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IN THIS ISSUE 06 07 10 12 14 18 22 24
SOCIAL CALENDAR January/February 2012
THE SCOOP News and Happenings in the Houston Area BODY & SOUL Reiki and Pet Wellness
HEALTHY TAILS Living with a Special Needs Pet
HEALTHY TAILS Diagnostic Imaging Now available at Houston Area Vets TRAINING & BEHAVIOR New Canine Life and Social Skills (C.L.A.S.S.) program AGILITY SERIES - PART VIII Games to Play with 3 Jumps
GIMME SHELTER Meet the Adoptable Dogs from Second Chance German Shepherd Rescue of Houston
Animals are such agreeable friends – they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms. George Eliot
Editorial nother promising start to a new year! Our January/February combined issue is dedicated to helping pet owners find solutions to their pet’s health issues and promote canine wellness. One complimentary treatment to traditional medicine is reiki, an energy healing technique. It has been used to accelerate healing, balance the flow of energy by releasing blockages, amongst a host of other things. To learn more about reiki, turn to page 10. Also in this issue, we outline a few tips to help you avoid costly vet visits this year. Regular check-ups at your veterinarian are one way to help prevent unplanned visits. Read the full list on page 13. If you’ve been following Lesley Young’s Agility Series, your skill level has developed and
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On the Cover
Issue 1: Volume 6 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
you are now ready for some more advanced exercises. Learn new games to play with three jumps on page 22. This month’s cover dog is Tara from Second Chance German Shepherd Rescue in Houston. To read more about this fun loving girl and other adoptable German Shepherds, flip to the Gimme Shelter section. If you haven’t already, become a fan of Urban Paws on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the most up-to-date information. As we welcome another new year, we look forward to providing you with even more information and entertaining articles on pet-related topics.
Jennifer Kitchens
URBAN PAWS MAGAZINE P.O. Box 1556 Spring, Texas 77383 www.UrbanPawsMagazine.com Design and layout by: ZOECO CREATIVE © Copyright 2012. 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.
Photo by Paw Prints Pet Photography
Please tell our advertisers you heard about them in Urban Paws! Urban Paws Magazine 5
CALENDAR January/February 2012 Events JANUARY 7 Canine Massage Workshop at Rummy’s Beach Club in Spring. Class begins at 8:30 am. To register, visit www.rummysbeachclub.com. JANUARY 8 Meet & Greet Adoption Event Come out and meet the adoptable Beagles from Houston Beagle and Hound Rescue at PetSmart, I-45 and FM 1960 from noon until 3:00 pm. For more adoption event dates, visit www.houstonbeaglerescue.org. JANUARY 15 Chevron Houston Marathon Run for a reason this year and help support various Houston-area charities, including the Houston SPCA and Citizens for Animal Protection. For registration information, visit www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com. JANUARY 21 Barrio Dogs Pet Awareness Day Be your own hero by educating your community. The Barrio Dogs education campaign aims to raise awareness of the following: leash your dogs, no more chains and spay/neuter. Stephanie’s Ice House, 5434 Lawndale from 5:00 - 9:00 pm. Proceeds will benefit the Mason/Magnolia Park Project. For more information, visit www.barriodogs.org. FEBRUARY 4 Adoption Event Meet the adoptable dogs from Adopt a Rescued Friend at Petco, 19507 I-45 N. in Spring from 1:00 - 4:00 pm. For more adoption event dates, visit www.adoptarescuedfriend.org. 6 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
For a full listing of events, visit: www.urbanpawsmagazine.com/events
FEBRUARY 9 Puppy Love Yappy Hour Houston Beagle Rescue is hosting a fundraiser at Upper Level MarqE Entertainment Center, 7620 Katy Freeway, Suite 355 from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Silent auction. A $10.00 donation benefits Houston Beagle Rescue. RSVP by February 7th to bevyofbeagles@yahoo.com. FEBRUARY 10-19 Puppy Love Yappy Hour Montgomery County Animal Shelter will offer adoption specials, including two puppies for only $100 (or one for $50), two-for-one cats and kittens of all ages (or one for $32.50), and half-price dogs over the age of six months. For more information, visit www.mcaspets.org. FEBRUARY 11 Murder Mystery Gala Spay/Houston and Adopt A Cat are hosting this fundraiser to raise money for its spay/neuter clinic and no kill cat sanctuary and shelter. The evening will include an interactive murder mystery show, dinner, live music and silent auction. Super Happy Fun Land, 3801 Polk Street from 6:00 - 10:00 pm. Tickets are $35 in advance. To purchase tickets, visit www.spayhouston.org. FEBRUARY Pet Dental Health Month
