only had about 10 minutes to go before he was going to throw them on the grill. He went outside to check his fire and when he came back to grab the steaks- there was Outback on my
new clean beige area rug chomping away. I prayed Outback enjoyed that Filet Mignon because for a second I thought HE was going to be Filet Mignon!
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KEEP YOUR DOG DOWN HAVE YOU NOTICED ANY OF THE FOLLOWING IN YOUR DOG? Easily gets tired or lags behind on walks
Has trouble getting up from a resting position
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Limps or appears stiff after exercise
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Ruff Stuff We Love Let's
Shop! Stuff Love
With 14 different personalities to choose from, these lovable stuffed creatures make great gifts. Choose from a shark, dog, giraffe, dinosaur, monkey, penguin, elephant, lion, cat, patriotic eagle, panda, turtle and tiger. Made from organic materials, available at www.bearsforhumanity.com.
The Purrfect Ring Holder
Bite This!
Go away nasty mosquitoes! Looking for a natural way to repel these pesky critters while you are out and about with your pet? Parakito is a line of refillable mosquito repellent wristbands that uses nothing but natural essential oils, is DEET and GMO free (and spray free!). Available at www.parakito.com.
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This shiny kitty ring holder from Umbra is durable and modern, plus it is shaped like an adorable, round little kitty cat. Keep your rings safe with your own shiny kitty, available online at www.amazon.com.
Woof Cookies
With this 5 piece Woof Dog cookie cutter set, you can make delicious treats for you and your pet. Made of tinplate steel, just wipe with a damp cloth to clean. Great for cutting cookie dough, craft clay or soft fruits. Not dishwasher safe. Available at www.dogparkpublishing.com.
Pooch Tags
We love these whimsical jewelry designs by Pooch Tags! Custom designs to mirror the likeness of your pet are available as well as many other designs. Handcrafted from mixed metals, these wine charms, earrings, cuff links and more are available at www.pooch-tags.com.
Two In One
FHE’s Foldable Storage Ottoman allows you to maximize space and serves all of your storage needs without sacrificing style, as it conveniently collapses flat when not in use and expands in three, easy steps. The perfect hideaway for pet toys and an ottoman too! Available at www.thefhegroup.com. Houston PetTalk Magazine
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281-332-1678 1108 GULF FREEWAY S., #280 LEAGUE CITY, TX 77573 VCAcalderroad.com
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NICKELODEON'S Lizzy Greene RESPONSIBLE PET CARE
© Russell Baer
By: Lizzy Greene
'Jett", Lizzy's German Shepherd
H
i everyone, my name is Lizzy Greene and I am a thirteen year old actress on a Nickelodeon television show titled, Nicky, Ricky, Dicky and Dawn. Animals have always been very important to me. In fact, before I got into acting, I planned to become a veterinarian. Who knows, maybe I will be some day. Getting right to it, let me tell you about my pets. The first family dog I experienced as a child was our dog 'Kane.' Kane was a rescue German Shepherd and my parents adopted him from a local rescue called Camp Wolfgang that has since gone
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“I LOVE ANIMALS DEARLY. PETS DO NOT HAVE A VOICE AND DEPEND ON HUMANS FOR SURVIVAL.” Lizzy Greene out of business. Kane was very large and weighed over one hundred pounds! He was a big dog, but he had the most gentle disposition. He would let me crawl all over him as a toddler. Kane passed away years ago, and since then we have a new German Shepherd named 'Jett.' The first family cat I experienced as a child was named Skeeben. I know, it's a very weird name! She was a Calico cat that my parents
adopted from the Dallas SPCA. Skeeben passed away about two years ago at the age of twelve. We now have two new rescue cats, Coco and Lulu. Coco’s mother survived Hurricane Katrina while she was pregnant with Coco. We adopted her from a woman who rescued several dogs and cats from areas impacted by the storm. Our other new cat is named Lulu. She is a Hollywood rescue kitty we adopted from Kitten
Crusaders last year. She is “rag doll” cat who I adore more than anything. She even has her own Instagram page: @oliviablue. I love animals dearly. Pets do not have a voice and depend on humans for survival. It makes me feel good to be an advocate for them. It is a tragedy when people acquire a pet on a whim without knowing what a big responsibility it is, and then discard them! Pet ownership is a big responsibility that lasts years. Love and responsibility go hand-in-hand, so someone who truly loves their pet would never abandon them. It is not only about physical
abandonment, but is also about emotional abandonment. Some people just throw their pet in the backyard and provide only the essentials of food and water. Someone who truly loves their pet interacts with them, loves them, and wants to spend time with them. I urge anyone looking for a new pet to first ask yourself if you are up for the long-term
commitment. If the answer is “yes”, then please consider a rescue animal. Three of the last four pets my family acquired were rescued and they have all been great! I think rescue pets are so grateful to have a new home. Many have come from abusive homes and are so deserving of happiness. Adopting a pet also helps to reduce the numbers of homeless pets in shelters.
