Houston PetTalk December 2020 by houstonpettalk10

FEATURING

CHUCK NORRIS

Holiday Values December 2020

WORDS OF WISDOM FROM NOTABLE HOUSTONIANS

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

When A Virus Takes Over the World

The Power of Kindness and Treats!

Help children understand the impact a virus can have on them and their loved ones. Teach them how they can take preventive measures to stop the spread of the virus.

Help children discover the rewarding feeling of doing good deeds for others. Real happiness comes from not what you get but what you give.

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help parents start conversations with their child regarding issues or concerns they may have about their pets. These books also teach children about issues of life, illness, or diversity within their own lives.

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PAWLIDAY MARKET SHOP, EAT, DRINK, PLAY, ADOPT & BE MERRY!

SHOP FOR THE PAWLIDAYS VENDORS • ADOPTABLE PETS DECEMBER 4TH PARENT/PUP UGLY SWEATER CONTEST 5PM TO 9PM (IF WARM, T-SHIRTS WILL DO!) POWDER KEG 1300 BRITTMOORE RD. HOUSTON, TX 77043

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

ON THE COVER

KICKIN' IT UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

ICONIC MARTIAL ARTS CHAMPION AND ACTOR CHUCK NORRIS, ALONG WITH PUPS RILEY AND TY, ARE HELPING US CELEBRATE THE YULETIDE SEASON IN OUR ANNUAL NOTABLE HOUSTONIANS HOLIDAY ISSUE. EDITOR MICHELLE MANTOR & PHOTOGRAPHER ALLISON MCPHAIL DIDN'T MISS A CHANCE FOR A PHOTO WITH THE TEXAS RANGER STAR. READ CHUCK'S WORDS OF WISDOM INSIDE ON THE VALUE OF KINDNESS, ALONG WITH OTHER NOTABLES IN OUR FEATURE STORY ON PAGE 26.

hat a MEMORABLE year, for better and worse! I have lots of friends who can’t wait for 2020 to be over because they see this past year as one big crappy experience and I do understand their sentiment given the pandemic’s catastrophic effect on the world and the bitter infighting of our populous. However, I also am an optimist about finding the good in the bad. On the bright side, being forced to spend more time at home resulted in many people finding valuable ways to enjoy time with family or discovered newfound interests. Plus, a RECORD number of pets got adopted, most likely because pet parents could spend the needed time on training and because they recognized that a furry family member would make each day brighter! So, if there is a silver lining in the debacle of 2020, I think more pets finding homes is a good one! Another positive stamp on 2020 is our cover for this year’s Annual Notable Houstonians issue, the legendary Chuck Norris. We are so appreciative of his participation and it was an absolute pleasure to meet his wife Gena as well as his children and beautiful golden retrievers. The December Notables issue is one of my absolute favorites of the year because I get to meet such interesting people. We have a great line-up once again this year so be sure to check them out in the feature story. I also have to give a big shoutout to photographer Allison McPhail of Evin Thayer Studios for constructing an elegant background and being willing to assemble/ disassemble it multiple times in studio and

on location - and she only broke one bulb in all of that commotion LOL! I hope you enjoy reading our Notable’s essays and their message of what virtue is meaningful to them. Next up in this issue, we have some of our holiday traditions including Henrietta’s annual wishlist for Santa (the girl has a colorful imagination!), our list of boarding facilities for safe and fun options for your pet if you are traveling this holiday season, plus our shopping guide filled with lots of goodies for both two-leggers and four-leggers on your naughty or nice list. And, don’t miss your chance to enter our Naughty or Nice Holiday Photo Contest sponsored by Meadowlake Pet Resort and Training Center. Enter from our website or Facebook page. As always, have a wonderful holiday with your family and pets, keeping safety in mind. The emergency hospital is just one mistake away, so be vigilant with decorations, toxic food, toxic plants and open doors. Enjoy the love of your family, the cheer of your friendships, the cuddles of your furry ones, and the blessings in your life this Christmas season. And in the spirit of giving, many charities for both pets and people can always use an extra hand or donation to spread cheer to those they save and protect. Lastly, I want to thank all of you for your loyalty to PetTalk. I get so many nice letters and comments. We truly have a very caring pet community. Happy Holidays and I look forward to another year of sharing all things pet with you!!

PHOTO BY ALLISON MCPHAIL FOR EVIN THAYER STUDIOS

HOUSTON PETTALK MAGAZINE 14781 Memorial Drive, Ste. 510, Houston, Texas 77079 281-556-6560 Art Director: ANDREW BURWELL

© Copyright 2020. Reproduction or use without written permission of articles, editorial or pictorial content in any manner is prohibited. Houston PetTalk does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial, nor do the publishers assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. Houston PetTalk does not endorse any specific product or service contained herein; we do encourage you to support our advertisers whenever possible. All photos ©copyright depositphotos unless otherwise stated.

Houston PetTalk Magazine

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS PETTALK? BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK

A BIG BEND thank you to Max Veras for sending us this awesome photo and nice note: "I wanted to share this photo I took while visiting Big Bend National Park recently. I live in League City, Texas so having the magazine helped make the 10 hour drive not seem as long. I really enjoyed this months article as I have been looking into a plant based diet (the vegetarian brands you suggested are very appreciated). Overall, very knowledgeable and informative for the readers. Thank you for sharing!" -Max V.

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SEND YOUR TRAVEL PHOTOS FEATURING PETTALK

You never know where on this planet you might find a PetTalk reader enjoying their copy! If you’ve snapped a travel pic of one of our readers, send your photo to info@houstonpettalk.com.

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Henrietta's Christmas Wish List

Illustration by Jim Tweedy, colorized by Desiree Walton

Chocolate flavored lipstick, belt buckle with a cup holder, hello kitty sleeping bag, my own panda bear, a squirrel feeder so I don’t have to run so far (since you didn’t get it for me last year), a jetpack for Penelope so she will go away, a face mask that smells like bacon, the title “Your Heiness”, a diamond tiara to go with my new title, a machine that makes money, a champagne fountain with Veuve Cliquot flowing endlessly, house slippers made from the grass on Augusta National golf course (don’t forget I need 4), hay for my brother Freedom, a lip zipper for DL, Game of Thrones coloring book, a UFO detector...

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Nine Locations Proudly Serving the Greater Houston Area!

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NOW HIRING GROOMERS NATIONWIDE

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THE DISH

CALENDAR

HEY PARTY ANIMALS...DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN ADD YOUR OWN PET RELATED EVENT TO OUR EVENT CALENDAR ONLINE? GO TO WWW.PETTALKGOFETCH.COM/EVENT.

Events 12.01.20 – 01.10.21 TXU ENERGY PRESENTS ZOO LIGHTS

Houston Zoo 6200 Hermann Park Dr. 77030 5:30-10:30 p.m., last entry at 9:30 p.m. Sip hot chocolate as you stroll through the beautiful Houston Zoo grounds and take in the sights and sounds of the season. Interact with Candy the Zoo Lights Zebra presented by H-E-B, get a selfie on a giant ice throne, and take a socially distanced photo with Santa as he prepares for the holidays in his workshop!

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12.04.20 PETTALK’S PAWLIDAY MARKET

Powder Keg 1300 Brittmoore 77043 5-9pm Bring the pack and join the fun! Our salute to the holiday season includes Adoptables, Selfies with Santa, food trucks, drinks, shopping with over 40 vendors PLUS be sure to enter the Pet & Parent Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest at 7pm (or t-shirt depending on weather) Pets must be on leash and children curfew is 9pm. There is plenty of space for social distancing at Powder Keg.