THE SCOOP STARS OF THE LITTLE COUPLE TV SHOW OPEN ROCKY AND MAGGIE’S PET SHOP IN HOUSTON Bill Klein and Jen Arnold, stars of the popular TLC Network series, “The Little Couple” are opening Rocky and Maggie’s Pet Shop. Named after their beloved pets and co-stars of the show, a six-pound Chihuahua and seven-pound Terrier mix, the store will carry a huge assortment of fun toys, comfy beds, stylish collars, cool accessories and healthy foods and treats. Bill and Jen are just like your average married couple– except for the fact that they’re both under 4 feet tall! Bill is a successful businessman and Jen is a neonatologist at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. Along with Maggie and Rocky, they currently star in TLC’s successful docu-drama series, “The Little Couple.” Now in it’s fourth season, the show follows them as they build their life together in Houston, TX. They have made personal appearances on Good Morning America, Oprah, The Today Show, Dr. Oz, The Doctors, among others. The grand opening of the pet shop will be Friday, February 3rd and Saturday, February 4th from 10a.m. – 8p.m. and is located in the heart of Rice Village at 2535 Times Blvd. For more information, visit www.rockyandmaggies.com. SHELTER PARTNERSHIP AIMED AT CONTROLLING THE FERAL CAT POPULATION IN CONROE The Conroe Animal Shelter and Spay/Houston have partnered to help control the feral cat population in Conroe and Willis. The Trap, Neuter and Return effort, aided by a $10,000 donation from the Robbie Jones Animal Welfare Fund, is aimed at controlling the
stray cat population while attempting to cut down the number of animals at the shelter. The $50 flat rate the organization charges for feral cat TNR includes a rabies shot to also help with disease control. Before being released, the cats’ ears are clipped to show they have already been treated to avoid being trapped again. Training and cages to trap the stray cats will be provided by the Clipped Ear Cat Sanctuary, which is based in Montgomery County and is building its first physical location in North Conroe in spring 2012. Executive Director of Spay Houston, Deana Sellens said she wants Conroe’s numbers to decrease so she can persuade other shelters that have a stray cat problem, and many rural areas nearby like Conroe that attract the large numbers of feral cats to take action and bring cats to them to help the growing issue. NEW SOCIAL NETWORKING SITE FOR PET LOVERS LAUNCHED Petpav (short for Pet-Pavilion) is the newest online pet community for pets and pet owners to communicate with one another, make friends, and find the latest pet information. There are informative articles, videos, and pet businesses. Create a profile for free at www.petpav.com. NEW DOG PARK OPENS IN SPRING Lents Family Park officially opened in November 2011 and is comprised of an East Park and a West Park, both located just blocks away from FM 1960 West and Interstate 45. Lents Family Park West is a 16 acre park located on the south side of Cypress Trace Road. Amenities at the Lents Family Park West includes a 1.0 mile walking trail, separate dog parks for small and large dogs, playgrounds, and Urban Paws Magazine 7
THE SCOOP a pavilion. For park rules and location, visit www.lentsfamilypark.com.
IAMS HOME 4 THE HOLIDAYS 2011 CAMPAIGN RESULTS ARE IN Iams Home 4 the Holidays, one of the world’s largest pet adoption programs, announced today that1,267,541 animals were adopted in just 95 days – Oct. 1, 2011 through Jan. 3, 2012! Since it began 13 years ago, Iams and founding partner Helen Woodward Animal Center, along with more than 4,000 animal organizations from across the globe, have helped a total of 7,034,989 pets find forever homes. “In just three months, we’ve saved the lives of more than 1.2 million animals and have given them a second chance at life and love,” said Mike Arms, founder of the adoption drive and president of Helen Woodward Animal Center. “Not only is this a huge victory for these pets, but for the thousands of people working in ani-
mal organizations around the world who have dedicated their lives to helping end pet homelessness.” During the campaign, Iams also met its goal to donate 5 million meals to pets in need through its annual Bags 4 Bowls* program which encouraged consumers to “paw it forward” by engaging in activities that would result in food donations to participating organizations, such as: “Like” the Iams Facebook page; download and share custom online adoption announcement and holiday cards and badges; and purchase specially-marked bags of Iams cat and dog foods. THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES RELEASES HUMANE STATE RANKINGS FOR 2011 The HSUS has released its third annual comprehensive report rating all 50 states and DC on a wide range of animal protection laws on issues ranging from animal fighting to farm animals to wildlife to companion animals. This year, Texas, whose scored increased from 2010, was ranked number 25 and scored 27 out of a possible 66. Recently enacted puppy mill laws and the strengthening of animal fighting laws contributed to the increased score. CORRECTION: Last month’s story titled “Uniting Against Animal Cruelty in Crosby, Texas” listed an incorrect web site address. The correct address should read www.crosbypuppymassacre.wordpress.com.
