Rocket City Pets Winter 2013/14 by Rocket City Pets

winter 14

Volume 2 | Issue 1

F i rst y A n n ive rs a r I s s u e!

inside: Easy Homemade Pet Treats

Rocket City Pets magazine is a free quarterly publication for the Greater Huntsville region. It is supported by advertising from local pet related businesses and services.

Publisher & Editor Tia Wheeler Graphic Design & Layout Kalico Design www.kalicodesign.com Contributing Writers Sarah M. Bélanger Betty Boyd Aubrie Kavanaugh Tia Wheeler

Facebook.com/RocketCityPets VECTORBUTTONS.COM A published advertisement does not constitute an endorsement of products or services. Rocket City Pets reserves the right to refuse advertising at any time and for any reason. In particular, we do not accept advertising relating to the sale of animals; this is an affirmation of our commitment to pet adoption.

All content in Rocket City Pets is intended for informative and entertainment purposes. For issues relating to animal health and wellbeing, please consult your veterinarian. Information provided in this issue was obtained from sources deemed reliable, and should be considered accurate at time of publication.

Rocket City Pets P.O. Box 22254 | Huntsville AL 35814 256-6828362 | info@rocketcitypets.com RocketCityPets.com

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… r e v o c e h t n o

Lacey is a Staffordshire terrier mix rescued from Two by Two Animal Rescue in Helena, Alabama. Lacey has never met a stranger and wants to be everyone’s friend. Like her owner, Torie Cox, Lacey is a huge Georgia Bulldogs fan. Go Dawgs! Cover photo by Sarah M. Bélanger Styling by Mindi Shapiro & Sarah M. Bélanger

In each issue we highlight a local pet organization, introduce you to a new breed or animal, help you make your own pet toy, show off readers photos of their pets, and publish a calendar of events, as well as a directory of services. The magazine is available in both print and electronic format (on our website). We have been using Facebook as a primary method

for distributing information between issues, and are now offering a bi-weekly email newsletter. And don’t forget that you can always visit our website for up-to date information. Just a few reminders for the upcoming months. During Beaks and Barks, you can visit the Huntsville Botanical Garden with your dog, and let them run free in the off-leash area. January 14 is National Dress Up Your Pet Day. Look for our Facebook post on that day and reply with a photo of your pet in their finest (please no Halloween or Christmas pictures). We will be giving a prize for the most imaginative outfit. February 7 is the 25th Anniversary Dog Ball; if you have never been, this is a fun night with dogs walking the runway raising money for the Greater Huntsville Humane Society. February is Pet Dental Health Month. Many vets have special offers on dental cleaning during the month – schedule your pet’s appointment today. Finally, March 2-8 is Pet Sitters Week. Be sure to remember those people to whom you entrust the care of your fur babies. Nutmeg, Qwerty, and I would like to thank you for a great first year. Happy Tails, Tia

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Editor’s Note Community Spotlight Meet the Breed: Chihuahua Homemade Dog Treats From Our Readers Events Calendar Directory Listings DIY For Your Pet: Recycled Bottle Treat Toy Nutmeg’s World

|contents |

We’ve come so far in one short year. It’s amazing what we have accomplished. Readership is rapidly growing and we are the go-to source for Huntsville pet owners. We have helped reunite lost pets with their owners and have spread the word about adoption events, helping to lessen the population of local shelters. During this past year, I have enjoyed meeting many pet owners and hearing the great stories of how they adopted their animals. I am constantly reminded of how precious our pets are to us. Publishing this magazine, as well as managing another business keeps me very busy. Some days I am exhausted, but coming home to my cat galloping down the hallway to say hello reminds me why I started Rocket City Pets. We want the best care for our animals, we want to understand them, and we want to thank them for warming our feet on a cold night.

editor’s note

Happy First Anniversary To Us!

