August 2017

The Definitive Source for Houston Pet Lovers | August 2017

Art Issue CINDI ROSE

Nationally acclaimed Silhouette artist + other local artists and the keepsakes they create

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Is reluctant to run, play or climb stairs

Has gained weight in the past year

Limps or appears stiff after exercise

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AUGUST 2017

Editorial

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epicting animals in art is as old as man himself. From cave drawings to modern day mediums, animals of all kind have made their way into both our art and our heart. As pets become more integrated into our family, we see their happy faces everywhere including holiday cards and profile images on our social media.

Along with great photographs, there are other unique and creative opportunities to capture our pet’s likeness, whether it be as a keepsake for ourselves or as a gift for the pet lover in our life.

In this issue, we are taking a look at local Houston artists who use their amazing talent to create silhouette cuttings, paintings, photography, jewelry and even beautiful custom urns for when our precious pets pass.

Highlighted in our feature is Houstonian Cindi Rose, whose unique talent as a silhouette artist puts her in a rare group in the world that can create these multidimensional cuttings without sketching.

Cindi is the wife of renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Franklin Rose of Utopia Plastic Surgery and Med Spa who often gets the press coverage, but little do many know that Cindi is quite accomplished

Issue 7: Volume 17 www.houstonpettalk.com

in her own right. She is adept at many forms of art but her silhouette skill has taken her around the world to meet quite an impressive list of celebrities, musicians, politicians and even royalty.

Best of all, Cindi uses her talents to give back to the animal community. Find out more about Cindi and other talented artists on page 28.

Beyond art, we also have some very informative articles in this issue that you won’t want to miss.

The first is a very difficult topic but one that many pet owners have questions about regarding what to do when a pet passes away at home. A big thank you to Dr. Hennessey-Bremseth of Animal ER of Northwest Houston for taking on the task of writing about something so sensitive.

Next, we have two articles about training including one from Meadowlake Pet Resort that is accompanied by a video. To watch, just scan the QR code

All About Art Featured in this month's Animals In Art issue, Cindi Rose is one of the very few people in the world that is a true silhouette artist. This age-old paper cutting art form is only one of Cindi's many artistic talents that she often uses to donate money to animal rescue. Sharing a laugh with PetTalk editor, Michelle Mantor, they reminisce about the silhouettes Michelle is holding that Cindi cut for her almost a decade ago. Enjoy more local artists in the feature story. Photo by Evin Thayer.

next to the article or visit our website at www.houstonpettalk.com. The second training article discusses a very common problem, leash reactivity. If you are a “midnight dog walker” to avoid other dogs on the walk, be sure to read how to overcome this issue on page 60.

And finally, it’s Back To School time in August! Once the kids are back in school, you may find it’s time to pay attention to pet matters.

Maybe it’s time for your senior pet’s wellness exam or your cat’s dental cleaning or perhaps you would like to enroll your pet in group training or even agility classes. Find all the LOCAL resources you'll need plus events at www.pettalkgofetch.com or download the Free App (pictured here) for iPhone or Android from the website.

As always, PetTalk is here to provide you with informative articles and useful resources right at your fingertips!

HOUSTON PETTALK MAGAZINE 14781 Memorial Drive, Ste. 510, Houston, Texas 77079 281-556-6560 www.HoustonPetTalk.com Art Director: ANDREW BURWELL © Copyright 2017. Reproduction or use without written permission of articles, editorial or pictorial content in any manner is prohibited. Houston PetTalk does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertising or editorial, nor do the publishers assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. Houston PetTalk does not endorse any specific product or service contained herein; we do encourage you to support our advertisers whenever possible. All photos ©copyright thinkstock or depositphotos unless otherwise stated.

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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Catch someone reading their PetTalk as they travel the globe? Snap a pic and send to: info@houstonpettalk.com.

Paris, France Magdalena Esparza loved visiting the Eiffel Tower, but not without her PetTalk!

Thanks for sharing your beautiful smile with us Magdalena!

I

recently decided that as my dog years are multiplying by 7, I should em-bark on a journey of self discovery. What a trip that was! I found myself at the sales rack in Neiman Barkus and at first I was elated when I saw I was in a size section marked with a 2...until I realized there was a 1 in front of the 2. Oh well, I like to think of myself as in shape - it’s just a round shape.

Having found myself indulging in re-tail therapy, I took this as yet another sign that perhaps cousin Henrí is right; I need to stop over analyzing and simply embrace life’s best offerings, which in the eyes of a Frenchman is of course all things French— Fries, Poodles, Kisses and Toast.

That is an odd array of "life's best" but Henrí is an odd fellow. He once saved the last bite of everything he ate for one month and made a “Let Me Show You How Much I Love You” necklace for his latest “amante”, a French Bulldog. Given her “girth”, he mistakenly believed her biggest passion was food and saving his last bite of every meal would show his sacrificing love. I don’t want to embarrass Henrí by telling you what happened next but let’s just say he had a hard time finding an exit from the Rhine.

Even though I know Henrí is right and I should release myself from intense introspection by stopping to smell the fire hydrants and enjoying each day as though there is nothing between my ears

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THE VALUE Of Counting Your Blessings...

(like Dizzy Rubenstein down the street...she thinks she’s named Dizzy because she spins in circles for treats but we all know the real reason).

But sometimes I just feel like I should be doing more with my life...you know...tackle a few more challenges, leap tall buildings in a single bound or I’d actually just be

happy to jog around the building once without stopping.

Of course Dragon Lady had to get involved and this is what she had to offer: “Henríetta, stop moping around the office like you’ve heard an announcement that Hot Dogs are now on the

endangered species list. Be thankful for what you have.

Just be glad you’re not a hen that has to sit on her eggs for 28 days”. What?? I swear that woman keeps a flask of adult beverages in her desk drawer.

I decided to go roll in a mud puddle and mull things over.

Maybe my life isn’t so bad.

I mean, I may not be skinny and rich but “with this comes that”. For example, I don’t have to worry about my compadres only liking me for my money; I don’t have to worry about driving away from the valet without the wireless key, go home and not be able to start my car; I don’t have to get the paw shakes from diet pills; I don’t have to say no to the dessert cart and then watch with intense jealousy as everyone else indulges; and, I definitely don’t have to worry about anything knocking my helicopter off the top of my yacht.

Yes, counting my blessings

is good therapy for the soul.

Since I have 20 digits, I can count a lot of good stuff in my life. First, I am blessed with an olfactory precision that can put a Bloodhound to shame. Just the other day the Dragon Lady, in her misguided attempt to reduce my poundage, lied straight through her pearly whites that she did not buy any Cheese Whiz at the store. Given this is one thing we actually agree on, the Cheese Whiz does not last long in our abode. Well, I could smell it wafting from the laundry room of all places!

I followed my muzzle to the shelf above the dryer and discovered a fresh new can hidden under a stack of towels. Even DL knew this was an all-time low.

Second, I have an uncanny knack for spotting anything fake. Nails, hair extensions, implants, tans, Louis Vuitton handbags, lobster, diamonds, baseball cards, store bought pie crust being passed off as homemade, butter, reality shows and British accents.

I could go on with my blessings but I’m out of space so that means I have so much good in my life that I can stop worrying and enjoy the Here and Now. Oh...I just thought of two more blessings I have to mention. First is my ability to stalk a cat until they end up in the looney bin. The Feline Fruitcake Institution loves me.

I send them lots of customers.