Follow us on FACEBOOK & TWITTER for the most up-to-date information, news and events! 8 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
BODY & SOUL Reiki and Pet Wellness Not a day goes by that I don’t receive a phone call, text message or email about someone’s beloved pet needing a healing session because of an injury or illness. After all, that’s what we do, but… just like working with your veterinarian, Reiki treatments can be used as a preventative, too.
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Each year you receive a card in the mail reminding you to take care of your pet’s vaccinations, worming, etc., so why not add an emotional and physical check-up as well? Reiki is excellent for injuries, illnesses, emotional trauma, physical trauma, birth defects, and for helping rescues regain trust in humans so that they can join families and do what it is they do best… love! Reiki is also excellent for assisting with births, surgeries, training, and the inevitable loss of a pet. Since Reiki is an energy healing technique, it can never do harm to you or your pet, and it will promote a loving, peaceful, calm atmosphere for you and your animal. Once your pet is relaxed and calm, it automatically allows their own immune system to start working to overcome anything that might need attention, in addition to speeding the healing process. Because Reiki works on a physical AND emotional level, it can help in some ways that traditional healthcare cannot… such as bringing an ill animal out of a depressed state, or helping a pet become more relaxed and pain-free, again reducing healing time significantly. Reiki is an accepted Complimentary Treatment in the traditional medical and research fields for 10 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
By Teri Van Horn, RM/T Reiki with Pets
people and animals. There are healers and courses available anywhere in the world – but unlike traditional medicine, you can contact a Reiki Master thousands of miles away and they can still treat you or your dog. According to Albert Einstein, “Everything is energy and that’s all there is to it. Match the frequency of the reality you want and you cannot help but get that reality. It can be no other way. This is not philosophy. This is physics.” So what was that about? A Reiki Master is someone who has technically mastered the ability to use energy to heal… whether it’s in person or from a distance. They use that energy to remove blockages within the body (which we all have) and clear the way for the body to function at its highest capacity. Have you ever had a really bad day at work and ended-up later that evening with a stomach ache, headache, sore throat, or lower backache? That’s due to an energy blockage in your own body, which can generally be opened-up and corrected within just a few minutes by someone who is trained in these techniques. The same thing goes for your dog. He can have physical or emotional issues (abandonment, fear, trust, etc.), which causes him/her to have blockages which will manifest in a physical form, just like you do. The reason why this happens is because our energy centers are directly related to both the glandular and nervous centers in our bodies. Therefore, if you adopted a rescue puppy and it has fears based on previous abuse or neglect, chances are that it’s going to have problems with potty training and being destructive while left alone. These are issues that are very easy to correct… generally with 1-2 half hour Reiki sessions.
Of course there are times when your dog becomes ill, sustains an injury or needs surgery, and those are excellent times to provide them with Reiki sessions. When partnering with a veterinarian on the healthcare of pets, the results have been astounding. To this date, we have had 100% success in helping our clients, humans and pets, with whatever their particular problems are. How many doctors can you say have that high of a success rate?
mange, heal damaged ligaments/tendons, repair broken/dislocated bones, remove ear mites, pain relief, neurological damage, tooth aches, eliminate worms, calm hyperactivity, reduce stress, sore muscles, cuts/scrapes, vomiting, diarrhea, promote well-being/self-confidence, reduce insecurity and correct negative behavior for rescues. I’ve also used Reiki to assist with communicating with animals and with herding, training and behavioral issues.
At the same time, Reiki is still considered a Complimentary Treatment, and we will never advise you to turn your back on traditional healthcare. In fact, we now have some veterinarians who actually recommend us to their clients!
When going over the list, it sounds like Reiki is a magical “cure all” for whatever ails your dog… and sometimes it is! When it comes to our pets, health care is extremely important because they can’t tell us what’s wrong or why they feel bad. The beauty of Reiki is that we don’t have to perform expensive testing or wait for an appointment. We can help your pet anytime… anywhere… and we ALWAYS heal the total animal!
