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animal lovers' lifestyle magazine for Houston, Texas
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d gsTexas &catsSeptember 2013HOUSTON
Cypress VCA Telge RoAd AnimAl HospiTAl11430 Telge RoadCypress, TX 77429281-671-0776VCAtelgeroad.com
Houston VCA AsHfoRd
AnimAl HospiTAl12633 WhittingtonHouston, TX 77077281-749-1174VCAashford.com
Houston VCA CounTRysideAnimAl HospiTAl2211 FM 1960 EastHouston, TX 77073281-301-0619
VCAcountryside.com
Houston VCA spRing BRAnCH
AnimAl HospiTAl10109 Long Point Road
Houston, TX 77043713-428-2200
VCAspringbranch.com
Katy VCA Kelliwood
AnimAl HospiTAl960 S. Fry RoadKaty, TX 77450
281-944-7901VCAkelliwood.com
Kingwood VCA Kingwood
AnimAl HospiTAl2526 Green Oak DriveKingwood, TX 77339
281-973-2852VCAkingwood.com
Lake Jackson VCA lAKe JACKson AnimAl HospiTAl
210 That WayLake Jackson, TX 77566
979-316-2796VCAlakejackson.com
Pasadena VCA AnimAl mediCAlCenTeR of pAsAdenA
5018A Fairmont ParkwayPasadena, TX 77505
281-560-3268VCApasadena.com
Sugar LandVCA souTHwesT fReewAy
AnimAl HospiTAl15575 SW Freeway
Sugar Land, TX 77478832-500-8443
VCAswfreeway.com
Spring VCA spRing
AnimAl HospiTAl1811 Spring Cypress
Spring, TX 77388832-510-6196VCAspring.com
Spring/WoodlandsVCA woodlAnds AnimAl HospiTAl428 Rayford RoadSpring, TX 77386832-510-6197
VCAwoodlands.com
Texas City, VCA mAinlAnd
AnimAl HospiTAl3015 Palmer HighwayTexas City, TX 77590
409-359-4784VCAmainland.com
Tomball VCA TomBAll
VeTeRinARy HospiTAl28800 Tomball PkwyTomball, TX 77375281-305-9518 VCAtomball.com
Management Services Provided by VCA Animal Hospitals. • Animal Healthcare of Texas, PC. - Rocky McKelvey, DVM - owner.
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ART ID #: 36800000427811DIRECTORY NO: 005555CLOSE DATE: 08/12/2011PUB DATE: 12-11CLIENT NAME: VCA ANIMAL HOSPITALSCMR/CLIENT NO: 368-5031HEADING: VETERINARIANSSTATE/DIRECTORY: CA DOWNEY-NORWALK PUB CODE: SPR 0682SIZE: HPWP 51x29.6NO: P667331
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Your Pet’s Health – Our PriorityCount on us to care for your pet. We provide a people friendly environmentwith dedicated, caring professionals.
Wellness and early disease detection & prevention
State of the art medical, dentistry and surgical equipment
Extended evening and weekend hours
Vaccinations Walk-ins welcome
Convenient hours Ultrasound & Radiology
Boarding & Grooming Doggie day care & Training (VCA La Mirada)
All backed by the nation’s largest and most trusted animal healthcare network, giving you access to over 275 board certified specialists for complex cases.* For new clients only. Offer good only for general veterinary services. Excludes emergency and specialized services.
VCA Supports Animal Shelters
Nationwide
FREE First Exam!*
Santa Fe SpringsVCA LA MIRADA13914 E. Rosecrans Ave.(Between Valley View & Marquardt)
562-239-4414www.vcalamirada.comMON-FRI: 7-7 SAT: 8-4
CerritosVCA LAKEWOOD10701 South St.(Corner of South St. & Palo Verde Ave.)
562-239-4433www.vcalakewoodca.com24 Hour Emergency (Open 7 Days a Week)• Doctor on Premises
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* For new clients only. Not to be combined with any other offer. Not good for emergency examinations. Up to 2 pets per household. Expires 09-30-2013.
We Love to Pamper Your Pets
FREEFirst
Exam*
Call us to schedule your FREE first exam*
n Complete Wellness Caren Diagnostic & Medical Caren Dentistry & Surgeryn Highly Skilled & Caring Professionalsn Evening & Weekend Hours
RCF
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Dog Parks Do’s And Don’ts
Puppy 101
Centerstage
Watch Me!
Buck’s Bucket List
{contents}
4
8Pain &Suffering In Companion Animals
Pet Snakes
COVE
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NIA
SEL
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Dog Parks Do’s And Don’ts
Rover Oaks Pet Resort
Spotted by the Pupperazzi
Man’s Best Friend Takes Flight for Dock Dogs
PUBLISHERShannan Parker
Tel: 281.781.4727
EDITORTiffany Robinson
DESIGNERFran Sherman
314.275.2208
CONTRIBUTING WRITERSTricia Fagan
Monica Schmidt
Texas A&M
Susan Weiss
Amy Kelley
Dr. Christie Cornelius
Connie Geodecke
Elizabeth Hurt
Brynne Gallman
PHOTOGRAPHERSonia Sellers Photography
ADVERTISE WITH US!281.781.4727 • [email protected]
Next Issue: October 2013Advertiser’s Deadline: September 15th 2013
Cat Education
Back To School Checklistfor Your Pets!
