Urban Paws Magazine by Urban Paws Magazine

See how Bark Busters changed the life of an Airforce dog handler or, view the “Aspen’s Story” video on YouTube.com

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Publisher Jennifer Kitchens-Street (281) 384.5431

jennifer@urbanpawsmagazine.com

Advertising (281) 384.5431

sales@urbanpawsmagazine.com

Contributing Writers Debra Guajardo Jeff Drier

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

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

contents Issue 9: Volume 6

EVENT CALENDAR 6 October 2012

THE SCOOP 7

Canine News and Happenings

SPECIAL FEATURE 12

The Super Hero Pit Bull Ambassador

WHO RESCUED WHO? 15 SPECIAL FEATURE 16

The Big Debate: Dogs vs Cats

SHOW YOUR PARTY PRIDE 20 Election-Themed Pet Products

BEHAVIOR 22

Rover’s World: The Dominance Theory

ADOPTION 24

Guardian Pit Bull Rescue

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

This photo and cover photo by Paw Prints by Jamie

COMING IN NOVEMBER

Senior Pet Month The artwork of the Ninja Erasers

COMING IN DECEMBER

Annual Holiday Gift Giving Guide Contact us for special advertising opportunities at 281.384.5431.

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

urbanpawsmagazine.com

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

event calendar October 2012 Events

For a full listing of events, visit: www.urbanpawsmagazine.com/events

OCTOBER 4 Love is a Four Legged Word Dinner Smith & Wollensky is hosting a four course dinner benefiting S.A.V.E. Rescue Coalition. 7:00 - 10:00 p.m. Proceeds will help fund new adoption programs for local rescue groups working to reduce Houston's homeless pet population. Tickets are available at www.saverescue.org/events.

OCTOBER 13 Second Annual Boxer Wine Walk Event An afternoon of wine tasting benefiting Houston Boxer Rescue. Taste wines from South of the Equator paired with light snacks. Classical guitar music will fill the air. Spring Street Studios, 1824 Spring Street. 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. For ticket information, visit www.houstonboxerrescue.org.

OCTOBER 4 Stein Mart Grand Opening Event Purchase a $5 VIP shopping pass to Stein Martâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grand opening celebration and 100% of that ticket price goes directly to Special Pals Shelter. Stein Mart Grand Lakes Marketplace, 6565 S. Fry Road in Katy. 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.specialpalsshelter.org.

OCTOBER 13 Carnival for Critters Event Help raise money to raise the roof at the only no-kill animal shelter in the Humble, Kingwood, Atascocita and Porter areas. BBQ dinner, carnival games, silent auction and prizes. Papaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ice House, 314 Pruitt Road. Ticket price is $20 per person and includes dinner and a gift bag. Purchase tickets online at www.project-k-911.org.

OCTOBER 6 Parkway Chevrolet Two-Step Gala Benefiting Abandoned Animal Rescue and Texas EquuSearch. 6:30 p.m. at Parkway Chevrolet, 25500 SH 249. Tickets are $50 per person and include food, beverages, live and silent auctions and live music. For ticket information, visit www.aartomball.org. OCTOBER 12 Country Western Dance Dance to help homeless animals! Benefiting Lonestar Animal Welfare League and Tiny Paws Rescue. Silent auction and music by Country Jim. 7:00 - 11:00 p.m. at the North Montgomery County Community Center, 600 Gerald Street in Willis. For more information, contact Bill Robinson at 281.384.8480. 6 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com

OCTOBER 20-21 PetFest in Old Town Spring Grab your fur kids and join this fun-filled festival of entertainment and education while helping raise money for the animal shelters and rescue groups in Houston and surrounding areas. For more information, visit www.petfestoldtownspring.com. OCTOBER 25 Greyhound Golf Classic Tee it up for the hounds at the Southwyck Golf Course in Pearland. Proceeds benefit Greyhound Pets of America - Houston. 11:00 a.m. sign in. Registration fee is $125 per player. For tickets, visit www.gpahouston.org.

