March 2019

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July 2019

LET'S GO

TO THE

SHOW 42ND ANNUAL

HOUSTON WORLD SERIES OF DOG SHOWS AT THE SHOW:

d l a n o D

G O D P O T S ’ N O T HOUS

MEET

> BREED JUDGING > OBEDIENCE > FLYBALL > WEIGHT PULL > BARN HUNT > CANINE FREESTYLE > DISC DOGS

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Editorial July 2019

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f you are canine crazy, love dogs and have feelings of puppy love, then you are in for a treat as the 42nd Annual Houston World Series of Dog Shows rolls into H-Town July 17-21.

PetTalk is honored to once again be the media sponsor and produce a show guide for all attendees to utilize as their pre-show resource and we know you are going to love our "show-stopping" feature story as well as the show itself!

After many years of attending the show, I can say I have truly watched this show remain the same yet change with the times. I know that sounds a little contradictory but it has been an "under the radar" transformation.

Essentially, the show has remained the same from a traditional standpoint. It's still one of the largest indoor dog shows in the United States with thousands of dogs prancing around the conformation ring, displaying their obedience skills and blazing down the flyball lanes. Many of the same vendors are selling their products, the children's art exhibit continues to be amazing and the cost of a hotdog is still

way overpriced.

However, subtle changes over the years help make the show better and better as time rolls on. A number of years ago, only AKC registered purebreds were at the show. Even the public attending the show could not bring their pets to the arena. To their credit, the AKC has embraced the idea that rescue pets are a BIG part of our doggie world and they need more respect and outlets to show how fabulous they are!

As such, the AKC created some events that are perfect for highlighting mixed breeds including "My Dog Can Do That!" which is an agility event for non-registered dogs plus pets are now welcome at the show as long as they are leashed and vaccinated. The show also helps promote pet rescue through featuring breed and mixed breed rescue groups in the vendor area.

The show lasts for several days and given that it's indoors in the July Texas heat, it's a great way to have some relatively cheap fun (for tickets and parking info, visit houstondogshows.com).

Be sure to stop by PetTalk's booth, a.k.a.

"Henrietta's Doghouse" where you will find

Houston's Top Dog How about that hair??? Is that not the most perfect coif ever? And, this fabulous head of hair is only ONE of the reasons Houston hometown boy DONALD is a champion Bison Frise! He is proudly shown by his mom, Carol Fellbaum, who is a champion in her own right in the world of dog grooming. Come meet Donald at the Houston Dog Show and cheer him on to victory! Learn all about the fun things to do at this year's show, July 17-21, in our feature story. Photo by Evin Thayer Studios.

fun games, prizes, smiles, back issues of our publication, FREE reusable grocery bags, photo capturing, tweeting and more!

Enjoy the show highlights and come support our cover model “Donald” as he competes in breed judging. Plus, many of our feature writers are competing or exhibiting and would love your support too!

Speaking of Donald - we had so much fun during our photoshoot with the BIG Champion in a little body! Donald is one of the TOP Bichon Frise dogs in the country, competing in Westminster in 2019 and making it to Group, which is a HUGE deal!

He will be competing at this year’s show and will most likely spend some time visiting our booth now that we are besties!

Even though his hair is perfect, he is still quite approachable LOL! Head on out to the show this month, chill out in the air-conditioned arena and prepare to take in the Top Dogs in the USA as they show they are not only Man’s Best Friend, but quite talented too!

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

© Copyright 2019. 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.

Tell our advertisers you heard about them in Houston PetTalk!

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IN THE WORLD 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.

Cozumel, Mexico Groovin' N Cruisin' with PetTalk on the seas in Mexico is Jo Ann Ellis, Brenda Turrentine, Lynne Knobelock and Marlene Marino. Thanks for sharing!

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s a reporter, I get to attend events, share my opinions, inform my fans and when lucky, I get to lunch at swanky places like 51 Fifteen for lunch on the company expense account. And, when DL is “preoccupied” and not rifling through my receipts, I sneak a few stops at IKEA for their tummy-lovin’ hot dogs and file my receipt as “office supplies”. Yeah, I’m living on the edge.

Anyway, it’s fun to be a reporter but sometimes I get tired of being a voyeur. I don’t want to always just “report”. I want to DO and be reported ON. Call it ego or just a sugar-induced coma from the 3 tripleglazed apple fritters I had for breakfast, but I’ve decided this year I’m not going to report on the dog show.. this year I’m going to enter!

It hasn’t escaped me that I have a few obstacles to overcome (sadly, not the ones found in the agility ring). In addition to the “ring of love” I have so painstakingly gathered around my mid-section, I will need to be expertly coiffed and find that special place deep in my psyche that’s ok with some selfrighteous judge checking out my teeth and my “under-tail”. But I just keep hearing the words of wisdom Aunt Helen offered on my 12th birthday, “Henrietta, before you ever diagnose yourself with low self-esteem, first make sure that you are not surrounded by nitwits.” Actually, she didn’t say nitwits. She said a word that starts with an “a”, ends with an “s” and has a hole in the middle but DL frowns upon the use of what she calls

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“illegal” words in my column. As I recalled Aunt Helen’s advice, I immediately thought of cousin Harold who is still trying to figure out how the sky knows when it’s Daylight Savings Time, or Penelope calling me from my phone that I left at her house to tell me I left my phone at her house, or the squirrel in the front yard that's been looking for the nut he hid last fall for 8 months and I thought to myself, “Yes, Henrietta, you believe that you can, so you should.”

Decision made, I trotted down to the Glam Bam Thank You Mam Salon for one of those super-do’s the prissy poodles sport in the show with those poofy balls. What judge could resist bouncing balls on my behind as I show them this girl’s got junk in the trunk! Next, I got a quick touch up on my 100-Watt smile, a pawlish job with my favorite color that pays homage to my state, “Do You Think I’m Texy” and then I finished off with a stop at Nieman Barkus’ perfume counter and doused myself with my favorite fragrance, “This Dog Will Hunt”. Voila!

A champion show dog is born!

Feeling like a million bucks, I sauntered into the fire-breathing dragon lady’s office and did my best “stack”.

The conversation went something like this: DL: “Henrietta, what inexplicable occurrence has made you go totally mad?"

Me: “Well, if you must know, I’m entering the dog show and I wanted to ask you where my papers are."

DL: “My goodness Henrietta, you’ve been paper trained for years now!”

Me: This woman should really save her breath because she will need it to blow up her next date. “Not those papers! The papers that say I’m a registered purebred.

I’m entering a beauty show, I think it’s called

constipation or confirmation or something like that. Anyway, it confirms I’m a beautiful poodle.”

DL: “Henrietta, look in the mirror. What on earth would possess you to think you are a poodle? I know you want to be French and have curly hair. We all do. But the fact is, you’re a “mixed breed."

Me: “What’s a mixed breed?"

DL: “A little bit of this and a little bit of that. Now run along and play and stop being silly.”

In one moment, my beauty queen dream was as deflated as Tom Brady’s balls. How can I be seen in public or face my friends knowing I’m a mixed breed? Scarlett comes from a long line of champion Irish Setters and Minnie is a Chihuahua from a famous family…they even have a city in Mexico named after them!

Next, I found myself lamenting on cousin Hazel’s porch (well, to be honest I was slurping margaritas to drown the emotional pain) when she suggested I use my questionable lineage to my advantage.

“Henrietta, just think of it this way. First of all, mixed breeds are truly unique. No one looks anything like you. (What the heck?).

Second, you'd be totally excused for having a split-personality. One day you’re chasing a rabbit down a hole like a hound dog and the next you're snarling at the mailman like a rabid watchdog and no one will suggest you should be mentally evaluated or put on meds.

Well…I could see Hazel’s point so I headed straight to the Salty Dog with my fab poodle do’ to tell Felicity it’s been found that I have an international background– predominantly French with some German, Irish, Asian and Russian influences.

One look at me and Felicity said, “Henrietta, you only wish you had the style and fabulous accent of a French Poodle like me,” to which I replied, “Oui Felicity, you don’t know Jacques.”

Henrietta Illustration by Jim Tweedy, Colorizing by Desiree Lonsway

Henrietta

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Unleashed SONGWRITER COMPETITION RAISES MONEY FOR RESCUE

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ttendees of the 1st Annual Houston Live.TV Songwriter Competition and Benefit Concert hosted at JP Hops House got to hear some great music and participate in fundraising for local animal rescue. The event raised $1000 for Belles Buds. The winning artist was Liz Bailey for her song, “Home”. Find details at houstonlive.tv.

Houston Live raised over $1,000 for Belles Buds Animal Rescue.

The youngest competitor was Abbi Lynn, performing her original song “Anchor.”

