JUNE •11
FREE
MEET PHOEBE!! Pg. 16
MYTH BUSTERS Pg. 6 Puppy Training 101 Pg. 10
2 | www.TxDogsAndCats.com
JUNE 2011 | 3
contents
06
8 16 FEATURES 6 • Myth Busters 8 • Arthritis Affects Us ALL 10
Puppy 101
12 • Pawz-itively Natural 16 • Meet PHOEBE 20 • Tugg Tales 4 | www.TxDogsAndCats.com
EDITOR Shannan Parker
Contributing Writers
Tel: 281.781.4727
Tiffany Robinson
Email: info@texascatsanddogs.com
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Jeff Parker Tel: 281.781.4727
Jeff Parker Tricia Fagan Nadine Jol-Coeur Dougie Deogi Blake Ovard
DESIGNER
Sarah Standley Tel: 513.919.5628 sarahastandley@yahoo.com www.sarahstandleydesigns.com
ADVERTISE WITH US!
281.781.4727 SALES@KATYCUISINE.COM
Next Issue: JULY 2011 Advertiser’s Deadline JUNE. 15th 2011 JUNE 2011 | 5
MYTH BUSTERS!! Tiffany Robinson
How much is that doggie in the window? Myth #2 Don’t worry, the puppies in our store come from breeders, not puppy mills. Busted: Technically, anyone that puts 2 dogs together intending for them to produce puppies is a breeder. Don’t assume that a puppy from a so called breeder didn’t also come from a puppy mill. Myth #3 All the puppies in our store come from USDA-inspected facilities, so we know they aren’t from a puppy mill. Busted:
I love MythBusters. The science intrigues me, the inventions impress the heck out of me, and let’s be honest, they get to blow a lot of stuff up! What’s not to love? Although I don’t get to blow anything up, I now use a Mythbusters approach to debunk some of the most common hot topics in the pet community. How much does that doggy in the window REALLY cost? This month’s Mythbusters column takes a look at the dangers of puppy mills, and more specifically buying that cute little puppy in a store. Myth #1 Look at that cute little puppy! Shouldn’t I SAVE him from living in that tiny window? Really, wouldn’t I be RESCUEING him??? BUSTED!: Unfortunately, when you BUY that cute puppy you merely put more money into the hands of the store owner and the puppy mill breeder. It’s a simple case of supply and demand. As long as people continue to buy, puppy mills will continue to over breed their dogs in what are most often cruel and inhumane conditions. Remember, that store owner doesn’t care what your reasons are for buying the puppy. They only care that you pay your money. They will immediately refill that vacant spot with another puppy mill victim.
6 | www.TxDogsAndCats.com
So have you ever gone to a licensed hairdresser and came away with an awful haircut? Probably so. Suffice it to say that just because a business has a license doesn’t guarantee that the owner isn’t operating a puppy mill. In fact, many of these so called USDA licensed puppy mills have extremely long lists of violations, but the USDA rarely revokes a commercial breeder’s license or imposes fines on a puppy mill. Myth #4 We know are puppies don’t come from puppy mills because we only work with breeders we know! Busted: Ask to see documentation that states exactly where the puppy came from. Many times, the animals are being shipped in from out of state. While they would argue that they “know” them because they have been receiving puppies from them for some time, don’t be misled into thinking they actually know them. They have probably never toured the breeder/puppy mill’s facility, nor have they inspected their records.
e t t
m
d o a , d f a s
m h
Myth #5 Our puppies come with a health certificate by a veterinarian includes a health guarantee too!
health of the puppies is not a priority. Oh, and that fancy health guarantee? Expect them to claim that they guaranteed the health with the certificate!
Busted: Well isn’t that great. A vet spent a few minutes doing a cursory exam. Keep in mind there are many very serious diseases that have an incubation time, meaning the animal can be exposed to the disease and shedding the virus already but not showing symptoms yet. Parvo and Distemper are 2 very big ones! With the latter, there isn’t even an easy test for it. The diagnosis is often a clinical one based on symptoms, but unfortunately by the time the dog is showing symptoms it’s too late. On top of that, there are many things the vet simply doesn’t test for during a simple health exam. Also, many breeders give their own shots rather than taking the puppies to a licensed vet. Maybe they’ve stored the vaccine correctly, administered at the appropriate age, and given them as they should, but maybe they haven’t. Bottom line, they don’t use a vet because this is a business for them and the
Myth #6 We’ve never had any problems with the puppies, so the breeder/puppy mill must be good Busted: In the case of puppy mills, animals are kept in small cages. They never feel grass under their feet. They never smell fresh air. They never chase a ball or spend an evening gnawing on chew toys. They’ve never been kissed, petted, or loved. All those things you plan to do with your new puppy will never happen for the breeding dog they came from. Worse, they usually don’t receive proper veterinary care, and will be bred repeatedly until they are no longer of any use. At that point, they are discarded like trash. The real way to help is by taking a stand. Don’t buy a puppy when there are so many out there that are homeless. Many shelters in Houston have waiting lists for adopters that are looking for a specific breed. Countless rescue groups in the area cater to specific breeds. With a little bit of patience on your part, you really can SAVE a life without supporting a puppy mill!
y n y m e d
JUNE 2011 | 7
How ARTHRITIS affects us all....
appointment with her Veterinarian, Dr. Puksta, to discuss putting Bailey to sleep. She didn’t want Bailey to suffer and she couldn’t bear the thought of her enduring pain. On her exam, Bailey was losing her sight, and had osteoarthritis in her hips and knees, but was an overall healthy dog. After discussing options for pain management, Mrs. Combes and Dr. Puksta decided to begin treatment using a cold laser, an anti-inflammatory given orally, and a nutraceutical glucosamine supplement.
