December 2018

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& PET DIRECTORY

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December 2018

HOUSTON ZOO

CELEBRATES A YEAR OF SAVING LOCAL SPECIES

Holiday Values Issue Words of Wisdom from Whitney Mercilus & Other Notable Houstonians

713-974-2744 www.littlefriendspetmemorial.com

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

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December 2018

Editorial

H

appy Holidays! Welcome to my favorite annual issue Notable Houstonians sharing their food for thought, along with their precious pets. This long standing tradition gives our readers a chance to meet a cross-section of Houstonians and enjoy reading their essays about a VALUE that is meaningful to them. Plus, you get to meet their furry companions, or EVEN a wild animal! Yes, a wild creature...and that's just the case in this issue as one of our Notables is Houston Zoo President, Lee Ehmke, posing with a Tamandua - now that was a fun photoshoot! (By the way, if you want to see behind the scenes photos and video of our photoshoots, plus get valuable coupons and VIP info, sign up for our newsletter on houstonpettalk.com).

I must say that I do have a super cool job - for all the late nights of editing and the heavy work load, I can't complain when I get to meet fascinating people like our cover boy Whitney Mercilus, PBS legend Ernie Manouse, ever-so-beautiful and gracious Ilona Carson of ABC 13, mega-talented Cindy Cruse Ratcliff who

Issue 11: Volume 18 www.houstonpettalk.com

has inspired me many times at Lakewood Church or sweet Kathleen Navarro - Miss Latina Houston 2018 who has a wonderful future ahead of her. And last but not least, the very charming and friendly coach of Houston Dynamos, Wilmer Cabrera who I enjoyed chatting with about soccer, his native Columbia, the food and wine scene in Houston and of course...pets! Wilmer doesn't currently have a pet due to travel but he was very gracious to appear in our issue with "Kaya", a Great Pyrenees with ADORE Rescue. Kaya was a very gentle spirit...I hope the exposure in our annual issue will help her find a forever home!

Can you tell I get excited about this holiday issue? I will stop talking about it after I say two more things. First, Whitney Mercilus, one of our favorite Houston Texans, was so fun and easy going - no big ego - just a big heart who loves his dog Rocky and has no qualms about expressing how important Faith is in his life. I also got to adjust his jacket during the shoot which was fun LOL! And last, I just loved meeting and being photographed with Little Bit from Houston Mini Pig Rescue. He was a trooper!

Texan To The Bone Not only is Whitney Mercilus a big guy, great NFL Houston Texans Linebacker and owner of a really cool German Shepherd...he is also a SUPER NICE guy who is a man of faith. The PetTalk team, including editor Michelle Mantor pictured here, enjoyed a laugh-filled photoshoot with Whitney and "Rocky" - both were willing to do whatever crazy thing we asked to get a great cover shot. Meet Whitney and our other Notable Houstonians in our Annual Holiday Values issue. Happy Holidays To All! Photo By: Evin Thayer

I know the sights and sounds of the photoshoot were probably stressful and having some strange lady hold him for the photo was challenging, but once I gave him a peppermint, he knew I meant no harm and I think he kind of liked me! Bottom line...I LOVE all animals. LB reminded me why I do what I do to help bring awareness to the care and treatment of sentient beings.

Also in this issue, check out some great articles on keeping your yard clean of pet waste, a look at a weekend equine summit based on experiential learning, what to do if your pet is lost and our shopping guide with lots of fun ideas for the naughty and nice pets on your shopping list. I have already purchased a Gorilla Pet Bed from our sponsor for my Briard Jeda and can't wait to give it to her Christmas morning. I encourage you to shop with our sponsors who make PetTalk possible!

We hope you've had a banner year and we appreciate your support. Happy Holidays and we look forward to bringing you the best pet information in 2019!

HOUSTON PETTALK MAGAZINE 14781 Memorial Drive, Ste. 510, Houston, Texas 77079 281-556-6560 www.HoustonPetTalk.com Design and layout by: ANDREW BURWELL www.andrewburwell.com Š Copyright 2018. 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 Šcopyright depositphotos unless otherwise stated.

Tell our advertisers you heard about them in Houston PetTalk!

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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WHERE

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Check out the giraffe in the background...looks like he wants to read PetTalk too!

In The is PetTalk?

Catch someone reading their PetTalk as they travel the globe? Snap a pic and send along with place and name: info@houstonpettalk.com.

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Henrietta Illustration by Jim Tweedy, Colorizing by Desiree Lonsway

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Unleashed BRIDGELAND'S HOWL-OWEEN FEST

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Photos By Bridgeland

elebrating its 10th Annual Howl-O-Ween Fest, Bridgeland welcomed over 8000 people to enjoy everything from magical acts to puppy yoga to the headline act, The Canine Stars. The event raises money for a variety of pet rescue groups. This family-friendly, free event is always a fantastic celebration of all things pet!

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

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Unleashed BARC FOUNDATION'S "TAILS FROM THE CRYPT"

HAPPY HOWLIDAYS

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ouston’s BARC Animal Shelter was the beneficiary of this frightfully fun Halloween fundraiser at The Dunlavy, compliments of organizer, the Houston BARC Foundation.

HPD K9s showed their prowess as partygoers enjoyed entertainment, drinks, nibbles and a silent auction.

Kevin Jones purchases a raffle ticket o support BARC.

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Annise Parker addresses the crowd at Tails from the Crypt.

Tails from the Crypt Co-Chairs: Corrie Morales, Katie Waddle, Annise Parker and Katherine Thomasson

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photography provided by Angella V Photography

Attendees were enamoured by the HPD K9 Demonstration.

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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

Bring your family and furkids to this fun event at Bering’s benefiting various rescues; onsite adoptions.

WEEKENDS ONLY. www.berings.com

coffee & the cats from 9:30AM - 11AM. These fur babies can't wait to show off their playful personalities. No registration or reservation required. Cat nip will be available!

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12.08-09.18

Kirby Ice House 3333 Eastside St. Houston TX, 77098 1:00pm-4:00pm Don’t miss the 7th Annual event benefiting the Greater Houston German Shepard Rescue. Come raise money and have a nice cold beer! www.pettalkgofetch.com/event/ jingle-bell-bark-and-brew

CAP Animal Shelter 17555 Katy Freeway Houston, TX 77094 1:00pm-6:00pm Come by CAP Animal Shelter and see how all the magic on saving lives happens! They will be collecting donations to keep all their hard work going strong into 2019. Shop, take a tour, enjoy refreshments - share the love! www.cap4pets.org

Jingle Bell Bark and Brew

12.01.18

Events 12.01-23.18

Bering’s Photos with Santa 3900 Bissonnet Houston TX, 77005 6102 Westheimer Houston TX 77057 12:00pm-4:00pm

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Cat PlayDay CAP Animal Shelter 17555 Katy Freeway Houston, TX 77094 9:30am-11:00am The 1st Saturday of each month, you're invited to the CAP Animal Shelter & Pet Adoption Center to enjoy the company of cats and others that share your love for our feline friends. They'll provide the

Share the Love- CAP Open House

Save the Date: 01.05.19

Houston Cat Club 66th Annual Charity Cat Show See page 22 to learn all about this extravaganza for kitty lovers!

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

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The Dish HOUSTON HUMANE SOCIETY ANNUAL EVENT

Shopping & Photos With Santa

S

anta Paws is coming to the Houston Humane Society! HHS is at the top of Santa’s nice list and the jolly big guy is stopping by on December 1 & 15, for free photos with pets and kids. Visitors are encouraged to bring a Kong toy or pet food donations to the event.

In addition, the Houston Humane Society will be featuring their annual Pawliday Shopping Event on the same days!

Whether they’ve been naughty or nice, find the perfect gift at the Pawliday Shopping Market, and enjoy all things sugar and spice at the Holiday Bake Sale. 100% of the proceeds benefit the animals at the Houston Humane Society. Find out full details at HoustonHumane.org.

