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Houston
Exotic pets guide
January 2012
WHY SPAY & NEUTER YOUR PET
2012 NEW YEAR’S RESOLTUIONS for a pet parent Puppy 101:
SIT!
Free bag of treats with a 2 day stay
All Inclusive Pet Boarding
Where Your Pets Come to Play! • Luxury Suites • Grooming • Training classes • Quality Foods • Fun stuff • Owner lives on premise
281-342-0852
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{contents}
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cover photo: Sonya Sellers Photography
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6 Why Spay & Neuter Your Pet American Pit 8 The Bull Terrier 12 Puppy 101 14 Exotic Pets Guide Bearded Dragons, Guinea PIgs, Ferrets, and Cockatoos
18 Meet the Vet
Getting to know Haley Rickner
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publisheR
Shannan Parker Tel: 281.781.4727 info@texascatsanddogs.com
editor
Tiffany Robinson tiffanyrobinson99@gmail.com
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Jeff Parker Tel: 281.781.4727
DESIGNER
Fran Sherman 314.275.2208 fran@shermanstudios.com
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Contributing Writers Dougie Deogi Tricia Fagan Nadine Jol-Coeur Amy Kelly Dean Miller Monica Schmidt
photographer Sonya Sellers
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Democrat Printing & Lithographing Co. 6401 Lindsey Road Little Rock, AR 72206 Phone: 815.334.8740
New Year’s 20 2012 Resolutions For A Pet Parent
Mobile Pet 22 Upscale Grooming And Spa Services
24 Dougie Deogi, Rescue Reporter 26 Marketplace 28 “Natural Pawz for the Cause” Food Drive for BARC
{January 2012}
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by Monica Schmidt – Houston Humane Society
why spay&neuter yourpet T
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hink about this – every day 10,000 humans are born in the US, and it is estimated over 70,000 puppies and kittens are born. How do we find homes for each one? Unfortunately, with these birth rates, there will NEVER be enough homes for every homeless cat or dog in Houston. Spaying or neutering your pet helps save lives, and is the first step in fighting Houston’s pet overpopulation problem. In addition, sterilized pets are less likely to roam, mark territory, and get into fights. In many cases, spaying and neutering will also help prolong your pets life, as the rates of cancer are lower in altered pets.
Popular myths:
If I spay/neuter my pet, will he/ she act differently? While spay/ neutering may curb some unwanted habits such as roaming and marking of territory, their basic personality will still be the same. If I spay/neuter my pet, will he/ she gain weight? With any pet it is important to maintain a proper weight. This is easily accomplished with proper nutrition and exercise. It is best to speak with your vet to create a dietary plan for your pet. I love my dog/cat so much I want to have another one just like it! Any offspring produced by your pet is highly unlikely to be identical to it. You can find wonderful, amaz-
ing pets everyday at local shelters. And the best part is you can find the right personality for you! I can’t afford to have my pet spay/neutered. There are low cost spay/neuter clinics to help people just like you. In fact, the Houston Humane Society offers spay/neuter services for $30 plus an office visit 6 days a week. Plus, part of being a responsible pet owner is proving for your pet’s needs, and this includes veterinary care.
Fix Felix for Free
The Houston Humane Society will be hosting the annual Fix Felix for Free event on Wednes-
day, February 15, 2012. Utilizing the full veterinary staff of HHS as well as the staff of All Cats Veterinary Hospital (led by Dr. Cynthia Rigoni), the HHS Animal Wellness Center will neuter 500 male cats for free for the general public. In 2011, HHS neutered 536 male cats in one day! Both tame and feral cats qualify, and up to 5 per household are allowed. To have your male cats included in this event, you must have an appointment, so call 713433-6421 or email fixfelix@houstonhumane.org. You can find out more info by visiting the Houston Humane Society website at: www. houstonhumane.org.