Second is YOU, my loyal fans.

Why else do you think I would put up with the Dragon Lady?

Henrietta Illustration by Jim Tweedy, Colorizing by Desiree Lonsway

Henrietta On:

astros dog da� E n j o y a g a m e w i t h M a n ’ s B e s t F r i e n d a t A s t r o s D o g D ay at M i n u t e M a i d Pa r k

sunday, septemeber 17

| 1:10pm

mariners

vs astros

astros dog day ticket packages include: a ticket for you and your dog • pooch parade • Dog day vendor alley • costume contest • and more!

interested in having a booth for your company at astros dog day? call tyler shedron at

713.259.8726 GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY astros.com/astrosdogday

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The Winner & Top 10 Finalists

1

st

Dixie Lou

Taylor

Jack

Rye

Sasha

Kitty Purry

Hondo

Roux

2

nd

Sophie

Winston

3rd

Sand N Sea BEACH BUM photo contest!

B

each Bum fun!

PetTalk's annual BEACH BUM photo contest sponsored by Sand N Sea Properties Galveston once again captured some super-cool pets having fun in the sun on a Galveston beach.

Congratulations to this year's winner "Sophie" who will receive a Big Bag off goodies including a PetSmart giftcard from Sand N Sea Properties.

The finalists in the contest were chosen by public voting and Sand N Sea had the difficult

task of selecting a winner.

Watch for this annual contest each June!

Sand ‘N Sea Properties loves to welcome canine friends and owners to Galveston Island where a beach house is the perfect place to spend quality time

G A LV E S T O N I S L A N D VA C AT I O N R E N TA L S 409.797.5500 I sandnsea.com

with family and four-legged friends. Sand `N Sea offers over 45 pet friendly vacation homes on the beach and bay.

To reserve your Sand `N Sea beach or canal front home, visit www.sandnsea.com or call 409.797.5500.

SINCE 1974

Life Dog on Duty

Lilli

Shylo

Kalli

Sophie

Rey

Sandy

Honeygirl

Leo

Brody

Little Nell Dixon

Sydney

Roxy

Randy

Coco Ellie Mae

Cheyenne

Flynn

Taylor

Koko

Olive

Princess

Georgie

Khaleesi

Ziggy

Harley

Misty We LOVE publishing the cute and creative photo entries in our contests! When space provides, we print all entries and when space isn’t available, we print photos of only the winner and finalists. We also try to include the name of each fabulous pet. If you don’t see a name, it was not provided so if you enter future contests, please be sure to let us know the name of your furry friend!

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The Dish

H

ey Party Animals...Did you know you can add your own pet related event to our event calendar online?

Head to: pettalkgofetch.com/event

FOR A FULL LIST OF EVENTS, DOWNLOAD THE FREE APP OR VISIT: WWW.PETTALKGOFETCH.COM

you take advantage of the cool evening weather and the even cooler atmosphere. www.houstonzoo.org/coolnights

of the summer featuring “Batman LEGO Movie!” www.houstonzoo.org/coolnights

8.1 to 8.31.2017

8.19.2017

Nature Connects: Art with LEGO Bricks Presented by Coca-Cola

Snow Day at The Houston Zoo

8.5.2017

Houston Zoo, 6200 Hermann Park Drive Weather forecast calls for snow at the Houston Zoo this August! Kids of all ages can play in fields of snow, creating snowmen and snow angels, and enjoying the cold snow on a hot summer’s day. Snow Day activities are included in regular zoo admission. To learn more about snow days and other special events at the Houston Zoo, visit us on the web at www.houstonzoo.org/chillout.

Wine & Dine for Felines (and Doggies too)

SAVE THE DATE

Houston Zoo, 6200 Hermann Park Drive See a dozen giant animal sculptures all built with tens of thousands of LEGO bricks at the Houston Zoo. From a colorful chameleon to a coral reef scene, these sculptures will delight kids and adults alike. Find more info at www.houstonzoo. org/natureconnects.

The Houston Zoo helps Houstonians keep cool! Cool Nights presented by TXU Energy is August 11. Find out details at www.houstonzoo.org.

Events Summer Adoption Event At CAP 17555 Katy Freeway, Houston 77094 Find your best friend for less this summer at CAP! Through August 19, 50% adoption fees for large breed dogs and adult cats, plus fee waived on cats over 3 years and VIP animals. Sponsored by West Houston Subaru. You can also view adoptable animals online, at facebook or twitter before visiting the shelter to adopt your furry friend.

8.4.2017 TXU Energy Presents Cool Nights Houston Zoo, 6200 Hermann Park Drive Bring a friend, bring a date, or bring your family and celebrate this Friday night’s Cool Nights: Jungle Jammin’! Enjoy live music, outdoor games, and the animals as

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French Quarter 7099 Hwy 6 N 77095 Join Loving Arms Pet Placement for a fundraiser benefiting their dog and cat rescue group. Dinner, cocktails, silent auction and more, $50. Purchase tickets at www.lovingarmspetplacement.com.

8.11.2017

TXU Energy Presents Cool Nights Houston Zoo, 6200 Hermann Park Drive Visit the Houston Zoo for the final Cool Nights of the summer. It’s a Block Party, LEGO blocks, that is! Build, create and play LEGO-themed games, and stay late for the last Zoovie Night

Astros Dog Day

September 17 Always a crowd favorite, the Houston Astros Dog Day invites the public to bring their furry friend to the game on Sept. 17.

Bring your dog and sit in a special section, visit with vendors, enter the costume contest, and even adopt a pet! For more information, visit www.astros.com.

Waiting ...

For Yop u soon!

Pick me u

Your new best friend is waiting...

Adopt a schnauzer, and save a life!

www.SchnauzerRescueTexas.me

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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Operation War Dogs Rover Oaks Fundraiser A Big Success

R

over Oaks Pet Resort just wrapped up its seventh annual month-long donation drive, Operation: War Dogs, to help rescue and bring home our nation's War Dogs. The funds raised are going to non-profit organization Mission K9 Rescue, the Houston chapter of the United States War Dogs Association (USWDA). The fundraiser began on Memorial Day and ended on July 4, 2017. This year, Rover Oaks raised a total of $24,171 for Mission K9 Rescue through Operation: War Dogs. Since 2011, Rover Oaks Pet Resort and Operation: War Dogs have raised over $100,000 for US War Dogs.

"Over the years since we started our annual Operation: War Dogs fundraiser, our Rover Oaks family -- both staff and clients -- have become avid supporters of Mission K9 Rescue and their struggle to help military working dogs," said Claire Ellington, General Manager of Rover Oaks Pet Resort in Houston. "Dogs are our business and our passion, and to know that military working dogs are languishing in barely habitable kennels overseas, not being brought home to the heroes' welcome they deserve, is appalling to us.

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The overwhelming response to this fundraiser from the community and our clients shows that they feel the same way about the War Dogs who have loyally served to protect our country. We are so proud to help Mission K9 Rescue bring dogs back home, get them the medical attention they need, and find loving families to adopt them."

Mission K9 Rescue Founder and President, Kristen Maurer, came to Rover Oaks Pet Resort on Wednesday July 5th to receive the funds raised by the Rover Oaks team. She brought with her "Gina" and "Kilo", two retired Military Working Dogs rescued from desolate living conditions in Kuwait after having served as contract bomb-sniffing dogs for the United States Military. Â Every detail of their journey home, rehabilitation and adoption were orchestrated by Mission K9 Rescue. Their ability to help these K9 heroes is entirely dependent on the monetary support of donors.