CONNECTING KIDS & ANIMALS

Citizens for Animal Protection's Kids Club

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ver hopeful, ever loving, always forgiving - pets are wonderful teachers. CAP believes the future of our fourlegged friends depends on our youth and that's why they have created a Kids Club. It’s a wonderful way to learn and enjoy the company of others who share a love for animals (for children ages 6-13). Citizens for Animal Protection strives to encourage the curiosity, optimism and exuberance of children; traits shared with our furry friends. Each 2 hour meeting allows kids to make a difference in the lives of companion pets through games, arts & crafts and real life interactions with companion pets.

They offer lessons in care, compassion, and responsibility that increase knowledge, skills and builds confidence, all while having FUN! The $50 annual membership fee covers: 1. Invitation to attend quarterly meeting/parties which will include a hands-on interaction with various animals. 2. Animal themed crafts, games and service projects that engage and educate youth. 3. Priority booking and 10% discount on facility fees for birthday parties at the shelter and early enrollment opportunities for the Kids & Kritters Summer Camp. Join them December 2nd, 1-3pm at the shelter, 17555 Katy Freeway. Enroll in advance, cap4pets.org.

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

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HOUSTON Cat Club

The 66th Annual Charity CAT SHOW

By: Janis Walkingstick

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support goes to the Houston SPCA, the Houston Humane Society, Citizen's for Animal Protection (CAP), and Homeless and Orphaned Pet Endeavor (HOPE). In addition, animal shelters from Harris, Fort Bend, and Galveston counties receive free space at the show for their adoptable pets.

The Houston Cat Club has donated almost a million dollars to charity from previous shows. Those donations come from visitor admission fees. If you can’t make it to the show in January, you may donate to support the Houston Cat Club charitable work at hcccharitycatshow@ gmail.com.

Show hours in the George R. Brown Convention Center Hall A are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sunday. Adult spectators may enjoy the show for $9.99; the charge for military and seniors 65 and older is $8.00, and children ages 5-12 may enter for $4.00.

The show is free for children 4 and under.

For more information about the Houston Cat club visit them online at www.houstoncatclub.org.

SOME EVENTS AT THE SHOW AGILITY - See cats running agility courses with their owners.

GENTLE GIANTS - Check out the Maine Coon Cats, known as the Gentle Giants, at Meet-The-Breed.

SHOP - Visit the Meow Mall to find fun gifts for cats and cat lovers.

Photo by Donna Hinton

ig state - big cat show! The 66th annual Houston Charity Cat Show, is one of the largest in the United States year-after-year. The event, scheduled January 5 – 6 at the George R. Brown Convention Center, usually draws about 300 pedigreed cats from around the world to compete in eight judging rings.

“We want everyone to have a good time so we give the spectators a lot of choices,” said show manager Becky Galloway. In addition to the competition there will be cats running agility courses, a Meow Mall full of vendors with gifts for pets and people, a special children’s area, and a meet-the-breed ring where spectators can hear owners talk about their breeds. An Ask-the-Vet kiosk will be manned each afternoon.

For the second year in a row, the Cat Fancier’s Association Feline Historical Museum will have a booth at the show.

The museum, located in Alliance, Ohio, preserves the history of the cat and the cat fancy. The Houston cat show is sanctioned by CFA which is the largest cat registration organization in the world.

Some of the felines at the Houston show are there just to be adored…and petted. These special Pet-Me-Cats are “always a hit with spectators as well as the household pets” Galloway said. They are judged on health and beauty alone.

However, the pedigreed cats are judged on standards of conformation for each breed. A total of forty-two breeds are allowed to be shown. They include old favorites like Persians, Abyssinians, American Shorthairs and Maine Coon Cats. Some of the lesser known breeds like Burmillas, Siberians, Norwegian Forest Cats, and Bengals may also captivate attendees.

All profits from the CFA sponsored show go to pet charities. This year club

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

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C WINNER: Teddy the Devil

Ryder, Monkey Business

Teddy, Snowman

ongratulations to Cindy Jones and her frightfully cute kitty, "Teddy" for grabbing 1st place in Henrietta's Annual Halloween Photo Contest, sponsored by Sunset Animal Hospital. Teddy, who spooked us all with his Devil impersonation, snagged a $300 certificate to Sunset for veterinary services. The finalists were selected by public voting and the winner was chosen by a panel of judges - but we must say there were many creative participants!

Thanks to all the little goblins that entered and stay tuned to Houston PetTalk's Facebook and Instagram for more fun contests.

About Sunset:

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Joey, Superhero

Nenagh, Wonder Woman

Sox, Superman

Pyewacket, Kitty in the Hat

Lucy, Tiny Witch

Minion I saw a Ghost

www.houstonpettalk.com

Sunset Animal Hospital is a 24/7 full service veterinary hospital located at 2959 SW Freeway Service Rd, Houston, TX 77098.

Open at all hours to serve pets in need of health care, their professional team aspires to excellence in medical quality and client service. Sunset utilizes the most state of the art knowledge, equipment, and techniques that are available to care for your pets. For a list of the many services offered at Sunset, visit their website: sunsetanytime. com.

DON’T LET OSTEOARTHRITIS PAIN

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

Is reluctant to run, play or climb stairs

Has gained weight in the past year

Limps or appears stiff after exercise

Inflammation in the joints causes pain and cartilage damage which can lead to stiffness and decreased mobility.

Ask your veterinarian to evaluate your dog’s joints today.

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

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

©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

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

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

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AT VCA ANIMAL HOSPITALS, WE CARE

#ShareWithUs!

FEATURED THIS MONTH:

IT'S MY BARKDAY, NATIONAL PUP-KIN DAY, SAY CHEESE

Is there anything cuter than your pet? Of course not! We agree, so we make it easy for you to prove it...

PLAY with us on Instagram and look for our themed contests. You share with us, we share with our readers. Everybody wins! Head to: pettalkgofetch.com/event.

1. @ oliverandcamille Oh yeah, today I turn one!!!

Today is my birthday I Finally understand all the fuss and special treats.

2. @ fluff_bros Winston is turning three in two weeks, which means it's pawty time!!. Calling all party animals around Htown to come and celebrate his birthday with us on October 13th.

3. @ niko_themaltipoo ONE 4.Pup-Kin Payton Payton at the pumpkin patch enjoying her Pumpkin Spice Latte.

5. @kodathecanineyoda I am the cutest pumpkin. That's why I don't drink pumpkin spice latte. Would you drink coffee spiced with you? I hope not.

6. @doodle_around_town Happy October! Enjoy this weather while it lasts! Special thanks to @pawfect.pawtraits for my fall photos. More to come!

7. @dukeandroxygirl All smiles after another awesome stay at #petsmartpetshotel. Thanks for the hospitality and fun!

8. @labsbythepool Did you know tomorrow is #nationalfetchday & we’re EXCITED to #makefetchhappen with our new toy we won from @chuckitfetchgames.

9. @ariettyandtod Mommy loves cuddling in this chilly fall weather...only until she gets a whiff of these toots.

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GALVESTON ISLAND VACATION RENTALS SINCE 1974

any regular price dog or cat adoption fee expires 12/31/2018

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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The Dish CELEBRATING 30 YEARS

S

cores of cats, kittens, puppies and small dogs can now be found frolicking in the chic storefront windows of Neiman Marcus in the Houston Galleria as the Holiday Windows of Life Pet Adoption Event kicked off its 30th holiday season following Thanksgiving Day. All of the featured rescues have various tales on how they came into the care of the Houston SPCA: animal cruelty cases, Houston SPCA’s 24/7 injured animal ambulance, dropped off by a Good Samaritan or an owner who could no longer care for their pet. “Regardless of their situation or how they came to us, these pets have a lot of love to give and are ready for a second chance in life with a new home,” said Patti Mercer, Houston SPCA President and CEO. Adoption fees

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also cover a health evaluation, age appropriate vaccinations, spay or neutering, a microchip, adoption gift courtesy of Hill’s Science Diet and a complimentary wellness examination from a VCA Animal Hospital. The Houston SPCA provides gift certificates to those who wish to surprise their loved ones with a new pet during the holidays.