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american pitbullterrier T
by Dean Miller, Club Canine
the
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an icon in history
he origination of the Bull and Mastiff type dogs can be traced all the way back to the 1600’s, some say even earlier. These dogs, originally used for hunting purposes, arrived in America in the late 18th century from the British Isles. As colonists migrated into unchartered territories, something was needed to protect them from large, wild animals that presented life threatening dangers. While muskets and single shot rifles worked well against small game and humans, they could not withstand attack from much larger animals. The colonists’ solution to this was the use of dogs. While many breeds were tried, Mastiffs were too slow, Shepherds did not have enough courage and English Bulldogs, which were still being used to bait bulls, were not obedient enough. The colonists decided to create their own dog that was strong, had courage, speed, stamina and obedient. They used Mastiffs for their strength, English Bulldogs for their courage and Terriers for their tenaciousness. Traditional hunting dogs like spaniels and retrievers were also used for intelligence and obedience. This nameless breed from the British Isles was brought over to the US by immigrants looking for new opportunities. Thus the Bull and Terrier, Yankee Terrier or half and half was created.
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advertisehere
281.781.4727 • sales@TexasCatsAndDogs.com Do it Right the First Time, Enjoy Your Pup a Life Time PREVENTION PREVENTION PREVENTION! An ounce of this is worth a pound of cure. Being a new parent to a puppy doesn't have to be stressful. Giving you the education, tools and coaching for successfully connecting and teaching your puppy prevents the frustration and failure many puppy owners experience. Helping you build a healthy and balanced relationship from the start is our field of expertise. * Choosing the right pup. * Puppy Pitfall Prevention Consult/Early Learning and Development * Puppy Parent Coaching * Puppy Pack Socials and Skill Building
What’s in a Name?
Several strains of this dog are seen today as recognized breeds by the UKC (United Kennel Club), AKC (American Kennel Club) and the ADBA(American Dog Breeders Assoc.) They are recognized as the Am. Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and English Bull Terrier. Throughout the early 1900’s the Pit Bull was recognized as America’s all around dog. Famous Pit Bulls: • Tiger, Buster Browns companion in the shoe advertising and in the comic strip • In both 1915 and 1917, Pit Bulls graced the cover of Life magazine. The first captioned “the Morning After”, depicted a bandaged and scarred Pit Bull; the latter read “After Six” with a gentlemanly bow tie and top hat • R.C.A. products, which was Thomas Edison’s dog • Theodor Roosevelt kept two Pit Bulls in the White House as family pets • Helen Keller traveled with her Pit Bull • And the U.S. Navy named the Pit Bull, “Americas watchdog”, creating posters with a Pit Bull in a Navy Cap which read “Were not looking for trouble, but we’re ready for it” • The infamous Three Stooges even had appearances with Petey, the Little Rascals and Our Gang film series Pit Bull. • Spuds Mackenzie, the Bud Light party Bull Terrier
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Holiday Puppies, Breed History and Education
“Throughout the early 1900’s the Pit Bull was recognized as America’s all around dog.”
The Holidays are upon us and many like to give the gift of a new puppy. While certain breeds of dogs are not for everyone, people have the right to responsibly own their breed of choice. Impulsiveness based on how cute something is does not qualify as a decision component. Educating owners on how to make the right choice is key. Learning the history and breed characteristics of your potential new puppy and whether it’s right for you are essential, but professional training is the most important step to insuring success. While there is an enormous amount of information out there on dogs, a true professional trainer should be able to better guide you. Check out the International Association of Canine Professionals. The IACP Canineprofessionals.com is a proven resource for locating professionals in your area by city, zip code and by their qualifications.
Final thoughts on the APBT
One of the breeds’ founding fathers in this country, John P. Colby, was a man who never had time for silly sentimental dog stories. However, according to his son, the late Louis Colby, John Colby did have a favorite piece of writing concerning a dog, Senator George Vest’s plea to the jury considering the case of a dog condemned to death. It
catches the very spirit of the American Pit Bull Terrier. “The best friend a man has in the world may turn against him, and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name, may become traitor to their faith. The money that a man has he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it most. A man’s reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with thus may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads.” The first paragraph has been reproduced here; the rest can be viewed in its entirety on our web site blog.
