Urban Paws Magazine by Urban Paws Magazine

3DZ 3UL

SHW SKRWRJU

E\ * AMIE

ZZZ SDZSULQWVE\MDPLH FRP a ZZZ ID

Publisher Jennifer Kitchens-Street (281) 384.5431

jennifer@urbanpawsmagazine.com

Advertising (281) 384.5431

sales@urbanpawsmagazine.com

Contributing Writers Mary Greene Neil Thanedar

Staff Photographer Jamie Fincher www.pawprintsbyjamie.com Contributing Photographer Gayle Therese Photography Urban Paws Magazine PO Box 1556 Spring, TX 77383

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

contents Issue 10: Volume 8

EVENT CALENDAR 6 November 2014

THE SCOOP 7

Canine News and Happenings

BODY & SOUL 12

Caring for Your Senior Dog

SPECIAL FEATURE 16

Dogs and Our Health: The Benefits of Our Furry Friends

MUTT MUGS 20 ADOPTION 22

Boston Terrier Rescue of Greater Houston 26 Rescued Dogs from a Puppy Mill Seizure

ÂŠ Copyright 2014. No part of this publication may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without the publisherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;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!

Cover phot and this photo by Paw Prints Pet Photography by Jamie Fincher.

BE A PART OF OUR DOG LOVING COMMUNITY! ON THE WEB

urbanpawsmagazine.com

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

event calendar

NOVEMBER

For a full list of events, visit: www.urbanpawsmagazine.com/events NOVEMBER 1

Craft Beer, Burgers and Wine with your

Canine at Puffabellyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in Old Town Spring.

ties! For more information, visit www.aartomball.org.

Help Texas Paw Party raise money for

NOVEMBER 14-15

the same time! Lots of food, drink, live

historic Old Town Tomball, 100 Houston

Houston area rescue groups and have fun at music, silent auctions and fun with your

friends and your dogs. All proceeds benefit the rescue groups of Texas Paw Party.

Tickets $15 pre-purchase; $20 at the door. NOVEMBER 6

Grand Opening at Doggy in Wonderland in Street. Join the official ribbon cutting cere-

mony with light refreshments and swag bags for the first ten guests. 11:00 AM on Friday. For more information, visit www.doggyinwonderland.com.

3rd Annual Art & Pet Food Bowl Auction

NOVEMBER 14-15

from local artists, photography, gift items,

Garage Sale. The beagles have found that

and Party at Ciao Bello, 5161 San Felipe. Art and creative pet food bowls will be auctioned off to benefit the Houston Area

Rescue Bank. Tickets are available online at www.rescuebankhouston.org. NOVEMBER 7

Houston Beagle & Hound Semi-Annual

you enjoy getting rid of your stuff and it raises money for their medical needs and pays

for their boarding until a foster home opens up. For more information, email bevyofbeagles@yahoo.com.

8th Annual Wine and Beer Tasting at The

NOVEMBER 22

$50 to hear great jazz, but a ticket to

Come together with your four-legged friends

Arbor Gate. 6:00 - 8:00 PM. You'd easily pay Abandoned Animal Rescue's fundraiser also includes wine tastings, beer tasting from Karbach Brewery, appetizers and a door

prize entry. Most important - you are helping the homeless dogs and cats in our communi-

7th Annual Kingwood Barkfest

and Bark in the Park. Enjoy vendor booths, visit local rescue organizations, raffles and demonstrations. 8 N. Main Street in

Kingwood. for more information, visit

www.kingwoodbarkfest.yolasite.com.

the scoop

Doggy in Wonderland Announces Grand Opening Festivities

pug parade for an adoption event at 11:00 a.m.

in Jackson's Backyard, the boutique's fully fenced yard named for their Pug. There will be complimentary "paw-dicures" throughout the

afternoon, as well as mini training sessions to teach dogs tricks, treats for both people and

pets, and in-store specials. Mini raffles will be

held throughout the day with a grand prize Doggy in Wonderland, the online pet and gift

drawing at day's end.

The boutique is located at 100 Houston Street,

boutique "where chic doggies shop," opened its

Tomball, and open from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

invites you to celebrate their grand opening

tion, please visit www.doggyinwonderland.com.

doors in historic downtown Tomball, and weekend November 14-15, 2014.

The first brick and mortar location of the

upscale pet boutique will be the first in the area

to feature more personal touches such as instore pet photography and "paw-sonal shopper"

Tuesday through Saturday. For more informa-

Montgomery County Animal Society to Host Third Annual Bake and Craft Sale and Holiday Raffle

services. "Our ideal clients are people who love their dogs like their family, and who are interest-

ed in higher end dog products that can't be

found at the big box stores," says co-owner Cynthia Fagan. "We offer an experience similar to upscale boutiques for humans."