There are even volunteer opportunities for those who want to make a difference during the holidays and well into the New Year.

The Houston SPCA, through its partnership with

Neiman Marcus, have saved thousands of orphaned, abused and neglected animals since the holiday adoption event began in 1988. Holiday Windows of Life runs daily through Sunday, December 23. Follow the cuteness overload on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @HoustonSPCA.

Photo by Melissa Mahan Phillip/Houston Chronicle

Holiday Windows of Life: Houston SPCA Adoption Event

*NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. MUST PRESENT AT THE TIME OF CONSULTAITON

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.

DOGGIE H

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832.229.8095 WWW.DOGGIEWALKSHOUSTON.COM CONTACT@DOGGIEWALKSHOUSTON.COM Houston PetTalk Magazine

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

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f o s d or W m o d s i W

By Michelle Mantor Photos by Evin Thayer

J

Notable Houstonians Share Holiday

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

oin us once again this

some of Houston's best. We are

working with these individuals

Holiday season as

honored to have a diverse and

that make Houston proud.

we present WORDS

worthy group writing about such

May your holidays be filled with

OF WISDOM from notable

meaningful values as Faith, Joy,

blessings of joy and a peaceful

Houstonians. This annual tradi-

Conistency, Empathy, Gratitude,

heart. And as always, if you have

tion began in 2006 and through

Loyalty, Glorious and Respect.

a place in your home for one

the years we have been delight-

I hope you enjoy reading these

more furry soul, consider making

ed to share food for thought on

heartfelt essays as much as I

the season of giving the "gift of

VALUES that are important from

enjoyed selecting, meeting and

life".

A special thank you to our military for their sacrifice and dedication to FREEDOM. May God bless you and keep you safe.

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Faith

Houston Texans Linebacker

WHITNEY MERCILUS WITH ROCKY

F

AITH... all we need is faith the size of a mustard seed. Growing up in Akron, Ohio, through good and bad, I saw my parents continually increase their FAITH and believe that God would always take care of our family. It’s growing up in a faith-based home that has formed me into who I am. I’m typically very calm and a believer that God will work things out no matter the situation or plan. I have no fears, I am always protected by his grace.

Now, I do not have any kids, but Rocky is like my first son. I’m told we have similar personalities. He is always happy (well...when he is not in trouble), he wants to make others smile, loves to play, is a huge foodie and is extremely calm because just like his father, I believe Rocky too has FAITH that everything will work out.

It’s a blessing to play the game of football, a game I love so much. Because of what this game brings, I have to stay connected to my heavenly Father and trust and believe that he will keep me safe through all harm and danger. ‘Trust in the Lord with all thine Heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.’ Proverbs 3:5-6 from King James Version…One of my favorite scriptures.

My FAITH is my anchor, it gets me through every second, minute, hour and day. It’s knowing God always has my back. FAITH!

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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J

OY! It's not hard to spot during this magical time of year.

We crank the holiday tunes (thank you, Mariah Carey), marvel at the dazzling lights, pop into parties and of course, we shop. But let's take a moment to slow down and learn a lesson from our wonderful four legged friends.

There is JOY to be found in the most simple of moments.

Our family dog Aspen has been bringing us JOY since my brothers gave him to us as our wedding present almost 13 years ago. When life gets crazy, I need only look at this happy creature to remember that we humans have it all wrong. We set too much store in material things and contrived pleasures. Aspen finds JOY in the fresh air of his morning walk; a hearty meal; a toasty fire. His tail wags when anyone walks into the room, and a belly rub from the children brings sheer bliss. He is an eternal optimist who lives for those small moments. Â This holiday season, let's take the lead from our wise pets. Cuddle up with your loved ones. Cherish the magic of children's laughter.

Bask in the warm glow of a fireplace. And feel the JOY of the most wonderful time of the year.

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Joy

ABC-13 Anchor of Eyewitness News

ILONA CARSON WITH ASPEN

Consistency Head Coach, Houston Dynamo

WILMER CABRERA WITH KAYA

Kaya is available for adoption through adorehouston.org.

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his has been a challenging yet exciting year for the Houston Dynamo and for myself as Head Coach. I am very proud of the past two seasons. We made the playoffs once again last year after several years of being absent, and this year, we won the U.S. Open Cup to punch our ticket to the CONCACAF Champions League competition.

Despite key injuries, we overcame to compete and hit some of our goals. But

CONSISTENCY is a big word for me, for us as a team. And in life as in soccer, consistency is what we need in how we approach our family life, careers and even sports.

There are some things I can always count on for Christmas: family, food and a mix of Latin and U.S. traditions.

Throughout my life, I have had all kinds of pets. As a kid, we had dogs, cats, birds, pelicans, parrots and even a snake, but my favorite was my dog, Lucas, a

Rottweiler, that I had up until the last year that I played professionally. Because of all my travels, he wasn’t getting consistent love and attention from me. And I think our pets deserve at least that from us.

Consistency in love and attention leads to having balance, in life and with the team. When we can go for it and defend what we love, that’s the moment we have won!

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Empathy LEE EHMKE Houston Zoo President

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he Houston Zoo is many things.

It’s the most-visited attraction in Houston, serving nearly 2.5 million visitors in each of the past four years.

It has become known as one of the most progressive conservation-focused zoos in the world, with field programs in dozens of countries around the world and projects right here in Texas aimed at saving Houston toads, whooping cranes and Attwater’s prairie chickens, among many others. We are the largest environmental education center in the state, serving hundreds of thousands of students, teachers and guests every year. And of course, we are home to over 7000 amazing creatures, representing the whole animal kingdom—from tiny leaf-cutter ants to our giant bull Asian elephant ‘Thailand.”

But the value that underlies all these efforts is EMPATHY. We love to teach our guests about all the amazing animals they encounter at the Zoo, and we hope to inspire people to make changes in their

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day to day lives that can help save the habitats that support life on earth, and as a baseline we strive to facilitate a sense of caring and understanding. Fostering EMPATHY for the animals at the Zoo, and for those they represent living in the wild.

From EMPATHY, we believe curiosity, concern and care will flow.

Take Zoey, the marvelous ant-eating creature pictured here with me. Zoey is a tamandua, whose days (actually nights,

WITH ZOEY as she is nocturnal) are spent climbing trees, searching for ant and termite nests to break apart with her strong claws.

Tamanduas are loners, only occasionally coming together as they patrol the forests of their homes in tropical Latin America.

But here in Houston, Zoey has been raised by and is very comfortable around people, as part of our Ambassador Animal program, delighting us as she demonstrates her unique feeding behaviors (with no teeth and a 12-inch tongue!) and amazing ability to climb using her tail as a “fifth hand.” How could you not feel a bond with such a wonderful being? As with all the animals in the Zoo, I sure do!

Gratitude Miss Houston Latina 2018

KATHLEEN NAVARRO WITH THOR

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lthough I was born in Houston, Texas, visiting my family in Monterrey, Mexico has allowed me to keep my culture close to my heart and have so much pride in where my grandparents started our story. Every day I wake up with a GRATEFUL heart that my great grandpa had the courage to come to the U.S. to give his kids, grand kids and all generations after him a better life than he had. If not for him, I would not have been able to pursue my dreams without that sacrifice. My ultimate goal is to be the voice for those who don’t have one; to be a source of light in times of darkness and demonstrate that if we all work together we can be stronger in any situation.

Being crowned Miss Houston Latina 2018 meant so much to this mission because it has blessed me with the ability to really speak my voice and share these passions with a larger audience and have a greater impact on our community.