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poster for cat show
{puppy101} by Tricia Fagan
sit! S
it can be such a useful behavior. Once you have trained your dog, you can ask him to sit in many situations. Your dog can sit before leaving the house, reducing your worry that your dog will get loose in the neighborhood. Your dog can sit before exiting his crate, reducing his crazy behavior when you come home. Your dog can sit while you prepare his dinner, reducing his crying and pawing as you make doggy dinner.
To teach your dog to sit, gather his collar and leash, and some small but yummy treats. While your dog is wearing his collar and leash, stand on the end of the leash. The leash does not have to be short or tight, but should prevent your dog from leaving the training session. Treats at the ready, wait. Be quiet; 12
remember your dog does not speak English (or any other human language). Repeating or yelling words will not help your dog learn. In fact, giving your dog a cue when the dog cannot respond causes a scientific phenomenon called blocking. Each time you say “sit”, and the dog does not sit, you are teaching your dog
NOT to respond to this word. Save your cue, “sit”, for later, when you are certain your dog will sit. Wait! Your dog will soon become bored and sit. So, you are waiting. Where you are waiting can make a difference. Some dogs, and many large breed puppies, have difficulty sitting on slick floors. If you are on carpet,
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or other surface that offers traction, your puppy is more likely to sit. Choose your training location carefully. Yes, at a later time, you can teach your dog to sit on different surfaces. So, you are waiting. The activity in your training area matters. If you have other dogs, they can be distracting during early training sessions. Choose a location free of other pets. If you have active young children running around, your puppy might have difficulty concentrating. Seek out an area that is free of other people. So, you are waiting. Patiently, quietly, hopefully. And . . . sit happens! Yeah! Quickly, give your dog a treat. You would like your dog to receive his treat while he is sitting. If you reach toward your dog and he leaps up to grab the treat from your hand, move the treat away! Do not let your dog receive a reward by grabbing your hand. Wait until the dog sits and try to give him a treat again. Be patient. This concept of waiting for the treat to arrive in his mouth is a new to your puppy. Yup, many puppies will jump and grab, jump and grab, grab and jump, jump and grab. It seems to go on forever. That is ok. You are patient. You are waiting. You are grateful you are teaching this to your 20 pound baby, and not a hundred pound adult. Allow your baby to try and try. The dog will realize he is not getting a treat. He will try another behavior. He might even try to sit! Give your puppy his treat for sitting {January 2012}
while he is sitting. Repeat, repeat, repeat! Do this exercise in every room in your home. Try it on the back patio. Try it in the back yard. Try in on the front porch. Try it in the front yard. Make sure your treats are good enough to compete with the busy surroundings. Examples of good treats are real meats: turkey, chicken, beef. A word of caution: if you spend several weeks teaching your puppy to sit, and do not teach anything else, it will be difficult to get another behavior, because your dog is stuck on sit. You can use the exact instructions for sit, and use the same method to teach down. Important note: Do not mix your puppy’s sits with his downs. Do ten to twenty sits. Then do ten to twenty downs. Occasionally do ten to twenty downs, followed by ten to twenty sits. You cannot mix them up until you have taught your pooch the cues. Wait a minute. What about the cue, “sit”? Ah! Adding a cue to a known behavior (sit and down, you taught them both, right?) will be discussed next month . Happy Training, Tricia Fagan Tricia Fagan Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed DogS Gone Good www.dogSgonegood.com trainer@dogSgonegood.com (713) 557-1949
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exotic pets guide 14
The inland bearded dragon is generally considered one of the all-time best lizard pets. It is known for being alert, hardy, tame, and bearded dragon owners love watching their lizards, whether during a feeding frenzy while chasing crickets or simply interacting with each other. These desert dwellers require intense ultra violet light and heat to keep them healthy and to aid in food digestion. They eat both animal and plants and should be offered a diet of crickets, finely chopped fruits and vegetables.