Kim Solem, Alex Coba, , Lizi Bailey (Grand Prize winner), Tracy DeJarnett, Ken Gaines

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Photos By Kerri Clark Designs, LLC

The "Business of Song writing Panel" at Houston Live.TV

Unleashed PARTY FOR PABLO BENEFITTING GULF COAST BULL TERRIER RESCUE

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Photos Provided By Bull Terrier Rescue

ull Terriers and Bicyclists alike came and partied at the 1st Annual Party for Pablo, which was held at Urban Bicycle Gallery off Washington Avenue. People and pets enjoyed music, beverages from 11 Below Brewing and Simple Vodka, as well as food and plenty of photo ops! The event was designed to raise awareness of the commonly misunderstood Bull Terrier and raise money for The Texas Gulf Coast Bull Terrier Rescue–who saved Pablo at a mere 3 weeks old. Get more information at texasbullterrier.org and www.urbanbicyclegallery.com.

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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The Dish

FOR A FULL LIST OF EVENTS, DOWNLOAD THE FREE APP OR VISIT: WWW.PETTALKGOFETCH.COM

Events

July 17-21

July 13

NRG Center Houston’s biggest and best doggie extravaganza returns for the 42nd year at NRG Center. Enjoy competitions, exhibitions, shopping and much more. See our feature story beginning on page 32 for details.

City Centre Suite 143 3pm to 8pm If your little furry friend needs some new summer “duds”, check out the pop up shop with Furrever Doggies, a local purveyor of handcrafted doggie designs. Mix and mingle with local rescues and adoptable pets and enjoy refreshments while you shop and maybe adopt! Learn more at furreverdoggies.com.

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Save The Date

Mark your calendars for the Houston Astros Dog Day at Minute Maid Park, August 28. Look for details at pettalkgofetch.com to learn about the event and how to purchase your tickets. Go Astros!

Photography By Prudence

Pop Up Shop With Furrever Doggies

Houston World Series of Dog Shows

The Dish

Make a Difference

By Honoring A Wonderful Life!

GIVING BACK

VCA Hospitals: Community Giving Tops $1 Million in 2018

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orporations that make a social impact on the welfare of animals is not only commendable, it’s necessary for the vast amount of resources needed to care for homeless pets as well as animals that are in need due to a natural disaster. From Hurricane Harvey to the California wildfires and beyond, VCA Hospitals steps up to help animals and owners in need.

The VCA Hospitals brand has a multitude of hospitals throughout the Greater Houston area providing skilled primary veterinary care as well as two locations that are 24-hour emergency hospitals.

Nationally, VCA boasts over 750 hospitals, including 65 specialty hospitals, thus

giving them the ability to help and heal many pets while giving back to the communities they serve.

In 2018, VCA Hospitals nationally raised annual donations to $1 million and over $1 million in pre-adoption veterinary care.

They also cared for or housed over 6,250 pets free of charge and over 75 VCA Hospitals provided care or housing during natural disasters.

PetTalk would like to give a big shoutout to VCA for their commitment to serving the pets in their communities with quality medicine and giving back through medical care, housing and donations in a time of need. To learn more about their organization and locations, visit vcahospitals.com.

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

COMMUNITY

Emancipet Provides Low Cost Medical Care For Houston Pets

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hat better mission could there be than to make veterinary care affordable for all pet owners? That is exactly what Emancipet has been working to do since 1999. Their organization believes that people and pets belong together, and that providing access to low-cost veterinary care ensures they stay together.

After years of service in Central Texas, Emancipet joined the Houston community in 2015. Since then they’ve had the privilege of caring for more than 38,500 of Houstonians’ beloved pets–including providing free veterinary care to thousands of clients for three months post-Harvey.

Since 1999, Emancipet has spayed

and neutered more than 350,000 pets, welcomed 1 million visits to their clinics, and played a pivotal role in The Humane Society of the United States’ Spayathon for Puerto Rico, where they provided free surgeries and vaccines to nearly 5,000 pets.

On a daily basis, they witness just how much the people of Houston love their pets. They watch as owners show up early and wait in line for wellness and spay/neuter services. Thanks to the generosity of supporters from Houston and across the country, Emancipet can keep fees low every day – keeping people and pets across the city healthy and together. If you would like to learn more or support their mission, visit emancipet.org.

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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Waller Equine on Animal ER Live Show

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f you were lucky enough to catch an episode of the recent NatGeo Wild show, Animal ER Live, you may have noticed that one of the seven animal hospitals nationwide selected to participate in the show was our very own Waller Equine Hospital. The show, hosted by Mark Steines, aired for 4 consecutive weeks beginning March 30. Anchored from a New York City studio with veterinary experts, cameras follow staff at seven animal hospitals and mobile vet emergency units around the country... live! The show gives viewers an unscripted view of the hard work, skill and dedication of emergency animal medicine. PetTalk sat down with Waller Equine veterinarian, Dr. Jenni Schroeder to get a feel for what it was like to be on camera while attending to a myriad of equine emergencies.

Dr. Schroeder notes, “Although there is a bit of apprehension about being scrutinized, ultimately we wanted to participate in the show as part of our mission to help educate the public on the spectrum of medicine. For each animal brought to us with an emergency, there is a story to be told that involves the particular situation of the animal (age, overall health, etc.) as well as the

owner.” Perhaps the “individualism” of each case is what we as pet owners may not fully appreciate in regards to what veterinarians are faced with when trying to diligently follow the oath they took to become a DVM. In part, that oath includes using their “scientific knowledge and skills for the benefit of society through the protection of animal health and welfare, the prevention and relief of animal suffering…” One of the primary elements to balance for all involved is the financial aspect. In a perfect world, every person and every animal would receive the BEST available medical care, but as we know, that is not reality. So, given constraints, vets must work with owners to give the best affordable care by presenting options when possible.

Watching Waller Equine on the show was not only a treat, but also educational to see the constant flow of decision-making and balancing of resources required to practice animal medicine. We are proud that one of “our own” was chosen by NatGeo Wild and that Waller Equine was willing to put in the effort and extra work to be on a live show that resulted in valuable insight for pet owners across America.

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JULY 17 -21 C O M E. S I T. S T A Y.

NRG PARK

A RARE BREED OF FAMILY FUN! MEET THE BREEDS CANINE MUSICAL FREEST YL E MCSCOTTY MARKET AKC’s My Dog Can Do That!

DESIGNER DOGHOUSE COMPETITION & AUCTION Conformation/Breed Judging CANINE FRISBEE™ DR. MARI JON FILLA STUDENT ART EXHIBIT FLYBALL Creative DOG Grooming Weight Pull Barn Hunt SPONSORS:

www.houstondogshows.com

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SHOWING

OFF

By Michelle Mantor Opening Photo: Evin Thayer Studios, Feature Photos: Photography By Prudence unless otherwise noted.

HOUSTON WORLD SERIES OF DOG SHOWS RETURNS JULY 17-21 AT NRG

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ne of the reasons I’m an admirer of the canine species is the incredible diversity in both their physical attributes and their skills. From the huge Great Dane to the tiny Pomeranian, dogs come in all sizes, shapes and coat types. Beyond their curious physical differences, dogs can also accomplish amazing things including racing through an agility course, pulling weight through snow, catching flying

discs, saving avalanche victims, sniffing out bombs and much more.

Rarely is there an opportunity to view so many types of dogs and learn about their breed’s heritage while also watching them perform jaw-dropping sport routines as you will witness at the annual Houston World Series of Dog Shows. The cluster of shows takes place at NRG Center July 17-21. Over 150 breeds will be on display plus performance sports and

exhibitions including Flyball, Obedience, Canine Frisbee, Canine Freestyle, Weight Pull and Barn Hunt. Plus, don't miss the student art exhibit, pet adoptions and shopping in McScotty Market.

If you want total dog submersion, the show is the place to be. Enjoy our feature story to learn all about the show's activities, schedule, parking and to map out your canine adventure in advance so you don't miss a thing!

MEET HOUSTON’S TOP DOG “DONALD” THE BICHON FRISE Our cover boy Donald is not only handsome and charming, he is also a Champion many times over and the best part is that he is a hometown boy! Haling from Spring, Texas, Donald is a 3 yr. old Bichon Frise. However, he is not just any Bichon Frise…he is one of the BEST in the USA! Technically, his name is GCHS High Ridge He’s So Full Of Himself (AKA Donald or Donald Duckie to his friends). He has achieved Winner of 7 specialty Best of Breeds, #! NOHS Bichon in 2018, 3 All Breed Best in Show, 3 Reserve All Breed Best in Shows, plus numerous other accomplishments. But the creme de la creme came in February of 2019 when Donald won Best of Breed at the most prestigious of dog shows, Westminster. As one might imagine, it takes a team to be so spectacular! Donald's "peeps" include doting mom Carol Felbaum who owns A Dog’s Life Pet Salon in Spring and is a National Master Groomer, co-owners Joanne Rubin, Marleen Greif, Scott Sommer and handler Susan Depew. Watch for Donald to perform in the ring at the show by checking the Bichon Frise breed judging July 19-21. We are so proud to have a Houston dog accomplish such great achievements and we hope you will come and cheer him on!

