Austin Pets Directory

October/November 2017

Who Letthe

Austin businesses offer the ultimate employee perk

Dogs

In?

Dogtoberfest Austin is an Austin based, 501c3 non-profit organization, created for the purpose of instilling awareness about dog rescue, as well as raising much needed moneys for local dog rescue organizations. We have no paid staff and all of our proceeds benefit local dog rescue organizations.

Over the last nine years, we have raised over $250,000 for our beneficiaries.

Every year, Dogtoberfest Austin holds two events in the Domain.

DogtoberTROT, a 1k walk for two-legged and four-legged friends, kicks off the festivities. Dogtoberfest happens directly afterward, and includes a Silent Auction, Canine Costume Contest, Wiener Dog Races, pet-related demonstrations, and more. In 2016, over 6,000 people and their canine companions were in attendance!

B October/November 2017

letter from liz

Dear pet lovers, ONE OF THE MANY THINGS THAT MAKES

PUBLISHER

Elizabeth Parker EDITOR

Crystal Zuzek DESIGN

October Custom Publishing ocpubs.com ADVERTISING RATES & INFO

info@octobercustompublishing.com or call 512.797.8869 Austin Pets Directory is an entertainment magazine for pet owners in Austin and is published 12 times a year.

Austin Pets Directory may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form or by any means of electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system now known or hereafter invented without written permission from the publisher. Reproduction or use in whole or in part of the contents of this magazine or the trademarks of Austin Pets Directory without written permission of the publisher is prohibited. The publisher assumes no responsibility for care and return of unsolicited materials.

Return postage must accompany material if it is to be returned. In no event shall such material subject this magazine to any claim for holding fees or similar charges.

Austin so unique is its pet-friendly status. Austin is home to many companies that allow their employees to bring their pets to work. In this issue, we’ve featured four: Emancipet, Kerbey Lane Cafe, Impact Hub, and Tito’s Handmade Vodka.

These companies recognize that by allowing their employees to bring their pets to work, they’re creating a more relaxed office environment and in turn fostering happiness and loyalty among their staff members. I can only hope that more businesses follow their lead and start welcoming fluffy friends into their meeting rooms and cubicles.

Be sure to mark your calendar for next year’s Take Your Dog to Work Day: June 22, 2018.

Take it one step further and ask your boss if your workplace can observe the special day by allowing employees to bring their pets to the office. You never know; it could be the start of a pet-friendly policy. Just imagine how nice it would be to bring Fido to work rather than crating him all day.

In the meantime, give your furry friends a belly scratch for me, and enjoy the cooler fall weather ahead.

October/November 2017 1

news

Dog D ogg Saves Drowningg B Baby aby Deer Deer AN ENGLISH GOLDEN RETRIEVER named Storm made

Photo courtesy Flickr/Clay Junell

headlines in July after pulling a drowning baby deer out of Long Island Sound. According to Storm’s family, the retriever never retrieves anything.

You can watch the rescue video on YouTube. In the footage, you can hear Storm’s owner, Mark Freeley, praise his canine for swimming the fawn to safety and then urge him to let the animal run off once it’s on shore.

But Storm wouldn’t let go and can be seen soothingly licking the scared and tired deer, which collapsed shortly after making it to dry land. He then nudged and pawed at the baby deer to make sure it was alive.

News outlets reported the deer, covered in ticks and suffering an eye injury, was recuperating at an animal rescue organization.

UNITED PET GROUP RECALLS DOG CHEWS UNITED PET GROUP, A DIVISION OF SPECTRUM BRANDS, Inc., announced in June that it was voluntarily recalling multiple brands of packages of rawhide dog chew products distributed to retail outlets and sold online in the U.S. Visit bit.ly/UPGrecall for a list of products subject to the recall.

The recall was initiated after United Pet Group identified that certain of its rawhide chew manufacturing facilities located in Mexico and Colombia, as well as one of its suppliers in Brazil, were using a quaternary ammonium compound mixture as a processing aid in the manufacturing of rawhide chews. The compound is an anti-microbial chemical that is approved for cleaning food processing equipment, but it has not been approved in the U.S. as a processing aid in the production of rawhide chews for dogs.

United Pet Group says it received very limited reports of pet illness based on the volume of possibly affected rawhide chew products manufactured and distributed. The primary complaint received from consumers was that the affected product had an unpleasant odor. Diarrhea and vomiting were also reported.