Bearded Dragon &
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GuineaPig
Small, furry, unassuming, seen in pet stores across the United States, yes we are talking about the Guinea Pig. Guinea pigs have been domesticated for several hundreds of years, and are small members of the rodent family. Are they good pets, you may ask? The answer is, “yes�. If you are looking at getting a guinea pig, make sure you get a good book on their care and read it carefully. Guinea pigs are strict vegans. They do not eat any kind of meat product, and do not require dairy products or sweets. You can definitely treat your guinea pig with a nugget of corn or wheat cereal, but this should not be a regular course of their diet. Pellets and timothy hay should be the bulk of their food regime. Guinea pigs do not need elaborate items. A roomy cage, {January 2012}a ceramic food bowl, water bottle with a sipper safe bedding,
spout, and food are the basic that they will need. Once at their new home be sure not to put a shelter inside the cage. This may cause the guinea pig to retreat into it and refuse to come out except to eat. A shelter should be added once the pet has become comfortable to his surroundings. A guinea pig makes a very good pet for children, but parents must make sure the child is old enough and gentle enough to care for their pet as with any pet. Guinea pigs love to be held and are very sociable, keeping the pet in a cage and ignored is a harsh life for a guinea pig. They need attention and new owners need to be aware of this. But for a home or apartment, a guinea pig can create hours of entertainment and fun for the entire family. 15
exotic pets guide
Cockatoo
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ttracted to their brilliant colors, adoring personalities, and high intellect, people have been drawn to adopt parrots into their lives for thousands of years.
Different species of Parrot require different care, all require fresh water daily, a diet of fresh fruits and vegetables, high quality pellets and nuts and seeds. Larger Parrots can eat almost anything we can and love nothing more then to join their flock at the table for a family dinner. Parrots are unique among pets and have the potential to be with you for your entire life. Smaller Cockatiels life span is between 12-20 years, while the larger Macaws and Cockatoos will be with you for 50-100+ years! They are highly intelligent and with patience, can be taught to talk and do tricks. Alex, a African Grey has a
vocabulary of over 200 words! Snowball the Cockatoo is a You Tube sensation with her love for music and dancing! Before adopting ANY Parrot, DO YOUR RESEARCH on different Parrots. Some Parrots are fine being home while you work during the day, some may not appreciate being alone for so long and can develop behavior problems (last thing you want is a large bird screaming at 135 decibels for hours on end (a Jumbo Jet produces 140 decibels) or chasing you throughout the house biting (Moluccan Cockatoo has a Beak capable of exerting 500 pounds of pressure!) A good Avian Veterinarian
and Reputable bird store will be able to help you through any health or behavior problems you may encounter with your feathered friend. Kinx is a 5 year old Umbrella Cockatoo who was adopted through Spring Branch Animal & Bird Sanctuary. A reformed feather pucker and self –mutilator with help from Adventures in Birds and ABC Animal & Bird Clinic she now ‘rules the roost’ For more information about adopting a Parrot in need, visit Adventures in Birds at 1408 Woodvine Dr in Houston or visit TexasDogsAndCats.com for a direct link to their adoptable birds!
Ferret the
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hat is a ferret? Lots of people don’t know they are one of the top pets in the USA and abroad. Small little creatures between 1 lbs to 3 lbs on the average and full of mischief and love. They are great little stress relievers as no one can stay down when around one of these happy go lucky critters. They dance, they steal, they hug, they play, they have fun. They bond very strongly to their people and each other plus they think everyone loves them. Thus they mix well with animals that will tolerate them such as dogs and cats. They are a carnivore so best not to mix with temptations such as hamsters, guinea pigs and rabbits.
by Millie Sanders
Although they don’t do well for long periods of time in a cage, it is best to have a cage for their own protection for when you are going in and out of the house or have guest or just want to know exactly where they are the next time you go to find them. They need at least 4 hours out of play time a day to build good muscle mass and stimulate their minds.........treat them like 4 year olds by changing out their toys regularly where they think they are getting something new. Watch carefully when you are going through doors to the forbidden area as they see you coming and going so they know there has to be something really great out there. Life expectancy is 3 days for an escaped ferret they will not eat food they are not used to and they’ll go up to a snarling dog and ask them to be their best friend. They also cannot take temperatures over 85 without showing signs of heat stroke so Texas weather is not for them. Ferrets love their people and want them to play with them no matter how many you have. We have thumbs, that makes us unique in their book and can set up games and stuff that are a lot of fun. They love to be chased and do the chasing, ride on towels you pull around the room and OH BOY, toss them in a paperbag, roll them around then dump them out. Watch them dance around like popcorn and hop back in the bag for you to do it again. Pure joy for them and you. You can find several lovable Ferrets looking for their forever homes at Texas Ferret Lovers Rescue or by visiting their website at www.txferretrescue.org
{meetthevet} By Susan Randlett, DVM and Amy Webb
haley rickner
getting to know
H
aley is currently the kennel manager at Kingsland Blvd Animal Clinic. She has a crew of seven kennel technicians that work with her to help take care of all the animals that board at Kingsland.
