November 2019 by houstonpettalk10

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November 2019

THANKS FOR GIVING

Adopt - Foster - Volunteer - Donate

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Senior Paws aims to fill the growing need for improved client engagement and exceptional care. We exist to improve the health and quality of life for older pets while putting family values and preferences at the heart of important decisions. Pets and families enrolled in our compassionate program receive the support they’ve been looking for and experience greatly improved outcomes. Our expertise in case management allows us to work with other trusted medical professionals to provide the best total care for older companions.

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Editorial November 2019

eing thankful should be a year-round state of mind but November places a special emphasis on thankfulness from our long standing tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving during this month. I am thankful for many blessings in my life and one of those is my fabulous job! I get to meet and play with fun animals (and people too), which lights up my spirit just to touch, observe, and write about them with the intent of promoting stewardship of all animals on our planet. In recent months, I’ve had amazing encounters with elephants, goats, tortoises, a llama, a gibbon and a sloth - and of course more dogs and cats than I can count. PetTalk is NEVER boring; weird yes, boring no. I’ve also met animals that have been completely spoiled by their parents (maybe even too much), wildlife that is being cared for by loving, knowledgeable staff as well as some animals that have been tortured by cruel humans in unimaginable ways, like our cover girl Bubbles who was shot in the head and beaten with a hammer. One would think that after such

an ordeal, Bubbles would be shy, untrusting or even aggressive out of fear. But no, that's not her reaction. Rather, as her mom Kilyn puts it, "Despite her pain and trauma, she is still so loving and wants nothing more than to be held and shown love." That statement is EXACTLY what I LOVE about animals! They are forgiving, affectionate, trusting, intelligent, resilient, loyal, patient, funny,…if only humans could come close to the character of animals our world would be a better place to live. In this issue, we highlight being Thankful and Giving by featuring a few hard working souls who give so generously to the animals. We couldn’t possibly thank the many people who support animal welfare in our city but we give you just a little sample of the types of things people do, quietly, in our pet community. We hope they will inspire you to thank those around you that take the time to Give or that you are inspired to join in! Traditionally, we feature our Annual Holiday Shopping Guide in our November issue and this year we are showcasing some fun products for you to Give to the

Face Of A Survivor With a focus on Thanks & Giving, we are honored to have Bubbles, a survivor of severe cruelty, as our cover model! She is beautiful on the inside and out and shows us all how forgiveness and trust can make life so much sweeter! She also told me she is very thankful for the family that saved her. Read her story and those of others that adopt, foster, volunteer and donate in this month's feature story. Photo by Jill Garrett Photography, a member of HeARTs Speak organization.

pet lover or the pet in your life as the shopping season gets revved up. We hope you will shop with our advertisers to purchase gifts or certificates for services… they make PetTalk possible! Plus, be sure to VOTE on November 5th for Houston's next Mayor. Our animal control services are directly affected by the Mayor's actions so if you care about the thousands of homeless, neglected pets on our streets and in our shelters, please vote. We have to do better as a city and that starts with innovative, caring, strong leadership. You can visit our October issue on our website for the mayoral candidate's positions on the issues. I love November and December because of the festive holiday atmosphere, which to me is a time to reconnect with friends and family. Our lives can be hectic and hurried so be sure to take the time to Give yourself a break and enjoy the things that mean the most to you in life.

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.

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WHERE

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Pagburn, Arkansas Debbie Oliver's sweet pups are enjoying a relaxing vacay on the Little Red River in Arkansas while reading PetTalk and giving a shoutout to all Collies!

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t's not even the Presidential election year YET, and we are already being pummeled in the news with a seemingly never-ending, brutal attack on all candidates, from all sides. Very exhausting and totally uncool. However, one word I do like that keeps coming up is FREE - free healthcare, free college... but what about free hotdogs? And if all this stuff is free, whose gonna pay for it? I don't want to end up like Greece. Don’t get me wrong, I love Gyros, Moussaka and Ouzo but then again, I love all food and beverages. It’s just that giving more stuff than you have to give usually ends up not so good. Math is not my thing but I do know that if mom promises me two free hot dogs that she doesn’t have and then borrows them from my cousin Harold’s mom who has to borrow them from their new neighbors, the Pitt family (yes, as in Bull, which means you better give back whatever you take), at some point someone ain’t gonna have any hot dogs and they are going to be "apawalled". Just sayin’ from experience. Given my unabashed patriotism and deep desire for unity and civilized treatment of one another, I made it known last week at the Salty Dog that I would welcome the opportunity to be President. After the unhinged pandemonium of laughter subsided, Edwina Houndsman, the most intellectual of our group, decided to interview me. Edwina: Henrietta, you seem to be a lady of conviction. What is your pawlitical position on immigration? Henrietta: This is a delicate issue but my basic feeling is that our shelters are FULL. However, the problem is easily solved. Human beings have invented Ziploc bags, found a way to travel to

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ON NATIONAL PAWLITICS

the moon, convince 3000 people to be stuffed on a ship sailing to Mexico for bad food and drinks while paying thousands of dollars for the privilege and developed meat that doesn’t need to be refrigerated so you would think they could take the simple step of spaying and neutering their pet to reduce the population; then there will be enough room, love and resources for all of my compadres! Having said that, I

must also say that I love globalization and I’ve learned much from my worldly friends…The best kiss I ever had was from a French Poodle named Jaques; I learned to listen to my inner self from a Tibetan Terrier (and my inner self told me it would like more chicken) and my love for sushi would never have been realized without my Japanese Chin friend, Yakimoto. Edwina: What is your biggest pet

peeve? Henrietta: First of all, the phrase “pet peeve” seems a bit harsh doesn’t it? But I guess I would have to say the archaic ordinance that dogs are not allowed in restaurants. Do they think we smell or something? Edwina: What is the first thing you would do as President? Henrietta: I would call Felicity Fancy Pants and gloat. Next, I would make Pig Skins the national snack, install a “watering hole” in the West Wing and put a 5 MPH speed limit on squirrels. Edwina: What would you outlaw? Henrietta: After serious consideration to outlawing cats, I recognize that would violate the very freedoms of our country that I am valiantly working to uphold; so, I would take this one step further for the benefit of Felines by outlawing the declawing of cats. It’s much more of a sport for us to catch them when it’s a fair fight. Edwina: So basically you are saying you could be the first woman President? You actually think you could handle all those men hounding you in a debate? Henrietta: My life experience has taught me to never put down my gun to hug a grizzly bear. I would use this same rule of life when dealing with ALL pawliticians. It looks like my opponent would be between one person whose goal in life is to have a mental disorder named after him and another who'd likely be stuck in a corn maze during the entire campaign season so I think my odds are good. Edwina: So what is your campaign slogan going to be? Henrietta: Who Do You Want For President, The One Who TAKES A Poop or The One Who PICKS It Up?

Henrietta Illustration by Jim Tweedy, Colorizing by Desiree Lonsway

Henrietta

This holiday season,weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re counting you among our blessings!.

