Your Pet Magazine June 2020 by Your Pet Magazine

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June -ish 2020

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Meet Hamilton www.YourPetNM.com June 2020 At Your Pet Magazine our mission is to be the Pet owner’s guide to information regarding events, lifestyles, trends, and wellness throughout the Albuquerque metro, Rio Rancho, and Santa Fe areas. Your Pet Magazine is a free publication. Publisher David Lansa Art Director David Lansa DL Graphic Design, LLC David@yourpetnm.com Design Department Gina Archibeque Celeste Parrish Editorial Contributors Chris Blazina, PhD Kirstin Tyler Jill Lane Elizabeth Harvey Desiree Woodland

Meet Hamilton, he was our recent cover contest winner. Hamilton is a Miniature Boxer, 3 years old and Likes to take naps. His name is based off the “Hamilton” broadway musical. His full name is, are your ready,

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Now try saying that 5 times! Hamilton’s favorite activity - Playing with cute puppies, he sits very well and loves to cuddle, he enjoys giving kisses and may even slip you the tongue if he likes you! Hamilton loves to shop at Pet Food Gone Wild, thats his favorite place. Visit him on instagram at:

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Your Pet Magazine makes every effort to provide information that is informative and practical. The publisher, editor, writers and art director are not responsible for any adverse effects or consequences resulting from the use of suggestions or products that appear in this magazine. By accepting and publishing advertising the publisher in no way recommends, guarantees and endorses the quality of services or products within this publication. The contents of this magazine is copyrighted by Your Pet Magazine, all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express written consent of the publisher.

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Health

Animal

Companions in a time of crisis By Chris Blazina PhD

leave my home in the mountains outside of ABQ, NM. In the twenty-minute drive to my office I am inundated with flashing signs along the highway warning me I should stay at home; socially isolate, and above else wash my hands. But I am one of the many healthcare workers still going to work. As a psychologist I see a wide swath of people from different backgroundsdoctors, lawyers, teachers, and those that make a living using their hands. In the past few months, most begins their session with updates, worries, and perspectives about the current Covid 19 crisis. Those working in scientific or medical fields share with me their views of what they believe will happen in the near future or how the long view of normalcy has been forever altered. Others, offer perspectives of denial or refusing to admit susceptibility. This confidence is a thin veneer covering real anxiety. Amid the quickly changing

landscape of new social norms for the sake of safety, most are ultimately preoccupied with ways to stay emotionally grounded. People do this in different ways. It seems understandable that certain perishables and commodities have taken on a type of gold standard of value. We like to maintain a sense of predictability and consistency especially when in crisis. Having those items in hand lends itself to a sense of control. Other clients having stated their fears about getting sick or the world to come, move on to the reasons they sought psychotherapy in the first place. These are the other areas of crisis. They discuss relationship status or frustrations. Relationships at the beginning, middle and coming to an end. One of the things that understandably occurs amid a crisis is outer uncertainty fuels inner anxiety. Some of those worries where already there; in some cases, lying in various states of dormancy for years or decades, get

reawaken. The normal response is to look for a source of security. There are various theories in psychoanalysis that point toward our innate need for someone we perceive as the purveyor of strength, wisdom, and protection to step forward when we are rattled. While most can understand how this occurs for children, a similar theme emerges for adults in distress. Some clients in my office wax philosophical without necessarily intending to discussing that one person from long ago who knew how to handle a crisis. From their memories they draw comfort from that anchoring presence. More difficult circumstances occur when clients do not have a history of a safe other that makes things seem alright. The lifelong quest for someone that is an emotional constant takes on a new meaning when the world seems turned upside down. In this case not just a personal world view but reacting to all those other worried people

encountered in the grocery store about one step away from panic because someone just took the last roll of toilet paper. To all these clients I feel a pull to say everything will be all right. But I hesitate. In my heart I realize that is not the entirety of what they need. For some, amid all the uncertainty a different emotional constant is present—an animal companion. Research reflects this deeply held belief. One study by the American

nervous patients revealing their inner most conflicts but they were actually present to emotionally ground Freud who now wore a prosthetic jaw and relied on his dogs to masticate his food so he could swallow his meals. His Chows brought comfort to Freud in a similar way that animal companions do currently in this age of pandemic. We all need an emotional anchor and that need is amplified when life feels unsure.