Arthritis affects us all.....animals, humans and children. The arthritis foundation of Houston has an annual walk to raise awareness for prevention, research, treatment and ultimately a cure for arthritis. This year “Bailey” Combes is being honored as the hometown Dog Hero. Bailey is a 10 year old chocolate lab with severe osteoarthritis in her hips and knees. Bailey’s owners noticed that Bailey was slowing down as she was getting older, but didn’t expect her to have such severe pain so quickly that she became nearly immobile. She has always been a happy, healthy, active labrador and now she could barely get up. Gone were the days of jumping into the SUV to go for a ride or jumping up and running to the front door to meet her owners. Approximately 2 years ago, Bailey’s mom made an
8 | www.TxDogsAndCats.com
After three treatments with the laser, daily anti inflammatory and daily glucosamine, her one week check up arrived. Dr. Puksta asked how she was doing and Mrs. Combes responded with....”she jumped out of the car to come inside today”! Bailey has increased her range of motion and activity on a daily basis from that point and continues with monthly cold laser treatments, anti inflammatories and joint supplements. It has been just about 2 years, Bailey has almost completely lost her sight, but she moves with ease and has the best attitude and zest for life. Bailey always has a smile on her face and is always happy to get some attention. Come out on June 4, 2011 at 9am and meet Bailey, along with many other people, children and dogs at the Houston Arthritis Walk. For more information, visit www. houstonarthritiswalk.org Join a team or just come out for a great family day in the Westchase District!
REPLACE WITH SCHWEIKI AD
JUNE 2011 | 9
Puppy 101:Permission by Tricia Fagan CPDT-KA
Would you like your puppy to sit quietly at the door when you open it? Would you like your puppy to wait patiently for his dinner while you prepare it? Before you teach your puppy “stay” or ‘wait”, you should teach him a release word. A release word is permission. For example, permission for puppy to get up from a stay or permission for puppy to go through the door. Many people use “ok” for a release word. “Okay” is not a great choice. It is a very common word, frequently used in every day language. You might accidentally release your pooch when you did not intend to do so. Each of my dogs’ has a different release word. Frolic, my border collie, uses a word I borrowed from world champion agility competitor Susan Garrett. Frolic’s release word is “break”. Taz’s release word is “pop”. Many German shepherd owners train their dogs using conventional German words. The release word they often use is “free”. Have you picked out your dog’s release word?
10 | www.TxDogsAndCats.com
Many people use a release word, but you must teach your puppy what the release word means. If your dog almost always moves when he hears his release word, he understands. To teach your puppy a release word, you will need some treats. Ask your puppy to sit or lie down. Give the cue only once (“sit” or “down”), and wait for puppy to comply. Give your brilliant pooch a treat while they are sitting or lying down. It is time for the release word. If you are moving the treat, even a little bit, puppy will not be able to concentrate on your words. Be very still, and say your release word. Of course, puppy has no idea what that noise means. That’s ok. Wait one brief second while you are still, and then toss a treat. Throwing a treat on the ground will be a surprise and your puppy may be unprepared. Show the puppy the treat, then slowly, very slowly, toss the treat on the ground. Puppy will jump for joy as he runs to get the treat. Repeat the above exercise. Checking to make sure you are very still, say your puppy’s release word. Freeze in place for a brief moment, then, carefully showing the puppy the treat, toss the treat on the floor. Continue to practice daily. Your puppy will begin to anticipate the thrown treat, and he will move when you say his release word. Once your puppy has learned his release word, he is ready to learn to stay, or to wait for permission to go through a door. Happy Training!
u e s e e r y y t s g e y , . u
. y y . o s e e o e
e t y
MEET:
Gulf Coast Veterinary Neurology & Neurosurgery
Gulf Coast Veterinary Neurology & Neurosurgery (GCVNN) recently announced the grand opening of their new specialty hospital to help provide exceptional care to family pets that are suffering from brain and spinal disorders. GCVNN surgeons Dr. Samantha Kegge and Dr. Wayne Whitney, and certified MRI technician Kristi Moncrief, an 18 year experienced technician in human and veterinary radiology, were present to answer questions. Also present were the dedicated officers of the Pearland Police K-9 Unit, and donated their services to help one of only two K-9 sniffer dogs. The surgery was a success on the sixyear-old Belgian Malinois.
patients with neurological and musculoskeletal injuries. Visuals will include MRI and CT images of actual patients, a post-op check up of a Pearland Police Department sniffer dog, and a peek inside our operating rooms, recovery rooms and imaging suite. A dedicated neurology and neurosurgery hospital allows for a more timeand cost-efficient diagnosis and treatment of injured pets. The space is designed to minimize the distance between the diagnostic suite, operating rooms and recovery rooms.