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ONFORMATIO

Q&A With Carol Fellbaum

Owner/Breeder/Handler of Champion Bichon Frise, Owner of A Dog's Life Pet Salon in NW Houston

WHAT IS CONFORMATION? Per the American Kennel Club, conformation is the official term for what we think of as a dog show. At a show, purebred dogs are judged by how closely they conform to the standard of their particular breed. The breed standard includes characteristics such as temperament, general appearance, proportion, height range, weight range, etc. Dogs that conform most to the breed standard will have the ability to produce puppies that meet the standard for their breed.

Non-purebred dogs and dogs that are spayed or neutered are ineligible to compete in conformation.

WHERE OR HOW DID THE SPORT GET STARTED? Modern dog shows began in England during the Victorian era.

The earliest dog show events were added attractions to annual cattle and poultry shows where breeders came together. The popular sport quickly spread around the world. The American Kennel Club (AKC) was founded in 1884 and opened its first office on Broadway in New York City in 1886. The Westminster Kennel Club’s initial Dog Show was held in 1877 in New York City.

WHAT ARE THE BASIC RULES OF BREED JUDGING? For a dog to participate in a dog show conformation event, the dog must be individually registered with the AKC, be six months of age or older, be of a breed for which classes are offered at the show, and meet any eligibility requirements in the written standard

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for its breed. The judge will examine the dogs and decide how closely they conform to the breed’s standards for structure, temperament and movement. Judges award first through fourth place in each class. The conformation events at dog shows are designed to cultivate breeding stock; therefore, spayed and neutered dogs are not eligible to compete.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT CONFORMATION? I know it may sound silly but I like everything about dog shows. I have been attending dog shows since I was in my mother’s womb. She began in obedience with pugs. I grew up working for professional handlers and attending dog shows most weekends. The dogs were my best friends and I felt comfortable at shows. You were everyone’s child and

they all watched out for you. I learned many life lessons and met people from all walks of life. I love breeding dogs and raising puppies. I also enjoy the challenge of interpreting the breed standard of the Bichon and trying to breed happy and healthy Bichons that are as close to the written standard as possible.

WHERE CAN PEOPLE GO TO FIND MORE INFORMATION? The American Kennel Club has wonderful information on their website akc.org. “A Beginner’s Guide to Dog Shows” is very helpful.

WILL YOU BE SHOWING WITH YOUR DOG? Yes, I will be showing my Bichons on multiple days of the show week.

ROAD TO BEST IN

Show...

TERRIER GROUP Breeds such as the Airedale, and Yorkshire Terrier are part of a group bred to rid property of vermin.

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onformation at a dog show is a process of elimination resulting in one dog being named Best in Show. Only the Best of Breed winners advance to compete in the Group competitions. Each AKC breed falls into one of seven groups: Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding.

SPORTING GROUP These dogs were bred to hunt game birds both on land and in water. Examples include Pointers, Retrievers, Setters.

HOUND GROUP Breeds such as the Beagle or Greyhound were bred for hunting game by sight or scent.

HERDING GROUP The German Shepherd Dog is a good example of the herding group, bred to help shepherds and ranchers herd their livestock.

NON-SPORTING GROUP This diverse group includes the French Bulldog, Dalmatian and Poodle. These dogs vary in size and function, and many are considered companion dogs.

WORKING GROUP These dogs were bred to pull carts, guard property and perform search and rescue services. Examples include the Akita and Malamute.

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TOY GROUP These dogs were bred to be household companions.

This group includes Maltese, Pomeranian, Pug and Papillon.

e at PetTalk love to meet our readers so don’t miss us at the show!

Henrietta’s Doghouse is located near the front of Hall C. We will have our exciting spinning wheel with fun prizes, face painting, FREE reusable bags to collect samples and PetTalk T-shirts for sale. Plus, if you missed any copies of PetTalk, we have past issues for you to add to your collection. See you there!

PetTalk Houston

Houston PetTalk Magazine

29

WEIGHT PULL Q&A with Rick Hymas Event Chairperson

WHAT IS WEIGHT PULL? Photography By Arie Moghaddam

Weight Pull is a competition where we see how much weight a dog can pull 16 feet by themselves. Usually this is done with a sled when there is snow. When there is no snow, we use a wheeled cart or sometimes a sled on rails.

WHERE OR HOW DID THE SPORT GET STARTED? Dogs have been pulling things ever since man first domesticated them.

Northern dogs like the Alaskan Malamute, Siberian Husky and Samoyed are well known for their ability to pull sleds. Other breeds such as the Mastiff, Bernese Mountain Dog, Saint Bernard and others have been used as draft dogs for hundreds of years. Dogs in general love to pull, even if it is just pulling you on the end of the leash, and they are good at it!

WHAT ARE THE BASIC RULES OR GUIDELINES OF WEIGHT PULL? In a weight pull, dogs are separated into classes based on weight and compete within their class. The object is to pull a cart sixteen feet within 60 seconds.

When it’s their turn, the handler hooks their dog to the cart, walks to the end of the chute then calls their dog. Calls like work, come, and mush are used to encourage the dog to begin pulling. No treats, toys or any artificial method of encouragement are allowed. The owner may not approach the dog and no outside help is permitted. It is all about the desire of the dog. Once a dog completes a pull and is back in their crate, then they can get their reward (treats). Pulls are done in

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rounds with weight being added to the cart at the end of each round. The dog in each weight class that successfully pulls the most is the winner. There is also an award for most weight pulled overall and an award for the dog that pulls the highest body weight percentage. We use the rules of the Alaskan Malamute Club of America. The full rules can be found at: alaskanmalamute.org/ wp-content/uploads/2011/09/AMCAwtpullrules_07Oct2010.pdf.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT THE SPORT? I like that it is another way you can work and build a relationship with your dog. Most dogs you see participating in weight pull are working dogs that love to have a job to do. Weight Pull not only gives us a chance to interact with our

dogs but it is also a healthy outlet for them to remain fit and active.

WHERE CAN INTERESTED FOLKS GO TO FIND MORE INFORMATION? Several organizations run weight pulls.

AMCA, IWPA and Iron Dog just to name a few. Here in Houston, the Alaskan Malamute Club of Greater Houston (AMCGH) and Texas Alaskan Malamute Rescue (TAMR) co-sponsor the weight pulls at the Houston World Series of Dogs Shows.

WHEN WILL YOU BE COMPETING? ❖

❖ ❖

July 19th 7:00PM – Alaskan Malamute only July 20th 11:00AM – All Breeds July 21st 11:00AM – All Breeds

Owner of Club Canine; contributing writer, student Gabby Matos

TELL US ABOUT OBEDIENCE COMPETITION Obedience exercises are the skills by which the dog/handler demonstrate their working aptitude, confidence, trust and overall stability in their relationship with one another. At the entry level, It’s fundamentally rooted in life skills needed for the dog/handler to live and exist as cooperative partners and then grows through higher levels of skill that command complex directional and task oriented exercises both on and off leash.

Photography By Zuzana Leckova

WHERE OR HOW DID THE SPORT GET STARTED? Little documentation regarding formal dog training can be found prior to the WWI. At that time, most dogs were responsible members of the family with important jobs to do.

They guarded property, provided personal protection, herded livestock, eradicated vermin, helped in the hunt, pulled carts and sleds and located lost people. However, during WWI, people began needing dogs to help them in a different way and to be more of a companion. As dogs joined the family for companion purposes rather than to work, the role change predi-

cated behavior modification and hence, today's obedience work.

WHAT ARE THE RULES AND OVERALL PURPOSE OF THE SPORT? The dog and handler must demonstrate an in-sync routine of exercises and tasks with one another through the instruction of a judge. In many cases, the handler is only capable of communicating a single verbal or physical (hand signal) command of the dog to execute said exercise. As well, there is a specific degree of precision and speed at which the exercises and tasks must be completed and the dog demonstrating a positive and willing attitude towards performance. There are 3 primary levels of obedience, Novice, Open and Utility. There are now some additional levels pre and post to those three to help encourage participation as well as additional preparation for the 3 primaries.

Additionally, there is

OBEDIENCE

Q&A With Dean Miller

also a spin-off discipline referred to as Rally Obedience in which the handler/dog team follow sequential signs with exercises pictured on each, to be performed at the handlers instruction. All disciplines and levels are moved through in order to achieve titles which can lend credibility to the specific dog and handler, trainer, training program as well as breed and breeder, through their performance scores.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT COMPETING IN OBEDIENCE?