The notion that dogs and other animal companions are a steady support amid troubling times can be seen in the writing of Sigmund Freud. Animal Hospital Association, found that 40% of married women were more likely to discuss emotional issues with their dog than their husband. Likewise, in another published study, 42% middle aged men have been found to prioritize the emotional support from their dogs over friends, siblings, and parents. The only rival for the most supportive ally role is their romantic partner. While these two studies are more recent, the notion that dogs and other animal companions are a steady support amid troubling times can be seen in the writing of Sigmund Freud. He talked about how constant and reliable dogs are—“They love their friends and bite their enemies.” Freud’s own life was not short on crisis and transition.

Perhaps part of the takeaway from this article is animal companions are there for us but what also follows is that within any loving connection there ought to be some level of reciprocity. That is, animal companions give and we should consider their needs and give back. Recent reports within New Mexico among animal shelters is that there has been a surge in animal surrenders. Some cite fears that dogs or cats will spread the virus to human family members. The ungrounded fear is mixed into all the other current worries impacting families. Likewise, with people being stuck at home for extended periods with pent up worries there is the possibility that our anxiety impacts our animal companions.

The deaths of his closest daughter and grandson, the beginnings of World War II where he had to flee his home in Vienna, and the near constant source of strain over decades where the more than thirty cancer operations on his jaw. Freud confided in a letter to a friend after all this he did not think he was capable of ever loving again. But fortunate for him, he had a long-established connection with anima companions. His Chows where nearly omnipresent in the latter part of his life, even having a couch of their own in his consultation room where he saw patients. Some may have thought that the dogs where there to sooth

Some dogs begin to display an uptick in unusual behaviors--barking, chewing, digging, and fighting. To this end, it is important to remember that our bond with animal companions really is mutual —they give to us and we give to them. The position

Freud with his Chow dog Jofi.

of giving to our pets when things are difficult may come from an ethical perspective, like that is the right thing to do. Even if approached in a purely pragmatic and self-interested one, helping others sometimes helps ourselves. We feel rewarded not only with another’s gratitude but it is rewarding to feel like you have something of value to offer. There is something beneficial about giving to others in a time of crisis whether that be with fellow humans or our animal companions. The experience can be grounding. It allows us to think beyond ourselves as well as realize we are more resilient even under stress than we thought. There are many gifts in our bond with animal companions. They encompass a give and take that helps us weather the storm.

Dr. Chris Blazina is a psychologist practicing in Albuquerque. He is also a retired professor having published seven books including, “When Man Meets Dog” which was awarded the National Indie Excellence Award for Men’s Health. He has been interviewed on various radio stations across the United States, Canada, and Australia. www.chrisblazinaphd. com Follow on Twitter @DrChrisBlazina

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| YOUR PET MAGAZINE

Pet Loss During COVID-19:

You Are Not Alone

By Elizabeth Harvey

n the midst of social distancing requirements and a time of grief and anxiety across the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some have experienced a loss that compounds these difficulties: the death of an animal companion. I hope that readers who are missing a special animal during this time will feel a little less alone through having their experience recognized. This article will touch on the grief process, offer tips for selfcare after loss, and provide a list of resources for support. For many of us, our animal companions are a crucial source of comfort and companionship. We consider them family. The emotional toll of losing a pet during the health crisis our society has been experiencing should not be underestimated. We are already dealing with unsettling news daily, and for some, personal experiences of multiple types of

crisis and perhaps longer term for those in high-risk health circumstances, but it may feel challenging to look for new sources of support. If you are struggling, I encourage you to be gentle with yourself and to reach out for support – there are resources It makes sense that losing a pet while available and caring people who are willing navigating the current state of the world to help. The tips and resources below provide could amplify feelings of overwhelm. The a place to start. coronavirus situation raises a variety of new challenges with regard to pet loss. Changes Honoring the Grief Process, to processes at veterinary offices may disrupt Honoring Your Pet what we were expecting in terms of caring for our pets in their last days and saying There is no “one-size fits all” prescription for goodbye. We may be tempted to compare our coping with grief. Loss hits us each differloss of a pet to what others are experiencing ently, and coping approaches that help will or minimize the validity of our grief when not look the same for everyone. This also so much other loss is going on around us, goes for the timing of grief: there is no one intensifying feelings of isolation. Typical in- timetable for processing the loss of a pet, person social activities and support systems despite messages we may receive from othmay be harder to access during the health ers about “moving on.” Grief is a reflection losses, including human deaths and losses of health, financial stability, and social life. My 8-year-old son recently described the chain of events related to COVID-19 as a “tragic kaboom” and that seems apt.