Senior Pets
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5
6 d gsTexas &cats
BY C
HRI
STIE
CO
RNEL
IUS,
DVM
, LA
ST W
ISH
ES IN
-HO
ME
PET
HO
SPIC
E, H
OU
STO
N, T
X
P ete’s beloved Irish Setter, Sasha, was first diagnosed with osteoarthritis of her hips and lower spine four years ago. Despite being on medications for her condition, Pete noticed a couple of months ago that Sasha started having trouble getting up
and down on her own.
Now, Sasha can barely rise with-out assistance, she refuses to go up the stairs, and she no longer gets excited when Pete grabs the leashto take her for a walk. Pete adores Sasha and doesn’t want to lose her, but he also doesn’t want her to suffer. He is confused as to whether or not her suffering is significantly affecting her quality of life to the extent that he should consider ending her life to relieve the pain he perceives Sasha to
be experiencing.The words “pain” and “suffer-
ing” are often used synonymously, but they are actually two different experiences. Pain is the sensory experience, while suffering is the emotional experience that is often associated with the sensation of pain. We assume that those things that cause pain in humans probably also cause pain in animals. If a pet is in pain, it is generally considered that it should be given the benefit
of the doubt that it is also suffering. Some of the consequences of pain include distress, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance, increased blood pressure and heart rate, nausea, vomiting, changes in breathing pattern, and urinary retention. It is important to realize that in critically ill animals, the expression of pain may be limited.
Chronic pain in dogs causes changes in exercise tolerance, play, owner interaction (clingy or dis-
in companion animals
suffering,quality
pain,
life&
of
DOG DAYCARE & BAKERY
www.houstondogdaycare.com • Don’t forget to visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/jacksons.place
• Cage-Free Boarding• Open 7 Days Per Week
tant), greeting the owner when they arrive home, attitude toward other dogs and people (including chil-dren), sensitivity to noises, appetite, sleeping position, general activity, and general demeanor. Behaviors that are strongly suggestive of pain include: panting or pacing for no apparent reason, excessive licking of or gnawing at an area of the body, and restlessness.
Assessing cats for pain can be dif-ficult because the signs can be very subtle. Signs of pain in cats (from minimal to maximal pain) include: decreased interaction, avoidance of eye contact, unkempt appear-ance, hunched or retracted posture, withdrawal when approached, salivation, dilated pupils, incessant licking, vocalization, attacking when approached, and appearing rigid or non-responsive. Chronic pain in cats causes changes in climbing/jumping on to high areas, groom-ing/hygiene, activity, play, interac-
tion with owners, demeanor and mood, and inappropriate urination or defecation. Jumping or attacking areas of the body is strongly sugges-tive of pain.
Chronic pain causes a reduction in sleep and sleep quality, which causes more chronic pain. It causes a reduction in posture, which puts strain on musculoskeletal structures, thereby causing more chronic pain. It also alters mood and alters the mechanisms by which the individual copes with pain, again leading to more chronic pain and more suf-fering. Just as it is so in humans, chronic pain in animals causes the same changes in the body as chronic stress does.
A pet owner’s input is crucial in determining whether or not an abnormal behavior is linked to pain. Constant and effective com-munication between an owner and their veterinarian is the best way to minimize suffering. Veterinarians
are more frequently using a multi-modal approach to control pain in their patients. Common pain remedies in veterinary medicine include narcotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, nutraceuticals, acupuncture, cold laser therapy, chiropractic care, and physical rehabilitation.
With that said, there often comes a point in a pet’s life where pain management for a chronic condi-tion is no longer effectively keep-ing the pet from experiencing pain and suffering. As a result, the pet’s quality of life becomes noticeably and significantly compromised, and because it is legal to end an ailing animal’s life, euthanasia is consid-ered the most humane way to cease the pet’s suffering. If you feel your pet is exhibiting a pain-related be-havior, please call and schedule a consultation with your veterinar-ian. You are your pet’s advocate in the prevention and treatment of their pain.
8 d gsTexas &cats8 d gsTexas &cats
F or some animal lovers, watching these exotic creatures slither across the Animal Planet screen isn’t enough; you want to bring the thrill of snake ownership into your own home. While they seem exciting and manageable through a television screen or
from behind a glass wall, there are a few things that every aspiring snake owner must be aware of before bringing these exotic creatures into your home.
snakes:pet
The most common snakes kept by enthusiasts are cornsnakes, kingsnakes, and ball pythons. Many of these snakes, like the corn and king, are well suited for older children and first time snake owners due to their simple feeding methods and docile temperament. However, some species reach very large sizes in captivity, and their con-siderable space requirements must be anticipated.