Gabby: Everyone has something they do to de-stress after a long day of work or school. For me, it’s training my dog. There’s a small thrill that comes from seeing your dog accomplish something new and getting all worked up about it.

Since I started obedience training, I feel like I’ve been able to bond better with my dog. Together, we have gained more confidence from the experience.

WHERE CAN INTERESTED FOLKS GO TO FIND MORE INFORMATION?

To learn more, visit clubcaninehouston.com or AKC.org.

WHEN WILL YOU BE PERFORMING? July 19th and 20th...come cheer us on!

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CANINE FREESTYLE Q&A with Marilyn Orillion

"Twist!" Twirl!" "Circle!" "Jump!" Canine freestyle or "dog dancing" is a celebration of dog movement set to music.

WHERE OR HOW DID CANINE FREESTYLE GET STARTED? Canine freestyle began in Canada and England at about the same time in the late 1980's and the early 1990's.

Houston's own Carolyn Scott with her dog, Rookie, were

early pioneers of the sport. She founded the canine freestyle organization Musical Dog Sport Association in 2005. Freestyle teams led by Emily Pyle have been tripping the light fantastic at the Houston Dog Show since 2004. Both Carolyn and Emily are retired from the sport, but the Texas Six-Steppers continue to entertain audiences at NRG, the Children's Museum, senior homes and charity events in the Houston area.

WHAT ARE THE BASIC RULES OR GUIDELINES OF THE SPORT? Creative heelwork is an essential element of canine freestyle.

Freestyle dogs can learn to heel on all four sides of their handler! The choreography should be a balance of heelwork, behaviors, moves and move combinations set to music that enhance the dog's natural rhythm and personality.

Handlers are encouraged to explore the unlimited possibilities of movement with their dogs.

The goal of each canine freestyle team is to create an entertaining performance for the

MEET THE BREED Are you interested in a particular breed but would like to know more? You will have your chance throughout the show to mingle in the Meet The Breed ring with owners/handlers of a variety of breeds where you can meet the dog, touch them, ask questions and learn valuable information. Look for the schedule of breeds at the show or at www.houstondogshows.com.

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public to enjoy. The routine should be an artistic, choreographed performance highlighting the uniqueness of the canine partner. Each performance should be a creative expression of teamwork, training, willingness and joy shared by both dog and the handler.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT THE SPORT? The benefits of the sport are many! It strengthens your relationship with your dog through teamwork and builds their confidence. Music makes us happy, and we share that feeling with our dog.

Through use of positive reinforcement and rewards we remain engaged with our canine companion. It stimulates the dog’s brain and body.

WHERE CAN PEOPLE GO TO FIND MORE INFORMATION? Locally, contact texassixsteppers@ gmail.com for scheduling demos or for information. The Musical Dog Sport Association also offers classes.

Visitmusicaldogsport.org to learn more.

WHEN WILL YOU BE PERFORMING? We will be performing in Thursday Sunday, July 18-21, 2019. Just follow the music.

We hope to see you there!

Photography By Robert Castle

WHAT IS CANINE FREESTYLE?

BARN HUNT WHAT IS BARN HUNT? The purpose of Barn Hunt is to demonstrate a dog’s vermin hunting ability in finding and marking rats in a “barn-like” setting, using straw/hay bales to introduce climbing and tunneling obstacles in the dog’s path. The sport tests speed, agility, hunt drive, scenting ability, surefootedness, and control and responsiveness to handler direction.

Q&A With Robin Nuttall

Founder of Barn Hunt; Contributing writers Ken Rychlik–Texas Rat Masters, Mark Shaw–Barn Hunt Judge

At all levels, the care and welfare of our pet rats are paramount.

Rats are considered

HOW DID THE SPORT GET STARTED? The sport was inspired by a Miniature Pinscher named Zipper, and Robin Nuttall's (founder) desire to show that he, and his breed, could still do the tasks they were originally bred to perform; eradicating vermin. The sport originated in Columbia, MO and has now spread internationally.

Photography By Prudence

WHAT ARE THE BASIC RULES OF BARN HUNT? The sport has levels of difficulty, titles, and championships. At the Instinct level, the dog is introduced to a rat safely enclosed in a very sturdy, aerated tube, and placed alongside a tube with just rat scent (litter), and an empty tube. The dog simply has to indicate the correct tube to the handler, who tells the judge.

In Novice, those tubes are now hidden in a straw bale maze, and the handler and dog have 2 minutes to find and indicate the correct tube. They must also complete a tunnel, proving the dog can go into small dark places, and a climb, putting all four feet on a bale, showing they are not worried by prickly surfaces.

From that basic skill, the difficulty level increases. For instance, In Master, the handler will not know how many rats are on the course and must indicate to the judge when the course is clear (no more rats). There is also a points game called Crazy 8s where the handler and dog have two minutes to find as many as 8 rats plus do a climb and tunnel.

working partners in the sport and are never harmed.

WHO CAN COMPETE IN BARN HUNT? Any domestic dog (6 months or older) and handler of any age can play the game.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT THE SPORT? Barn Hunt is an instinct sport, and it's wonderful to see the dogs turn on and truly enjoy what they are doing. It's a great sport for beginner dogs and people as well as older people and dogs who might not be able to run around an agility ring any longer. In order to excel at Barn Hunt, the handler must learn how to observe and connect with their dog. Barn

Hunt enhances the human animal bond by helping dogs and handlers to communicate with each other. In this sport, the dog is "team captain," and the handler is there to support the dog. The dog has the nose!

WHERE CAN INTERESTED FOLKS GO TO FIND MORE INFORMATION? The best place for all information is the website at barnhunt.com. Barn Hunt is a welcoming sport for everyone. For the Greater Houston area, contact Texas Rat Masters at txratmasters.com.

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DISC DOGS The disc dog sport consists of a human handler tossing a disc and a canine

WHERE OR HOW DID THE SPORT OF DISC DOGS STARTED?

The sport got its start on August 5, 1974 at a Los Angeles Dodgers versus Cincinnati Reds baseball game, where Alex Stein, a college student from Ohio, and his dog, Ashley Whippet, jumped the fence and played toss and fetch for eight minutes before they were escorted off the field. This was a nationally televised event and the exhibition of Ashley’s skills went a long way to start the disc dog sport. Ashley Whippet’s legacy is carried on through the Ashley Whippet International organization that sanctions local events as well as world championships.

WHAT ARE THE BASIC RULES OF THE SPORT? companion catching it. In disc dog competitions, the human and dog compete in timed toss and catch events or in freestyle games that include dog flips, dog catches, and dogs rebounding off the human while trying to catch the disc to accumulate points to win.

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The basic game of toss and fetch is handlers have 60 seconds to make as many throws as possible with one disc on a field typically half the length of a football field. The further the handler throws on the field and the dog catches the disc, the more points the team is awarded.

This is a great introductory game to get dogs started in the sport. The Houston Canine Disc Club (HCDC) participates in a 5-week toss and fetch competition with

President of Houston Canine Disc Club (HCDC)

other clubs all over the globe, which is a great event to introduce new teams to the game. More information about the toss and fetch league may be found at tossandfetch.com.

The freestyle game is a little more complex in that it consists of the handler, the dog, and multiple discs. The game varies based on the rules of the sanctioned event, but teams get between 90 seconds and two minutes to perform their best tricks and disc catches by the dog.

The teams are awarded points based on handler’s skills, athleticism of the dog, the wow factor of the tricks, and catch ratio.

It is usually a great crowd-pleasing game.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT THE SPORT I enjoy the bond that develops between me and my dogs as we learn new ways to communicate and play the games. My goal is to make sure that we are having a fun time and that I am providing my dogs with a sound training foundation so that they can perform their skills well and safely. At the end of the day, we are all happy and tired. I love that the disc dog community is an amazing group of backyard dog enthusiasts, dog handlers, and trainers who love to work with new people trying to learn about the sport.

WHERE CAN INTERESTED FOLKS GO TO FIND MORE INFORMATION? Check out our website at houstonfrisbeedogclub.com.

WHEN WILL YOU BE PERFORMING? We perform July 19-21, alternating performances with the Texas Six Steppers and show times will be posted outside the performance area. Our next major competition will be October 12-13, 2019 at the Houston Sports Park.

Photography By Prudence

WHAT IS DISC DOG?

Q&A with Jill Best

FLYBALL WHAT IS FLYBALL?

Flyball is a dog sport in which teams of dogs race against each other from a start/ finish line, over a line of hurdles, to a box that releases a tennis ball to be caught when the dog presses the spring-loaded pad, then back to their handlers while carrying the ball.