Exposure to quaternary ammonium compounds through direct ingestion may cause the following symptoms in dogs: reduced appetite and gastric irritation including diarrhea and vomiting. These symptoms may require treatment by a veterinarian depending on severity.

The affected product was distributed nationwide from United Pet Group’s Edwardsville, Ill., distribution facility and was delivered to consumers through various retail establishments including online outlets. All dog chew products included in the voluntary recall identify an expiration date ranging from June 1, 2019, through May 31, 2020, located on the back of the package.

If you have these products, you can receive a refund by contacting the United Pet Group consumer affairs team at (855) 215-4962 from 8 am to 11 pm EST. 2 October/November 2017

MARTHA THE MASTIFF NAMED WORLD’S UGLIEST DOG FOR NEARLY 30 years, dogs have been competing in the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest in Petaluma, Calif. This year, 3-year-old Neapolitan mastiff Martha edged out 13 other dogs to claim the honor.

She won a $1,500 prize and a flight to New York City for media appearances. Just google “World’s Ugliest Dog,” and you’re sure to find Martha, distinguished by enormous jowls and droopy eyes.

According to an NPR report, the neglected dog was nearly blind when she was rescued by the Dogwood Animal Rescue Project in Sonoma County. Several surgeries salvaged her sight, and Martha now proudly struts with the swagger of a champion.

15th Annual Barktoberfest Saturday, S aturday, O Oct. ct. 28 28 Brushy B r Creek Lake Park, Cedar Park C e • 5K RUN @ 8 AM • 1 MILE DOG WALK @ 10 AM • COSTUME CONTEST @ NOON CO • FESTIVAL FROM 10 AM TO FE 1:30 1: PM WITH VENDORS, FREE MICROCHIPPING, SILENT AUCTION, M FOOD, AND A KIDS’ ZONE WITH A FO VISIT VISI VI S T FROM CURIOUS GEORGE

All details including 5K and walk registrations at: CentralTexasSPCA.org/Barktoberfest

October/November 2017 3

OFFICE ACC pet products

KIKKERLAND DESIGN CAT BUTT MAGNET SET Bring a bit of humor to your workspace with this set of six whimsical magnets. Cat lovers will adore this lighthearted office accessory that celebrates their favorite feline friend’s backside. Display fliers on the office refrigerator or keep important papers handy on your filing cabinet with these cute and quirky magnets. Available from Bed Bath & Beyond for $9.99.

CARTOON DOGS WALL CLOCK Your coworkers won’t have any excuse to be late to meetings with this fun and stylish clock mounted on the wall.

Boston terriers, Malteses, pugs, chow chows, and other dog breeds are represented on the clock face, which measures 9-and-a-half inches in diameter.

The product is advertised as featuring a durable black plastic case and clear lens. Just pop in an AA battery, and watch the time fly. Purchase the clock for $27.99 from Cafepress.com.

4 October/November 2017

CESSORIES STREAMLINE DACHSHUND LETTER ORGANIZER ANIZER Say goodbye to messy piles of letters strewn about your desk. This black-andndgold homage to the loyal al dachshund will keep your ur desk tidy and your affairs irs in order. With a pen holder der in place of a tail, this is one multipurpose accessory y that’s sure to steal any dachshund fanatic’s heart. art.

Buy it for $12.99 from Modcloth.com.

POST-IT CAT FIGURE POP-UP NOTE DISPENSER PENSERR Who knew Post-it notess could be cuddly and sassy n at the same time? They can thanks to the Post-it cat figure pop-up note dispenser, er, which holds 3-inch square notes in any color you choose. Personalize your workspace with this office supply that is both fun and d functional. Available from Amazon.com for $7.99.

October/November 2017 5

petiquette

5XOHV RI 2IÀFH Petiquette If you’re among the lucky working stiffs who get to bring their pets to work, don’t spoil a good thing.

It would be a shame if Fido’s penchant for eating (then regurgitating) copier paper led to the demise of your office’s pet-permissive environment. Avoid committing a faux pas or being responsible for an outright disaster by following these helpful “petiquette” rules, created by pet insurance company Trupanion (trupanion.com).

RULE #1 Employees are 100-percent responsible, 100 percent of the time for their pet’s well-being, behavior, and biological needs, which include scooping, bagging, and cleaning waste, as well as sanitizing. RULE #2 All pets must have a negative fecal test and be up to date on flea prevention treatment, as well as all vaccinations.