To learn more about Rover Oaks Pet Resort visit www.roveroaks.com. For more information on Mission K9 Rescue or to make a donation to support their cause, visit missionk9rescue.org.

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Sunset

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We provide both peace of mind and outstanding pet care.

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Art Issue

the with CINDI ROSE Nationally acclaimed Silhouette artist + other local artists and the keepsakes they create.

Intro by Michelle Mantor, Silhouette Article Photography by Evin Thayer

D

oes your dog deserve to see his happy face in a beautiful oil painting? Is your cat worthy of a custom gold charm made in her likeness? The answer to this is yes, of course! For the love of our pets, we pamper them with grooming, healthy food, toys and lots of other goodies so why not depict our furry friends in original art as a keepsake? in our Animals in Art issue, we’ve selected some of Houston’s most talented artists to showcase their work and give you some creative ideas for portraying your pet in an artistic keepsake. From silhouettes to painting

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and jewelry, Houston boasts great art talent that may inspire you to create a piece for yourself or as a unique gift for the pet enthusiast in your life.

You might be surprised how affordable custom artwork can be so check out options and ask questions.

Typically, an artist can create your one-of-a-kind keepsake from a photo of your pet.

We hope you enjoy meeting these talented Houstonians and that you get inspired to use your imagination in creating a thoughtful gift or a beautiful token for yourself in celebration of your pet's special place in your heart.

Silhouette I

n the world of plastic surgery, Houston’s Dr. Franklin Rose, owner of Utopia Med Spa in Uptown Park, is considered a rock star. He’s performed his artistry for decades and produced many delighted clients, from those that want a little nip and tuck to others who seek an all-out change in appearance. Recently, Dr. Rose has become the “go-to” guy for contestants on The Bachelor as well as for woman whose dream is to look like Ivanka or Melania Trump. Internationally sought after, Dr. Rose is known for his skill and mastery of the knife and many would also call him an artist due to the natural results of his work, but what may come as a surprise is that Dr. Rose is not the only internationally sought after artist in the Rose household.

Enter Cindi Rose, Dr. Rose’s wife who has been quietly behind the scenes creating her own beautiful

art for decades. Although Cindi is adept at many forms of art including painting and sculpting, she is best known for her unique expertise as a silhouette artist. Creating silhouettes of people and animals has been a passion of Cindi’s since she was a young woman seeking ways to earn extra money for college.

The story of her silhouette career began when Cindi was hired

by Walt Disney, through Astroworld in Houston, as a cashier for “artists row”. Recognizing she was just as good if not better than the artists she would be cashiering for, Cindi showed her portfolio and gained a spot as a portrait artist. While creating portraits, she had the opportunity to observe the silhouette artist. Cindi quickly created her own silhouettes, showed them to management and was hired the next day. She later would become the premier silhouette artist for

Cindi, a two-time winner of “The World’s Best Silhouette Artist” cuts a silhouette of “Zoey”, owned by Lauren Morgan of Utopia Plastic Surgery & Med Spa.

DisneyWorld in Orlando, quite a substantial accomplishment.

Little did Cindi know, by taking that proactive step, she would become one of the most sought after silhouette artists in the world due to the scarcity of this skill. As Cindi notes, “There are less than about 25 true silhouette artists in the world. Creating a true silhouette is not cutting, but rather it’s drawing with scissors. Silhouette artists don’t sketch first and we are not just cutting an outline. We are cutting hair, jewelry and making the piece multidimensional."

Watching Cindi create silhouettes is truly fascinating. Scissors in one hand and paper in the other, she assesses her subject (people or animals) and begins cutting and in no time she has a precise silhouette. It’s amazing how fast and accurate she is and she can go one step further cutting details “into” the piece, creating more

Houston PetTalk Magazine

29

intricacies and layers. When asked how she found and perfected her skill in the silhouette world, Cindi offers, “My mother was an artist and she would draw interiors of houses to scale. I started drawing at a young age and by 8 years old, I was being paid to paint people’s animals. I get my artistic talent from my mother and my ability to do silhouettes comes from my mother teaching me the art form of Polish and German paper cutting as a child.” Paper cutting dates back hundreds of years in Europe (and goes back much earlier in China) and was used as a less expensive way to decorate. From pictures to doilies to portraits, educated

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class women cut paper as a hobby and used the cuts as gifts. People in high rank and nobility collected those artworks.

Clearly it takes skill as an artist to produce silhouettes which Cindi certainly is! From advanced art class at Bellaire H.S. to additional education at Anderson Ranch Snowmass and Glassell School of Art, Cindi learned many mediums including watercolor, pastel, acrylic, oil, pottery and bronze sculpting which can be seen throughout her beautiful home. She explains, “Although I took classes in art at various places, you don’t really learn art in the university system. I earned a journalism and art degree at University

of Texas. Not only did I perfect my skill as an artist, but I also learned about TV, advertising, writing and public relations.

That education served me well as I went on to work for The Houston Post, run my artist business at Astroworld, work as a model and do TV work on both commercials and movies.” Adding to her list of achievements, Cindi is a member of SAG-AFTRA, she is an international award winning associate producer of an art documentary, she worked as a Fox News TV exercise hostess, and was a cast member of the TV comedy show, “Captain Harold’s Theater of the Sky”.

As a previous recipient of Houston’s

Cindi with her

???? granddaughter, Holland.

Women of Distinction, Cindi is recognized in the community for many accomplishments including using her talent for the greater good. She often donates the silhouette portrait fee to various charities including pet charities such as Citizen’s for Animal Protection (CAP). In addition to raising money for charity, Cindi is hired for corporate events by the likes of Hermes, Dell, Museum of New York, Monticello and GOOGLE (who found Cindi on GOOGLE no less!). Cindi comments, “Through my silhouettes, I not only get to donate money to worthy causes, but I also get to travel the world and meet people.” And, these are not just “any people”. The famous

faces that Cindi has rendered with scissors include Queen Elizabeth, Elvis Presley, Sarah Duchess of York, Elvis Costello, Tony Bennett, President George W. Bush, Muhammed Ali, Peter Fonda and many others. What an impressive list!

Yes, Cindi is quite a distinctive and giving person who Houston is proud to call one of our own. She is rather like a Matryoshka Russian Nesting Doll, the more you look inside this talented lady, the more interesting things are revealed. You realize there are many dimensions to both her heart and her mind. “I attribute my abilities to God and my mom. I’m very thankful for the gifts I’ve been given and the opportunity to share it

with others,” says Cindi.

To view some of Cindi's work or to contact her, visit www.silhouettesbycimdi.com and @Cindi.silhouette on Instagram.

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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meet

SPENCER bradley...

is a cairn terrier/schnauzer a 7 month old lhasa/ mix with a lot of personality, wheaten mix. Bradley is a he is a big lap dog and verysweet sweet terrier boy thatmix loves this is loves also sitting getting up on thepetted, couch and approximately 1 year old likes to ridetv.in20 your in and weighs lbs.

Sandra watching He is lap very the car!!!

He gets on great Dee is a little shy and laid back, well behaved, with dogs and romps timid but once shegets getsonto quietother playful, and know you yourhe best and plays the isyard, is great withinshe the other dogs. friend. She has really approx. yearsasome old and Also, he1.5 still needs leash nice disposition and gets 15 and training. just one happy andlbshouse along great with her rescue little guy! buddies.