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of love, and as Dr. Joanne Cacciatore says in Bearing the Unbearable: Love, Loss and the Heartbreaking Path of Grief, “grief and love mirror each other; one is not possible without the other.”1 Honoring the grief process is a way of continuing to love your pet. Selfcompassion is key: gradually allow yourself to feel your feelings of loss as it is tolerable; this may take more time than expected. Letting go of preconceived notions of what the grief process will be reduces pressure and allows space for healing. Integrating an understanding of your relationship with your pet and what they have meant to you may unfold over a lifetime and become an ongoing dialogue with your pet in a psychological or spiritual sense.2 This idea of developing a continuing bond3 after losing a pet may not lessen the raw hurt of immediate loss. Instead, over time, we can try to gradually shift our connection with a pet from how we interacted while they were living to a different place in our heart and mind. In this way, we can move towards wholeness to include the meaning of our pet in our life rather than closing off or ignoring the parts of us touched by our pet because the loss is too painful to face.

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Finding a way to memorialize a pet may help as a touchstone during the grief process and can help start the process of relating to our pet in a new way. Some veterinary offices will make a clay pawprint of a pet in the euthanasia process. Some people display a photo they hold dear of their pet or have a pet portrait painted in the honor of the lost animal companion. Collars, leashes, bowls or other objects your pet used provide a tangible way to connect with memories of your pet. A simple memorial service that is meaningful to you may feel right. At some point remembering may mean activities such as taking walks where you once walked with your pet or becoming involved in animal rescue efforts in honor of your pet. It is a very personal choice as to what is comforting and meaningful, and the ways you remember your pet may evolve with time. A personal example is that in a painting class years ago, I chose to paint from a photograph of my dog Fred. The painting became a special reminder of Fred after his death. Creative efforts to remember our pets need not look “just right” to anyone else, but can have great meaning to us.

Practical Self-Care After Loss Experiencing the fluidity of grief, which can come in intense waves, during an unsettling time such as the COVID-19 situation means that consistency and routine can be crucial sources of stability, comfort, and grounding. Practical selfcare is important for dealing with times of uncertainty and even more important when we have experienced a personal loss. The following tips are meant as a gentle reminder of habits that can support health and healing.

• Sleep. Good sleep hygiene can make a

difference to our ability to function. This

means going to bed at a consistent time each night, making sure sleep conditions are conducive (such as adequate darkness and removing distractions), and getting sufficient hours of uninterrupted sleep. Identify substances that may be interfering with sleep quality such as caffeine, nicotine and alcohol and seek support to manage the effects if needed.

• Eating nourishing foods. Eating a

balanced diet and drinking plenty of water supports your health. Loss of appetite and overeating can both occur during the grief experience. Seek help from a professional if you feel either of these have become unmanageable.

• Exercise. If you have a typical exercise

routine, keep it up as best you can. If not, start with simple efforts such as walking, at-home exercises using your own body weight, stretches, or yoga as your health and fitness level safely allow.

• Time outdoors. Exposure to the

natural world can help regulate our nervous system. Sitting on the earth in a peaceful setting can feel grounding. Noticing natural phenomena such as the seasons can support our becoming more in-sync with cycles of change, life and death and new life again.

Pick one or two items that are most helpful to you and try to do them each day. Aim to gradually increase the healthful activities you are implementing to support your wellbeing. Caring for yourself intentionally even in small ways can make a difference as you move through this difficult time.

Pet Loss Support Resources In the time of coronavirus, social outlets and normal activities that could offer relief in a time of loss may not be an option. Feeling isolated can be a key experience of grief. Seeking support through whatever means is available and feels most helpful to you, whether it is online or by phone during this time of social distancing, can help uncover new sources of connection

and comfort. Reaching out to friends who are also animal lovers, joining likeminded communities on social media, or finding a topical online support group or chatroom you feel comfortable with can offer a path to hope when loss feels so heavy. Though this list is not comprehensive, the following organizations provide resources tailored for those experiencing pet loss:

