September 2018

JOIN US AT PETTALKGOFETCH.COM FOR EVENTS, CONTESTS,

& PET DIRECTORY

The Definitive Source for Houston Pet Lovers

September 2018

The Grooming Issue TECHNIQUES TRENDS & TIPS

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

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September 2018

Editorial

H

air, hair, everywhere! Possibly the bane of existence for pet lovers, dealing with pet hair and all of the other grooming related issues can be frustrating, annoying and even the cause of a person giving up their pet.

Most people envision the fun they will have with their dog or cat when they decide to add a pet to the family–playing fetch at the beach or the cozy times with the cat curled up in their lap while reading a book–and they typically don't think about the work and inconveniences also associated with pet ownership.

From cleaning cages and litter boxes to brushing, de-matting, bathing, expressing anal sacs, teeth brushing and ear cleaning, it can be well....tiring and sometimes even gross.

The big gross-out in our house is who has to clean the "eye-goo" from our dog's eyes. We have Maltese mixes and their eyes tear and are runny, resulting in deposits of unknown junk under their eyes. Yes, gross. But it has to be done and you can probably guess who gets this unwanted job!

Not only do pet owners get frustrated

Issue 08: Volume 18 www.houstonpettalk.com

with the hair and other issues at home, but navigating the world of professional grooming can also be tricky. How do I get the groomer to cut my dog's hair the way I want? Who is a gentle, experienced groomer for my cat? What services should I expect from a groomer other than bathing, brushing and cutting?

All of these questions and many more pervade the minds of pet owners and we are here to help answer them. Given the questions I am asked about grooming, I figured it must be a topic of interest so check out our feature where we hopefully offer you valuable information.

I also want to give a shout-out to Tony at Pooch In The City for grooming our cover girl, Jeda, and to John Andrews of John Andrews Pet Salon for styling the two Shih Tzus, SeaSea & Ellie.

Also in this issue, check out the fantastic art being created by my talented friend, Robyn Arouty, on page 50. You many know her as a top-notch photographer but Robyn has a new-found love, painting people's pets...and she is very good at it!

For those of you that like snapping pics and selfies with your pet,

Sitting Pretty Isn't our cover model beautiful? I'm just a bit prejudiced because she is my dog! Jeda, my Briard, was the perfect super-dog model showing off her coiffed hair, compliments of Tony at Pooch In The City. Jeda is the perfect dog for the grooming issue because as her owner, I know how much work is involved in keeping her looking pretty - but she's worth it! Enjoy the grooming feature story on page 26.

Photo by Evin Thayer.

remember to check out PetTalk's Instagram and Facebook page for opportunities to share your furbabies photo. In this issue, we are showing off pics of National Mutt Day posts as well as shout-outs to groomers who deserve kudos for the hard work they do.

And, don't miss the pre-promo of our Annual Henrietta's Frightfully Fun Photo Contest sponsored by Sunset Blvd.

Animal Hospital–we want you to have plenty of time to get your little goblins costume ready!

Mark your calendars for Sept. 13 to join us at Karbach Brewery for some Barks and Brews, benefiting HHS, as a final goodbye to the Dog Days of Summer. We'll have shopping, appearances by Houston's Rugby team, the SaberCats, a commemorative Henrietta pint glass and more. Purchase your ticket online for a discounted price at houstonpettal.com/shop. See the calendar for details and we hope you'll join us!

HOUSTON PETTALK MAGAZINE 14781 Memorial Drive, Ste. 510, Houston, Texas 77079 281-556-6560 www.HoustonPetTalk.com Design and layout by: ANDREW BURWELL www.andrewburwell.com © Copyright 2018. 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 depositphotos unless otherwise stated.

Tell our advertisers you heard about them in Houston PetTalk!

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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WHERE

in the

WORLD

Milano, Italy Alvin Ramirez says Ciao from the beautiful streets of Italy while enjoying PetTalk.

is PetTalk?

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

Costa Rica Allyson sends her PetTalk love from Liberia, CR!

Rorvig, Denmark Charlie Tomasello enjoying PetTalk at a family reunion in Rorvig, Denmark.

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Berlin, Germany One of our fave world travelers, Constanze Arnold with PetTalk in Berlin.

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Henrietta

I

used to think that anything routine was boring. Too predictable, no surprises. But something happens to us as we get older. Routine becomes a welcome comfort in a world that can be unsettling at best.

So as I approach my middle age… (you know, the one where your middle spreads a bit), I can’t believe that I’ve become a creature of habit. I plan my week around Frasier reruns, Tuesday night all-you-can-eat at Bone Appetit and my morning cup of tail-kicking java at the local Starbarks.

My Starbarks routine has actually become interesting in that I’ve befriended two “older” gentleman (I would say they each are approximately 492 years old in dog years) who dole out sage advice and memories of “the way things used to be” to my young, whippersnapper ears (their word, not mine).

After a jawboning session the other day (again, their word, not mine), I’ve come to the conclusion that the world has gone to hell in a handbasket since their younger days. This vintage duo can actually remember a time when you could go to the restroom and determine for yourself when to flush, how long to wash your hands without the faucet deciding

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for you and drying your hands with actual paper towels instead of a 2 second wind storm. (I think they might also remember a horse and buggy but I thought it best not to ask).

These gaffers also recall the days when you could only communicate by telephone or snail mail. No faxes, no call-waiting, no call forwarding, no-caller ID, no voice mail, and the real gasp, no cell phones. Which means no spam calls, no incessant text messaging, no Siri to figure everything

thing out, no GPS to figure out where you’re going. I don’t see how these two dinosaurs made it this far in life without 50 ways to constantly be contacted, tracked, and analyzed. Their biggest interruption was the milkman delivering milk in beautiful glass bottles right to their door. I think they’re actually from another planet…(come to think of it, I don’t think they even had tails).

Now, I realize in some respects life was better “back then” but imagine things from another perspective. Here’s something unthinkable. They had to wash the dishes by hand (from the creek water I’m

sure). No dishwashers. Can you imagine?

No quick wash, economy wash, deep wash, silent wash, pots and pans wash or hot dry options either. And to top it all, they didn’t have a Vietnamese nail shop on every corner to address those dishpaw hands after all that washing!

Trying to make them feel more pawsitive about the new millennium, I was compelled to point out a few societal advancements that make living in today’s world a very cool thing. I said, “Gentlemen, how could life be any better when you can automatically skip the commercials while watching The Big Bang Theory on your TiVo, never have to do math in your head again, have a conversation with your car and have it talk back, know through reality TV that the rest of the world is just as dysfunctional (if not more) than your own family, use social media to find out what your high school boyfriend looks like now and watch TV, movies, play video games, update music and chat with friends all without ever having to get up from the couch.”

They just rolled their eyes and went back to their crossword puzzles…with a pencil and paper no less!

Illustration by Jim Tweedy, colorized by Desiree Lonsway

Henrietta On: A Senior’s Look Back In Time

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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

Events 09.02.18

Astros Dog Day Minute Maid Park 5:30pm, 7:05 Game Start Bring your Astros Rally Pup to enjoy the game at the Astros annual Dog Day, presented by Tito's Handmade Vodka.

Your pup will love watching the Astros for a Sunday Night Baseball matchup at 7:05pm and can participate in many of the unique Dog Day activities such as a costume contest, pregame parade around the field, and more! Purchase a ticket at mlb.com/astros/tickets/specials/ dog-day. Fans must have have a specific Dog Day ticket.

09.07.18

Fierce & Fabulous Soiree The Post Oak Hotel See Page 19.