Shaggy Dog Rescue is a 501 (3)(c) non-

profit rescue group dedicated to saving Shaggy Dogs from B.A.R.C., and H.C.P.H.E.S restoring them to good health and readying them to go to new loving homes, all dogs are spayed/neutered, micro-chipped and fully socialized before adoption.

Please visit our web-site for adoption applications and information on other dogs available, and for donations!

Houstonshaggydogrescue.org

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

33

Paintings

Kristel Peale

Skilled in watercolor or acrylic, Kristel Peal offers commission, handpainted portraits of your pet. Like people, each animal has a unique quality. Great attention is paid to the expression, particularly the eyes, so that the pet you know so well shines through.

In addition to canvas, portraits can be done on silk faced pillows, backed with fine fabrics and trimmed appropriately.

All paintings are

done from photographs. In addition to portraits, which are commissioned individually, Pet and Palette offers colorful, imaginative pet-themed blank note cards.

www.petandpalette.com

Shanda

Custom Paintings by Shanda began when Shanda decided to put her passion for art and animals together into a business with the mission of promoting the protection of the "precious pets on our planet." Â A portion of proceeds are donated to local animal rescues. The more paintings Shanda creates, the

more animals can be helped!

Custom paintings are created from photos making it very convenient to order.

Delivery is to you, complete with a decorative display stand and gift wrapped for any special occasion. Â Call 713.822.1917 or view her Facebook page (@paintingsbyshanda) and website for samples of her work and pricing.

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Nancy Davis Keely

As an accomplished artist, Nancy strives to create long lasting original oil paintings of your favorite pet. Commisions are painted on masonite panels, canvas, or wrap canvas.

Nancy is known for creating very soulful, unique pet portraits in oil. Also working from photographs, Nancy has been painting for over 20 years and she has studied in Italy as well as at the Glassell School of Art here in Houston.

Also an accomplished photographer, Nancy has a keen eye for capturing expressions

and personality in her art.

Wether you commission an oil painting or request a beautiful photo, Nancy will provide a one-of-a-kind memory that will last a lifetime.

Prices vary according to complexity. To view some of Nancy's work, visit her Facebook page.

www.facebook.com/nancy.daviskeely

Robin Kachantones As a professional illustrator, Robin had gallery shows and earned medals in national award shows, but with a passion for painting pets, Robin has now gone to the dogs (and cats, horses, etc.)! She enjoys painting each beautifully unique pet and especially loves the joy her paintings bring to the pet's owner.

Best known for her detail, Robin paints colorful and expressive pieces of art.

Painting from photos, Robin can have your masterpiece in just a few weeks. Whether the painting is of a pet that is with us or has passed, Robin's paintings are a treasure to keep forever.

Check out Robin's website where you'll find a gallery of many paintings that Robin has completed. It's a great way to get ideas about the colorful artwork that could be yours or a memorable gift for friends or family.

www.robinkachantones.squarespace.com Houston PetTalk Magazine

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Loida Wexler

Pet paintings are such a unique and special gift and Loida Wexler is very adept at creating every masterpiece with the pet's personality shining through. Her great pleasure is knowing she brings joy to the recipient of her art.

Loida recently opened a studio at Houston's largest establishment for artists, the Sawyer Yards Art at 2204 Summer Street, Studio 113. With just a photo, Loida can create a memorable painting in just 3-4 weeks. View www. instagram.com/loidastreasures or her Facebook page

for more beautiful paintings

by Loida.

www.facebook.com/loida.wexler

Jim Tweedy

Whimsical, humorous and definitely collectible, Jim Tweedy paintings have been popular with Houston pet lovers for many years. Through his Friendly Doggies series, Jim creates art that will not only make you smile, it will make you laugh out loud!

Pet lovers can commission original pieces or even select Jim's famous "self portrait" pictured here with any dog painted on the canvas. To see examples of Jim's many fabulous prints, visit www. jimtweedy.com or visit Hollywood Frame Gallery at 2427 Bissonnet where Jim's art is exclusively sold or can be ordered, including one-ofa-kind creations.

www.hollywoodframegallery.com

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Jewelry

Esquivel & Fees Julian Esquivel and Ted Fees have been creating quality jewelry designs for over 22 years. For the first 13 years, they ran a successful women's accessory company and then decided to change the focus to animal and unusual theme jewelry designs for men and women.

As true artists, the original designs are hand carved from wax to start the process.

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Their work is known for being substantial in weight, having amazing detail and dimensionality while also capturing the essence and personality of each piece.

Once the piece is hand cast using the lost wax casting process, the order is hand finished and hand buffed to a perfect surface finish.

Creating quality hand made jewelry is no easy task and

www.efsterling.com not easy to find but in addition to quality, the custom orders at Esquivel and Fees can be as unique as your very own pet. And, these talented artists are right here in Houston on Rice Blvd. so you can walk into their beautiful store and view their work, purchase an existing piece or order a custom creation.

Ted and Julian are proud to have designed exclusive lines

of jewelry which are currently at the Texas State Capitol Gift Shops in Austin, The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum in Austin, The Ladybird Wildflower Center in Austin, The Utah State Capitol Gift Shops in Salt Lake City and Howard Payne University.

Visit them at 2368 Rice Boulevard, Houston, TX 77005 or call 713.521.1544.

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

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Photography Evin Thayer As the official photographer for Houston PetTalk since 2005, Evin Thayer knows how to photograph pets!

He is not only a talented photographer with over 35 years experience, but he is also patient and understands the nuances of capturing your pet's personaiity in the setting you choose.

Evin is also known for his creativity in producing portraits that are unique using a variety of photography techniques and post production tools.

View Evin's work on his

www.evinthayer.com

Nature Dog Photography At Nature Dog Photography, Love, Happiness and Family is what each image strives to capture. From special occasions to a gorgeous portrait, They can meet all of your needs through their extensive experience of working with pets.

Take the photo here for instance of Lady and Kingston whose humans wanted them in their engagement session, showing they are one big, happy family. The dogs were happy to oblige and wear their finest bow ties.

No matter what occasion you want to celebrate and capture, Nature Dog Photography will turn your momentous occasion into memorable images. They often photograph events for PetTalk so you will also find them supporting the Houston pet community in a big way!

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website and be sure to sign up for the studio's newsletter. They often have special photography opportunities for pet owners!

Pet Urns T

he hard reality of pet ownership is that we will outlive many of our pets throughout our life but that doesn’t mean we can’t create a memorable keepsake celebrating their life. Over the last decade, more and more pet owners are choosing cremation for their beloved furry friend and the creative choices in urns and other keepsakes has grown tremendously. From ceramic painted urns to jewelry and stones made with a portion of pet cremains inside, the options are as imaginative as you can dream up. Here are a couple of urn options with two of our crematory sponsors just to give you an idea of the unique versions available. There are many more options and all you have to do is inquire with your chosen cremation services company or find additional options online. Both of our sponsors, Live Oak Pet Services and Little Friends provide services in the Greater Houston area. You can contact them directly or request their services via your veterinarian.

Live Oak Pet Services

www.liveoakpetservices.com With The Living Urn®, Life Continues...

America's first and leading Bio Urn & Planting System designed to grow a beautiful, enduring memory tree, plant, or flowers with cremated remains.

Another choice at Live Oak are these whimsical, colorful creations

by Alyson Whitney Co. Alyson creates unique, customized urns in many shapes to honor your pet. View more of her work at alysonwhitney.com.

