April 2014 by Urban Paws Magazine

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Publisher Jennifer Kitchens-Street (281) 384.5431

jennifer@urbanpawsmagazine.com

Advertising (281) 384.5431

sales@urbanpawsmagazine.com

Contributing Writers Bob Williams Tim Link Richard Stone, DVM, DACVIM Staff Photographer Jamie Fincher www.pawprintsbyjamie.com Urban Paws Magazine PO Box 1556 Spring, TX 77383

www.urbanpawsmagazine.com Web: www.urbanpawsmagazine.com

contents Issue 3: Volume 8

EVENT CALENDAR 6 April 2014

THE SCOOP 7

Canine News and Happenings

BEHAVIOR 10

Showing Affection to Your Dog

SPECIAL FEATURE 12

Going Green - Eco-Friendly Pet Products

BODY & SOUL 16

So There’s No Prejudice Against Black Dogs. Oh Really?

HEALTH & WELLNESS 20

Beautiful But Deadly: The Dangers of a Sago Palm

ADOPTION 24

Weimaraner Rescue of Texas

© Copyright 2014. No part of this publication may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without the publisher’s written permission. Urban Paws magazine assumes no responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, feature and idea submissions, or photographs, and such material will not be returned. Urban Paws magazine assumes no liability for the contents herein and has the right to refuse advertising for any reason. Urban Paws magazine does not endorse any specific product or service contained herein; we do encourage you to support our advertisers whenever possible.

Please tell our advertisers that you heard about them in Urban Paws Magazine!

Photo by Paw Prints by Jamie Pet Photography.

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COMING IN MAY: Pet Safety Issue

COMING IN JUNE: Training & Behavior

event calendar

APRIL

For a full list of events, visit: www.urbanpawsmagazine.com/events APRIL 1-30

7th Annual National Service Animal Eye Exam Event. Registration for service animals and handlers runs from April 1-30 at www.ACVOeyeexam.org.

APRIL 1-30

Prevention of Animal Cruelty Month. Each year, the ASPCA urges supporters across the country to “Go Orange for Animals” throughout the month of April. From creating grassroots fundraising events to getting the buildings in your town to light up orange, the possibilities are endless!

APRIL 5

Houston Pet Expo at the Reliant Arena. 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Activities include: vendor booths, discount vaccinations & microchipping, pet costume and talent contest, pet adoptions, lure chasing demos and an appearance by Shorty and Hercules from Animal Planet’s TV show “Pit Boss”. For more information, visit www.houstonpetexpo.com.

APRIL 5

2nd Annual Rockets Dog Walk, benefiting Hermann Park Conservency. The Houston Rockets present the "The Dog Walk" benefiting Hermann Park Conservancy. All participants will walk their dogs on a scenic one mile trail through Hermann Park and are invited to an after party. 6201 Hermann Park Dr. at 8:00 a.m. Cost is $30.00 Register online at: http://www.nba.com/rockets/community/2014dog-walk

APRIL 11

National Pet Day. Founded by celebrity pet lifestyle expert & animal welfare advocate Colleen Paige, National Pet Day was created to celebrate the joy pets bring to our lives and to create public awareness about the plight of many different kinds of animals awaiting a forever home in shelters all across the nation. For more information on how to participate, visit www.petdayusa.com.

APRIL 18-20

Easter weekend at Montgomery County Animal Shelter (MCAS). From 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. the shelter will have Easter festivities and goodies for your pets. For a $10 donation to MCASociety, you can take home a plastic Easter egg and a special handmade paper Easter egg featuring one of the animals of MCAS. Homemade crafts and baked goods will be available for sale on Saturday.

APRIL 24

Abandoned Animal Rescue’s Wine Tasting event. Join AAR in raising a glass the The Empty Glass in Tomball. Tickets are $25 and include 4 different wines and paired foods. To purchase tickets, visit www.aartomball.org.

the scoop

Houston Artist Donates Time and Talents to Raise Money for Local NonProfit Pet Rescue Operation Pets Alive!