2800 Antoine Drive, Suite 2854, Houston, TX 77092 * houstonpetsalive.org

Unleashed CAP GALA KICKOFF AT TOOTSIES

nown for the premier pet gala in H-Town, Citizen's for Animal Protection kicked off the upcoming November gala "A Royal Affair; It's Reining Cats and Dogs" in stye at Tootsies! The evening featured lite bites, cocktails, and an introduction to the Top Ten Honorees for this year's extravaganza at the Royal Sonesta Hotel, November 16. Join the party to raise funds for the thousands of animals that CAP cares for annually by purchasing a ticket at cap4pets. org. Purchase a raffle to win a Subaru, donated by West Houston Subaru at cap4pets.networkforgood.com. Kappy Muenzer and Kristi Schiller

Photos courtesy of Jacob Power

Jennifer and Chad Pinkerton with Gaby

Rescue dog

Jody Merritt, Edna Meyer-Nelson holding Beau, Thomas Townsend

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Tony Buzbee and Frances Moody

Unleashed HPA! OPEN HOUSE

ouston Pets Alive! hosted an open house October 2 to show off their new facility located at: 2800 Antoine Dr Suite 2854. The animal-supporting guests enjoyed a tour of the new "digs" along with meeting adoptable dogs and cats, refreshments, a look at the thrift store offerings, music, raffles and giveaways. And of course the evening would not be complete without a photos wall to capture the moment! HPA! is looking for fosters, volunteers and of course adopters! Visit them at houstonpetsalive.org to learn more. Photos by ARG Photography Houston.

Judy Einbinder, Roger Hooper, and Tiffany Menard

Charlie Eichberger, Julia Morales, and Sandra York

Bubbles (aka Ava; HPA! alumnÂ and Instagram starÂ @khbubbles), with mom and dad

Kristen Nolen, Sophie Rao, Shane Axcell, Shana Hamid

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Jody Avila (American Ninja Warrior finalist), his two sons, Julia Morales, Pauline Avila

Events 11.02.19

FOR A FULL LIST OF EVENTS, DOWNLOAD THE FREE APP OR VISIT: WWW.PETTALKGOFETCH.COM Charles Padgett with Brando at 2018 CAP Celebrity Paws Gala

Pet Wants hosts Dia de los Muertos in The Heights

Photo by Daniel Ortiz

Montie Beach Park 915 Northwood St, Houston, 77009 12:00pm-8:00pm Join the FREE doggie fun at this lively festival featuring music, dance, art, food, and vendors at Montie Beach Park. All proceeds from the festival go to the Montie Beach Park Improvement Initiative.

11.02.19 Bark in the Park Grand Central Park 715 Camp Strake Road Conroe, 77304 10:00am Enjoy the 3rd annual doggy walk/run that raises money for Operations Pets Alive. Enjoy a day with Houston Disc Dogs, a dog-lure course, a dog costume contest, photo booth, pup kissing booth, inflatables, food trucks and FREE pet adoptions.

11.02-03.19 K9 Health Center Grand Opening Urban Tails 1618 Webster Street Houston, 77003 12:00pm-4:00pm Come meet the team, walk and see the facility all while enjoying some light refreshments. The K9 Health Center will be offering demonstrations throughout the day on the Hydro Pool, Hydro Spa and Physio Water Treatment.

11.09.19 Texas Great Pyrenees Rescue Houston Gala 2019 East End Event Center 7400 Dahlia Houston, 77012 5:00pm-10:00pm Enjoy an evening of dinner and dancing to support Texas Great Pyrenees Rescue!

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Guests receive a catered dinner, full bar, DJ, dancing and the opportunity to help raise money via a silent auction. Tickets are $30.

11.09.19 The Fast & The Furriest Pet Fest

dinner, dancing, entertainment and a star-studded guest list. Purchase tickets at cap4pets.org.

Upcoming Events: 12.07.19

Tomball High School 30330 Quinn Road Tomball, 77375 8:00am-12:00pm Don't' miss the 3rd annual fundraiser benefiting Texas Animal Society in memory of Juliane Conner Lovelady. The event will feature a 1 mile dog walk, pet costume contest, games, food, basket raffle, mobile vet clinic, vendors, prizes, food and a whole lot of family and dog fun!

West Alabama Photos with Santa

11.16.19

12.14.19

A Royal Affair 33rd Annual Celebrity Paws Gala

Houston SPCA 12 Bars of Charity

Royal Sonesta 2222 W Loop South 77027 Co-Chairs Tony Buzbee and Frances Moody invite you to join them at the event of the season for animal lovers: the 33rd Annual Citizen's for Animal Protection (CAP) gala featuring the Top 10 Honorees, live and silent auctions,

2030 W. Alabama, Houston, 77098 8:00am-12:00pm See AD on page 6.

12.07.19 Greater Houston German Shepherd Rescue Annual Bark N Brew Karbach Brewing Company. See AD on page 27.

See page 26 for details.

12.15.19 Christmas with Camp Bow Wow Houston Greater Heights Visit them on facebook for details, @ cbwhoustongreaterheights.

Houston PetTalk Magazine

The Dish

COMMUNITY

Ronald McDonald House Presents Big Surprise

NEWS

BARC REUNITES MISSING PUP AND OWNER AFTER 2 YEARS

n August, 2,544 animals were turned in to BARC Animal Shelter & Adoptions. One special pet, a bull terrier named Chester, had been missing for over 2 years. Luckily, Chester had an implanted microchip with information that allowed the BARC staff to contact the owner. Thanks to the updated microchip, Chester was happily reunited with his family.

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“Microchips can reunite you with your pet, but only if the microchips are updated with your latest contact information. We encourage all pet owners to check their pets’ microchips on a yearly basis,” said Jennifer Barrera Wandrey, Outreach Manager at BARC. Microchipping is an imperative part of finding pets that go missing. If your pets are ever lost, make sure they can have

a happy ending like Chester by getting them microchipped. BARC's Wellness Center offers pet microchipping for $15, which includes a life-time registration. Additional wellness services are available during clinic hours on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information please call 311.

Photo by Cody Duty

n September 2018, Paula Gómez Rodriguez was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. After her diagnosis, her doctor told the family there were no other treatment options available in Puerto Rico, prompting the family to relocate to the Ronald McDonald House for treatment at MD Anderson. In December 2018, Paula had surgery that resulted in an above the knee amputation of her left leg and the reconstruction of her pelvis. Recovery has been difficult, physically and emotionally. Throughout the last year, Paula developed a very special relationship with Mogie, the resident Labradoodle at the Ronald McDonald House. This bond prompted Paula’s therapist and social worker to look into the possibility of getting Paula her very own Labradoodle to help her transition as she returns home. Paula’s social worker at RMH contacted Stuff the Sleigh to try and make this dream come true. Executive Director Nicole Normandin of Stuff the Sleigh, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, worked to fulfill Paula's dream. Although finding just the right pup was a challenge, the team, along with the help of Sunny Side Up Charity Club, found just the right match through Manor Lake Australian Labradoodles. The surprise presentation was held at RMH in August, introducing Paula to her new pup named Mateo. To follow the duo on social media, visit mateo_labradoodle on Instagram.

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

NEWS

ongratulations to a local veterinarian for her outstanding work on animal cruelty! The 2019 Diane Lane Memorial Award was presented to Cypress veterinarian Dr. Jennifer Hennessey of Animal ER of Northwest Houston on October 10, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. This award is presented by the National Animal Care & Control Association (NACA) at their annual gala to the â&#x20AC;&#x153;candidate they feel has demonstrated exceptional dedication or performed outstanding work far and beyond the requirements of his/her positionâ&#x20AC;? in volunteer work towards animal welfare. Dr. Hennessey serves as lead vet for the Harris County Animal Cruelty Taskforce caring for victims and assisting officers with cases of animal abuse. Following Hurricane Harvey, the Harris County Animal Cruelty Taskforce was formed with the primary goal of streamlining the process of where and how animal cruelty can be reported in the Greater Houston Area. The taskforce acquired 832-927-PAWS as their phone number in order to further streamline the reporting process, speed up response times and minimize duplication of efforts across the county. The mission is to protect the animals of Houston and Harris County and bring to justice those who abuse, neglect or abandon them through a unified collaboration of agencies.