When providing our canine clients with Reiki, we’ve been able to prevent fleas, cure sarcoptic
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HEALTHY TAILS Living With a Special Needs Pet love special needs pets. I live with Bumble, who is...extra special; he’s mostly blind, mostly deaf, and epileptic. He has joint deformities and age-related cognitive dysfunction. When I adopted Bumble several years ago, he had been with me less than a week when he
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I had never witnessed a grand mal seizure, and watching my little boy convulsing helplessly scared me to death. Mercifully, I have a great vet who reassured me that epilepsy is very manageable. I quickly learned what works for Bumble to keep him healthy and comfortable. He takes medication for the epilepsy and cognitive dysfunction. Regular chiropractic adjustments, pain medication, and cold laser therapy help his fragile joints stay mobile. People often shy away from adopting special needs pets. They think the cost will be too great, or that they won’t be able to cope with the new pet’s needs. Truthfully, most special needs pets live very normal lives, with perhaps a few minor environmental adjustments. Blind pets learn to navigate quickly, as long as their surroundings 12 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
By Shannon L. Hill Author of The Rescuer's Handbook
are consistent. Deaf pets can be taught to respond to visual cues quite easily. A host of other medical conditions can be managed with medication or diet. Even the healthiest pet can develop special needs. Attention to detail is critical. A blind pet needs all sharp objects and potential obstacles removed. A deaf pet needs to be trained to watch for hand signals. A pet with kidney problems needs to eat a lower protein diet. If your pet is epileptic, you’ll learn to identify and avoid seizure triggers. Once you know what works, it s i m p l y becomes a normal part of your routine. Whether you’re looking for a new pet or dealing with new veterinary conditions in an existing family member, don’t assume that special needs are unmanageable. Inform yourself. Find a good vet who will answer your questions in detail and keep you up to date on new treatments or research. The more you know, the better you can meet your pet’s needs. They’re worth it.
Ways to Avoid Costly Vet Visits in 2012 For many of us, our new year’s resolution was to save more money and look for ways to cut costs. By being aware of dangerous items and making a few small changes to you and your dog’s routine, you can avoid canine misery and the financial hardship of an unnecessary trip to the vet. 1. Unless your dog has absolutely perfect recall, always use a leash. Be cautious about where and when you allow your dog off-leash. 2. Even leashed dogs can get into trouble if their owners aren’t watching, so pay attention to your dog. There are many bad things can happen in an instance. Dogs may walk around blind corners ahead of their owners and for those who use retractable leashes in such a way that their dogs might as well not be leashed at all. 3. Use common sense and be cautious around other dogs. Even though your dog is friendly, the dog he’s checking out may not be. Ask the dog’s owner whether it’s safe to let them sniff face-to-face. If the other dog’s owner isn’t around, that should tell you how responsible he or she is. Use caution in such cases. 4. Yes, it’s a nuisance to brush your dog’s teeth every day, but the fact is, regular brushing will spare your dog the hardship of dental disease. While many pet owners claim that their special diet or treat or toy alleviates the need, the fact is that nothing works as well as tooth brushing. Regular brushing will spare your dog the hardship of dental disease like nothing else and is also is your best bet for avoiding expensive dental work down the road.
5. A well-socialized dog gets into fewer fights and is less likely to behave aggressively toward humans, so it’s best to socialize your dog properly. Well-socialized dogs allow their owners to brush their teeth, trim their nails and check their ears — saving you the expense of paying for unnecessary vet visits or trips to the groomer. 6. Keep toxic or dangerous items locked up or out of reach. While most of us know that chocolate is toxic to dogs, there are plenty of other problematic ingestible items. Many dogs spend time at the vet after consuming sugarless gum (one ingredient, xylitol, can be highly toxic to susceptible dogs), macadamia nuts, raisins, or even overdoses of their own palatable medications, such as Rimadyl. 7. Talk to your vet before you give human medications to your pet. Some human medications are markedly toxic to pets. Some, such as aspirin, rarely work and may interfere dangerously with other medications that may be effective. Giving your dog a few Advils for a sore paw could result in a hospital visit, so it’s best not to give your dog human medications. 8. Get regular veterinary checkups. Planned visits can prevent unplanned ones by catching problems before they get out of control.
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HEALTHY TAILS Small Animal Imaging of America Brings Diagnostic Imaging to Houston-Area Veterinary Hospitals ue to the efforts of Small of Animal Imaging of America (SAIOA), a technology still largely obscure in the field of veterinary medicine is becoming more widespread. SAIOA announces its partnership with three veterinary facilities in Houston to provide Computed Tomography (CT) to North Houston Veterinary Specialists and Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to Sugar Land Veterinary Specialists. These facilities are among the few veterinary hospitals in the greater Houston area to offer advanced diagnostic imaging capabilities.