It is an exciting process getting people and

their pets involved. Artist Leiann Klein is cur-

rently filling the walls of her studio with these photographs. The goal is that each day she will wake up and pick one pooch to paint that day.

Once the painting frenzy begins, fans will be

able to follow each painting each day from start

to finish on the 30 Dogs 30 Days blog and facebook.

Klein is a professional full time accomplished

artist and proud pet owner herself. She has two

Jack Russell's named Pixie and Kramer and last year she adopted her third dog Jasmine from the

South Texas Aussie Rescue. Jasmine is the subject for the 30 dogs 30 days painting campaign. Starting April 1, 2014 local Artist Leiann Klein will paint 30 Dogs in 30 Days. The paintings will be publicly displayed at a variety of Events and

Klein has been painting portraits of pets since

2001. Most of her commissions include dogs and horses.

Street in The Woodlands May 3, 2014. Klein will

Easter Weekend at Montgomery County Animal Shelter

ings for purchase and fifty percent of the pro-

Shelter (MCAS) and the Easter Bunny never

Locations like the Spring Art Festival on Market host an online auction of the completed paint-

ceeds will go to Operation Pets Alive, a

Woodlands-based non-profit working to pro-

mote humane, no kill initiatives in Montgomery County.

Klein is excited to give pet owners an oppor-

tunity to show off their furry friends, whose

photographs are quickly filling her studio. Currently people are submitting photos of their

dogs as potential subjects for the paintings via email on Klein's project website and the projects associated facebook page.

It’s Easter at Montgomery County Animal

forgets about the dogs and cats at the shelter. The weekend festivities kick off Friday April 18 and run through Sunday April 20.

For three days from 10am – 4pm (Friday

April 18, Saturday April 19, and Sunday April 20) the shelter will have a table set up with

plastic Easter eggs full of goodies for your

pets. For a $10 donation to MCASociety you

can take home a plastic Easter egg and a spe-

cial handmade paper Easter egg featuring one

of the animals of MCAS. If you can’t make it to the shelter sponsor an Easter egg online at

Urban Paws Magazine 7

the scoop

Service animals including: Guide, handicapped assistance, detection, military, search and rescue, and registered therapy animals, selflessly

serve the public. To honor these animals and

their work, the American College of Veterinary

Ophthalmologists (ACVO) is launching the 7th Annual ACVO® National Service Animal Eye Exam Event throughout the month of May.

More than 250 board certified veterinary oph-

thalmologists throughout the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico will donate their time and

resources to provide free eye exam screenings to thousands of eligible service animals.

Registration for service animal owners and handlers runs from April 1 – 30 at www.ACVOeyeexam.org.

Ben is a black American Field Labrador who

http://www.mcaspets.org/eastereggs.html.

can climb a three-story ladder, unassisted. Ben’s

shelter will feature homemade crafts and baked

rescue dog from Ventura, Calif. that can be

On Saturday April 19 from 10am – 4pm the

goods for sale.

All proceeds from the weekend fundraising

events will go directly to Montgomery County Animal Society (MCASociety) which supports

the homeless pets of MCAS by providing medical care and equipping volunteers to find homes and save lives.

Thousands of Service Animals to Receive Free, Sight-Saving Screening Exams during 7th Annual ACVO® National Service Animal Eye Exam Event 8 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com

eyesight is vital to his job. He is a search and called upon at any time to rescue someone

who is alive, during a disaster. Ben’s handler,

Eric Darling, has brought Ben to participate in

the ACVO National Service Animal Eye Exam Event for three years in a row. “Catching

something early is huge!” Darling said. “This

the scoop

event ensures that we have the opportunity to get this exam done, with no excuses.â&#x20AC;?