“Other popular snakes like boa constrictors and carpet python are better for an owner comfortable with larger snakes, as they often get 7 or more feet long,” explained Dr. Jordan Gentry, Zoo-logical Medicine Resident at the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. “Green tree python, rainbow boas, and tree boas have slightly more specialized care and are less tolerant to
handling, but can make great pets for an owner that has researched the species.” Large constricting snakes, venomous snakes, and snakes with diffi-cult care requirements do not make suitable pets and should only be kept by experienced herpetologists.
Doing research on the individual snake species you are interested in will provide you with husbandry recom-mendations, including envi-
slithering their way into, or out of, your heart
REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION FROM TEXAS A&M
10 d gsTexas &cats10 d gsTexas &cats
ronmental, sanitation, and dietary consider-ations. “The habitat for the snake depends entirely on the species of snake, as some are from an arid environ-ment that does not require as much humidity as a snake from a tropical environment,” said Gentry. “Most captive habitats attempt to mimic the natural environment of the animal with sand, rocks, and live plants; however, less natural paper substrate and plastic hide containers allow much easier cleaning and may actually be more beneficial to the animal’s health.” As for feeding requirements, almost all pet snakes should be on a whole prey diet of pre-killed rodents, such as mice or rats.
Health and sanitation are also considerations that shouldn’t be overlooked when choosing your pet. “Hygiene is important,” said Gentry. “Salmonella is a bacteria that can be carried by pet reptiles and can be transmit-ted to humans; so washing hands is recommended after handling a pet snake.”
Though there are many snakes that make suitable pets for adults and children alike, the safety of own-ing a snake as a pet is sometimes called into question by events that are widely reported in the media. Just recently, two young boys were allegedly strangled to death while they were sleeping by an escaped pet python.
However, Gentry noted that isolated tragic incidents involving large constrictors or poisonous snakes shouldn’t discourage people from choosing an appropriate snake species as a pet.
“It is significantly less common for a snake to harm its owner in any way than for a dog; in fact it is almost unheard of outside of rare misguided media reports,” said Gentry. “Ap-proximately 2% of the US population is bitten by a dog every year, leading to more than 30
deaths per year. Large constric-tor snakes have killed fewer than 20
people in the United States since 1978.” Gen-try explained that the most common causes of a pet snake to bite is a feeding error, where the snake missed the food item and bit the owner’s hand, or a handling mistake where the snake clearly demonstrated its intent to bite, but was handled anyway.
Whether you’re a dog lover, cat fanatic, or reptile enthusiast, there will always be risks to consider when brining a pet into your home. It is your responsibility to thoroughly research them and be aware of the requirements and necessities that they entail. “The human animal bond with any pet should not be underesti-mated,” said Gentry. “The risks of owning a pet snake are no greater than owning a dog or cat and absolutely do not outweigh the benefits.
12 d gsTexas &cats
do’s and don’ts
12 d gsTexas &cats
BY MONICA SCHMIDT – HOUSTON HUMANE SOCIETY
If you are thinking about visiting a dog park for the first time, or maybe you haven’t been in a while because of the grueling hot summer, Houston Humane Society has a few do’s and don’ts to make your trip safe and fun for everyone.
• DO: Obey all posted park rules, even if you disagree with them. They are there for the safety of your dog as well as others.
• DO: Supervise your dog’s play. This is not the time to bury your nose in your favorite novel or play on your cell phone.
• DO: Be prepared to interrupt inappropriate play, whether your dog is the perpetrator or the victim.
• DO: Always clean up after your dog both inside and outside the park.
• DO: Limit the use of toys and treats to avoid doggie conflicts.
• DO: Always have fresh water on hand!
• DO: Be sure your dog is up to date on all vaccina-tions, and keep puppies under 4-6 months at home to decrease the risk of disease.
• DON’T: Bring intact males or females in heat to a dog park.
• DON’T: Leave home without supplies! Essentials in-clude doggie scoop bags (bring extra), a towel, and water for you and your pup.
• DON’T: Overdress! Expect to get dirty. This is the time to break out the grubby clothes. Dogs will jump, say hi, run out of the pool and shake, etc.
• DON’T: Use the dog park as your pet’s first foray into a social setting. If your dog has never been around other dogs, start out slowly with a play date with a friend’s dog, move up to a supervised doggy daycare or group training class, and so on. Work your way up to a dog park setting.
parkdog
Certified Professional TrainingCertified Professional TrainingCertified Professional Training
dogS gone gooddogS gone gooddogS gone good dogSgonegood.com713.557.1949
Private In-Home TrainingDog Boarding School
Dog Obedience ClassesPuppy Training Classes
“The Best Your Dog Can Be”
advertisehere281.781.4727 • [email protected]
BY MONICA SCHMIDT – HOUSTON HUMANE SOCIETY
parkdog
14 d gsTexas &cats
To teach your dog to look you in the eye, you will need a dog, leash, treats and a clicker. Put your dog on leash. Start your lessons in a boring location. It will be hard to get your dog’s attention in the middle of a party. You want your dog to look you in the eye, not look at a treat held near your eye. Have your treats down by your side, or even behind your back.