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www.rocketcitypets.com | Winter 2014

community Spotlight

No Kill Huntsville: |Aubrie Kavanaugh |

Saving Animals Through Advocacy Many people have heard the phrase “No Kill” as it relates to animal shelters but don’t know what it means. No Kill Huntsville, a coalition of local animal welfare advocates and rescuers, is hoping to change that. This advocacy group is working to change the course of local history by educating the public and encouraging local officials to adopt proven programs which are saving the lives of shelter pets across the country. Because of confusion related to “No Kill” as a social movement, understanding some of the terms is important. The phrase “No Kill” is not a definition. It is a culture in which healthy and treatable shelter pets are not destroyed using tax dollars, and in which the only animals destroyed are those suffering, hopelessly ill, or dogs which are so aggressive as to pose a genuine danger to the public. A “No Kill Community” is not the same as a No Kill Shelter; it is a community which provides at least one open admission, no kill shelter, and is one in which all savable animals make it out of the private and government run shelter and animal control systems alive. A community is considered a No Kill Community when it achieves a “save rate” or “live release rate” of at least 90% of shelter animals and is able to sustain that success for at least a year.

desired result; places which try to implement only some of the elements will not succeed long term.

The methods advocated by No Kill Huntsville are contained in something called “The No Kill Equation” which is an 11-element method which works to balance animal welfare with public safety and fiscal responsibility. It is called an equation because all of the elements work together to achieve the

In 2012, about half of the dogs and three of every four cats in the city shelter were put down. Most of those animals were healthy and treatable. Although great progress has been made in the last decade regarding the conditions in the shelter, there has been incremental progress in the number

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There are almost 200 No Kill Communities across the country - representing more than 500 cities. Many of these places have little in common other than a desire to save shelter animals while saving money in the process. The No Kill Equation is the only proven program which is eliminating the destruction of healthy and treatable shelter animals because it is dual-purpose in nature: it functions to keep animals from ever entering the shelter and for those animals which do end up in the shelter, it gets them out fast. This is referred to simply as the “keep them out, get them out” method which allows the shelter to be a safe haven for animals which need to be re-homed or placed.

spotlight of animals saved. It is the goal of No Kill Huntsville to build upon the success of the shelter in recent years and fast-track this progress using the Equation and by getting the support of the community to encourage local leaders to embrace change. Although many may believe that becoming a No Kill Community comes with a price tag, it does not. It is a matter of using existing resources in different ways. No Kill Huntsville believes that Huntsville and Madison County can be the first No Kill

Community in our state. As a community, our resume is impressive. Being able to call ourselves a “No Kill Community” would just add to our resume and would make it clear to those who live here (or may consider living here) that ours is a great community not only for people, but for the animals they love. The position of No Kill Huntsville is this: “Saving shelter pets isn’t rocket science. But even if it was, that’s okay. We have people for that.”

Everyone in our community is invited and encouraged to learn about No Kill Programs by visiting the No Kill Huntsville web site at www.NoKillHuntsville.com or facebook.com/NoKillHuntsville. If you support Huntsville becoming a No Kill Community, the most important thing you can do to help is to tell elected and appointed public officials that you support this social movement through phone calls, email messages and letters. Contact information for those individuals is found on the “Our Local Officials” page of the web site. Other, specific things you can do as an individual are found on the web site on the “How You Can Help” pages. www.rocketcitypets.com | Winter 2014 5

Meet the Breed: Chihuahua |Betty Boyd |

The Big and Small of the Chihuahua Why do we love Chihuahuas? It may have started with the 1997 Taco Bell ad featuring the Chihuahua, Gidget. The Chihuahua has since been featured in movies such as “Legally Blond” and “Beverly Hills Chihuahua”. Famous stars such as Paris Hilton, Madonna, Jennifer Love Hewitt, have been pictured with their Chihuahuas. Even Marilyn Monroe had a Chihuahua, named Josefa (also called Choo Choo). They are the world’s smallest breed, but they have taken us by storm. The Chihuahua originated in Mexico. There are many stories surrounding their origin, being known to the Aztecs or other inhabitants in Mexico prior to the Spaniards arrival, while others speculate that they were brought over by the Spaniards after their conquest of Mexico. The breed name comes from the Mexican state of

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Chihuahua, where 19th century tourists first encountered the breed. Today, the Chihuahua ranks 13th in breeds registered by the AKC. While Chihuahuas are classified as a toy breed by the AKC, they are big in personality. Make no mistake their bark is bigger