Little Friends Pet Memorial www.littlefriendspetmemorial.com From engraved metal to cloisonné urns or a personalized paw print heart, Little Friends offers many unique options from a variety of artists/vendors.

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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Accidents Happen. We Clean Them Up. We use all eco-friendly and pet safe cleaning solutions.

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Lifestyle

FASHION Goes to the Rescue

PHOTOGRAPHER DEBBIE PORTER'S FABULOUS PHEBE By: Cynthia Hand Neely

W

hen Houston’s Debbie Porter set about to create a make-believe world for her children’s TV series pilot, she wanted one aspect to be authentic - - real rescue dogs to act as the fictional rescue dogs. She turned to Houston PetSet’s Tena Lundquist Faust for referrals.

The furry four-legged actors ultimately cast were recruits from the Houston Humane Society, K911 Rescue, and ADORE Houston. Another “actor”, a well-trained dog named Medusa whose owner Hayley Kenner says she was found as a wee puppy running along Buffalo Bayou, gave a command performance!

Though Debbie is well known for her 30-year career as a commercial and celebrity photographer, her less obvious talents are jaw-dropping and might just achieve even more notoriety. Who knew she was also a fashion designer, illustrator, and writer?

She’s parlayed this trifecta of highly creative skills into a charming book and soonto-be video series called “Fabulous Phebe, Tales of A Fashionista” which aims to empower children through a fictional, ultra-fashionable young lady.

Debbie’s character Phebe,

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who alone is animated in the filmed series of live actors, is a role model for kids and proves it’s fashionable to do good things. The pilot’s theme is Fashion to the Rescue, and features a rag tag group of children who decide, with their mentor Phebe’s blessing, to host a fashion show to bring attention to homeless dogs who need forever homes.

They save pooches from the dog catcher then trot them out as models on the runway - with wind machines fluffing their fur to a musical beat - alongside their young human counterparts. (Ages of the child actors range from

four to fourteen and some brought their own rescued pets to participate.)

A wardrobe of fantastical outfits designed by Debbie, accompanied by awe-inspiring unexpected accessories (a steampunk bird cage as a hair accessory, for example, and butterfly eyelashes) were as much fun for the child actors to wear as to look at – enchanting, funky, but most of all great fun. The wardrobe seemed to empower the cast and might just do the same to the intended viewers.

To close out the fashion show segment, Houston Humane Society’s threelegged mascot, Lizzie the

Bichon, proved the can-do spirit of the pilot with more than enough cuteness.

Some have likened the series to the beloved Little Rascals of the 1950’s. There’s something so timeless and refreshing to see children put their hearts and minds into a project without all the adult baggage and restrictions - when they don’t know any better than to believe in themselves. Just doing stuff because it’s the right thing to do. That’s what Phebe’s kids do!

Debbie launched the Phebe character in 2014 and has since started her own children’s fashion line and published two children’s books, “Fabulous Phebe Dreams Big” and “Fabulous Phebe Tino’s Tail,” which she uses to exemplify the importance of compassion and inclusion through community service. Her fashion designs feature fabrics with Debbie’s own illustrations and photographs. There is symbolism everywhere - - the cute caterpillar on one fabric is all about what’s inside potential. In the pilot episode, the theme is applied to helping abused and homeless animals. Everyone has the potential to help animals if they would just do it!

Phebe’s sidekick is a

grumpy cat named Tino (played by reallife rescued-kitty Bruno Bartholomew, owned by Angelo Dylen, one of the young actors). Even fluffy, gruffy Tino is a life lesson, proving patience is a virtue putting up with his cattitude.

Houston’s Rival Studios, an Emmy award-winning team lead by director James Glenn Tucker, is collaborating on the pilot with Debbie. After the pilot episode is edited it will be marketed to kid programming studios like Disney and Nickelodeon. Meanwhile, Debbie is working on a third book based on the video pilot, “Fashion to the Rescue” and of course will continue with her indemand photography.

It took an army of kids, dogs, a cat, and lots of grownups from the community to help bring Debbie’s dream to the screen. Debbie says the children were amazing little professionals who represent the diversity of Houston and that each deserves an ovation. As many as 25 children helped bring Fabulous Phebe to life.

Hopefully, her adventures will be coming soon to a screen near you. Until then, her adventures are shared on all social media venues.

As Phebe wisely tells her followers, “Never give up a dream that makes your heart sing!” And never underestimate your ability to come to the rescue of animals everywhere.

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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Playtime Let's

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Cats love to play and they love to eat so why not combine the two?

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Your cat or dog will love this Automatic Laser interactive toy with an automatic 360-degree rotating laser light. Laser speed is adjustable for your pet’s “pounce rate”. Find yours at www.eyenimal.com.

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Lifestyle

RECIPE DIY Treats YUMMY IN THE TUMMY

M

any dog owners are flocking to natural homemade food for their pups. Now you can spoil (and nourish) your pampered pooch with only the best ingredients. In the new book Doggy Desserts: 125 Homemade Treats for Happy, Healthy Dogs by Cheryl Gianfrancesco, dog owners can rest easy knowing they

are providing their pooch with a snack made with healthy ingredients. This beautiful book presents easy-to-do, fun recipes divided into six categories: cookies, bars, drop cookies, cakes, muffins, and frozen treats. From picky eaters to those with dietary needs, homemade treats are a great option. Available at amazon.com.

Banana Oatmeal Cookies

Liver and Garlic Strips

Peanut Butter Bites

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1 1/2 cups unbleached white flour 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1 cup all natural applesauce, no sugar added 1/4 cup vegetable oil 3 bananas, mashed 1/4 cup honey 1 3/4 cups quick-cooking oats, uncooked 1/4 cup unsalted walnuts, chopped

In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients.

With a teaspoon, drop spoonfuls of dough on a baking sheet, about 1 1/2 inches apart. Bake at 350 degrees or 10 to 15 minutes. When done, the cookies should be firm to the touch. Turn the oven off, and leave the cookies in for 1 to 2 hours to harden.

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❖ ❖ ❖ ❖

1/2 lb. liver 2 eggs 1/2 cup water 2 cups whole wheat flour 1 tsp. garlic powder

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In a blender, mix the liver, eggs, and water. Add the remaining ingredients, and mix well. Pour into a 9-by 12- by 2-inch baking pan, and spread the mixture evenly in the pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes. When done, the mixture should be dry on top and firm to the touch. Cool the mixture in the pan, and then cut it into 1- by 2-inch strips.

❖ ❖

3 Tbsp vegetable oil 1/4 cup all-natural smooth peanut butter, no salt or sugar added 1/4 cup honey 2 eggs 2 Tbsp water 2 cups whole wheat flour 1 1/2 tsp baking powder

In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients well until the dough is stiff; if it is too sticky, mix in a small amount of flour.

Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until firm. Roll out the dough to 1/2-inch thickness, and cut out shapes with a cookie cutter. Put the cookies on a baking sheet, 1/2 inch apart. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. When done, the cookies should be firm to the touch. Turn the oven off, and leave the cookies in for 1 to 2 hours to harden.