I am attending college to receive my Associates of Business and Finance and plan to transfer to the University of Houston for their business program.

Education is power, and my mother instilled that in me at a young age as well as a strong love for dogs. My fur baby Thor is always there after a long day of appearances with a wagging tail and a big kiss. Encouragement and support come in many different packages - from family, friends and even pets. I encourage you to follow your heart and chase your dreams no matter how unobtainable it may seem in that moment. We are all capable of great things, it is not a question of “can I do it?” it is the statement, “I will do it” that can change everything.

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Loyalty

10 time Emmy Award winning TV host & Producer - Houston Public Media

ERNIE MANOUSE WITH SCOUT

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e live in a world where we often hear the world LOYALTY and instantly we think of rewards programs - Use a product long enough, and the manufacturer gives you some benefit, or you fly on a particular airline and you earn additional free flights or use a certain credit card and they will put money into your savings account. You are LOYAL to them because of what you can get out of them.

But to me, that is not the true meaning of LOYALTY. Legally, LOYALTY refers to an individual toward their Nation or Homeland. But, philosophers would argue LOYALTY is something that can only exist between human beings. I beg to differ...

In a day, in a world, in a time, when so many people are motivated by greed or desire, it's often hard to figure out who is truly there for you, who cares just for you. The virtue of LOYALTY seems hard to come by, yet you can find it. There are examples of it all around you, especially when we turn to our 4 legged friends.

They have no ulterior motive for anything other than to be there for you, for companionship, for the love you show them, to share their love back toward you.

When my cat Scout hears the garage door open, no matter where he is in the house or if he is awake or fast asleep, he rushes to the door to greet me. He’s happy to have his two legged companion back at home with him, and honestly, I'm happy he's there too.

Beyond the simple daily behaviors of our pets, we've all heard stories of how dogs and cats return to, or stay at, the site of the death of their Master. Stories of them standing by, waiting, for their Master's return, long after the master has gone - if that is not LOYALTY, I don't know what is.

I'm thrilled that I have Scout ( and my other cat Champ). I know they're sad when I'm not there, just as I am when they are not with me.

We share a sense of LOYALTY to each other…and I know it is pure of nature, and born out of true caring.

Glorious

Singer, Songwriter & Worship Leader at Lakewood Church

CINDY CRUSE RATCLIFF

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WITH BENTLEY

have been singing and writing professionally since I was a child, becoming the youngest licensed ASCAP writer at age 9. Now, after two Dove awards and multiple nominations, we are releasing my 7th solo CD and my 35th recording overall. Initially, when we started writing for this CD, the name was going to be “Christmas Together With You” and we wrote a song called “Christmas Together With You”.

But then we wrote another song called “GLORIOUS” and we loved it so much that we chose that name for the CD. We felt it really went back to my roots in the church and especially worship. With ‘GLORIOUS,’ it points to the Glory of God coming to earth, which takes it back to His Christmas together with us and how our relationship with the Lord causes us to be GLORIOUS. The Bible says we are the glory of Lord on the earth. And really, the glory of God is what changes us, it’s what sustains us, it’s how we are transformed. I think when we accept and embrace God’s glory, then we get to become all that we are created to be.

My focus has always been more on God’s glory than anything else just because of its power and its treasure.

During the Christmas season, it’s about family, all 45 of us, which allows us to be a part of the awe and wonder of the glory of God. When we got Bentley, our Labradoodle, for my son, it was right about this time; he’s turns 2 on December 8th. Bentley adds joy and laughter to the beauty of the season.

You can get Cindy’s new CD ‘Glorious” from ITunes and wherever music is sold online.

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Respect Publisher & Editor-in-Chief - Houston PetTalk Magazine

MICHELLE MANTOR WITH LB (LITTLE BIT)

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eing a part of humanity is filled with questions - Why are we here? What are we trying to accomplish? What is God’s plan? Why is there evil and pain? The list could go on and on with the BIG questions that drive us crazy because the answers are arbitrary and typically not provable, thus reducing the answers to a matter of faith.

We are barraged with information, hatred, love, cruelty, injustice, good-hearted people, freedom of choice, suppression, abuse, jealousy, heroism and more in this big black cauldron being stirred together in a soup called LIFE. As a people, we have to navigate through it, digest it all and make choices based on our own beliefs and individual situations. Simply put, it can be hard to be a human and live in this world. Some can find a balance and see past the struggles to a positive outcome, yet others, unfortunately, can’t cope and create their own demise. For me personally, the uncertainty in our world and the evil that exists are two of the most disconcerting aspects.

However, there is one element of humanity that I don’t struggle with, I don’t question and that I know for sure: the concept of RESPECT for all things.

Between humans, RESPECT for one another is a universal expectation. Of course there are plenty of examples to point to that defy this basic principle but for the most part, RESPECT between people exists unless there is the presence of greed or evil. Moving past RESPECT between humans, the slope gets very slippery. As humans at the top of the food

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chain and possessing the highest IQ, we have a responsibility to be the stewards of all else including animals, plants and all aspects of our environment on earth.

Just because we CAN disrespect, abuse or misuse something doesn’t mean we SHOULD. The world we have been given is quite spectacular. If you’ve ever stared at Caribbean waters, studied a peacock’s feathers, smelled a gardenia, hiked to a waterfall, witnessed a rainbow, watched horses race across a meadow, beheld a harvest moon, then you know what I’m talking about. There is so much beauty, innocent life-forms, and extraordinary geological displays that to not steward and protect them is more than disrespectful, it’s reprehensible. I’m not talking about being extreme and being upheld to impractical standards, I’m referring to a basic level of RESPECT for all living things and our environment.

Take LB as an example, who was so gracious to pose with me and underscore my point. He

comes from one of the most abused, tortured, misunderstood yet intelligent species on earth…the pig. Many studies have been conducted regarding pigs and it’s no secret among those who care to know the truth that pigs can solve cognitive problems, they display emotions, they have unique personalities, they love to play and they are easy to train.

Authors Lori Marino, a neuroscientist and founder of the Kimmela Center for Animal Advocacy, and Christina M. Colvin, a professor at Emory University, published a research paper about domestic pigs in which their findings conclude that pigs are mentally and socially similar to dogs and chimpanzees and share many traits with animals whom we view as intelligent.

The unfortunate circumstance for pigs is that they are considered a food animal all over the globe and they are treated horrifically for that purpose. Over 97 percent of pigs in the world are raised in factory farms. Meaning, they never see the light of day, they are kept in crowded unsanitary conditions and injected with hormones to make them grow abnormally large and antibiotics to keep them breathing until slaughter.

In addition to the unhealthy conditions this food animal is raised in, pigs are known to

carry some diseases, the processed meat of pigs is deemed a cancer causing agent by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the pig’s digestive system is ripe for keeping toxins intact. But having said all of that, there are plenty of people who will consume pork all over the world, every day. I can’t convince a person not to eat something but I think a balanced awareness is in order when it comes to how we treat all animals, including those that are going to end up in someone’s stomach.

With an intelligence equaling or surpassing a dog, pigs deserve to live a life that allows for fresh air, healthy food, room to roam, social interactions and play. Essentially, they deserve to be happy…they deserve RESPECT. Any food animal deserves to live a non-abusive life and a pain-free death. They definitely don’t deserve to die the horrific death they are subjected to so “the meat will taste better”. What right do we have to torture an animal so we can eat it? It is absolutely possible to still eat food animals while raising them with dignity.

God warned his people not to eat pork.

I find that interesting. There are lots of good reasons to not consume pork as it relates to health including the statistic that

consuming 50 grams of processed meat (bacon, sausage, hot dogs, etc.) each day raises your risk of colorectal cancer by a very significant 18 percent. Maybe that’s the pig's joke on mankind.