GCVNN is an expansion of Gulf Coast Veterinary Surgery, Orthopedics and Neurology at 1111 West Loop South. The referral hospital is home to the only three board-certified veterinary neurologists in Houston, out of a total of six in Texas and 144 in the nation. Additionally, the GCVNN hospital uses state-of-the-art equipment, including Houston’s most powerful MRI (1.5T MR) dedicated only to veterinary JUNE 2011 | 11
pawz-itively natural by Nadine Joli-Coeur
grapes(raisins), some nuts and onions. A natural pet food is expensive. If you feed a diet that has less fillers you actually feed less per feeding.
Why Natural?
Pet Nutritional Basics what do you need to know? Whether you have had a pet before or are getting a new pet, often many questions of feeding come to mind. Many new pet pet owners will ask their vet, breeder, friends or local pet stores questions like; “What is the best food to feed my pet? How often and how much should I feed my pet? Should I feed my pet raw or bones? If so what sort? What about treats?” Depending on who you ask or what website you visit, you may get conflicting answers and then start to worry that you may not be doing the best for your pet. So, what should you believe? In this article, we look at basic nutrition From the very beginning, the nutritional needs of a pet are extremely important. A dog is what I like to call an opportunistic carnivore. For centuries of evolution cats and dogs differ greatly; cats are meat eaters and dogs in the wild would eat whatever they could find. One Size doesn’t fit all
Don’t be fooled by marketing claims
Don’t be fooled by the claims of natural ingredients
and complete nutrition. Most dog foods may not carry enough of human grade ingredients to really give your pup the nutrients that he/she requires. If I were to tell you that in order to be healthy you needed to eat a highly processed diet, full of ingredients that would not be fit for the human food chain, mixed and cooked at very high temperatures, loaded with preservatives and some food coloring, you would tell me that I was crazy. Common sense tells us that I might like to eat at fast food from time to time but a diet loaded with carbs and fillers is not one that will foster bone development. Myths Some of the top myths out there are: Only pet food companies can create a nutritious diet for your pet Dry kibble is the healthiest diet for your pet A larger kibble is needed to keep teeth clean My favorite: never feed “people food”; What does “people food” really mean? Whole fruits, vegetables and human grade proteins are nutrient rich. However, there are some exceptions that are not good for your pet like
12 | www.TxDogsAndCats.com
Dry pet foods were created out of convenience, not for nutritional reasons. Not all kibble is created equal. Some are made with what I like to call the leftovers of the human food chain (that is not fit for human consumption). It is no coincidence that pet food companies have been following the trend toward more natural ingredients. It is the identical trend that we see in our own diets. We feel better as we eat healthier and reduce our processed diet. There is a greater impact on our puppies as their systems are not meant to thrive on a highly processed diet. Common sense tells us if we feed our puppies a natural diet, they will be healthier, which, in turn, will lead to less issues in the future such as joint and kidney issues.
Read the FOOD label.
Turn the bag over and look at the ingredient panel. The first five ingredients typically make up over 90% of what is in the bag. You always want to look for protein(s) to be first. Avoid corn soy, wheat or processed grains (gluten etc) because they are difficult to digest and are the top culprits for allergies. You want to see whole grains, fruits and vegetables. If you would not eat a protein/carb only diet, why should your pet.
Selecting a FOOD
It is important to select a food that best meets your pet’s needs. First, you should follow a needs checklist: Size - Do you have a large breed pet? (expect adult weight to be >70lb. or a small breed) Digestive tract - Does your pet or his breed have a sensitive digestive tract? Allergies - Does your pet have allergies? What are the common signs? How big or little your pet is going to be is a key factor in selecting a food. For large breed puppies, you don’t want them to grow too fast. For small dogs you want a food with bites that are not too big. We don’t know why, but some pets have a more sensitive digestive tract than others. They could eat a shoe in your closet and not have a problem, but if you switch the food suddenly, your pet could have loose stool or diarrhea. The issue can be hereditary to the breed. For example, boxers and bulldogs typically have a sensitive stomach. Look for foods that have probiotics and feed proteins that are easier to digest, such as chicken or pork. If you are going to switch foods, take about a week and transition by mixing the old food with the new food.
Chances are your pet will have some allergies or sensitivity to food or the environment during its lifetime. Key indicators that your pet has an allergy is that you will start to see signs from the exit points in their body (ears, eyes, feet). In addition you may see hot spots or red skin. Many pets have developed allergies to things that have been around for a long time in their food chain. For example, how many times have we heard that little children are very allergic to peanuts? If you look at most processed foods at the grocery store, you will see the words, “may contain peanuts”. If you think your pet has allergies, you probably want to stay away from corn, soy, wheat and limit processed ingredients in their diet.