It is easier for most dogs to look at you if you are sit-ting. Wait. Sit up straight, some dogs will find it a bit intimidating if you lean over and stare. Be patient. It will take most dogs a few minutes to tear their eyes away from the luscious treats and focus on you. If you just cannot wait, you can make a little noise to get your dog’s attention. Stop using the noise as soon as possible.
When your dog, ever so briefly, looks in your eyes, press the clicker. Make sure you are still, not moving, when you punch the clicker button. Remain still for a short moment afterwards. Then give your dog a treat. Yeah! You did it! Remember, you click when the dog looks in your eyes. The click marks the behavior, and
promises a treat. Repeat twenty five times. Af-ter you have practiced for several days, go to a dif-
ferent area of the house. Practice eye contact in every room in your house.
Make it a little harder for your dog to look at you. Hold a treat in your hand, with your arm stretched out to the side. Wait for your dog to look at you, not at the treat. Click when the dog looks you in the eye, pause and be still ever so briefly, then deliver the promised treat. Try holding the treat in each hand, clicking and then treating when your dog looks at your eyes.
Move your training to the backyard. Make sure your treats can compete with the sights and smells of the great outdoors. Use boneless, skinless chicken or turkey, or beef or cheese. Just like lifting a weight increases the strength of a muscle, performing a behav-ior and then getting a treat increases the strength of the behavior. Practice!
After your dog can look you in the eye fairly easily in the back yard, move to the front porch, and eventually around the neighbor-hood. Continue to practice this behavior several times a week.
Congratulations! You and your attentive dog are well on your way to a cooperative life together.
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BY T
RICI
A F
AG
AN
Tricia FaganCertified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge AssessedDogS Gone [email protected](713) 557-1949
watchme! F ido not listening to you? Won’t come when called? Drags you on leash? Basic
obedience starts with a dog that will pay attention. While we can never know exactly what a dog is thinking, you can be sure a dog is thinking of you when he is looking you in the eye.
14 d gsTexas &cats
TRAINER’S TIP: If your dog tends to jump up on you to get a treat, deliver the treat toward the ground. The dog will stay on the ground, where the treats arrive.
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bucketlist:
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On January 5, 2013, Buck was found tied to a fence post sealed inside a garbage bag. He had been shot in his face and body with a shotgun loaded with bird-shot. We later learned that 6 shots were heard, a reload, and another 6 shots.
Buck’s
STOP ANIMAL CRUELTY.
1717
Buck spent 10 hours sealed inside the garbage bag on a cold, stormy night. After Buck was found, he was rushed to an emergency clinic and arrived hypo-thermic, anemic, dehydrated and almost comatose. He needed to be stabilized ASAP to save his life. Five days later, Buck had cornea surgery to repair the holes in his eyes from the birdshot. Unfortunately, the veterinarian was not able to save Buck’s eyesight and he is now blind. Buck has hundreds of pellets that will remain in his body for the rest of his life. Buck recently had the first of several surgeries to repair damage to his teeth caused by the pellets that entered his mouth. In spite of the horrific incident, Buck has adjusted remarkably well to his lack of vision. His sense of hearing and smell is now magnified and he has become so skilled at maneuver-ing, that sometimes I would think he could see something – and then BUMP – I realize he truly is blind. However, I used to watch Buck in the early part of this journey and refer to him as fear-less. Currently, Buck and I are enjoying swim sessions at Rummy’s Beach Club. Swimming with Buck has made me realize how much he trusts me and how much faith he has in me, and it has only made our bond even closer. Buck now has 3 other friends that he hangs out with; Buster (who looks almost identical to Buck), Thelma and Louise. Buster was adopted from a shelter, but Thelma and Louise were found abandoned as pup-pies in the woods by a creek, shot with red paintball, which I initially thought was blood. Thelma and Louise are truly responsible for bringing Buster out of his shell and teaching Buck how to play with other dogs now that he is blind. I could waste an entire morning drinking coffee and watching “The Brown Dog Gang” play outside.
A foundation has been created in Buck’s honor called The Buck Founda-tion. The mission is to raise awareness about animal cruelty and abuse via social networking, media, public education and
literature. Buck has become an ambas-sador and has started visiting schools, juvenile detention centers, scout troops, youth groups, and community organiza-tions to share his story, raise awareness about animal abuse, and teach empathy and compassion to children, as well as educate them on animal welfare issues. If you would like Buck to come to your school or other organization, please con-tact: [email protected] .
