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Publisher Jennifer Kitchens-Street (281) 384.5431
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Advertising (281) 384.5431
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Contributing Writers Leptoinfo.com Bob Williams Marie Suszynski Staff Photographer Jamie Fincher Urban Paws Magazine PO Box 1556 Spring, TX 77383
www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
© Copyright 2016. 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.
Contents
MAY 2016
Issue 4: Volume 10 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
THE SCOOP 7
Canine News and Happenings
BARK OF THE TOWN 12 The Great Catsby Cat Cafe
HEALTH 16
Leptospirosis: A Silent Killer
SAFETY 20
How To Ensure Your Pet’s Food Is Safe
RESCUE & ADOPTION 22 All Border Collie Rescue
SAFETY 24
A Dog’s Bite Can Be Worse Than The Bark
On the cover
Find us online! Website: www.urbanpawsmagazine.com Printed in the U.S.A.
Photo by Paw Prints Photography by Jamie Fincher
4 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
The Scoop May 2016
For the most up-to-date information, news and events, visit: www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
MAY 14
Katy Community 'Chip Clinic
Low-cost microchip event at the Fort Bend Shelter Pets Expo in Sugar Land! Visit with adoptable pets, pet service providers, and
enter for some great prizes! $10 microchip with free lifetime registration. Cash only.
www.facebook.com/events/2158816587830 27/.
MAY 15
Paws For a Cause
Sponsored by Better Homes & Gardens Gary
Greene, this pet adoption and rescue awareness event is free to the public. This event
will also feature vendors, presentations and Q&A from area specialists on pet nutrition,
low-cost vaccinations, grooming, and more.
Bring the entire family and enjoy food, music, face painting, raffles and shopping. Gary
Greene Champions, 8817 Louetta Road in
Spring. 11am to 4pm. For more details, call or text Tim Merritt, Gary Greene Realtor and Event Manager, at 832-474-0770. MAY 15
Bark in the Park
Join Houston Humane Society at Rice
University's Bark in the Park at 12pm. Tickets 6 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
are only $15 for you and your dog to enjoy
the game! HHS will be on hand with mobile adoptions. Purchase tickets online at
www.riceowls.com/bark and use pro-
mocode: BARK. MAY 20
Fierce & Fabulous Soiree Kick-Off Party
Houston PetSet & St. Nicola invite you to the kick-off party for the 2016 Fierce & Fabulous Soiree at 7pm. River Oaks District, 4444
Westheimer Rd. Enjoy refreshments and
fierce company to celebrate the upcoming soiree in September.
www.houstonpetset.org. MAY 21
Puppies for Breakfast
Market Square Park Downtown at 301 Milam St. Houston, TX 77002. 10am - 2pm. Puppies for Breakfast is a morning dog festival that
works to bring everything "dog" to one place for a few hours!
www.puppiesforbreakfast.com MAY 21
Pull for Puppies
A tug-of-war tournament featuring teams
from all over the Houston area and pet festi-
val. City Centre, 800 Town and Country Blvd. Event benefits Forgotten Pet Advocates www.forgottenpetadvocates.com
Katy Community ‘Chip Clinic & Fort Bend Pets Alive! Succeed in Helping 70+ Local Pets Get Microchipped
the event was Dogs on Deployment and Prevent Unwanted Pets. Dogs on Deployment provides
an online network for service members to search for volunteers who are willing to board their pets during their owner's service commit-
ments. Dogs on Deployment promotes responsible, life-long pet ownership by military pet
owners by advocating for military pet owner
rights, providing educational resources and granting financial help for military pet owners during times of emergency.
Prevent Unwanted Pets is dedicated to help-
Katy Community ‘Chip Clinic (KCCC) in partnership with Fort Bend Pets Alive! is proud to announce that just over 70 local family pets were
microchipped at its last event, at Whole Foods Market Katy. The group offered $10 microchip-
ing decrease the number of unwanted and euth-
anized animals in our area. Their mission is to aid people with the spaying and neutering of
family pets, feral cat colonies and abandoned animals to decrease pet overpopulation.
Finally, the support of these “Top Cat” spon-
ping with lifetime registration; community lost
sors provided the resources needed to offer this
adoptions through local rescues.