the scoop HOUSTON SPCA iWALK FOR ANIMALS INTERACTIVE PRESS CONFERENCE

The Houston SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) hosted an interactive media conference today (Sept. 18) in support of the second annual iWalk for Animals event (11.11.12). Approximately 50 guests were present, including Patti Mercer, president of the Houston SPCA, Charles Jantzen, the Houston SPCA’s Chief Cruelty Investigator and past iWalk participant, Mark Devlin, along with a variety of pets and shelter animals, including miniature horses, dogs and cats. All guests were "Part of the Movement" as they walked across a section of a billboard vinyl with painted feet, hooves and paws. The billboard will be posted on 59 and Weslayan courtesy of CBS Outdoor. The 2nd Annual iWalk for Animals virtual event on Nov. 11 allows people to "walk wherever they are" with their special pet(s) alone or with their friends, family and colleagues while raising money for the Houston SPCA. All of the money raised will help give orphaned, abused and neglected animals a second chance at life. To learn more or register for the event visit iwalkforanimals.org.

SPECIAL PALS SHELTER HELPS CELEBRATE STEIN MART’S GRAND OPENING Savvy shoppers in Katy will rejoice when the latest Stein Mart location opens in the Grand Lakes Marketplace shopping center, and Special Pals is joining in the fun! For just $5 fashion fanatics can purchase a VIP shopping pass to Stein Mart’s grand opening celebration on Thursday, October 25 – and 100% of that ticket price goes directly to Special Pals! All VIP shopping passes include a certificate for $5 off any purchase, and there will be even more discounts on Stein Mart’s already low prices during the event. VIP shopping passes can be purchased at the Special Pals website, www.specialpalsshelter.org. There is limited space on our VIP list, so buy your shopping pass early! Larger than life Special Pals spokes dog, a loveable Chesapeake Bay Retriever named Whopper, will be at the grand opening celebration to shake paws and collect donations for his pals at the shelter who are still waiting to find their forever homes. For the Special Pals shelter supplies wish list, please visit: http://specialpalshouston.org/?page_id=135 PEACE, LOVE AND PAWS AT THIS YEAR’S PETFEST IN OLD TOWN SPRING Grab your bell bottoms and be ready to flash the peace sign the weekend of October 20-21. The theme for this year’s PetFest is Woofstock. PetFest is a weekend event in Old Town Spring, dedicated to finding homes for the many animals in shelters and rescue groups across Houston and surrounding areas. Bring your dog for this fun-filled festival of entertainment and education while helping raise Urban Paws Magazine 7

the scoop money. This festival is great for the whole family and pet lovers alike. This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s activities will include the Heart of Texas Dock Dogs, 4 Paws Dog Walk, Weiner Dog Races, vendors, contests, low-cost vaccinations, blessing of the pets, raffle prizes, pet psychic, Lisa Green, adoptable pets, demonstrations and seminars. Be sure to visit the News 92 FM booth to pick up your copy of Urban Paws and say hello to Cronkite, the Newshound! WINNER OF THE GERRARD LARRIETT AROMA THERAPY GIFT SET CONTEST Contestants were asked to submit their cutest pet photos for a chance to win a gift basket filled with pet aroma therapy products. Our contest winner, Tina was selected for her entry of her dogs with her son, all smiling in unison!

OCTOBER IS ADOPT A SHELTER DOG MONTH The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) has designated October as Adopt-a-Shelter-Dog Month. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s estimated that 5 million to 7 million animals enter shelters nationwide each year. Animallovers that have been contemplating a wagging, four-legged addition to the family are encouraged to adopt from shelters or rescue groups. NATIONAL PIT BULL AWARENESS DAY National Pit Bull Awareness Day, an event dedicated to bringing positive attention to these special and misunderstood dogs is October 27, 2012. This is a day of appreciation and education designed to change perceptions and stereotypes about pit bulls and their responsible owners. NPBAD was established in 2007 to educate and foster positive communications and experiences in the communities in which we and our dogs live, and it is an initiative dedicated to restoring the image of the American Pit Bull Terrier. For more information about the campaign and a listing of national events, visit www.nationalpitbullawarenessday.org.

pet safety t's almost the spookiest night of the year! The ASPCA recommends taking some common sense precautions this Halloween to keep you and your pet safe.