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“We are very pleased to offer this equipment to animal hospitals and veterinarians in Houston and the Texas Gulf Coast region,” said Brian Campbell, president of SAIOA. “It is our goal to make this technology widely available, to enhance and expand veterinarians’ practices and improve the quality of care for pets. Diagnostic imaging makes a faster, more efficient, surgicalfree diagnosis for pets possible.” CT is an advanced X-ray imaging technique widely available to human patients since the late 1970’s. Its use on animals is more recent and limited. In the CT scanner, multiple focused Xray beams are sent through the body to detectors, which rotate around 360 degrees taking images of the patient one “slice” at a time. The 14 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
data (or “signals”) are collected and transferred to a sophisticated computer, which then processes the signals to produce a digital image. CT is superior to conventional X-rays because it provides an enhanced internal image of the patient and does not superimpose bone mass over soft tissue. This procedure is most useful when examining bony structures and, to a certain extent, soft tissue abnormalities. The strongest “animal candidates” for CT scans include those with complex bony abnormalities or thoracic pathologies. MRI is a sophisticated, non-invasive imaging technique in wide use among human patients since the 1980’s. It uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce superior images of the brain, spine, musculoskeletal system, joints, tendons, organs and all soft tissues in extraordinary, unparalleled detail. While soft tissue is transparent in X-rays or CT, MRI offers the capability to differentiate tissues and identify and characterize even the most subtle abnormalities that are not detectable using other imaging methods, including ultrasound, CT, myelography or X-ray. Unlike myelography, MRI is far more accurate for spinal column disease diagnoses. With MRI, the spinal cord can be seen in multiple planes without overlay of bone or soft tissue. MRI is ideal for diagnoses involving spinal cord and neurological conditions — the majority of these conditions can only be accu-
rately diagnosed using MRI. Small Animal Imaging of America creates partnerships between animal hospitals and veterinarians across the U.S. to own and operate diagnostic imaging equipment (MRI and CT), allowing vets to access this advanced technology without the hassle of installation, maintenance or staff training. SAIOA also provides vets access to the expertise of trained technicians and more than 200 board-certified radiologists worldwide, and offers continuing veterinary education. For more information, please visit www.saioa.com.
Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists is a referralonly, multi-practice veterinary facility in the center of Houston, providing a range of specialized care including diagnostic imaging, dermatology, internal medicine, neurology, oncology, rehabilitation and surgery. This hospital also treats exotic animals and avians. For more information, please visit www.gcvs.com.
North Houston Veterinary Specialists is a regional animal hospital located approximately 20 miles northeast of Houston in Humble, Texas. It acts as an extension of a primary veterinarian’s practice to provide diagnostic imaging, emergency care, surgery, oncology and internal medicine services including ultrasound, endoscopic procedures, bone marrow biopsies and joint taps on an outpatient, referral-only basis. For more information, please visit www.nhvetspecialists.com. Sugar Land Veterinary Specialists is a regional animal hospital located approximately 20 miles southwest of Houston in Sugar Land, Texas. It also acts an extension of a primary veterinarian’s practice to provide diagnostic imaging, emergency care, surgery, radiation therapy, radioiodine, oncology, internal medicine and neurology, on an outpatient, referral-only basis. For more information, please visit www.slvetspecialists.com.
Examples of CT and MRI images
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A WRINKLE IN TIME...read on. The Indian Solid Gold (Curcumin) and the Solid Gold SunDancer Dog Food The best dog food that you can buy for your dog is the Solid Gold SunDancer. It has no grains and no gluten. To control gas production, and maybe bloat in dogs, SunDancer uses tapioca and quinoa, called the Food of the Future. The meat is chicken and fish, all the Oriental dogs, the Arctic dogs, and dogs from England, Scotland, Ireland and water dogs, such as labs and poodles, were fed a fish-based diet and sea vegetation, such as in our Sea Meal, which is always fed with our dog food. Retrievers, terriers and spaniels, were originally from England are included. Sea Meal is effective against allergies and scratching. Curcumin is the root of the turmeric plant, and is in our SunDancer dog food, Curcumin has a 4,000 year old history in India for helping a wide variety of health problems. Dr. Oz on TV frequently talks about curcumin. Edgar Cayce, the sleeping prophet, said the two greatest gifts from God to Man are curcumin and olive oil. The Jan. 2003 issue of Cancer Research declared that curcumin has the ability to “suppress proliferation of cancer cells.” The October 2010 issue of “Nutrition and Cancer” indicated that curcumin makes chemo more effective. Recently, a breeder of Dalmatians talked with our sales person about using our SunDancer dog food. He had been feeding a cheap, crappy dog food. He decided to continue to feed the inferior food and buy curcumin/turmeric in a health food store and add it to the dog’s food. BIG MISTAKE! About a month later he called our store. He asked, “Have you ever seen a yellow Dalmatian?” He had one. He had overdosed on the curcumin. First of all, curcumin has to be cooked at a low temperature and must be mixed with oils to release the active properties. He rushed the dog to the vets. He never told the vet what he had done. So after extensive and expensive test, on the liver and kidneys, costing over $350, he called us. We put the dog on our non-curcumin Holistique Blendz dry dog food. Holistic does not mean natural or organic. It means that the whole body works together-mind, body and spirit. See the previous information on problems with white, near white or light colored dogs.