HOW much should I Feed? Start with the guidelines on the bag. Puppies eat more as they grow, but it is important not to feed too much as it taxes their system to process all the food. The feeding guidelines on the bag are typically set by calorie guidelines set by AAFCO (Associate of American Feed Control Officials). If your pet does not eat all the food in his bowl, you probably should cut back. It is also good to feed your pet at least 2-3 times a day. You wouldn’t eat once a day so why would your pet. You want to make sure he has the nutrients available to keep him going all day. Depending on what food you select, foods that are full of human grade protein, whole grains, fruits and vegetables can be feed less than a food that has lower quality protein and lots of processed ingredients. Other common questions. When should I switch to adult food?. Rule of thumb is 1year for small/medium breeds and up to 2 years for large breed dogs. If you are feeding a large breed pet diet, it should be feed until your pet gets to his adult skeletal size. RAW Not everyone is comfortable feeding raw food or bones. Dogs systems are meant to digest raw protein, because these nutrients are more easily absorbed. Have you ever seen a dog eat a bone that has been in the yard and not get sick.? If you are thinking of raw, it is important to start slow so that their pancreas and internal digestive tract creates enough enzymes to break it down. As you feed more raw, their system will be ready for it. Dry food was developed out of convenience, not because it was better for your pet. Raw is not for everyone. However, by feeding less processed foods you will
see a shiny coat and white teeth. You would never think of a wolf having to go to a dentist. TREATS Chewing is important for a pet. If you don’t find something for them to chew on, they will find something themselves (a carpet, a shoe). Ideally, you would want to give them something natural like a raw meaty bone. Never feed them a cooked bone from the dinner table or a dried out cooked bone from a store. Raw bones are best, but if you want one that is cooked, look for a slow roasted bone. If you were to shatter a slow processed bone vs a overcooked bone, you will see the slow cooked will have smooth edges while the overcooked bone will shatter is sharp edges. Also, never feed rawhide. Rawhide, when ingested, will expand and can cause blockages that may result in a trip to the emergency room. Try putting a rawhide in a bowl with water and see what happens. As for other treats, look for nutritious treats. You don’t want to feed treats that equate to candy. Feed healthy, nutritious snacks. Look for the same things in treats as you would for food, the less processed, the better. Pieces of cooked chicken, raw carrots or broccoli make good snacks. Feeding a nutritious diet to your pet is key for his/ her development into a grown adult. If your pet doesn’t like its food, change it. It may be that he/she doesn’t like it or it does not give him/her the nutrients its body craves. If you want some advice on what to feed your pet stop by your local pet store. There is a growing number of “natural” foods and treats in the market. However, be careful of marketing hype. Typically small food makers of premium foods are those who are committed to achieving truly excellent products that contain things like fresh, whole meats, vegetables, fruits and grains. As we become more educated about our own diets, use the same principles to select products for your pets. They will love it and be healthier. Nadine Joli-Coeur Owner Natural Pawz
With 7 stores in the greater-Houston area, Natural Pawz continues to set the standard in the market for 100%-natural pet food, treats and holistic health solutions , all of which are sourced from the USA and Canada. The Natural Pawz team can help navigate you through choosing the healthiest food for your companion cats and dogs, while showing you how easy and affordable it is to provide the proper nutrition to your beloved animal. www.naturalpawz.com
JUNE 2011 | 13
the trouble with TUCKER..... Susan Randlett D.V.M.
Mom: “Tucker, what’s with the reading glasses?”
ter to our beloved pets.
Tucker: “I need these for understanding.”
DRUG DO’S
Mom: “Understanding what?”
Know the generic and brand names of the drug and why it’s prescribed.
Tucker: “To understand why, when and how to take all these drugs. You always wear glasses when you read the bottle labels and package inserts. I presume it’s to better understand what you are reading. I want to do the same.” Mom: “Oh, Tucker, I wear glasses to see but not to understand. It’s not your responsibility to know how much, when and why to take medication. This responsibility lies with me, the pet owner. Even though the eyeglasses make you look kinda cute and very intelligent, you can take them off. Trust me to care for your medical needs.” It’s well known that we live in a time when there’s a drug to eliminate, control or prevent just about any medical condition ranging from flea control, diabetes or heart failure. Our pets really benefit from the miracles of modern medicine. However, the very drugs that are so beneficial can be very harmful or even deadly if used in the wrong way. A clear and concise communication between the veterinarian and client prior to drug use is crucial to ensure the effectiveness of the medications and prevention of mistakes. The responsibility lies with the veterinarian or veterinary pharmacist to inform the client about the correct drug to give to the correct patient, at the correct time, in the correct amount, in the correct form, in the correct route, for the correct length of time, with the knowledge of the correct outcome, or the correct action to take in the case of adverse side effects, and the correct time to return for reevaluation. A list of drug do’s and don’ts is provided below. Every day the news and Internet underscores medical marvels while highlighting the horrors of the patient that suffers from the accidental administration of the wrong amount or type of medicine. Complications occur when patients receive multiple types of medications that are each prescribed by different physicians. Each medication by itself can be very effective but is contra-indicated, rendered ineffective, or even harmful when used with some other drugs. This happens in animals as well as humans. We must have a good understanding of the medications we adminis14 | www.TxDogsAndCats.com
Know the desired effect and timing of response of the medicine. Know and understand the instructions before administration. These include how and how much to give, how long to give, when to give and whether to give with or without food. This includes an understanding of what to do if problems occur. Know how to effectively administer the medication. In the case of oral drugs, make sure that they are swallowed. If they are to be disguised in food, know the food or liquids that are compatible. Maintain written record of the dates and times medications are given. Know what to do if the medication isn’t given at the prescribed interval. Know the side effects that may be associated with the drug and what to do if they occur. Know about drug interactions if multiple medications are prescribed. Know when to report to the veterinarian if the symptoms unexpectedly recur or get worse while on medication. Keep the medication in the original container. Don’t transfer it to another container. Give liquid medication (oral or injectable) with the measuring device that is dispensed. Errors in dosing can occur if different devices are used due to the different size and markings. Know how to store the medication. Heat, humidity and light can affect the potency and safety of some drugs. Keep medication away from areas of excessive heat.