09.13.18

PetTalk's Dog Days of Summer Fundraiser for HHS Karbach Brewery 2032 Karbach Street, 77092 6pm to 8:30pm It's Dog Days Of Summer so come celebrate with your dog (on leash) while having a refreshing Brew at Karbach Brewery! The celebration will benefit Houston Humane Society and will feature vendors selling t-shirts, artwork, Houston Astro's gear, candles and more! Enjoy delicious chow from food trucks, photo ops, raffles and meet some of Houston's new Rugby team, the SaberCats, who will be signing autographs. Ticket purchase Includes: 3 Drink Tokens and a Commemorative Henrietta PetTalk & Karbach Brewery Pint Glass

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Purchase tickets online $25, www.houstonpettalk.com/Shop. Tickets at the door: $30. Find out more details on PetTalk's Facebook Events page.

09.13.18

CAP Gala Kick-Off Party 6pm to 8pm Tootsies 2601 Westheimer Join CAP for their annual gala kick-off at Tootsies where you’ll meet the gala Honorees, canine guests including detection canines from the Houston Fire Dept., and enjoy lite bites and drinks. Suggested donation $20 at the door. Please RSVP to rsvp@franciscoandco.com.

09.20.18

Rescued Pets Movement 2018 Fur Ball House of Blues See Page 18.

09.22.18

Spot Fur Fun Festival Midtown's Spot Fur Friends Dog Daycare, 4902 San Jacinto St. 5pm to 9pm Enjoy this Midtown fundraiser for Jacinto City Shelter at Spot Fur Friends Daycare that will include food trucks, vendors, music, raffles, other fundraising activities and more. Find all the details at pettalkgofetch.com.

Grand Opening 9.22.18

Unstoppable K9's- Midtown Houston 2409 Austin St Houston, TX 77004 11AM-5PM See pettalkgofetch.com for details.

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The Dish

JOIN THE FUN

RPM Fur Ball

S

ince 2013, Rescued Pets Movement has been giving homeless pets across Houston a second chance at life. Their model is simple and effective: rescue dogs and cats from local shelters, rehabilitate them in foster homes, and transport them to partner animal-welfare organizations in areas

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across the United States that have a need for adoptable pets.

This September, RPM will be holding its annual “Fur Ball” Gala to celebrate the more than 28,000 animal lives that have been saved since late 2013. Dubbed “The Journey That Matters,” this year’s Fur Ball will take place at the Houston House of

Blues on September 20th and will honor Mr. Leslie Alexander, the past owner of the Houston Rockets. An ardent animalwelfare advocate, Mr. Alexander has championed the animals saved by RPM, as well as animals across the country, through his charitable giving and compassionate heart. Photos by Mark Staudt.

PARTY FOR THE ANIMALS

H

Caring for Hearts... at Both Ends of the Leash!

AWARD

Emergency & Critical Care Services

PetSet Gala

Photos © Fulton Davenport

ouston PetSet's annual Fierce & Fabulous Gala is set for September 7 at the Post Oak Hotel, 1600 West Loop South.

Don't miss this opportunity to help PetSet raise much needed dollars for a variety of Houston animal charities. Enjoy creative libations, food, auction and dancing.

Purchase tickets online at houstonpetset.org/soiree. The fun begins at 7pm, cocktail attire - be ready to party for the animals!

Funding For Pet Support Program Congratulations are in order for aniMeals on Wheels, who recently received a $2,500 grant from Meals on Wheels America to support its client pet support program. Funding will be used to provide veterinary care services that include flea, tick and rabies prevention. Such veterinary care is especially important, as it allows seniors to retain ownership of their beloved pets and prevents the pets from inadvertently affecting the health of Meals on Wheels seniors.

In total, Meals on Wheels America has granted more than $200,000 to nearly 100 local Meals on Wheels programs through the Meals on Wheels Loves Pets initiative this year. Funding is made

Family Owned and Operated Nights • Weekends • Holidays

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AniMeals feeds approximately 1,200 dogs and cats of Houston’s Meals on Wheels seniors, requiring 10,000 pounds of pet food each month. Learn more about aniMeals at imgh.org.

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IT’S DOG DAYS OF SUMMER! September 13, 2018 • 6pm to 8:30 pm

Come celebrate the end of summer with your dog while have a refreshing Brew at Karbach Brewery!

Benefitting Houston Humane Society

September 13, 2018 • 6pm to 8:30 pm 2032 Karbach Street, Houston, TX 77092

ngng, i r u t a e F dor Shoppi Ops

Ven cks, Photo y b u Food TAr ppearances and the n Houstoats C Saber

Ticket Purchase Includes: 3 Drink Tokens and a Commemorative PetTalk & Karbach Brewery Pint Glass

Purchase tickets online $25, www.houstonpettalk.com/Shop Tickets at the door: $30 * DOGS MUST BE ON A LEASH

DON’T LET OSTEOARTHRITIS PAIN

KEEP YOUR DOG DOWN HAVE YOU NOTICED ANY OF THE FOLLOWING IN YOUR DOG? Easily gets tired or lags behind on walks

Has trouble getting up from a resting position

Is reluctant to run, play or climb stairs

Has gained weight in the past year

Limps or appears stiff after exercise

Inflammation in the joints causes pain and cartilage damage which can lead to stiffness and decreased mobility.

Ask your veterinarian to evaluate your dog’s joints today.

Shop at our online store!

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Cypress VCA TELGE ROAD ANIMAL HOSPITAL 11430 Telge Road Cypress, TX 77429 281-955-9797 VCAtelgeroad.com store.VCAtelgeroad.com Houston VCA ASHFORD ANIMAL HOSPITAL 12633 Whittington Houston, TX 77077 281-497-3917 VCAashford.com store.VCAashford.com Houston VCA COUNTRYSIDE ANIMAL HOSPITAL 2211 FM 1960 East Houston, TX 77073 281-443-7297 VCAcountryside.com store.VCAcountryside.com

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Houston VCA SPRING BRANCH ANIMAL HOSPITAL 10109 Long Point Road Houston, TX 77043 713-461-1121 VCAspringbranch.com store.VCAspringbranch.com

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Katy VCA KELLIWOOD ANIMAL HOSPITAL 960 S. Fry Road Katy, TX 77450 281-492-2780 VCAkelliwood.com store.VCAkelliwood.com Kingwood VCA KINGWOOD ANIMAL HOSPITAL 2526 Green Oak Drive Kingwood, TX 77339 281-358-3146 VCAkingwood.com store.VCAkingwood.com

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Lake Jackson VCA LAKE JACKSON ANIMAL HOSPITAL 210 That Way Lake Jackson, TX 77566 979-297-3044 VCAlakejackson.com store.VCAlakejackson.com Pasadena VCA ANIMAL MEDICAL CENTER OF PASADENA 5018A Fairmont Parkway Pasadena, TX 77505 281-487-8233 VCApasadena.com store.VCApasadena.com

Shop

Spring VCA SPRING ANIMAL HOSPITAL 1811 Spring Cypress Spring, TX 77388 281-353-5167 VCAspring.com store.VCAspring.com

©2016 VCA Inc. VCA logo is registered trademarks of VCA Inc. or its affiliated entities.

Management Services Provided by VCA Animal Hospitals • Animal Healthcare of Texas, P.C. Rocky McKelvey, DVM - owner

Shop

Spring/The Woodlands VCA WOODLANDS ANIMAL HOSPITAL 428 Rayford Road Spring, TX 77386 281-367-7553 VCAwoodlands.com store.VCAwoodlands.com

Texas City VCA MAINLAND ANIMAL HOSPITAL 3015 Palmer Highway Texas City, TX 77590 409-948-8401 VCAmainland.com Shop store.VCAmainland.com

Tomball Sugar Land VCA TOMBALL VCA SOUTHWEST FREEWAY VETERINARY HOSPITAL ANIMAL HOSPITAL 28800 Tomball Pkwy 15575 SW Freeway Tomball, TX 77375 Sugar Land, TX 77478 281-351-5441 281-491-8387 VCAtomball.com VCAswfreeway.com Shop store.VCAswfreeway.com Shop store.VCAtomball.com

AT VCA ANIMAL HOSPITALS, WE CARE

The Dish

COMMUNITY GIVING

VCA Animal Hospitals Raise Over $23K for K9s4COPs

S

outh Texas and Louisiana VCA locations raised $23,912.80 during VCA Charities annual “Pennies for Pets” Campaign Challenge. The fundraising was a collaborative effort between VCA Charities, local VCA Hospital Teams, and VCA's amazing clients and community donors. 21 individual VCA Animal Hospital teams ran the campaign by asking their pet-loving clients to round up

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to the nearest dollar. The region worked together to donate this large sum of money to K9s4COPs on August 8, 2018, in League City, Texas.