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Health
FOUR COMMON MYTHS of Pet Health LEARN THE REAL TRUTH By: Kate Lawrence | www.gcvs.com
E
veryone knows that when a dog’s nose is warm and dry, it means they’re sick. Right? Not so fast! When you’re in veterinary medicine, you hear a whole lot of animal-related myths like this one. But without a veterinary degree, how do you know if “they” have it right, or if it’s just an old wives tale? We’ve put together four of the most common animal myths we hear at Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists – including whether or not a warm, dry nose means a trip to the vet – to help spread the word on these old wives “tails”! One of the most common myths we hear in our surgery department, for example, is something along the lines of, "I should let him lick his incision, because that helps it heal, right?" In actuality, allowing your pet to lick or chew at an incision after surgery is one of the worst things you can do to help the healing process. Animal's mouths have lots of germs, and every lick is like taking a sponge full of bacteria and wiping it along the incision, which obviously leads to an increased risk of infection. Licking or chewing an incision can also lead to dehiscence, which is when an incision opens up. This is especially true for cats, whose
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???
rough tongues can do serious damage to an incision with just a few licks! Another common myth is the thought that a cold, wet nose is good, and a warm, dry nose is bad. In reality, however, an animal's nose changes temperature and moistness all the time throughout the day. The nose being warm and dry is not an indicator of illness or fever, nor does a cold, wet nose definitively mean your pet is healthy. The only way to tell for sure if your pet has a fever is to take their temperature with a thermometer (generally rectally), and
have a veterinarian evaluate your pet. For many years it was a commonly held belief that dogs can't see in color. But this is a myth! Dogs do, in fact, see in some colors, and it is part of the process they use to identify and classify the world around them. Dogs see color differently than people – they are able to distinguish hues of blue, purple, and gray that humans cannot distinguish, but they do not have the visual center for red tones, making it difficult for them to differentiate primary colors like red, blue
and yellow. Finally, everyone has heard the old adage that an "old dog can't learn new tricks". Well, that's just plain not true! In fact, many pet owners will tell you from personal experience that old dogs CAN learn new tricks. Take Lady for example. As a 12 year old, this Golden Retriever learned how to roll over… no small trick! So the next time someone tries that excuse, let them know that with the right training, any dog can learn a new trick, no matter how old they are.
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Health
PET FIRST AID Awareness Month LEARN THE SKILLS TO HELP SAVE A LIFE By: Amy Pelkner, Pet Tech Instructor #2120 | www.canineadventureco.com
“P
et CPR? That’s a thing?” This is the most common response when I tell people that I teach Pet CPR & First Aid classes. Many pet professionals and pet parents don’t realize that they have an opportunity to learn hands-on skills and techniques that could save their pet’s life. April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month, so take our quiz and read on for how to get involved.
Get Trained In Pet CPR & First Aid Canine Adventure Company offers 5-hour Pet CPR & First Aid classes open to pet professionals and pet parents. Learning the skills and techniques of CPR and first aid with hands-on training can mean the difference between life and death, between temporary and permanent disability, and between rapid recovery and long recuperation for the pet. A calendar of upcoming classes can be found on our website.
Test Your Pet First Aid Knowledge
1.
2. 3.