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Photo by Cody Duty

Local Veterinarian Wins National Award

The Dish CHARITY

Join Team Houston SPCA at the 12 Bars of Charity Event in December

FREE Shuttle Rides Drink Specials ❖ Free Admission 12 Bars of Charity is a great opportunity to get friends, family, or co-workers ❖ ❖

together around the holidays for a super fun event that gives back. Join Team Houston SPCA today by signing up at houstonspca.org.

Photo by Jackie Rodeffer-Scheetz

on’t miss the fun, get ready to join the Houston SPCA for the 12 Bars of Charity December 14, 2pm to 6pm! The event is a friendly competition between 8 local charities. The charities are split up into "teams" and all assigned a "team color". Participants will pick the charity they want to support and receive... ❖ A Charity TEAM Color Sweatshirt (super comfy - trust us!) ❖ $15 donation to the charity of your choice

www.houstonpettalk.com

DEC. 14, 2019

12BARSOFCHARITY.COM

Houston PetTalk Magazine

#ShareWithUs!

FEATURED THIS MONTH:

BEST BUDS, ICE CREAM & SOAKING IN THE SUN

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! 1. @abbythecow_Hi everyone! I never really introduced y’all to my bestie Gatro (his name is a unique version of Gator, to represent the Florida Gators he’s a 5yr old border collie/Australian cattle dog mix. #letmetellyouaboutmybestfriend #pettalkmagazine 2. @goodboybuddyhtx Brother Bolt came to spend the night! But not looking forward to sharing my space with him to be honest 3. @pitty_girls We try to all sleep on one side so mom will have a spot - Libby 4. @danteboy05 ICE , ICE CREAM BABY First i smell, then i lick and lastly i take a big chunk of it How do you eat your ice cream? 5. @jackson_the_dalmatian That face you make when you know something is going to be REALLY yummy. #magicallydelicious 6. @bambamthemaltipoo The summer is heating up Houston cool down with a sweet and savory sno-cone from the infamous #snobeach #friendswood #love #summertime #2019 7. @kenjitheblacklab park hangs on a sunny day #funinthesun #dogs#instadog #instalabs 8. @mags2the_rescue Already feeling those weekend vibes #friyay#happydog #playoutside 9. @wearethenoodles happy October 1st!

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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.

Shop at our online store!

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Tomball Sugar Land VCA TOMBALL VCA SOUTHWEST FREEWAY VETERINARY HOSPITAL ANIMAL HOSPITAL 28800 Tomball Pkwy 15575 SW Freeway Tomball, TX 77375 Sugar Land, TX 77478 281-351-5441 281-491-8387 VCAtomball.com VCAswfreeway.com Shop store.VCAswfreeway.com Shop store.VCAtomball.com

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©2016 VCA Inc. VCA logo is registered trademarks of VCA Inc. or its affiliated entities. Management Services Provided by VCA Animal Hospitals • Animal Healthcare of Texas, P.C. Rocky McKelvey, DVM - owner

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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You and your canine family are invited to join us in

Celebration of the Opening

of our new facility K9 Health Center at Urban Tails

Celebrating 14 years of working with Veterinary Surgeons to support Hydrotherapy Rehabilitation.

November Sat 2nd & Sun 3rd 12-4 p.m.

Come meet the team, walk through the facility and enjoy light refreshments. Demonstrations throughout the day on Hydro Pool, Hydro Spa and Physio Water Treadmill. Discussions and demonstrations on various other Rehabilitation methods Come and learn more about RACE approved Courses to become a Hydro therapist. Post Halloween Costume Competition. Various Exhibitors

K9 Health Centre at Urban tails 1618 Webster Street Houston TX 77003 Tel: 713 658 0900

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

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THANKS FOR GIVING

Adopt - Foster - Volunteer - Donate By: Michelle Mantor and contributing writers; Photos By: Jill Garrett Photography

It’s not what we say about our blessings, but how we use them that is the true measure of our thanksgiving. Each November we are reminded that not only are we approaching the holiday season where we will rejoice in the festivities and time with family and

friends, but we are encouraged to spend time reflecting upon our lives. Reflection is a true measure of wisdom–it gives us a time to look backwards in hopes of affecting our future. Being thankful, counting our blessings, apprising our goals, correcting our path as needed, looking for opportunities to help and give back are part of what makes Thanksgiving so magical. Acts of kindness are all around us and for that, I am thankful. Like our cover girl featured here, Bubbles, whose heart wrenching story of abuse turned into a beautiful story of rescue as she happily lives and wags with her family, the Blanchards. Read her story on the following page. She is a special creature that continues to give love and loyalty to humans, even though the ultimate trust was broken at the hands of a human. Very special dog indeed! In this feature, we focus on Giving Thanks, by Thanking those that Give. First, we offer thanks to some heroes in our community that have given resources, time, money and emotions to saving homeless animals through Adopting, Fostering, Volunteering and Donating. View their stories and join us in saluting them. The great part is that these heroes are joined by many others in our community that all work together to save animals and make their lives better. Next, we offer a silly version of what pets are thankful for...they had a lot to say! Personally, I’m thankful for the craziness of our photoshoot. There is ALWAYS something to laugh about! Finally, we showcase our Annual Holiday Gift Guide to offer some ideas as you prepare to give gifts to the pets or pet lovers on your list. Enjoy our feature and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Houston PetTalk Magazine

Adopt

By: Kilyn Horton Blanchard, with Bubbles

would like to share Bubbles’ story because she has no voice. I’m here to be her voice and the voice of so many animals that are suffering. I don’t know what Bubbles’ life was like for her first six months but here are the facts that I do know. On September 27, 2017, a few weeks after Hurricane Harvey

hit Houston, Bubbles was surrendered to BARC animal shelter with an injury. At intake they were told that she was shot in the head and also beaten with a hammer. The shelter took her in and from there she was rescued by Houston Pets Alive. Everyone that met her fell in love with her immediately, not only out of sympathy but

because despite her pain and trauma, she was still so loving and wanted nothing more than to be held and shown love. While our family was volunteering at HPA, we saw Bubbles and immediately signed up to be her medical foster parents. After having X-rays and a CT scan. it was determined that she had been shot through the right eye, the bullet went through her right inner ear and it was completely destroyed; her right TMJ joint was shattered and the bullet was still lodged behind her ear. She needed surgery to remove the bullet, a total ear ablation, the eye removed and part of her lower jaw removed. We all agreed that she was worth saving and money was raised to get her the help she needed. She ended up needing four procedures in total but she handled each one like a champ. We ADOPTED her 8 months later once her surgeries were completed. The reason I am sharing her story is not to make you sad, but rather to take a negative and turn it into a positive to raise awareness of several issues. One is that shelter animals deserve a chance, they have been let down, and sometimes their appearance is not the best but that changes quickly with love and tender care. It is amazing how resilient these animals can be and their willingness to forgive and move on and just be happy to be a part of a wonderful family. Please don’t judge an animal on appearance or breed alone. When you adopt from a rescue group, they have been with the animal for a while and already know a lot about the animal’s temperament and can help a family pick the perfect pet for their household. Also, if you see animal abuse or neglect please report it. Many times animal abuse is also connected to domestic abuse or other abuses. You could be saving more than just an animal. Harris County now has a task force where you can report animal abuse. Call 832-927-PAWS or online at 927PAWS.org