K9s4COPs was founded in 2010 by Kristi Schiller to fund donations of highly trained K9s to law enforcement agencies and schools around the world. The specialized K9 officers are essential tools to any police force and often the first to

fall to department budget cuts. To date, K9s4COPs has granted over 200 K9s to law enforcement agencies and schools in the United States, as well as internationally to Paris, France. K9s4COPs has aided in the removal of over $250 million worth of contraband off the street, confiscated more than 4,500 firearms, participated in 7,500 arrests, and helped keep the peace in over 4,000 public demonstrations.

EQUINE EVENT

2018 International Equine Summit October 5-8

H

orses and humans communicate on a cellular level whether we realize it or not. Tapping into our inner energy and recognizing our energy field and the energy field of others can be tremendously helpful in becoming more present with others and building trust and rapport.

Horses are an exceptional partner in helping us become better attuned to energy fields. Through lecture and experiential exercises, you will learn about and explore the energy fields between humans as well as between yourself and a horse.

The goal is for you to both become better able to visually recognize non-verbal communications as well as tap into the senses within your body to improve your ability to be present in the moment and communicate in a more congruent manner.

Date:Â October 5-8, 2018, in Sanger, Texas (A Suburb of Dallas) Cost: 3-day pass is $500; 2-day pass is $400; 1-day pass is $200.

The 3-day event starts the evening of Friday, October 5th and ends at noon Monday, October 8th. Space is filling quickly! For more information, visit myhorsesmyhealers.com.

Houston PetTalk Magazine

23

Henrietta's Frightfully Fun

It’s that time of year…Henrietta’s

halloween costume photo contest

Frightfully Fun Halloween Photo Contest is back! Annual sponsor Sunset Blvd. Animal Hospital invites you to enter your little goblin in the contest: Entry Date: Oct 15-31, Voting Nov 1-7. Enter on PetTalk’s Facebook Page. Winner and Runner’s Up will be featured in the December issue, plus the winner will receive a Goulishly Great Gift Certificate to Sunset Blvd. Animal Hospital.

Enter online at www.houstonpettalk.com or facebook.com/houstonpettalk

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The Grooming

Issue

TECHNIQUES, TRENDS, & TIPS

H

air, hair everywhere! Every pet

addition to these nuances of keeping a pet

owner of both dogs and cats has

well groomed, there is the fine art of com-

to deal with shedding, dander,

municating what type of hair style or cut you

matting, ear cleaning, nail trimming...and the list goes on. Grooming is

would like your grooming professional to bestow on your fur-

CREDITS

ball...puppy cut,

A special Thank You to our photo shoot "crew": COVER GIRL JEDA, THE BRIARD: Jeda is the Top Dog in PetTalk Editor Michelle Mantor's life! She was groomed by Pooch In The City, 15125 Memorial Drive.

BUBBLE MANIA: Carol Fellbaum of A Dog's Life Pet Salon (adogslifepetsalon. com) and her Bichon show off a Blueberry facial, cut and style. COLOR AND BRAIDING: John Andrews of John Andrews Pet Salon, johnandrewspetsalon. com. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Michelle Mantor, Tiffany Cady of Angel Pets, Carol Felbaum of A Dog's Life Pet Salon, and Linda Lee of Fat Cat Flats.

lion cut, shave, specific breed styles, etc.

At Houston PetTalk, we know these topics are all

not just about "brushing" and occasionally bathing a pet. There are

essential elements of owning a pet and can be frustrating, so

many facets to keeping pets looking

we decided to deconstruct this topic

and feeling their best.

and provide our readers with infor-

Grooming also consists of trim-

mation that will hopefully help you

ming and cleaning ears, trimming nails,

tackle one of the primary topics you

expressing anal sacs, trimming hair in

are continually faced with and give

"private" areas, removing tear stains, using de-shedding systems to strip out

you some tips to navigate your way to a well groomed doggy or kitty!

undercoats, brushing teeth and so forth. In Houston PetTalk Magazine

27

Double Coated Dogs...

What Is A Double Coat?

A

double coat is a coat that has two layers. There is a thick, warm, short undercoat that is dense enough to resist penetration by water. This layer of the coat sheds twice a year. The outer layer is a stronger, rougher, weather-resistant outer coat (topcoat), also referred to as guard hairs.

SOME BREEDS WITH DOUBLE COATS: Siberian Husky, Pomeranian, Samoyed, Akita, Collie, Malamute The undercoat lies closest to the dog's skin and grows in clusters from a single follicle. The undercoat has a soft, "cotton candy" appearance and works to protect the skin from cold weather. The guard hairs protect the skin and forms an additional layer of insulation. A dog's coat is a natural insulator. It protects from cold, heat, environment and sunburn.

TO SHAVE OR NOT TO SHAVE A DOUBLE COATED DOG: KNOW THE POSSIBLE RAMIFICATIONS 1.

First, shaving your double coated dog will not stop the shedding process.

Your dog will continue to shed; the hairs will just be smaller and harder to see.

2. In Houston especially, sunburn can occur depending on how short you shave your dog and can be very painful and damage the skin.

A DOUBLE COAT ACTUALLY COOLS? YES! Double coats naturally protect from the sun as well as heat. It keeps cooler air close to the skin and protects your pet from overheating, which is why you must

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Brushing Teeth

keep your dog brushed and not matted so the air can flow.

CAN SHAVING PERMANENTLY DAMAGE A COAT? YES! Permanent damage can occur to double coats from shaving with hair not growing back properly or not at all. The under coat, which usually sheds, no longer has the weight to fall out. When this happens, the hair follicle becomes clogged and no new hair can grow in.

The older the dog, the less likely the guard hairs will grow back. The undercoat will grow back, but the upper hair sometimes does not. This gives the dog a patchy, scruffy appearance.

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eriodontal (gum) disease can lead to tooth loss and affects most dogs before they are 3 years old. Bacteria from periodontal disease can spread to affect other organs and cause illness. One of the best ways to help prevent periodontal disease is to brush your dog’s teeth on a regular basis if he or she will allow it.

Dogs are never too young to start having their teeth brushed at home; in fact, the younger they are, the better.

Before you start brushing your dog’s teeth, have them checked by your veterinarian. Your vet may recommend a dental cleaning to remove any plaque and tartar, which contribute to periodontal disease. If your dog has severe dental disease, extraction of the affected teeth may be recommended. Follow your veterinarian’s recommendation on how long to wait after dental cleaning or extraction before brushing your dog’s teeth.

Source Credit: Veterinary News Network

Learn To Communicate With Your Groomer: Defining The Terms

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ommunicating with your groomer is key to getting the results you want. To better understand grooming terms and how to communicate with your groomer, we've defined some of the most common terminology: Typically, a dog should be groomed once a month to every 6 weeks. It is important to work with the groomer to get the services and cut you are looking for. Sometimes things get lost in translation and expectations are not aligned so knowing your terms and the services offered for the price you are paying are important elements to being a satisfied customer.

PUPPY CUT: Dogs look like they are young again with wavy, fluffy hair. The cuts are generally the same length over the entire body.