WHERE OR HOW DID THE SPORT GET STARTED? Flyball got its start in the late 1960's when a group of dog trainers in California created scent discrimination hurdle racing, then put a guy at the end to throw tennis balls to the dogs when they finished the jump line. Soon the group to decide to build some sort of tennis balllaunching ap-

paratus, and the first flyball box was born.

Subsequently, the new dog sport for dog enthusiasts was introduced in the Toronto-Detroit area by several dog training clubs. After a few small tournaments were held in conjunction with dog shows, the first flyball tournament was held in 1983. Source: flyball.org.

WHAT ARE THE BASIC RULES OR GUIDELINES OF FLYBALL? A Flyball race matches two teams of four dogs each, racing side-by-side over a 51 foot long course. Each dog must run in relay fashion down the jumps, trigger a flyball box, releasing the ball, retrieve the ball, and return over the jumps. The next dog is released to run the course but can't cross the start/finish line until the previous dog has returned over all 4 jumps and reached the start/ finish line. The first team to have all 4

Q&A With Lorena Padron

Nature Dog Photography and Flyball Competitor

dogs finish the course without error wins the heat.

Although competitions vary, teams are normally seeded into divisions against other teams of similar speed. In competitions, all teams will also be trying to improve their own individual team's best race time. Teams that underestimate their speed may "break out" of their division in competition.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT THE SPORT? Flyball is a sport that not only requires the dogs to have the skills needed to go over the jumps and bring back the ball, but it also involves the humans to manage their dog effectively during the races.

Knowing exactly when to let go, understanding the best passing and helping your dog to stay focused when they run the lanes is the challenge for handlers. It is a team sport where one doesn’t work without the others; the dogs rely in the strategy that the humans as a team have taken to get the best results.

For me, not only seeing my dog enjoy the sport, but also being part of a team where we all care about each other and help everyone’s dog achieve success is the best part of competing in Flyball.

WHERE CAN INTERESTED FOLKS GO TO FIND MORE INFORMATION?

You can find lots of information at the North American Flyball Association, Inc. (NAFA), flyball.org.

WHEN WILL YOU BE PERFORMING?

Our Flyball Club, Run Dogs Run, will be competing July 19, 20 & 21. I will be on the team running with my dog Tango, July 19th.

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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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37

MORE TO SEE AT THE SHOW MCSCOTTY MARKET

By: Rebekah Sparks, Groomer and Artisan of Fur & Hair Creative grooming competition is an event in which groomers can transform a dog or cat into a piece of living artwork. Techniques include scissor/clipper work, color/ design, and accessory applications.

Creative grooming competition began in the 1980s and evolved into the colorful events we see today. Dawn Omboy is largely given credit as the original queen of color with her innovative designs.

Today,

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competition is focused on overall design, balance, and technical skill. Groomers must

transform their canvas pup into an eye pleasing & inventive work of art that is not just beautiful but practical for the animals comfort and freedom of movement. As a groomer, I enjoy watching the audiences surprise and delight as the design takes shape in the ring before their eyes. The training and practice involved requires dedication and creates a deep bond of confidence and trust between the groomer and dogs. For more information on creative grooming, visit barkleigh.com.

Creative grooming at the Houston show will be July 21, noon to 4pm.

Photography By Prudence

CREATIVE GROOMING

Photography By Zuzana Leckova

The shopping area, a.k.a McScotty Market, displays aisle after aisle of products and services for pets and their humans. Shoppers can find great deals on jewelry, art, clothing, books, gift items, pet accessories, the latest in technological gadgetry, natural health remedies, pet food and more. Many vendors offer free samples and promotional items so you will come home with a bag of freebies!

You will also find information on pet resorts, pet sitters, dog trainers and other services.

For the mega-shopper, plan to come for the special shopping event Wednesday, July 17 from 9am to 3pm.

Admission and parking are free!

INTRODUCING SPRING’S NEWEST LUXURY PET RESORT...

• Luxury Boarding • Grooming & Spa • Retail Boutique Coming Soon...

• Pet Training • Doggy Daycare

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BOOK YOUR RESERVATION TODAY!

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BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

• Wellness Exams • Vaccines • Dental Surgery • Spay/Neuter • Acupuncture • Cold Laser Therapy 20120 Kuykendahl Rd. • Spring, TX 77379 • (281) 288-0500 www.myfamilyvet.com

sasha Serving Houston by providing low-cost care and keeping people and pets together.

EMANCIPET.ORG 910 SOUTH WAYSIDE DRIVE STE 100 | 713-321-2713 | 2ND LOCATION COMING SOON! Houston PetTalk Magazine

39

SCENES FROM THE SHO

Junior Division

Showing off in the breed judging ring

Annual CAP Doghouse Competition

Dancing with dogs: Canine Freestyle

Flyin High

Grooming for the show ring

DOW

kirb y

Bree Judg d ing

Crat in Groo g and ming

A

HALL

ASTR

E

RAN

ODO

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HALL

ENT

Stud Art S ent how

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RAN

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HALL

ENT

C

RAN

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Meet t Bree he ds

ME MA ENTR IN ANC

E

WEIG H McSc PULL T BARN otty MY D OG Mark HUNT CAN et OBED DO I THAT AND ENCE ! GROO RALL MING Y CONT EST PERF ORM A RING NCE

DESI DOG GNER HOUS ES HALL B ENT RAN CE HAL ENT L A RAN CE

FREE

$10

$15

Adults

FREE

$5

$10

Seniors 55+

FREE

$5

$10

Active/Retired military and family with ID

FREE

Children 12 and younger with adult

•

FREE

H

METR ORA STOP IL

-

FANN I HOLL N AT Y HA LL

GENERAL SHOW HOURS

Tickets available at the door. No reserved seating.

WED THU FRI-SUN

FREE

METRORAIL

NORT

FLYB ALL CRAT AND ING

GENERAL INFORMATION FOR SPECTATOR EVENTS Visit www.houstondogshows.com or call 281-536-0528 for more information.

N

MAP OF NRG CENTER

RESC U RING E

PuRI N

ENT

NTOW

Drive to the Fannin South Park & Ride lot at 1604 West Bellfort (located on Fannin just outside the 610 Loop South) and pay only $3 to park. See www.ridemetro.org for bus and rail fares.

PARKING •

$15 per day (cash only)

•

Public Parking: From Fannin Street, enter through Holly Hall and park in the Orange Lot. From Kirby, enter through McNee and proceed to park in the Orange Lot.

•

Exhibitor and Vendor Parking: Use the McNee entrance from Kirby and proceed to either the Red or the Tan Lot.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2018 Free Admission and Parking Today Only.

Perfect Time to Shop the McScotty Market!

8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Continuous Sponsored by the Bluebonnet Boxer Club, Inc., Houston All-Terrier Club, Houston Area Hound Assoc., Houston Combined Specialty Assoc. and Houston Working Dog Club.

NOTE: Limited schedule today. See pg. X. THURSDAY, JULY 18, 2018 Houston Kennel Club All-Breed Show 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Continuous **3 to 7 p.m. – Group and Best in Show Judging FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2018 Houston Kennel Club All-Breed Show 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Continuous **3 to 7 p.m. – Group and Best in Show Judging

SATURDAY, JULY 20, 2018 Beaumont Kennel Club All-Breed Show 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Continuous **3 to 7 p.m. – Group and Best in Show Judging SUNDAY, JULY 21, 2018 Galveston County Kennel Club All-Breed Show 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Continuous **3 to 7 p.m. – Group and Best in Show Judging

SHOW RING EVENTS • Creative Dog Grooming Contest Sunday, 12-4 p.m.

• Frisbee® and Canine Musical Freestyle on Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

** Times are approximate because of fluctuating entries.

2030 West Alabama St, Houston, TX 77098 We are a small-animal practice focused on preventative medicine.

• Wellness Care • In-House Diagnostics www.westalabamaanimalclinic.com • Dental Care • Surgery • Hospitalization • Separate Cat/Dog entrances

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

41

ADOPT

Never watch TV alone again!

14700 Almeda Rd. Houston, 77053 713-433-6421

HoustonHumane.org

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y l l a c i t e g o l o p Una merican A DIVA DOG

P

ut some sparkle in your pet’s step this summer with a glam collar from Houston’s iconic party and pet supply store, Arnes Warehouse, located at I-10 and Studemont, 2830 Hicks St.

HOUSTON MADE

S

hop local for a one-of-a-kind accessory for your pet with our friends over at furreverdoggies.com. They welcome custom orders for that special occasion. See our calendar for their pop up shop event in July.

PATRIOTIC FLOWER POWER

C

elebrate the joy of flowers in your own “dog house” by adding a custom July 4th red, white, and blue Luxe box from JoyBox Flowers, joyboxflowers.com. This arrangement is available by custom order…and they are local!