One of the ways I have been able to connect Buck’s story to something many children are doing is to show a picture of Buck’s x-rays that show hundreds of pellets still in his body and 91 countable pellets still in his head. This generally gets a noticeable reaction, and then I ask the children, “who owns a BB gun?” One third of the children will enthusiastically raise their hands. Then I ask the chil-dren, “who has shot an animal with a BB gun?”, and just about the same hands go up with the same amount of enthusiasm. Then I ask, “what would be some reasons to shoot an animal with a BB gun?” Well, the truth of the matter is that there are NO reasons. Most frequently, a child may say they shoot squirrels and birds with a BB gun. Well, there is an open and closed hunting season for squirrels, and with children, the season in only 2 days!! (http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/regulations/outdoor-annual/2013-2014/counties/harris ). It is also illegal to hunt squirrels or birds with a BB gun. Because we live in a coastal area, many of our birds are migratory birds which means they are protected by Federal laws. There are over 1,000 species of migratory birds in North America. Only 58 of these have been designated as game species for which hunting seasons are established. The re-mainder have no hunting seasons and are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. It is against the law to kill any of these at any time during the year. What is astonishing to me is how many children own BB guns and are not being properly guided by their parents as to the proper and legal use of it. Just because one’s
father or grandfather shot animals with a BB gun does not make it legal. I am hoping I can reach some of these children and prevent the needless and senseless injury and death of many animals.
What happened to Buck is considered a felony and could have been punish-able by up to two years in State Prison with no parole and up to a $10,000 fine. In addition, I was originally told the District Attorney would have pursued an ‘enhanced sentence’ if the person was arrested. A police report was filed and a supplemental reward was raised for infor-mation leading to the arrest of the person who shot Buck. Through the Crimestop-pers campaign, we were able to find Buck’s previous family and learned it was their neighbor who shot Buck, but unfortunately there is no evidence or witness to make the arrest. The reason Buck was shot is speculative, but could be because he was roaming loose at night barking and howling, or because he was not neutered and the person who shot Buck has a purebred dog that he breeds for profit and may not have wanted “mutt puppies”. There are many lessons in Buck’s story that can be used to educate people about responsible pet ownership. In addition, there appears to be a mis-guided interpretation of the penal code where folks in the rural areas believe they can shoot a dog for just trespassing on their property without just cause. The Buck Foundation hopes to change this mentality by educating people about the penal code.
Buck has touched the hearts of tens of thousands of people around the world. Buck’s story teaches about faith, hope, love, forgiveness, courage, perseverance, and overcoming – but the greatest of these is love – and Buck literally just loves people and wants to share his joy and happiness with them!
You can follow Buck at: www.facebook.com/buckneedsbucks
You can follow The Buck Foundation at: www.facebook.com/thebuckfoundation.
17{September 2013}
STOP ANIMAL CRUELTY.
ssssssnake
bite!
!
18 d gsTexas &cats
A three-day, dog and family-friendly expo, Dock-Dogs® showcases four-legged athletes from Texas and be-yond as they compete in high-jump, long-jump and speed retrieve events. Think Olym-pics, but for dogs, as they leap as high as 24 feet in length. Be prepared as you would at Sea World; there is definitely a splash zone as pups plunge into a 40-foot pool of water!
DockDogs® WorldWide
travels the globe bringing this high-energy competi-tion to dog lovers of all types. Anyone with a dog and fetch toy can participate in the fes-tivities and some lucky dogs and their masters go home as champions. If you got a pooch that loves to jump, bring your four-legged friend to participate in the high-flying events as public announcers broadcast the games to the thousands of spectators who
come out for the free and fun festival. Both dogs and own-ers can watch the sport from bleacher seats, peruse the pet-friendly vendors on-site and have a laugh at thedog costume contest. Enjoy dog training demonstrations, ap-pearances by Clifford, Biscuit and Poky the puppy, and animal adoptions covering the 12-acre, always pet-friendly park nestled in the heart of downtown Houston. A
Man’s Best Friend Takes
dockdogsW
hat’s furry, friendly and can fly across water? The answer can be found at DockDogs®, a high-flying canine aquatics competition making a splash as it returns to Houston’s urban park, Discovery Green, September 27-29.
BY ELIZABETH HURT
Flight for
19{September 2013} 1919
family friendly event, DockDogs® is just one of the over 400 events Discovery Green produces for Houstonians each year!
The Set-UpA 20-foot dock and 40-foot pool is set up across the
Jones Lawn at Discovery Green for the main competitions. “Handlers” can register your pup in one of five competi-tions: Big Air, Extreme Vertical, Speed Retrieve and the Haute Dog Costume Contest. Big Air, the original and most popular DockDogs® event, judges the distance a dog can jump from the dock into the water. Extreme Vertical is the “high jump” for dogs, with markers placed above the water’s surface, contestants are given chances to reach this highest points. The newest event, Speed Retrieve, puts dogs against the clock to swim the span of the pool, retrieve an object and make their way back to the dock. Or if your pup
is looking for more flare and less sweat, the Haute Dog Costume Contest taking place on Saturday, September 28 at 3 p.m. has a number of categories that require a well-stocked doggy wardrobe.