BATH & BRUSH: Not all salons are the same but typically bath and brush includes nail trimming, anal gland expression, ear cleaning, and a brush out.

Trimming around paws and sanitary areas as needed.

GROOM: Same inclusion as a bath & brush, but with the inclusion of hair styling/ trim specific to the pet's breed.

SCISSORING: The use of scissors to trim and sculpt the hair; typically extra.

COMB CUT: The use of combs on clippers to trim hair to varied lengths from 1/16" to 2".

SUMMER SHAVE: Removing the excess coat by shaving dogs down in the summer will make them feel more comfortable, but not all dog breeds are perfect candidates. Dogs with a double coat should not be shaved such as a Malamute.

UTILITY CUT: A hair cut that is more for the convenience of the owner and pet rather than the correct styling of the pet.

TEDDY BEAR CUT: Shortened body to desired length, rounded paws and head.

LION CUT: The body is cut close,

leaving the hair around the head and tail; usually done on cats, or spitz type breeds.

NEAT TRIM: Trimming around the sanitary areas, belly and paws.

POODLE FACE/FEET: Feet & face shaved with a #15 blade on poodles only; It is also known as clean face.

STRIP: Shaving to skin all over the body of the pet. Primarily used for sever matting.

DIP: Using a diluted pyrethrin chemical pesticide to treat infestations of fleas or ticks.

ANAL GLANDS (SACS): The scent glands in the rear of the pet that require manual expression on a regular basis.

Typically needed for smaller breeds. If your pet is dragging their bottom on the ground, this is a sign that anal glands need expressed.

CLIPPER BURN: Terminology used to describe the use of a blade that is too short causing irritation to the skin or can be a side effect of stripping a matted coat even if the correct blade size is used; It can cause a superficial burn on the pet's skin.

HOT SPOT: An infection when normal skin bacteria grows and overwhelms healthy immune resistance. The hot spots can be swollen, smelly, itchy and painful. Typically dogs will lick or scratch the area, making it worse. Hot spots require veterinary care before they get out of control.

EAR CLEANING: The use of cotton balls and product to clean the outer opening of a pet's ears. Some breeds will need the hair in the canal removed.

EAR INFECTION: can be caused by bacteria and/or fungus. Fungal infections characterized by odor and black buildup.

Bacterial infections usually show redness, swelling, and discharge; your veterinarian should be seen for diagnosis and treatment.

FURMINATORÂŽ: A special grooming and deshedding treatment using the tools of the Furminator system. Dramatically reduces shedding and conditions the coat.

NAIL QUICKS: This is the common demarcation for trimming and it's the blood vessels in the nails. If trimmed too short, quicks can bleed; styptic powder is commonly used to stop bleeding. Infrequent trimming can cause quicks to elongate, causing the nails to be excessively long even after trimming.

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Styling Trends

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pa treatments aren't just for two-leggers anymore! Our furry four-leggers are getting the royal treatment these days with upscale services including Blueberry Facials that will deep clean the skin and folds of the face to remove dirt, food, and possibly other things we would rather not know about... it will give your pup a fresh smelling schnoz! Another trendy spa service is a Therapeutic Mud Bath which is a body treatment that detoxifies your dog’s skin, removes dirt, oils and other toxins, and dead skin cells which are replaced with nourishing minerals to protect your dog from dry skin and other irritations that can lead to canine dermatitis. There's plenty more on the spa menu including whitening, tear stain removal, deluxe pawdicures...it's all up to you, the wallet-toting human, to decide just how much you want to spoil your furkid!

Colorful Creations

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fter a relaxing and cleansing spa treatment, it’s time to add some pizzazz! According to pet stylist, John Andrews of John Andrews Pet Salon, the addition of washable color to a pup’s hair is all the rage and is only limited by your imagination. Color can be applied to any part of the dog’s coat and can be embellished with bows, rhinestones, bandanas, barrettes and more. It’s a fun addition to spa day, lasts 4-6 weeks or several washings (depending on product used) and is not harmful to the dog. Go ahead…add some FLAIR to your dog’s HAIR!

Not Afraid To Braid

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olor is only one of the options at the grooming salon to give your pup a trendy look. Depending on coat, you can also add braids, as shown here, created

by John Andrews, and then embellish the braids with bows and a fun topknot treatment.

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Kitties Need Grooming Too!

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es, cats are fastidious about self-grooming but they just can't do everything needed by themselves…they need your help to have a beautiful coat and healthy skin.

According to Linda Lee, owner of Fat Cat Flats boarding and grooming facility, "Cats can't do all this cleaning alone.

They shed or perhaps they were bred for that big bouffant coat with a regal mane, tail and feathery feet. They need us to keep them in fine trim."

Regular brushing is great for removing excess hair, minimizing shedding and it's also a relaxing way to spend time with your cat. As for bathing, Linda recommends: Shorthaired cats should be bathed twice a year at change of seasons.

Longhairs with silky coats should be

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bathed four times a year.

Persians (and any heavily undercoated cat who mats) should receive a combout every few weeks with a full service groom every six weeks. The modifying factors are allergies or continuing hairball problems.

It's not uncommon for long-haired cats to get mats. It may be tempting to cut the mats out with scissors but don't do it. A cat’s skin is extremely thin and it behaves much like “pantyhose”. A little nick can produce a long tear. If your cat gets matted, consider a lion cut.

What about hairballs? A hairball is a small collection of fur formed in the stomach that is occasionally vomited up; cats are especially prone from licking their fur. Brushing your cat can minimize the problem and there are also commercial

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hairball remedies that your veterinarian can recommend.

If you are grooming at home, be sure to invest in the right tools to make your life easier. Visit catster.com for the five essential tools you need to groom your cat.

If you choose a professional groom, ask questions about the groomer’s experience with cats. If your cat is not sedated, make sure there is another person available to help hold your cat. There are few regulations in the grooming industry, so it is up to you to ask questions or obtain a recommendation from your vet.

Occasionally cats do need sedation for grooming and will require a veterinary visit. Also, be sure to keep your cat's teeth clean. Cat dentistry is often overlooked resulting in a painful mouth for your kitty!

Tear Staining Solutions Excessive staining in cats and dogs is called epiphora, caused by over production of tears or improper draining of tear ducts. As the area under the eye stays wet, bacteria and yeast grow causing the "Red Yeast" staining. Staining can also occur anywhere the pet licks themselves.

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS: food and treats with added color, water with high iron content, plastic food or water bowl, blocked tear ducts, eye inflammation, allergy issues, genetics.

SOLUTIONS: Topical product, internal products or a combination of both; Always have your vet check your pet to see if there is a medical cause (blocked tear ducts, eyelashes poking in eyes). It helps to wash the under-eye area daily and keep the area dry. There are some grooming and whitening products on the market but be sure to ask your vet if they are safe.

Groomers Wanted: Check PetTalkGoFetch.com for classified listings of job openings in the Houston market.

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How To Choose A Grooming Professional 1. Get Referrals - Ask neighbors,

friends, veterinarian, boarding facility manager, etc. to get suggestions. If you see a pet that has a hair style that you like, ask the owner where they go for grooming. Coiffed pets are a walking

advertisement for grooming salons!

Investigate Online - Check reviews to see what type of rating particular salons have online. Granted, some reviews could be bogus or created by a person who is never satisfied with anything, but

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look for consistency in comments.

Call The Groomer - Ask him or her questions. Did you go to grooming school or apprentice with a professional groomer? How long have you been grooming?

Do you belong to any grooming associations? Also google the groomer’s name to see if there have been any complaints filed against them.

Be Courteous - Groomers are on tight schedules so be sure to give them an opportunity to call you back when they have time or visit with you at an appointed time.

Trust Your Intuition - Go with your overall impression of the groomer. Do you have a good rapport? Are they courteous and patient with the animals or do they seem frustrated, short-tempered or easily irritated? Is the salon orderly and have good “energy” amongst the staff? In the end, you’ll know if things “feel right” and your dog or cat seems comfortable with the situation.