White dogs absorb more ultra violet light (photo-aging) which may depress the immune system. Holistique Blendz is only 18% protein from fish, to spare stress on the organs. It is particularly effective on dogs with tear stains. Most of the tear stains are on white or light color dogs. So dropping the protein to 18% helps. Sissy has an 18 year old Dane mix. She was all gray on the muzzle. After six months on the SunDancer, the black came back.
Now for our cute story – “A Wrinkle in Time” It was during WWII, Sissy, the owner of Solid Gold, lived in N.J. Her father worked for the army getting hard to find products. One summer, he was transferred to New Mexico. Sissy and her mother went there for the summer to be with him. In the cool of the evenings, the kids would go to a local stable to play with the horses. The kids loved to groom the horses. Sissy’s favorite was Fury, owned by Mr. O. Mr. O. told Sissy that if she would give Fury a daily brushing, he would teach her how to ride. So the entire summer was a delightful experience. Eventually, the summer came to an end, and Sissy returned back home. It was several years later, after the war was over, that Sissy was reading the paper. She saw a familiar photograph. She asked her mother why Mr. O’s picture was in the paper. Her mother smiled, it was a picture of Dr. Robert Oppenheimer, the Father of the Atomic Bomb in Los Alamos, New Mexico. Just a Wrinkle in Time
Ask your local pet store for free catalogue. If they don’t have a SunDancer catalogue, call us at (619)258-7356, M-F, 10am to 5pm 8IKQÅK \QUM 7Z M UIQT ][ I\ [IZIP([WTQLOWTLPWTQ[Q\K KWU aW] KIV also visit our website at www.solidgoldholistic.com.
Solid Gold Holistic Animal Nutrition Center 1331 N. Cuyamaca El Cajon, CA 92020
TRAINING Local Dog Trainer Certified by New Program to Promote Training and Increase Public Access for Dogs The Canine Life and Social Skills (C.L.A.S.S.) Program seeks to improve the lives of dogs and their owners in Houston, Texas and nationwide. Chrissie Dugas of Paw It Forward Training was recently certified as an Evaluator in the new Canine Life and Social Skills (C.L.A.S.S.) program. Paw It Forward Training provides private in-home training, group classes, S.T.A.R. Puppy and C.G.C. prep classes and certifications, day training, seminars, and non-profit organization training programs. C.L.A.S.S. group class programs will be held at two locations: Carter’s Pet Depot in Houston and Four Seasons Veterinary Clinic in Spring. C.L.A.S.S. is an educational program designed to promote training focusing on the use of positive reinforcement and to strengthen relationships between humans and their canine companions. The mission of C.L.A.S.S. is to promote positive relationships through positive training methods. This approach both develops and safeguards harmonious relationships by maintaining trust and mutual respect. Developed by the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT), the C.L.A.S.S. program is designed to benefit pet owners and their canine companions, dog trainers and others who work with dogs, animal shelters, and the community overall. In a series of real-life activities through which an owner accompanies his dog, C.L.A.S.S. Evaluators will assess a dog/owner team’s core training skills, with options to test advanced training skills. There are three C.L.A.S.S. levels: the Bachelor’s (B.A.), Master’s (M.A.), and Doctorate (Ph.D.). Successfully completing each C.L.A.S.S. level is like earning an academic degree in real-life skills with your dog. 18 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
The Objectives of C.L.A.S.S. are to: • Promote reward-based training • Strengthen dog/owner relationships through shared activity and fun, positive training • Encourage dog owners to participate in ongoing training and activities with their dogs • Value the real-life skills of dog/owner teams • Educate pet owners in dog behavior C.L.A.S.S. Evaluators are Full and Professional Level APDT members. Evaluators administer C.L.A.S.S. assessments and score performances of teams, and provide feedback to teams on how to improve their training skills. In order to become an Evaluator for the program, a Full or Professional level APDT member must pass a series of online tests on their training knowledge and on the rules of the program, train a minimum number of hours per year to qualify, and receive regular training on program updates. To learn more about C.L.A.S.S., visit the program web site at www.mydoghasclass.com. To learn more about Chrissie Dugas and Paw It Forward Training, visit the website at www.pawitforwardtraining.com. The APDT is a professional educational organization of trainers who are committed to becoming better trainers through using positive, dog friendly methods based on sound scientific principles. With over 5,000 members worldwide, the APDT provides professional dog trainers with a respected and concerted voice. The APDT promotes caring relationships between dogs and people and works to increase public awareness of dog-friendly training techniques. For more information, visit the web site at www.apdt.com.
SIX NEW BREEDS TO DEBUT AT WESTMINSTER DOG SHOW ix new breeds will be competing in this year’s Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the oldest and most prestigious show in North America. The new breeds have just been recognized by the American Kennel Club, will take their place in the ring for the first time on February 13-14.