How to EnterAnyone can enter but you’ll want to reserve your
spot early through online pre-registration. There is no age limit for handlers and any size, age, and breed of dog may enter. Registration fees apply to compete in the DockDogs® high-jump, long-jump and speed retrieve events. Pre-registration fees are $25.00/team per Big Air, Speed Retrieve Wave, or Extreme Vertical Competition. Limited onsite reg-istration is available at the start of each day and fees apply. Discovery Green is located at 1500 McKin-ney Street in Houston, Texas. Please call 713-400-7336 for more information. For information on how to enter, visit http://www.discoverygreen.com/dockdogs/.
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BY G
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OK – there is no getting away from it – the time line only moves in one direc-tion.....whether you’re a two legged mammal or a 4 legged mammal...... getting older ...moving from youth to adulthood and from adulthood to older
adulthood...is the way it is..... How you make the most of this next chapter is completely in your hands....
adultpetThe same is true for your pets.
How you embrace their older adult years is in your hands as well.
As long as I’ve agreed to write about senior pets......Let me begin with words that bug me. For ex-ample: mature, senior, old, up there – They all sound like it’s over. The good times are done. Pack it in. Hit your favorite spot in the house and let the world pass you by.
You can either accept the philoso-phy that it’s the end of the line or you can change the paradigm. I’m about changing the paradigm. Let’s start with better descriptive words such as: “adult pets”, or older pets, or long lived pets, or boomer pets.
The more I researched the senior pet category, the more I was struck by how similar humans and pets are. 2 Legged mammals are living
longer and we are certainly more active. We believe that 50 is the new 35. And 12 years (for a pet) is the new 8.
Give yourselves a high-five. You’ve done a great job taking care of yourselves as well as your family pets. You’re better label readers. You’re choosing better diets. You ex-ercise. You keep your minds active. Perfect logic for not only 2 legged
consider the joys of sharing your life with your
21{September 2013} 21
mammals but for your 4 legged guys as well.Ark Naturals has been in business since 1996. Today,
pet guardians and vets are thinking long term. When we started our business it was acceptable for a vet to say “I think it’s time to put your pet down”. Today that con-cept is politically incorrect. The conversation has turned to – “what can I do to help my pet enjoy this next stage of their life”. “What should I be thinking about? What’s in the marketplace to help me – help my pet.
Preparing for your boomer dog or cat is in your hands. Per the AHVMA the most typical issues affecting older adult pets are: sore joints, dental issues, memory issues and heart issues. To that end Ark Naturals along with Dr. Nancy Scanlan , Executive Director of the AHVMA developed a new line of products bearing the Gray Muzzle Label. Our goal is to make it easier for you to transition to your pet’s next chapter.
Typically one of the 1st questions the human will ask their vet is, are these typical issues terminal? Hopefully - to be blunt – Life is terminal. But you aren’t dying today and neither is your pet.
It’s easier than ever to share your life with a boomer pet. Pet food companies have seriously re-thought their recommended food diets. Toy companies and bed companies have geared products specifically to meet the needs of boomer pets. Ark Naturals has launched a line of health remedy products specifically geared to older adult issues.
Education is your most powerful weapon. Mostly everything you want to know is on the internet. Talk to
the most knowledgeable pet retailer or vet you know. Organizations dedicated specifically to ‘boomer’ pets
have emerged. Blogs and discussion groups specialize in boomer pets. The information is out there. We hope you will pass forward everything you’ve learned .....and be involved in not only educating but in helping find homes for longer lived pets
There are a multitude of benefits to sharing your life with an older adult pet. Older adult pets are easier to live with. Older adult pets don’t need to be entertained 24/7. Older adult pets are happy for a short walk. It’s so easy to hang out with them. It’s easy to travel with them. Most of the time your adult pets are happy to hang out and will not get cabin fever as you vacation in your RV.
Remember the most important thing – animals’ save human lives and humans’ save animal lives. We all in t his together.
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for your pets!
for a
The last weeks of summer are filled with preparations for sending our children back to school. It’s exciting, and busy, and provides a GREAT opportunity to go through a mental checklist to make sure we’re doing everything we need to, so that our children are ready
and equipped for the year ahead of them.
A checklist for our pets is a good idea, too! While they won’t be going “back to school,” a lot of the same principles apply for taking the opportunity to make sure, as pet parents, we’re think-ing and acting proactively for our pets. With this in mind, is your pet ready to go “Back
to School”?• Are Fluffy’s vaccinations up
to date? Vaccination proto-cols reflect the current best practices regarding keeping your pet safe from commu-nicable diseases. Vaccinat-ing your pet has long been considered one of the easiest ways to help him life a long
and healthy life. If it’s been more than a year since your pet has been vaccinated, talk to your veterinarian about a vaccination regimen that’s right for your pet. Factors that should be examined include age, medical history, environment, travel habits and lifestyle.