Cinco Ranch Dental; Circle Lake Ranch Pet
and found and pet safety information; and pet KCCC is proud to have partnered with Fort
Bend Pets Alive! for this effort. Fort Bend Pets Alive! is dedicated to delivering solutions that
can make Fort Bend County a no-kill community through programs such as education, adop-
program: A Pet's Domain; Camp Bow Wow; Resort; Fulshear Pet Services; Bob and Ann
Hodge; Paws Memorial Service - Pet Cremation & Memorial Services; Rover Oaks Pet Resort; Woof Gang Bakery & Grooming Katy.
and fostering. Microchipping more pets makes
Natural Pawz Recognized With Prestigious Pinnacle Award
are brought into a shelter.
- was recognized May 11 with the prestigious
tions, outreach, low-cost spay/neuter programs
reunions just a phone call away, when animals
The volunteers are especially thankful to Dr.
Patrick Choyce and the 24/7 team at All Pets
Animal Hospital for giving their time and effort in administering the microchips. Also joining
Natural Pawz - the #1 health food store for pets
2016 Pinnacle Award in the pet services catego-
ry at the Houston Better Business Bureau (BBB)'s 24th Awards for Excellence Luncheon. The Houston BBB supports and recognizes
Urban Paws Magazine 7
The Scoop businesses and nonprofits in greater Houston that meet specified, high standards of excellence and quality in the workplace.
"Winning the Pinnacle Award is really such an
honor," Biff Picone, co-owner of Natural Pawz,
said. "Like the BBB, Natural Pawz has strict standards for ethical behavior, quality service
the
anniversary
www.NaturalPawz.com.
celebration
at
Dogs Across America Are Freaking Out Over the New Mix Mania Campaign
and community involvement. We are thrilled to be honored with the Pinnacle Award."
The Pinnacle Award is the top recognition
given by the BBB each year. Natural Pawz joined the BBB in 2013 and received the Winner of
Brace yourself for a mealtime you won’t forget!
supplies retailer maintains an A+ rating with the
over the Mix Mania campaign from Mars
Distinction Award in 2015. The pet food and BBB.
Dogs across America are licking their chops
Petcare, which encourages dog owners to MIX
IN wet food with dry kibble and LOOK OUT
for a full-on freak out from their furry friends. Actress, musician and animal lover, Kristin Chenoweth, has joined the Mix Mania madness,
lending her voice to hilarious videos showing frenzied freak outs and mealtime craziness.
Consumers can join the fun by visiting
"We pride ourselves on extensive product
trainings, hosting hundreds of pet adoptions and putting people and pets ahead of profits,"
added Nadine Joli-Coeur, co-owner of Natural Pawz. "Our employees really are dedicated to
improving pets' health and sharing with pet parents the best options for their fur friends."
Natural Pawz will celebrate its 11th anniver-
sary in July 2016 with great specials and fun
activities for pet lovers in Houston and Austin.
More information will be made available about 8 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
MixMania.dog where they’ll find lip-smackingly
delicious recipes, PAWsome content and a
unique remix station where they can share their
All they have to do is mix in and look out!”
hysterical voiceover from Kristin Chenoweth.
madness, visit MixMania.dog or their social
dog’s freak out video and have it remixed with a
The campaign highlights freak outs at their
best with serious slobber and overjoyed pooches
For more information on how to join the
channels on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
video shares a taste of the mania, and a series of
AAR Spay/Neuter Clinic Open Again
from Chenoweth leaves consumers begging for
spay/neuter clinic is again open to the public.
captured in slow motion videos. The long form short form videos with outrageous voiceovers more.
“Mix Mania inspired me to try mixing in wet
food for my dog, Maddie. It was amazing to see
how doing something so simple got my dog ridiculously excited! I’m a huge dog lover, so it’s
been so much fun to work with the CESAR® and PEDIGREE® brands on this campaign,” says Kristin Chenoweth. “The best part about
Abandoned
Animal
Rescue’s
(AAR)
To schedule a spay/neuter appointment, email
clinic@aartomball.org with your pet's info ( cat/dog, breed, age, sex, and color).
truth and Petco Unleash AntiSmoking Campaign Aimed at Pet Owners
this program is that anyone can join the #MixMania madness by sharing images and videos of their dog’s funny faces. You can even get your pet’s video remixed by yours truly!”