12.05.20 JINGLE BELL BARK & BREW

Karbarch Brewery 2032 Karbach St. 77092 1-4pm Bring your pup and sip on a brew as you shop the wonderful silent auction & bake sale. Photos with Santa will be a wonderful keepsake to mark the end of 2020! Purchase raffle tickets 5 for $20 or 1 for $5 for a chance to win $1,000 gift card! Money raised at this event supports GHGSDR's mission to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home over 100 German Shepherds a year!

12.13.20 ELFIN FUN UGLY SWEATER PAWTY & SANTA PICS

No Label Brewing Co.5351 1st St., Katy 77493 2nd annual Ugly Sweater Pawty and Pics with Santa. Bring your Furbabies out in their ugliest sweaters for a fun filled afternoon with good beer, contest prizes and raffles, benefiting Greenawalds Service rescue dog programs.

HAPPYPAWLIDAYS A puppy's Christmas

On the 11th day of Christmas My Puppy gave to me: 11 unwrapped presents, 10 cards I should have posted, My wreath in 9 pieces, 8 tiny reindeer fragments, 7 scraps of paper, 6 soggy ribbons, 5 chewed-up stockings, 4 broken candles, 3 punctured ornaments, 2 mangled puddings, And the fairy off the Christmas tree. On the 12th day of Christmas My puppy gave to me: A dozen puppy kisses And I forgot all about the other days -- Author Unknown

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GRA

ESS

P. A

Gra . W .

RT UNIT

O YT

join our pack

You can join our pack in a few ways: Raise awareness for the PAW Grant. Share it with your friends, family, and coworkers Donate to the PAW Grant In-person. Ask our client care team to round up your bill to the nearest dollar when checking out. SLVS24EC saw almost 20,000 new pets in 2019. If every pet owner rounded up to the nearest dollar, those pennies would have generated more than $10,000 On-line. You can donate to the PAW Grant through the bit.ly link, then join our online Facebook Group for PAWtners to get updates on when grants are released, what the PAW Grant is doing, and insider information to all of SLVS24EC

A pack is an extended family group that you get to choose. When a pet is brought to SLVS24EC, we know it's one of the darkest days of their lives. When you choose SLVS24EC to help you at that time, you become part of our pack - part of our extended family group. Our goal is to get your pet well or to extend the time that your pet feels well until it’s time to say goodbye. For all of our diagnostic capabilities, talented specialists and emergency doctors, advanced veterinary nurses and support staff, we cannot achieve wellness for pets on our own. There are times that the cost to achieve wellness is higher than some pet parents who come to SLVS24EC can afford. In those cases, we offer payment plans through Scratch Pay and Care Credit, accept every single major credit or debit card, and take donations from family or friends over the phone to help cover the cost to achieve wellness. Sometimes, that’s still not enough and pet parents need additional help. Our dedicated team, tired of having their hands tied by these situations outside of their control, wanted to do more. They wanted to be a different kind of veterinary specialty and emergency hospital. That’s how the PAW (Packs Achieve Wellness) Grant was created, from our dedicated teams burning desire to do more- to be more. But we can’t do it alone.

Join our pack and donate to the PAW Grant by going here:

Deck The Paws Holiday Photo Contest Entry Nov. 27 to Dec. 6; Voting Dec. 7 to Dec. 13

he Pawlidays are here and we want to see your furry little ones celebrating the season. Cute kitties, darling doggies, happy horses, frisky ferrets...whatever critter has your heart, enter their photo in PetTalk's Deck The Paws photo contest sponsored by Meadowlake Pet Resort & Training Center for your chance to win. Whether your pet is sitting with Santa, dressed in their holiday or Hanukkah flair, enjoying a holiday treat or any other festive photo, share it with us as we ring in the Yuletide season! Photos can be of pets only or pets and people. Photos must be at least 1MB for print. Winner receives a $200 gift card to Meadowlake and finalists will appear in the Jan/Feb double issue of PetTalk. No stock photos please. Meadowlake Pet Resort retains the rights to publish all photos. PLEASE INCLUDE PET'S NAME. Upload photos from Nov. 27 to Dec. 6. Public voting begins Dec. 7 - Dec. 13th. Access the ENTER link from houstonpettalk. com or our Facebook page. Public voting determines the finalists. Meadowlake Pet Resort chooses the winner. About Meadowlake: Meadowlake Pet Resort & Training Center is dedicated to providing the highest quality, healthiest and most fun-loving care for pets and the parents who love them. Their inviting setting welcomes you with spacious play yards, a relaxing spa, luxurious cottages, suites and a large activity center to meet all your pet’s needs. They offer training, boarding, daycare and grooming. at two locations in Houston: » 288 South Location, 13500 Furman Rd. » Galleria Location, 6393 Richmond Ave.

UNLEASHED

A DOG’S LIFE HTX "PAWRTY"

scavenger hunt for dogs. Costume categories included best owner and dog costume, funniest costume, scariest costume, and overall best costume. Everyone had a great time for a great cause! Watch for more events in 2021 from A Dog's Life HTX, who offer a dog walking and pet sitting service. Visit them on the web at adogslifehtx.com.

Photos by Fern De Santos

lways looking for ways to give back to the community, A Dog’s Life HTX recently hosted their annual Howl-OWeen Pawrty on Sunday, October 25 at Holler Brewery. Sponsors included Holler Brewery Co, Camp Bow Wow and Kirby‘s Kitchen. This year's beneficiary of the event was RockA-Bully Rescue, who offer second chances to the pit bull breed. Attendees enjoyed costume contests as well as a trick or treat

Houston PetTalk Magazine

UNLEASHED

DOGULA 2020

Nando One, and even a doggie Halloween Costume Contest. Find more upcoming events from these fun party planners at PetTalkGoFetch.com.

Photos by Nelson for Yaxon Media

outhPawz Events and PawzUp DogFest hosted the first ever Dogula event on Saturday, October 24, at The Powder Keg Houston. This Halloween-themed event featured 30+ vendors, food, music from DJ

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THE DISH

ROCK AND ROLL VIRTUAL GALA A SUCCESS FOR CAP

Photos by Daniel Ortiz

he first ever Live Virtual Gala for CAP, All You Need Is LOVE FOR CAP, really rocked out! The Fab 5 performed live many of the great Beatles hits of “Yesterday” leading to a fun, dance-at-home, “Twist and Shout” good time. Rather than show a prerecorded evening, the group decided to add some energetic vibes and go live at a studio with the band, emcee and animals to broadcast to their supporters. The proceeds of the night were over $360,000. A presentation to this year’s award recipients had been filmed socially distanced outside the prior week. The Melcher Humanitarians of the Year was given to outstanding CAP supporters Brook & Julie Brookshire, and their cute Pom-

eranians, Lola and Lila. CAP Cherished Companions and chairs of the Gala in 2019, Frances Moody & Tony Buzbee, displayed a photo of all their many dogs. Celebrity Paws Hall of Fame and long time supporter of the animals, Pamela Wright, gave heartfelt remarks and showed her adopted CAP kitten, Lucy. Heart of Gold Rob Eppolito brought his beautiful rescue German Shepherd Reba. The Share the Love, inspired by Gloria & Frank Meszaros of West Houston Subaru, whose efforts have reached the milestone of over 10,000 sponsored adoptions in almost 10 years, was presented to Duke & C.C. Ensell for their love for CAP and all the animals in our community. Earlier in the day, some “Glad All Over” pack-

ages were personally delivered to donors with logoed picnic baskets, delicious and beautiful trays from GRAZE and wine that was enjoyed watching the event, and even some festive John Lennon type glasses to wear. Viewers were encouraged to snap pics of their pets, post on social media and tag at #love4cap throughout the night. Wow...CAP really knows how to rock a Virtual Event! The annual CAP Celebrity Paws Gala will hopefully return LIVE in 2021, annually held in November. Thanks to everyone that supported one of Houston’s top shelters!