here’s a popular saying in animal rescue “In rescuing animals I lost my mind but I found my soul.” I believe the second part of this saying to be true...in rescuing animals I found my soul, my greatest passion and the strength to work tirelessly towards making this world a more compassionate and humane place for animals. I grew up loving animals; our pets were always a treasured part of our family. While vacationing in Brazil in 2006, I found a street dog who later had a litter of puppies. I found a home for the mama dog and had her spayed. I couldn’t leave the puppies behind so I flew the 3 puppies back to Houston with me. Almost 13 years later, they continue to be my greatest inspiration/motivation for my deep-rooted passion in animal welfare, rescue and FOSTERING. They are my soul-mutts and I cannot imagine my life without them. There is a Japanese concept known as “Ikigai” which signifies one’s reason for being or one’s purpose in life. Through rescue and fostering, I found my Ikigai, I found my reason for being. I’ve fostered for various Houston rescue groups but my core foster family is The Rescued Pets Movement (RPM). With RPM alone, I have fostered approximately 300 rescue dogs (primarily mama dogs with newborn puppies), all of whom have left forever pawprints on my heart. My home would not be complete without the pitter-patter of four paws on my hardwood floors. There's a magical transformation that happens the first night that a rescue dog spends in a loving foster home, off the streets & outside of a shelter. The transformation is so heartwarming to experience, yet difficult to describe. It's as though they know that they're safe, they can close their eyes and finally rest their frail bodies. They no longer sleep on a cold, hard, concrete floor but rather on a soft bed, full of comfy blankets. They seem to sleep/dream profoundly; I can actually see the sparkle of gratitude in their expressive eyes. Opening one’s heart and home to a

Foster

By: Angelita Sampaio with fostered puppies

foster animal in need will fill one’s heart with love and joy. Is it sometimes hard to say “goodbye” and let my fosters go? Yes, of course but as we learned in the book, Life Lessons from Winnie the Pooh, “How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” I remind myself that my chapter in their ,rescue story is

concluding and now it is time for me to share their love with their adoptive families. Fostering makes a MONUMENTAL impact, one precious life at a time. The pawprints that these sweet rescue dogs leave on your heart, and how they profoundly touch your soul, is nothing short of magical. Houston PetTalk Magazine

Volunteer I

started volunteering and fostering animals by first adopting pets from Citizens for Animal Protection (CAP). After adopting several cats and dogs, I started to VOLUNTEER by helping new adopters choose the best pet for their family and by helping the shelter staff care for the animals several times a week or on weekends. I saw several animals that were in various stages needing a temporary place to go. Some were underweight, premature, skin issues, abuse victims, kennel cough, upper respiratory infections, heartworms with all just needing care and housing for a time. I could just as easily write my essay about fostering, given that I have fostered

By: Sherrie Fulton with Daisey, Mickey and Brat

hundreds and hundreds of animals over the years and gone as far as to re-purpose parts of my home to make comfortable spaces for my fosters. Fostering gives animals another chance they would not get if left to only the shelter system. It is the best feeling to see an animal go to its forever home and truly see the opportunity for a happy life. However, just as important is the act of volunteering one's time to help at the shelter, or at events, or whatever is needed at the time. At the shelter, you can make newspaper shreds for the puppies, walk dogs, play with cats, clean cages, feed animals, help with laundry, etc. For fundraising events, you can help with many different activities volunteering

to help with the animals that may be attending to helping set up or tear down. At CAP and other organizations, they offer volunteer classes to train you to help with whatever tasks might be needed. The classes usually are very simple and straight forward so you can start with your volunteering right away. Visiting and assisting the public is one of the most needed volunteer opportunities. When you volunteer regularly you get to know the animals and can better match them with potential adopters according to each partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s specific needs. Shelters, animal control and rescue groups always need volunteers to give the animals a little extra care, love and attention. It takes everyone to save and care for the animals in their quest for their new homes. Everyone is important!! You will make lifelong friends and build meaningful relationships along the way. A lot of these animals have come from bad situations/neglect, but you can change the world for that animal with your efforts. Every organization has different volunteer opportunities so check into several and you should find a good fit for you and start making a difference today. For me, volunteering and fostering has been immeasurably rewarding. I've made great friends and it feels so amazing when I've helped an animal survive and thrive. For the past 22 years, I have worked with CAP and BARC (Houston's city shelter) and I see firsthand how volunteers literally help these organizations save so many more animals than they could on their own. Community is the best resource we have! For information on volunteering, fostering, adopting and donations with BARC or CAP, visit Barcfoster@houstontx. gov and Citizens For Animal Protections at cap4pets.org. There are many more organizations that need help. To find a list of shelters, rescues and other animal welfare groups, visit pettalkgofetch.com.

have been surrounded by animals my entire life and my mother’s favorite child was a Basset Hound. Our pets traveled the world with our family and they were a vital part of my upbringing. From a young age, my parents instilled in me the importance of fostering, adopting, spay/neuter and DONATING to animal rescue. My parents were heavily involved in Citizens for Animal Protection (CAP) and in fostering for Basset Buddies Rescue of Texas. As the many foster Basset Hounds started to come through our home, I became overprotective over our own dogs and was not fully onboard with the foster program. Eventually, as I started to learn the different rescue personalities, my mind and heart became open to how these sometimes mistreated dogs blossomed when they began to trust you. I was able to witness firsthand what it meant for these dogs to go from a shelter, to being loved and cared for in a foster home. Rescue animals are truly grateful for their second chance. It was rewarding to watch our fosters heal emotionally and physically and find their “furever” home. My family still receives holiday cards from the families that have adopted our foster Basset Hounds over the years. To watch a foster dog grow and bond with their new family is heartwarming. Throughout the years, my focus shifted more to adoption awareness and fundraising. I feel lucky that I was exposed to the power of dog rescue and adoption early on and it has become such a huge part of who I am. In 2017, my parents opened The Cornelius clinic. The clinic is open 5 days a week and provides affordable pet wellness to the Houston community. I hope to continue the work my parents have started with my Fiance who shares the same passion for animals and rescue as I do. Our involvement in local organizations, has become a part of our relationship and we are committed to fundraising and volunteering every year. My family has expanded past Basset Hounds and we are now the proud owners of 7 rescue dogs. They say that when you rescue a dog, you are saving a life. I

Donate

do believe that you are saving the dog’s life, but I also believe you are saving your own. I can not describe the joy I have

By: Meghan Cornelius with Stella

felt loving, taking care of and providing a home for our rescue Golden Retriever, Stella. Houston PetTalk Magazine

"I know you're

eating turkey. I like turkey too. Turkey

would be really good for me. If I stare at

you will you give me turkey? Did I say I

like turkey? I think I did. "

"I'm thankful I'm not a turkey."

www.houstonpettalk.com

"You said give you some space.. is this enough?"

"When one is invited to a Thanksgiving celebration, one must be proper and dress the part." Adorable.

"OMG! Did someone say Nick Sabin retired??"

"I got game."

Houston PetTalk Magazine

"I can fart and walk away. What is your superpower?"

"La La La La La...I can't hear you. I did not hear you say get away from the table."

www.houstonpettalk.com

"Yeah, this is my Uber."

"I'm grateful my human thinks she's a peanut butter covered apple holder."

"Did someone say ZZ Top needs a roadie?"

"I just put a stick in a non-stick pan!"

“I’m thankful for the big water bowl in the bathroom.”

"'It doesn't take two eyes to see we need to do better in Houston for my homeless compadres. Just sayin..."