Keep pet medications separate from human medication. Be alert to changes in the appearance of medications when prescriptions are refilled. Contact the veterinarian if such changes are noticed. DRUG DON’TS Don’t mix different pills in the same container. Don’t, unless instructed, crush or break capsules or pills. If advisable, pill splitters are available. Don’t leave the cotton plug in the medication container because the cotton may draw moisture. Don’t change the dose without conferring with the veterinarian first. Don’t stop giving the drug because the symptoms have disappeared without first checking with the doctor. Don’t wait for long-term medication to be depleted before requesting a refill. Don’t give the pet expired medication. Make an annual review of all medications and check the expiration dates. Discard any expired medications. Don’t give medication previously used without consulting with the veterinarian first. Don’t give prescriptions or over-the-counter medicine designed for people to your pet without a recommendation from the veterinarian that it is safe and beneficial for the pet. “Now, Tucker, do you see that the responsibility of the do’s and don’ts of drug usage belongs to the veterinarian and pet owner? So then, take off your specs before you make a spectacle of yourself.”
JUNE 2011 | 15
P
h O e
B
MEET PHOEBE Height: 10” (to shoulder) 14” (to top of head) Guilty Pleasures: Being cuddled (held), stealing her brothers’ toys, food, being a pillow hog , stealing hearts at the dog park
Phoebe was rescued by PugHearts when she was found with head and eye trauma, more than likely the result of a vehicle collision. Surgery was performed to remove her eyes, which could not be saved, but her health was remarkable given her situation. We met her at a PugHearts adoption event where we were participating, and she instantly charmed us and won our hearts. Initially, we had concerns over how much care a blind dog would require but after spending time with her we quickly realized that she can more than hold her own, being a quick learner and a survivor. When we picked her up, she was eating very little, was pretty thin, and her skin was bare in spots. Her back legs would shuffle a bit as a result of hip trauma from her accident.
16 | www.TxDogsAndCats.com
We were anxious to give her a new life and the prospect of getting better, and boy did she ever! One of the first things we noticed after a short time at our house was how quickly and easily she learned the house and yard’s layout. In just a couple of hours, she was weaving around couches and chairs and she already acted much more energetic. She was fidgety the first night in her new home but she got over her apprehension in a remarkably short period of time. She began to eat more and her hair grew out to normal. She began gaining weight and even started going on walks around the block, just as capable as any dog with sight. We could see her getting stronger every day. Along with her strength, we are amazed every day at how capable she is. She quickly learns the layout of new houses she is in and only occasionally bumps her head.
W g c
W s p l o
P a p c
e
We have placed stairs at the base of our bed and she has taught herself how to climb them and get into bed with us. She hasn’t quite figured out how to go down the stairs but it’s great to just climb into bed and hear Phoebe coming up the stairs to go to bed with us. She’s such a smart girl! We’ve only had Phoebe for seven months now but she’s shown great progress in that time and she’s just as easy to care for as our other two dogs. I know that she’ll continue to grow and win people’s hearts with her cuddly, good hearted and calm nature. Everywhere she goes, she’s a little heart stealer. We are grateful to PugHearts for the wonderful opportunity to have Phoebe in our lives. Pug Hearts of Houston Pug Rescue is a true 501(c)(3) non-profit charity founded in the Houston area by dedicated pug owners and lovers. Our mission is the rescue, rehabilitation and permanent placement of needy pugs into loving homes. For more information about adopting, or how you can help, please visit www.PugHearts.com
JUNE 2011 | 17
dougie deogi
Dougie Deogi, Rescue Reporter
Hello Peeps! It’s your rescue reporter, Dougie, here with another editorial about the Houston rescue scene. I’m gonna be a bit serious here, so listen up! Have you heard about the 199 dogs surrendered to the Houston SPCA from a breeder last month? That’s right 199 dogs! Are you KIDDING me? Who can take care of 199 dogs? I went with my nutso owner to visit them because about 150 of them are shih tzu and she thinks she is the world’s gift to shih tzu rescue. It was horrible. The dogs looked just pitiful. Look at this picture – these three little dogs with horrible skin, just huddled in a corner together. Scared to death. My new friend, Fred (in the photo with me) came from that place and he had a lot to tell me. You know peeps, I just wanna know what in the world is going on in people’s heads. So help me out here. When you go buy a puppy at a place that has 199 dogs, what are you thinking? Do you think that these breeders spend the money to take care of their dogs? Do they hire employees to take care of this many dogs? Do you think they feed premium dog food? Do you think they take the dogs to the vet when they have ear infections, skin infections or an eye ulcer?