To qualify, animals must be â&#x20AC;&#x153;active working

animalsâ&#x20AC;? that were certified by a formal training program or organization, or are currently

enrolled in a formal training program. The certifying organization could be national, regional or local in nature. Owners/agents for the ani-

dom alias. This traditional and outdated

approach is in the past. PetCoach cuts through

all that noise and provides pet parents with the best possible answers and care for their pets.

PetCoach serves as a platform for pet parents

to connect and engage live over the most effective approaches to pet care.

PetCoach is a solution to receiving direct,

mal(s) must FIRST register the animal via an

user-friendly guidance from leaders in the pet-

www.ACVOeyeexam.org. Registration ends

out the best approach to a healthy and happy

online registration form beginning April 1 at April 30. Once registered online, the

owner/agent will receive a registration number and will be allowed access to a list of participating ophthalmologists in their area. Then, they may contact a specialist to schedule an

appointment, which will take place during the

month of May. Times may vary depending on the facility and are filled on a first-come, firstserved basis.

The Answers to All Your Pet Needs in One App: PetCoach Whenever a pet concern comes up, people resort to the

Internet in hopes of receiving quality

feedback. The feed-

care industry. While owners continuously seek

lifestyle for their pets, PetCoach offers personal and direct consultations with renowned nutri-

tionists, behaviorists, veterinarians, and trainers. Experts create profiles illustrating their previ-

ous experience and achievements that support their knowledge on pet care.

The iPhone app has a smooth and attractive

interface that makes for easy usage and

engaged activity. Users can create a profile and browse through the categorized list of promi-

nent pet-care experts that are live and ready for consultations. PetCoach is free to download

and users are able to pay experts an amount

that is open and discretionary, based upon the advice received.

For more information about PetCoach can

be found at www.petcoach.co.

back in forums is

often from non-credible, unreliable indi-

viduals behind a ranUrban Paws Magazine 9

behavior Showing Affection to Your Dog

umans use touch to communicate

tal annoyances. If your dog has an unknown

with handshakes, hugs or kisses.

keep your movements slow, calm and deliberate.

greetings, connection and affection

Dogs use gestures to communicate affection,

too–they nuzzle, nudge, rub up against and even groom each other. Using human gestures

past, even the softest touch may startle him, so Gently stroke his shoulders and keep contact with his body while you give affection.

on our canine companions, however, can be

Resist picking up your small dog. Pups are

better choices on how we can show affection

very young. While most of us cannot physically

unsettling to them. The following are some to our much-loved pets.

Respect your dog’s space. Dogs don’t hug like we do; instead they snuggle or nuzzle. To a

dog, hugging is typically interpreted as an assertive gesture. If you want to give your dog

a hug, remember that he may regard the gesture as overbearing. Respect his space, and go

picked up (by their mothers) only when they are

pick up a Great Dane, we don’t hesitate to

swoop down and lift tiny dogs like Chihuahuas or Maltese. We forget that no matter how small,

a dog is still a dog and is usually uncomfortable being picked up. This is simply not natural to a

dog and puts him in a position where he may feel trapped.

slowly over time to help him get used to your

Although unlikely, lifting up your dog can cause

Gentle strokes are best. To a dog, stroking is

Dachshunds, Basset Hounds and Corgis are

paw on another dog’s neck, back or head, he is

and short legs. Allowing them to jump up for

closeness.

similar to nuzzling. When your dog puts his not “petting” the dog–he is expressing his assertiveness over him. For a human to pet a

dog, however, is a perfectly acceptable form of affection, particularly when delivered as a lov-

injury. A fall from your arms could break bones,

harm the spine or worse. Dogs such as

prone to back problems due to their long backs attention or picking them up can actually cause strain on their vertebrae, leading to chronic pain or slipped discs.

ing stroke and accompanied by soft praise. The

Dogs learn by association. If a dog has ever

is stroking him under his chin.