True or False: The Primary Pet Assessment takes several minutes and includes skills/ techniques of Pet First Aid, CPR, and Rescue Breathing. True or False: Always muzzle a pet that needs First Aid. True or False: If you suspect your pet is poisoned, it’s more important to immediately get your pet to the veterinarian than to know what or how much was ingested.
Quiz Answers
1.
2. 46
False. The PPA takes no more than 12 seconds. Assess the scene for safety, assess the animal for responsiveness and breathing, and call for help. False. While a pet in pain www.houstonpettalk.com
3.
can and will bite, never muzzle a pet if it is choking, vomiting, having a seizure, or having trouble breathing. False. Take a minute to collect a sample of the poison and its packaging (if applicable) and make an estimate of how much was ingested and when. Your veterinarian will need these key pieces of information to determine the immediate course of treatment. Never induce vomiting without being advised to do so by your veterinarian.
What can you do this month? Talk To Your Veterinarian Based on you and your pet’s lifestyle, your pet may be at a higher risk for certain accidents. Does your dog or cat have an illness or suffer from obesity that could lead to a heart attack? Maybe your dog goes crazy for tennis balls or your cat loves playing with string, both of which can be a choking hazard. Is your dog a deep-chested breed, putting him at a higher risk for bloat? Have a conversation with your veterinarian about how to prevent these and other accidents from occurring.
Build Your Own Pet First Aid Kit Why is it best to create your own kit? By doing so, you will naturally be familiar with what is in it and how to quickly access what you need. It will also be customized for the size of your pet. You will save money as well! Visit www. canineadventureco.com/blog/ petfirstaidkit for a thorough list of kit contents. Amy started Canine Adventure Company with a mission to inspire people to get active with their dogs, with safety first. As a Pet Tech Instructor, she is happy to share the knowledge and skills of pet first aid with pet professionals and pet parents. Get trained today! Sign up at www.canineadventureco.com/classes.
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Health
PARASITE Prevention MAKING SENSE OF IT ALL
By: Dr. Jennifer Hennessey Bremseth, CVJ | www.animalERnwh.com
M
acchiato, cappuccino, or Pike black… in today’s world, even a basic cup of coffee turns into an overwhelming decision process! Choices prove even more confusing when deciding about your pet’s veterinary care and choosing what’s ideal for your furry friend’s heartworm and flea prevention. The market is flooded with a variety of “flavors” from topicals to orals, from flea control to multiple parasite prevention. Overall, the selections can overwhelm our sense of what’s best and leave us with hands in the air…certainly not the best approach for your companion’s care needs. Essentially, the best options for your furry friend is what your veterinarian recommends. To emphasize, a product from your veterinarian is the best and safest way to get the best value and provide appropriate protection for your pet with the least risks. Over the counter
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brands can be potent, weak, or lack the ingredient most needed for your pet’s medical health program. A prescription product is FDA approved, has your vet’s thumbs up and will be recommended for the most safe, complete care of those needs of Fido whether it’s fleas or mites, or more. A prescription ends the guessing game and allows you to gain a sense of confidence that your pet will be properly protected. Making decisions on what to use and why first starts with a conversation at your veterinary office. Products are either applied topically, given orally, or administered by injection. What about their effect and how they work? All formulations target the parasite’s system, which is more sensitive and susceptible to the medications than our pets are. The products cause paralysis of the parasite, killing it, while keeping your precious pet well protected. Topical product formulations are ointment applicators which ooze
onto the skin of your pet, or dispense the parasiticide from a collar. Oral care options are pills or chewable tabs and circulate through the pet’s body and back out to the skin. The injectable option? Well, that is clearly given during an office visit to your pet's medical care provider. How can you make sense of why so many options are available and what’s best? Why not one kind of medication for all issues? Your
lifestyle and ability to reliably medicate your pet is a key consideration in what your veterinarian recommends. From our daily busy routine, our hectic on-the-go lifestyle, etc, remembering daily medications for your fur-baby consistently is difficult. A monthly option could be best for you. The injectable option for heartworm and parasite prevention is every 6 months; an option that eliminates the need for remembering a