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PhotG by ByRyanB.com

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Grooming For The Difficult Pet By: Tiffany Cady, angelpetshouston.com.

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ot every pet is easy to groom.

Some pets have had a bad experience, can be aggressive, fearful or may have medical issues. If you have a difficult to groom pet, it can be frustrating but there is hope and help!

Grooming is a highly stressful experience for most pets. Even if your pet is well behaved while being groomed, accidents can happen and once a pet is traumatized by a grooming experience, it can be difficult to get them over their fears.

A nervous, wiggly pet is difficult but not impossible to groom. It just requires an experienced, skilled groomer, the right tools, patience and a bit of creativity (music, aromatherapy, massage as examples).

Signs that your pet doesn't like to be groomed are typically obvious (wiggling,

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biting, drooling, pulling away, etc.). Fear of grooming is one cause of a pet being difficult to groom but other factors add to the problem including mats, hot spots, fleas/ticks, etc.

Part of specializing in difficult to groom pets is understanding the fear or discomfort.

Is it arthritis, the clipper sounds, sensitive areas? Nail trims are typically unpopular with many pets. Utilizing a groomer that has experience with finicky or hard to groom pets will help you work through the process.

WHAT YOU CAN DO Start taking your pet to the groomer early.

After the last set of shots take your pup monthly to trim nails and get a bath. Do not wait until there is matting or an overgrown coat for his first grooming experience. For breeds that require regular grooming like

cockers, schnauzers, bichons and longcoated breeds, you can do the following things at home while you are playing and giving affection to help them grow familiar with the grooming experience (discontinue any of these exercises if they make your pet unhappy. Use treats if desired): 1. Hold scissors near face/feet, rub feet between pads and toes with fingers, inspect toe nails, hold tail up and touch inner thighs; 2. Blow the pet with a blow dryer, hold your dog’s face very still and touch around lips, nose and eyes, open lips to look at teeth, lift or bend back ears; 3. Brush the coat regularly, bathe between grooms at home, be sure to find a gentle, confident groomer; you may want to watch at first to make sure you are comfortable with your groomer.

Mobile Grooming

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f convenience is a priority for getting your pets looking their best, or perhaps you have a pet that finds a salon atmosphere stressful, mobile grooming is a great solution. Mobile grooming vans are equipped with all the equipment needed to provide the same services you would expect from a storefront salon. As with any groomer or grooming salon, be sure to check out the mobile groomer for safety and qualifications. It's always a good idea to look at reviews, get referrals from friends or neighbors as well as interviewing the potential groomer to be sure your pet is in safe hands!

CHEMICAL FREE PRODUCTS PERSONALIZED LUXURY PET SERVICES CUSTOMIZED GROOMING SCHEDULES FULL SERVICE FOR ALL DOG & CAT BREEDS

“Don’t hate me because I’m Haute.”

ALL NATURAL

ALL ORGANIC

www.hautepets.net

ALL HAUTE

Mobile grooming services are great solutions for a number of pets and owners who for various reasons, need athome services. Because the number of appointments that a mobile groomer is able to make for one day is less than what is available in a commercial retail environment, scheduling an appointment well in advance is typically required.

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Pet Grooming FAQ's WHY DOES GROOMING COST SO MUCH? The quick answer is this—pets aren’t easy to groom. Dog (and cat) grooming includes a bath, blow dry, and brush out (unless your pet is matted). It also includes ear cleaning, ear hair removal, “private area” trimming, nail clipping, and anal gland expression. These are all things that most pets don’t enjoy. It takes time, a gentle approach, patience and skill to groom pets.

I KNOW MY DOG IS A LITTLE TANGLED, BUT WHY DO YOU NEED TO SHAVE MY DOG? CAN’T YOU JUST BRUSH IT OUT OR CUT OUT THE MATTED PARTS? There’s a difference between tangles and mats. Tangles are loosely formed and

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occur in the outer guard coat. They are not tightly clumped together. For dogs who aren’t too sensitive, these can be brushed or combed out.

Mats occur when tangles get out of control. The hair clumps together tightly and can form against the skin, under the top layer of hair. If you don’t brush your dog all the way down to the skin, mats can still form in the undercoat even if the outer layer of your dog’s coat looks good.

Brushing out mats is time-consuming and very painful for your dog. It can even cause abrasions to your dog’s skin. Only shaving out matted areas is possible, but your dog’s groom will look horrible. To remove matted hair without hurting your dog, it’s necessary to shave the hair off close to the skin to get under the mats. This is the only way to remove mats without causing your pet pain.

WHAT IS CAGE DRYING AND WHY IS IT CONTROVERSIAL? Many groomers use cage dryers, which is essentially placing a wet or towel dried dog in a cage where a drying unit is attached and leaving them to dry. The cage dryer allows the groomer to complete the drying with out using a hand dryer and spending 20 to 30 minutes drying them.

The groomer can then begin the next dog while this dog dries. There is controversy because some pets have died from heat exhaustion with a heated cage dryer. Most issues are a result of staff negligence and/or heated cage dryers. There are different kinds of cage dryers and many are perfectly safe and will never injure a pet. Others can and do injure and even kill pets. You should check what a salon’s policy is on cage drying before you book your appointment.

DIY Grooming CAN I USE HUMAN SHAMPOO ON MY PET? If you're the DIY type and enjoy keeping your pet's coat in tip top shape, then selecting great products to use on your pet's skin and hair is essential. Did you know that using human shampoos and conditioners on your pet can be harmful? The PH balance of a dog or cat's skin is different from humans and requires products formulated specifically for pets.

Human skin has a normal PH balance of 5.5-5.6, which is on the acidic side. Dogs, on the other hand, have a normal PH balance of 6.2-7.4, which is more neutral.

Using a human shampoo on dogs disrupts the acid mantle, leaving your dog vulnerable to parasites, viruses, and bacteria.

Their skin will become dry and itchy, then repeated scratching and abrasions allows bacteria to invade.

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WHAT PRODUCT LINE IS A GOOD CHOICE FOR MY PET? Only Natural Pet has one of the top grooming lines for pets on the market.

The products are gentle and also have hydrating properties and can be used with flea and tick medications. You can purchase their products at PetSmart or online at onlynaturalpet.com. The product attributes include: ❖ Hypoallergenic: Great for pets with sensitive skin, including puppies. ❖ No soap – safe to use with flea & tick treatments. Gentle cleansers from coconut and sunflower oil. ❖ No sulfates, parabens, harsh detergents, phthalates or artificial colors, perfumes or preservatives. ❖ Oatmeal and Kelp serum soothes (antiinflammatory) and hydrates irritated or dry skin. ❖ Won’t strip important coat oils. ❖ Tearless, alcohol-free shampoos.

Cruelty free.

All ingredients disclosed (not required on grooming products).

Great fragrances from natural essential oils.

WHAT IS ONE IMPORTANT TIP ABOUT DIY GROOMING THAT I MIGHT NOT BE AWARE OF? Clean those ears! All pets need their ears cleaned and checked regularly, however, some breeds are even more susceptible to ear infections (floppy

eared breeds such as a Cocker Spaniel).

Cleaning your dog’s ears on a regular basis will make you aware of any infections or problems. Your dog’s ears are clean and healthy if they are a mild pink or skin toned color with no apparent inflammation. Ear infections can become serious and cause damage so visit your veterinarian if you suspect anything is amiss (scratching at ear, inflammation, foul smell). For a tutorial on ear cleaning, visit vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/ instructions-for-ear-cleaning-in-dogs.

"Human skin has a normal PH balance of 5.5-5.6, which is on the acidic side. Dogs, on the other hand, have a normal PH balance of 6.2-7.4, which is more neutral. Using a human shampoo on dogs disrupts the acid mantle, leaving your dog vulnerable to parasites, viruses, and bacteria."