over-handled in the past, we must rebuild his

least threatening type of pet we can give a dog

Remember that some dogs are hypersensitive to touch due to chronic illness or environmen10 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com

been hit, pinned down, rolled over, kicked or trust slowly and gently. This may mean little or no physical touch until he shows through his

body language that he is ready for such atten-

By: Bob Williams, Bark Busters Dog Training

tion.

a dog by the collar can cause real harm by dam-

Avoid pulling on your dog’s collar. Grabbing

in the neck, and trachea (windpipe).

your dog’s collar to deal with issues like jumping

aging the cervical vertebrae (neck bones), nerves

up or rushing out the door can be viewed as

Building a solid foundation of respect and trust

other. And you may have noticed that the more

to do virtually anything with him. Once you

very threatening; dogs just don’t do this to each you pull back on your dog’s leash or collar, the more he pulls forward. This tendency to pull is a natural, built-in reaction–think of sled dogs and how they pull a sled.

Every time we pull excessively on our dog’s leash or collar, we risk damage to his neck and back. Constant tension or grabbing and yanking

with your dog leads the way to your being able

have established a trusting bond so that your dog understands you will protect him from

harm, he will come to at least tolerate essential physical activities, and at best, enjoy them.

Bob Williams is a Master Dog Trainer and Behavioral Therapist for Bark Busters Home Dog Training. To schedule an appointment, call 713.771.2275.

Urban Paws Magazine 11

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The West Paw Pillow Bed combines the comfort of a plush mattress with the ease of a mat. The beds get their resilient, long-lasting loft from an unexpected sourceâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;plastic bottles recycled into our exclusive IntelliLoftÂŽ stuffing. Available at www.westpawdesign.com. 12 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com

Each RecycleBONE速 is made from regrind - 100% first quality OrbeeTuff速 material that would otherwise be discarded. Available at www.planetdog.com.

This adorable French Bulldog "Benny" tote bag is made from 100% recycled cotton. Available at www.petstudioart.com.

These custom, handmade, modular pet beds and dog houses are made to order right here in Houston. Available for any size dog or cat. To order, visit www.modulardog.com. Urban Paws Magazine 13

Take back the night with Wonderdog's neon reflective collars. Handmade in USA and eco-friendly. www.wonderdognyc.com.

Keep dog food in its place with Harry Barkerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Silhouette Dog Food Placemat. Made from recycled rubber and plastic. www.harrybarker.com.

These Bubba Rose dog cake pops will make your pup go bonkers! Made with organic ingredients. www.bubbarose.com.

Clean+Green offers a line of ecofriendly, non-toxic green cleaning products for pet owners. The line includes: carpet cleaning and carpet stain removal, wood & tile floor cleaning, and furniture cleaning for pet urine, stain and odor removal. www.odorandstainremover.com. 14 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com

So There’s No Prejudice Against Black Dogs. Oh, Really? Two new studies say coat color doesn't affect adoption rates in shelters. By Tim Link, Wagging-Tales.com

ome studies have recently come out say-

dogs is not true. Well, I’m not sure who they

matter to people who are looking for a

keting research group, but based on my experi-

ing that the color of a dog’s coat doesn’t

dog to adopt. They state that the old theory that

black-coated dogs (and cats!) are more difficult to

adopt

lighter color

than

spoke to, and I don’t run an independent mar-

ence as the former president of a local animal

shelter: That’s a bunch of hog wash. Dogs with black coats are more difficult to adopt.

According to a recent study by

the Journal of Applied Animal Welfare

Science,

adoption

records from two no kill shelters in New York state were reviewed to deter-

mine how age, gender,

size, breed group, and

coat color influenced the

length of stay (LOS) of

dogs at these shelters. The

study found that young

puppies had the shortest

length of stay, while the

LOS among dogs increased as age increased. Based on their findings, coat color and gender were not factors.