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AWe have the great responsibility of taking care of the animals as if we are their home away from home. The kennel staff works very closly with our receptionists and technicians to make you feel comfortable when you choose to board your animals with Kingsland. “ When I see how much the employees love animals here, I would want to board my own animals here 100%.” says Haley. “I treat every animal as they were my own. Every animal has their own personality and we try to learn each one so we can make them all happy in their own special way.” Haley was raised on a ranch in a small town in Oklahoma. She has been around animals all her life,and it feels like second nature to connect with anything with four legs. She has had everything from owning six steers at one time, to a chinchilla that would keep her up at night, and everything in in between. When she was in high school, she was involved with many sports, and she was president of her FFA chapter. During her FFA activities, she had many successes winning local, and county awards, and having the Reserve Grand Champion Steer at the Oklahoma State Fair. After high school, she went to college for a degree in criminal justice, but she heard the call of duty to serve her {January 2012}
country. In 2009, she joined the United States Navy. Her job during the Navy was an underwater mine specialist or a mine-woman as Haley puts it. After leaving the Navy, were she met her husband Nick, they started their family by adding a beautiful daughter, Machelle. After being a stay at home mom for a year, she had a calling to go back to her comfort zone. “When I walked into Kingsalnd, I knew that, not only did I want to be around the animals again, I knew Kingsland was taking care of animals, and I wanted to be a
part of that process.” says Haley. “Being the kennel manager at Kingsland is one of the most fulfilling jobs I have had. I don’t tell people I have a job; I tell them that I do something I love, and someone actually pays me to do it!” “ I get so connected to these animals I have actually adopted three of them: my queen of the house Siberian husky, Hera, and my lovely cats that will put my husky in her place, Frankie and Clyde. “ “With all the adventures I have been on, this is where I want to stay and grow.”
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{pawz-itivelynatural} By Nadine Joli-Coeur
2012
newyears resolutions M
for a pet parent
ost of us make New Year’s resolutions for ourselves. We vow to work out more, lose weight, be a better pet parent. Your pet’s health and happiness is dependent on you. Why not improve your relationship with your pet this year. Here are some suggestions for New Year resolutions for your pet.
1. Improve your pet’s health through good nutrition. This means looking at the ingredients on the bag and find a food that best meets your pet’s needs. There are many websites out there with great information. Look for independent websites that do not accept advertisements from manufacturers. You should also visit your local independent pet store that may have some alternatives to larger commercial brands. Good nutrition does not need to break the budget. Whatever your budget vow to provide your pet with the highest quality nutrition possible. Poor diets can be a significant underlying contributor to many health issues such as skin problems, allergies, diabetes, liver and kidney problems. 2. Help your pet lose those extra pounds. Obesity in pets has reached epidemic levels. Every extra pound not only reduces their quality of life, but it can affect their life span. If you cannot feel your dog’s ribs or your cat has a belly, they need to lose weight. Start by cutting back their food by 10-20% and cut back on the treats. One of the best ways to lose the pounds and get more energy is to feed less processed foods and treats. When was the last time anyone lost weight on a processed diet? Look for treats with 1- 5 ingredients. In their food 20
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look for less processed ingredients and use ONLY natural preservatives. (avoid by-products, glutens, digests, sugar, food dyes) 3. Add supplements. Since most pets are on primarily a dry diet added supplements are needed for your pet. The top three things you should consider adding are 1) fish oil or coconut oil. The added omegas help with skin, coat and joints and are great at helping fight off bacteria. 2) Vitamin supplement – such as a daily vitamin or something you can add to your food that is full of vitamins (such as Solid Gold seameal or Nupro) and 3) Joint supplement to help your pet’s joints be as strong as possible to reduce severity of future joint issues. 4. Keep your pet feeling good. Give your pet a good brushing or a bath at least once a month. It is important to ensure their coat does not mat and you can also see any underlying issues such as hot spots, parasites, fleas and loss of hair. Overgrown toenails are not only painful, but they can become infected. Icky ears can be the sign of parasites or yeast overgrowth. If there is a lot of discharge at the eye it could be do to allergies or eye damage. Routine care and maintenance makes your pet feel better and can help you address any issues before they turn into something more serious. Make sure to visit your vet if you think there is an underlying issue as it is better to address it early before it turns into something more serious.