Beyond the remix station, consumers can also
share their pup’s freak out face photos and
videos across social media using #MixMania for a chance to win custom Wag Swag such as a
truth is teaming up with DoSomething.org to
all with their dog’s face featured prominently.
or meow — up about that. Together, they’re
surfboard, skateboard, playing cards and more, “For the first time ever, Mars Petcare is bring-
ing together our full portfolio of wet dog food
brands – CESAR®, PEDIGREE®, NUTRO™ and IAMS™ – for a fun and engaging pro-
gram,” said Dan Jackson, Marketing Director for Mars Petcare. “Our Mix Mania program is
an easy way for pet parents to show their love.
give pets an opportunity to speak — err, bark enlisting some very special — and very furry
— advocates to help finish smoking for good
by spreading the word about its effects on pet health.
truth is asking pet parents (and pet lovers)
out there to nominate a pet for the Four-
Legged Finishers competition by submitting a Urban Paws Magazine 9
The Scoop photo and a caption showing how their furry
crumbling around him. George teaches Colin
smoke affects pets. Twelve photos will be
through their connection which transcends a lot
friends feel about the fact that secondhand
selected to be made into memes for a nationwide meme contest, ultimately crowning the
the real meaning of happiness and hope of things we know about loyalty and love.
Information for pre-ordering Free Days with
winner.
George can be found online at: http://www.pen-
generation to end smoking? It’s a win/win.
days-with-george-by-colin-campbell/.
Internet fame and helping us become the
Plus, each contestant is entered into a drawing
guinrandomhouse.com/books/243531/free-
for a $5,000 scholarship when they submit a
Dog Only Knows: The Word of Dog BY TERRY KAYE
photo.
Head to DoSomething.org to learn more
about the competition and check out a few of the entries on their Facebook page at
Author Terry Kaye’s new
www.facebook.com/truthorange.
book, Dog Only Knows: The Word of Dog is a funny, poignant and
Bow Wow Books
Free Days with George BY COLIN CAMPBELL Bestselling author Colin
Campbell and one very big dog named George
kicked off a nationwide tour on Tuesday, May 3rd in New York to coincide with the official
launch of the highly-anticipated memoir Free Days with George. The book has been named one
of the Top 20 Editor’s Pick for Spring Nonfiction by
Amazon (http://goo.gl/KIOSnm). Free Days
with George is the remarkable true story of a 140pound homeless dog named George and his
adopted human Colin, who felt like his life was 10 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
candid examination of life as only a dog could tell it. By looking at the world through Belle’s eyes, we gain insight not only into canine behav-
ior, but also into our own. Belle, a small black
fluff ball with a white goatee, is THE relation-
ship guru for dogs and their people, helping us communicate better so we can love each other
better. This sweet, sassy rescue dog reveals the secrets to enjoying a doggone great life and a
happy, fulfilling canine/human relationship. For more
information,
www.dogonlyknows.com.
visit
Bark Of the Town Would You Like Some Cat With Your Coffee?
ost cafes serve the usual coffee and
Open since October of last year, this pop-up
Joe along with the company of some felines at
Caddock was excited to spear-head this project.
M
tea. But, now you can enjoy a cup of
The Great Catsby.
Cat Cafes are an exploding international trend.
They started in Japan and have spread to London, Copenhagen, New York and Los Angeles. A Cat Café is designed to be a relaxed setting where adoptable cats can roam free and people can play with them or just hang-out for a
Cat Café is located in Old Town Spring.
“For customers, we hope it will be a fun and unique experience and for our cats, it gives them a chance to showcase their personalities to
potential adopters.” The Great Catsby is named after one of Operation Pets Alive’s bottle-fed kittens, adopted and renamed by Dr. Sarah Goodyear, a local veterinarian.
small cover charge. Helen Caddock, Cat
Due to licensing restrictions, food cannot be
pounced on this global trend. "Cat cafes are a
has teamed up with a nearby restaurant and cus-
Adoption Team Lead for Operation Pets Alive
served on the premises but Operation Pets Alive
new concept that were started in Japan, where
tomers can order food and beverages, which will
to cat cafes to hang out and play with the cats."
Catsby is open at its current location, The Spirit
not many people could have cats. They could go 12 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
be delivered to them at the Café. The Great
Quest Center in Old Town Spring on select weekends throughout the year. However, as a
‘pop-up’ café The Great Catsby can ‘pop-up’ anywhere - schools, colleges, businesses.
For more details about The Great Catsby, follow
them
on
at
www.facebook.com/thegreatcatsbytx or contact
info@operationpetsalive.org if you would like more information about hosting The Great Catsby.
The Great Catsby
The Spirit Quest Center 303 Main Street
Old Town Spring, TX 77373
Urban Paws Magazine 13
Mutt Mugs “A dog is one of the few things in life that is what it seems.� - Mark J. Asher
14 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
Health Leptospirosis
Transmitted through water and a silent killer of dogs
L
eptospirosis (lepto for short) is a growing concern for dog owners throughout the
United States, including cities, suburbs and rural areas.