They must be parasite-free, spayed or neutered, obedient, potty trained, and clean. RULE #3 Employees must keep their dogs tethered (6 feet or less), gated, or kenneled and must supervise them at all times. RULE #4 No pet shall exhibit aggressive behavior, be disruptive to coworkers, and/or inhibit work productivity. Employees should keep aisles clear and free of obstructions.

RULE #5 Pet owners shall be respectfully attentive to coworkers who may be uncomfortable or distracted by their pets’ behavior. Employees should proactively address distractions, and be open to coworkers’ feedback on how to eliminate distractions.

6 October/November 2017

7C SEVEN C’S COMMUNICATIONS

Specializing in content that’s creative, clear, complete, correct, concise, consistent, and coherent.

We are word wizards who help you tell your story in an engaging way that gets results. Covering print and digital media, we write and edit blog posts, reports, case studies, and contributed articles that capture readers’ attention.

(512) 809-0828 crystalzuzek@7cscommunications.com

October/November 2017 7

ask a vet

Q: My dog barks at all the people who walk LQWR P\ RIÀFH DW ZRUN How do I get her to be D EHWWHU RIÀFH PDWH" DOGS BARK FOR MANY REASONS. SOME

may be scared or excited to see new people, or they may be defending their territory. The important thing here is to replace the barking behavior with a behavior that is more acceptable to you and to the rest of the office.

First, figure out what your pup really loves.

Is it a yummy treat or a favorite toy? You want to find several things that will make your dog drop everything and focus on you.

Photo courtesy Flickr/ Gerrit Burrow Make sure that you have the favorite treat within reach when you are training.

Second, make sure your pup knows the gets better at ignoring distractions, seek out basic commands of sit, down, and stay. I more situations that can make your pup bark. highly recommend the book Perfect Puppy in Be sure to continue playing target games and Seven Days by Sophia Yin, DVM. The book’s offering treats to reward the calm behavior. advice even works with older dogs. I also This process is called desensitization. suggest trying “target” games that teach your Don’t reward or punish unwanted behavpet to touch her nose or paw to your hand or ior by yelling or spanking your dog. And another object in return for treats. don’t comfort your dog when she is barking.

Third, have your dog go through her comRemember: Your attention is a reward for mands in a comfortable environment, with your dog. If your pup starts barking, immediyou offering treats at each step. Remember: ately go into a target game or into a sit/down The key is to reward only the behavior exercise, or remove her from the situation that you want and to get your pup until she is quiet. used to running through these exercises.

Laura Helmueller, DVM, Finally, introduce some is chief medical officer distractions, making sure of Emancipet. For to reward your pup when information about she is quiet and focused Emancipet’s low-cost Submit it to on you or participating in veterinary services, visit info@austinpetsdirectory.com a target game. As your pup www.emancipet.org.

DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR A VET?

8 October/November 2017

October/November 2017 9

Who Let the

Austin businesses offer the ultimate employee perk

Dogs

In?

More companies are getting the memo: Allowing employees to bring their pets to the office is good for business. The Austin businesses profiled here have realized that happy employees are loyal and more productive. Their petfriendly policies also benefit the animals, who jump for joy and enthusiastically wag their tails when they find out it’s time to go to work.

By Crystal Zuzek

10 October/November 2017

October/November 2017 11

Emancipet

Providing low-cost, high-quality spay/neuter and veterinary care is at the heart of Emancipet’s mission. With a focus on improving animals’ lives, it’s only natural the nonprofit’s headquarters, located at 7010 Easy Wind Drive in Austin, would be crawling with cats and dogs. Employees are welcome to bring their pets to work every day and have been allowed to do so since Emancipet was established 18 years ago.

CEO AMY MILLS says it’s important for Emancipet to have a pet-friendly office environment because the organization takes care of clients’ pets “as if they’re our own and because we love our pets, too. The alchemy of love between people and pets transforms bad days into good ones, stress into productivity, and sadness into joy.”

Having pets around the office each workday “fosters a culture of cohesion and interconnectivity,” she says.

“We have all experienced the softening that happens when our hearts are opened by the love of a pet. Having this constant love around our office by allowing employees to bring their pets to work increases office morale, helps us stay connected to our mission, and reminds us of the importance of the work we’re doing.”