providers offer sessions through telemedicine by video or phone. If your community does not have a counselor who specializes in pet loss, there may be someone else within the state who can help via telehealth counseling. It may take speaking with more than one therapist to find someone whose approach is right for you, so please do not give up in seeking support. Following is a list of resources to help with finding a mental • The Association for Pet Loss health professional. In addition, insurance and Bereavement (aplb.org) offers pet companies frequently provide a listing of bereavement chat rooms and many resources providers covered under their plans. for pet loss and anticipatory bereavement on their website, as well as resources for memorializing pets. Online therapist directories: • The American Veterinary Medical • Association (avma.org) offers a list of psychologytoday.com or goodtherapy.org Association for Pet Loss and hotlines for pet loss support and services • within their article on euthanasia: https:// Bereavement listing of pet bereavement www.avma.org/resources/pet-owners/ counselors by state: https://www.aplb.org/ support/counselor/. petcare/euthanasia. The MISS Foundation offers • A group of human-animal • interaction experts have compiled a list a directory of counselors trained in of resources related to pet issues during Compassionate Bereavement Care: https:// COVID-19 through the non-profit Fido Fort m i ss fou n d at i on . org / c omp a ss i on ate Collins (https://fidofortcollins.org/covid-19- bereavement-care Crisis resources: If you are in crisis, pets/). This includes a list of the following • please call the New Mexico Crisis and Access online forums and support groups for pet loss:

Line at 855-NMCRISIS (662-7474) where counselors are available 24/7. Mental health and COVID-19 resources are available at nmcrisisline.com. If you are facing a life-threatening emergency, call 911. If you have recently lost a pet, know that others are walking that hard path as well and that support is available. I wish you peace and health in these difficult times and a lifetime of love for your animal companions.

Elizabeth Harvey is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor practicing in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Her practice is focused on grief, including animal companion loss, and supporting clients working in fields related to animals. She is also an independent researcher and writer on human-animal interaction. www.elizabethharveycounseling.com

• https://www.lapoflove.com/community/ Pet-Loss-Support • https://chancesspot.org/pet-loss-support/index.php • https://www.rainbowsbridge.com/grief_ support_center/grief_support_home.htm

Mental Health Resources Seeking the support of a mental health counselor during this time may also be helpful for processing the hard emotions of bereavement and finding practical ways to cope. Some counselors specialize in working with clients who have lost pets and describe ourselves as “pet-friendly” or with a special interest in animal companion issues. During times of social distancing, many therapy @YOURPETNM

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For 10 years Boofy’s Best for Pets has grown to become a vital part of this wonderful pet community here in New Mexico. Below is an in-depth interview about the COVID-19 Epidemic that has affected us all personally. Read below to find out how your own local business, Boofy’s Best for Pets, learns to adapt, strategize and brings unification in our own pet community.

Photos by Allen Winston, winstonfoto.com

Your Pet: When shutdowns and closures Your Pet: How has your businesses began to happen, what where the first adapted, strategies, procedures, etc. and changes you saw that affected your normal the effects. operations, the good/bad. Boofy’s: Our mission throughout all of Boofy’s: The day after the initial school this has been to keep the pets fed and their closing was announced was the single busiest humans safe. We quickly implemented sales day in our 10-year history. Then we had phone and online ordering, curbside pickup, double-volume sales days for the next two and local delivery to give our customers weeks. No one knew where the situation was as many options as possible for shopping going and how long shutdowns might be in with us. Unlike some stores, we chose effect, so we were inundated with customers to remain open to customers for in-store trying to make sure their pets would have shopping, which has meant strict cleaning proper food for an extended period of time. and distancing procedures to maintain Thankfully we have great customers, so folks a coronavirus-free environment for our were still reasonable about how much they customers and our team. bought and we didn’t have ugly scenes like stores in other states experienced.

Your Pet: How has this epidemic possibly changed the future of your business and possibly for all pet food retailers here in NM. Boofy’s: We’ve been joking for years about the Zombie Apocalypse, so we’re happy that we rose to the occasion when we actually found ourselves in the middle of one. Even though the foundation of our brickand-mortar business is providing superior Continued next page

Soooo many

customers

were relieved and thankful that they didn’t have to

compromise the quality of food and care they give their pets due to limited

shopping options.