1. No tricks, no treats: That bowl of candy is for trick-or-treaters, not for Scruffy and Fluffy. Chocolate in all forms—especially dark or baking chocolate—can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Candies containing the artificial sweetener xylitol can also cause problems. If you do suspect your pet has ingested something toxic, please call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 4264435. 2. Popular Halloween plants such as pumpkins and decorative corn are considered to be relatively nontoxic, but they can produce stomach upset in pets who nibble on them. 3. Wires and cords from electric lights and other decorations should be kept out of reach of your pets. If chewed, your pet might suffer cuts or burns, or receive a possibly life-threatening electrical shock. 4. A carved pumpkin certainly is festive, but do exercise caution if you choose to add a candle.

Pets can easily knock a lit pumpkin over and cause a fire. Curious kittens especially run the risk of getting burned or singed by candle flames. 5. Dress-up can be a big mess-up for some pets. Please don't put your dog or cat in a costume unless you know that he or she loves it (yep, a few pets are real hams!). For pets who prefer their “birthday suits,” however, wearing a costume may cause undue stress. 6. If you do dress up your pet, make sure the costume isn't annoying or unsafe. It should not constrict the animal's movement or hearing, or impede his ability to breathe, bark or meow. Also, be sure to try on costumes before the big night. If your pet seems distressed, allergic or shows abnormal behavior, consider letting him go au naturale or donning a festive bandana. 7. Take a closer look at your pet’s costume and make sure it does not have small, dangling or easily chewed-off pieces that he could choke on. Also, ill-fitting outfits can get twisted on external objects or your pet, leading to injury. 8. All but the most social dogs and cats should be kept in a separate room away from the front door during peak trick-or-treating hours. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful for pets. 9. When opening the door for trick-or-treaters, take care that your cat or dog doesn't dart outside. 10. IDs, please! Always make sure your dog or cat has proper identification. If for any reason your pet escapes and becomes lost, a collar and tags and/or a microchip can be a lifesaver, increasing the chances that he or she will be returned to you. Source: ASPCA.org

Urban Paws Magazine 9

â&#x20AC;&#x153;I like to call her Lily, the Pit Bull ambassador and therapy dogâ&#x20AC;?

A Super Hero Pit Bull Ambassador By: Debra Guajardo Photography By: Paw Prints by Jamie rom humble beginnings as a shelter dog, seemingly doomed to become another statistic, to a registered therapy dog and certified Reading Education Assistance Dog, Lily exemplifies the spirit, character and potential of the misunderstood pit bull.

Quick to learn and always willing to please, Lily’s incredibly sweet and gentle personality and solid obedience skills shatter negative stereotypes and allow others to see pit bulls as beloved family members, best friends and even public servants. Lily’s litter was surrendered to the Montgomery County Animal Shelter (MCAS) and rescued by Guardian Pit Bull Rescue. Her forever family includes two girls, ages 8 and 5, and two canine “sisters” including a Boxer and another pit bull. Lily completed Guardian’s Ambassador Training Program and passed her therapy dog test right after turning a year old and works locally through Montgomery Pet Partners. Lily is a registered therapy dog through Pet Partners and a certified Reading Education Assistance Dog (R.E.A.D.) through Intermountain Therapy Animals.

As a Reading Education Assistance Dog, Lily helps children overcome reading difficulties, become more confident readers and cultivate a love of learning. Having been surrendered by a breeder that didn’t like her litter’s markings, Lily also teaches kids to never judge a book by its cover and that being different is what makes each person special! As an advocate, Lily works with Guardian Pit Bull Rescue to raise awareness and help other pit bulls. Lily recently partnered with Primrose School of The Woodlands – Sterling Ridge and The Woodlands Country Club Tennis Pro Shop to collect food items, towels and over 280 tennis balls to donate to MCAS to benefit the almost 300 pit bulls seized by local law enforcement from a pit bull “sanctuary” in Willis, Texas. From a nationwide pool of applicants, Lily was recently selected to be a member of StubbyDog’s Superheroes Program. Superhero Lily will now join StubbyDog, a nationally recognized organization, in their mission to change the public's perception of pit bulls and to help people rediscover pit bulls as lifelong friends.