{January 2012}
5. Throw away old plastic toys, tennis balls and replace any plastic food / water bowls. If you use a ceramic food bowl and it is chipped replace that as well. All these items are a breeding ground for bacteria. Once bacteria starts, it grows exponentially and can make your dog very sick and can also life threatening. If you need a new water or food bowl buy stainless steel, it is more hygienic and easy to clean. 6. Proactively do things to reduce unwanted behavior. If your dog loves chewing on shoes, do not allow him unsupervised access to shoes. If your dog pees in the house, provide him with plenty of opportunities to go outside. If your dog is uneasy around other people or kids, limit those types of activities until you can work with a trainer to overcome them. 7. Make time for your pet. This may mean rearranging your schedule. One of the biggest elements of successful training and building a strong bond with your pet is doing activities that reinforce positive interaction. It is fun to give treats, butt or belly scratches, play a game of tug, or go out for a
walk. Don’t forget to let your pet know that you appreciate their good behavior. 8. Be a better pet parent. Keep learning and improving as a pet parent. What does your dog love? What stresses him out? Am I compensating by giving too many treats because I feel guilty? How does he communicate his emotions through body language? Understanding your dog allows you to figure out how to address issues. If your dog is nervous or has allergies there are many easy solutions that can address the issue such as supplements, holistic alternatives and even Chinese herbs (a personal favorite of mine). 9. Help a less fortunate dog at least once this year. Remember that not all dogs are as lucky as yours. Not all dogs have someone to love them and a home to call their own. There are many ways you can help less fortunate dogs - by making donations, volunteering at a local shelter or rescue, becoming a foster parent or if you know someone that wants a new pet to encourage adoption. 10. Have FUN!
great resources for 2012: whole dog journal: www.whole-dog-journal.com http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=badingredients www.dogfoodproject.com, www.dogfoodanalysis.com, www.dogfoodscoop.com. www.catinfo.org benefits of coconut oil http://www.cocotherapy.com/products_coconutoil.htm
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{petspa} By tiffany robinson
upscale mobile
petgrooming spaservices and
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right at your door!
or Jessica Rodriguez and Wendy Phillips, grooming isn’t just their business, it’s their passion. As owner and operators of Haute Pets Mobile Grooming Salon, they take great pride bringing upscale mobile pet grooming and spa services to local Houston residents.
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Spa & Grooming Services
Four years ago, Jessica adopted her first shelter dog from the Houston SPCA. Little did she know her life would be forever changed. Stella, a 90 pound lab/golden mix bounded into her home and heart. And her recently purchased new home! Although the transition was trying at times, Stella and Jessica overcame all obstacles and developed a special connection and love for one another. But their story was just beginning. Years after Stella found Jessica, another dog would need them both. Jessica received a call from an HSPCA foster parent about a dog just like Stella at the shelter. Of course this was something Jessica had to see! Little Abby was so abused and neglected she could barely walk, but despite everything she had been through, “she had the sweetest eyes and face,” said Jessica. Just like Stella’s. Two days later, Abby was adopted and joined Jessica and Stella’s family. Stella and Abby have given Jessica unconditional love, companionship and loyalty. Through her experiences with Stella and Abby, Jessica has realized her passion lies in protecting and caring for animals. Wendy was always a Persian cat kind of girl. Always surrounded by the beautiful felines, that is until five years ago. Wendy and her feline family of four have been joined by a Papillion, Chanel, and teacup Yorkie, Lucy. As Wendy’s cats are much older now, Chanel and Lucy accompany her almost everywhere she goes – especially to the office. She loves the idea of having a business where she can care for other people’s pets and have her pets close by every day. Sharing a common passion for animals, both Jessica and Wendy strive to bring the highest quality of service in a comfortable, stress-free environment for both dogs and cats. Each grooming experience is a positive and caring one.