Considering only size classifications, medium-

coat. But for older, black-coated dogs, it was

dogs and puppies remained in shelters for the

fect forever home. We would often need to

size dogs had the greatest LOS, and extra-small

least amount of time. Considering only breed

groupings, the study found that dogs in the

guard group had the greatest LOS and those in the giant group had the shortest LOS.

The lack of effect on the coat color was not

expected, nor was the shorter LOS among “fighting” breeds compared with other breed

more of a challenge to find their right and per-

place them in the dog runs that are closest to the

front entry door in order for them to get noticed. At off-site adoption events, we would place their cages closest to the store’s entry point. Otherwise, they would tend to get over-

looked by everyone visiting the shelter or on-site adoption events.

groups. Coat color and breed may have only

When speaking to numerous rescue organiza-

shelters,

black dogs in more prominent locations. They

local effects on LOS that do not generalize to all including

traditional

shelters.

Understanding the traits of dogs in a specific shelter and the characteristics of the animals

desired by adopters are critical to improving the welfare of animals served by that shelter.

I’ve been involved in rescue in some way or another for a good portion of my life. I have

volunteered at adoption events for numerous rescue organizations. I partnered with a rescue group in every city I visited during my national

tions, I found that they, too, would place their take pictures of the dogs on lighter backgrounds in order for their photos to “pop” when someone sees them on their Internet sites. They also

place their photos first on the web pages. Some

of the rescues discount the adoption fees for black dogs, since they seemed harder to adopt

and tended to stay at the shelter or in foster

homes longer. They also have special adoption days just for the black or dark-coated dogs.

book tour. And, as stated previously, I was the

Recently the ASPCA conducted a study on what

working with animal rescue organizations over

that study, an official of the organization

president of a local no-kill shelter. Through these many years, one message rang true: A

black dog is not adopted as quickly as a lighter-

drives people to adopt certain animals. Based on claimed, "Color does not play a role at all."

colored dog.

If you ask me, I would tell you that I just don’t

At the rescue that I ran, we saw consistently that

what color of coat they have. I had a wonderful

the black and darker-color dogs were passed

over in favor of the lighter colored dogs. Now, this isn’t necessarily true for puppies. Everyone loves puppies, no matter what the color of their

get it. I think all dogs are beautiful no matter black Pomeranian named Baby. She was about

10 years old when someone dumped her at our apartment complex door. She was a timid girl, but very sweet and so easygoing. She became Urban Paws Magazine 17

part of our family and lived another five years

with us before she made her transition. Was she dumped because she was old or because she was black? I’ll never know.

When I was a youngster, Doberman Pinschers and Rottweilers were the dogs most people

feared. They had the same bad rap that Pit Bulls have today. I never understood this when I was

young and still can’t get my head around it. I always thought Dobermans' and Rottweilers' black coats were beautiful. They had a wonder-

ful sheen to them that always made them look very dapper.

I always got along well with the Dobies and Rotties in my neighborhood. I only saw one encounter when a Doberman nearly bit one of

the neighborhood kids. The kid would always tease him while the Doberman was behind the

fence at their home. One day he stuck his hand through the fence and the Doberman nipped

him. He went home crying like a baby, though it

was merely a scratch. It served the kid right

since he always antagonized the dog. The dog

didn’t like him at all. Come to think of it, I never liked that kid much either.

We should choose the dogs in our lives based on the lifestyle of the family and the heart connection we have with a certain dog. The color of a

dog’s coat should be the least of our concerns. Wake up, folks!

18 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com

Do you think black dogs are harder to adopt? Have you ever adopted a black dog?