Houston PetTalk Magazine

www.houstonpettalk.com

Houston PetTalk Magazine

Annual Holiday Gift I

Guide

n the spirit of our feature on

with PetTalkâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s advertising sponsors

Giving, our Annual Holiday

because they make our publication

Gift Guide is sure to intro-

possible, not to mention they pro-

duce you to a plethora of interesting

vide valuable products and services

gift ideas for the pet or pet lover on

to our pet community. Many of them

your holiday shopping list. Giving

GIVE to local charities in ways that

gifts during the holiday season is an

the public may not see, such as pro-

age-old tradition of showing some-

viding free boarding to rescues or

one you care by carefully selecting

training shelter animals so that their

something they will enjoy and is

adoption chances are increased. We

personal to them. From hand-paint-

salute their community involvement

ed ornaments to artwork and one-

and we hope you will keep them in

of-a-kind jewelry, our holiday gift

mind during your holiday shopping

guide is filled with unique treasures.

adventure!

We encourage you to shop local 46

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TREE TIDINGS Show your pet they are part of the family with their own personalized, glass, handpainted ornament. These keepsakes make great gifts too! bronners.com

LUXE LOUNGING

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One Fine Day is a children’s book, written by local author Mike Perez, intended to encourage the little ones to love animals and get involved in rescue. amazon.com

Got a chewer in the family? Or a pup that demands the best? Brighten their Christmas morning with a bed from Gorilla Dog Beds. Choose from many fabrics or the 125 Day Chew Proof Guarantee (on Gorilla Ballistic line only). Water resistant and machine washable. gorilladogbeds.com

COZY CANINE Santa knows a good dog when he sees one and he’s sure to bring your pup the latest in luxury to enjoy the frisky winter days in style. Santa says be sure to shop at Carter’s Pet Market, 9333 Katy Frwy. for more luxe items like this one from Paco and Lucia. carterspetmarket.com

HANDCRAFTED STYLE Get your pup ready for the holiday party scene with this stylish handcrafted bandana from Mexican artisans, MexiPaws. Available locally at City Paws Grooming, 2418 Tangley St. Houston, 77005 citypawshouston.com

GLAM IT UP FOR THE HOWLIDAYS Fancy parties abound so make sure your hound is looking their most glamorous with beautiful neck adornments from Luna Pet Jewelry available exclusively at Sofia Joseph Jewelry. sofiajoseph.net

Houston PetTalk Magazine

A JOLLY GESTURE Give the gift of a smile, Jim Tweedy’s Friendly Doggies artwork, available at Hollywood Frame Gallery, 2427 Bissonnet. Featured: Have Yourself a Hairy Little Christmas. hollywoodframegallery.com

GO BIG OR GO HOME

TIS THE SEASON OF SPARKLE

Surprise a loved one Christmas morning with a beautiful new Onyx Edition 2020 Subaru Outback which is tailored for active adventurers and dog owners. Subaru is the number one brand for people with pets! In addition to pet friendly accessories, the Outback Onyx has plenty of power, 260 horsepower to be exact. Get yours at Houston’s best supporter of our pet community, West Houston Subaru, 17109 Katy Fwy. westhoustonsubaru.com

Fancy is the word for your pet this holiday season when you give the gift of sparkle. Unique adornments available from local purveyor, Luna Pet Jewelry, sold exclusively at Sofia Joseph Jewelry. sofiajoseph.net

DOG'S RULE For the super-stylish, Ravi Ratan’s English Bulldog could be a vicious part of any man's wardrobe. The three dimensional Sterling Silver pieces set the tone for the man that sports a unique approach to life! cufflinks.com

GIVE...REPEAT The ultimate gift is one that keeps on giving, like the subscription box that arrives monthly at your door from VetPet Box. Products are curated by a veterinarian to make sure your pet is getting the best products. Boxes start at $35 and are available for cats and dogs. Pet Chewed. Vet Approved. vetpetbox.com

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STRUT IN STYLE Your pooch will be the talk of the block on your daily walks when they wear this colorful, handcrafted leather collar. Mexipaws artisans have a variety of styles and their south of the border style makes a great stocking stuffer for Texas pups! Available locally at City Paws Grooming, 2418 Tangley St. Houston, 77005 citypawshouston.com

THE GIFT OF HEALTH This Holiday Season keep your Hunting Buddy on Point! REPLENISH is powdered recovery supplement that keeps your hunting dog hydrated, enhances tracking ability, and accelerates recovery. Just add to water! Created by a veterinarian and made with all natural ingredients in the state of Texas. replenishdog.com

THE JEWELED PAW

ONE OF A KIND

Personalized, hand made jewelry makes the perfect gift for any pet lover on your list. Original silver and gold jewelry designs for men, women and children may be personalized with birthstones and engraving. Houston’s premier jewelry source for animal lovers, Esquivel and Fees. Visit their Houston store at 2368 Rice Blvd, in the Rice Village. efsterling.com

Nothing says SPECIAL more than a personal painting of one's pet. Beautiful watercolor paintings from Kristel Peale are the ultimate keepsake and gift of love. It's simple...just send Kristel a photo and she will produce a treasured work of art. facebook.com/kristel.peale

Don't forget that services are a great gift idea. Gift certificates make wonderful stocking stuffers!

Holiday help from Invisible Fence Brand! Let us take something off your plate before your pets do. Our Indoor Shields Solutions are a quick, easy way to safely teach your pets to stop the behaviors that upset you, bringing harmony back to your home during the holidays houston.invisiblefence.com

What dog wouldn’t appreciate a spa day? Peace Love Dogs offers luxury grooming services that will make your pooch feel like a million dollars...or at least very clean. Gift Certificates available at Peace Love Dogs, 9619 Yupondale Dr, Houston, TX 77080, 713.467.1177.

Does the pet lover on your list need a gift of time to relax? A Gift Certificate for Doggie Daycare could be just the right thing...their pup gets socialization and exercise and mom or dad gets to do whatever they want! Lone Star Pet Lodges is offering TWO Free days of Daycare (new clients only) to try out their beautiful pet resort's programs. Exp. 12/31/19. lonestarpetlodges.com Houston PetTalk Magazine

Henrietta: 1. The Astros

2. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not a Turkey.

3. Hortense's new job at Whataburger. You know what that means for me. 4.

I can pee in public and no one cares.

5. Turducken...beats dogcaten. 6. God

7. Natural breasts are back in style..this matters when you have six.

8. Two-leggers who adopt 4-leggers.

9. Calculators...how else would I know what 25% off $52.99 is?

Henrietta Illustration by Jim Tweedy, Colorizing by Desiree Lonsway

10. The 1000 piece minions puzzle the Salty Dog group purchased for Penelope. We haven't seen her in weeks!

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The Holiday Season Is Here Make Your Boarding Reservations Early

If travel is in your plans this Holiday Season and your pet is not coming along, be sure to make your reservations early with our sponsors, some of the very best Houston has to offer, to ensure your pet has a safe, fun experience while you’re away!