{January 2012}
At Haute Pets, Jessica and Wendy offer everything from hypoallergenic pet products to tearless rinse formulas to make sure your “furry” companion receives top-quality pet grooming. Their mobile salon utilizes the latest in grooming technology to provide convenient service in a clean, upscale atmosphere to keep your pet healthy, stress-free, and well groomed. They exclusively use Aroma Paws chemical-free pet grooming products for their Haute Spa Treatments. All products are eco-friendly, biodegradable, and won’t leave behind harmful residues. Because these organic products are plant-based, they won’t sting your pet’s eyes or dry sensitive skin. If you are looking to pamper and primp your furry friend, contact Jessica or Wendy at Haute Pets Mobile Grooming Salon by phone, 713-862-6900 or visit www.hautepets.net. Believe me; your pet will love you for it! 281-392-5858 SHOP ONLINE 24 HOURS A DAY AT WestsideKia.com
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{dougiedeogi}
Dougie Deogi Rescue Reporter
whats up with auctioning off puppies at fundraisers?
Y
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o, friends. It’s Dougie Deogi reporting on a serious rescue issue, so listen up. So, it’s that time of year, right? Presents, lots of food, lots of parties – including huge, elaborate fundraisers for very worthy charities? Havin fun, are you?
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So, whats up with auctioning off puppies at these fundraisers? HUH? I mean really? So, in Dallas, a well known law firm foundation hosted a charity event for a respected medical center for children. In that auction, three puppies were auctioned off, one for $14,000. The MC of the event, who was shown in photos proudly holding one of the “teacup” maltese puppies, defended the puppy auction since it raised so much money for the medical center. Really? So the end justifies the means? That is just wrong on so many levels. First, no respectable breeder would allow their puppies to be sold in this manner. In fact, the American Kennel Club(the oldest dog registry in the US) expressly states that an auction is NOT an appropriate way to find a home for a puppy. Additionally, many breed clubs specifically forbid participation in {January 2012}
such a distasteful action. So, if the foundations are accepting donations of puppies, they are getting them from less than reputable breeders. To continue to do so is to encourage puppymills and breeders who care for nothing other than making money off living souls. Secondly, what are these organizations teaching our children? Many of these auctions benefit childrens’ charities. Is the message to our children that anything is ok as long as there is money to be made for the organization? Third, auctions encourage impulse buying. Did that guy that spent $14,000 on a little puppy REALLY want a puppy? Really? Does he really understand the implications of having a new puppy? Please be part of the solution! I’ve got my eye on you! Dougie Deogi, over and out.
Dougie Deogi is the official spokes-dog for Lone Star Shih Tzu & Lhasa Apso Rescue (www.facebook.com/lsstlar) headquartered in Houston. He has his own facebook page, www.facebook.com/accordingtodougie, where you can follow his many adventures with his crazy lady owner.
Doggie Daycare, Boarding, Grooming and Obedience Training 6434 Washington Avenue Houston, TX 77007 713-868-7555 deogi@deogidogspa.com
{marketplace}
exoticsfun Keep your feathered friends on their toes with a floor to ceiling selection of toys at Adventures in Birds!
Finding toys for your Ferret isn’t hard to do, sometimes they’re as close as your bedroom! Give your Ferret a sock and watch the fun begin!
This great interactive toy will give you hours of watching pleasure as your ferrets bring this alligator to life. Available at wag.com
This is one of the most impressive fish tanks I’ve ever seen! Available at www. OpulentItems.com
Making your own bird toys is easy and fun!! Stop by Adventures in Birds for a large selection of safe toy pieces for your feathered friend!