About Tim Link: All-American guy, loves to rock out to Queen while consuming pizza and Pinot Noir, prefers to associate with open minded people who love all critters, considered to be the literal voice for all animals –- author, writer, radio host, Reiki Master, animal communicator and consultant. Tim wrote this article for Dogster on October 3, 2013, and it's reprinted with permission.

mutt mugs

â&#x20AC;&#x153;In times of joy, all of us wished we possessed a tail we could wag.â&#x20AC;? - W.H. Auden

Urban Paws Magazine 19

health & wellness

Beautiful But Deadly The Dangers of a Sago Palm

ago Palms, also known as Cycad Palms,

though most ingestions occur in dogs who con-

plants provide the yard with a tropical

petâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s environment can place their life in jeop-

are a very popular plant locally. These

feel, are easy to maintain, and can add a little

personality to an otherwise drab front yard. However, these plants are fatally toxic to ani-

mals. Landscape companies and home improvement stores often fail to warn consumers of the toxic dangers of these plants to companion ani-

mals. The leaves, bark, roots, and seeds of the sago palm are dangerously lethal to all animals

20 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com

sume the seeds. The presence of this plant in a ardy. Seeds can also be spread by wild life, resulting in accidental ingestion by companion

animals. As little as 1 to 2 ingested seeds are considered a lethal dose in a medium-sized dog. Ingestion of any part of a Sago Palm necessi-

tates IMMEDIATE veterinary attention, even before the onset of symptoms. If ingestion of

a Sago Palm is ever in question, the pet should

By: Richard Stone, DVM, DACVIM, North Houston Veterinary Specialists

be seen by a veterinarian or at the closest emergency clinic as soon as possible.

The symptoms of Sago Palm ingestion/toxicity can range from, but are not limited to, vomiting,

diarrhea, lethargy, and inappetence. These signs

are most commonly observed in the first 24-48 hours. More extreme symptoms will occur 2 to

3 days after ingestion, including weight loss, dehydration, coagulopathy, uncontrolled muscle

spasms, weakness, low blood glucose, inability to walk, and seizures. The later symptoms are the most life-threatening. In many cases, liver

damage and/or failure occurs due to the ingestion. Liver failure is ultimately the cause of

death for many dogs that ingest the seeds of the Sago Palm.

Dogs with a very recent ingestion of the seeds may have vomiting induced to attempt to rid the

Therapy typically includes the administration of

intravenous fluids, gastrointestinal protective medications, and liver support medications. If

liver failure has already occurred, plasma transfusions could also be necessary. Close monitor-

ing of liver values, blood glucose, and coagulation factors is required throughout hospitalization. Smaller dogs are most at risk due to their

size though any animal that ingests the seeds is at substantial risk for liver failure. Overall mor-

tality rate is 50% (Ferguson et al 2011) However, this number may be dramatically reduced with early

intervention

and

hospitalization.

Treatment can be as little as a few days of hospitalization with continuous monitoring of

internal organ function or as long as several weeks in the hospital due to severe organ dam-

age/failure. Many dogs will not survive even with intense care and diligent monitoring.

body of the toxic seeds. However, if several

If an owner believes that their pet has come in

known ingestion, vomiting will no longer be

seek medical attention immediately rather than

hours or days have passed since the suspected or indicated as the seeds will likely have already

been digested. The first step in assessing the severity of the petâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s medical condition is evaluating their complete blood work. These diagnostics will be used to determine the extent of

damage, specifically to the liver. The results will be used to determine the most appropriate

course of treatment. Intense hospitalization is often required in cases of Sago Palm ingestion.

contact with any part of this plant, they should waiting for symptoms to show up. Early inter-

vention can be life-altering in cases of Sago Palm ingestion. It is important for pet owners to be aware of the types of plants currently in their

yard and neighborhood. The best way to pre-

vent Sago Palm toxicity is to steer clear of this type of palm tree in general. There are several

different versions of palm trees that are not dangerous to pets and provide a home-owner with safe landscaping alternatives.

Urban Paws Magazine 21

adoption Weimaraner Rescue of Texas www.weimrescuetexas.org

Weimaraner Rescue of North Texas, Inc. is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3), non-profit, charitable organization. Their mission is the rescue, rehabilitation and placement of Weimaraners from animal shelters, found stray, abandoned, neglected and abused. Since 1989, this small group of volunteers has saved over 2,600 Weimaraners from suffering and death. They exist solely on donations and fund raising efforts. Every penny of their proceeds pay for veterinary care, food, boarding and essential expenses.