Grand opening weekend kicks off at 11:00

a.m. on Friday, November 14 with the official ribbon cutting ceremony with the Tomball

Chamber of Commerce. Light refreshments will

be offered to guests, and swag bags containing Doggy in Wonderland goodies will be given to the first ten guests.

On Saturday, November 15th, the boutique

kicks things up a notch. Swag bags will be given to the first 20 guests. PugHearts rescue brings a

Urban Paws Magazine 7

the scoop

Montgomery

County

Animal

Society

(MCASociety) invites you to visit Montgomery County Animal Shelter (MCAS) the weekend

before Christmas Day for our 3rd Annual Bake and Craft Sale and Holiday Raffle at the shelter located at 8535 SH 242 in Conroe, TX.

The Bake and Craft Sale will take place on

volunteers to find homes and save lives.

MCASociety raises funds that go directly toward

helping the shelter animals, including the cats

and dogs being cared for in foster homes.

MCASociety also educates the public about vac-

cinations, spay and neutering, and other animal

welfare issues. For more information, email visit

Saturday, December 20 from 10am – 4pm. The

www.mcasociety.org.

cookies and other baked goods and handmade

DAWG Foundation to Host First Annual DAWG Day Festival

sale will feature an array of Holiday themed blankets, scarfs, candles, jewelry and more – just in time for Christmas gift giving.

On Sunday, December 21, MCASociety vol-

unteers will be selling hot cocoa in memory of

former foster dog, Danny, who after a long battle with illness passed quietly at home with his

loving foster family. Funds raised through Danny’s Hot Cocoa will be set aside especially for fosters families caring for terminally ill pets.

MCASociety will be raffling off an assort-

ment of prizes including a TV, a iPad and more. Tickets can be purchased for $5 per ticket online

DAWG Foundation of Houston, TX will be

hosting a day-long festival to raise awareness of

combat related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

(PTSD) and the role of the service/emotional

support dog in the lives of our brave veterans

at www.mcaspets.org/holidayevent and at the

battling this condition.

Winners need not be present to win. Online

10pm), local pet groomer/trainer Barks 5th

shelter leading up to and the day of the event.

ticket buyers do not need to receive physical tickets - names will be entered into the raffle

box and winners will be notified via PayPal email addresses. Winners will be draw at the Holiday

Event on Sunday, December 21 at 4pm and will be notified via telephone or email.

All proceeds will benefit MCASociety, a non-

profit organization that supports MCAS’ homeless pet by providing medical care and equipping 8 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com

On Saturday, November 8th, 2014 (10am-

Avenue (10620 F.M. 1960 West Houston, TX

77070-near the corner of 1960/Jones Rd) will

play host to this festival, bringing our communi-

ty together in support of our local military vet-

erans who fight a daily battle against PTSD.

“The schedule is filling up quickly,” says Pat

Mahon, Founder of DAWG Foundation and

local business owner, “and it promises to be an

exciting day! Our volunteers and supporters in

the scoop

the cause, and want to help us educate our

November is National Adopt-A-SeniorPet Month

struggles that many of our returning veterans

where, there are loving, healthy senior pets look-

the greater Houston area have really embraced

friends and neighbors on the near-constant face.â&#x20AC;? Pat's son, Jeremy, is a combat Marine veteran who battles PTSD from his time spent in Iraq. Jeremy's fight is what inspired Pat to form the Foundation.

The First Annual DAWG DAY is a chance for

At animal shelters and rescue groups everying for that one special home to cherish them for the rest of their life, and they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ask for

much: just a warm place to sleep, good meals and plenty of love.

During Adopt-A-Senior-Pet Month, take the

the greater Houston community to come out

opportunity to get acquainted with the older

brave veterans, but also for the intelligent,

organization.

and show support not only for our amazing,

strong, and indispensable service/emotional

pets available at your local shelter or rescue

support dogs that keep them safe and sound.

Please consider joining us for this amazing

time of friendship on November 8th. Details about the 1st Annual DAWG DAY, the DAWG

Foundation, and PTSD can be found on our website (www.dawgfoundation.com) or via our extremely active Facebook page (www.face-

book.com/dawgfoundation). Civic organizations, cook-off teams, and other exhibitor inquiries can contact Joe Spencer at the

Foundation, at 832-331-4039 or joe@dawgfoundation.com.