Reba

Gloria Meszaros of West Houston Subaru with 2021 Subaru Outback Premium

Rob Eppolito and Reba

Johnny with cats from CAP Houston PetTalk Magazine

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!

#SHAREWITHUS! CHANGING TIME 1. @Katthegreyhound nothing like a dose of sunshine on a cool fall day #selfcare

2. @Themaniacmutts november is hiking season 3. @Sugar.The.Bear this counts as a lot of leaves right?

DIA DE LOS MUERTOS 4. @Screwstondoodle #diadelosmuertos 5. @Bailey_and_gracie_the_ tzus feliz dia de los muertos!

6. @Thedoodle_arya @karbachbrewing is pet-friendly

READING PETTALK 7. @Theodore_doodlebear for all of my local houston friends, be sure to grab a copy of @pettalkmagazine 8. @Reggie_paws catching up on the latest issue of my favorite magazine @pettalkmagazine

9. @Red_thechi can you read the @pettalkmagazine to me again? It puts me the mood

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

WINNER OF Henriettaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Frightfully Fun Halloween Photo Contest Sponsored by Sunset Animal Hospital

ongratulations to Michelle Cruz and "Gus Gus" for grabbing 1st place in Henrietta's Annual Halloween Photo Contest, sponsored by Sunset Animal Hospital. Gus Gus snagged a $200 certificate to Sunset for veterinary services with his fabulous Trave Photo! The finalists were selected by public voting and the winner was chosen by a panel of judges from

Sunset. We LOVED all of the creative participants! Thanks to all the little goblins that entered and stay tuned to Houston PetTalk's Facebook and Instagram for more fun contests.

ABOUT SUNSET:

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

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

Finalist: Peanut

PHOTO CONTEST WINNER: Gus Gus

Finalist: Kairo

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Finalist: Pop a Top

Finalist: Rorschach

Finalist: Mookie Bleu

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re Always Open

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Holiday J

Values Intro By Michelle Mantor Photos By Allison McPhail for Evin Thayer Studios

oin us once again this Holiday

Vulnerability. I hope you enjoy reading these heart-

season as we present WORDS OF

felt essays as much as I enjoyed selecting, meet-

WISDOM from notable Houstonians.

ing and working with these individuals that make

This tradition dates back to 2006

Houston proud.

and through the years we've been

delighted to share food for thought on VALUES that

and a peaceful heart. And as always, if you have

are important from some of Houston's best. We are

a place in your home for one more furry soul,

honored to have a diverse and worthy group writing

consider adopting a shelter animals and making

about such meaningful values as Kindness, Love,

the season of giving the "gift of life".

Duty, Hope, Dedication, Service, Perseverance and

May your holidays be filled with blessings of joy

www.houstonpettalk.com

Kindness CHUCK NORRIS Martial Arts World Champion, Actor, Philanthropist and Kickstart Kids Founder with “Ty”

hroughout my service in the United States Air Force, martial arts achievements, Hollywood career, and philanthropic and professional endeavors, I have strived to embody the American spirit of moral character and good over evil. In 1990, I founded Kickstart Kids to teach character through karate to empower youth to achieve their greatest potential. Exceptional black belt instructors in 60 schools across the state of Texas serve as mentors and teach daily classes that provide a supportive community, and build character and resiliency, which our youth need now more than ever. 2020 has been a hard year, and so many people are struggling. Kickstart Kids teaches youth that the ability to defend yourself must be in balance with your capacity to be empathetic and kind to others. It has never been more obvious that kindness, and treating others the way we want to be treated is the golden rule for a reason. Living the values that are instilled in the Kickstart Kids curriculum – honesty, loyalty, courage, discipline, respect, dedication, kindness and responsibility – will enable us to be the change we want to see in this world. Today, my wife Gena and I co-chair Kickstart Kids, manage CForce Water Bottling Company, our artesian water enterprise, and support numerous other causes and ventures. We are also blessed with seven wonderful children and 13 grandchildren. We enjoy a quiet life on our Texas Lone Wolf Ranch with our golden retrievers Ty and Riley. Dogs innately offer friendship and empathy, and we cherish the days with our sweet dogs and the symbolism of kindness and love personified through them.

Love

KECHI OKWUCH

Speaker, Burn Survivor Advocate with Adoptable Kitten from Houston Humane Society.

rowing up in Nigeria, my family didn’t have much, yet not once did I ever feel like I was lacking, because I was raised in an environment

of love. My parents expressed their love for me in different ways. They encouraged me whenever I was down, reprimanded me whenever I did something wrong, and celebrated my accomplishments with joy. Rather than saying ‘because I told you so’ whenever they denied me something, they would take the time to explain the reason behind their decisions. In this way, my parents and I built a solid foundation of trust in my early years. I had no reason to doubt them because they had given me no reason to. They told me I was beautiful and I believed them. They told me I was strong and brave, that I could do anything, and I believed them. So when the plane crash happened at 16, and I was stuck in a South African hospital for 7 months with 3rd degree burns over 65% of my body, I knew I was gonna be okay… because my mother had promised me this. In my lowest moments, when hope seemed beyond reach, I would remember her promise and believe. Then my faith was restored and I gained access to a love that never fails– God’s love. I learned that He is the source of all the love in this world, including the love that my parents had so selflessly poured into me from the moment I was born. And so, God became my source– of love, strength, and the confidence to live life as authentically as possible once I left the hospital. Love is what has sustained me until today, and love is what motivates me to live my life fully, for myself and for others.

DAVID PAUL Chief Meteorologist, KHOU Ch. 11 with “Higgens”

used to wonder what kind of a man I would grow up to be. Maybe I would be big and strong, a race car driver or motorcycle racer. I would look at my own father for guidance. Looking up from my spot on the floor to that man in his lazy-boy chair I saw none of those romantic, tough guy images from commercials and magazines. He would be reading from his stack of books and periodicals like Time, Scientific American, Forbes. How boring, I would think. Then, run outside to play. The first thing I would hear each morning was my dad up early, in the kitchen, finishing his

Duty

breakfast then walking out the front door. At home after school, I'd hear the front door open and close. Dad coming home, every day at the same time. Every day. The same time. Boooooring!!! I would think. Why do they do such boring things??! I'm staying up late to watch Carson. 'Turn it down, dad's got to get to sleep.' Uuuuug! Well, all this boring parenting somehow resulted in me going to college, graduating college, living my dream to become a television weatherman, marrying WAY above my station and having two beautiful children. And that's

when it hit me. While sitting on the curb for hours in the cul-de-sac, completely bored, watching my 2 and 6 year old playing without a care in the world, I came to a realization. Yes, it takes a strong, tough man to be a motorcycle racer. But, a truly great man is the kind who dutifully gets up every darn morning and goes to work and comes home for dinner to his family. He selflessly provides a roof, food on the table, and most of all is there. Just being there, so his young son can go out and play and be a real kid. That's my boring dad. That's the kind of man I want to grow up to be.