Birds:

Adventures in Birds Adventuresinbirdsinc.com 7414 Westview Drive

Dogs & Cats:

Bingle Vet Binglevet.com 2025 Bingle Road Blessed Paws Pet Resort Blessedpaws.com 20130 Kuykendahl, Spring Lakefield Veterinary Group Multiple locations around Houston. To find one near you, visit lakefieldvet.com. Meadowlake - 2 Locations Meadowlakepetresort.com 13500 Furman- 288 South 6393 Richmond Ave. LoneStar Pet Lodges Lonestarpetlodges.com 3207 Williamsburg Lane Missouri City Southwest Animal Clinic Swacvet.com 4507 Bissonnet Street

Dogs Only:

Camp Bow Wow - Multiple Locations: Campbowow.com/houston 27616 Commerce Oak Drive Oak Ridge North 1515 Vander Wilt Ln. Bldg. 5, Katy 300 Anders Land Kemah 744 Crabb River Rd. Richmond 7232 Wynnwood Ln. Houston Canine Country Club Mycaninecountryclub.com 1440 Katy Gap, Katy Carter’s Pet Market Carterspetmarket.com 9333 Katy Freeway

Peace Love Dogs Peacelovedogshouston.com 9615 A Yupondale Drive Rover’s Romphouse Roversromphouse.com 3663 S. Dairy Ashford Yuppie Dog Yuppiedog.com 2203 S. Durham Drive

Overnight Stay Pet Sitting Doggie Walks Houston doggiewalkshouston.com Lucy Goo Pet Sitting Lucygoopetsitting.com

Club Canine Clubcaninehouston.com 4703 Rose Street Dogs R Dogs Dogsrdogsdaycare.com 3113 S. Shepherd Dogtopia Dogtopia.com/houston 1315 Waugh

Sunset Animal Hospital Sunsetanytime.com 2959 Southwest Freeway

Fur & Feather Veterinary Hospital Furandfeathervet.com 311 W. Gray

The WellPet Center Thewellpetcenter.com 5910 FM 1463, Katy

Houston Dog Ranch Houstondogranch.com 9602 Dalecrest Drive

West Alabama Animal Clinic Westalabamaanimalclinic.com 2030 West Alabama

Miss Daisy’s Dog Camp Missdaisys.com 25039 Hufsmith Cemetery Road

Houston PetTalk Magazine

Health SPOTTING PAIN IN YOUR PET

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

5 SIGNS TO LOOK FOR

ost pets do an excellent job of hiding their pain. After all, in animals, any sign of pain can be seen as a weakness, putting them in a vulnerable position. This is a throwback to their ancestors living in the wild, masking their suffering to ward off would-be predators. Unfortunately, these traits have become inbred, and our pets often won’t show outward signs until the pain or ill health is quite severe. However, there is good news! Breakthrough developments for treating pet pain are being used everyday to help dogs and cats with all kinds of health problems. But first, pet owners need to understand that a pet’s pain does not discriminate. Any pet, any size, any breed and any age, can suffer from pain, the real trick is how to spot signs of pain in your pet quickly. Pains left untreated can sometimes lead to severe stress, lack of appetite and depression which can often cause more serious health issues. Trust your gut feelings and look for these common symptoms: 1. Behavioral changes are a big sign there could be pain. Some pets can become shy or defensive when hurting. If your pet is normally friendly and well behaved, but then snaps at you, it may be masking pain. Besides shyness and aggression, you might notice that your pet has trouble walking up stairs, avoids jumping or climbing, and doesn’t want to chase after toys. We can detect obvious signs like limping, but it’s important to watch for stiffness or an arched back. For example, dogs in pain often lay only flat on their sides, rather than curled up. They might be slower moving, sleeping more and seemingly disinterested in things they used to love. Another sign is unexplained accidents in the house. It’s often very painful to get up from lying down (which you also might notice), and

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sometimes pets just aren’t able to make it outside fast enough. 2. Lack of appetite is often the result of some sort of discomfort. Like sick humans, pets simply don’t feel like eating or drinking when they are sick, especially if it’s painful to walk to the food bowl. If you notice a lack of appetite, it’s important to seek veterinary attention right away, as this could be a symptom of many dangerous ailments including pain in their teeth or some other part of their mouth. 3. Over grooming: It’s normal for dogs and cats to groom themselves, but it’s not normal for this to become an obsessive behavior. If your pet is tending to a localized area, it could be a sign of hurting. Pets will groom the source of pain in hopes to clean and care for the wound, even if there is no open wound present. They will also use this as a way of coping with the stress of pain or anxiety. Be sure to keep an eye on the area and inspect it gently. 4. Eye changes: The eyes can be strong indicators of pain in pets. This is true both for eye pain itself and for pain elsewhere in their body. Often times pain elsewhere in the body will result in

larger (dilated) pupils, while pain in the eye(s) can result in either larger or smaller (constricted) pupils – depending on the underlying injury or disease process, and whether one or both eyes are affected. Squinting may also indicate pain, especially in dogs. The pain may occur in either the eyes or elsewhere in the body. Similarly, a “bloodshot” appearance can indicate pain in the affected eyes as well. 5. Breathing changes: Pets in pain may have a faster and more shallow breathing pattern or excessive panting for no discernible reason. You may even notice a change in the movement of the abdominal muscles and/or the chest. Both of these sets of muscles are involved in the breathing process. Cats will often have an increased heart/pulse rate. The rate often speeds up when the painful area is touched or moved. Being able to identify early signs of pain can lead to a more comfortable outcome for you and your pet. If you notice that your pet has some of the symptoms above, call your veterinarian so they can take a look or contact VERGI 24/7 for an evaluation.

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Health MOVING THROUGH GRIEF

By: Elizabeth Rowlands, DVM Senior Paws | seniorpaws.vet

BEFORE AND AFTER PET LOSS

he holiday season can be joyous when surrounded by family and friends taking part in time- honored traditions. Holidays can also be difficult. Some pet owners are experiencing the first holiday season without a beloved pet or anticipating this will be their final holiday with their dog, cat or other pet. Memorializing a beloved pet helps us process our grief. Owners may face a variety of challenges in choosing how to best commemorate their pet. Choices are often complicated by special family circumstances, cost, or frequent moves. Fortunately, there are many options designed to help families make the process of saying goodbye memorable and dignified. Photos of our furry, or not so furry, friends can be turned into a wall collage or a commemorative oil painting. Online photo books have the added benefit of providing enough space to include funny or poignant stories from your pet’s life. Some animals do not photograph well because of their coat, a shy personality or particular facial features. Professional pet photographers specialize in capturing your pet’s features and personality and provide remarkable photos that justify the cost. Pet owners who move frequently may be limited to smaller, durable or lightweight mementos such as a paw print

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painting or an ink impression of a nose on high quality art paper. For wearable reminders, ashes can be turned into diamonds and colored gemstones. Pet owners can also have a small amount of ashes placed inside a personalized pendant or ring. In order to keep a larger amount of

ashes, artists can incorporate ashes into glass paperweights and decorative vases. Some owners may view these glass memorials as a happier method of viewing the ashes than a traditional urn. Children’s input can be extremely

helpful when creating a pet’s memorial. It provides a good coping outlet for the child and can result in memorials that reflect the special child-animal bond. It’s best if these tributes are child friendly such as a shadow box with the pet’s collar and picture. Children can also help design concrete stepping stones to be placed in a memorial garden. These stones can include an impression of a paw and other designs. My last suggestion for honoring your pet may be too difficult for many pet owners to even read about, let alone consider and that’s okay. Donating a pet’s body to science, through the Educational Memorial Program at Texas A&M’s College of Veterinary Medicine, can benefit animal research and indirectly help millions of other pets. Almost two decades later, I still vividly remember the beautiful dog donated to our school so my classmates and I could learn anatomy. I remember the name we gave her, the tears we shed when we saw her sweet face and the many hours we spent learning the differences between an actual living creature and the diagrams in our books. No matter how you choose to memorialize your pet, it will help you forever cherish their imprint on your life.