Two and a half year old Lola is a Chihuahua rescued from a puppy mill in Merced, California by The Milo Foundation. She weighs a whopping 4 pounds and her people, Mindi Shapiro and Brett Levine, call her “Magic” because she is.

than their size, as they are not afraid to stand up to bigger sized breeds (even aggressively). Chihuahua’s are often only partial to their own breed. They are bred to be our companions, and they take this job very seriously. Chihuahuas are loyal to a fault. They are jealous, and have been known to exclude others to be loyal to one family member. They are dedicated to their owners and love human companionship and want to be with you 24/7. Chihuahuas range in size from between 3 and 7 pounds when full grown, and stand between six to eight inches. Chihuahuas are described by names such as “teacup”, “pocket sized”, or “tiny toy”. These terms are misleading, in that, the dog is born to a certain size and not bred to that size. Their life span is more 15 years, and they have a very good temperament, and are well suited for both apartments and homes with large yards. Chihuahuas love to burrow and cuddle in bed. There are both short and long haired varieties, with the short hair being the more common.

They are cold natured and often require wearing a sweater. There are some problems associated with owing a Chihuahua, many due to inbreeding, including porous bones, nervousness and under developed organs that are weak and subject to failure. Despite their own health issues, Chihuahuas reportedly have healing powers, such as curing asthma in children by transferring the disease to themselves. This myth may have started in Aztec belief, that the dogs could absorb a human’s sins while escorting one to the afterlife. Myths aside, Chihuahuas are small dogs with a big heart and much love to give their owner.

did you know…

Marilyn Monroe had a Chihuahua named Josefa (also called Choo Choo). www.rocketcitypets.com | Winter 2014

Photography by Sarah M. BĂŠlanger; Styling by Mindi Shapiro & Sarah M. BĂŠlanger

Hom

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feature article

memade Dog Treats

|Sarah M. Bélanger |

A dog can be your faithful friend, nosy roommate, and loyal protector rolled into one, so it makes sense that you want to show your dog that you appreciate their devotion. An easy way to show your dog love and affection is with dog treats, but they can be expensive or unhealthy. Homemade treats are a cheaper and healthier alternative to store-bought brands. They are easy to make, and your dogs will love them. Over the last few years, there has been growing concern about the safety of certain dog treats, especially jerky-type treats produced in China. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), since 2007 as many as 3600 dogs have reportedly gotten sick, and close to 600 dogs actually have died from eating contaminated jerky treats imported from China. Homemade treats give pet owners peace of mind by knowing each ingredient in their dog’s treat is safe.

include corn, soy, wheat and animal byproducts. Consuming lots of fillers can lead to obesity and other health issues for your dog.

Many dog owners purchase expensive, organic treats. These treats are usually healthy for your dog, but not necessarily for your wallet. Dog treats by Stella & Chewy can cost as much as $26 for a 16-ounce bag; it can get expensive fast, especially for a larger dog.

The following recipes were tested on several breeds of dogs and were a huge success, even with finicky eaters. The treats can be cut into various sizes to suit your dog’s size and diet, and if you make several batches you can freeze the treats for later consumption. Purchase a bone-shaped cookie cutter to have fun-shaped snacks.

Often cheaper treats contain ‘fillers’, which are ingredients that make your dog feel full, but have no nutritional value. Some common fillers in dog treats and dog food

Homemade treats are a healthy alternative to cheaper store-bought treats and a thrifty alternative to expensive, organic treats. Treats that you make yourself are free of harmful dyes, fillers, and preservatives and they use ingredients that you can get at any grocery store.

Get The Recipes www.rocketcitypets.com | Winter 2014

Oatmeal-Cinna mon Biscuits §§ §§ §§ §§ §§ §§

2 cups whole-wheat flour 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 cup rolled oats 1/3 cup peanut butter 1/2 cup hot water 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth

1 Preheat oven to 350◦F. 2 Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, kneading with hands until smooth. Roll out on a lightly floured surface to ¼-inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutter. Place on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely. Store at room temperature.