Hope BLAINE OCHOA

Miss Houston USA 2019, Actress. Singer. Writer with “Lemon Larry” Adoptable From Houston Humane Society

ope is a powerful force, one that inspires, encourages, and empowers. Hope can enable confidence and perseverance in ones self and can inspire others to dream or keep moving forward. Throughout my life I’ve learned to hope for the best and to believe in good things to come, and ultimately, that hope is to trust with confidence. On my journey of becoming Miss Houston USA, I had to learn to have hope by believing in a dream that took years to achieve. Hope comes from God above, and I believe there is power in speaking things into the universe and expecting great things to happen. Becoming disciplined in the art of never giving up and working towards your goals daily is important, as well as self visualization. The journey wasn’t easy. After placing 1st Runner Up and 2nd Runner previously, my dream, that was fueled by hope, finally came true. Hope surpasses the present moment and opens the opportunity and doorway to the future. Although I’ve learned it’s important to have hope, I’ve also learned it’s more important to give hope to others. By the grace of God and the hope I found within, I’ve accomplished many things throughout my life. However, none of it would have been possible without the gift of hope given to me from others. Hope can come from words of encouragement or through actions, such as someone achieving a major accomplishment. Such hope on display can inspire someone, like a young girl, and gives her hope and confidence to recognize all things are possible no matter her cultural background. Ultimately, hope makes the world go round. I pray we all have hope for the future, and more importantly to be a gift of hope to someone else this Christmas season including animals like Lemon Larry who are in need of a forever home. Sometimes the smallest act of kindness or words of encouragement can be the message of hope someone needs. Psalm 31:24 “Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”

Dedication Executive Chef of Tony’s with “Fennel”

AUSTIN WAITER

he holiday season is a special time for us at Tony’s. We get to serve our guests, their family, and our family during special holiday celebrations. With the holidays comes a little extra work and longer hours, but we are grateful and fortunate for the memories we help create. Dedication to loving what you do every day is essential. I learned this from my mentor and friend, Tony Vallone. He was the definition of dedication in all that he did. Tony came into work every day with the intention of making sure every guest was well fed and felt special. I began working in the kitchen at Tony’s six-years ago as a line cook. I eventually worked my way up to sous chef, chef de cuisine, and executive chef. None of this would have been possible without Tony’s dedication to teaching me excellence in food and service, to make every guest feel important, and to always have the highest attention to detail. From him, I learned the importance of dedication in all that I do in my life in and out of the kitchen. Mr. Vallone was truly one of a kind and this holiday season is bittersweet as we will not have Tony there with us. I will forever cherish and miss the endless amount of ristrettos we would drink over long conversations, the mischievous grin he would get on his face when something big was coming next and his pure excitement because of an overbooked Saturday night in the dining room. He would always look over at us and say “We can take a few more tables” As a boss and a leader, Mr. Vallone never hesitated and always took everything headon with poise and elegance. He was strict but fair. He knew what he wanted and it was only the best. He taught us with tough love. His dedication to the restaurant and the happiness of our guests will live on in our food and service. I am grateful for the dedication I learned from him.

Service

PIERCE BUSH

CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star, with “Winston Moose”

t’s easy to turn on the television and think the world is falling apart. Especially if you watch cable news with any degree of regularity. It can be depressing and I truly believe that despite our real and present challenges, there is so much good in our community and in our country that doesn’t generate the TV ratings and the clicks that the scary stuff does….but the good is there and its a powerful force. As my late grandfather, President George HW Bush would say often, “everyone has an opportunity to be a point of light in our community. To get in the game and make a difference for one’s fellow neighbor.” A lifelong lover of sports (and dogs!), as a kid he would often ask me at our weekly Sunday lunches at Molina’s on Westheimer, “Pierce, did you get your uniform dirty for someone else this week?” Although he passed away two years ago this month, I can still hear that gentle but strong and incredibly kind voice in my ears, asking that simple but important question. I am inspired every day by the selfless service of thousands of volunteer mentors who sign up for Big Brothers Big Sisters Lone Star, the agency I serve as CEO. These volunteers see kids in need of someone to walk with them and call out the God-given, unique talents that exist in every child and defend their potential. As a dog dad to Winston Moose, I also witness the value of service. His greatest joy is serving as our most loyal friend and companion. His desire to bring happiness to my wife, Sarahbeth, and me, and every human stranger he meets reminds me that serving others is one of the greatest joys in life.

SUNNY BROOKSHIRE

wonderful experience also came to an end and to fill the void, my husband gave me a beautiful Havanese puppy, "Ali". She has filled the void and then some with love and happiness. She is my constant companion and together we've made 14 trips from the US to Seoul Korea. Never underestimate the power of a loving dog to brighten your day! I will have a Havanese for the rest of my life.

Former LPGA Golfer, Philanthropist, with “Ali”

Perseverance

erseverance is something I learned at an early age while growing up in South Korea and it has stayed with me my entire life. When I was eight years old I wanted to learn how to play golf so that I could spend time with my parents on weekends. Of course my father would let me win every time we played and it made me think I was ready for tournament golf! I entered a golf tournament and I came in dead last. I was so humiliated I never wanted to play golf again. The more I thought about it however, I was not going to let this happen to me. Soon, I started taking golf lessons every day after school. I kept thinking about how humiliating it was to finish last. I practiced even harder. The following year I won every tournament I entered, soundly beating the girls who beat me the prior year. From that point on, golf was my passion and I moved up the ladder until I became number one in high school, and then again in college. At the age of 22, I turned professional after graduating from college. I played in international tournaments and on the national South Korea team and won three major tournaments and the high money ranking. But I still wasn't satisfied that I had made the most of my talent. I pushed myself to qualify for the world's toughest tour in women's golf - the US LPGA. The qualifying tournament was brutal, but I won a fully exempt tour card. I had persevered to reach my goal! After retirement I was offered an opportunity to be a television commentator for major women's golf, which led to hosting a reality golf television show for 7 years. That

Vulnera MICHELLE MANTOR

Publisher & Editor, Houston PetTalk Magazine with her rescue horse "Freedom"

e live in a world that values strength, power, and toughness. Whether it’s a movie with a powerful main character or a parent teaching their young boy to “be tough” with his emotions or the images of muscled bodies in magazine ads, there’s no denying that our culture rewards the idea of strength. Which, in turn, is why it’s so hard for us to be vulnerable. Opening ourselves up to needing something or someone is a scary prospect. If we think about the many lessons we are taught in life, quite a few of them are centered around the theme of self-reliance. Think back to the values that your parents and other teachers have worked hard to ingrain in you: be your own person and don't be influenced negatively by others, find a way to make enough money so that you don’t have to rely on others for your basic needs, stand up for what you believe even if it’s not the most popular stance, and so on. These are all positions of strength and they are important lessons because they help us make good decisions, encourage us to be self-reliant and basically help us survive in this world. However, as in most things in life, balance is key. In the case of vulnerability, the scales often tip too far to the side of needing to project strength, which isn’t surprising given that the stakes for being weak are quite high in humanity. The unfortunate result of this imbalance is that vulnerability, because it’s viewed as negative, is an emotion or state of being that many people avoid, thus stripping them of some of the most basic connections a human can experience. Vulnerability is that place where we allow ourselves to feel unsure. It’s the place of no guarantees and possibly even pain or rejection. Being vulnerable is asking someone on a date while knowing they might say no. Being vulnerable is telling someone you love them first, not knowing if they will reciprocate. Being vulnerable is trying out for a team or a position knowing you might not get it. Being vulnerable is being a human or pet parent that loves your child or pet so immensely, all the while knowing God could call them away from you at any time.