Veterinary Technician Position Available at Abandoned Animal Rescue

AAR is looking for a new vet tech who is inter-

ested in working for a no-kill shelter that offers

spay/neuter and wellness to the public at low cost. Email your resume to Debbie at aares-

COMING IN DECEMBER:

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

Have your pet products seen by thousands in the Urban Paws Holiday Gift Guide!

cue03@yahoo.com or admin@aartomball.org.

Urban Paws Magazine 9

• Made Exclusively from Whole Foods & 100% Natural Ingredients • NO Synthetic Vitamins or Minerals • NO Ingredients from China • NO Wheat, Corn, Soy, Rice or Potato • High Animal Protein

3 OFF

Any Nature’s Logic Canine Raw Diet

Limit One Bag Exp. 11/30/2014 Manufacturer Coupon: Limit one per household. Void if altered or copied. Not valid with any other offer. Voucher valid for Nature’s Logic products only. Retailer: Return coupon to Distributor for reimbursement. Flavor:_________________ Distributor: Return to Nature’s Logic for credit by 5/31/15.

Nature’s Logic is now available at these locations in the Houston area: Be sure to check our Store Locater at NaturesLogic.com for new stores Bones 2 Go 8805 Jones Rd Houston, TX 77056

Floppy Pets 2622 Nasa Parkway Seabrook, TX 77586

Pampered Paws Boutique 3019 Woodland Hills Kingwood, TX 77339

Clear Lake Kennels 18520 S Hwy 3 Webster, TX 77598

Molly’s Mutt House 3410 N Sheherd Houston, TX 77018

Pampered Pet Inn 2411 Bissonnet Houston, TX 77005

C & S Feed 14080 Liberty St. Montgomery, TX 77316

Natural Dawg Cuisine 24140 Hwy 290 #200 Cypress, TX 77429

Spring Creek Feed 26211 FM 2978 Magnolia, TX 77345

FAT Cats Flat 1516 W Alabama Houston, TX 77006

Nourished Pet Care Texas Dog House 7951 Katy Freeway Ste. Q 32403 FM 2978 Houston, TX 77024 Magnolia, TX 77354

Floppy Pets 3354 FM 528 Friendswood, TX 77546

Woods Feed 28302 Robinson Rd Conroe, TX 77385

888-546-0636 info@natureslogic.com natureslogic.com

body & soul

Caring for Your Senior Dog

12 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com

By: Mary Greene, EarthWise Pet Supply

e can all be thankful for the fact

digestible, have lower calorie levels and contain

happening because of improved veterinary care,

omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, chondroitin

that our pets are living longer. This is not only

but also to increased knowledge and availability of quality foods.

Although it will vary by breed, in general, small

dogs are considered geriatric at 7-9 years of age.

Larger breed dogs tend to have shorter life

anti-aging supplements. These can include sulfate and antioxidants. Better brand senior

kibble will use higher quality protein sources than the standard foods. These help keep up

body weight and muscle mass without putting too much strain on the kidneys.

spans and are considered geriatric when they are

If your older dog seems to be losing their

your dog has reached half of their life expectan-

health problems, such as dental disease, dia-

about 6 years of age. As a rule of thumb, once cy, they are considered senior. There are many things to consider as your dog ages.

Your older dog should have vet check-ups every 6 months. This will help your vet to detect early

signs of illness or other problems. Senior pet

exams are more in-depth. They may include

appetite, have your vet rule out any underlying

betes, kidney disease, or cancer. Adding warm water, a low sodium broth or canned food can make the food more appealing for your dog.

It wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t hurt to cut back on the prepackaged treats to maintain a healthy weight. You can feed

your dog more fresh vegetables and fruits.

dental care, blood work, and specific checks for

Fresh carrots, broccoli, celery, green beans,

older dogs.

seeds), Pear (no seeds), orange and cantaloupe

physical signs of diseases that are more likely in When it comes to diet and nutrition, senior dogs

often need foods that are more readily

spinach, pumpkin, sweet potato, apple (no can all be used as treats or added to their food

bowl â&#x20AC;&#x201C; but always in moderation!

Urban Paws Magazine 13

body & soul

Dogs will also need more water as they get

Most importantly, keep your patience and com-

decreases as they age, so it’s important to make

every effort should be made to show her that

older. Their ability to maintain water balance sure that senior dogs have plenty of clean water

available. Adding canned food to their diet and cutting back some on the kibble will also help to sustain their water balance.