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arne’s for
BARC T
he animals at BARC received a very special donation of 50 wire crates from Arnes Warehouse and Arnes Annex Texas Size Pet Supplies. By donating these cages, Arnes has allowed BARC to double their mobile adoption efforts in the upcoming year.
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{spotted by the pupperazzi} 28
Natural Pawz for the Cause
F
urr-tastic or flea infested! The Pupperazzi is on the scene and has your tail covered!
fooddrive forBARC
W
ith the Holiday season coming to an end, it is always refreshing when you hear of great people doing great things for others. This year was no different. For the second year now, Natural Pawz has generated another successful “ Natural Pawz for the Cauze� food drive to benefit the BARC Foster Food Pantry. Owners, Biff Picone and Nadine JoliCoeur give supplies to the Barc Pantry throughout the year, But every Holiday season they really step up to a completely different level. This year was no different.
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Customers donated food and other pet supplies at each of the 8 Natural Pawz locations. The month-long drive received overwhelming support from the community and generated over $10,000 worth of much-needed supplies for BARC animals. In an effort to support the Meet-Your-Match program, where adoptable dogs and cats are given a behavior assessment to determine the perfect match for potential adopters, Biff and Nadine went out to BARC to work with some of the animals and bring wonderful new toys for dogs and cats. They are also working to bring even more toys to BARC to help keep the animals busy and bring out their natural personalities. This will help determine their true behavior tendencies and make it easier to place the pets in the proper categories for adoption. The potential adopters will go through an interview process to determine the right match for their lifestyles and needs. According to Biff: “The people at BARC are true heroes because they’re faced every day with the insurmountable task of caring
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for the abandoned animals in the Houston area. They have the dedication and fortitude to really make BARC a model for what’s happening in our region. They’ve done a lot to upgrade this year and BARC is now leading the way. We want to help those things and give back to the community, and we are happy to present this gift to BARC on behalf of the Natural Pawz family.” Natural Pawz is Houston’s #1 health food store for pets, and offers just about everything for your pets lifestyle. Nadine is our Health and Fitness writer every month for much needed expertise on your pets nutrition and some locations even offer grooming. At the ceremony, Council Member Gonzalez offered: “I really thank Natural Pawz for their wonderful gift this Holiday season, it’s really going to help the pets at BARC. You’ve been a great community partner, and I thank you for that. BARC is headed in the right direction and wonderful things are happening every day, this gift from Natural Pawz will make more things possible.”
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Certified Professional Training “The Best Your Dog Can Be�
dogS gone good
Private In-Home Training Dog Boarding School Dog Obedience Classes Puppy Training Classes
713.557.1949 dogSgonegood.com
Pawz
Free 1lb bag of Natures variety raw with any $5 purchase. Only one per household
* OFFER GOOD AT ALL NATURAL PAWZ LOCATIONS Expires 8/30/11
AWARD WINNING PET STORE
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Stop by one of our locations and discover the benefits of an all-natural diet for your pet. Whether they suffer from allergies, are getting older, or just starting out life, trust Natural Pawz as your partner in a transition to a healther, less processed diet that is more in line with the way Nature intended for your pet to eat.
Natural Pawz offers natural food, treats and services for your Pet. Voted #1 Best Pet Supplies by replace crossed out with! Click2Houston one of our locations! 2 years in a row. Whether you have a new puppy or kitten or a senior pet we can help you find the best solution.
replace bottom green bar with this and add - www.naturalpawz.com (281)362-7299!
www.NaturalPawz.com(281) 362-7299
SIX LOCATIONS IN Houston • The Woodlands • Sugar Land Vintage Park: ( Louetta & 249)142 Vintage Park Blvd. The Woodlands: Sterling Ridge • 6700 Woodlands Parkway PineCroft • 1580 Lake Woodlands Drive Sugar Land: 15890 Southwest Freeway Houston: West U, 4032 Bellaire Blvd. • Galleria, 5161 San Felipe, St. • Heights, 514 W. 19th Street River Oaks: 2039 West Gray 77019 (713)636-2398
281.313.7299 • www.naturalpawz.com