YOUR PET MAGAZINE | @YOURPETNM

Photos by Allen Winston, winstonfoto.com

in-person customer service, going forward we’ll need to continue expanding contact less ways of shopping and interacting with customers. It’s all about connecting with customers where they feel safe and comfortable, while still effectively and conveniently meeting their needs. Your Pet: The responses from the pet community and or customers. Boofy’s: We’re fortunate that New Mexico (and other states across the country) recognized that pet food stores are essential businesses and allowed us to remain open during the public health crisis. Soooo many customers were relieved and thankful that they

didn’t have to compromise the quality of food and care they give their pets due to limited shopping options. Our customers have been very appreciative of our team’s hard work to keep the store clean, functional, and welcoming during these strange days. We’ve done our best to still be a fun oasis to visit -- virtually or in person -- during the Zombie Apocalypse. Your Pet: What do you think is the #1 reason that makes our New Mexico pet community the best, stand out from the rest. Boofy’s: When New Mexicans love their pets, they love them as family.

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| YOUR PET MAGAZINE

FELINE

Update

What Does the term “No Kill” Shelter Actually mean?

Nathan Winograd, founder of the No Kill Advocacy Center, says he developed the 90 percent target over a two decades ago, then popularized it in his 2007 www.fandfnm.org book “Redemption: The 505-316-2281 Myth of Pet Overpopulation and the No Kill Revolution he most common understanding in America.” of a “No Kill” shelter isn’t that it never kills, though that’s clearly “I wrote: ‘A shelter succeeds what it implies. Instead, it’s a shelter with at saving all healthy and a 90 percent “live release rate” — meaning treatable dogs and cats, including feral cats, that nine of every 10 animals admitted when it is saving roughly 90 to 95 percent of leaves alive. all impounded animals,’ ” According to the No Kill Advocacy Many in the “No Kill” movement, including Center, shelters that claim a 90% live Winograd, no longer consider the 90 percent release rate consider themselves “No benchmark to be gospel. Advances in Kill”. In reality, achieving a 90% rate veterinary care, widespread availability of is the start of shelter reform and low-cost spay/neuter programs reducing the modernization, not the realization of it. number of unwanted pets, and hundreds of

While we should celebrate the increasing success of cities with a 90% or better live release rate, the goal of the “No Kill” movement is not to reduce killing to some consensus-based level, such as 10%. It is to end killing for all animals who are not irremediably suffering, rigorously defined. Otherwise, the movement legitimizes the killing of animals who can and should be saved while betraying the very ethos at the heart of the term “No Kill.” There is no certifying body that bestows the “No Kill” label, and there is no universally held definition for it. There isn’t even consensus in animal welfare circles about whether the term or its aim are good; one thing you learn quickly in the animal welfare world is that trying to get people to agree is like herding cats.

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shelters meeting the 90 percent target, have raised the bar. Now, many are embracing the principle that euthanasia should be used only in cases in which it advances the word’s true meaning: a merciful end. Animals will be euthanized if their pain cannot be managed, if they aren’t enjoying their lives, or if they are deemed too dangerous to live safely in society and no safe place can be found for them. Under this definition, healthy animals will not be killed and sick animals will be treated or given palliative care. Animals with behavioral issues work with trainers. Old animals, too, are given the chance to be adopted. Those too elderly or sick for standard adoption may be placed into foster hospice homes.

This is where organizations such as Felines & Friends come into the picture. In order to give some of these cats and dogs a second chance and be part of the 90 to 95 percent, area shelters striving to maintain “No Kill” status turn to smaller rescue groups to take the animals rather than have them counted in the 5 to 10 percent who are killed. Felines & Friends regularly accepts cats who are old, “socially challenged”, in need of on-going vet care, as well as FIV and FELV positive cats. For far too long shelters and rescues did not work as partners with the common goal of saving the lives and companion animals; there was an underlying attitude of “us and them”. In recent years, thanks to forwardthinking shelter managers, dozens of cats and kittens have been transferred to Felines & Friends from shelters and organizations across New Mexico and given the second chance they deserve. However, while most shelters receive some type of funding from local government entities, Felines & Friends does not. Rescue organizations rarely receive any type of recognition for the important part we play in the “No Kill” movement. We are hoping this will change as we are all part of the solution to pet overpopulation.

Bobbi Valentine Heller - Executive Director FELINE & FßRIENDS NEW MEXICO - www.fandfnm.org

and well-being ofof your and well-being your companion animal, companion animal, We’re ALWAYS happy to help with your canine, feline and wild bird needs.