18 | www.TxDogsAndCats.com
Do you think they spend $45 every six weeks to groom them? Or even spend the hour it takes to groom the dogs. You know what you spend on your dog each year, right? If you have a long-haired dog, like a shih tzu, you spend something like $1500 a year NOT including any unusual veterinary bill. So, lets look at the numbers, ok? I’m not a math professor or anything, but these numbers are pretty easy to understand. A shih tzu averages three puppies per litter and let’s say the mommy has one litter a year. (Good breeders only breed their mommy dogs every other year or so, but let’s use every year to make it simple) According to the American Shih Tzu Club code of ethics, shih tzu puppies shouldn’t be sold until they are at least 12 weeks old. So you, Ms. Responsible Breeder, are responsible for their care for the 12 weeks. Have you ever wondered why puppies are sold at six weeks? It’s because at six weeks, the mommy starts weaning them and then they need to eat puppy food. That means you, Ms. Responsible Breeder, have to buy puppy food. Cha-ching$$$. And, if you are going to sell puppies with “age appropriate immunizations,” they will need vaccinations from age six weeks to 12 weeks. Cha-ching$$$. Do you hear the sound of your profit margin heading to the ditch?
s t u e d y
Alrighty, lets add it up. Most breeders sell their puppies for $350. So if a mommy has three puppies a year, that’s a total of $1,050 gross revenue per mommy.
Ms. Responsible Breeder. If you do things the right way, you are now $855 in the hole per mommy dog. And, we haven’t even added the cost of maintaining the daddy dog.
Now let’s look at the expense side. If you, Ms. Responsible Breeder, maintain your mommy the way she should be handled, you will spend $1500 per year. Ok, let’s take out the grooming and assume you will groom her yourself. You will spend only $1,140 to maintain that mommy. Oops, there’s already a problem here. If you maintain the mommy well Ms. Responsible Breeder, you are already in the hole.
So, do you get it people? Now do you see why breeders who are in the business for money don’t take care of their dogs the way you do? Ms. Irresponsible Breeder, you gotta subtract out high quality food, shots, vet visits, grooming and get rid of those puppies at six weeks or you aren’t going to make your buck on those little souls.
Let’s now add up the cost of puppies. You can do your own shots, so DHPPx3 (at 6 weeks, 9 weeks and 12 weeks) is $15. Bordetella x 2 (9 weeks and 12 weeks) is $10. A puppy exam at the vet is $25. Deworming x 3 is about $10. High quality food for weeks 7-12 is approximately $80 per puppy. Oops, for three puppies, the total cost is just over $400. Now we REALLY have a problem,
Do you get it? Dougie Deogi, with special guest reporter, F.R.E.D., over and out Dougie Deogi is the official spokes dog for Lone Star Shih Tzu & Lhasa Apso Rescue. He often has interesting things to say on his own facebook page, www.facebook.com/accordingtodougie. The rescue can be followed at www.facebook. com/LSSTLAR
h e
r r. s r n s 2 r, .
e , y . . l ” s e e
JUNE 2011 | 19
Tugg Tales....
By Blake Ovard
and the cucumbers. I could almost see what he was thinking, and walked over to where he had dug the hole for his plant. When I turned around, Tugg stood there, tail wagging, with my small shovel in his mouth. I took the shovel, dug a small hole next towhere Tugg had dug his, reached to the pile of bulbs and placed one in the hole. I then covered the bulb with soil — and waited.