Urban Paws Magazine 13

Lily put her reading skills to work at the Montgomery County Memorial Library System in The Woodlands.

National Pit Bull Awareness Day is October 27th

You can follow Lilyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s journey on Facebook: www.facebook.com/Lily.PitBullAmbassador 14 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com

rescue & adoption

Who Rescued Who? By Jennifer Kitchens-Street

ho rescued who? You’ve seen it on bumper stickers, but it really is a good question when considering the benefits of adopting a pet. Nearly eight million companion animals will enter shelters across the nation this year. That’s a staggering statistic. There is certainly no lack of selection when it comes to finding the perfect rescue pet. There are young, old, healthy and chronically ill. Large and small, there are purebreds and there are mixes. What are the benefits of adopting a shelter pet, you ask? Well, simply put, when you adopt from a shelter or rescue organization, you are literally saving a life. Many elderly dogs, chronically ill dogs, dogs with serious behavioral or psychological damage, or dogs who have been in the shelter for a long period of time without finding a home are at risk of euthanasia. By adopting a healthy, well-adjusted dog from a shelter or rescue organization, it frees up space to house the harder to adopt dogs who may otherwise be put down. Not all shelter dogs are damaged goods. In fact, 80 percent of dogs end up at the shelter due to a change in living or family situation, and others are surrendered because their owner has died or is too ill to care for them any longer. Only a minority of shelter dogs are surrendered due to behavioral problems. They are simply victims of circumstance. An already trained dog is perfect for the less experienced dog owner, or for those who simply don’t want to bother with potty training and going to training classes. No one knows exactly what to expect when adopting a puppy. But, with adult dogs, you

know what you’re getting into. Shelter workers have spent time assessing each animal for behavior and temperament. If a problem becomes evident during that time, the dog can be trained either at the shelter or at a foster home. Many shelters and rescue organizations encourage new owners to call or visit if they have questions down the road. Adopting a canine or feline friend from a shelter or rescue organization also comes with the benefit of taking home a pet that’s already been spayed or neutered. Nearly all rescue organizations and shelters also insist that the animals are up-to-date on vaccinations before they’re placed in new homes. I recommend that you meet the animals in person and get a feel for their personality and temperament. You may be initially be intrigued by the looks of a dog, but if your personalities don’t match, it’s not going to work. Intuitively, you will know when you’ve met your new best friend. New dogs and cats arrive in shelters and rescue organizations every day. If you are considering pet adoption, check the shelter or rescue organization’s web site often. I’ve often heard from pet adopters that they didn’t rescue the dog, the dog rescued them. I couldn’t agree more.

Urban Paws Magazine 15

ELECTION COVERAGE 2012 PET PAWLITICS

The big election is just weeks away and the political rhetoric and mud-slinging are flying “right” and “left.” Whether you’re a dog proponent or a cat supporter, one thing’s for sure – America loves their pets. Here is our take on the big debate of dog vs. cat. See who the results favored!

DOGS vs CATS THE GREAT DEBATE & OTHER PAWLITICAL FUN 1

ELECT

VOTE

FOR PRESIDENT

He’ll “fix” Washington

CAT

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DOG

PAWLITICAL FUN PRESIDENTIAL POOCHES & WHITE HOUSE KITTIES Bo, the Portuguese Water Dog, became the top dog during President Obamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first term in office. President George W. Bush had several animals, but Barney, the Scottish Terrier, is best known. President Clinton also owned several pets during his two terms in office. Socks the cat, lived in the White House but was none to fond of Buddy, the Labrador Retriever. President George H. Bush owned several pooches during his term - Millie, who gave birth to puppies while in the White House. She gave birth to Ranger. President Jimmy Carter owned a Siamese cat named Grits for a short time. President Gerald Fordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Golden Retriever, Liberty also had a litter of pups during her White House stay. President Richard Nixon owned several dogs during his abbreviated stay in the White House. There was Vicky, the French poodle, Pasha, the Yorkshire terrier, an Irish Setter named Timahoe and the famous Checkers. President Lyndon Johnson owned two beagles named Him and Her, Freckles, and a lucky mutt found by his daughter at a gas station named Yuki.