PHOTOS COURTESY KATYA HORNER
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for your pets!
Always openVet On-Site 24/7
Emergency Services Routine Visits
Walk-ins Welcome
complimentary doctor’s exam
New Hospital Clients Only. Please present coupon upon visit. Limit one per family. Not valid with any other offer. Does not
include products and food. Not redeemable for cash. #DC0813
Expires Nov. 1, 2013
free night of boarding
New Boarding Clients Only. Please present coupon upon visit. Limit one per family. Not valid with any other offer. Does not
include products and food. Not redeemable for cash. #DC0813
Expires Nov. 1, 2013
2525 sunset blvd | houston, tx 77005
sunsetblvdanimalclinic.com 713-574-6377
Sunset BoulevardANIMAL CLINIC
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• Does Fluffy have all the school supplies he needs? Of course Fluffy doesn’t need pens, paper, or a laptop, but there are things a pet parent can use this time to make sure they have a sufficient stock of:
Heartworm prevention Mos-quitoes, and therefore heartworms, are a year-round concern in our area, and just because cool weather is coming is no reason to even think about stopping this critical component of our pets’ preventive care. And yes, this is true of cats, too! While cats may not contract heartworms in the same numbers dogs do, there is no treatment for feline heartworm disease, and so prevention is the only protection our furry friends have. Check your pets’ medicine drawer, and make sure you’re stocked up so you don’t miss any doses.
Flea prevention Let’s face it, Houston rarely gets cold enough to kill off these pesky little critters. They make our pets miserable, and once in the environment, can be difficult to get rid of. Make sure you have enough flea prevention
to get your pet through the rest
of the year. Leash and collar Check your
pet’s collar: Does it fit correctly? If Fluffy has put on a pound or two, it may have grown too tight. An ill fitting collar is not only un-comfortable, but can create skin ir-ritations where it rubs. Is it worn? The last thing you want is for your dog’s collar to snap when he pulls as he sees that squirrel while you’re out walking.
• Is everything marked with Fluffy’s name? With the change in routine, the early weeks of the school year are notorious for pets getting out of the house or yard. If your pet was to get lost, does he have ID, either a tag with his name and owner’s contact information, or even better, a microchip? So many pet owners take their pet’s collar off in the house, when all it takes is a single moment to dart out the door and be gone. Make sure your pet is protected at all times!
• Does Fluffy have a schedule? The change in schedule when
school starts back affects more than a family’s children. Often, a household goes from bustling,
with lots of activity and company for the family pets, to a quiet, sometimes empty, household
for many hours of the day. Not only do some pets show signs
of some level of separation anxiety, a bored pet can also be a destructive pet. Make sure Fluffy has enough to occupy his
mind and body while everyone is gone. For dogs, a Kong or treat
puzzle ball can provide hours of distraction. Some owners leave
a television on just to have voices in the house. For cats, a bird feeder outside the window, or a fish tank (with a lid!) is perfect entertainment. Also, don’t forget cats hunt their food in the wild; rather than leaving a bowl of food for kitty to snack on all day, scatter the bits of kibble throughout the house for him to forage for, giving him both mental and physical stimulation.
With a little thought and planning, we can use this time of year to make sure our children AND our pets are ready to thrive in the months ahead!
Sunday: 9am - 9 pm
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Ever wondered if there was a truth behind your favorite pet myth?? Time to learn about our pets!
CATeducationQ: Are calico cats always female?
A: Yes, calico cats are almost al-ways female due to the “color gene” associated with the X chromosome.
Let’s dig in a bit deeper: each kit-ten receives an x chromosome from its mother, and either a Y (male) or an X (female) chromosome from its father. So, female kittens have 2 X chromosomes and males have 1 X and 1 Y chromosome.
A cat must have 2 X chromo-somes, each carrying a gene that codes for a different color, for it to be calico. These chromosomes divide as the embryo of the kitten is formed, resulting in the patches of orange and black that you see on a calico. Another chromosome is required for the white patches.
In rare cases, a male cat could have 2 X chromosomes and 1 Y
chromosome, which COULD make him calico if the X chromosomes act as described above.
Q. Do cats really always land on their feet?
A: No, they do not ALWAYS land on their feet!
Cats are made with a natural, au-tomatic twisting reaction that allows them to “plan accordingly” and twist
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6434 Washington AvenueHouston, TX 77007
Doggie Daycare, Boarding, Grooming and
Obedience Training
themselves around to try and land on their feet. BUT, falling from a very short or long distance will not always allow this reaction to occur.
Q: Is milk really good for cats?A: If we are talking about cow’s milk, then NO, milk is not
good for cats.Most cats are lactose intolerant, meaning, they are unable
to digest lactose, found in milk and many dairy products. Giving them a big bowl of milk is VERY likely to cause diar-rhea. YES, they love it! But, we love things that aren’t good for us either, don’t we?!