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LET THE SPARKS AND BARKS FLY!

C

elebrate our Freedom this July with a fun bandana for your furry friend to wear as you head out about town. Find this firecracker fun neck accessory and many others at wetnosecompany.com.

A SALUTE TO GOOD SLEEP

W

hy not let your furry family member be patriotic while having a good snooze? These quality pet beds are totally customizable with different fabric choices. Find yours at adorepetbeds.com.

FLAG IT

S

how your pride for America with a yummy patriotic treat from Patti’s Pet Depot located at Dairy Ashford and Memorial Drive. Yes, that’s the way the cookie crumbles - for doggies who are good boys and girls!

ROLL WITH THE GOOD TIMES

G

et out with your pup and enjoy the beautiful America we call home with this drop-bar mountain bike. The Salsa Racing-inspired geometry makes for a quick bike! It can be ridden on all types of terrain in Houston and beyond. Road, mountain, and urban bikes, as well as service and accessories are all available at Urban Bicycle Gallery in Houston, urbanbicyclegallery.com.

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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Health

HEAT STROKE

By: Dr.Laura Noaker, VERGI Emergency and Critical Care Hospital, vergi247.com

RECOGNIZING THE DANGERS

D

uring the dog days of summer, we should be aware that it’s an especially dangerous time for dogs since they don’t sweat in the way humans do and they can quickly become overheated. Overheating can lead to heat stroke and severe medical complications. As a pet owner, it is important to be aware and recognize these signs.

FREQUENT BREAKS LYING DOWN During outdoor summer activities, you may notice your dog trying to take a break and lie down. This is a clear sign that he is feeling the effects of the heat and probably needs to cool down.

Allow your pet time to recover and some water before going indoors. If your dog collapses from the heat, wet his coat with

vital organs, where it can cause damage.

If this happens to your dog, rush him to a veterinarian or animal hospital.

HOW YOU CAN TREAT OR PREVENT HEAT STROKE IN DOGS? If you notice any of the above symptoms, there are a few things you can do at home to cool down your dog's

HEAVY PANTING A dog’s primary way to cool down is through panting, but did you know there are different degrees of how strenuously a dog pants? When exposed to warmer temperatures, dogs usually start with a slightly opened mouth and light panting. As they get warmer it will progress to a fully open-mouthed pant accompanied with a swollen tongue that hangs out to the side.

If you notice your dog is panting heavily, get him to a cool and shady spot immediately, preferably somewhere with a fan or air conditioning. Also, offer your dog fresh water.

EXCESSIVE DROOLING Creating excess saliva helps your dog dissipate heat better than just panting alone. If your dog is drooling excessively while in hot temperatures, it can be a sign that they are having a hard time cooling off.

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water and rush him to a veterinarian or animal emergency hospital.

FAST OR IRREGULAR HEART BEAT A racing or irregular heart beat is a sign your dog could be overheating. The increased heart rate is the body’s attempt to pump as much overheated blood as possible to the extremities and away from

body temperature while you contact your veterinarian. First, wet your dog with cool water (do not use iced water or ice) in order to bring the body temperature down.

Remember, prevention is best. Your dog should always have access to fresh water and shade when they are out playing, and most importantly, never leave your dog in a parked car.

Esquivel & Fees 14K yellow gold American Bison Brooch commissioned for Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright

www.efsterling.com

713•521•1544 Photo courtesy Emily Paine, Bucknell University

©

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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Health

ON THE GO

By: Dr. Julia Spade, DVM Last Wishes | www.lastwishes.com

MOBILITY ASSISTIVE DEVICES FOR DOGS

A

s our pets age we can commonly see them decline in their ability to get around the house. This can affect all sizes of dogs, but we have the most trouble with helping our larger dogs get around due to their size and weight. Symptoms of mobility decline can include: difficulty getting up from lying or sitting positions, paws slipping on the floor, falling, or difficulty going up stairs and/ or jumping. Listed below are some of the recommendations we make daily at Senior PawsLast Wishes to aid pets with mobility decline. ❖ If your house has tile or wood floors (as most houses do), adding extra rugs throughout the house can help to increase traction for our pets. This can include runners, bath mats, full sized rugs or even yoga mats (which are also easy to clean if accidents happen). Some newer brands of rugs even have an outer lining that is completely removable and machine washable, making it easy to clean up any mess left behind. And don’t forget about the stairs! An easy solution for extra traction on the stairs is to buy rug squares that have adhesive on the back. These are easily placed on each stair and can

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❖

later be removed if needed.

Another way to help with traction is to apply material directly to the paw pads. Baby socks with grippers on the bottom can be used if they will stay on your pet’s feet. There are also many different styles and types of socks branded just for dogs. Dog shoes are available, but some of these are bulky and many dogs do not like them. Paw pad stickers and anti-slip grips are applied directly to the paw pads to help with traction. Since these are stickers they do not last as long as the socks and typically will fall off after 3-5 days. However they can work well and are mostly well-tolerated. Toe

Grips are placed directly on the nail and allow extra grip between the toe and the floor. ❖ Assistive devices such as harnesses can be life-changing for some larger dogs. Owners use these harnesses to transfer some of the weight for pets when getting up, going down stairs, walking, getting in the car, and using

the restroom. There are many different brands of harnesses, but we prefer a whole-body harness to allow support of the front and the back ends. There are many sling devices that are used around the abdomen for helping a dog get up from a seated position. While short-term usage works well, these slings can put excessive pressure on the abdomen over time and can become uncomfortable for the back and/or belly. While there are many brands on the market, our favorite is the Help’EmUp Harness™ and can be purchased through the company’s website or through a distributor. ❖ Wheelchairs are another option to help with some age-related mobility issues.

These are not a solution for all medical reasons for mobility decline. We recommend discussing with your veterinarian whether purchasing a wheelchair is the right option for your pet.

While this list is not exhaustive, it can be a starting point for you and your family when you notice mobility decline in your pet. If you need any further assistance in deciding what will be best, contact your veterinarian or our staff at Senior PawsLast Wishes for a consultation.

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LIFE IS BETTER

WITH DOGS

THE BENEFITS OF PET OWNERSHIP with Julia Ambler, Owner of Camp Bow Wow Houston Greater Heights

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s I sit down to write a short piece for Pet Talk, I look to my left and see my thirteen-week old German Wirehaired Pointer Aubrey bounding around the living room with my two year old Catahoula, Cassius. My eight year old Golden Retriever Watson runs in circles around the two, acting as referee and stepping in when Cassius gets a little bit too rough. I can’t help but laugh at how cute their play is, but I also am amazed by the gentleness shown to the puppy during the play.

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Both Cassius and Watson understand that Aubrey can’t keep up the same way, I also think about how well Aubrey is doing with learning basic commands. She looks intently in my eyes during training, and when she doesn’t get it, she looks to her brothers to imitate their movements. I wonder how I got so lucky to have these really wonderful dogs. And then I remember, I have had a lot of wonderful dogs, each one with a different personality, and each one has a part of my heart forever.

That’s when it hits me, life is just better with dogs.

These special creatures bring so much to our lives. Dogs improve health, both mentally and physically. Personally, I’ve felt my mood improve by being around my own dogs, our Campers at Camp Bow Wow and even just random dogs I’ve met out in public. Dogs pick up on emotions

in a way people just don’t. They also encourage owners to get out of the house to go on walks and meet their neighbors.

Many studies show that owning a pet has a positive impact on cardiovascular disease, hypertension, allergies, blood pressure and psychological issues. Dogs also help teach routine, responsibility and confidence to their owners, especially to the kids in the families. They give us an excuse to play and laugh at the silly, little things in life. They keep us social too.

Dogs are great conversation starters, and keep people from being lonely.

We are so lucky to have dogs in our lives. Honor them. Take care of them and they’ll take care of you in return.

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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HOUSTON UNIQUE APARTMENT

HOMES

FRIENDLY TO ALL BREEDS & SIZES

T

here is no doubt pets have become part of the family for many pet owners, as evidenced by the fact they share our living space with us, travel with us, sleep in our beds, and participate in family portraits. Plus, for many dog owners, our canine friends join us in our daily exercise routine.

However, imagine if your best furry friend was a large breed, or a breed that often sees restrictions, and you were severely limited on the selection of communities to call home. Unfortunately, many dog owners face the hurdle of finding a quality property because their dog is restricted for size or breed.

Enter Roscoe Property Management, a national corporation with over 25 apartment home communities in the Greater Houston area. In addition to rolling out the welcome mat for all breeds and sizes, the property management company builds a community by hosting Yappy Hours and Pet of the Month awards on a monthly basis and featuring pet amenities to enjoy. Many amenities include state-of-the-art dog parks, dog washing stations, private fenced yards for play, and fresh treats at the clubhouse!