In addition to boosting employee morale, Emancipet’s pet-inclusive environment increases employee productivity. “People don’t want to leave their dog home alone all day while they’re at work, so they’re thrilled they’re able to bring them to work. It also means employees are more apt to come in early or stay late on days when they have a lot going because they don’t have to worry about rushing home to feed or let out their dog,” says Liz Parker, a former member of Emancipet’s Board of Directors who now serves the nonprofit organization by handling marketing efforts.

12 October/November 2017

The presence of pets around the office also helps the organization nurture a personal connection with its clients and partners. “We regularly feature the dogs in our office on Emancipet’s social media posts, email newsletters, and marketing materials,” Parker says.

In fact, social media stars Spike (pictured at right) and Gypsy (left), dogs of Emancipet employees, are well-known office mascots.

“They both know how to ham it up for the camera and pose perfectly upon request.

Anyone who walks into the office is immediately excited to see them and love on them,” Parker says.

Spike belongs to Jacqueline Smith, Emancipet accounts payable specialist, and often accompanies her to the office.

“He has slowly become the ‘spokesdog’ for Emancipet,” she says, adding that he’s a sociable coworker. “Every day when we first arrive he goes into every office and greets all of the employees.”

Emancipet Chief Financial Officer Christy Mallinger rescued Gypsy from the Bahamas after she’d been taken off the street, trapped, and spayed. Four years ago, while volunteering for a spay and neuter project in the Bahamas, one of Emancipet’s branch managers sent a photo of Gypsy to Mallinger. “I fell in love. Gypsy weighed 19 pounds and was covered in mange at the time,” Mallinger says.

Now 5 years old, the rescue mutt enjoys the attention she gets at the Emancipet office.

For tthe For he LLove ove ooff Pets Pets

“The hhuman-animal “The uman an-anim animal bbond ond iiss iincredibly ncredibly ncr ly sstrong, trong, aand nd it nd it ggoes oes bboth oth ways. wee llove w ays. JJust ust llike us ike w ove oour urr ppets, ets, tthey et hey ey llove ove us us ttoo, oo, aand nd want want to to be with with th their their owners owners wners as as m uch as as possible. possi ossible. O ur clients clients ccome ome ffrom rom be much Our all walks walks of of life, life, but but they they have have ha ve one one thing thing in in common: common: Their Their ir lives livvees all are re better bette etter because because of of their their ir pets. pet ets. SSimilarly, imilarly rly, some some of of our our employees employees em are may be be different different from from one one ne another anoth an other or or disagree disag isagree on on certain certain issues, issu sues, may but the the love love they they have have ha ve for for their their ir pets pet ets is is one one thing thing they’ll they’ll always always but have ve iinn ccommon.” ommon.”” have —Emanc ancipet C EO Amy Amy Mills Mills —Emancipet CEO Photos courtesy Emancipet October/November 2017 13

Kerbey Lane Cafe

Dogs have been part of the team at Kerbey Lane Cafe since September 2013, when CEO Mason Ayer and his wife, Controller Christina Ayer, welcomed their labradoodle Charlie (pictured right) to the family.

A PUPPY AT THE TIME, Charlie is now 4

years old and has been promoted to chief morale officer. Kerbey Lane made other employees’ dogs official associates, as well.

Monroe, a Maltese who belongs to Director of Marketing Amanda Kuda, serves as director of barketing. Nini, a Chihuahua mix who belongs to Staff Accountant Brenna Lozano, bears the charming title of resident fraidy dog.

Mason credits Christina with establishing the pet-friendly office environment that employees have come to love.

“We got Charlie as a puppy, and at the time Christina was working at a company where she couldn’t bring him to work. She wanted me to bring him to the office. I started bringing him once a week, but that wasn’t enough.

We didn’t want him in a crate all day,” Mason says. “But at the time, it was a little strange to think of bringing Charlie to work every day. It just wasn’t a norm that had been established. Christina then left her job and started working with us. Suddenly, Charlie was here every day.”

Kerbey Lane’s dog-centric environment doesn’t just welcome employees’ pets, it celebrates them.

The office hosted a birthday bash for about 12 dogs last July. “Monroe was incredibly selfish and greedy. He stole all of the dogs’ birthday cake,” Kuda says, adding she’s never witnessed that kind of behavior from her dog.

14 October/November 2017

Like Emancipet, Kerbey Lane hasn’t had to develop an official office pet policy. A cleanup kit is handy, however, for the occasional accident.