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Health

BEWARE of Common Houseplants DANGER FOR YOUR CAT

By Laura Noaker, DVM | VERGI Emergency and Critical Care Hospital | www.vergi247.com

E

veryone knows that cats are naturally curious creatures, but what most cat parents don’t realize is that there are over 700 varieties of plants that can be harmful to cats if ingested. Don’t panic, most are exotic plants that pose little danger to a domesticated cat in the U.S., however, we do have some common household plants that can be pretty dangerous too. In fact, it’s entirely possible that you could have poisonous plants around your home right now that can cause your kitty to become very ill or could be deadly. Here's a look at the top ten culprits.

1. Lilies (all varieties) A single bite of a leaf or the flower’s pollen could cause lethargy and vomiting within one hour of consumption. If left untreated, your cat could go into kidney failure. Fact is, the pollen alone can be lethal.

2. Any calcium oxalate plants, including philodendrons, Chinese evergreens, Virginia creepers, spinach, agaves, tea leaves, rhubarb and taro The poisonous part of these indoor and outdoor plants are the microscopic needlelike barbs on their stems and leaves. If bitten, they cause

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cause bloody vomiting and diarrhea, bleeding disorders, liver failure and death.

8. Azaleas/ rhododendrons Even just a few leaves can result in oral irritation, vomiting and diarrhea. In severe cases, ingestion can cause a drop in blood pressure, coma and death.

9. Kalanchoe (AKA mother-in-law plant)

mouth and gum inflammation and can result in excessive drooling and vomiting.

3. Dracaena plants If cats eat the long fronds typical of these plants, they’ll become depressed, lose their appetites and possibly vomit blood. There are around 40 varieties of this leafy houseplant.

4. Autumn Crocus Digesting any part of this flowery plant can cause an intense burning sensation in the mouth, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, liver damage, kidney damage and even heart arrhythmias.

This common indoor plant has a bunch of small, very dense flowers that makes it extremely tempting to cats. However, if a cat eats any part of the plant, it can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

5. Daffodils Ingesting any portion of this plant can cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, arrhythmias, convulsions and a major drop in blood pressure.

6. Tulips While beautiful in a garden or vase, these plants are toxic to cats. While not fatal, taking a bite can cause oral irritation, excessive drooling and nausea.

7. Sago palm This tree-like plant is extremely poisonous to cats. While the seeds and pods are the most poisonous, any bite can

10. Ivy (all forms) Symptoms of ingestion include vomiting, abdominal pain, hypersalivation and diarrhea. Not fatal but certainly distressing.

It’s good to know what plants can harm your kitty so you can eliminate them from your home and garden.

However, if you believe your cat has ingested any kind of poisonous plant, contact your veterinarian immediately... it could be the difference between life and death.

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Health

EMERGENCY Medicine

SUMMER MALADIES & WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM By: Dr. Diane McGee and Kate Lawrence | Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists | www.gcvs.com

A

s veterinarians, we see many of the same types of emergencies throughout the year, but there is also a sharp uptick in some kinds of emergencies depending on the season. There are many “summer” emergencies, including serious issues like heat stroke, laryngeal paralysis, and drowning.

HEAT STROKE: Unlike people who can shed excess heat through sweating on the entire surface of the skin, dogs are limited to only panting and the small amount of “sweating” they do through their foot pads. High ambient humidity makes exchange of heat from the body more difficult. This puts them at grave risk for overheating which can happen very quickly. Heat stroke in dogs is very serious, and is often fatal. Prevention is the key with heat stroke, so make sure you take precautions with your pet. Go for your daily walk in the early morning or late evening when the heat has waned. Keep your dog well-hydrated and bring them inside for “breaks” to lie on the tile or just hang out in the air conditioning when outside playing. Wet your dog’s feet or fur to help pull some of the excess heat away from their body. If you have an outside dog, make sure your pet has plenty of shade and, of course, plenty

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of water. And, as always, we can’t stress enough – NEVER LEAVE YOUR PET IN A CAR. Even for a few minutes. Even with the windows down. If your pet does overheat, seek veterinary care immediately.

The sooner they are treated, the better their

that often affects older dogs (although it is possible in pets of any age). It is a progressive disease, and will often become more severe and obvious during the summer heat. It is typically characterized by heavy, rasping, hoarsesounding breathing or coughing. It has been de-

chances of survival.

There are certain conditions that can predispose a dog to overheating. Dogs who are older, have long or dark hair coats, have “flat faces” (brachycephalic) or have certain medical issues are particularly sensitive to heat. One of these medical issues is laryngeal paralysis, or “Lar Par”.

LARYNGEAL PARALYSIS: Laryngeal Paralysis is a common but serious condition

scribed as “Darth Vader” breathing. It can sometimes cause difficulty eating or drinking which presents as coughing or gagging. In animals affected by Lar Par, the trachea (airway) opening does not close properly, allowing water and food to pass into the airway instead of the esophagus. Without proper movement of the trachea opening, proper airflow can be blocked which makes air intake difficult. This can result

in activity intolerance, difficulty breathing, asphyxiation and heat stroke – especially in the summer heat, as panting is the number one way in which dogs try to cool themselves.

If you are concerned that your pet may be suffering from Lar Par, speak to your family veterinarian. A consultation with a board-certified surgeon may be warranted to diagnose and treat this common problem.

DROWNING: The pool is a great way to cool off as the temperature starts to climb, but unfortunately there are many inherent dangers with pools. Just like some people, some dogs can’t swim well.

Easy access to the backyard, such as doggy doors, should be closed – especially when you aren’t at home. This is especially important in puppies, older dogs, and dogs with conditions that make normal navigation difficult or who are liable to trip and fall. Like our human kids, our furry family members should be taught how to get out of the pool.

Try repeatedly putting your dog in the pool and encouraging him to swim to the steps to get out. This can be a fun game for everyone, especially if there are treats involved!

This behavior should be reinforced with practice and praise every year. Still, the best way to keep your pet from drowning is to restrict their access to the pool area.

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Health

GOODBYE To Your Sweet Friend WHEN A PET PASSES AT HOME

By: Dr. Jennifer Hennessey-Bremseth, CVJ | Animal ER of Northwest Houston | www.animalernwh.com

T

rue love…a profoundly passionate affection for another.

Our furry loved ones occupy an especially delicate part of our hearts through devoted companionship as they help us through the various chapters of our lives. As all good stories must come to a close, we tread along each day consciously postponing acceptance that there must be a final chapter. We remain hopeful that our love story ending will be graceful; together at the end, supportive and comforting your Angel as she passes in her sleep.

In the familiarity of home or in the comforting hands of assistance by your veterinary staff, the ending is expected to be planned, ideally peaceful and uneventful - an easy close to a great companion’s life. But, what if the “ever after” comes to a close too soon? Tragic endings, or just an abrupt one, can rattle the most confident hearts and bring on an unexpected sorrow. If the story ended too soon and your beloved has passed suddenly, you are now faced with what to do, feeling overwhelmed, scared, or even like a part of you is now missing. How do you create the next pages of your pet’s ”tail”… the final chapter’s wrap up with end of life decisions?

Support When the set isn’t a

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pre-planned scene in the veterinary clinic and your pet passes at home, one of the first emotional journeys in this story is now to prepare your pet for a final resting place. Avoid taking this heart wrenching task on alone and have a friend or neighbor help. Place Your Charming in a blanket or comforter for transport and, to limit any mess of post-life secretions like urine, use a plastic bag to keep mess to a minimum; envision it as a protective cover that delicately encases your cherished and beloved “content”. All in all, do not write these pages solo and use a co-author to help

minimize your pain during this unexpected experience.