REPUBLICAN vs DEMOCRAT

You know where you stand when it comes to taking party sides, but how would your pet vote?

Democratic Pets:

1. Want universal veterinary care for all. 2. Socialize with all breeds at the dog park. 3. Prefer their owner uses biodegradable poop bags. 4. Are very concerned with the rising rate of pet food. 5. Have the young puppy and kitten vote locked. 6. Want an end to the war of dogs vs. cats once and for all. 7. Think of Ralph Nadar as the dog catcher.

Republican Pets:

1. Bark at passing neighbors and traffic; home security is very important to them. 2. Their ears perk up when Fox News comes on. 3. Are a big spender at the local pet store. 4. Strongly believe pet matrimony should only occur between two cats or two dogs. 5. Believe in the 2nd amendment right to bear teeth and claws. 6. Want national ID tags for all pets. 7. Advocate for the pet tracking chip you can never have too much security! Urban Paws Magazine 17

THE

BIG DEBATE

which is cheaper? There is a litany of expenses,

in addition to the initial cost of

adoption, that an average pet owner will incur within the first year. The ASPCA provides this financial breakdown for both dogs and cats:

Small dog: $1,314 first year, $580 per year after

Medium dog: $1,580 first year, $695 per year after Large dog: $1,843 first year, $875 per year after Cat: $1,035 first year, $670 per year after

These costs include: spay/neuter, other initial medical, collar/leash, litter box/scratching post

for cats, cage/crate for large dogs, carrier bag

for small dogs/cats, and training class for dogs.

Annual expenses include food, recurring med-

ical, litter for cats, licenses for dogs, toys/treats, health insurance, and miscellaneous. VET BILLS Small dog - $470 Medium dog - $505 Large dog - $550 Cat - $435 FOOD, TOYS & TREATS Small dog - $95 Medium dog - $175 Large dog - $310 Cat - $140 DOG GROOMING AND TRAINING Small dog - $374 Medium dog - $430 Large dog - $518 MISCELLANEOUS SUPPLIES Small dog - $150 Medium dog - $245 Large dog - $240 Cat - $205 It looks as if cats are ahead in this running. The

bottom line is, pets arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t cheap. But there are ways to save on these expenses. And, even if your dog or cat ends up costing a bit more than expected, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll pay you back with unconditional love, companionship and devotion.

THE WINNER:

Cats

DOGS VS CATS which is more popular? Studies and statistics favor cats on some measures and dogs on others. By comparison, dogs reined when it came to bonding with humans, tractability (ease of training and control) and usefulness, while cats, on the other hand, are less expensive to maintain and leave a smaller carbon footprint on the planet. The following statistics were compiled from the American Pet Products Association 2011-2012 National Pet Owners Survey. DOGS There are approximately 78.2 million owned dogs in the United States. 39% of U.S. households own at least one dog. 60% own one dog. 28% of owners own two dogs. 12% of owners own three or more dogs. On average, owners have almost two dogs (1.69 %). CATS There are approximately 86.4 million owned cats in the United States. 33% of U.S. households own at least one cat. 52% of owners own more than one cat. On average, owners have two cats (2.2%).

THE WINNER:

Dogs

Dogs take the lead by a nose in this debate with 39% of U.S. households owning at least one dog, compared to 33% of those who own cats. Both dogs and cats are popular domesticated animals but each animal has its own special talents and characteristics.

PARTY PRIDE SHOW YOUR

Election-themed pet products for the politically saavy pet

1 2

3 4 20 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com

5 1. Democrat and Republican Dog Collars from the Vineyard Vines collection $38 mymascot.com 2. Star Shirt Collar, Patriotic dress-up collar with detachable tie. Velcro closure. poochoutfitters.com 3. Political Dog Toys by Ella & Anni, Made by hand with dog safe, non toxic materials $24 www.etsy.com/shop/EllaAndAnni 4. Scoop-it Bowls in red or blue, Available in small or medium $6.99 patrioticpetshop.com 5. Smear Campaign Poop Bags by Metro Paws, 100% degradable and fit standard bag holders. Contains 4 rolls $14.99 smearcampaign.com 6. Political Cotton Dog Shirts, Machine washable $12.45 lovemypetsupply.com