Health
monthly task and accidental inconsistency over that 6 months, to reliably cover your pet’s parasite preventative needs. Decisions on what kind of product, again best discussed with your pet’s care provider, revolve around risks and from which parasites your pet needs the most protection. Does it make sense to have
flea and tick prevention, ear mite treatment, and intestinal parasite prevention as well as heartworm control…or are those protective mechanisms overkill for your baby? Let’s pick a plan for products that target your pet’s greatest needs versus too much, or worse, too little protection. Further, does it make sense to expect a finicky feline to take
an oral medication when one is available in topical form? Choices on the variety of options can be made based on how easy it is to get your pet medicated without a fuss. If you have a picky eater, topical care may be best. Another reason a veterinary professional should be involved in Poochie’s preventative brand planning is if food allergy issues are present. Your veterinarian will steer you away from oral chew products and
into other options to avoid a beef protein allergen trigger. Topical applications, overall seem the be the favored since we like to satisfy our sensory needs to medicate “gently.” No worry over pills or any discomfort with application. The injectable is actually a shot for Fluffy, but it can eliminate the worry over the risk of deadly infections by parasites when your schedule is inconsistent, or you and your pet want a full 6 months of no worries about medications due. The injection is far less painful than the detrimental diseases of heartworms and pesky parasites when faced with the options of missing a dose. So, in summary, when looking at the array of menu options for your pets, think about asking the expert and eliminate the overwhelming sense of confusion and decision making. Ask your veterinarian about your pet’s particular parasite prevention needs and the route that suits your fantastic fur-baby the most.
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Health
AAHA Accreditation
WHY IT'S IMPORTANT FOR ANIMAL HOSPITALS & PET OWNERS By: Dr. Laura Noaker | Vergi Emergency and Critical Care Hospital | www.vergi247.com
M
ost people who own a pet don't realize that unlike human hospitals, veterinary hospitals are not required in any way to become accredited. Plus, gaining accreditation is not an easy task. The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) is the only organization that accredits animal hospitals throughout the United States. To achieve AAHA-accredited status, practices undergo a rigorous evaluation process that ensures they meet the high standards of excellence. Those hospitals who seek excellence will be evaluated on approximately 900 quality standards. Thus, we know that those hospitals being evaluated must go above and beyond the basic state
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regulations to become accredited. The standards developed by AAHA are widely accepted as those components of veterinary practice that represent the highest quality care. Plus, the standards are periodically reviewed and updated to ensure that they remain consistent with evolving knowledge and tech-
nology. Accreditation helps veterinary hospitals stay on the leading edge of veterinary medicine and provide the quality and range of services you and your pet deserve. The list of 900 standards represents the collective efforts, experience, intelligence and thoroughness of an organization that has liter-
ally defined great veterinary medicine for decades. By attaining AAHA accreditation, veterinary Hospitals are demonstrating their dedication to providing the best care possible to its patients and clients. VERGI Emergency and Critical Care Hospital is one of the newest veterinary hospitals to be evaluated and become designated as an AAHA Accredited hospital. We’re dedicated to providing the best care possible for your pet. By going through this evaluation process, we challenged ourselves to be the best we can be and ensures that we are staying true to our mission, vision, and values. Learn more about VERGI by visiting www. vergi247. com
Hospitals applying for AAHA Accreditation are evaluated on 900 standards in the following areas: ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖ ❖
Quality of care Diagnostic and pharmacy Management Medical records Facility
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Being an AAHA-accredited practice means the following: ❖
❖
❖
❖
Hospitals must provide diagnostic services (X-ray and laboratory) to quickly and accurately diagnose pets. Show quality of care in the areas of anesthesia, contagious diseases, dentistry, pain management, patient care, surgery, and emergency care. Accredited hospitals have an onsite pharmacy so they can begin treatment immediately. Medical records must be thorough and complete, which helps veterinarians better understand a pet’s medical history and how past health issues might impact their current medical status.