To me, pigs are the poster child for unnecessary abuse of anything we, as humans, can abuse. There are plenty of other animals that are discarded as meaningless and treated accordingly for man’s pleasure or convenience. Entire forests are chopped to nothing so that humans can have particular products with no thought to the destruction of habitats. For example, Gorillas are highly endangered, partially due to deforestation. The sad part is that much of the destruction and abuse isn’t necessary.

There are options as long as we are willing to stop waste and unnecessary degradation of the environment.

Animals matter. Plants matter. Our planet matters. Each deserves RESPECT for its life, RESPECT for its contributions to our world and RESPECT because God created it. LB and all the other creatures that make our world diverse should be carefully protected by us, not annihilated and treated as insignificant.

The holidays are a time of joy as well as a time of reflection. Take a moment to give thanks for the abundance of our world and be a steward for the many things that make it awe-inspiring. All of the LB’s and other creatures great and small will thank you.

In the true spirit of the season, wishing you peace and joy!

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

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s ' on s a Se s g n i t e Gre GINGERBREAD MAN

In this story of the gingerbread man, your dog wins. Holly Jolly Gingerbread Man is soft and stuffed with noisemakers. Your dog will love gnawing on this iconic character to find each of the five squeakers. We're pretty sure your pup will show this ginger who’s boss. P.L.A.Y. stuffed toys are handmade and planet-friendly. chopperandotis.com $12.90

THE COCOA THAT'S GOOD FOR YOUR PET

Winter is the perfect time to cuddle up with a cup of hot cocoa. This Hot Chocolate toy is safe for dogs, containing fuzzy “chocolate” and fabric marshmallows. chopperandotis.com $9.50

THE JEWELED PAW

Did someone say Sparkle for The Pawlidays? You know you want your pup to strut their stuff in a Swarovski crystal collar charm by BRKLZ, get yours at brklz.com. $49-59

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A FOREVER GIFT

Our favorite local jewelers have created the perfect gift: A Breed Figurine Box, hand cast in ancient bronze, available in over 20 breeds. Pitbull featured here. Truly special!

Find yours at Esquivel & Fees, 2368 Rice Blvd, efsterling.com. $429

KITTY PHOTO OP

Designer boxes for your cat! The PURRFECT way to spoil your cat with a new stylish box for every season and sets your kitty up for a fun photo op! kittycardboard.com. $24.99

HOLIDAY YUMMIES FOR THE TUMMY

Assorted fresh-baked, all-natural dog treats for the Holidays don't forget your pet's want some Christmas goodies too! Shop local with Three Dog Bakery: 2402A Rice Blvd 77005, threedogbakeryhtx.com. $1.75-4.00

OH THE JOY!

This multi-part toy is sweet and to the point. Cheerful Candy Canes has three squeaky canes bundled in a bag to make playtime even more fun. These plushies are in mint condition, ready for play with your pal. chopperandotis.com $14.50

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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Come Board with Us!

24/7 Staff on Site…..24/7 Onsite Cameras 5 OFF LEASH walks a day * last walk 9pm – 10pm No additional charge for Meds, Hugs or Kisses Discounted PLAYCARE rates with Boarding Weekends and Holiday Pick-Ups (till 8:30pm) (we do not hold pets hostage as we know how badly they are missed)

PLAYCARE & BOARDING

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3663 S Dairy Ashford (between Westpark & WestparkTollway) www.roversromphouse.com 832-328-5844

Website

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Things We LOVE Grounds for Hounds

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t Grounds & Hounds, this new company believes great coffee can fuel a greater purpose. Through the sale of their Fair Trade & Organic Specialty coffees, they support rescue initiatives and organizations providing a second chance for pups in need of a helping hand. 20% of all Grounds & Hounds profits are deployed to rescue organizations working to make the second-chance mission a reality. All Grounds & Hounds green coffee is 100% Arabica, specialty grade coffee. After sourcing the green coffee from the top growing regions around the world (Peru, Colombia, Sumatra, Papua New Guinea, Ethiopia, Mexico, Guatemala, and Nicaragua), they let their master roaster go to work. So have a cup, save a pup! groundsandhoundscoffee.com

Mantor Boot 4.0

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ack in 2007, the Houston Rodeo sold 6-foot, 3-D fiberglass cowboy boot statues as a fundraiser, similar to the cows in the cow parade. As editor of PetTalk, I meet a lot of really cool people, one if which is Rod Crosby, who gifted a boot statue to me. The 1.0 version of the boot featured our mascot Henrietta, painted by Jim Tweedy, that I lugged to events but finally decided that was ludicrous and perched it in my courtyard. Four years later, the boot 2.0 was painted by Kermit Eisenhut and then 3.0 was again painted a few years later

by Kermit as the weather took its toll on the paint. After Hurricane Harvey, the boot once again needed a re-boot! As luck would have it, I ran into a pet-loving friend and artist, Julie Dow ( julie Dow/Artist - FB)-, who excitedly agreed to take on boot 4.0. She asked what I envisioned and of course I said an artistic impression of my horse Freedom, who I rescued two years ago.

I wanted to share Julie's AMAZING job - she incorporated my love for my horse and Native American culture. Julie - you are so talented and a true friend to the animals with all the work you do with BARC...thank you my friend. And guess what? The Rodeo is bringing back the boot for the 2019 show... so I think that makes mine vintage!

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Esquivel & Fees

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Shop on-line or at our store ~ 2368 Rice Blvd in the Rice Village.

10 am -6 pm Tuesday - Saturday, Closed Sunday & Monday

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713•521•1544

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Your new best friend is waiting...

Adopt a schnauzer, and save a life!

www.SchnauzerRescueTexas.me Houston PetTalk Magazine

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Health I SURVIVED A Celebration of Life Vergi 24/7's Annual Tradition

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By: Sherry Johnson, VERGI Emergency and Critical Care Hospital, www.vergi247.com

ach year, hundreds of Houston’s pets are faced with life threatening emergencies and turn to VERGI Emergency and Critical Care Hospital for help. Many of these pets require extensive long term care to save their lives. But what most people don’t realize is the bond that forms between the VERGI staff and the patients they care for. The bond grows to include the patient’s family, who are truly grateful for

party. This annual gathering offered patients, their families and the VERGI staff a chance to come together, rejoice and celebrate. Let’s face it, unless your pet has been through an emergency or you have worked in an emergency hospital, it’s difficult to truly understand how these helpless pets and the VERGI staff bond during these unbelievable life-threatening circumstances to help the pet survive.

What began as a simple idea has now

life until her natural passing." Trixi’s last party was in 2013 after living a long happy life. She has since been designated as VERGI’s lifetime "I Survived" party mascot.

There are so many stories like Trixi’s shared at the party, in fact, one of the most touching highlights of the festivities is where guests share their personal heartwarming tales of their pet’s survival with VERGI’s help. It’s easy to see how joy fills the room as guests arrive and

VERGI’s hard work saving their pet’s life.

However, after a pet leaves the hospital, the staff never gets to see those pets that they cared so deeply for grow and live full happy lives.

Then, in 2000, during Dr. Laura Noaker’s first year as VERGI’s new Chief of Staff, she had an idea that would not only boost the staff’s moral, but reunite patients and the staff that cared for them while creating a celebration of their life.

She befittingly named it the “I Survived”

become a celebrated annual tradition.

“The first year of the party began small” stated Noaker, “yet there was one patient who was incredibly lucky to be alive. Her name was Trixi. She was a young Golden Retriever that had gone into severe anaphylactic shock. She nearly died while her mom nervously watched.” Dr. Noaker continues, “However, Trixi was miraculously saved that night and from that point on she and her family came to each and every "I survived" party and celebrated

are greeted by the staff members who cared for them. The party is held during the holiday season, a time when we are all joyous and thankful, but these feelings are carried throughout the year.

“The VERGI patients and their families as well as our doctors and staff look forward to this celebration all year long” says Noaker, “This is a great chance to see patients who we were able to help survive, and honestly it’s the best part of our holiday season”.