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behavior

ROVERâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S WORLD: Dominance Theory By Jeff Drier, Bark Busters

s a professional trainer, I read a lot of people and dogs are different species and there material regarding dogs, training and are misunderstandings between dogs and peobehavior. Over the last few years a lot of ple. discussion has taken place on the various trainCanine leadership is gained by consistently ing methods and philosophies. directing or influencing the I believe that open discussion behavior of the pack or family. is valuable. Unfortunately, a lot This is typically done without â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most dogs just aggression. When a dog does of the discussion has become emotional rather than logical. want to fit in and become the leader in our home, This is certainly true regarding not be saddled with he is more likely to display domidominance and leadership. but again this is not the leadership jobâ&#x20AC;? nance, aggression. There have been numerous articles stating that the domiI was speaking with some veterinance theory is outdated. Unfortunately, they narians and one made a statement that jumping almost always start off with a definition which up was one way that a dog tries to take over. ties or equates dominance with aggression. Jumping up is often a dominant display, so at These are actually two different issues. this point the dog usually already believes that Dominance has to do with how a dog feels he's in charge. Dogs do not want to be in charge. about its relationships and its place in the pack It's stressful trying to live up to the responsibilor family hierarchy and aggression is a strategy ities inherent with leadership. Leaders are that any dog might use to solve an issue, typicalresponsible for the safety and well being of their ly one that it's uncomfortable about. packs. Very few dogs are actually natural born leaders. Most dogs just want to fit in and not be saddled with the leadership job. Those who make the case for dominance theory being outdated state that the latest scientific studies show that dogs are not dominant and do Unfortunately however, because of misundernot want to take over in our homes. I agree with standings, people inadvertently and often withthis statement; dogs typically do not want to be out even realizing it give the responsibilities of the leaders in our homes. The problem is that leadership to their dogs. This is when the dogs

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will display dominance, because they are in the dominant role.

that they understand, then no. Leaders are dominant and will display it in different ways.

These displays of dominance usually have nothing to do with aggression. Some common displays of dominance include jumping on people, not listening or obeying commands, demanding their families' attention and rushing to the door when anyone comes to their home. Further displays might include barking for attention or to be fed or let in or out.

Take the time to learn how Rover views the world and his relationship with you. Give him the leadership he craves. When you do you'll have a dog that is happy to follow you and your guidance.

So how does this relate to training? It starts with understanding our canine companions. Dogs are a different species. They learn about the world differently, they communicate differently and they view relationships differently than we do. They like and dislike different things so their priorities are different than ours. They are dogs and while they can do some amazing things, they will always view life from the canine perspective and will never understand our human perspective. Luckily we have the intelligence to understand a different point of view, at least partially. We can modify our behavior in order to model a canine leader's persona when we are interacting with our dogs. Leadership is not about confrontation, which most of the discussion revolves around. Leadership does involve establishing a relationship based on mutual love, respect and trust. So is the dominance theory outdated? If it means being physical, mean or aggressive with dogs then yes, if it means understanding the nature of dogs and providing leadership in ways

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

Guardian Pit Bull Rescue www.guardianpitbullrescue.org

Guardian Pit Bull Rescue is a 501(c)3 non-profit dog rescue dedicated to saving the lives of pit bulls. Guardianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mission is to educate, advocate and rescue. Education begins with providing the public with accurate information about the highly misunderstood pit bull and by promoting responsible pit bull ownership. Guardian works directly with local animal shelters to rescue pit bulls from euthanasia and aid in rehabilitation for permanent home placement as a beloved family pet. One of Guardianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goals is to dispel the myths, fight ignorance and allow the public to know pit bulls for their loyalty, compassion and unconditional love that truly defines them.

Tripp is a very fun loving, cuddly and social dog. Even though he is missing his front leg, he doesn't let that get in his way. He is an energetic and playful 2-year-old that likes to rough & tumble. He is a vocal dog but don't let that scare you - he just likes to tell you that he is having fun! After he wears himself out (which doesn't take long) he enjoys being a couch potato and will bury his head in your lap. Tripp interacts well with other dogs and children but would do best in a home with older children since he is sometimes forceful and still learning his manners. Trip is house and crate trained, walks well on a leash but usually needs to rest halfway through his walks.