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The Cesky Terrier is a well-muscled, short legged and well-pigmented hunting terrier that was developed to be worked in packs. The breed originated in the Czech Republic and is considered one of the country’s national breeds. As such, it has been featured on postage stamps, on television, in books and even in a movie. The Cesky has natural drop ears, a natural tail, and sports a soft, long, silky coat in shades of gray from charcoal to platinum. The American English Coonhound is renowned for his speed and endurance, and has the strength, grace and attitude of a well-conditioned athlete. Capable of hunting fox and raccoon all night long, he has an effortless trot that shows off this endurance. The breed's hard, protective coat is of medium length and can be red and white ticked, blue and white ticked, tricolored with ticking, red and white, and white and black dogs. The Xoloitzcuintli, or "Xolo," is an ancient, natural breed from Mexico. It comes in three sizes – toy, miniature and standard, and two varieties – hairless and coated. In the hairless variety, the skin is tough, protective, smooth and close fitting. The coated variety is covered by a short, flat coat. In both varieties, a dark, uni-
form color is preferred, ranging from black, gray black, slate, to red, liver or bronze, although white spots and markings are permitted. Today, this breed serves as a guard and companion. The Entlebucher Mountain Dog is a native of Switzerland and the smallest of the four tri-colored Swiss Mountain Dogs, which also include the Appenzeller Sennenhund, Bernese Mountain Dog and the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. The Entlebucher is a medium-sized, compact and strongly muscled. He has a short, hard, tricolor coat that is bright black with symmetrical markings of pure white on blaze, muzzle, chest, and feet; shades of rich fawn to mahogany are present on the eyebrows and between the black and white markings. Although primarily a herding and general allpurpose dog, Entles excel at competitive sports and are willing and enthusiastic partners in any athletic canine activity chosen by their master. The Norwegian Lundehund is a small and agile Spitz breed with several unique characteristics in combination not found in any other dog. Features such as six toes on each foot; prick ears that fold closed, forward or backward at will; and the ability to tip the head backward until it touches the back bone all helped them perform their job as Puffin hunter. Their dense coat ranges from fallow to reddish brown to tan in color, with black hair tips and white markings, or white with red or dark markings.
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Reiki with Rescues - Continued Maggie’s Story Maggie is an adorable 13 year old schnauzer/husky mix who has gone through a series of difficulties over the past few years. Two years ago she had bladder stones and was put on a prescription diet thru her veterinarian. Fifteen months ago Maggie had surgery to repair a torn ACL. She seemed to recover, but over this last summer she became lethargic and not herself. She would be lying down asleep, then suddenly jump up, tuck her tail, and slink under the table. She would lie down and pant heavily, often waking her owner in the middle of the night. Maggie’s back legs would quiver with weakness on occasion, but she didn’t appear to be in significant pain. Sometimes she would throw up right after she woke up. It was pitiful and sad, and her owner started to believe that this was the beginning of the end for her precious Maggie. Her blood work showed elevated liver and pancreas enzymes but not to the point of pancreatitis. She was close to having Cushing’s disease on her cortisol tests but not to the point treatment was necessary. So there really wasn’t a diagnosis but her owner started her on Sam-e to detox her liver. Around that time, her owner contacted me and began giving her (recommended) herbs to reduce the level of pain and discomfort, in addition to making changes to her diet, reducing the levels of protein that she was receiving. According to Maggie’s owner, “Right after you started the Reiki treatments with her, Maggie perked up and wasn’t so ‘hang-dog’ all the time. 20 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
It has been a progression with Maggie, but she has thrown up only once since we started and now she has an appetite. She still takes the arthritis medications, but not as much. The other pain medications, are now as needed--she is still 13 after all and has some bad days! I believe the Reiki energy from you, Teri, is what made it all come together. We still use steps to get up on the bed, but she gets up on the couch when she wants now, and best of all, when she comes in from the yard, her tail and her head are held high, she is trotting like a puppy again and she is my happy daughter-dog again!” Maggie is a wonderful, happy girl, who is again enjoying life to the fullest. We expect to have her around for many more years to come!