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THE IMPORTANCE of Continuous Care The Senior Years

By: Dr. Cornelius lastwishes.com (See Special Offer Inside Cover)

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s constant companions throughout significant portions of our lives, we often form deep emotional bonds with our gracious gray-muzzled friends over time. They’ve shared in our most joyous moments, and we idolize their ability to be present when we need them most. Many humans prefer the companionship of a pet over surrounding themselves with other humans! In fact, I’ve heard some people say that pets are easier to love than other people, and that the loss of a pet is sometimes much harder to bear than losing a relative.

In general, pets receiving regular veterinary care during their senior years experience better quality lives and have improved outcomes at the completion of their lives than those who do not see a general or senior care practitioner as they age. A progressive veterinary practice is better positioned to prevent and/or manage problems in the earliest stages, increasing available options. Why, then, do a significant portion of families stop taking pets to see their veterinarian after a certain age?

We as veterinarians are spending a lot of time and resources devising ways to encourage families to continue to bring their older pets in every 3-12 months to avoid a deficit of care and patient suffering. It’s possible the community at large underestimates the value of a continued bond with their veterinarian or a veterinarian who specializes in older pet care needs. Time, technology and innovative thinking are all on our side, and I believe as a whole, the need for senior and geriatric pet care will grow as awareness and an organized model is brought to the forefront.

When do we need to start a conversation with our veterinary care professionals about our senior and geriatric pets?

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These are all signs of advanced aging in pets that should be addressed with trusted experts. Please contact a veterinarian if you notice changes in: ❖ Mobility (limping, avoiding stairs, reluctance to jump up/down off furniture) ❖ Mood or mentality (sleeping more/ less, agitation, vocalization, confusion, hearing loss) ❖ Appetite (eating less or more than normal) ❖ Gastrointestinal problems (vomiting, drooling, diarrhea) or abdominal size (distention, fluid) ❖ Hair coat or skin (more or less grooming, matting, unkempt appearance, lesions) ❖ Breathing (rate and effort, coughing), exercise intolerance, nasal discharge ❖ Oral health (dental disease, bad odor, growths, bleeding, drooling) ❖ Eye health (discharge, redness, increase or decrease in eye size, vision loss) ❖ Urination (more or less, increased odor, incontinence, change in color,

house soiling) Lumps and bumps (especially peasized or larger) or any changes in current ones ❖ Weight loss or gain, muscle wasting ❖ Water intake (less or more) ❖ Any other change small or more significant that is causing worry for your or your pet Seeking sound expert advice from a veterinary professional with a special interest in senior care may sound unnecessary to some, but I believe the most progressive and novel veterinary talent is now coming from this growing field of geriatric medicine. Just as in human medicine, it is becoming more and more typical for a senior or geriatric pet to have multiple veterinarians in specialized fields taking care of them in different ways to produce the best outcome for the pet and the family. If the goal is to maintain or strengthen the bond between families and aging pets, the family and veterinarian must work closely together to accomplish this. ❖

Meet your new best friend at ADORE Houston.

WWW.ADOREHOUSTON.ORG

INFO@ADOREHOUSTON.ORG

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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WHAT TO DO If Your Pet is Lost Steps To Ensure Your Pet's Safety

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f your pet disappears from your care, you may feel in a panic, but as hard as it is, try to settle down and act immediately. Each moment you spend worrying is a moment your pet spends wandering further away. Many of the steps you would take to find your pet are the same steps you might take to return a pet you have found to its owner.

1. Begin with a search of the neighborhood. Look in a radius of several blocks starting from the place where the pet was last seen. Consider asking your neighbors who share a fence with you if they would check their yard; bring a photo.

You should walk, ride a bicycle or drive slowly through your neighborhood multiple times a day. Whistle, call your pet's

name and then listen and look. While on their "adventure" your pet may have been injured, be frightened, trapped or otherwise unable to come to you. Your pet may hide during the day, so be sure to go out again at night with a flashlight and call for him. A laser pointer works great for luring kitties out of small places.

2. Create and print Lost Pet signs with clear photos of the pet's face and body from the front and sides. Post signs at intersections within a 2 mile area of where your pet was lost. In addition, hang signs at businesses that see a great deal of traffic as well as veterinary clinics. If your pet was found by someone and they were unable to contact you, or the pet was injured, they may bring your pet to a clinic.

By: Michelle Mantor

Take your signs with you on subsequent neighborhood searches and ask neighbors, letter carriers and delivery people if they have seen your pet.

3. Consider advertising in local and community newspapers. Ask your neighborhood organization or apartment manager if they can include your information and a description of your pet in upcoming newsletters. These papers often have columns for lost and found animals.

4. Visit all animal shelters and animalcontrol agencies in addition to calling or e-mailing. You can see a list of area shelters on page 55. Call every shelter in your city and file a lost pet report. Ask to email your Lost Pet sheet to them or bring it to the shelter. Check with the shelters often.

If you have found a pet, ask the potential owner to identify the pet in a way that only the owner might know. Unfortunately, there are cruel people with bad intentions that pose as pet owners, only to sell the animal for dog fighting "bait" or for scientific research.

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Photo by Evin Thayer

FINDERS BEWARE

5. Post to social media. If you do not have access to Facebook or other social media, ask a friend or family member to post for you. It is very important to provide photos, not just to show what your pet looks like, but to attract readers of the post to look.

Many social media users scan a page for images as the look, and may miss a "text only" post.

6. Make it easy for your pet to find his way home by leaving items with a familiar scent outside. As you may know, our pets have an enhanced sense of smell so a litter box, pet bed or even an item of clothing recently worn by a loved one can attract a pet who has become lost and disoriented.

7. Check with local rescue organizations.

If your animal is a purebred, find breed rescue groups in your area. There are many rescue groups for all breeds of dog and cat, and when local general shelters are full they may recommend an organization that cares for a specific breed. Check out our online resources at pettalkgofetch.com.

8. You can also try contacting other local media sources like city-wide newspapers, and local news stations. Utilize web based pet resources like Craig's List, Fido Finder, Center for Lost Pets, or findtoto.com, a website that, for $250-$400, will contact neighbors via a robo-call and post social media Ads. Of course, there are lots of ways to prevent your pet from ever becoming lost (see our article in the November 2018 issue).

Most importantly, if you don't do anything else, have your pet microchipped. It's inexpensive, not painful and the best way for a found pet to be reunited with their owner.

TURN TO SOCIAL MEDIA Social Media is a great LOCAL way to communicate with others in your community about lost and found pets. Some geographic areas have their own lost and found FACEBOOK pages. Here are a few of the active local pages, plus if you google your area, you will find plenty more. ❖ Katy Lost Pets ❖ Katy, TX Lost & Found Animals ❖ Lost and Found Pets- Cypress, Texas ❖ Houston Lost and Found Pets ❖ Houston Heights Lost and Found Pet Page ❖ Lost & Found Pets -The Woodlands, Spring, Tomball, TX

CHECK ANIMAL CONTROL AND SHELTERS Always check with the large shelters in our area as well as animal control. There is no central database for lost pet reporting in Houston so you must check with each organization separately. It is also important to know shelters do not take strays when they are full so even though a particular shelter may be closest to where your pet was lost, your pet may have been taken elsewhere, such as the city or county animal control. ❖ City of Houston - BARC (Bureau of Animal Regulation and Control) 713-229-7300 ❖ Harris County Animal Control 281-999-3191 ❖ Fort Bend County Animal Control 281-342-1512 ❖ Montgomery County Animal Control 936-442- 7738 ❖ Sugar Land Animal Control 281-265-2364 ❖ Citizen’s for Animal Protection (CAP) 281-497-0591 ❖ Houston SPCA 713-869-7722 ❖ Houston Humane Society 713-433-6421 ❖ Bay Area Pet Adoptions 281-339-2086 ❖ Check pettalkgofetch.com for more rescues and shelters

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Tail End HORSE Therapy

My International Equine Summit Experience

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y journey into the world of horses has been transformative in a number of ways, one of which is the people I’ve met that I’m convinced will be life-long friends and teachers. You see, what I’m finding is that people who understand the value of equines and the many gifts they have to offer humans are typically those who have spent time working on themselves, searching for life’s answers and ultimately being a more connected person to people, animals and nature. Before I stepped into the “arena of equines”, I had heard the chatter about how horses are healers

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and teachers, and how they are sensitive beings with thousands of years of knowledge stored in their DNA, but I didn’t truly understand what it all meant. How can a horse heal you or teach you? How can a horse help you better understand your own self and your path in life?