Only Natural Pet Grooming Products are also available as an UPGRADE when your pet is groomed at PetSmart - just ask for Only Natural Pet products when you make your appointment.

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Groomer Listings

Patti's Pet Depot 14618 Memorial Drive Houston TX 77079 281.531.1456 Our professional grooming staff is committed to giving your pet a gentle, safe experience at the salon. Our grooming and pet supply store is open 7 days per week.

$7 off a full groom Monday-Thursday @ Patti's Pet Depot

CF Personal Grooming Salon 3422 FM 2920 SUITE 180 Spring, TX 77388 832.977.0406 cfgrooming.com Full Service grooming salon, pet store and self-serve dog wash, offering quality dog food, dog treats and much more!

Golden Paws Grooming School 6727 ½ Weslayan St. Houston, TX. 77005 713.253.5757 URL: houston-pet-grooming-academy.business.site Do you want to be a certified dog groomer? Golden Paws Grooming School offers small classes with 90% hands on training. This step by step program will have you grooming in just a little over 6 weeks. Conveniently located in central Houston, call today to get started on your grooming career!

Houston’s Fuzzy Tails Mobile Grooming Salon Servicing Katy and surrounding areas 832.992.3664 houstonsfuzzytails.com Give us a call for good old fashioned, well done grooming!

Perfect Pet Cuts Salon & Mobile 10609 Grant Road Bldg F Houston, TX 77070 Text: 832.279.5817 Call: 281.469.6000 perfectpetcuts.net We treat every furbaby as our very own!

A Dog's Life Pet Salon Country Style Pet Spa

Pooch 'n' Pups Grooming

Mobile Groomer in Houston and surrounding areas Morgan Caldwell 979.481.7455 Facebook: Country Style Pet Spa Your fur baby needs a day to be spoiled, so call us today at Country Style Pet Spa and we will come directly to you.

1560 S. Mason Road Suite F Katy, TX 77450 281.665.3914 poochnpupsgrooming.com Pooch “n” Pups offers a tender approach for pets along with a one of a kind grooming experience and unlimited love.

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7812 Louetta Rd. Spring, TX 77379 281.370.3647 adogslifepetsalon.com From spa packages to an award winning grooming staff, your pooch will enjoy superior grooming in a professional and safe environment. Plus, be sure to stop by the boutique for trendy products, food and treats.

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My Groomer Rocks! et grooming is a rewarding career but it is also hard work! Imagine dealing with customers that can’t talk but may be stressed and the paying customer that can talk, (maybe too much:). But we know many of you LOVE your Groomer so we asked our Instagram friends to give their Groomer a shout-out so we could share it with you!

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Julie Dow PET PORTRAIT ARTIST OIL & ACRYLIC

Julie Dow/Artist-FB jdow@sbcglobal.net 713.492.9202

COMING SOON!

DOG LODGE RADIO: Animal Issues That Matter INTERNET TALK RADIO/PODCAST

Can be watched and heard on www.doglodge.org, ITunes & YouTube

Elaine Rosen Host

MISSION OF DOG LODGE SANCTUARY: To provide a forever home for special needs dogs who are seniors and/or have other disabilities.

PURPOSE OF DOG LODGE RADIO: To be an engaged partner in the animal welfare community and highlight, promote, and give other animal welfare organizations or businesses the platform they otherwise might not have to discuss a wide variety of animal welfare issues.

SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE:

Stacy Sutton Kerby Co-Host

Segment Sponsor (4 Spots) $200 per show/non-profit rate: $150 per show Read Ad Sponsor (4 Spots) $150 per show/non-profit rate: $100 per show Product Placement Sponsor (1 Exclusive per Show) $100 per show/non-profit rate: $75 Mentions: (Open) $50 per show/non-profit rate: $25

For questions, place ads and more please contact Rick Bousquet at (806) 584-6025 or rickb@doglodge.org.

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Website

Facebook

Nice & Fresh The Grooming Guide

ZOOM GROOM Practical and cute, these fun rubber brushes are great for any short hair breed of dog and they work well for cats too.

Brush your pet with this rubber-toothed device to get a ton of undercoat off. You can purchase these at your local pet store or amazon.

WIPE OUT

HAIR B GONE

Clean and fresh is just a wipe away! Earthbath Grooming wipes for cats & dogs come in a variety of scents as well as fragrance free or medicated. PH balanced for your pet's skin, these wipes are perfect for cleaning dander, dirt, drool, and other things we don't want to mention.

Find yours at Patti's Pet Depot, 14618 Memorial Dr, 77079.

FURminator offers a full line of tools, shampoos, conditioners and sprays to make sure you are equipped for all steps of the grooming process. The FURminator Undercoat deShedding Tool for dogs/ cats removes the loose hair from shedding.

The deShedding edge reaches through topcoat to remove loose hair and undercoat without damaging topcoat or cutting skin when used as directed. Find all FURminator products at Petco.

GOOD FOR THE NOSE (YOURS) No need to have a stinky dog or cat when there are so many products to make your pet smell fresh! Biogance has a full line of dog and cat shampoos, conditioners and perfumes that are all natural and very elegantly scented.

Available at biogance.com.

COLOR MY WORLD Check out these patented Pawdicure Polish Pens for instant doggie style! The pens are water based, odorless, non-toxic, dries in under 40 seconds and they're great for nail art! These Nail Polish Pens apply a quick drying coat of polish that is easy to remove. Only one layer application is necessary for you to style your pampered pup. Find yours at warrenlondon.com.

HEALTHY MOUTH One of the most important things you can do for your pet is brush their teeth.

Yes, it's hard to do but do it anyway! Available at Arne's Warehouse and Pet Supplies, 2830 Hicks St.

Remember to thank your groomer!

PROTECT

KISS ME DARLING Protect your friends and family from DOG BREATH with this all natural dog breath freshening product - gel capsules containing parsley, peppermint oils and other vegan, gluten free ingredients. The gel dissolves in the dog's stomach, providing long-term, fresh breath from within!

Find them at woofmints.com.

The sun’s rays can be damaging to a pet’s skin and coat. Easy to use wipes add natural protection to prevent damaging coat dryness.

Use before outdoor activities or prolonged exposure to the sun.

Sunscreen Wipes aid in preventing coat color (black and brown) from fading. Safe to use with flea treatments.

Available at Petco.

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Health SENIOR Paws

Changing The Way Pets Age

seniorpawsvet.com

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ake the 11 year old chocolate Labrador has been tired lately.

His hips are sore and his muscles weakened enough to make getting up on his own terribly difficult. He’s too big and too old to be taken anywhere in the car.

He pants and he’s restless and sometimes seems confused, but maybe he’s just deaf and blind. And then the day comes when he’s too painful to get up at all; his bladder becomes distended with urine, and boy does that hurt. Jake was eating until yesterday. He doesn’t hold his head up much and can’t get up in the bed anymore.

Gabby the 13 year old calico has become more vocal recently, especially at night. She hasn’t been jumping up and down on things she used to be able to, and she’s started to urinate outside of her litter box. Gabby’s lost some weight recently and some days she just hides in the closet.

Dr. Christie Cornelius and her colleagues at Last Wishes have seen pets like Jake and Gabby over and over again, three months to three years or more too late. This is why they decided to start a program aimed to meet the needs of aging pets in their homes long before it’s time to call a hospice vet. Last Wishes

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will be starting the Senior Paws program in the city of Houston on September 1st.

Most of us have had pets like Jake and Gabby in our homes or know somebody who does. Senior Paws exists to help families take care of their older companions in the comfort of home. Their experienced and compassionate team of professionals gives pets and people more quality time with one another. The level of customized care Senior Paws delivers in the home is very similar to the excellent care Last Wishes has been offering to families of pets near the completion of their lives the last six years.