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YO U R P E T

Community

YOUR PET MAGAZINE | @YOURPETNM

T HE COV I D-19 EP I DEMI C:

FI NDI NG

S T RENGT H IN A

PA NDEMI C

Photos by Allen Winston, winstonfoto.com

f you are familiar with the city of Rio Rancho, then you are familiar with Pet Food Gone Wild. Opening their doors in 2011, PFGW put their heart and soul into establishing a locally owned business that provides your four legged loved one quality and healthy choices in pet food. Pet Food Gone Wild has become an essential part of the pet community here in Rio Rancho and New Mexico, providing educational and professional service to their customers. When it comes to your furry loved one, PFGW truly cares. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit New Mexico, Susana Vasquez, owner of PFGW, was presented with a variety of hurdles, complications and new procedures that affected the everyday conduct of business. Below is an overview of what happened during this time and how a local business adapated to the new “normal” and learned to grow and strengthen Pet Food Gone Wild, from the inside out. Next Page

rio ranc

d o o f t e p ild gone w

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YO U R P E T

Community

We stand behind

each other in a way of camaraderie, because we are all doing the same things and because of that, we pass that on to our community, why, because our communities are what have , supported us and got us to this

started

point

Your Pet: When shutdowns and closures began to happen, what where the first changes you saw that affected your normal operations, the good/bad. PFGW: Being an essential business, the community went into a frenzy and began to buy anything and everything . For us our days became very busy and it was outrageous compared to normal our days. But at the same time I realized I was not going to buy into this frenzy, thinking this was going to become a daily thing. People were being very cautious, and scared at the same time, thinking “what if ”. Their mind set was to stockpile food and supplies for their pets, because of the uncertainty of the future. This began to happen at the beginning, but for me to purchase pallets and pallets of supplies based on the surge of sales, was not going to happen,

YOUR PET MAGAZINE | @YOURPETNM

Photos by Allen Winston, winstonfoto.com

why? Because I knew it was going to slow down. I knew when the tight restrictions came for the businesses, it would be very different for us here at the store. Your Pet: How has your businesses adapted, strategies, procedures, etc. and the effects. PFGW: It was definitely reinventing the wheel. This country has never really been through something like this. So for us a lot of changes had to happen, such as, how many people are we going to let in, disinfecting on top of what we already do, using a safe disinfected that kills the Coronavirus and is safe for the pets and people coming into the store. As far as the amount of people in the store, I went ahead and implemented

no more that 2 people at a time, just because I already have a crew working in the store. we kept the door closed to keep the 2 in the store rule. Also we started with curb side service, call in orders, and delivery. Now delivery is something that has always been brought to my attention, from the community, it still is a work in progress but has been implemented as well. Also we are and will be introducing online ordering as well. Your Pet: How has this epidemic possibly changed the future of your business and possibly for all pet food retailers here in NM. PFGW: As far as other pet food retailers, here and possibly regionally and nationwide, as a retailer you have to learn to go and adapt with the changes , re

YO U R P E T

Community

Photos by Allen Winston, winstonfoto.com

invent the wheel, be innovative. One of the saddest things I’ve seen is businesses that have shut down permanently, because there was no way of them being able to get through this . But there are ways of figuring this out without shutting down or throwing your hands up and say I’m done. Fortunately and unfortunately we are in a technology world ,so technology does have it perks and has its downfalls as well. One of the biggest perks of technology for us is social media. There is a lot of avenues in social media for us and tools we can use to be innovative and creative, getting our brand out there for them letting know we are here. Some things I will continue on doing is offering curb side service, delivery service and online ordering, I won’t shut those down, I think it is a benefit for people who don’t want to go out, we really don’t know and maybe it is the new “norm”.

Your Pet: The responses from the pet community and or customers. PFGW: I will tell you it has been a 95% acceptance overall, people have been patient and supportive, which is amazing! They have understood were we stand with this. It is unfortunate, but yes, if we did not abide but the mandates that the governor has stated. Yes, we could lose our business license and for many businesses just like me, we have worked way to hard, its our passion, its our love, for it just to go down the drain. Its hard, but I know this isn’t going to last forever, do we want to go back to the way it was, yes, but it will never be the way it was. Your Pet: What do you think is the #1 reason that makes our New Mexico pet community the best, stand out from the rest.

PFGW: Well for my Rio Ranchoans, its always been about what the word really means “community, “ The empathy around everybody in the pet community. As far retailers in the region, Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho areas, we are all very amicable, so we stand behind each other in a way of camaraderie, because we are all doing the same things and because of that, we pass that on to our community, why, because our communities are what have started us, supported us and got us to this point, I will always thank this community, especially Rio Rancho. They know who Pet Food Gone Wild is and they are willing to stand behind PFGW because they know what we have done for them and also on the contrary I always say” what they the community has done for me”.