Last year the restaurant group moved into new headquarters in South Austin, where employees’ canine companions have made themselves right at home.

“The days he gets to go to work, he is so excited,” says Kuda of 10-year-old Monroe, who can often be found perched on an office chair. “He’s ready to go to work. I like to see him hyped up like that.”

Lozano says she likes having Nini accompany her to work. “It’s really therapeutic to have animals around. They don’t know the stressors of our jobs, and they’re just there to make us smile. I could be having the worst day, and I am instantly cheered up because I have puppies to pet and play with.”

Kuda says the dogs have a morning greeting routine and then pair up with their respective owners. The opportunity to socialize with other dogs has made a difference in their behavior.

“Both Nini and Monroe were not used to being in this kind of open environment. I’ve seen Monroe’s behavior change completely since he started coming to work,” Kuda says, adding that Nini was skittish initially. “Nini will now approach people and sit at other people’s desks. She lets other people pet her. That wasn’t a reality before.”

Photos courtesy Kerbey Lane Cafe October/November 2017 15

Tito’s Handmade a dk Vo “Vodka and dogs — does it get any better?”

THAT STATEMENT SUMS up Tito Beveridge’s corporate philosophy and encapsulates his attitude toward animals in the workplace.

The founder and owner of Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Beveridge (pictured below) prides himself on making vodka for dog people for the past 20 years at his southeast Austin distillery.

Set in a rural area on several acres, the distillery is an ideal setting for employees to welcome their pets. Tito’s Handmake Vodka also has a dog-friendly marketing office on the East Side, where employees have been bringing their dogs to work for the past 10 years.

“It started with me always having my own dog by my side at the distillery, and since then we have rescued and rehomed 60 stray dogs in that neighborhood that smell the dog food and wander up,” Beveridge says.

“We fenced in a yard there, and now the distillery staff brings their dogs to work, too.”

Beveridge set some ground rules — requiring adjustment from time to time — for employees to follow when bringing their pets to work. Dogs must have an up-to-date shot record and be spayed or neutered, potty 16 October/November 2017

trained, and have an easygoing temperament.

Employees are responsible for their individual dog’s behavior, and dogs aren’t allowed to wander unaccompanied or loiter in the lobby.

“The dog people also have to respect the boundaries of the ‘non-dog’ people,” he says.

As Beveridge explains, the impetus for the vodka maker’s pet-friendly policy was organic.

“There was never really a discussion of being pet friendly; it was just a given. The dogs kept me company at the distillery from the start, and I believe everyone here now is just happier and closer to one another with the dogs around,” he says. “Some of the dogs have assigned themselves jobs here like security or greeter. Between the dog jobs, having playmates, and being with their people, I know they are happier, too.”

Surrounded by nature, the distillery location provides plenty of open space for employees’ dogs to get some exercise or go for a potty break while on the job. The marketing office has mostly concrete floors, which are easily cleaned in the event of a mishap.

“The dogs seem to have a really great time together, and we have been lucky to have had so many good dogs over the years. I hear that a lot of the dogs wait at the front door on Monday mornings, excited to go to work. We have a resident distillery dog that gets on a golf cart every morning eager to do the rounds with my employees,” Beveridge says.

In addition to allowing dogs, Tito’s offices have had a hedgehog and a rabbit, and the distillery has been a home for horses and feral cats.

“We are looking to add some alpacas and sheep,” Beveridge says.

Photos courtesy Tito’s Handmade Vodka October/November 2017 17

Impact Hub If you’re a solo entrepreneur or a small-business owner in search of a pet-friendly office space, look no further than Impact Hub Austin.

ITS LOCATION AT 5540 N. Lamar Blvd.

welcomes friendly, well-behaved dogs of all breeds and sizes. Just keep their barking to a minimum.

“We have a three-bark rule,” says Impact Hub Director of Operations Heather Barnard. “If a dog barks three times, it must leave for the day. But it’s always welcome back.”

Barnard wanted to foster a pet-friendly co-working space in Austin because of the city’s reputation as a leader in animal welfare.

“Austin residents love their fur babies. We 18 October/November 2017

believe they are a vital part of our thriving community, and it has fostered a whole-self environment in our space and an ease in connecting coworkers,” she says.

The North Lamar location’s large, open workspace features comfy rugs and a giant backyard where dogs and their humans can play. A pet waste area makes for easy cleanup.

“People love having their pets with them.