A bacterial disease
Leptospirosis is caused by the bacterium L. interrogans, part of a group of corkscrewshaped bacteria called spirochetes.
What is leptospirosis?
Leptospira spirochetes are further divided
terial disease of dogs, multiple animal species,
strains. Around the world, there are more
Leptospirosis (lepto for short) is a serious bacand humans that occurs in countries around the
world. In recent years, leptospirosis has become an increasing concern of pet owners and veterinarians in the United States, especially in cities
and suburbs. The primary reason is growing populations of wildlife, like raccoons and
into multiple "subfamilies" called serovars or than 200 serovars of lepto. Although there are many serovars, only a few are known to
cause disease in dogs. Newer vaccines contain four serovars for protection against today's most common serovars.
skunks, which carry disease and infect dogs indi-
Lepto serovars are maintained by "reservoir
into direct contact with infected animals.
shed the organisms for long periods of time.
rectly. Dogs can get sick even if they never come Lepto has been diagnosed in all types of dogs.
All breeds and sizes of dogs are at risk. Lepto
can be a very serious disease and can be fatal if
not diagnosed and treated early. It generally attacks a dog's liver and kidneys and can lead to
organ damage or failure. However, if lepto is caught early, it responds well to antibiotics.
Preventative measures, such as vaccinations, are available to pet owners as well.
hosts" that have subclinical infections and Dogs can be reservoir hosts for the serovar L.
canicola. Many academics consider L. canico-
la the least frequently isolated serovar in dogs. Dogs are "incidental hosts" and generally develop more severe clinical disease for L.
grippotyphosa, L. pomona, and L. icterohaemorrhagiae. Signs in dogs
Some dogs never display any signs of illness. Others may suffer from a lack of energy and
show signs of depression. Some may display 16 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
any or all the following signs: • Lack of interest in eating
Environmental precautions
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
you may want to consider the following steps you can take to prevent leptospirosis:
• Fever
• Jaundice (yellowish color in the mouth or gums) • Changes in urination patterns or frequency Vaccination
Vaccination is extremely important, but also,
• Have your dog vaccinated against the 4 serovars of Leptospira
• Wash your hands after direct contact with your pet or its urine.
Annual vaccination for leptospirosis is an
• Where possible, avoid exercising your dog in
a disease than can be very costly to treat. Ask
• Prevent your children from playing in areas
tects against 4 serovars.
• If you have been around a dog diagnosed with
affordable means to help protect your dog from
your veterinarian if they use a vaccine that proYour veterinarian will determine an appropriate
vaccination series, depending on your dog's vac-
wildlife habitat areas.
used for exercising dogs.
lepto, seek medical information from your veterinarian or medical provider.
cination history and risk factors. Your dog may
Lepto carriers can live in urban, suburban, and
weeks later. Annual vaccination is needed for
ment test, visit www.leptoinfo.com.
need an initial vaccination and a booster a few continued protection.
rural areas. To learn more and take a risk assess-
Urban Paws Magazine 17
Health
How to Ensure Your Pet’s Food Is Safe
W
ith pet food recalls making recent
ened 79 people from 21 states, was linked to cat
dog or cat food may give you pause.
were at risk.
headlines, buying that next bag of
These pet food tips can help you prevent food-
and dog food. Young children, in particular,
borne illness so you can keep your pets — and
Thankfully, there are steps you can take to avoid
Nearly 1,000 pet food products have been recalled in the past few years, with more than
Keeping Your Pet and Your Family Safe
200 brands of dry and canned food affected. Contaminated pet food has caused serious kid-
You can have a healthy pet even during a time
ney problems in dogs and cats and has even
of frequent pet food recalls. Follow these steps to protect your pet and your family.
your family — safe.
been linked to Salmonella infections in humans.
It’s a scary prospect to think that feeding your
pets can make them seriously sick. And in cases
like Salmonella poisoning, your pet may be
resistant while you or members of your family can get ill.
In a recent study published in the journal Pediatrics, researchers found that a 2006
through 2008 outbreak of Salmonella that sick18 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
food-borne illnesses from pet food.
Check the recall lists. Paying attention to pet
food recalls is a must. Go to your pet food man-
ufacturer’s website, the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration’s pet food recall list, or the American Veterinary Medical Association’s website to find lists of the pet food that has been recalled.