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OFFERING NOT JUST A “PET FRIENDLY” BUT RATHER A “PET WELCOMING” ENVIRONMENT IS ONLY PART OF THE PICTURE OF HOW ROSCOE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT APPROACHES PETS IN THE COMMUNITY. Roscoe Property Management realizes home is where your pet is and as such, they offer an environment that is not just “pet friendly” but rather “pet welcoming.” Plus, RPM participates in the local pet community by attending pet events such as Strut Your Mutt, donating to shelters, hosting pet adoption days with local shelters and some properties even waive the pet deposit fee if the owner can show their pet was adopted.

No size or breed restrictions is well received by those who live at Roscoe Property Management communities.

According to resident, Brittany H. who shared her views in a Google review, stated “I absolutely love this company simply for making my apartment search much easier due to their ‘No Breed Restriction’ pet policy. THANK YOU so much for being accepting of all breeds!”

If you are looking for a place to call home that makes both you and your pet feel welcome and pampered, visit rpmliving. com. To become a resident, RPM simply requires a brief pet interview where the team members will give your pup a treat and take a few minutes to meet them. Visit them online to view the MANY communities and see for yourself how Roscoe Property Management offers a new approach to pets in your community.

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by Roscoe Property Management, visit them online at rpmliving.com.

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PET

CREMATION

WHAT ARE YOUR CHOICES? By: Scott Mason, liveoakpetservices.com

A

s pets have become a more important part of our family, pet cremtion has also seen a significant rise in the number of families opting for this service. If you find yourself in need of aftercare, the best option is to be informed in advance rather than having to make decisions when mourning the loss of your beloved pet.

At Live Oak Pet Services, we service veterinary clinics as well as individual pet owners. For pets that pass at home, Live Oak is available to come to your home. In many instances, pet owners go to their trusted veterinary clinic when the time comes to say goodbye to their beloved companion.

The vet clinic will assist the owner in decisions regarding cremation. Once those decisions are made, the pet is picked up by the cremation provider.

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It is important to understand that each pet owner has the option to choose their cremation company.

Preferably, do your research in advance and have your aftercare plan ready in order to avoid that extra burden in your time of mourning. You can also ask your vet clinic for their recommendation.

When deciding on cremation, you will be faced with several choices including what type of cremation is best for your situation. There are different types of pet cremation. At Live Oak Pet Services, we provide 3 types.

The main one is a Private cremation.

The pet is cremated by themselves in the cremation chamber and only that pet’s remains are returned to the owner. Once cremation is complete, what remains is the bone structure of the animal. The bone is then pulverized so it can be easily placed into an urn. At LIve Oak Pet Servies, we offer complimentary urn options as well as a wide selection of special order urns and other keepsake items.

The second type of cremation we offer is a Memorial cremation. This cremation type will have a few animals, usually 2-3, cremated together in the chamber.

We then take those remains and bury them under our memorial tree on our property.

The pet owners can come out and pay their respects to the site. Some even choose to add burial markers under the memorial tree.

The remains are not returned to the owner.

The last type of cremation we perform

is a general cremation.

This type is often called Communal cremation. This service is only provided to our veterinary clinics as a way for them to take care of the pets that need to be euthanized, but where the owners do not wish to have the remains returned.

Other crematories may offer a different type of cremation called a Partitioned or Segregated cremation, however Live Oak does not offer this service.

In this type, the animals are separated in the chamber and remains are possibly comingled with other animals although the remains are still returned to the owner. This service is not the same as a Private cremation.

Live Oak Pet Services has been specializing in pet cremation for nearly 14 years. If you have questions about cremation or need assistance in creating your aftercare plan, please give us a call at 936.873.2564 or visit us online at liveoakpetservices.com.

Illustrations by Jim Tweedy

Tail End

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AMERICAN PRIDE, AROUND TOWN, & TONGUE OUT TUESDAY

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

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1. @stewie._.boo Happy Memorial Day 2. @ fluff_bros To all those fallen heroes, we salute you!! #memorialday#landofthefree #fallenheroes #usa#sheepie #dogswithglasses#oes#oldeng 3. @ jackson_the_dalmatian Land of the free! Home of the brave! #HappyMemorialDay #America #USA 4. @arwen_the_saint Today dad took me to @barbarossacoffee that hooman told him about. Thank you for the bowl of water @aubrey.m.fife and my pupachino. Dad wouldn’t let me have the iced #chailatte #webrewlove #barbaros 5. @houston_airedoodles We had a barking good time with @ heb and @zilkerbark today at Discovery Green!! It was hot but we had fun!

6. @mags2the_rescue Do work that matters. Vale la pena. —Gloria E. Anzaldúa OPA Fiesta and Fajita CookOff @operationpetsalive @bfhmdh #folklorico #balletfo lklorico#dogsanddancers #community#rescuedlife 7. @libbygraceandmaggiemae Happy Hot TOT Y'all!! #tongueouttuesday #TOT #tot#poodlesofficial #poodlemix #poodle#poodlelife #poodle_feature#poodletoday #poodlesofpetsagram 8. @miapomeranian Never let anyone dull your sparkle #tongueouttuesday 9. @uptown_diego the most epic #tongueouttuesday

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

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HEALING LAVENDER

For you and your pet

L

avender is a shrub native to North Africa and the Mediterranean region. It’s been used for thousands of years for its health and healing properties. Today you can find lavender used everywhere – perfumes, soaps, room fresheners, even teas and baked goods.

The health benefits of using lavender are pretty amazing: ❖ Numerous antibacterial properties ❖ Promotes wound healing, including burns and sunburn ❖ Promotes brain function by reducing anxiety bringing a sense of calm ❖ Reduces pain from headaches and migraines ❖ Has antispasmodic properties that soothe nausea from motion sickness ❖ Repels bugs!

CHOOSING LAVENDER ESSENTIAL OIL When choosing lavender for healing benefits, first make sure you are choosing a pure essential oil and not a fragrance oil. Fragrance oils are synthetic clones and have none of the therapeutic benefits that an essential oil has. You will see them listed as “FO’s” in DIY recipes for soap, bath bombs, and candle making. For a truly therapeutic effect, choose the real thing!

The biggest factor

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to consider when choosing your lavender essential oil is the quality. Price does not always equal quality, but expect to pay a decent sum for quality oils. Better companies will use organic sourced lavender flowers and use a gentle, low heat method of steam extraction of the volatile oils in order to provide a therapeutic amount of lavender. The oil will be 100% from the flower itself, no fillers or synthetic scents, with the goal of purity and efficacy. The price point will depend on the dilution ratio as it takes an incredible amount of flowers to create the final product.

Less expensive oils are often a poor quality of lavender, or a chemical synthetic to imitate the scent. When you buy cheap oils you can expect it to go rancid much faster than a more pure version, plus it will not have the healing benefits a therapeutic grade essential oil will have.

HOW TO USE LAVENDER EO WITH YOUR ANIMALS ❖

❖

Apply 1 drop on bug bites to reduce swelling/itch Add 1-2 drops to a tablespoon of almond or coconut oil and lightly cover surgical wounds after spay/neutering to aid healing ❖ Add 2 drops

By: Cassie Schuster, Wellness Ranch Equine Center

❖

to a tablespoon of almond or coconut oil and massage onto arthritic muscles to relieve pain and soreness Add to bath water to help calm and relax anxiety over bathing

DON’T FORGET THE HUMANS! ❖

❖

Pillow “dreamtime” spray – fill a 4 ounce bottle (with a spray pump top) with 3 ounces of pure filtered water; add 20 drops of lavender EO and shake; shake lightly before applying a light mist to your pillow (or your pet’s bed!) and have a relaxing night’s rest.

Drawer sachet – fill a small drawstring muslin bag with lavender flowers and close it tightly; place in lingerie or sock drawers for a pleasant scent and to deter bugs; refresh every 6 to 9 months with new lavender flowers. Compost the old flowers. ❖ Bug deterrent – fill an 8-ounce spray pump bottle with 6 ounces of pure filtered water; add 10 drops lavender oil, 10 drops lemongrass oil, 10 drops peppermint and 10 drops geranium; shake lightly before misting skin and clothing to deter flies and mosquitoes. Avoid eyes and sensitive areas of your face.

Lavender is not only a beautiful flower, it’s rich in healing properties and the perfect summer choice for you and your pets.

This photo was taken at Stingray City, a shallow sandbar in Grand Cayman where stingrays gather and are acclimated to humans.

WHY I LOVE ANIMALS

By: Michelle Mantor

Why I Love Animals is a monthly feature written by our Editor with the mission of educating the public on the value of all species.