And if I were a dog, I would be so excited to go to work with my human. Most of the dogs here are cuddly, tail wagging, and very happy,” Barnard says.

Photos courtesy Impact Hub October/November 2017 19

Photo courtesy Emancipet

Photo courtesy Kerbey Lane Cafe

About Emancipet

About Kerbey Lane Cafe

Emancipet’s mission is to make veterinary care affordable and accessible to all pet owners by building a national nonprofit, low-cost veterinary care system, with clinics in underserved areas of Austin, Houston, Killeen, Pflugerville, and Philadelphia.

Emancipet advocates public policy that improves the lives of pets in underserved communities. Since 1999, Emancipet has spayed or neutered more than 275,000 dogs and cats and will serve more than 100,000 pets and their families this year.

Kerbey Lane Cafe is a beloved Austin original restaurant that serves fresh food at reasonable prices in a comfortable environment with amazing customer service. Voted Best Breakfast by the Austin Chronicle for more than 20 years, Kerbey Lane is also famous for its queso, $3 wine and beer all day, and special seasonal menus. Kerbey Lane has seven locations, including its newest location in Round Rock.

Visit www.emancipet.org.

20 October/November 2017

Visit www.kerbeylanecafe.com.

Photo courtesy Tito’s Handmade Vodka

About Tito’s Handmade Vodka Tito’s Handmade Vodka is produced in Austin at Texas’ oldest legal distillery. It is made in batches using old-fashioned pot stills, with every batch taste tested. It is a process similar to that of making fine single malt scotches and high-end French cognacs.

Tito’s Handmade Vodka is designed to be savored by spirit connoisseurs and everyday drinkers alike.

Photos courtesy Impact Hub

About Impact Hub Impact Hub Austin offers co-working, shared workspace, private offices, dedicated desks, and programs that connect the Austin community to a global movement for good.

With two Austin locations, Impact Hub offers a combination of mission, community, and space to support game-changing ideas for social impact.

Visit www.impacthubaustin.com.

Visit www.titosvodka.com.

October/November 2017 21

Photos courtesy Sage Hill Inn

travel

Endangered Geese Find a Home in the Hill Country TEXAS TRAVELERS in search of a boutique

inn experience tucked away in the picturesque Hill Country will revel in the first-class service and amenities offered at Sage Hill Inn & Spa. Located in Kyle, just 22 miles south of downtown Austin, the inn is an easy drive from the capital city. The inn, which rests atop a bluff above Onion Creek, isn’t merely a beautiful 22 October/November 2017

refuge from city life. It’s home to endangered Cotton Patch geese. General Manager Justin “Raif ” Raiford joined the Sage Hill Inn team in 2015 and acquired the geese from a farmer in Wisconsin in 2016. Here he answers some questions about the geese and their life at Sage Hill Inn. To book a visit to the inn, visit www.sagehill.com, or call (800) 579-7686.

October/November 2017 23

travel

What makes Cotton Patch geese rare?

Once commonplace on farms in the southeastern United States., the Cotton Patch is a breed of goose that gets its name from the job it performed. These geese were used to weed cotton and corn fields up until the 1950s. Cotton Patch geese helped many farmers and their families in the rural South survive the Great Depression by providing a regular source of meat, eggs, and grease.

After industrial farming took over and the use of herbicides and pesticides were thought to be the wave of the future, they were forgotten about.

The breed’s beginnings are not clear, but they are thought to have descended from European stock brought to the U.S. during the Colonial period. Cotton Patch geese possess many qualities in common with other sex-linked European goose breeds such as the Shetland, West of England, and Normandy. However, these breeds are recent importations to North America, and have not played a role in the development of the Cotton Patch goose.

What makes Cotton Patch geese different from other breeds of geese?

The Cotton Patch goose is the remaining relic of a little-known American breed of goose with parent stock that probably shares common ancestors with these other sexlinked geese. Cotton Patch differ from other sex-linked goose breeds by having pink or orange-pink bills, light-weight bodies, and the ability to fly.

24 October/November 2017

The Cotton Patch goose is “sleek” and resembles Greylag geese from which all European geese descend. The breed is a light- to medium-sized goose. They are a landrace breed, and there is some variability between strains. Their smaller size allows them to tolerate hot weather better than heavier breeds of geese. The Cotton Patch is an “upright” goose with tail in line with back and wings, giving it a clean wedge profile. The Cotton Patch’s body is more elongated and less rounded than breeds such as the Shetland or Pilgrim goose. The paunch is minimal and when present has a single lobe.