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Tail End
FAT IS NOT HAPPY By: Shaune Stauffer Bagwell
W
ith Spring in the air, many of us may be thinking about losing a few pounds, but what about our feline companions? While the iconic image of a tubby tabby is certainly adorable in children's books and movies, in actuality the condition leads to a host of health maladies. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention,
approximately 55 percent or 47 million U.S. cats are overweight. Obesity in cats can lead to diabetes, heart disease, hyperthyroidism, urinary problems, and more. While it may be easy to dismiss it when your vet tells you your cat could lose a couple pounds, keep in mind that 3 pounds for a cat is similar to 42 pounds on a 140 pound woman. What causes it? An average cat
About Shaune: Shaune Stauffer Bagwell is a model, lifetime "catvocate" and volunteer for animal causes.
needs only 180-200 calories per day. Many times it's simple owner overfeeding. Treats are also a significant contributor, with many people giving treats several times each day. Even small treats contain extra calories.
What to do? ❖
A visit to the vet is necessary to check for possible medical reasons for the obesity. Also, your vet can determine an ideal body weight and how many
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calories your cat will need to safely trim down over several months. Select the best cat food for trimming down. It is imperative that your cat continues to eat healthy during weight loss in order to avoid a life threatening liver condition called hepatic lipidosis. Discuss treat options with your vet and choose the best one for your cat that won't sabotage his new diet. Get your cat moving! Pet stores have large selections of toys and lasers to keep her active for at least 20 minutes per day. Remember to weigh your cat often to monitor progress. Reward your cat with affection and attention instead of food. No matter how difficult it is, diligently follow your vet's diet directions and don't give in to your cat's "help me, I'm starving" face. At the end of the day, maintaining a healthy weight will keep him healthy and lengthen his life.
Illustration by Desiree Lonsway
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Now You Can Make a Difference By Honoring A Wonderful Life! If you or someone you know lost a pet, you can honor their name by making a tax deductible donation to the Harris County Veterinary Medical Foundation. Your gift helps provide valuable information on pet medical and humane issues to other pet parents.
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PETTALK GoFetch
HOUSTON'S HOTTEST APP FOR PET OWNERS
H
ouston has a vibrant pet community with a variety of pet service providers and pet friendly businesses to support pet owners. Realizing that finding the pet service you need at the touch of a button or finding a fun event to attend would be a useful service, PetTalk launched PetTalk GoFetch, a business listing directory and events
Download the FREE App for iPhone and Android.
calendar. Continuing our tradition of bringing the best of all things pet to the Bayou City, we invite you to try out the FREE service and help us help you by building the content over time.
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We recognize that you might be tired of sniffing out that mobile groomer, pet sitter or dog park near you so PetTalk GoFetch offers zip code searchable listings of pet or pet-related businesses in Greater Houston. Each listing, once claimed by the merchant and depending on the company’s level of participation, may include a description of the business, photos, video, map, links to the company’s website, user reviews, promotions and deals and even classified listings. And that’s not all! You will also be able to find events in our searchable database based on date or other criteria. Your participation will help us grow the service as you visit the site, post reviews or download the App, available FREE for both iPhone and Android. You can search based on zip code, category of business, reviews or featured listings. Best of all, the service is FREE to users. Let us FETCH pet information for you and make owning a pet even more rewarding. We're excited about our new service and invite you to send us feedback so that we can continue to improve PetTalk GoFetch. Visit www.pettalkgofetch.com or download the App in the Google Play Store or Apple App store. See Ad on page 61 to learn how to get your pet's photo in an upcoming Ad!
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Well Groomed Pet Spa & Salon - Kirby District Loyl’s Natural Pet Grocery & Groomery - 2726 Bissonnet Off Leash Training K9 - Parks throughout Houston Canine Adventure Company - 2726 Bissonnet
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COMMON CAT CARE Questions WE'VE GOT ANSWERS...
By: Dr. Teri Schweiss, Medical Director VCA Spring Branch Animal Hospital
What should be checked during an annual exam? A head to tail look at the pet including looking for any skin problems, lumps and bumps, eye or ear problems, orthopedic exam, dental exam, palpation of the abdomen looking for normal organ size and being sure no masses are palpable and listening to the chest to detect any abnormal lung or heart sounds. Early detection screening is also important which, depending on age, includes blood testing, urine testing, and in older cats radiographs (x-rays) and blood pressure checks. Cats are better at hiding things than dogs so it is remarkable how often we find abnormalities on these screens. Catching them early can allow intervention with diet, supplements or medication and extend the quality of life of your cat.