Check the lot number. If you see the brand of
pet food you use on a recall list, don’t panic.
By Marie Suszynski Medically reviewed by Jennifer Garcia, DVM
Contamination is happening at individual plants,
show signs of a food-borne illness if he’s
says Mary Schell, DVM, senior toxicologist at
ria through pet food. If you see warning signs,
so the pet food you bought may not be affected, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center in Urbana, Ill. Compare the lot number and expi-
ration date on your pet food with what’s on the recall list. If you go to the manufacturer’s Web site, you’ll find information about what to do if
your pet food is on the list. Often the companies
are asking consumers to return the food to where it was bought so they can oversee the dis-
exposed to Salmonella or another type of bacte-
such as soft stools or diarrhea (especially if it
has a bad odor), lack of appetite, lethargy, vomiting, a change in how much water your pet is
drinking, or a change in how much your pet is urinating, a trip to the vet is in order. You can
also call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center 24-hour hotline: (888) 426-4435.
posal of it, Dr. Schell says.
Keep your hands clean. People are getting sick
Look for symptoms. Your dog may or may not
but it can also happen when you’re cleaning up
from pet food primarily from handling the food,
Health after your pet, Schell says. That’s where diligent
avoiding bulk treats and doing some research on
before and after feeding your pet, scooping up
sure the company uses safe practices.
hand washing comes in. Wash your hands his stools, and even after petting and playing
the manufacturer before you buy treats to be
with your pet.
Taking these precautions means you’ll be able
Keep pet food away from young children.
food-borne illness.
Because kids are at higher risk for infection, it’s a good idea to keep pet food out of their reach. Continue to buy premium pet food. Although even the more expensive brands of pet foods
have been affected by recalls, they’re still a good choice because there’s less risk associated with higher quality pet foods, Schell says.
If you make it yourself, get advice from your vet. Some pet owners feel better about making
their own pet food to make sure it’s safe. Schell recommends working with your veterinarian about what to make so you’ll be giving your pet
a balanced diet. Leaving out meat or feeding
dogs only meat can lead to serious nutritional deficiencies, she says. She also recommends cooking pet food and not serving a raw meat diet because not cooking meat can increase risk of the food-borne illnesses you’re trying to avoid in the first place.
Be picky about your dog’s treats. Dog treats such
as rawhide bones and pigs ears may be at the highest risk for contamination because many are
bundled together and put out in large barrels at the pet store, Schell says. She recommends 20 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
help keep your pets and your family free of
Looking Ahead.. COMING IN JUNE Training & Behavior Meet the MPS Army
COMING IN JULY
Special Anniversary Issue
Contact us for special advertising opportunities at 281.384.5431
Rescue & Adoption All Border Collie Rescue www.allbordercollierescue.com
All Border Collie Rescue (ABC) is a not for profit volunteer rescue organization dedicated to the rescue of Border Collies. This passionate group of Border Collie lovers have had the good fortune of meeting and befriending each other through past rescue work. Some of our volunteers are new to working with Border Collies, while some have over a decade of experience with them. The dogs we take in come from many shelters throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and neighboring states. Many are All ABC dogs are fully vaccinated, spayed/neutered, have been heart-worm tested and on heart-worm prevention. Our goal is to rescue, in some cases rehabilitate, and successfully match our Border Collies to forever homes with well-matched temperament and abilities. All Border Collie Rescue members know that it’s ALWAYS all about the dogs.
e!
Dar
Dare is a six-year-old, male red and white Border Collie. He came to ABC rescue a few years ago and was adopted, but due to his owner’s illness, he was returned. Dare is a typical Border Collie that comes with a few quirks that only true Border Collie lovers may appreciate. He is afraid of storms and will climb in bed with his family when one approaches. Much like a cat, when Dare wants affection, he wants affection. He lives to play ball, does fine on walks, but prefers his exercise to be had in the backyard. Although he is crate trained and house trained, Dare has had a few accidents due to the many transitions that he has recently endured. Only families with older children will be considered, since he doesn’t appreciate little ones that don’t understand when he wants to be left alone. Dare gets along with other dogs, but doesn’t really want to play with them. He also tolerates dog savvy cats.