Peanut Butter-Banana Pupcakes §§ 1 cup peanut butter, divided §§ 1 ¾ cups brown rice flour (for gluten- free) or whole wheat flour §§ 1 cup milk

§§ 2 eggs §§ 1/2 cup mashed ripe banana §§ 1 teaspoon baking powder §§ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract §§ 1 teaspoon baking soda

1 Preheat oven to 350◦F. Lightly grease 12 regular-sized muffin tins or 36 mini muffin tins. 2 Combine ½ cup peanut butter and remaining ingredients in a large bowl; stir 2 minutes. Divide batter evenly among muffin tins, filling cups almost full. Bake 18-20 minutes for regular-sized cupcakes; 12-15 minutes for minis. Remove from pans and cool completely. Frost with remaining ½ cup peanut butter.

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feature article

Gluten-Free Pu mpkin Biscuits §§ §§ §§ §§ §§

1 cup pureed pumpkin 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 cup water 1/2 cup coconut oil 4 cups brown rice flour

§§ 2 eggs 1 Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, adding more water or flour as necessary. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour. 2 Preheat oven to 350◦F. Roll dough out onto a surface sprinkled with brown rice flour. Roll or pat to ¼- inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutter. Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden. Cool completely. Store, covered, at room temperature.

If you don’t have time to make your own

dog treats, your pet may also enjoy healthy snacks such as baby carrots, string beans, watermelon and cooked lean meats. Even with healthy treats, it is still important to factor the calories into your dog’s diet; dogs can become overweight or obese from eating too many treats. Consult your veterinarian about how many calories worth of snacks are appropriate for your dog.

Recipes by Lily Plauché

www.rocketcitypets.com | Winter 2014 11

reader

… s o t o ph “Chloe”

“Foster” “Phoebe”

Contributed by: Ashley Gessler The cat is named Chloe. We adopted her from a shelter in Tullahoma, TN in 2011. The miniature Schnauzer is named Phoebe and came to our family six months ago through a friend who could no longer keep her. The black and white pup is named Foster. We adopted him from Huntsville Humane.

see youinr poetur magazine!

Send a high resolution photo of your pet including its name and yours, and you may see it featured in an upcoming issue of Rocket City Pets.

Email the photo and information to info@rocketcitypets.com 12 Winter 2014 | Rocket City Pets Magazine

reader header photos section “Theo Popodopolous” Contributed by: Suzanne Glover Theo catches the morning sun on a cold winter day.

“Diamond” Contributed by: MARF “Diamond” is a four month-old Chihuahua.

“J.D. III and Malcolm”

“Daisy”

Contributed by: Leigh Thigpen

Contributed by: Chandler This is Daisy. She is smiling because she loves to wink at people.

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reader photos

“Milo” Contributed by: Cecil and Melissa Wood This is Milo and he’s about 3 1/2 years old. We adopted him from Huntsville Animal Services in February of 2011 and general consensus is that he’s a Pomeranian/Long Hair Dachshund mix. He’s very entertaining and can be quite a handful but he’s oh so cute!

“Zoe & Bubbles” Contributed by: Rene’ McCurry Zoe and Bubbles McCurry are both Maltese females. Zoe was rescued from the vet when she was about 8 months old and she’s 8 years old now. Bubbles has a rather sad story. She is about 7 or 8 years old and her pervious owner was very old. When her owner passed, Bubbles was taken to the Kill Shelter. I rescued her this past May and she is the most precious little baby ever! Both pups are service animals.

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events Local Events

National Events

January 18– February 28, 2014

Entire Month of January

Beaks and Barks Location: Huntsville Botanical Garden

February 7, 2014

The 25th Annual Dog Ball Time: 7pm Location: South Hall of the Von Braun Center, Huntsville AL

Saturday February 8, 2014 Race for Top Dog and 1-mile Doggie Dash Fun Run Location: Huntsville Botanical Garden

National Train Your Dog Month (Brought to you by the Association of Professional Dog Trainers) For More Info: trainyourdogmonth.com

January 2

National Pet Travel Safety Day For More Info: pettravelsafetyday.com

January 14

National Dress Up Your Pet Day For More Info: dressupyourpetday.com

January 24

Change a Pet’s Life Day

Entire Month of February National Cat Health Month

National Prevent a Litter Month Pet Dental Health Month For More Info: www.avma.org/Events/ pethealth/Pages/February-is-National-PetDental-Health-Month.aspx

Spay/Neuter Awareness Month

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events Celebrate National Dress Up Your Pet Day on Jan. 14 (like Gus, here!) Be sure to follow Rocket City Pets on Facebook for our very own Dress Up Your Pet Contest!