The answers to these questions and more are unfolding as I delve deeper into the realm of natural horsemanship and the connection between humans and equines. The answers, however, only come with effort, meaning I have to be open enough to allow my mind to ask questions, try things I am uncomfortable

By: Michelle Mantor

with, discard many assumptions I’ve spent years nurturing and essentially opening up entirely to new ideas, possibilities and being willing to shed old baggage I’ve carried around most of my life.

Before I go on, I want to clarify one thing as it relates to the aforementioned people who understand AND value the gifts of equines. I am not talking about just anyone that has a horse in their life or teaches horses and humans. There are plenty of people who are “breaking” horses that don’t have a clue about the true nature of a horse - they use dominance to get the horse to obey, not

a partnership where the horse actually wants to do what is asked; there are people stall-boarding a show horse that pay thousands of dollars a year to win a trophy that have no clue the damage they might be doing to their horse, nor do they care; there are people that see horses as nothing more than a tool for man to use for his own benefit. These people are as far from connected to the intricacies of this world as I am from the planet Saturn as I sit here at my desk. Yes, the disconnect is vast but as the people who “get it” continue to teach, my prayer is that the vastness diminishes bit by bit until one day humanity appreciates and nurtures the relationship with horses and the true power of the partnership will be realized.

But for now, I want to do my part in continuing to seek and relay the lessons learned to others so that you too can join the journey of self-discovery as you wish.

Many of you may have read my story about the horse I rescued, “Freedom”, in the January 2018 issue of PetTalk. In that story, I share how I was battling a life-long fear of horses coupled with an equal fascination of them and, and in trying to face that fear and learn more about horses, I went on an equine therapy adventure in Costa Rica. It was from that trip that I connected with a group of facilitators who specialize in equine facilitated learning that ultimately allowed me to have the support system needed to save an abused and neglected stallion. One of the people I met during that trip was Shelley Rosenberg, and accomplished equestrian, author and creator of the RidingFocused Equine Experiential Learning Apprenticeship.

Shelley is an accomplished rider and teacher, but she has also emerged as a respected voice in understanding horses and how they can use their own authenticity to teach humans how to connect with people, communities and nature to find a balanced place to stand on the platform of life. What makes Shelley so adept is first-hand knowledge. She, like others, has experienced the bumpy road of life’s journey and has used the work

Michelle Holling-Brooks leads the group in her discussion of building trust and respect. Michelle is a leader in Equine Partnered Psychotherapy and CoachingTM (EPPCTM) Programs and works to help people who have experienced trauma and loss via equine activities.

Barbara Breckenfeld demonstrates understanding Equine Body Language-Communication through body work.

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she had to do in healing herself, to in turn, teach others.

When I met Shelley in Costa Rica, she lived in Arizona. Just a few months ago, I was pleasantly surprised to learn she had moved to Houston. I had been following her website about the riding treks she leads all over the world with riders who are up to the challenge (think Uruguay, Scotland, Belize…) and when we reconnected and she asked if I would like to join her upcoming International Equine Summit in Dallas, I of course jumped at the opportunity. An entire weekend of horse therapy sounded good to me!

The summit took place at a ranch in Sanger, Texas in early October. About 40 people attended the summit with the intent of learning more about everything from caring for your horse’s health to finding ways to partner with your horse to working on personal growth through mind and body exercises. The line-up of speakers was quite impressive, from Ph. D’s to Veterinarians to Clinical Psychologists and more, there was no shortage of brain power in the group!

To kick off the weekend, keynote

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speaker Rupert Isaacson, creator of Horse Boy Method and ATHENA (Applied Techniques Using Horsebased Educational and Neuroscientific Approaches) addressed the group about preparing and maintaining your equine partner using the old Master’s ways of working in hand to keep your horse supple and happy in mind and body. From classical dressage, to Mongolian shamans, to self-compassion, to the science of the brain, Rupert connected the inevitable cycle of human burnout and how we can, in working with our horse partner, reconnect and find the balance we need to live a joyful life. Rupert is known as an international writer, speaker and exprofessional horse trainer who shared the story of his son’s autism and quest to help him connect to the world through horses in a book tilted, The Horse Boy. The keynote address was inspiring and thoughtprovoking…just the right words of wisdom to start a weekend filled with learning and camaraderie.

What followed was three days of workshops, presentations, Q&A sessions, and connecting with the other participants

through shared meals and experiential learning in groups. As a sampling of the topics discussed, here are a few that will give you a flavor for what the summit offered: Building trust, willingness and respect with your horse - from slowing down, exhaling and speaking softly to applying a fair and just system of learning, our horse, as well as ourselves, can find a more balanced existence.

Coaching with your herd - this presentation was directed to other coaches/ counselors in the group that were looking for new ideas on how to encourage their clients to open up, connect, get rid of old behaviors and ideas about their identity through listening, not judging. During this workshop, we did an art project (including drawing a horse which cemented the fact I am not an artist:) that was essentially a metaphorical exercise for “painting over a negative/old view of ourselves with a new picture of how we want to be seen by others.”

Medical focused sessions - topics included the causes and treatments for laminitis (a very serious condition that

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affects equines); a research project’s findings aimed at identifying if Lavender (as an essential oil) calms horses; an introduction of equine body work, known as the Masterson Method, to identify areas of tightness or pain in a horse that can be worked on TOGETHER with the horse, meaning it’s a modality we do WITH our horses, not TO our horses.

Additional topics included the technical explanation of astrology for horses (which I thought was fun but frivolous until I saw the terrestrial science behind it); sand play therapy; connecting with horses from deep within, both in the saddle and on the ground; transforming trauma through touch, telepathy and Soul Body Fusion®.

The weekend was filled with much more than I can describe but hopefully I’ve given you a representation of the vast array of learning opportunities and mind-opening exercises we experienced to awaken our inner self through the assistance of animals.

Equine Experiential Learning opportunities are all around us if you are willing to seek them out. Many of these workshops are aimed at uncovering and releasing old habits or negative thought patterns that don’t serve us well as humans.

Through intentions and awareness of our thoughts, choices and body language, you can uncover a more peaceful, balanced, purposeful path for your life’s journey.

I for one am grateful that I took the first small step of attending an equine learning experience in Costa Rica, although I had no idea how it would transform my life. It may sound dramatic to say my life was transformed, but my way of thinking, learning, and hence growing as a person has been forever changed…and of course this journey led me straight to a mercurial horse that hasn’t failed in teaching me something new every time we are together.

To learn more about Shelley Rosenberg’s upcoming workshops or riding experiences, visit her online at myhorsesmyhealers.com.

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Sand Play Therapy session promoted thought about our life's circumstances and how to construct a better path.

My creative interpretation of my "Happy Place" in which we painted OVER the negative labels of our past. The yarn around my wrist had been used earlier to connect everyone in the room before cutting it as a keepsake and reminder of our inter-connectivity.

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GORILLA Dog Beds

Toughest On The Planet...And Local Too!