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

Health HEALING MEDICINE

By: Dr. Shannon Hicks Old Town Animal Hospital

HYPERBARIC OXYGEN THERAPY

hat is hyperbaric oxygen therapy? Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, commonly known as HBOT, is the use of pure oxygen administered at a higher than normal atmospheric pressure for healing. This therapy has been used worldwide in human medicine for many years, with multiple reported benefits in treatment of a long list of human conditions. HBOT’s use in veterinary medicine is relatively new and has increased significantly over the last decade. There are only a few private practice veterinary hospitals in the United States that currently have the equipment for this treatment, and most vet colleges either recently installed one or are in the process of getting it for both small animals and horses. The equipment consists of an air tight chamber with a source of pure oxygen. There are flow meters and gauges on the unit to accurately regulate the pressure of the oxygen in the chamber. There are many conditions that benefit from pressure oxygen therapy. Much research is still being done to find more therapeutic uses for HBOT. Regular air contains only 21% of pure oxygen. At two atmospheres of pressure, a patient is getting approximately 10 times the amount of oxygen in their system than if they were breathing regular air at regular pressure. Oxygen is very important in the healing process in the body. It is absorbed through the lungs and is disseminated to all the tissues through the blood stream. It also can be absorbed through external tissues that are in direct contact with the oxygen. HBOT works within both of those functions. Most forms of inflammation result in some form of swelling, which, in turn, decreases the blood supply to the area because of pressure in the blood vessels themselves. More pressurized oxygen to

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the tissue results in a decrease in inflammation, which, in turn, helps the healing process. Additionally, HBOT can be very beneficial to head and spinal injuries as well as post-operative treatment after traumatic surgical procedure. Toxic smoke inhalation results in severe deprivation of oxygen to many vital tissues and organs that almost shut down due to lack of oxygen. HBOT is of great benefit in these cases as well. Pancreatitis and inflammatory bowel disease also show increased rate of improvement, along with non-healing wounds, especially bite wounds. They are routinely very hard to heal because of the decrease in blood supply to the injured tissue, however, HBOT really benefits these patients because of the increase in oxygen in the limited blood supply and direct contact with the wounds themselves. Healing time is greatly improved. Many skin conditions as well as eye injuries can also be benefitted, as well. At Old Town Animal Hospital we have had an HBOT chamber for five years

and obtained one of the first units in the Houston area. We are happy to work with primary care patients and are also very ready to work with referring veterinarians to help patients from other hospitals. We would be happy to consult with any referring veterinarian at any time to see if this service might benefit the patient. Our contact number is 281-392-8387. One wonderful story about HBOT treatment from Dr. Hicks at Old Town Animal Hospital: Shortly after we got our chamber, a kitten was brought into our clinic in the middle of July. The outside temperature was 101 degrees. The kitten was found near a roadway of I-10 and was unconscious. Our thermometer would only read up to 108 degrees and the kitten’s temperate was off that scale. He was completely comatose from overheating. We bathed him in cool water and put him in the HBOT under oxygen and pressure. After one hour we opened the door and he leaped into the technicians arms. We named him “Lucky.” After that, I was sold on the benefits of HBOT.

Make a Difference By Honoring A Wonderful Life! HONOR A LOST PET by making a tax deductible donation to the Harris County Veterinary Medical Foundation in their name. Your gift helps provide valuable information on pet medical and humane issuesto other pet parents.

To Donate Please Visit

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

Tail End HOLIDAY BOARDING

CAMP BOW WOW SUGAR LAND By Ashlynn J. Shell General Manager - Camp Bow Wow Sugar Land

ith fall decorations all around us and the smell of Pumpkin Spice Latte wafting through the air, it's a sign that holiday preparations are just around the corner. Part of the holiday hustle and bustle often means travel, which might necessitate boarding arrangements for the family pooch(s). We know that your pup is part of the family and you want to take them with you but when that’s not an option, here are a few helpful tips when choosing a dog boarding facility that gives you piece of mind while you are away and hopefully lessens your guilt that your Fletch, Apollo, Tilly or Mango cannot go with you. Take a tour: It's a great idea to see where your furbaby is going to be playing and sleeping. During your tour, you will be able to get to know one or more of the staff members that will be taking care of your dog. Check to make sure the facility is well lit, odor free and free of waste and urine in the play yards. Also take note if the facility is accurately staffed, meaning the play yards are not overcrowded with dogs and that the staff is well qualified. Next, you'll want to make sure that the

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TAKING THE TIME TO FIND A QUALITY BOARDING FACILITY IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO FOR YOUR DOG AS WELL AS YOUR OWN PIECE OF MIND. facility is very strict on their vaccination requirements. Boarding facilities should require the core vaccines such as Rabies, Distemper, Parvo, Bordetella and K9 influenza. Daily routine: While on the tour of the facility, make sure you inquire about what your dog’s daily routine would entail should you decide to board your dog with them. How much time do they have play time? How many potty breaks will they receive? Live web cams: Ask if the facility has live stream cameras? It's a huge bonus to be able to see your baby playing in the yards with their friends or getting lots of head scratches from their favorite Counselors. Taking the time to find a quality boarding facility is the right thing to do for your dog as well as your own piece of mind. At Camp Bow Wow Sugar Land, we offer high quality care in a clean, safe environment with a fun daily routine, web cams and

special treatment for every doggy camper that stays with us. We are located at 744 Crabb River Road, right up the street from the little Buccee’s and we have been open for 16 months. We are a 9,000 indoor/outdoor square foot facility with 89 cabins, five luxury suites, 10 teacup condos and five play yards. We also have a groomer and trainer on staff. All pet parents have access to our live stream cameras and can view their babies on their desktop or by downloading the app. Our boarding dogs are in the yards for the majority of the day and the only time they are in their cabin or suite is for breakfast, lunch break and for dinner. So this holiday season if you are needing to board your furbaby, please consider Camp Bow Wow Sugar Land. We proudly give tours and would love to meet your furry baby. Give us a call at 281.545.2275 (BARK) for more information.

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

Tail End

PUPPY SOCIAL SKILLS

IT’S NEVER TOO EARLY By: Debbie Oliver & Kelly Schlesinger Miss Daisy’s Dog By: Andrew Tesh,Camp DVM

he goal of every new puppy owner is to turn an adorable bundle of fuzz into the dog of their dreams. Your journey to this starts the day the puppy arrives, by safely introducing her to new things and experiences in a process known as "socialization." Experts have identified the prime puppy socialization age, when sociability is stronger than fear, as the period from birth to three to four months. During this "window," a puppy will likely approach new things with curiosity and owners are smart to use this natural inquisitiveness to their advantage. Socialization includes sights, sounds and smells. Consider what your pup will do as an adult and let her visit those places, see those people and experience those things now. She does not need to interact with these people, animals and objects; she just needs to see them, smell them and hear them. You will treat her for being around these things, thereby reinforcing her knowledge that all good things come from YOU. When socializing your pup, you need to "read" her so that you know what she is thinking. The chart here shows what your puppy may do when encountering

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something new: Ideally, you will have your puppy out and about before she is fully immunized against major canine diseases. Keeping health concerns in mind, you can safely socialize your puppy by following these tips: ❖ Avoid areas with high dog traffic: big box pet stores, dog parks, the floor of a vet clinic lobby, grass or trails frequented by dogs that you do not know. ❖ Consider using a stroller that keeps the puppy contained and off the ground. ❖ Introducing your puppy to other dogs, whether they live in your house or elsewhere, is a subject too big for this list of tips. We recommend you consult a trainer or other reliable source for more

information on this. Puppies benefit from good, safe classes. We hope that you can find one that: ❖ Effectively screens for illness. For example, puppies must have been in the home for a minimum of two weeks before they can come to class. A puppy with any sign of illness must stay home. ❖ Is scrupulously clean. The puppy area is cleaned before class and no other dogs are allowed in until after the puppies have left. ❖ Is taught by a professional experienced with the special needs of puppies. Remember to enjoy this special time in your puppy's development as she becomes your dream dog.