AGILITY Part VI1I - Games to Play with 3 Jumps Last month we focused on value building for hurdles and developing ‘drive’ to jump. Naturally fun and speed are core elements of agility training, but courses are not just straight lines! You also need to be able to turn your dog, as tightly as possible, without dropping a bar. The best teamwork is developed if your dog is able to anticipate the turn – even as they adjust their stride to take off! The faster the dog is driving forward, the more challenging it is to make a good turn. For this reason, developing a clear signal – or cue – is vital. In previous articles I mentioned the ‘Driving Hand’ (the side nearest the dog, that tells them to drive) and the ‘Checking Hand’ (the outside hand) that tells your dog to turn towards you. As your combined skill level develops, you are now ready for some more advanced exercises, bringing your driving hand and checking hand into play to tell your dog to adjust their stride and turn towards you, over the hurdle. Remember, your Driving Hand is best held flat and vertical around waist height as you work a course. (No messy flicking your hand about or raising it in the air over jumps please!). Your checking hand – the outer hand, is used with a pointed finger, very clearly giving a separate cue. The Driving Hand says “take the obstacle” and the Checking Hand says “turn towards me”. An ideal way to practice this is with a rope toy or tuggy. If your dog does not like such games then a ‘Bumper’ stuffed with treats can do just as well, especially the ones with a long handle. So far as possible, develop the hand signals that you will use for turns and follow through with a game of tug – or reward with treats as your dog 22 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
By Lesley Young (MA Hons Dog Angels US
turns towards you. Start with the hurdle at a lower height than your dog is currently jumping. When we raise one criterion, initially lower others – in this case literally. Turning is hard work and you don’t want to start introducing bad habits from the start like crashing bars. Similarly, you can start by setting your dog at an angle to the hurdle, making it easier for them to make the turn successfully. As your dog begins to get the idea, gradually make the angle of approach harder. You can then progress to having the reward (tug toy or ‘bumper’) tucked in a pocket or belt and even continuing over an adjacent hurdle before rewarding your dog. Remember to practice on both the left and the right. With thanks to club member Birdy a Weimaraner, age 15 months, and her handler Susan. Lesley Young (MA Hons), has 17 years experience of Dog Training - relocating to The Woodlands, Texas in 2009. Lesley runs pet Dog, Puppy and Agility classes and is an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator. For a more detailed guide to this exercise, visit the Resources page of her website, www.dogangels.us.
GAMES TO PLAY WITH 3 JUMPS
A great way to practice is with a rope toy or tuggy.
Use the driving hand to say “take the obstacle” and the checking hand to say “turn towards me”
Follow through with a game of tug or reward with treats as your dog turns towards you
GIMME SHELTER Join us in helping our four-legged friends find loving homes. Adopt a dog today!
Second Chance German Shepherd Rescue Houston www.secondchanceshepherds.org
Second Chance German Shepherd Rescue Houston (aka Second Chance Shepherds) is a nonprofit, all volunteer organization dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing of German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs). Their goal is to find caring and responsible homes for the dogs and to educate the general public on the GSD breed. Second Chance Shepherds rescues GSDs from all over the state of Texas, concentrating their efforts in the greater Houston area.
Tara is a young, fun, loyal, obedient and loving 8 month old girl! She was brought to an animal shelter after being found in the streets where she had clearly been hit by a car. Her back right hip was completely raw and she also had some minor cuts on her lips. She has recovered nicely and is such a joy to have around. In our experience Tara generally gets along with dogs of all sizes, cats and she adores kids! She loves her belly rubs, loves to give kisses and really loves nothing more than getting to sleep on a nice, cozy bed! She will be an awesome addition to any family!
Photo by Paw Prints Pet Photography
Our cover dog, Tara!
Please note that these dogs may have been adopted by the time you visit them; however, there are many more wonderful dogs in need of forever homes. 24 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
Beau
Paris is about a year old and is a sweet and sassy little thing! She is still a puppy so she is full of energy and loves to play. She was found roaming the streets and was skinny and emaciated, but now she is in a good place learning manners, enjoying life and loving every meal! Paris is looking for her ‘furever’ home where she will be loved and will always love in return!
Shay
Yukon is a gentle giant with a heart as big as he is. This sweet boy was sitting in his own filth in a shelter for 6 months while the staff there worked hard to keep him from being euthanized and to give him his hopeful second chance. He got that second chance and he is now a very strong and confident boy, who gets along great with other large dogs. His spirit is so encouraging as he has not let the rough years he has endured change his sweet and gentle temperament. He loves to romp around outside chasing balls and toys or laying on the floor for some belly rubs just as long as he has your love and loyalty in return.
Beau is fun-loving, energetic, sweet and full of personality. We like to say he has ‘personality plus!’ He is about 18 months old and is catching on very quickly with obedience training and learning boundaries. Beau is a very large boy who doesn’t realize just how big he really is and wants to be a lap dog. Beau will need to go to an owner who is willing to continue obedience training and who will be strong pack leader. Beau is such a wonderful boy and is sure to bring lots of joy and laughter in to his ‘furever’ home!
Paris
Shay is 2 years old and is a very sweet, soft and gentle girl. She found herself lying on the hard floor of a shelter after her owner decided he no longer wanted her. She was so confused. She has really started to trust others now, realizing that she won’t ever be left alone again. Shay gets along wonderfully with other dogs and with kids as well. Shay is a beautiful girl, with the personality to match.
Yukon
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