Senior Paws can work directly with day practitioners, emergency clinics, oncologists, cardiologists, internists, and surgeons to ensure a fearless and painfree experience by providing as many services in the comfort of home. Senior Paws is great with overall case management and pain control. Those services not available in the home (i.e. some

diagnostics and anesthetic procedures) are referred out to a family’s veterinarian or a valued and trusted partnered veterinarian with assisted transport available to the destination if needed. Senior Paws does have the capability to run routine lab work, perform ultrasound imaging, echocardiogram, blood pressure readings, glucose testing, tumor aspiration/biopsy, therapeutic laser, acupuncture, and massage among other things. Their team will also be able to provide preventative medications and vaccinations on a case by case basis.

With the assistance of Senior Paws, Jake can play fetch well into his senior years and Gabby can keep the pep in her step despite all her gray hairs. If you desire something different for your pet as they enter advanced adulthood, call Senior Paws at 713-439-5500 or e-mail them at wecare@seniorpawsvet. com. Visit seniorpawsvet.com for more information.

NOW YOU CAN SAY GOODBYE TO YOUR BELOVED PET IN THE COMFORT OF HOME...

Compassionate In-home Pet Euthanasia Pet Hospice Services Quality of Life Consultations Pain Management & Comfort Care End-of-Life & Aftercare Planning Memorial Keepsakes Pet Loss Support Transport for Cremation Services Weekend & Holiday Appointments Available!

Tel: (713) 999-0166 www.LastWishes.com | wecare@LastWishes.com

Compassionate Comfort Care for Pets

3036 Antoine Drive | Houston, Texas 77092

Customized Senior Wellness Plans Comprehensive Pain Management Ongoing Support for Pets and Families

Home Veterinary Care

713-439-5500 3036 Antoine Drive | Houston, TX 77092

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BEHIND THE SCENES

VERGI Emergency and Critical Care Hospital

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f your pet has ever been in a predicament where you needed professional emergency medical help, you might already know about VERGI Emergency and Critical Care Hospital.

They’ve saved countless pets over their 41 years and have become a well established member of the community. But, there are many things behind the scenes that you may not know about these life saving leaders.

VERGI was evaluated on approximately 900 standards of veterinary excellence in order to become accredited. AAHAaccredited hospitals are recognized among the finest in the industry, and are consistently at the forefront of advanced veterinary medicine.

EMERGENCY AND CRITICAL CARE ONLY VERGI only handles emergency and critical care services and is trusted by hundreds of primary care veterinarians throughout the greater Houston area. They do not offer the services that the primary care veterinarians offer. However, they work hand in hand with local veterinarians to keep pets healthy and happy.

STATE-OF-THEART FACILITIES

LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED VERGI was opened in 1977 by a group of 36 shareholders and was later purchased

by Dr. Laura Noaker in 2013. When the original owners were contemplating selling the operation to an inquiring corporation, Dr. Noaker, a dedicated VERGI employee and Chief of Staff for over 13 years, approached the group requesting an opportunity to purchase the facility and keep it local.

AAHA ACCREDITED Unlike human hospitals, animal hospitals are not required to be accredited.

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VERGI offers state-of-theart facilities and equipment including an on-site surgical center, and an in-house lab and pharmacy. This means they can diagnose and make a comprehensive assessment of your pet’s emergency needs quickly. They also offer advanced training in emergency medicine with specially trained and certified doctors on staff. The facility is operated 24/7 including weekends and holidays.

A PROACTIVE APPROACH THROUGH EDUCATION Many emergencies can be avoided with proper education. VERGI has spent many hours educating the community with preventative care information. They are a main sponsor at many pet events throughout Houston including the Doggy

By: Desiree Lonsway

Party on the Plaza, The Houston World Series of Dog Shows and Astros Dog Days along with countless pet festivals and rescue events. They even offer a FREE emergency planning guide available on their website.

VERGI HAS A MASCOT In 2016, VERGI introduced their new mascot Trixi Pringle. Trixi’s job is to help kids understand emergency pet care.

Trixi, a fun loving Golden Retriever, got her name from an emergency anaphylactic shock case Dr. Noaker couldn’t forget.

A Golden Retriever, minutes from dying, made a miraculous recovery with VERGI’s help and became the inspiration for their official Mascot.

VERGI TO THE RESCUE VERGI works hand in hand with hundreds of Houston area rescue groups through a special program developed to assist rescues who tirelessly volunteer their time rescuing abandon or distressed animals.

Many of these animals need emergency help and in most cases the rescue groups don’t always have the funding needed to save their life.

HOSTS AN ANNUAL “I SURVIVED” PARTY” The brainchild of Dr. Noaker, each year this even honors the pets that were not expected to live, but have miraculously “survived” an emergency at VERGI. It reunites the pets and their family with the staff that helped them survive.

There are just a few of the many things that VERGI does to support the community. To learn more, visit the website at www.vergi247.com. And, next time you are at a pet event sponsored by a local group who believes in educating and community involvement, look around, we know VERGI is somehow involved.

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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The Artist Extraordinaire

By Mara Soloway; Photos by JBO Photo

R

obyn Arouty is getting comfortable with calling herself an artist. Any hesitancy she’s had might be valid from a time aspect – she’s only been painting for six months.

However, the tremendous feedback she’s getting on her social media pages for her paintings and the many commissions from pet owners that she’s receiving prove that she tapped into another facet of her innate creativity. Robyn discovered her connection to painting while reflecting on her own happiness. “I

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started painting and I loved it. It makes me happy to create these expressions, to watch them come to life. It is cathartic,” she says.

Readers of Houston PetTalk and her other photography clients have long known that Robyn is an artist with a camera. Her photographs of pets and their people have graced eight PetTalk covers, including the August issue, and numerous articles. Her photos are wonderfully expressive and technically flawless works that capture their subjects candidly with no artifice, no overly posed look.

Robyn has been called a love-story whisperer – a perceptive way of describing her affinity for living creatures that is also evident in her writing and animal rescue efforts.

Robyn, who just

turned 52, recently turned that empathy toward creating her portraits in mixed media. The good-spirited, abstracted paintings improvise on the pet’s actual colors with strokes that take the fur in all its directions. Her art is a lot like she is – multi-layered and multi-faceted. Robyn sets down layers of colors using media such as wax and acrylic and watercolor paints. She builds up from the base until the pet’s personality is so obvious that the viewer forgets that it’s an abstraction.

Seeing the artwork, it’s hard to believe that Robyn is a beginner with a brush.

Her artist phase began one particularly frustrating day. A friend asked Robyn what would make her happy. It’s as if her inner child answered, saying “painting.”

That she hadn’t painted before didn’t deter her as she headed out that same day to buy art supplies.

Of course one of her first subjects was Cupcake, her hefty, one-eyed American Staffordshire Terrier and a foster failure from the Fort Bend County Animal Shelter. Products with his caricature and prints of the painting Robyn made of him

PET PORTRAITS

by Kristel Peale in acrylic or watercolor

are available in the Camp Cupcake store on her website. Now his many fans can proudly display their love for him through unique apparel.

“Cupcake is my muse and really was the catalyst for me taking more chances with my art. I could feel him saying ‘just do it, mess around, it doesn't have to be perfect,’ ” Robyn says.

As she paints, the animals speak to her. “I just feel like the information and guidance comes through me and I just follow the whisper,” Robyn says. “I have an interview with their parents and find out what the dog means to them and what the dog has taught them in their lives.” She personally knows the power of art to

heal after a pet dies. After she lost her dog Maya, Robyn commissioned several artists to create paintings of her that now hang together on a healing wall; she recently added one she painted. “It was so healing; now I can do it for other people.”