The best thing to give a cat is a large bowl of fresh water, not a bowl of milk.
Q: Does getting my cat neutered make him gain weight?A: Not exactly true. Although many cats DO gain weight
after they are neutered, it is only because neutered cats require far less calories than unaltered cats. If you feed your cat the same amount of food as you were before his neuter, he will likely pack on the pounds!
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Rover Oaks Pet Resort understands the importance of a great relationship with your dog. Training is all about improving that relationship and helping you and your dog communicate effectively. Rover Oaks is uniquely suited to help you learn those important
skills through all stages of your pet’s development.. BY B
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roveroaksLEFT TO RIGHT: HAYLEY, KRISTIN, AND HEN MELANIE.
meet the trainerspet resort
29{September 2013}
roveroaks
Whether they are help-ing you and your puppy get though potty training, helping your older dog learn good manners, or teaching both of you a new sport, the goals is for you and your compan-ion to enjoy a rich, full life together. Whether it’s a group class, a Lodge and Learn program, or even a private in- home lesson, they custom-ize their training methods to meet the unique needs of you and your dog.
The Rover Oaks Trainers have experience with all AKC breed groups, rescue dogs, and dogs with challenging behavior problems. Their rewards-based methods have helped thousands of pets and pet owners since 2001.
Between their Houston and Katy locations, Rover Oaks employs five fill time and three part time profes-sional trainers to serve their client’s training needs. In next month’s issue, you will meet the trainers from Rover Oaks Katy. Let’s get to know the trainers at Rover Oaks Houston a little better...
Melanie LynnMelanie was chosen to be a
part of the Rover Oaks team based on her knowledge of training, great communica-tion skills, and diverse work background. She has excel-lent customer service skills and always strives to make sure clients understand the
training methods and how to achieve long-term results with their dogs. Whether it’s an on-site training program or in-home lessons, Melanie’s goal is improving the quality of life for both dogs and their owners.
Melanie brings a unique background and history of working with diverse animals to Rover Oaks. Throughout her career, she has worked with a wide variety of animals including: farm animals, parrots, sea lions, otters, meerkats, binterongs, giraffes, bears, and cheetah.
Based on her extensive knowledge in training various animals, as well as her previ-ous management and custom-er service experience, Melanie transitioned easily over to the dog-training world and has found great success with the many dogs she has trained in her tenure with Rover Oaks.
Kristin Wettermann
Kristin joined the Rover Oaks team after acquiring a formal education in dog training at the Karen Pryor Academy. Prior to coming to Rover Oaks, she taught classes and private lessons for over two years. She also has over 14 years experience caring for and training exotic species, including mammals, birds, fish and reptiles.
She has a wonderful way of getting clients to under-stand how dogs learn through
analogies and stories of her own personal dog training ex-periences. Her own dogs have acquired AKC Canine Good Citizen Certificates, partici-pate in pet therapy, practice agility, and perform obedience skills masterfully.
After attending the Karen Pryor Academy for Animal Training and Behavior’s Dog Trainer Program, Kristin became a Certified Training Partner. Kristin’s philosophy focuses training with posi-tive reinforcement, without intimidation or force.
Hayley KennerRover Oaks was fortunate
to find Hayley after she had been training dogs in group classes and one-on-one training. She worked extensively in training her own personal dogs by attend-ing various agility, obedience, puppy, and aggressive dog workshops.
Hayley has a calm and quiet personality both with clients and the dogs. This quality has proven to be especially successful in her communica-tions with the dogs and their owners. She has a certifica-tion from Penn Foster Career School of Dog Obedience Training and is a member of the Association of Profession-al Dog Trainers. As with all of the Rover Oaks Trainers, Hayley only uses dog-friendly, positive-reinforcement meth-ods of training.
Whether they are helping you and your puppy get though potty training, helping your older dog learn good manners, or teaching both of you a new sport, the goal is for you and your companion to enjoy a rich, full life together.
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Furr-tastic or flea infested! The Pupperazzi is on the scene and has your tail covered!
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31{September 2013} 31{September 2013}
Celebrating our Senior Pet customers
Top 3 ways to keep your senior pet young:
NATURAL PAWZ | The Heights | West University | Galleria | Katy | River Oaks | Sugar Land | Vintage Park | Cypress | Woodway Kingwood | The Woodlands - 2 locations | MINI PAWZ | Rover Oaks Pet Resort | Meadowlake Pet Resort & Training Center
KEEP THEM MOVING Games and activities are a great way to keep them agile and have fun
FEED A NUTRITIOUS DIET As we age our bodies need good nutrition and less processed foods and treats
SUPPLEMENTS CAN HELP We can all use a little help. We have products that can help maximize brain, liver, kidney, heart and joint health.
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Learn more on how to improve the heatlh of your senior pets. We will also have in store promotions for your special 4 legged senior family member.