ability

We are so afraid to feel this level of insecurity that we find a myriad of strategies to avoid the feelings. We overindulge in food, drink alcohol, take pills, shop incessantly and cram our schedules full so that we don’t have time to come face to face with the scary monster called vulnerability. But what do we give up for the attempt at not being vulnerable? We give up the deepest feelings of attachment because we are too afraid of what we will feel like if the attachment breaks. We falsely believe that it’s better not to be “All In” and preserve our heart than to let go of fear and connect as our authentic self to those important beings in our life. To that point, we can take a lesson from our pets about how to love with all of your heart, not just part of your heart. Pets don’t put “what if’s” into their thought process. They just do what instinctually feels right with no thought of consequences, failures or rejections. Take my rescue horse Freedom for example, who was abused at the hands of humans. He could be wary of people from this experience but instead, he is ALL IN. He loves everyone at the barn and he embraces the connection with each person he meets. Accepting the very deep place of vulnerability into our lives and giving up our need to control all outcomes, might be one of the hardest battles we face in becoming a well-rounded, loving, inclusive, self-confident, grateful participant in humanity. If you fear vulnerability, this holiday season is the perfect time to start allowing yourself to feel the “space” of your mind and your heart. Let go of the frantic pace, the facade, the fear that you may be imperfect. Instead, celebrate that you ARE imperfect, like everyone is, but you are UNIQUELY imperfect, thus offering the world something special. Take time for a walk in nature or meditation in place of shopping or overindulging. Discover what things make you feel vulnerable and embrace them. Go ahead and say Will You Marry Me? if that is what’s in your heart for that someone special. Go ahead and ask for that promotion if you really want more responsibility. Go ahead and adopt another pet if you’ve lost one and you’re afraid of loving and losing another companion. Stop trying to be perfect, strong and totally self-sufficient. That’s just a scam. Perfection may be easy to admire but it’s hard to love. So yes, it’s scary to break down those walls, but it’s pure joy to be loved for your real self. Go ahead...give it a try and you just might find that you will be more connected, more at peace and more grateful for your authentic life!

Christmas is a time to find commonality with others, give hospitality to those in need and spread goodwill through a message of hope. Let’s experience these true gifts of Christmas this holiday season and throughout the year to come. As always, thank you to our military for your bravery, courage and gift of freedom. Best wishes to all for a magical Christmas and joyous 2021. Houston PetTalk Magazine

Special

Thanks CREDITS & THANK YOU’S FOR OUR FEATURE

1. Chuck Norris: We are so thankful to Chuck Norris for agreeing to be on our cover this year. He is not only a talented man, but very giving as well. His Kickstart Kids program, which uses karate to teach character and resiliency to middle and high school students, has literally changed thousands of lives since he founded it 30 years ago. Chuck and his wife Gena work tirelessly for the mission of this program, and a portion of the proceeds of their CForce Bottling Company also support Kickstart Kids. CForce artesian water is filtered through volcanic rock before being deposited into a deep, sustainable aquifer found right on Chuck and Gena’s ranch in Navasota, TX (see page 16). To learn more about Kickstart Kids, visit www.kickstartkids.org. 2. Kechi Okwuchi: Kechi was so kind to take time from her busy schedule of inspirational speaking, singing and more to join us this year and she of course fell in love with the adorable kitten we “fixed her up with” for the photoshoot. Who wouldn’t, right? Thank you to Houston Humane Society for providing the cutie pie! 3. Austin Waiter: Who wouldn't love a man that can cook and loves dogs too! A big thank you to Austin Waiter, head Chef at the legendary Tony’s, for joining us this year. Austin came straight from his honeymoon to his photoshoot and we appreciate him taking the time to share his words of wisdom with us…and congratulations to Austin and his bride Shannon on their marriage! 4. David Paul: David needs no introduction to our readers as one of Houston’s top meteorologists and also our Doggy Party on the Plaza emcee for many years, but he does deserver a HUGE thank you for being one of our Notables this year. David is always so giving of his time for many causes and he has saved his share of animals. We love you David!

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5. Sunny Brookshire: Sunny and Ali were just the cutest love couple during the photoshoot! Ali did anything mom asked and posed like a little teddy bear. Thank you to Joanne King Herring for introducing Sunny to us. 6. Blaine Ochoa: Beautiful Blaine was simply gorgeous when she walked in the studio and just as beautiful on the inside! She would like to give a couple of shout-outs. Sloan/Hall for the designer gown by Georgine and make-up artist, Kiss and Makeup Houston. Blaine was also gracious enough to say yes to posing with Lemon Larry, an adoptable chicken from Houston Humane Society. Lemon Larry was a perfect gentleman and handled the “commotion” with pure calm. Very cool chick-en! 7. Pierce Bush: Pierce and Winston Moose were so much fun! Pierce was all smiles and so easy to talk to but his biggest challenge by far was keeping Winston Moose in check! I don't know that I've ever laughed so hard at a photo session. Thank you to Pierce and Winston Moose for helping make our Notable issue so special! 8. Michelle Mantor: I have so many people to thank! First, my good friend Adair Spinks for being such an amazing horse "wrangler" for getting Freedom to stand in just the right spot (plus bathing him while I stood by like a Princess doing nothing LOL!). I also want to thank my daughter Kaia for helping me with hair and make-up. I also want to say I appreciate Five Horses, LLC for allowing us to be disruptive with equipment and "commotion" required for a shoot. And, last but not least, thank you to our photographer Allison McPhail for the assembly/disassembly of the lights and backdrop both in studio and on location multiple times...that was a lot of work and turned out beautiful!

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HEALTH

FELINE VACCINES What does my cat need?

ust like humans, our furry cat friends need vaccinations too. Whether they are indoor pets, outdoor pets, or a combination of both, it is best they have a built immunity to different diseases. What vaccines does my cat need? Let’s start by going over the core vaccinations that your family veterinarian will mention and offer. Feline Herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1 or rhinotracheitis) – this is a highly contagious virus that accounts for ½ of all respiratory diseases in cats. Transmission is direct cat-to-cat contact via watery eyes, oral and nasal secretions, and indirectly by fomites. Fomites are inanimate objects or surfaces that when contaminated with an infectious agent, can transmit that agent to another cat. Clinical signs that you may see are most commonly within the upper respiratory tract and eyes – watery and/or

byline

Dr. Jennifer Cordova Sugar Land Veterinary Specialists - ECC , slvetspecialists.com

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crusting nostrils and eyes, sneezing, and squinting or ulcerative eyes. This virus can lay dormant, and then become active during stressful times for you kitty. Calicivirus – this is another virus that is an important cause of respiratory disease in cats. While there are many strains, you will most commonly see this virus in adult cats causing oral ulcers. This virus is more stable than the previously mentioned FHV-1, with it surviving for ~1 month in the environment. Transmission is direct cat-to-cat contact via watery eyes, oral and nasal secretions, and indirectly by fomites. Other clinical signs your cat may have are conjunctivitis, skin lesions, and a fever. More rare signs include pneumonia, and joint swelling and lameness.