Contact us for information on how you can be a Partner for Pups sponsor! 22 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
Penn and his brother Teller came to ABC Rescue via a shelter outside Houston where he was surrendered by his owner who could no longer care for him. Penn, a two and a half-year old, black and white male, is a giant love bug. He greatly enjoys sitting with you with his head in your lap or curled up next to where ever you are sitting. Plays well with other dogs and enjoys games of tug, chase, and wrestling with them. He enjoys playing with a variety of toys. He will chase after a ball but is still working on the part about bringing it back to you. He knows basic commands and is crate trained, although he can be stubborn when it is time to go in the crate.
Gus is a sweet, tall, lanky border boy. He loves all people and would do well with school-aged children. He can grumble a little with new dogs at first meeting, but lives peacefully with 4 other border collies. He recently had a type of spinal embolism that has now healed and has started chasing balls again. Gus has a great interest in playing ball and loves to play keep away from his humans! Gus is not great with cats as he has some herding drive. He rides great in a car, walks on a leash well, and sleeps in his crate fine. But, since he is so trustworthy out of his crate, his foster mom leaves him loose all day long with no problem.
Teller is very happy and playful, three-year-old, black and white Border Collie. Weighing in at 50 pounds, he is great with children and has made friends with his foster mom’s two cats. He plays well with other dogs and enjoys games of tug, chase, and wrestling with them. Teller enjoys playing with a variety of toys. He knows basic commands and is crate trained, although he can get antsy after a while in the crate. Urban Paws Magazine 23
Safety A Dog’s Bite Can Be Worse Than The Bark
M
ay is National Dog Bite Prevention
Month and Bark Busters wants to do
everything possible to keep you safe. Read these
any dog.
• Never allow your young child to discipline a dog.
tips so you're not a dog bite victim!
• Never allow your child to feed or walk a dog
They say a dog's bark is worse than his bite, but
• Never allow your child to approach an unfa-
to the Center for Disease Control, more than
• Never allow your child to pull on a dog's collar,
year, with 880,000 requiring emergency medical
• Never allow any child to play aggressive games
dog bites undergo reconstructive surgery each
• Never allow your child to pet a dog that is in
most of us would rather not find out. According 4.7 million Americans are bitten by dogs every treatment. In fact, more than 30,000 victims of
year, and 15-20 people die from dog bites yearly.
unsupervised. miliar dog.
ears or tail.
(like wrestling with any dog). someone else' car or truck.
When To See A Doctor Who Is At Risk?
If you or your child has been bitten, try to find
multi-dog households, it's important to do
his rabies shots or rabies treatment plus a
With more than 70 million dogs in the U.S. and
everything you can to safeguard your loved ones. Children between the ages of 5 - 9 are the most
vulnerable, and men are more frequent victims than women (who are bitten by cats more
often). Children under 4 are often bitten on the
face, head and neck, mainly because they are about the same height as a dog. Safety Tips for Parents
• Never leave a young child or baby alone with 24 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
out from the owner if the dog is up-to-date on tetanus shot may need to be given. If the dog
causes a laceration, puncture or tear to the skin,
or pain near the dog bite, it is best to see your
doctor. Dog bites can often cause infections because bacteria can seep deep into your tissue. Exposure to a rabid animal does not always
result in rabies. If treatment is initiated prompt-
ly following a rabies exposure, rabies can be prevented.
By Bark Busters Home Dog Training
If your dog has a tendency to bite or is aggressive, contact your Bark Busters trainer. We can help you overcome this problem behavior and
Bob Williams is a Master Dog Trainer at Bar Busters. To schedule an appointment, visit www.barkbusters.com.
hopefully prevent injuries in the future.
Urban Paws Magazine 25
Tail End Some Companies Are Now Allowing Pet Bereavement Days
I
f you’ve ever lost a pet, you know the emo-
tional toll that it takes. They are part of our
families and we deeply mourn their loss.
While there is no law requiring this, some U.S. companies are recognizing the pain and grief
suffered by pet owners and allowing them to cope by offering “pet bereavement days.�
Some companies have now followed the trend,
tively common human response to death even if it pertains to an animal.
The attachment or relationship that pet owners have with their animals is a significant part of
their lives and in some cases, the grief can turn to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The most vulnerable ones are those who look to their pets as children.
including software company VM Ware and
Meanwhile, aside from pet bereavement days,
and Restaurants allows up to three days away
employees whose pets might require more care
Maxwell Health. Pet friendly Kimpton Hotels
from work, and pet insurance company
Trupanion gives employees one paid pet bereavement day. Statistics say pet parents grieve
an average of six months, and that this is a rela-
26 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com
these companies also provide allowances for and attention due to treatments and operations.
Workers can even bring their pet to work so that they can watch over them during the work day.