Gus was adopted from the Animal Friends Humane Society in Decatur, Alabama two years ago. He is believed to be a Corgi/ Jack Russell mix. Gus loves hiking, especially with owner Evan Belanger.

February 22

Entire Month of March

February 23

(Brought to you by the ASPCA) For More Info: aspca.org/pet-care/smallpet-care/guinea-pig-care.aspx

Walking the Dog Day

International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day

February 26

Spay Day USA and World Spay Day (Brought to you by The Humane Society of the United States) For More Info: worldspayday.org

Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month

March 2-8, 2014

Professional Pet Sitters Week (Brought to you by Pet Sitters International) For More Info: petsit.com

March 16-22, 2014

National Animal Poison Prevention Week (Brought to you by the ASPCA) For More Info: aspca.org

March 23, 2014

National Puppy Day For More Info: nationalpuppyday.com

www.rocketcitypets.com | Winter 2014 17

directory Animal Rescue and Advocates A New Leash on Life, Inc. P.O. Box 221 Brownsboro AL 35741 (256) 489-PETS www.anewleash.org Athens Limestone Animal Shelter 1701 Highway 72 East Athens, AL 35611 256-771-7889 City of Madison – Animal Control 100 Hughes Road Madison, AL 35758 256-722-7190 www.madisonal.gov Greater Huntsville Human Society 2812 Johnson Road SW Huntsville, AL 35805 256-881-8092 www.greaterhuntsvillehumanesociety.org Huntsville Animal Services 4950 Triana Blvd. Huntsville, AL 35801 256-883-3782 www.huntsvilleal.gov/animal Madison Animal Rescue Foundation (MARF) www.madisonarf.org Madison County Animal Control 3210-D Hi-Lo Circle Huntsville, AL 35811 256-532-1651 www.madisoncountyal.gov 18 Winter 2014 | Rocket City Pets Magazine

North Alabama Spay/Neuter Clinic 3303 N. Memorial Parkway Huntsville, AL 35810 256-489-0418 www.nalspayneuter.org Peace, Love & Animals – No-Kill Rescue 19135 Nuclear Plant Road Tanner, AL 35671 256-233-4343 www.peaceloveandanimals.org Petlinker, Inc. 256-694-5307 www.Petlinker.org SNAP – Spay Neuter Action Project PO Box 4450 Huntsville, AL 35815 256-830-8459 www.snapalabama.org The Ark 139 Bo Cole Road Huntsville, AL 35806 256-851-4088 www.arkinc.org Therapy Partners, Inc. 1015 A Cleaner Way Huntsville, AL 35805 256-881-5700 www.therapypartners.org

General Pet Services Pet Sitters 5-Points Pet Sitting & Dog Walking 256-213-6119 5pointspetsitting@att.net At My Home Pet Sitter Service 256-683-9121

Pet Supplies Goin’ to the Dogs Pet Supply & Self-Serve Dog Wash 814 Wellman Ave. Huntsville, AL 35801 256-489-3707 www.petsupplyhsv.com

Other Pet Friendly Businesses Salon

Just for Dogs

Exclusive Designs Salon Tom Gold-Barnett 900 Bob Wallace Ave, #119 Huntsville AL 256-533-0720

Dog Trainers

General

Kind Hearts Behavior Center 1015 A Cleaner Way Huntsville, AL 35805 256-881-5700 www.kindhearts.org Muttly Manners & More: In Home Pet Dog Obedience Training 256-755-0386 www.muttlymannersand more.com Such a Good Dog 4001A Holmes Ave. Huntsville, AL 35816 256-890-1234 www.suchagooddog.org

Dog Walkers 5-Points Pet Sitting & Dog Walking 256-213-6119 5pointspetsitting@att.net

Medical Winchester Road Animal Hospital 1479 Winchester Road Huntsville, AL 256-859-5511 www.winchesterroadanimalhospital.com