Older dogs can show signs of senility. Inattentiveness could be a result of acute hear-

ing or vision loss, but could also be a symptom of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction. Although it isn’t curable, the latest studies have found that

regular, moderate physical activity, mental stimulation with interactive toys, and a diet rich in antioxidants may help preserve your aging dog's mental health.

Try to keep your senior dog's environment

familiar and friendly. Try not to change or

rearrange furniture. Consider purchasing or building a ramp for any stairways. Keep commands short, simple, and compassionate.

Know your dog's limits when introducing new toys, food, people, or other animals and encour-

age gentle and involved, short play sessions.

Keep your aging dog active through proper exercise to help keep them healthier and more

mobile. Shorter, more frequent walks or swims can help keep your dog in shape and his weight under control.

14 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com

passion. Your dog's world has changed, but your love, respect, and pride of her past and present abilities has not changed and never will.

Mary Greene is the owner of EarthWise Pet Supply, located at 22454 Tomball Parkway. For more information, visit the store’s website at www.EarthWisepet.com/Houston.

special feature

Dogs and Our Health:

The Benefits of our Furry Friends

16 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com

By: Neil Thanedar, LabDoor.com

or thousands of years, dogs have been domesticated and bred to have qualities

humans deemed suitable–a literal transforma-

• Children who have dogs at home are more active. This leads to a more physical and healthy lifestyle.

tion from wild animal to man’s best friend. They

• Children who owns dogs generally become

dogs. That feeling we get when we see our furry

• Children with pets have higher self-esteem.

are our companions, friends, family, and service friend jump with joy, give us a kiss (and accidentally hit us with that wagging tail!) is wellknown. The health benefits of dog ownership,

more nurturing adults.

• Children with pets have an enhanced immune system and experience less allergies than children who are not around pets.

however, is often less talked about. Here, we

• Dogs make children feel safe.

can definitely enhance health and quality of life.

Dogs In Hospital and Nursing Homes

round-up the scientific evidence of how dogs

Dogs Enhance Physical and Mental Health • Dog owners reap amazing cardiovascular benefits, including lower cholesterol and reduced blood pressure.

• Dog owners have a lower likelihood of visiting the doctor.

• Dog owners have a lower likelihood of being on medication for sleeping and heart issues.

• Dogs helped patient become more responsive, alert, and happier.

• Residential dogs in nursing homes resulted in less fatigue, less depression, and increase in vigor for patients.

• Residents of nursing home socialized more with each other when dogs were present.

• Dog owners have a lower likelihood of health

Dogs Can Prevent Illness and Injury

• Dogs help fight depression.

• Pet owners have lower risk factors for coro-

deterioration after losing their significant other.

• Dogs allow humans to have responsibility, purpose, and support.

• Dog owners feel safer outside when walking their dogs.

• Having a pet can save you money on health

care due to less frequent doctor’s visits–a result of greater, more stable health.

Dogs Have Big Benefits for Children

• A study showed that dog owners experience less minor injuries than non-dog owners. nary heart disease.

Dogs Can Speed Up Recovery From Illness

• Dog owners are more than 8.6 times more

likely to be alive after a heart attack than nondog owners.

• Pets allow humans to cope better after learning they have a major illness.

• Pets allow humans to feel like they have a sense Urban Paws Magazine 17

special feature

of support before, during, and after their illness.

• Recently widowed women with dogs are on

is estimated to be from 100 to 100,000 times more sensitive than a human nose.

less medication and experience fewer symp-

Dogs Help People Be More Social

counterparts.

• By walking more, you meet more people and

toms of disease than their non-dog owning

Dogs Provide Unspoken Therapy

• Dogs help soldiers cope with post traumatic stress disorder.

• Some programs allow dogs to be trained for

• Dogs make you get out of the house. socialize more.

• A study has shown that you seem more like-

able if you appear with a dog in a photo than you would with flowers.

the disabled by prisoners. This help boost the

It is believed that the reason for why dog own-

nurturing skills.

walk more often and more regularly than non

prisoners’ self-esteems and teaches them

• Dogs are a great stress relief for students during exams.

• Patients with schizophrenia feel safer and less stressed with friendly dogs around.

• Dogs give love and relief from loneliness. Dogs Help the Disabled

• Dogs are used as service dogs for the blind, deaf, and people with other disabilities.

• They don’t just provide a physical benefit to

the disabled, but they also provide companionship and emotional support. They allow the disabled to feel more independent and help with their mobility and confidence.