Tripp

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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.

Remi is a handsome 2 ½ year old male “blue” pit bull. He was rescued while dodging cars on a fast moving street. Remi is neutered and gets along best with other neutered males and all females! He enjoys playing, running and chasing squirrels, kids and grown-ups too. Remi needs someone with bully breed experience because he tends to have a mind of his own, but with the right guidance will always do as asked. He is extremely afraid of thunder & fireworks, doesn’t particularly like kennels and is happiest in a backyard. He is also housetrained and would make a great house companion.

Remi

Isabelle is a fun and loving 1-year-old female who is a quick learner and loves to please. She just completed basic obedience, is very smart and easily trained, house and crate trained. Isabelle lives with and has a wonderful relationship with her humans and foster siblings including two chihuahuas, a poodle, an Italian greyhound and another pit bull. She loves to play ball, catch Frisbees, go on walks and absolutely loves the water! She enjoys being indoors, napping on the couch and sleeping on the bed.

Isabelle

Gizzy

Gizzy is a very sweet 2-year-old girl that happens to have fabulous ears. She loves to give kisses, snuggle and is very playful. Gizzy is a quick learner, is also house and crate trained and walks very well on leash. She is good with all other dogs and kids.

Urban Paws Magazine 25

tail end Local Animal Resources Breed Specific Rescue Organizations

Chihuahua Rescue & Transport www.chihuahua-rescue.org Texas Alaskan Malamute Rescue www.texalmal.org Tiny Paws Rescue www.tinypawsrescue.com Recycled Poms-Houston www.recycledpomeranians.com Bull Terrier Rescue www.texasbullterrier.org Houston Sheltie Sanctuary www.houstonsheltiesanctuary.com Great Dane Rescue of Southeast Texas www.saveadane.org Texas German Shorthaired Pointer Rescue www.texasgsp.org Dachshund Rescue of Houston www.dachshundrescueofhouston.org Italian Greyhound Rescue www.igrescuetexas.org Luck & Legends Saint Bernard Rescue of Texas www.saintrescue.org Guardian Pit Bull Rescue www.guardianpitbullrescue.com Greyhound Pets of America – Houston www.gpahouston.org Boston Terrier Rescue www.houstonbostonrescue.org Southeast Texas Labrador Retriever Rescue www.txlabrescue.org Miniature Schnauzer Rescue www.msrh.org Houston Area Doberman Rescue www.hadr.org Texas Great Pyrenees Rescue www.txpyrs.org South Texas Aussie Rescue www.southtexasaussierescue.org Pug Hearts Houston Pug Rescue www.pughearts.com Husky Haven www.huskyhaven.org Beagle & Hound Rescue of Houston www.houstonbeaglerescue.org Lone Star Boxer Rescue www.lsbr.org Poodle Rescue of Houston www.poodlerescueofhouston.com

26 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com

Westie & Scottie Rescue Houston www.westierescuehouston.com Weimaraner Rescue of North Texas www.weimrescuetexas.org Houston Collie Rescue www.houstoncollierescue.org All Texas Dachshund Rescue www.atdr.org Doberman Rescue Group www.dobermanrescuegroup.org

Animal Shelters & Pet Adoptions Houston SPCA www.hspca.org

Houston Humane Society www.houstonhumane.org

Montgomery County Animal Shelter www.mcaspets.org

Abandoned Animal Rescue www.aarescue.com

Friends for Life www.nokill1.org

Sunmart Animal Rescue Team (SMART) www.smartpetz.com

Scout’s Honor Rescue www.scoutshonor.org

E-Rescue Houston

www.e-rescue-houston.org Special Pals

www.specialpalsshelter.org

Homeless & Orphaned Pets Endeavor (HOPE) www.homelesspets.net

Homeless Pet Placement League (HPPL) www.hppl.org

Citizens for Animal Protection (CAP) www.cap4pets.org

Shaggy Dog Rescue