Sampson is a big love bug! He

Our cover dog, Sampson!

loves nothing more than hanging

out with people and being loved on. Sampson was picked up in

rural Texas by animal control. He was severely emaciated and had

heartworms. He has now completed heartworm treatment and

we’re working on helping him

gain a little more weight. He has several fatty masses and a torn eyelid, so he’ll have surgery in a

couple of weeks to get fixed up. Once he recovers, he’ll be ready

for his forever family! Sampson

gets along great with other dogs,

and loves to wrestle and play. He’s been a perfect houseguest, potty trained, crate trained, and knows how to sit.

Photos by Paw Prints by Jamie Pet Photography.

Join us in helping our four-legged friends find loving homes. Adopt a dog today!

24 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com

My name is Levon and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a handsome, gray Weimaraner. I am a sweet, affectionate boy who will be completely by your side and following you around all day. I am house-trained and know how to use the doggy door. I am not a huge fan of my crate but I will tolerate it when needed - especially if you give me a treat. I ride nicely in the car and know how to sit and shake your paw. I like other dogs and would do best in a home with another dog, but would like to meet any future doggy siblings first. I like to play fetch too, and since I have typical Weimie energy, playing fetch with my new family, going on walks/jogs, and visiting the dog park are important activities for me.

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m Tina and I am a beautiful blue Weimaraner. I am a very sweet girl who simply wants attention and affection. I am crate trained, which is great because I am a typical weimie girl when you leave the house and should not be left to my own devices. I walk well on a leash, as long as you have a harness or no-pull type of device. I know some commands and do not have trouble learning new things. I have learned how to live with a cat by not chasing it constantly, so with proper introduction and time in the home, I should be okay with new cat siblings. I would probably do better with older kids since I do have so much energy.

Tina Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m Hoss, a handsome gray Weimaraner mix. I am an active guy who has quite a bit of energy and could use a little help learning things like sit, stay, lay down, etc. I am a smart boy, so it should not be a problem! I am potty trained, which is a huge plus. I love people, but would do best around older kids who respect me and my space. I am also picky about my doggy companions, so I would need to meet any potential doggy siblings first. I really don't like cats. My ideal family would work with me on learning new things. They would also make sure I have proper exercise so that I have a healthy outlet for my energy. Urban Paws Magazine 25

vet directory 2014 Veterinarians Clara Scott, DVM My Family Vet 20120 Kuykendahl Road Spring, Texas 77379 (p): 281.288.0500 (w): www.myfamilyvet.com Sunset Blvd Animal Clinic 2525 Sunset Blvd. Houston, Texas 77005 (p): 713.526.5881 (w): www.sunsetblvdanimalclinic.com

Veterinary Specialists Laurie Noaker, DVM, DACVIM VERGI 8921 Katy Freeway Houston, Texas 77024 (p): 713.932.9589 (w): www.vergi247.com Nicholas J. Millichamp, BVetMed, PhD, DVOphthal, DipECVO, MRCVS Eye Care for Animals 17395 Tomball Parkway #3-H Houston, Texas 77064 (p): 281.890.3937 (w): www.eyecareforanimals.com Christie Cornelius, DVM Last Wishes In-Home Pet Hospice and Euthanasia 1302 Waugh Drive, Suite 968 Houston, Texas 77019 (p:) 713.452.0474 (w): www.petslastwishes.com North Houston Vet Specialists 1646 Spring Cypress Road #100 Spring, Texas 77388 (p): 832.616.5000 (w): www.nhvetspecialists.com

If you are interested in having your veterinary practice featured in our Vet Directory, please contact us at 281.384.5431 or email sales@urbanpawsmagazine.com.

26 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com