Tugg would spend his days on the couch, eating dog cookies and watching cartoons, if we would let him. Sometimes I think I could spend my days doing the same thing — minus the dog cookies, of course. Well, OK, I could While there are frequent evenings and nights of worry when you are the owner of a dog who is also a super hero, some of the benefits outweigh those worries — that and if you give him a curfew before the sun goes down, the worries are cut down a lot. One of the benefits of having a super hero dog around, is that they usually can help out with chores around the house. Sometimes they even enjoy those chores. While I was planting tomato, pepper and cucumber plants in our backyard garden last month, I noticed Tugg was trying hard to find a way he could participate. Tugg grabbed the bag of soil, dragged it over to where he thought some should go and looked over at what I was doing. I pretended I wasn’t watching, just so I could see what he would do next. I set down the small hand shovel I was using, after having dug a couple of holes to put the small plants in. Tugg sat behind me and watched what I had done. He walked over next to where he had dragged the bag of soil — which happened to be right next to an area I was planning on planting some bulbs — and dug a small-ish hole. I put the small tomato plants in the hole, filled in with soil around them and placed the cages over them. Tugg watched as I also planted the peppers
Tugg gently picked a bulb from the same pile I had chosen, placed it in the hole he had dug, and covered it. I can’t say I would have believed it if I didn’t see it, so I yelled for my wife to bring the video camera outside. When she didn’t appear with the camera, I yelled again for her to bring out the camera. Finally, after a third time of calling for the camera, I got up and ran into the house — flinging the door open and calling out, “I need the video camera to film Tugg!” Silence greeted me. I looked through the house, but my wife was no where to be found. I looked out the window, and her car was there, but she was not in the house. I got worried. I went back outside to put Tugg inside while I searched for her. As I came around the corner, I saw what I hadn’t noticed before — my wife was standing about 15 feet away from where I had been planting the bulbs with Tugg. In her hands was the video camera, and she was trying hard not to laugh out loud. Tugg smiled at me and dug a hole for another bulb. “How long have you been there?” I asked. “You want me to roll it back to the part where you start yelling for the video camera, or do you want to go all the way back to when Tugg was digging the hole?” She said smiling. She had been there the whole time, filming Tugg in the garden, for a video we wanted to do.
Tugg is a super hero who masquerades as a bull terrier. He lives with his animal control officer mommy and daddy just south of Fort Worth. You can follow his adventures daily at his facebook page at www.facebook.com/TuggBullTerrier. Blake Ovard is a dog trainer, writer and artist who lives just south of Fort Worth. When he’s not busy with those things, he’s also an animal control officer for Fort Worth.
20 | www.TxDogsAndCats.com
e d , l
e d b
I d I e r g g — e
, d e
I I s d s t a
u t g
n
JUNE 2011 | 21
spotted by the pupperazzi Furr-tastic or flea infested! The Pupperazzi is on the scene and has your tail covered!
22 | www.TxDogsAndCats.com
Private In-Home Training • Dog Boarding School
• Certified Professional•
Dog Training
dogSgonegood.com Dog Obedience Classes • Puppy Training Classes
713.557.1949
SERVING: Houston • Bellaire • Sugar Land • Pearland • West University • Inner Loop
JUNE 2011 | 23
L O OK
a Give your dog something to bark about with these eco-friendly beds from Luca for Dogs! The beds are channeled to maintain even weight distribution and removable covers make cleaning a breeze! Available at Natural Pawz These pet bowls are perfect for travel or storage, as they collapse down to less than 0.75 inches thick. Avaliable in three sizes, these bowls fit the needs of any dog or cat-whether at home or on the go. Available at It’s a Dogs Life in Sugarland
Humans need sunscreen, so why wouldn’t your pets? Great to use during any outdoor activity, a day at the lake, walk at the park or out on the beach. Available at Funny Fur on Westheimer
Give Fido a hand getting in and out of bed with these handmade doggie stairs from Fandango pet furniture! Locally owned and operated, you can find these stairs by visiting www. FandangoCatFurniture.com
Kermit Eisenhut is one of Houston’s most beloved artists, but he’s so much more. Portrait artist, muralist, furniture artist, public art creator, philanthropist, teacher, community leader, and the list goes on and on. www.KermitArt.com 24 | www.TxDogsAndCats.com
Perfect for late night summer strolls, these blinkers attach to your pets collar and can be seen over a 1/2 mile away! Available in many colors at Funny Fur on Westheimer.
Cooling Vests protect dogs from summer heat!. Light and comfortable to keep your dog cool during hot summer walks and rumps at the dog park.