Medical Detection Dogs

ers are generally healthier is because they tend to

dog-owners. While dog ownership offers countless health benefits, man’s best friend has also

been used by humans for other purposes, such as war dogs, rescue dogs, drug detection dogs,

and hunting dogs. Of course, dogs aren’t the only pets that offer these health benefits. Cats

has also been known to help humans, but the study of dog benefits to humans has been more

extensively researched. One study has even shown that people who stare at aquariums with fishes in it experienced lower blood pressure and a decreased heart rate than those who were

staring at a blank wall. Both regular and casual

interactions with animals can improve the physical and mental well-being of humans.

• Some dogs have been trained to look for com-

From being used for protecting farm animals

due to their acute sense of smell. A dog’s nose

being our friends and healers, there is clearly a

plications such as epilepsy, diabetes, and cancer

18 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com

and helping humans hunt for wild animals to

mutual relationship between humans and dogs.

Social Support Theory - According to this theory,

how our bonds with our dogs and pets are so

each other: “loneliness refers to the experience

This hypotheses and theory explains why and strong.

social support and loneliness are opposites of

of deficits in social relations; social support

refers to the availability of interpersonal

The Bond Between Humans and Their Pets

resources.” Companionship with our pets helps

that humans have with nature and animals. This

with social support, which is needed for our

Biophilia Hypothesis - There is an innate bond drives us to connect with them for our physical

and mental health. Author Edward Wilson

us with get rid of loneliness and provides us health.

described biophilia as the “innate tendency to

Humans and dogs have cohabited for thousands

“to the degree that we come to understand

They give us amazing health advantages and

focus on life and lifelike processes” noting that other organisms, we will place greater value on them, and on ourselves.”

of years and both sides have greatly benefited. they love us unconditionally. It makes a lot of sense why canines are called man’s best friends.

mutt mugs

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog.â&#x20AC;? - Sydney Jeanne Seward

20 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com

adoption 25 Boston Terriers and One Pug Rescued From a Puppy Mill in Texas

n September 14, 2014, two Houston

where they were each examined by a veterinari-

bound on I-10 to rescue 26 dogs

tered heartworm preventative. Each dog's med-

area rescues formed a caravan west-

seized in an animal cruelty case in San Antonio.

The 25 Boston Terriers and one Pug were part of

over 100 dogs confiscated from a

breeder/hoarder in St. Hegwig, Texas, where they had lived their lives stacked in cages full of feces, urine and mold.

an, heartworm tested, de-wormed and adminisical condition was chronicled, and the dogs were tagged in order of most urgent medical needs.

All of the puppy mill dogs were then bathed and

given the name of a movie star, since they were all soon to be shining stars freed from their prison.

All of the dogs were severely neglected and

Featured on the following pages are some of the

nary care and human emotion. Boston Terrier

through BTRGH. If you are interested in adopt-

traumatized, having lived lives void of veteriRescue of Greater Houston (BTRGH) and PugHearts volunteers drove to Weimar to meet

San Antonio volunteers halfway. Four vehicles

rescued dogs that are available for adoption

ing one, please visit the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website at www.houstonbostonrescue.org.

were loaded with volunteers, crates and other

Watch news coverage online of the 26 Boston

cargo to Houston.

http://www.click2houston.com/news/terrier-

items to ease the transport of their precious Boston Terrier Rescue of Greater Houston (BTRGH) was contacted to pick up an undeter-

mined number, but potentially as many as 40, dogs. In order to facilitate the last-minute res-

cue, BTRGH President Karen Toupard contact-

ed PugHearts founder Cindy Rothermel, and both groups rallied enough volunteers to donate

their time, vehicles and cages to safely transport the puppy mill dogs back to Houston.

Once the rescue caravan arrived at the BTRGH

rescue kennel in Spring, the dogs were unloaded

one-by-one into large cages in the backyard, 22 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com

Terrier rescues seized in the puppy mill bust: rescue-group-saves-dogs-prepares-for-adoption/28059676. You can also follow the

progress of each dog on BTRGH's Facebook page at Facebook.com/BostonTerrierRescue.

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

Boston Terrier Rescue of Greater Houston www.houstonbostonrescue.org

The Boston Terrier Rescue of Greater Houston (also known as BTRGH) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation focusing primarily on the rescue, rehabilitation, and permanent rehoming of abandoned, neglected, abused and surrendered Boston Terriers. The group is comprised of a group of volunteers who tirelessly donate their time and talents to the mission of rescuing Boston Terriers from Texas, Louisiana and sometimes Mississippi. Urban Paws Magazine 23

adoption

All photos courtesy of Gayle Therese Photography

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