WHAT PUPPY DOES

WHAT THIS MEANS

WHAT YOU DO

Appears fearful, backs away, growls

She is frightened and/ or doesn't like it.

Walk her away, let her look from a distance. Treat her while she is looking at it.

Ignores it or walks away

She is dealing with it.

Move on with cheerful talk and treats.

Approaches willingly, wags tail

She loves it and wants more.

Treat her and talk cheerfully to let her know she's a star!

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Link Rd

Thank you to the Houston Zoo for their hospitality during our photoshoot with these cute little critters! They can be found in the children's petting zoo. To learn more, visit houstonzoo.org.

PhotographybyPrudence.com

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.

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ver the course of the 17 years I have been writing about animals in PetTalk, the majority of the focus has been on common pets including dogs, cats, birds, pocket pets and horses. A few years back, PetTalk developed a relationship with the Houston Zoo which allowed me the opportunity to also write about wildlife on occasion, creating the eventual impetus for this column, Why I Love Animals. The intent was to write about all kinds of animals and share their unique value to the ecosystem. Through this column, I have been given a platform to write about a third group of animals... farm animals. Because they fall on the spectrum from being a pet to a food source, they earn a special place in my heart. As pets, farm animals are treated kindly but as a food source, the vast majority are treated cruelly. Farm animals don’t get near the respect they deserve for their intelligence, personality and emotional capabilities. At the top of the intelligence list is pigs and if you’ve been reading PetTalk for a number of years, you know my position on inhumane pig production. I can’t say I know the intelligence of a chicken but they produce eggs in

a miraculous way (I still can’t believe this happens daily). I’ve also been told by people that have cows as pets that they have a personality and can connect emotionally. Then there are the goats–very adorable and highly entertaining little creatures! Pictured here are a Nigerian Dwarf and an African Pygmy goat at the Houston Zoo. Watching them play and butt heads and jump and be silly made me giggle. When I was researching goats for this article, I stumbled upon a video of a Nigerian Dwarf goat jumping on a trampoline and I was laughing out loud. Or how about the fainting goats? That is crazy to watch! Entertainment value is only one of the valuable assets a goat possesses. They produce milk which can be used to drink or make cheese, soap, etc. Some breeds produce wool but unfortunately some are also a meat and leather source. Goats were one of the first domesticated animals nearly 10,000 years ago. Today, there are over 300 distinct breeds in varying sizes from 20 lbs. to 300 lbs. Goats are ruminants. meaning they have a four-chambered stomach consisting of the rumen, the reticulum, the omasum, and the abomasum. Another interesting characteristic of goats are their eyes. Their pupils are horizontal, not circular like ours, or vertical like a cat, which allows them to see

danger approaching from their peripheral vision. Behaviorally, goats are curious little critters. They are quite agile and can jump and climb, making them the only ruminant that can climb trees. They are notorious for escaping the best of fence systems. Goats have been found to be as intelligent as dogs by some studies so once a goat has discovered a weakness in the fence, they will exploit it repeatedly and other goats learn quickly to do the same. A study by Queen Mary University notes that goats are intelligent, capable of complex communication, and able to form bonds. Although some regard goats as rebellious, more people today are choosing exotic companion animals like goats. As herd animals, goats typically prefer the company of other goats, but because of their herd mentality, they will follow their owners around just the same. I'm sure you've heard the phrase got your goat? Purportedly it comes from the theory that goats were put in stalls with race horses to help keep them calm. If someone wanted the horse to race poorly, they would steal the goat, hence the saying which infers upsetting someone. Of the many goat facts I researched, here is the one I found to be the most impressive: Researchers based in London figured out that goats have accents! The study indicated that goats can change their accents when they move to a different group or when they grow up, making them the 4th mammal to be able to pick up accents. The other three are dolphins, elephants and of course, humans. What a cool critter! From producing food, to calming other animals to making a fun pet and even adding a new dimension to yoga, goats deserve r-e-s-p-e-c-t!

Houston PetTalk Magazine

CONSERVATION CORNER

By: Lauren Wappler, Houston Zoo, and Lady Marquez, Ecology Project International, Galapagos

As appreciative supporters of nature and wildlife, we at Houston PetTalk want to promote education and conservation of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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 wildlife in the Galapagos Islands. Look for other upcoming conservation stories so that you too can help save a species.

Photos courtesy of Houston Zoo

SAVING WILDLIFE ON THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS

Participating in the Galapagos tortoise encounter at the zoo helps save this species in the wild.

ocated off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean lies an archipelago of

volcanic islands known as the Galapagos Islands. No place better illustrates the wonders of unique species,

the delicate balance of ecosystems, or the pressing need for conservation action than the Galapagos Islands. The Houston Zoo has been supporting wildlife-saving efforts on the Galapagos Islands since 2013. Using a portion of every zoo ticket and zoo membership purchased, the zoo supports the efforts of its partner Ecology

Present activity forms part of environmental education programs developed by the Galapagos National Park and Ecology Project International. Under the cooperation agreement between Galapagos National Park and Ecology Project International, the students participate in the environmental education program aiming at protection of Galapagos tortoises.

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Houston Zoo and EPI teens work together to protect Galapagos tortoises in the wild.

Project International (EPI) to save wildlife, like giant tortoises, in their natural habitat. EPI works on educating youth about the wildlife that lives in their area while engaging them in hands-on activities, such as beach cleanups and sea turtle nest monitoring, to protect local wildlife. EPI coordinates an after-school program for local teens called the Mola Mola Club. These teens participate in a variety of conservation activities on the islands and have even started their own wildlife-saving programs. The programs include reducing plastic use by creating planters out of coconut husks, reducing the needs for plastic planters, and making reusable grocery bags out of old t-shirts, eliminating the need for single-use plastic bags. The teens leading these demonstrations hold training programs in their communities to teach others how to make these wildlife-saving products. This past year, a group of 16 teenagers from the Houston Zoo wildlife-saving teen program visited the Galapagos Islands and shared time with EPI teens. This unique experience has inspired both groups of teens to strengthen their

wildlife-saving efforts through exchangsnack. A portion of the tour cost will ing ideas and initiatives. help the zoo’s partners at Ecology The teens got to spend time with Project International save wildlife on the Galapagos National Park staff and took Galapagos Islands. part in an environmental education Soon, guests to the Houston Zoo will program aimed to protect Galapagos be able to experience the Galapagos tortoises. Teens were able to measure Islands right here in Texas. A first-of-itsand monitor tortoises in the field. They kind Galapagos exhibit is set to open in tracked, weighed, and recorded data of 2022, just in time for the zoo’s centeneight giant tortoises that will be used nial celebration. This exhibit, featuring to understand the movement paths and sea lions, sharks, sea turtles, and giant behavior of these amazing animals. This tortoises, will immerse visitors in the data will be used to inform plans and Islands’ starkly beautiful environment laws to protect these giant tortoises in and highlight the zoo’s ongoing field Galapagos. work with giant tortoises, birds, and Houston Zoo visitors can continue to marine animals. help save wildlife on The Houston Zoo partners with Ecology Project International the Galapagos Islands so save Galapagos tortoises (shown here) in the wild. by having an upclose encounter with Galapagos tortoises at the zoo. During this experience, guests have special access into the Galapagos tortoise habitat, learning all about tortoises Daphne, Seymour and Pinta while offering them a favorite Houston PetTalk Magazine