@YOURPETNM

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YOUR PET MAGAZINE | @YOURPETNM

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and many other pet food retailers. @YOURPETNM

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Can one dog make a difference? Betty Bulldog is on a mission to play her part!

he 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic affected everyone in multiple ways. New Mexico was not immune to the effects of this crises. People and pets alike were impacted in April by statewide closure mandates and a new live/work environment.

Street Café. Together with the owner, we came up with a special multi-pack menu of great local fare at a reduced price…that included FREE home or business delivery! Folks were able to enjoy that Betty Bulldog, a California puppy mill much needed NM Chile survivor, recently moved to New Mexico. fix while supporting a local As she settles into her new home, she also business. takes on the task of Successor to her famous RESULTS: In 5 deliveries during April 2020, ‘bulldog brother.’ Travelin’ Jack, roving FUN: The fun component came into the Betty pawsonally delivered meals, books and bulldog reporter and pet travel adventure picture for the kids! All families ordering love to over 60 families (about 200 people dog, was known for his life’s advocacy for food received a free In-Home-Schooling fun served) and raised over $1500 for 5 animal shelter pets and his far-reaching public role activity book, NM A to Z and Kids Passport groups. BETTY BULLDOG DELIVERS may as Pet Travel Expert. Jack left big paws to to NM. A great home project to learn about not have changed the world dramatically, fill. Now, Betty Bulldog begins to carry on New Mexico and plan for future travel but it did make a tiny difference in the big Jack’s legacy and service commitment to vacations around New Mexico. picture. supporting pets in need. FURRY LOVE: The furry component was BETTY BULLDOG DELIVERS Project is Coronaviris was a pandemic that forced Betty’s ‘pawsonal’ piece. Food delivery was just one tiny example of good things that new and different needs, and impacted free, but IF the recipient elected to ‘tip’ Betty happened during this challenging time. people as well as their pets. Businesses were for her free delivery service, Betty donated Folks everywhere reached out and did mandated to shut down; many people were 100% of those tips to local Animal Welfare amazing acts to help in various ways. This laid off due to ‘non-essential business’ status; groups. And many folks admitted they particular project….created by a bulldog…. schools were closed necessitating in-home placed the order to meet Betty….some dogs is just one give-back project of many great schooling; independent animal humane included! stories that took place here in New Mexico. groups lost donor support and faced new SUCCESS…job well done Betty Bulldog! adoption challenges; everyone was impacted An additional side benefit even came But stay tuned! You will see more from Betty financially. But life must go on! So, we put into play. Outreach by generous folks to Bulldog down the road! Woof! our heads together and found an opportunity recognize our 1st Responders, generated to make a tiny difference in Betty’s new home calls to provide complimentary meals to community. Thus, was born the BETTY them. Accordingly, Betty delivered team BULLDOG DELIVERS Project. meals to 4 Fire Stations and a Hospital group. But perhaps the biggest win of all came This project consisted of 3 outreach areas: to Betty Bulldog’s team who made this FOOD, FUN, & FURRY LOVE! project happen: the gratitude shared by generous folks all over Albuquerque and Rio FOOD: The food component was designed Rancho. Their generosity during this crisis to provide support to mandate impacted was overwhelming and touched our hearts restaurants, like our favorite (and pet profoundly. Jill Lane Marketing & Media Specialist, Award winning Author, Freelance Travel Writer, NM friendly) iconic New Mexico eatery, Church Tourism Hall of Fame Inductee, Pet Travel Specialist, Animal Welfare Advocate. - 505 220-4933 - Jill.trvl@gmail.com

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P.O. Box 56565 Albuquerque, NM 87187 www.YourPetNM.com #yourpetmagazine #yourpetnm #loveyourpet

Albuquerque Pet Memorial Service

President: David E. Gifford

Family Owned and Operated Since 1999

Vice President: Deidra E. Ewers

We are proud to be a pet-only cremation facility specializing in Equine cremations, paw prints, urns and more.

Main 505.550.4793 | Alt. 505.550.4792 Emergency / Weekend Line: 505.270.1905 132 Mountain Park Place NW | Albuquerque, NM 87114 albuquerquerpetmemorialservice@gmail.com www.albuquerquepetmemorial.com Like us on Facebook!