Body Care Once your beloved is wrapped and secured, your next page to illustrate is settling your companion in a final resting place. You can call local clinics and share the news that your furry friend passed at home, and they will assist in helping you with a vocabulary of options from cremation to burial. Home burial will depend on location choices and the county restrictions.

Many families today choose cremation after reviewing the index of options, for memorialization and preservation of

their pet. Local pet memorial services, who can also be contacted independently or through your veterinarian, can assist in crematory care and even memorial plot options.

Cremation consists of containing your companions remains as ash, in a crafted cedar box or custom urn. After cremation, you can also more easily transport your noble friend’s remains to a destination that depicts and defines their greatest adventure such as a favorite place to spread the remains.

After-life care should be addressed within 24 hours and it is important to ensure your pet’s remains rest in a cool,

dry location, out of the sun. If a necropsy is desired or needed, then seeking veterinary evaluation right away is key for delicate detailing; this process may provide some answers to reduce the anguish.

Mementos and Memories As the post-passing epilogue concludes, preserve memories and collect mementos to cherish when ready to reflect on your relationship. Save, or ask your veterinary team, for clips of hair, a clay paw print, or inked paw impression.

These items can be safely saved and tucked away into a drawer for safe keeping. It may be months before you want to handle or accept them as they are reminders of a love lost, but these tokens can be priceless and precious, a unique vignette in your pet’s story book.

Upload pics of your Prince to photography apps or a site like Shutterfly, and craft your love story in pictures. Expect that it can take months before you’re ready for this, as grief has no sense of time.

Grief and Coping As the loss of your devoted companion brings unexpected emotions and challenges, know too that you can reach out for support in the loss of your loved one. As you struggle with answers to what happened and tend to focus on the

Pet Cremation Resources Pet cremation is a respectful way to honor your friend. You can choose your crematory by contacting them directly or through your veterinarian.

It’s always best to do your research in advance so that you are not making decisions during a difficult emotional time. RESOURCES: 1. Little Friends, www.littlefriendspetmemorial.com 2.

Live Oak Pet Services, www.liveoakpetservices.com or visit www. pettalkgofetch.com, click on listings and choose Pet Cremation Services for additional options. “why”, surrender this and focus on the grand legend of your friend rather than the foe of their loss. Many resources for coping and for grieving assistance can be found at your veterinarian’s office or online; the ASPCA offers families a pet loss hotline at (877) GRIEF-10.

The sudden loss of your baby leads to a whole new, unwanted chapter that you must write yourself. A surprising ending to your furry friend’s story though can’t be complete without your hand to draft it. Forever in our hearts and long lived through memories, your love story can have an honorable afterward that all those years of wags warranted.

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Tail End

DOGGY Bonding

TRAINING CREATES CONFIDENCE AND BUILDS RELATIONSHIPS By: Laura Koch | Meadowlake Pet Resort | www.meadowlakepetresort.com

H

ow many of you believe that once your dog learns the basics, like sit, stay and come when called, their training has ended? Well, you’re not alone! Many pet parents will enroll their pet in some

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sort of training within the first year of getting their pup, but then never again over the course of their life. But what dog trainers will tell you is that training should last a lifetime and that the benefits of doing so will positively affect both

you and your pet in tremendous ways.

There are many different behaviors we can teach our dogs, both simple and complex. These behaviors stimulate your pet’s mind and give them a purpose. Behaviors can range from proper heel walking, to downs or sits in motion, to stays with distractions, to a fun game of fetch and even to something as challenging as scent discrimination.

The most important thing to remember, no matter what behavior you choose to engage in, is consistency.

Consistency in training will strengthen the reliability of the behaviors and build confidence in your dog. Their confidence is easily displayed through their focus, loose and comfortable body language, and wagging tail.

When the dog becomes confident, the pet and the owner’s life will become much more enriched as it opens up opportunities that may not

have been possible before.

The convenience and fun of being able to take your well trained pet with you to restaurants, parks, beaches, on neighborhood walks and much more will further strengthen your relationship.

You will be able to enjoy company at your house without worrying about the pet’s behavior. And perhaps most important, is that your pet will be safe. Having a strong bond with your dog and consistency in commands can save your pet’s life, as they are much less likely to run away from home, get hit by cars or end up in a shelter because of their behavior.

The owner’s ability to provide consistent and engaging training throughout their pet’s life will create a highly confident, happy, well trained, dog that can enrich your life… and you theirs.

To watch a video of Meadowlake’s Daycare Program, scan this QR code or view the video via Meadowlake’s Facebook page.

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Tail End

LEASH Reactivity

ARE YOU A MEMBER OF LEASH LUNGERS ANONYMOUS?

Y

ou are probably a member of LLA if while walking, your dog sees another dog and proceeds to do any of the following: lunge, jump, whine, growl, bark, thrash about, and/or seemingly turn into Cujo. Leash reactivity is a dog behavior issue that has become extremely common.

It is an interesting fact that approximately 95% of dogs that react while on leash, are not in fact, dog aggressive. Most of these dogs can

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successfully socialize when they are OFF leash. The boundary and restraint of the leash seems to exacerbate the reasons that usually cause this type of reactivity: ❖ Fear-Go Away, Go Away!

Please give me space! ❖ Frustration-Hey, come back here! I’m DYING to play with you! ❖ Past Experience-Other dogs= Bad ❖ Punishment-Other dogs= Pain ❖ Genetics-All dogs have

some reactivity due to their natural survival instincts and territoriality.

For owners, it is embarrassing, scary, and stressful to see their dogs behave in such a crazy, aggressive looking way. For many people the walk eventually becomes so dreadful, they stop walking their dogs all together, which is never good. When dealing with leash reactivity, it is important to remember that this is behavior modification and there is no quick fix or

magic pill. Success depends on how much work the owner is willing to put into it.

Unfortunately, people tend to be impatient and if there is not a significant improvement within about 2 weeks, owners tend to give up and go back to being a member of The Midnight Dog Walkers Club. It doesn’t have to be that way!

Here’s the deal: Leash reactivity is almost always progressive and the more we practice anything, the better we get at it. There is a good chance your dog has practiced reacting to other dogs so much that he has become an expert! Not only that, but now it’s his habit.

We all know It can take months to make or break a habit. Your goal is to prevent your dog from practicing the undesired behavior and introduce a desired behavior! Redirect, redirect, redirect. Stop concentrating on what you don't want and start teaching your dog alternative behaviors and games so you can communicate what you DO want.

Teach Your Dog: ❖

❖

❖

SIT and keep his attention on you while another dog walks by. As long as he keeps his eyes on you, the treats keep coming. It’s an OPEN BAR! Name Recognition-Turn his head and look at you.

Touch (Hand Targeting) Touch your hand with his nose

Photos By: Kem Coan Photography

By: Stephanie Bennett, CPDT-KSA

as possible.

Stay positive and practice calm persistence. ❖ Give your dog constant feedback and encouragement. If you don’t feel like a happy, jolly, fool, you’re not doing it right!

Finally, it is important for owners to be aware of their own behavior when their dog is reacting on leash. Are you tensing up on the leash, yelling, yanking, punishing?

Has this become your habit?

If I could interview your dog, would he tell me that you were a great owner except for the fact that you freak out every time you see another dog on leash?

If we want our dogs to be calm, we must learn to be calm and know that with leash reactivity, aversive techniques will only make things worse, never better. With a plan that includes patience, consistency, counter-conditioning, and desensitization, leash reactivity can and will get better. You will, in fact, reach a point where you don’t have to dread the walk anymore.