Feline Parvovirus (panleukopenia or feline distemper) – contrary to the similar name, this is not the same parvo virus that dogs can get. This virus is species specific to cats. Panleukopenia is highly resistant and very environmentally stable, meaning it can live for up to 1 year at room temperature in organic material. It can even survive on fur for a couple of months. Transmission is through direct contact with contaminated feces or the virus itself, or in utero from the queen cat to her kittens. Clinical signs can come rapidly in the form of a fever, severe gastrointestinal signs (vomiting and diarrhea), anorexia, sepsis,

JUST LIKE HUMANS, OUR FURRY CAT FRIENDS NEED VACCINATIONS TOO. WHETHER THEY ARE INDOOR PETS, OUTDOOR PETS, OR A COMBINATION OF BOTH, IT IS BEST THEY HAVE A BUILT IMMUNITY TO DIFFERENT DISEASES. and even sudden death. If passed in utero, kittens can be born with cerebellar hypoplasia. This virus attacks the white blood cells and platelets, essentially depleting most of them and the cat’s immunity. Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) – this virus is not as resistant in the environment, while it lasts only a few minutes outside the body. Transmission is by prolonged intimate contact, cat bites, in utero, and through milk secretions from queen to kitten. This virus is one of the most common causes of cancer and the leading cause of virus-related deaths in cats. Clinical signs are more non-specific, but are commonly seen with weight loss, anemia, poor body condition, enlarged lymph nodes, and immunosuppression with opportunistic or parasitic infections. This vaccine is a core vaccine in all kittens, but non-core in adults. Rabies – this is the infamous deadly virus that is spread through bite wounds or exposure of open wounds to infected saliva. The most common carries in North America are bats, coyotes, skunks, racoons, and foxes. There are two forms of rabies – paralytic and furious. Prior to these forms, the beginning stage only lasts about 2-3 days, where the clinical signs are mild and minimal. They will then progress to one or both of the two forms. Paralytic meaning weakness and loss of coordination with neurological symptoms, eventually progressing to paralysis. Furious being aggression and extreme behavioral changes. Other common symptoms include fevers, seizures, dropped jaw, hydrophobia, inability to swallow, and hypersalivation. This vaccine is a legality. And finally, let’s touch on the few noncore vaccines that are offered. Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) – this virus is not very resistant outside of the body, lasting only minutes in the external environment. It is transmitted through saliva and bite wounds, and kittens can receive the antibodies from their FIV positive queen. The transmission between friendly and compatible housemates is rare, as

long as they do not fight. This disease compromises the immune system making cats predisposed to other infectious diseases, although they can live long and healthy lives in the right environment. This vaccine is not as effective as the other core vaccines and only covers two of the five viral classes (A-E), with A and B being the most prevalent in the US. Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) – This is an almost always fatal and mutated form of the benign feline coronavirus that lives within the cat’s gastrointestinal tract. I know what you must be thinking… but no, this is not the infamous coronavirus that we are social distancing from now. Feline coronavirus is rather contagious within high concentrated cat areas like shelters and catteries, passed through contaminated feces and saliva. But remember, it’s not the feline coronavirus that is deadly, but it’s mutated form of coronavirus known as FIP. FIP has been around for many, many years and studies still lack evidence as to why the mutation occurs within cats changing the virus from dormant and benign, to mutant and deadly. There are two different forms of FIP. The wet form develops very rapidly and produces a large accumulation of fluid within the abdomen and thorax. Cats most commonly present with a pot-bellied appearance and sometimes in respiratory distress. The dry form develops with more non-specific signs such as ataxia and weight loss. This form progresses more slowly but can produce some neurological signs such as seizing. Regardless of the two forms of FIP, neither is a good outcome. Unfortunately, the effectiveness of the vaccine is questionable and not very effective at preventing the mutation. Now that you have a brief background on the different vaccines that are commonly offered, you and your family veterinarian can make the best vaccine schedule for you and your cat!

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Gloria Meszaros of West Houston Subaru presents donation check to CAP.

TIS’ THE SEASON TO SHARE THE LOVE West Houston Subaru supports local pet community

t may go without saying that we would all like to hear some good news, a bit of holiday cheer to bring a smile to our faces as the turbulent year of 2020 comes to a close. The story of “true love” between West Houston Subaru and one of Houston’s largest shelters, Citizens for Animal Protection, is so impactful to our local pet community that it deserves to be told and promises to warm your heart this holiday season. The story began in 2010 when Subaru, a brand known for their love and support of all pets, planted the seed among their retailers that it would be a good idea to get involved in their local pet communities through sponsoring a pet adoption event. Frank Meszaros, owner of West Houston Subaru, loved the idea and thought it was an opportunity to go even bigger than a one time event and seek out an ongoing partnership with a local shelter. As luck would have it, Citizen’s for Animal Protection (CAP), was building a new shelter just a few doors down

byline By: Michelle Mantor

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on Katy Freeway. Knowing this was more than luck, Meszaros contacted the shelter and after a few meetings, the partnership that would “keep on giving” was born. Fast forward 10 years later and the partnership has produced phenomenal results. By working together to find ways that West Houston Subaru could support the mission of getting more animals adopted while also assisting CAP financially, a number of initiatives were developed and continue to this day. These programs include sponsoring the adoption fees of over 11,600 homeless pets (yes, 11,600!), providing medical support for needy pets, donating a brand new Subaru each year to be raffled off at the annual Celebrity Paws Gala, as well as general donations. The national Subaru gifting initiative, “Share The Love” in which retailers choose the charity that will receive a $250 donation for each car sold, has been a great benefactor for CAP and has helped so many dogs and cats at the shelter. Additionally, the car raffle has produced an impressive $597,000 in donations while the general monetary donations have exceeded $706,000. That is over $1,300,000 of support from a local business to an animal shelter, which I find extremely impressive!

Having worked with both CAP and West Houston Subaru for many years, I can attest to the fact that the monetary donations, while very important, are only a part of sharing the love. Meszaros and his wife Gloria, along with other staff at the dealership, personally help out at adoption events, and often set up a table to personally engrave free custom ID tags for all adoptees. They also attend the annual gala, kick-off events for the gala, and a myriad of other fundraisers throughout the year. Their support is underscored by their love of the animals at the shelter and their desire to promote CAP’s purpose of sheltering, rescuing and placing homeless animals in forever homes and advocating respect and compassion for all animal life. The appreciation of the partnership is evident in the CAP staff. Marketing Manager, Bianca Burrascano notes, “Their financial support has made an immense difference in the quality of care we can provide our pets while they are here, but what really matters is knowing that the people at West Houston Subaru are here to support us in any way they can. They are more than just supporters to us - they are family, with a passion for helping homeless animals.” In the spirit of the season, it is a pleasure to share this story of a love for animals, community giving, and the dedication to making a difference that is exemplified between these two Houston organizations. West Houston Subaru sets a valuable example for other businesses to make meaningful partnerships that provide a positive impact on the community. To West Houston Subaru, I would personally like to say thank you for “Sharing The Love” and ensuring that so many homeless pets have found a Home For The Holidays!

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HOUSE FIRES KILL PETS

But New Oxygen Masks Save Lives

W byline

hen pet owners go to sleep, the last thing on their minds is that over 100,000 animals die in house fires every year. But in the Northwest side of town, animal lovers can rest easier thanks to an innovative program that outfits fire trucks and ambulances with oxygen masks specially designed for animals. Cypress Creek Paramedic Jeremy Sager says he was amazed at his first experience using the animal oxygen mask on a puppy found soaking wet from fire hoses and barely responsive behind a dryer in the laundry room. “He perked up right away,” says Sager. “The mask fit snugly around his muzzle and once the oxygen started flowing, his body instantly responded. I warmed him up by rubbing him with a towel and he was good to go. I wanted to take him home, of course,

By: Miranda Sevcik

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but gave him back to his owner,” says Sager with a smile. The plastic, cup-shaped animal resuscitation masks, which come in three sizes, were originally developed for use by veterinarians. The masks seal around the muzzle of an animal tighter than a human mask, this helps firefighters and medics deliver the right amount of oxygen to the pet to help save their life. The life-saving program began when the Harris County Pet Resource Center told the Spring Fire Department about the Invisible Fence company’s program to award pet oxygen masks to fire and EMS agencies through Project Breathe. The Spring Fire Department applied for the program and shared the information with other agencies in the area including Cypress Creek EMS, Tomball Fire Department and others who were also awarded pet mask kits for their agencies. The initiative donated fifty pet oxygen masks to four North and Northwest Harris County first response agencies including Spring Fire Department, Cypress Creek EMS, Tomball Fire Department and Northwest