“C

lose your eyes and I'll kiss you, Tomorrow I'll miss you.� Those words from Paul McCartney of The Beatles may sound ridiculous when talking about kissing a stingray but that lyric perfectly captured how I felt the moment this photo was taken. I was both excited and apprehensive about the kiss, and once over, I continued thinking about those beautiful rays for days!

I love all animals but the admiration goes up a notch when you can actually interact safely with a species that you would not normally have a chance to encounter. This magic moment occurred at Stingray City, Grand Cayman.

Stingray City is a natural sandbar about 30 miles from shore where you can get into the waist deep water and the rays will swim all about and interact with humans.

Most of us are familiar with stingrays but did you know there are about 220 known stingray species organized into 10 families? These beautiful creatures belong to a group of sea rays which are cartilaginous fish related to sharks.

While doing my research for this article, I was amazed at the different types of rays. I knew there were rays of different sizes, from small (short-nose electric ray) to very large (manta rays), but I had no idea the variation in color patterns, habitat (ocean vs. river) and even their reproductive behavior.

Although there are many types of stingrays, their anatomy is fairly consistent. The mouth of the stingray is located on the ventral side of the vertebrate which is underneath the animal. Rays can breathe through their spiracles, which are openings just behind their eyes. Interestingly, the respiratory system of stingrays is complicated by having two separate ways to take in water for oxygen use. Most of the time stingrays take in water using their mouth and then send the water through the gills for gas exchange.

But when hunting

prey, the stingrays bury themselves in the ocean sediment and wait for prey to swim by and then they switch to using the spiracles.

With the spiracles, they can draw water free from sediment directly into their gills. It always amazes me to learn about the intelligent design of every creature!

Another interesting feature about the anatomy of rays is that because their eyes are on top of their bodies and their mouths on the undersides, stingrays cannot see their prey after capture; instead, they use smell and electroreceptors similar to sharks.

As a matter of fact, stingrays favor the feeding

grounds of coral reefs, which they share with sharks during high tide.

The courtship and reproductive activities of stingrays is known to be quite long–up to 7 months before the female ovulates during which time the interaction can be aggressive. From what I can gather, the females must be more than ready for the courtship to be over because the male has been pestering them for so long LOL! You may wonder what the "prize" is after the female endures this courtship? She bears her young in "litters" of five to 13, during which time she holds the embryos in the womb where they absorb nutrients from a yolk sac, and after the sac is depleted, the mother provides uterine milk. After birth, the mothers typically protect their young until they physi-

cally mature, which can take about 3 years. This reproduction information is somewhat standard stuff but there is something I found during my research that I thought was noteworthy. At the Sea Life London Aquarium, two female stingrays delivered seven babies, although the mothers had not been near a male for two years. These births suggest some species of rays can store sperm then give birth when they deem that conditions are acceptable.

Stingrays employ a wide range of feeding strategies. Some have specialized jaws that allow them to crush hard mollusk shells, whereas others use external mouth structures called cephalic lobes to guide plankton into their mouth. Most have jaw teeth that crush mollusks such as clams, oysters, and mussels. On a different trip, I had the opportunity to feed baby cownose rays and their mouths skimmed over your hand, sucking up the food. Don't try it if you're ticklish!

Behaviorally, stingrays are not usually aggressive and attack humans only when provoked, as when a ray is accidentally stepped on. Contact with the stinger causes local trauma, pain, swelling, muscle cramps from the venom, and later may result in infection.

The injury is very painful, but seldom life-threatening

unless the stinger pierces a vital area, as in the notorious case of Steve Irwin, who was pierced in the thoracic wall. His death was only the second recorded in Australian waters since 1945.

Lastly, you may be wondering how stingrays are doing ecologically given that I often write about endangered or threatened species in hopes of spurring action to help reverse the threat.

Stingrays are progressively becoming threatened particularly as the consequence of unregulated fishing. As of 2013, 45 species have been listed as vulnerable or endangered by the IUCN. To name one, manta ray populations are threatened by intensive fishing by foreign commercial and artisanal fisheries across several Indo-Pacific and eastern Pacific countries. Regulations and conservation measures have failed to protect these gentle giants. Several manta ray populations have declined by up to 95 percent. Being kissed by this prehistoric, fascinating creature was so cool. If you are ever in Grand Cayman, Stingray City is well worth the trip...it might be the most unique (and possibly the best) kiss of your life!

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

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CONSERVATION CORNER

By: Jackie Wallace, Houston Zoo

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 organizations. This issue, we are highlighting the zoo's efforts to save elephants. Look for other upcoming conservation stories so that you too can help save a species.

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A

sian elephant calf Joy recently completed successful treatment for elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) this spring. Treatment began when Joy’s caregivers found

PHOTOS: STEPHANIE ADAMS, HOUSTON ZOO

LIFE-SAVING PROTOCOLS SAVE ELEPHANT CALF FROM DEADLY VIRUS

that her bloodwork showed the active virus. EEHV can cause severe disease in elephants primarily between one and eight years of age.

In its most severe form, the virus can cause a rapidly progressive hemorrhagic or bleeding disease that can be fatal usually within 1-5 days of signs of illness.

Now that the nearly-twoyear-old’s health is on the rise and her treatment is completed, Joy and her mother Shanti have rejoined the elephant herd. Guests can see her daily at the McNair Elephant Habitat at the Houston Zoo. However, there are multiple strains of EEHV. Joy’s current illness was caused

by EEHV1a, but she is still susceptible to other strains.

Even after Joy makes a full

recovery, she will be monitored routinely for signs of other EEHV strains.

At the height of her illness, Joy showed significant clinical signs and received round-the-clock care from the keepers and the zoo’s veterinary medical team. Her intensive treatment protocol included antiviral medications, blood and plasma transfusions, and other supportive therapies. The Houston Zoo also received tremendous support from colleagues at Baylor College of Medicine, with whom the zoo has a long-term relationship, as well as the local and elephant community at-large.

EEHV is a herpesvirus that is naturally carried by both Asian and African elephants. Herpesviruses

are common in all mammal species, including humans. Herpesviruses are species-specific, and EEHV is not transmissible to humans or other animals. Like other herpesviruses, EEHV can become latent (hidden) in the host and may be shed periodically, which is normal. When calves are exposed to a strain of EEHV for the first time, before their immune system is fully developed to handle the virus, they can become sick; whereas adult elephants who have seen the virus before usually do not. All elephants in the Houston Zoo’s herd are screened routinely for EEHV, including Joy. Currently, no other elephants have

shown signs of illness, but staff at the zoo will continue to be persistent and vigilant in EEHV monitoring efforts.

EEHV is the most devastating viral disease in elephants worldwide. It occurs in elephants in the wild as well as those in human care such as in sanctuaries and zoos. The Houston Zoo is an integral part of finding treatments and developing management strategies for the virus. The zoo’s veterinarians and elephant care team established a research collaboration in 2009 with herpes virologist Dr. Paul Ling at Baylor College of Medicine’s Department of Virology and Microbiology, which recorded significant

advancements in the study of EEHV, and toward a vaccine.

The Houston Zoo’s EEHV testing methods, treatment protocols, and experience serve as a global elephant care resource and have contributed to saving elephant calves around the world. In March, the Houston Zoo hosted nearly 100 researchers, veterinarians, virologists, scientists, elephant care specialists, and conservationists at the bi-annual North American EEHV Workshop. By sharing information globally, the elephant conservation and care community are finding ways to reduce the devastating impact of EEHV.

Houston PetTalk Magazine

65

RESCUE REVEALED

HARRIS COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER

H

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arris County Animal Shelter is one of the largest municipal shelters in the Houston area. On average, the shelter receives from the community between 40-60 animals per day and between 18,000 and 19,000 per year. They are committed to finding a positive outcome for every animal by utilizing adoption, foster, rescue and transport to out-of-state adoption placement partners. Dogs and cats adopted from Harris County Animal Shelter are spayed or neutered, receive age-appropriate vaccines, a microchip and a one-year pet license. To adopt, foster or volunteer or to learn visit CountyPets.com.

MEET THOR Say hello to Thor, a 1-year-old exuberant pup who loves going on walks while taking in the scene that surrounds him.

In his foster home, he has been working on obedience training and has also learned a few tricks too—like signaling to go potty. Thor is a loyal and loving pup looking to provide companionship to one lucky adopter!

THOR

MEET STELLA Stella is a young Tortie with a silky, smooth gray coat and brilliant green eyes. She is a super affectionate kitty who adores human companionship.

Stella’s purrs and nuzzles will bring happiness and joy to any home. Remember, kitties are easy to care for and easy to love!

To meet Thor or Stella, please email foster@ps.hctx.net or call 281.999.3191.

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.

www.houstonpettalk.com

STELLA