From car to park, the EzyDog Harness is a summer must have. This harness is not only made for comfort but doubles for safety in the car! Available at Natural Pawz
This eco-friendly dog bed is organic, free from pesticides and chemical fertilizers, which is perfect for pups with allergies, skin sensitivities, or orthopedic problems. Available in several colors at Funny Fur on Westheimer JUNE 2011 | 25
rescue resources Adopt A Cat, Inc www.spayhouston.org All Texas Dachshund Rescue www.atdr.org A New Dawn Pet Adoption www.anewdawnpetadoption.org American Brittany Rescue www.americanbrittanyrescue.org Austin German Shepherd Dog Rescue www.austingermanshepherdrescue.org
for a complete list go to txdogsandcats.com
26 | www.TxDogsAndCats.com
Basset Buddies Rescue of Texas www.basset-buddies-rescue.org Best Friends FurEver www.furever.org Bluebonnet Equine Humane Society www.bluebonnetequine.org Boston Terrier Rescue of Greater Houston www.houstonbostonrescue.org Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club of Greater Houston, Inc. www.cavaliersofhouston.org Chesapeake Bay Retriever Relief & Rescue www.cbrrescue.org Chihuahua Rescue and Transport www.chihuahua-rescue.com Cocker Spaniel Rescue www.cockerkids.org Dakota Rescue www.dakotarescue.org Doberman Rescue Group www.dobermanrescuegroup.org English Bulldog Rescue Network English Springer Rescue America www.springerrescue.org Greyhound Pets of America Houston www.gpahouston.org Great Dane Rescue of Southeast Texas www.saveadane.org Great Pyrenees Rescue Society www.greatpyreneesrescuesociety.org Houston Area Ferret Association www.houstonareaferretassociation.com Houston Beagle Rescue www.houstonbeaglerescue.org Houston Collie Rescue www.houstoncollierescue.org Houston Lab Rescue www.houstonlabrescue.com Houston Sheltie Sanctuary www.houstonsheltiesanctuary.com Husky Haven Inc www.huskyhaven.org Lonestar Boxer Rescue www.lsbr.org Miniature Schnauzer Rescue of Houston www.msrh.org Montgomery County Animal Shelter www.montgomerycountypets.com Noah’s Ark www.noahsarksanctuary.org PugHearts, the Houston Pug Rescue www.pughearts.com S.A.F.E. House Rescue & Adoption www.safehouserescue.org Save Our Strays www.saveourstraysfortbend.org Second Chance Poms www.geocities.com/udxpom Smiling Dog Farms www.smilingdogfarms.org South Texas Aussie Rescue www.southtexasaussierescue.org Southeast Texas Labrador Retriever Rescue www.txlabrescue.org Texas Alaskan Malamute Rescue www.texalmal.org Texas Collie Rescue www.texascollierescue.org Texas Great Pyrenees Rescue Group, Inc. www.txpyrs.org Treat Em Right Rescue www.cooperanimalclinic.com Tri-State Bloodhound Rescue www.tristatebloodhoundrescue.org Weimeranier Rescue of North Texas www.weimrescuetexas.org Westie Rescue Houston www.dogwhimsy.com Yorkie and Small Dog Rescue www.yorkieandsmalldogrescue.com Yorkshire Terrier Club of Houston www.ytcgh.com Zeke Fund Animal Rescue www.zfar.org
Sprocket’s Bistro ©sarahstandleyDESIGNS 2010
MENU:
Woofys
1/2 cup milk 1 egg 2 spoons of peanutbutter a dash of water a dash of salt 1 1/4 cup flour
Mix the egg, peanutbutter, water, and the milk in to a large bowl. Then pour the flour and salt in. Stirr well and heat the oven to 350’F. ENJOY!
JUNE 2011 | 27
pet sitting service • Quality in-home pet sitting for dogs, cats & exotics! • Customized exercise & walks! • Pet CPR & First Aid Certified and Insured • Servicing the Katy and Surrounding Areas Karen Paola • Owner
28 | www.TxDogsAndCats.com
JuJuBspetsittingservice.com • 832.671.4915
Laser Surgery Works For My Mom. Why Not Me? CRITTER CARE ANIMAL HOSPITAL
Laser surgery. Faster healing time. Less bleeding. Less pain. 1304 Dairy Ashford | Sugar Land, Texas 77478 Phone: 281.494.7700 | Fax: 281.494.7701 www.crittercareonline.com
JUNE 2011 | 29
30 | www.TxDogsAndCats.com
Dogs, Cats, Birds & Exotics Wellness Care Immunizations Dentistry Bathing Boarding Surgery Laser Surgery Digital Radiology Ultrasound
Minor Emergency Center Hours:
Kingsland Hours: Monday-Thursday: 7am - 7pm Friday: 7am - 6pm Saturday: 9am - 4pm
Monday-Friday: 6pm-12am Saturday: 4pm - 12am Sunday: 12pm - 10pm
www.kingslandamec.com
Taylor High School
Kingsland Blvd.
S. Fry Rd.
(281) 578-1506
E
I-10 Katy Freeway
Westgreen
20701 Kingsland Blvd., Suite 105 Katy, TX 77450 (Across From Taylor High School)
S. Mason Rd.
W
Dominion Dr.
www.kingslandvet.com
JUNE 2011 | 31
★
THE 34TH ANNUAL HOUSTON
★
RELIANT PARK WORLD SERIES OF DOG SHOWS COMING JULY 20-24, 2011
Reliant Center, 8400 Kirby Drive, Houston TX
Tickets available at the
door or through TicketMaster Adults $10 Senior Citizens $5
Children 12 and younger $1 with adult Parking $10 per day Purebred Alternative Listing
JUNIOR HANDLERS
Mari Jon Filla Student Art Exhibit
AGILITY
★
OBEDIENCE
Visit us online or on Facebook or Twitter to get the latest news, coupons and event information.
SHOW DATES AND TIMES • Wed., July 20:
3 p.m. - 7 p.m.
• Thurs., July 21 through Sun., July 24:
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
CANINE FRISBEESM
FLYBALL
MEET THE BREED
CONFORMATION Designer Doghouse Competition & Auction
Canine Musical Freestyle
McSCOTTY MARKET
W W W . R E L I A N T D O G S H O W S . C O M
Official Sponsor
Media Sponsors
★