Community Health. Each of the nine Spring Fire Departments received pet masks. Cypress Creek EMS carries thirty pet oxygen mask kits for their paramedic vehicles. Tomball Fire Department received three pet oxygen mask kits for their three fire stations, and seven pet oxygen mask kits outfit each of Northwest Community Health’s EMS units. “We have saved gerbils, hamsters, dogs and cats,” says Michael Alaniz, Station 71 Apparatus Operator. “Most dogs will follow owners out of the house when escaping a fire, but cats like to hide under beds and couches. Firefighters enter a structure fire in teams, with the first team working to contain the blaze and a separate team entering looking for people and animals. It is estimated that between 40,000 to 150,000 pets die each year in residential fires, so this initiative is going to make a big difference.” “It’s another way we can return pets safely to their owners,” explains Alaniz. “In the past when we found pets suffering from smoke inhalation we wanted to save them but could only use Oxygen masks designed for infants. Human masks don’t fit snugly enough on the faces of animals. In the past, we have even resorted to mouth to snout resuscitation. These pet masks are designed by veterinarians so they do the job so much more efficiently and are easy to use.” The Spring Fire Department’s commitment to saving pets doesn’t end with oxygen masks. Last summer, through a grant from Friends of County Pets, all Spring Fire Departments armed themselves with chip detectors to identify lost pets brought to them. Now anytime a resident finds a lost dog or cat, all they have to do is bring them to a local Spring fire station and the chip detector will identify chipped pets and share owner information. “A lot of emergency service workers are animal lovers like me,” explains Cypress Creek Paramedic Jeremy Sager. “We understand the pain an owner feels when their pet is missing or suffering during a traumatic event. It’s so gratifying to have this extra layer of protection to return pets safely back to their families and it’s great to know that protection is there for my dog in case something happens to my house.”

Houston PetTalk Magazine

TAIL END

Lucy the PTSD Dog and Gator Bait the Cardiac Alert Dog

MEDICAL ALERT DOGS Local Trainer & Dogs Saving Lives

M byline

edical conditions like diabetes, epilepsy, PTSD, autism and dysautonomia are just a few of the areas in which A Pawsitive Approach Dog Training has placed medical alert service dogs with qualified handlers. “Our ideal client for a service dog has a diagnosed medical condition that is debilitating to their daily life. If in possession of a dog, we can assess their skills. If they need a dog, then our job is to help them locate an amazing dog with the right temperament and genetics. Our ideal client for a therapy dog is a willing handler and amazing dog”, notes Cathy, who has placed dogs throughout the greater Houston area. The mission of A Pawsitive Approach Dog Training is simple: changing the world, one paw and one hand at a time. Check them out online at apawsitiveap-

By: Michelle Mantor

www.houstonpettalk.com

proachtraining.com and on social media to view current students and graduates. If you ore someone you know is in need of a service dog, you can complete an application and learn more about how a service dog can benefit you or someone in your family. One of the most pervasive heath issues in our country is diabetes, with 10% of the US population affected by this disease. Unfortunately, the number is rising and more and more people need help manging symptoms. One local canine trainer,

Cathy and Savior, a diabetic alert dog in training.

Cathy Dorchuck, owner of A Pawsitive Approach Dog Training (APADT) is stepping in to help with a training program that develops diabetes alert service dogs. You might wonder how dogs can help diabetes sufferers? According to Dorchuc, one of 32 individuals in the U.S. certified for biomedical dog training, “Dogs noses are more accurate than any glucose meter out there. A dog can smell a drop in blood sugar usually before the GCM even registers the drop.” APADT was founded in part because Dorchuck’s mother had complications from diabetes at the end of her life, highlighting the need for more tools to manage the disease. The canines are trained to be medical alert and response dogs for people that essentially have invisible disabilities, thus the are service dogs. Dorchuck admits, “My passion is training service dogs and my primary focus is children. It’s so rewarding to help a young child that can have a better quality of life via the dogs I train." Medical conditions like diabetes, epilepsy, PTSD, autism and dysautonomia are just a few of the areas in which A Pawsitive Approach Dog Training has placed medical alert service dogs with qualified handlers. “Our ideal client for a service dog has a diagnosed medical condition that is debilitating to their daily life If in possession of a dog, we can assess their skills. If they need a dog, then our job is to help them locate an amazing dog with the right temperament and genetics. Our ideal client for a therapy dog is a willing handler and amazing dog," notes Cathy, who has placed dogs throughout the greater Houston area. Check them out online at apawsitiveapproachtraining. com and on social media to view current students and graduates. If you or someone you know is in need of a service dog, you can complete an application and learn more about how a service dog can benefit you or someone in your family.

Training Class

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

www.houstonpettalk.com

By: Lauren Wappler, Houston Zoo

Photo credit Houston Zoo

Exploring and Protecting South America’s Pantanal

n October, the Houston Zoo’s newest exhibit, South America’s Pantanal, opened to the public. This 4.2-acre multi-species environment explores the legendary tropical wetlands of Brazil —

home to South America’s greatest concentration of wildlife. South America’s Pantanal allows guests to explore the tropical wetlands of Brazil right here in the Bayou City. The lush

habitat highlights animals the Zoo is protecting in the wild and offers visitors the chance to see these animals in an immersive and engaging trail that gives guests the opportunity to view jaguars, capybaras, giant river otters, dart frogs, howler monkeys, anaconda and macaws closer than ever before in Houston. The first animals guests will encounter in South America’s Pantanal are a family of howler monkeys and a pair of bright orange golden lion tamarins. On the ground, guests will spy a couple of red-rumped agouti. These rodents are the “cleanup crew” of South America’s forests. Monkeys are messy eaters, so plenty of fruits and nuts fall to the ground for agouti to forage. On the opposite side of the path, giant river otters splash in the streamside habitat. Guests will peer at the otters through acrylic panels that bring them nose-tonose with the otters above and below water. This is the first time

guests at the Houston Zoo will have a chance to see this type of otter. Schools of large tropical fish, sting rays and turtles can also be seen in a sheltered cove. Next, a green anaconda lies in wait in the gallery forest canopy. In nearby dry-season streambed channels, poison dart frogs hop amongst the greenery and emerald tree boas lounges high on a branch. As guests continue, they will be met with the bright and bold colors of two spectacular and rare South American birds: bluethroated macaws and blue-billed curassows. The blue-billed curassow is amongst the most endangered of all birds. The Houston Zoo is one of a few zoos in the US that breed these critically endangered birds, and they work with colleagues in South America to protect them in the wild. Guests might feel as if they are being watched from the side and above as they move along the forest trail. And they are! Jaguar

Tesoro can be seen inside the main habitat or above the path in a fully enclosed jaguar bridge. Sculped by craftsmen to look like a fallen tree, this jaguar highway will act as a path for Tesoro to move from the behind-the-scenes space to the spacious new habitat. As the vista opens, guests will see across an expansive grassland home to capybaras, tapirs, rheas, coscoroba swans, crested screamers, and giant anteaters. Visitors will get a rare glimpse into how these different species coexist in their native lands. Rounding out the experience are two aviaries representing wetland and savanna habitats. In the savanna aviary, guests will be amazed as colorful birds fly above, and perch nearby. People will share the space with unusual birds like boat-billed herons, wattled curassows, Guianian toucanet and a large flock of boisterous green oropendola. In South America (Brazil, Para-

guay and Bolivia), the Pantanal region is a mix of forest, rivers, marshes, and grassland inhabited by a stunning variety of wildlife. The Houston Zoo provides salaries and technical support for its conservation partners in the

region, who conduct research, educate and engage local people, and find solutions to protect wildlife. And by visiting the Houston Zoo, guests are helping to save this special place and the incredible animals who live there.