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How important are dental cleanings and how often should I get them done? Dental cleanings are critical to a cat’s long term health. Unaddressed, dental problems can lead to pain and tooth loss, liver and kidney infections and weight loss due to poor appetites. In cats, 50% of the dental disease is under the gumline so
dental x-rays are a critical part of a cleaning. All dental cleanings are done under general anesthesia. Without anesthesia, it is impossible to get x-rays, clean the inner surfaces of the teeth or up under the
gumline, or look for disease below the gumline. Anesthesia has come a long way over the last few decades and is very safe even for geriatric cats. Generally, cleaning every 1-2 years is necessary but the frequency varies from cat to cat depending on the amount of disease in the mouth. Dental problems can be very genetic so some cats will need more frequent work.
How can I train my cat to make trips to the hospital easier? First, get your cat used to the carrier. Leave it out in the house with the door open, a warm blanket inside and a toy or two. Toss treats in the carrier and encourage the cat to go in and out on their own. Once in the carrier, close the door just briefly and open it again without going anywhere. We highly recommend a product called Feliway—a feline pheromone product that has a natural calming effect on cats. We use it routinely in the hospital for scared cats—spraying it in cages for the cats that are hospitalized. The product comes in wipes or sprays for the carrier. Visit www. VCAcattitude.com for some great videos on how to train your cat to ride in a car and get into a carrier without a struggle.
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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
www.HCVMF.org
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PET PORTRAITS IN WATERCOLOR by Kristel Peale
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 the zoo's efforts to save Asian elephants. Look for other upcoming conservation stories so that you too can help save a species.
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very time you visit the Asian elephant herd here at the Houston Zoo, you are saving elephants in the wild. The zoo is home to eight magnificent Asian elephants who all reside at the McNair Asian Elephant Habitat. Our males Thai, Tucker, Baylor, and Duncan, and females
By: Lauren St. Pierre
© Stephanie Adams/Houston Zoo
YOU & HOUSTON ZOO ARE SAVING ELEPHANTS IN ASIA
Methai, Shanti, Tess, and Tupelo, enjoy daily baths, refreshing dips in the pool, and an endless supply of hay and produce. To better accommodate this large herd, the zoo is working on a state-of-the-art elephant yard expansion, set to open later this spring. In January, Thai, Tucker,
and Baylor moved into the newest addition of this expansion, a 6,500-squarefoot barn custom-built to house the bull elephants. To complement the barn, a brand-new habitat is currently under construction that features a boardwalk with an unobstructed view of the elephants’ 13,000-gallon
pool and expanded yard. This expansion highlights the zoo’s global commitment and ongoing work to save elephants in the wild. One such project takes place in Southeast Asia. Here, elephants face threats of habitat destruction and
human conflict. Houston Zoo elephant conservationist and researcher, Nurzhafarina “Farina” Othman, is working on a project to protect elephants in Borneo. Borneo is an island in Southeast Asia that also has a growing palm oil plantation
industry. Elephants require large amounts of land to live and when that land is turned into farms or plantations, the elephants sometimes move through the crops to get to more habitat. “Elephants are not moving through palm oil plantations to raid crops, but they are using it to reconnect to their surrounding habitat because the corridors that have been left for them are too small,” says Farina. Farina is a Malaysian Ph.D. candidate whose fieldwork focuses on gaining a better understanding of Bornean elephant habitat needs. She is studying the elephants’ migratory patterns through the Kinabatangan River range. Land use and development
are extremely important in this region and Farina’s study is helping local communities and government agencies reduce the conflict surrounding elephants needing to cut through local crops and plantations to get back to the river. She is working with palm oil plantations to find solutions for wildlife as well as helping with the Borneo tourism industry of which elephants are a large draw for the local economy. You are helping Farina save Bornean elephants through memberships and admissions tickets, as a portion of each goes directly to protecting elephants in the wild.
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