Don’t give up and remember to BREATHE! ❖

❖

❖

About Turn Party-When you see another dog, immediately turn the other way, run and have a party!

Find It!-Toss a handful of treats on the ground, away from the other dog.

❖

leads) Hands free belt leashes are highly recommended.

The most delicious, stinkiest treats in the whole wide world that your dog never gets except during the walk.

❖

❖

What You Need: ❖

❖

❖

A hungry dog that has gotten out some energy with a game of tug, fetch, or Flirt Pole.

A head collar (Gentle Leader or Halti) or front connecting harness.

4 to 6 ft leash (No Flexi

During the Walk: ❖

❖

Never, ever allow on-leash greetings!

Creating distance will always help. Figure out your dog’s critical distance. How far away form the other dog must he be in order to

❖

keep under threshold?

Create or find barriers to put between your dog and the other dog, such as your body, bushes, cars, etc.

Don’t wait for your dog to start reacting before redirecting him. Know the triggers, anticipate that your dog will react, and constantly be aware of your surroundings.

If you get caught off guard and your dog goes over threshold, don’t try to redirect, just get out of there and create distance as fast

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Tail End

TEAR Staining CAUSES & TREATMENTS

tears (it will most likely smell if it’s an infection and should be treated by your vet).

Treatments

1.

T

ear staining is a common problem among some pets and in addition to the minor annoyance factor, there are other factors to consider regarding the cause and treatment. Tear staining is usually caused by epiphora, which is the technical word for excessive tear production. The tear stains themselves are reddish-brown streaks under a dog's (or cat's) eyes. The condition is much more prevalent in certain breeds like Maltese, Lhasa Apso, and Shih Tzu, and is much more obvious in animals with light-colored coats.

Some of the causes of tear staining include ingrown eyelashes, infection of the eye, small tear duct opening, ear infection, medications, exposure to environmental toxins like smoke, plastic food bowls, poor diet, inverted eyelid and an eye disease like glaucoma.

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The first course of action is to discuss the issue with your veterinarian. You MUST determine the cause before proceeding. In addition to determining the underlying cause, another reason to talk with your vet is if you are considering using and over the counter pet tear stain removal product. In 2014, the FDA issued warning letters to several manufacturers (including Angel Eyes, Angels’ Glow, Glow Health and a few others.). The warning was issued because the products contained an antibiotic tylosin tartrate, which is not approved for use in dogs or cats. At the time of this article, several of these products are still on the market nearly 3 years later.

We were unable to determine if the product ingredients have changed or if the FDA has just not followed up by pulling the products. Thus,

checking with your vet before using any product is wise!

Causes Tear stains are typically the result of porphyrins, naturally occurring molecules containing iron that are waste products from the breakdown of red blood cells. They are mostly removed from the body through waste.

However, porphyrin can also be excreted through tears, saliva, and urine.

When tears and saliva containing porphyrins sit on fur for any period of time, staining will occur. And, they can darken when exposed to sunlight.

Important to note is that if the stains are more of a brown color than reddish color, your pet may have developed a yeast infection because the fur under the eyes is constantly wet with

Keeping the face dry is paramount. If you meticulously wipe your pet’s eyes twice a day with a clean, damp cloth you should see improvement.

You can also use products to clean this area but be sure they are safe to use around the eye area, such as eye wash for pets or tearless baby shampoo. Some suggested uses that should NOT be used are hydrogen peroxide, apple cider vinegar, human body powder, saline solution and make-up remover.

Feed from a stainless steel bowl. Plastic can harbor bacteria.

Feed a high-quality diet to lessen toxins.

Provide fresh, filtered drinking water instead of tap water, which is often high in mineral content or iron and other impurities.

Keep the hair around the eye area trimmed.

There are natural herbal remedies that could be used but check with your veterinarian or herbalist first.

Bottom line, work with your veterinarian to determine the cause and treatment…don’t guess! And, keep the area clean and dry for best results.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

PET PORTRAITS in watercolor by

Kristel Peale

www.petandpalette.com peale@sbcglobal.net 713 467-0312

Make a Difference

By Honoring A Wonderful Life!

HONOR A LOST PET by making a tax deductible donation to the Harris County Veterinary Medical Foundation in their name.

Your gift helps provide valuable information on pet medical and humane issuesto other pet parents.

To Donate Please Visit

www.HCVMF.org

CONSERVATION Corner As appreciative supporters of nature and wildlife, we at Houston PetTalk want to promote education and conservation of the world’s animal population. Each month we bring you information on conservation efforts that are of special interest or have some connection to Houston through the Houston Zoo or other local organizers such as the TWRC Wildlife Center. This issue, we are highlighting the zoo's efforts to serve sustainable seafood and encourage you to do the same. Look for other upcoming conservation stories so that you too can help save a species.

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By: Lauren St. Pierre

Photos provided by the Houston Zoo

HOUSTON ZOO SEA LIONS EAT SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD, AND YOU CAN TOO!

A

s you enter the Houston Zoo, you may hear an array of barking and water splashing coming from the nearby pool. These would be the sounds of the California sea lions who call the Houston Zoo home.

Sea lions are members of the pinniped family, which

means “fin footed” in Latin and includes walruses and seals. Have you ever wondered if the pinnipeds here at the Houston Zoo are sea lions or seals? Did you know there is a difference between the two? In fact, there are three distinct features that differentiate sea lions from seals: their ears, the way they

swim, and how they walk.

If you look at the sea lions’ ears, you will notice they have external pinnae (or ear flaps), and seals only have small holes on the sides of their heads as ears. As for their swimming, sea lions use their hind flippers to steer and their large front flippers to propel through the water.

Seals, on the other hand, have small front flippers and swim with their larger back flippers. Both animals can walk on land, but sea lions walk on all fours like a dog, while seals flop on the ground and move like a caterpillar.

California sea lions are found along the west coast of the United States, as far north as Washington state down to Baja, Mexico. They are highly adaptable and can survive both on land and in the water. Sea lions are great swimmers. They can dive to depths of up to 1,800 feet, swim up to 25 miles per hour, and hold their breath for as long as 20 minutes!

Did you know you can help save marine animals such as sea lions, sharks, and rays by choosing ocean-friendly seafood? Ocean-friendly, or sustainable, seafood is seafood that is either responsibly wild-caught or farm-raised. It not only keeps current populations of marine wildlife at balanced numbers, but also ensures they thrive over the long term.

All the animals at the zoo eat only ocean-friendly seafood when seafood is on the menu. In fact, the sea lions alone eat 23,850 pounds of sustainable fish in one year!

The zoo partners with the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch® program to educate and promote sustainable seafood actions.

You can help marine wildlife by choosing sustainable seafood when shopping at the grocery store or enjoying a meal at your favorite restaurant. Download the free Seafood Watch mobile

app for a quick guide of which seafood options are Best Choices and Good Alternatives. _This summer, the sea lion family has grown by one! On Monday, June 26, the Houston Zoo welcomed the newest member of the

sea lion family. The pup was born to first-time mother Cali after a short labor. The pup and Cali began to bond immediately, and nursing was spotted within hours.

The baby will stay behind the scenes for several months

with mama while it gets bigger and partakes in “swim lessons!” Unlike most marine mammals, sea lions don’t swim when they’re born, so must be taught gradually by their mothers.

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