I came across this photo when writing the memorial last issue for Evin Thayer and I love how he captured the spirit of the ferret... curious! I thought it would be a nice tribute to run it again in his memory. Plus, families often get small pets as holiday gifts for kids so here are some reminders about what it takes to be a ferret parent.

Photo By Evin Thayer

WILD ABOUT ANIMALS

By Michelle Mantor

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

s this little fuzzy girl not the cutest thing? You may agree or you might say “ick, how could you hold that critter?” Which, oddly enough, is what my mom would say! Depending on your “animal gene” as I like to call it, you may fall anywhere on the spectrum from seeing the value in ALL animals and their relevance in the ecosystem to having no respect for animals at all. If you are like me, you are fascinated by all creatures and the brilliance of their design both in respect to their physical being as well as their intended “job’ in the universe. However, I have to qualify this statement by saying that, although I find all creatures interesting, I still get squeamish regarding certain ones (namely snakes) - which doesn’t mean I don’t value them or wouldn’t fight for their welfare, it just means I prefer to view them from “afar” LOL! For those that fall further down the spectrum with their love for all creatures great and small, I like to believe that with a little nudge and some fun facts, you might be willing to open your mind to the role every animal plays in our existence (without them, we would not survive). To quote sadly missed legendary diva Aretha Franklin, give them a bit more R-E-S-P-E-C-T. With that goal in mind, this month I chose to feature a ferret. One of the many reasons I love animals is because they possess an inherent CURIOSITY that never wanes, yet they know when to inhibit curious tendencies for self preservation. Exemplifying a robust curiosity of all things is probably best represented by my little friend here, LUNA, a cute and funny member of the scientific family, Mustelidae. I have done only two photoshoots with a ferret and I have to compliment the photographers for photographing a “constantly moving” target. They are busy little creatures and they always make me laugh! Ferrets are rather comedic and entertaining, which can be both good and bad. On the good side, they provide lots of giggles with antics like hiding your car keys behind the sofa because they love shiny objects. On the bad side, they love shiny things and will hide your car keys! Hence the name "ferret" which is derived from the Latin furittus, meaning "little thief”. I just love that they are so busy and allow their curiosity to guide them rather than crouching away in fear of all things. I’ve often heard people say that they would love to have a ferret for a pet but “they smell bad”. It’s true they have a musk scent but in my research I’ve found that there are many things you can do to minimize odors. More on that later but let’s explore the role of ferrets in the environment first. For millennia, ferrets were used for “ferreting” out rodents, rabbits and moles from their burrows. Their curious nature combined with their slim build makes them perfect for such a hunting role. They have been used in various places around the world to control overpopulation of rabbits including by Caesar Augustus. Although the domestication of the ferret appears to be about 2500 years ago from the European polecat, these furry critters were first introduced into the New World in the 17th century. They were used extensively from the mid 1800’s to the start of World War II to protect American grain stores in the West from rodents. Ferrets are closely related to polecats and can easily hybridize with them. Their colorings range from dark brown to black, white or mixed and size varies de-

pending on sex, with males being larger than females. Reproductively, females can have several litters per year ranging from 3 to 7 “kits” who become weaned at 6 weeks, independent at 3 months and sexually mature at 6 months. Life span is around 10 years. Behaviorally, the ferret prefers the company of other ferrets (they are not loaners) and they are most active at dawn and dusk although they sleep up to 18 hours per day in an enclosed area. They can be territorial and will let you know if they are upset by squeaking (if scared, they will hiss). If excited, they may perform a behavior called the "weasel war dance", characterized by frenzied sideways hops, leaps and bumping into nearby objects. Despite its common name, it is not aggressive but is a joyful invitation to play. It is often accompanied by a unique soft clucking noise, commonly referred to as "dooking". As pets, ferrets are not for everyone and they require a good deal of maintenance. Caring for a ferret falls in to several categories including feeding, exercise and cleanliness. Feeding ferrets is not as challenging as the other two categories! They are obligate carnivores (eating small prey in the wild) and there is specialized ferret food on the market that is primarily made of meat. Next up is exercising and play. As noted, they are busy bodies and would prefer to have full reign of the house to check out every square inch of the place! However, it’s a good way to lose them so keep them in a confined area but they do need time each day for some exploration and handling. Moving on to the BIG ONE - cleanliness is a key factor in how much your ferret and your house will smell. A number of things can be done to reduce the smell of these mustelids to the point that it’s not a problem but it takes a concerted effort. I have heard that removing scent glands helps with odor control but in my research what I found is that the scent glands near the anal sacs are obviously there for a reason and removing them is not necessary (it’s considered mutilation and illegal in some countries). The primary odor is not coming from the scent glands but rather from hormones. Therefore, a big factor in odor control is to have your ferret spayed or neutered. This is said to reduce odor by approximately 80%. In addition to altering your ferret, there are several other things you must do to keep odor down. Clean the cage everyday. Yes, everyday. They eat frequently and they poop frequently. Next, wash their toys and any washable bedding on a very regular basis, but also use newspaper strips for bedding that is changed out daily. Essentially, you are washing everything your ferret touches to reduce smell - but that doesn’t mean wash the ferret! By over-bathing, you will make odors worse rather than better because their skin will produce even more oils to combat the drying effect. So it seems to me if you really want a ferret and you are committed to lots of cleaning and watching after them for a number of hours per day as they play and explore, they are otherwise a fun and fairly non-complicated little friend to have. I have to admit I have fantasized about having a little weasel-esque buddy but it's not an option because I know my dog Jeda would make lunch of this moving “prey” in no time. So, I just have to get my critter fix in photoshoots!

Houston PetTalk Magazine

TAKE 2021 BY THE TAIL MAKE THESE TOP 5 RESOLUTIONS WITH YOUR PET AND HAVE A YEAR OF ADVENTURE, HEALTH AND RELAXATION.

Although we don't yet know what 2021 will bring in terms of COVID restrictions, our hope is that outdoor dining will still be a fun, viable option. After a long day of work, resolve to head to a restaurant patio near you to relax with your pup and spend some time together at least once a month. You can even choose a venue where your dog has some room to romp. Here's a few of our fave picks: ❖ 1. Powder Keg (drinks, dogpark, volleyball) - 1300 Brittmoore ❖ 2. Better Luck Tomorrow - 544 Yale Street ❖ 3. 8th Wonder Brewery - 2202 Dallas Street

Take at least one staycation during the year and feel like you have taken an exotic trip and landed in a really cool place that loves dogs. We suggest several of Houston’s hottest hotels that are near tantalizing activities for people and pups. We suggest: ❖ Hotel ZaZa Museum District: Super pet-friendly and you can trot out the door and walk to Hermann Park and enjoy the reflection pool. ❖ Westin Houston Downtown - Next to Minute Maid Park, this luxury hotel offers lots of in-room amenities for four-ledgers plus it’s close to parks with wide-open spaces...did someone say fetch?

Every pooch needs to let off a little steam. Sign your pup up for doggie daycare - just one day a week will do your dog wonders. Find a list of awesome daycare facilities at PetTalkGoFetch.com.

Make time for some pampering. Schedule a spa day in the Spring to get ready for summer fun. Pooches can be coiffed and groomed at many local groom shops. Treat yourself to a facial nearby and then when you reconnect with your yummy smelling furball, go strut your stuff at Memorial Park.

Looking for a fun yet healthy way to exercise together? Join Rummy’s Beach Club and try some warm water therapeutic swimming together. Once you love it..and we know you will…sign up for monthly or weekly swims: RummysBeachClub.com.