The Cotton Patch’s head is rounded, and the beak is dished. One strain more closely resembles the Pilgrim goose and has a beak that is slightly Roman. The ganders in this strain tend to have as many gray feathers as Pilgrim ganders, but these feathers are all dove gray, unlike the Pilgrim, which can be slate gray.

Cotton Patch geese can fly well beyond their first year, easily clearing 5-foot to 6-foot fences without a running start. Although this may seem like a fault to some, this ability often allows the birds to escape predators.

They are excellent foragers. Cotton Patch geese are rare and need serious conservation breeders.

How many geese do you have now?

I have five. I had two breeding pairs. The pair that was old enough to breed this year had three goslings, but two died. I think this next spring we will have many more. One of my gardeners got a pair from the same farmer in Wisconsin, and they had 12 babies. They were an older breeding pair.

What inspired you to acquire the geese?

I love everything about sustainable agriculture and have for years. I am an avid gardenermyself and wanted to find my very own geese.

I am so glad that I got them for Sage Hill Inn. How do you put them to work at the inn?

We let them roam around in the orchard, and they eat many pest and weeds. They are amazing!

Do you have plans to acquire more geese or to breed them?

I hope this next spring that we can breed them and have a nice flock.

Dustin Dees, DVM, DACVO Danielle Paglia, DVM, DACVO

Trust your pet’s eye care to the dedicated specialists at Eye Care for Animals 12419 Metric Blvd.

Austin, TX 78758

115 E. Old Settlers Blvd.

Round Rock, TX 78664

(512) 335-EYES (3937) October/November 2017 25

directory TO LIST YOUR BUSINESS HERE, EMAIL INFO@OCTOBERCUSTOMPUBLISHING.COM

FEATURED LISTINGS

SHELTERS, RESCUE GROUPS & ANIMAL WELFARE AGENCIES Austin Animal Center 512.978.0500, ext. 7201 www.austintexas.gov/department/aac

Blue Dog Rescue Round Rock info@bluedogrescue.com BlueDogRescue.com

Texas Humane Heroes Leander: 512.260.3602 Killeen: 512.260.3602 humaneheroes.org

Brazos Valley Doberman Rescue College Station 409.776.6216

Therapy Pet Pals of Texas 512.347.1984 TherapyPetPals.org

Austin Dog Rescue 512.827.9787 www.austindog.org

Central Texas SPCA Leander 512.260.SPCA (7722) CentralTexasSPCA.org

Austin Humane Society 512.646.7387 AustinHumaneSociety.org

Emancipet 512.587.SPAY (7729) emancipet.org/austin

Austin Pets Alive!

512.961.6519 www.austinpetsalive.org

Purrfect Pals Rescue info@purrfectpalsrescue.com www.purrfectpalsrescue.com

26 October/November 2017

Wee Rescue 512.533.9360 WeeRescue.org

Dogtoberfest Austin is an Austin based, 501c3 non-profit organization, created for the purpose of instilling awareness about dog rescue, as well as raising much needed moneys for local dog rescue organizations. We have no paid staff and all of our proceeds benefit local dog rescue organizations.

Over the last nine years, we have raised over $250,000 for our beneficiaries.

Every year, Dogtoberfest Austin holds two events in the Domain.

DogtoberTROT, a 1k walk for two-legged and four-legged friends, kicks off the festivities. Dogtoberfest happens directly afterward, and includes a Silent Auction, Canine Costume Contest, Wiener Dog Races, pet-related demonstrations, and more. In 2016, over 6,000 people and their canine companions were in attendance!

October/November 2017 27

fun fact

JUNE 22, 2018

Photo courtesy iStock/Image Source

Mark your calendar for next year’s Take Your Dog to Work Day, established by Pet Sitters International.

The organization created the event to celebrate the great companions dog make and to encourage employers to experience the joys of having dogs in the workplace.

28 October/November 2017

Custom pet portraits by Monica Call today! 512.986.5383

October/November 2017 C

We make magazines, annual reports, catalogs, ads and more.

From conceeptt tto o co co ompletion, mpletion tion w we’ we e’llll man nage the entire prrocess for you, right up to deli d ivering WKH À ÀQLVK KHG S SLHHFHH WR \\RXU UUHDGHU·V GRR RUVWHS

october custom publishing D October/November 2017

ocpubs.com