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f you're dog thinks his bed is edible, or if you have a senior dog in need of support, or simply want a heavy duty, luxurious bed, then check out Gorilla Dog Beds. With a motto "Toughest on the Planet", the quality of fabric, stuffing and stitching is top-notch. Their line of Ballistic orthopedic beds are extremely durable, rugged, strong, and puncture resistant.

Gorilla Ballistic is made with extremely dense fibers and features special inner coating which prevents dust, mold, mildew and odor from penetrating to the mattress. It comes with a 125 day chew proof warranty and is the toughest, most chew resistant dog bed on the market.

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For those in need of support and don't treat their bed like a dinner meal, the Gorilla Ballistic Orthopedic line of dog beds are composed of an all American high quality certified foam. They offer two mattress choices in the orthopedic line including a thick high quality and dense orthopedic foam. The second option is the memory foam mattress which is composed of a dense base bonded to a high-end memory foam.

All beds feature military spec Velcro enclosures on the underside. The enclosure is also located in a place that makes removing and putting the cover back on as easy as possible.

We at PetTalk purchased a bed to try... let's just say our office dog is one comfy pup!

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Extreme chew and scratch resistance American made with certified foam by CertiPUR-US 125-Day chew proof warranty Lifetime won’t flatten guarantee Military grade materials & triple stitched Dirt, water mildew & odor resistant Machine washable Water-resistant liner included

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THE SOLUTION to Your Pet's Pollution Keep Disease, Vermin & More Out Of Your Yard

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wning pets can be one of the greatest joys in life but the chore of dealing with their waste, many can agree, isn’t enjoyable.

Other then some of the most obvious reasons for keeping a clean, waste free yard, routine pet waste removal helps to control the spread of diseases, reduces the presence of harmful pest the waste attracts and will prevent your dogs from eating their own stool.

With several different climates all throughout the great state, Texans are gifted with extended outdoor friendly seasons, allowing us to enjoy our yards, parks and neighborhoods longer than most other parts of the country. Pet waste removal has become big business for local entrepreneurs for just that reason, filling a need few people realized. Scooping your pet’s poop can become a chore easily left undone due to busy lifestyles.

Pet owners must head the warnings of potential heath risk associated with pet feces, not only to protect themselves but their pets too. Some of the most common diseases include, Giardia, roundworms,

hookworms, Salmonella, and E.coli. As much as we may love to spend time outdoors, enjoying the breeze with our favorite pet

frolicking in the grass, the risk of pests like ticks, fleas and mosquitos can be a big concern for many Texas families.

These pests can prevent us from enjoying the beautiful Texas weather to its fullest and pose a health concern for us and our pets. We may love our fur babies but it is a sad fact that the waste of dogs and cats can attract and spread hundreds of different parasites and bugs such as ticks, fleas, mites, chiggers, gnats and

WE MAY LOVE OUR FUR BABIES BUT IT IS A SAD FACT THAT THE WASTE OF DOGS AND CATS CAN ATTRACT AND SPREAD HUNDREDS OF DIFFERENT PARASITES AND BUGS SUCH AS TICKS, FLEAS, MITES, CHIGGERS, GNATS AND MOSQUITOS. 62

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By: Daniel Crocker texaspetwastesolutions.com

mosquitos. Ticks and fleas pose a special risk to expecting mothers and small children; specifically fleabites have been recorded to cause bacterial induced birth defects. Along with the health risks, a messy yard is just ripe for your local homeowners association to fine you a couple of hundred dollars or can prevent you from enjoying your yard on a nice day. What are Texans to do? We cannot part from our dear pets and have to find a solution to our pet’s pollution. It is also important to make sure that whatever we are putting in our yard for pest prevention is environmentally friendly and is safe for our furry friends and us. A trip to your local hardware store will have options, but unless you have the time and a degree in chemistry, all those Oxyl and Hyde words can cross your eyes. Several businesses have begun to combat the health risk by providing routine pet waste removal, and others, such as Texas Pet Waste Solutions has taken it a step further by not only providing waste removal but also free outdoor pest control that kills and repels fleas, ticks, mosquitos and 100+ other pest. Keep Texas clean and protect your pets and family with a healthy, safe and clean property. To learn more about our services or if you have questions regarding pet waste clean-up, visit us online at texaspetwastesolutions.com.

Conservation Corner

TEXAS STRONG: SAVING LOCAL SPECIES

Photos provided by The Houston Zoo

By: Renee Bumpus and Lauren Wappler

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he Houston Zoo is proud and excited to open the Texas Wetlands exhibit in 2019, celebrating the biodiversity of Texas and featuring three species: alligators, bald eagles, and whooping cranes. All these animals are recovering in the wild thanks to the tireless efforts of people working to bring them back from extinction. Here are just a few wildlifesaving efforts the zoo was a part of in 2018 to ensure the protection of Texas animals in the wild for generations to come.

Monarch Butterflies

Fitted 45 Monarch butterflies with tracking tags to determine where they travel to enable stronger protection planning.

Sea Turtles

Houston Zoo veterinary team provided medical care to 131 wild sea turtles from the Texas coast.

The Zoo has also eliminated single-use plastic bags, bottles, and straws to save sea turtles.

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Houston Toads

Released 1,082,000 critically endangered eggs into the Texas wild. The zoo maintains a Houston toad captive breeding facility on-site to aid in the protection of this species year-round.

Attwater's Prairie Chickens More than 200 critically endangered Attwater’s prairie chickens are bred at the Houston Zoo and released into the Texas wild.

Alligators

Kept over 500 tons of materials out of landfills through recycling and composting, creating less need for landfills and more space for Texas animals, like alligators.

Ocelots

Provided five tracking collars for wild Texas ocelots to collect data to inform protection plans.

Whooping Cranes

Wild population has increased by 505 birds, the largest number since the 1920s.

Bats

Detected six wild bat species on zoo grounds through acoustic studies.

Bald Eagles

Collected more than 1,000 signatures to ensure the Endangered Species Act remains intact to protect Texas species.

The Houston Zoo’s mission is to connect communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife. Every day, the employees of the Houston Zoo are striving to make a difference for animals in the wild and inspiring our guests to take simple actions to save wildlife. Every time you visit the zoo, a portion of your admission goes straight to saving animals in the wild, like those who call Texas and the Gulf of Mexico home. See them. Save them.

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Revealed RESCUE

TEXAS SLED DOG RESCUE

Mission: Texas Sled Dog Rescue is a non-profit volunteer organization founded in January 2012 designed to assist Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes needing rescue. The group's mission is to find loving, forever homes and educate potential owners about their personality traits, which many times is overshadowed by their captivating looks. Rescues receive basic training as needed, and vetting which includes updated vaccinations, spay or neuter and micro-chip.

The volunteers are involved in all facets of rescue including fundraising, transporting, evaluating dogs, representing the rescue at local dog events, fostering, etc.

MEET GHOST Do you believe in Ghost’s? If so, you can see he’s white, fluffy and handsome. This GENTLEman knows how to sit and lay down on command. He runs the house as an alpha male does, with lots of hugs and kisses. If you’re not careful, he could disappear from you. This sweet boy will take time to earn his trust, but once you do, you’ll find your forever companion.

MEET LEILA Age is nothing but a number. Leela is a fun, loving husky girl who’s almost 9 years young.

She enjoys lounging around the house with her foster family. She also likes to play in short spurts with her younger foster husky brothers and can be quite vocal! While fully vetted, she also is a foodie at heart. In Leela’s past life she was rescued by a local Sanctuary after being surrendered at a Dallas shelter, adopted and then returned. She was transferred to TSDR when the owner of the Sanctuary became ill.

She is patiently waiting for you.

Each issue, we highlight a local 501(c)3 animal charity in hopes that our readers will find their true love with one of these rescue groups! Charities are chosen from PetTalk GoFetch, our pet directory website and free mobile App, www. pettalkgofetch.com. To be listed as a rescue group, please email info@houstonpettalk.com.

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Ghost Leila