Robyn is still working as a photographer and has painting commissions that will keep her busy for a few months. “We'll see. I’m going to follow my heart. It's very exciting and I'm so okay with not knowing what the next thing is. I want to keep experimenting,” she says. With a studio now full of blank canvases and other supplies, along with her creative energy, she has everything she needs to be an artist.

robynarouty.com

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

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

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Lookin' Good

NATIONAL MUTT DAY!

I

t takes all kinds to make the world a better place and these certified mutts are proud to show their awesome selves in celebration of National Mutt Day. We asked PetTalk fans to share their best mutt photos on Instragram so we could share them with you. Watch for our monthly Instagram theme and share your pet's adventures with us–we love to publish our reader's furbabies!

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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OPENING BIG DOORS With Small Keys Align Yourself For Training Success

Dean Miller, Club Canine, clubcaninehouston.com

obedient dog? While there are a number of reasons for training to fail, what I find has been improperly addressed, or not addressed altogether, is our day to day relationship practices. In fact, what most dogs HAVE been learning in their relationships is that people are confusing, negotiable, over affectionate, uninteresting and most times, plain incapable. All with good intentions on the owners part.

DON’T BE SET UP FOR FAILURE, REALIGN FOR SUCCESS

O

ver the many years that my family has been professionally training dogs, our biggest challenge has always been teaching owners how to become teachers to their own dogs. It’s common to hear that owners are challenged by sticking to a training program, practicing with their dogs and being consistent, but the importance of teaching owners how to relate and live with their dogs to succeed with them rather then becoming their own worst enemy, is the real work. There is no QUICK fix.

OUT OF BALANCE As a trainer, I get many phone calls from frustrated owners regarding their previous training attempts that produced mediocre results at best. "My dog knows his name, but won’t come when called."

"My dog is perfect 90% of the time, other than when a stranger approaches to pet him." "My dog knows the basics and has been through intermediate training, but I want him to sit and STAY when things are going on around us." Isn’t that

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BASIC? Many owners have communicated that they feel they have become hostage to throwing treats constantly at their dogs and in turn their dogs will do NOTHING without their trained human partner pleading and pandering to them.

And even then, many dogs have learned that most behavior is at their terms. They will ignore yelling, screaming, even their favorite treats or biscuits over the cat or squirrel or whatever the distraction, only to return attention to the owner when they feel like it and still get rewarded..

So who's trained who?

Why did the training not produce success in creating an enjoyable and

Most owners unintentionally send mixed messages resulting in an uncooperative dog. How can a dog grow to feel SAFE and TRUST a confusing leader? At home, the dogs are living like the king or the queen, actually creating a resistant minded animal or as many label them, “stubborn”. While many dogs can be very independent in their thinking or strong minded, they weren’t born stubborn.

Compare this to the dog that learns to adhere to a standard of behavior and conduct and exists as the junior partner, having purpose of servitude as a way of life. Training is not something that is ON then OFF, it’s how you live and connect with that animal on a day to day basis, like raising children; you can’t just be their best friend without raising them with purpose.

One of the biggest disconnects I observe is that many owners have unintentionally made themselves UNIMPORTANT.

We have become unimportant through interactions that confuse the dogs, sending messages of equality in the relationship and many times, communicating that the dog is their own leader. Dog owners LOVE their dogs but did you ever think that your perceived love and affection could be doing more harm than good?

Most of our human definition of love and affection is actually over indulgence, like a pup to a mature dog, it’s out of balance with no expectation of the dog ever serving US in any meaningful way. Without this purpose and expectation, dogs can very quickly confuse our love and kindness for weakness based on their system of communication, at which point we can begin to lose leadership status in their minds.

Have you ever taken your dog for a walk and get towed around the block?

That tight leash between you and your dog is communicating that your relationship outside the house is a power struggle, a tug of war if you will. The dog perceives he is his own leader as he drags you, the follower, around the block and home again. These examples practiced with NO purpose or servitude of attention from the dog to the handler, skews the dogs entire mentality of how cooperativeness happens. Here is the crux of the situation: most owners attempt to train

their dog through the use of bribes and other enticements to get the dog to pay ATTENTION. This practice draws the animals’s attention AWAY from the handler.

Just because you’re holding “it” doesn’t mean the dog is making YOU important.

If they try to use verbal praise, it can lack meaning for most, as they typically get so much excessive attention on a daily basis for no reason, the dog places little value on earning it through work.

Purpose and servitude of work are a must in the relationship to maximize stability and cooperativeness. It’s what our dogs were created for and in its absence, we are unable to connect as a true leader/follower team. If we first supplement the relationship with teaching true attention between dog and handler as the first step, we wouldn’t be so dumbfounded when we put our dog(s) in real world situations, where the strengths of distractions override the dogs attention of our PERCEIVED importance, leaving us looking weak in the minds of our dogs, as we struggle for control.

Dogs are like kids, in that how will they ever learn to build a healthy respect for a person as a qualified leader when they're always having attempts made at being bribed,

lured or coerced into rules and responsibilities? Is it fair to eliminate clear communication when the dog makes a mistake, so he has a fair chance at understanding where the limits and boundaries are in the relationship? The dog, like the child, is smart. Once they have determined that there is little or no fair consequence to their unworkable conduct, they’re more likely to do what only pleases them in the moment.

This is not to say that this is the ONLY mixed message that causes training challenges, there are many common practices that can damage the dogs’ positive and willing attitude towards learning and becoming cooperative. As you work toward a leadership role with your dog, this philosophy of purpose and servitude instilled in your dog will help create trust and obedience.

To learn more about Dean Miller and The Thinking Dog training system and other services, visit ClubCanineHouston. com

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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GIVING BACK To The Community Faithful Paws Pet Therapy Program

M

ary Anne Heckman and her dog Finn recently got involved with an organization called Faithful Paws, a pet therapy program. The duo began by taking classes when Finn was very energetic, at just 8 months of age. He already had basic obedience when he started the classes, but the founder and teacher, Connie Richards, worked with her and Finn and kept telling her to be patient, he is still a puppy. Ten months later, Mary Anne took Finn to be tested for the AKC Canine Good Citizen certification, and he passed!

Starting in June, they have been visiting many facilities and both love it. Mary Anne was told that Finn needed a job, now he has one, and he excels at it!

The reward of seeing how much happiness dogs bring to patients while they

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are in the hospital is all the incentive Mary Anne needs to continue serving. Her mother was in the hospital for six months and a visit from the dogs was the highlight of her day. Seeing the unconditional love dogs bring to patients is the underpinning of Faithful Paw's purpose.

Founded in 1997, Faithful Paws is a ministry of Bellaire United Methodist Church. The certified pet therapy teams visit facilities including hospitals, nursing homes, rehab centers, schools, universities, and community groups. Training is provided and classes include basic

obedience to obtain an AKC Canine Good Citizen certification. They also practice socialization with people, other pets, and other circumstances which pets may face on a visit to a facility. The purpose of the organization is to provide a team of organized volunteers, involving the trained animals specifically designed to administer unconditional love and therapy to adults and children in nursing homes or hospitals, and to share the love of our pets with the people they visit.

Each facility has at least one team leader who coordinates the requirements for that facility. Requirements vary from facility to facility, ranging from TB tests, flu shots, and background checks to special attire, additional training, or further orientation. All members adhere to HIPAA confidentiality laws. Visits are arranged on a set schedule with a team leader at pre-designated facilities. Mary Anne and Finn were recently approved to visit Houston Methodist Willowbrook, which has one of the strictest requirements of all facilities. They made their first visit in July and Finn did great and looks forward to more visits.

To become involved in Faithful Paws, visit faithfulpawshouston.org. Submit an application, and once approved, classes begin at the Bellaire United Methodist Church on Tuesday evenings (February – November) from 7-9pm.

Faithful Paws is a wonderful organization and Mary Anne and Finn love being a part of it. If you think you and your dog would be a good therapy team, contact Faithful Paws and get started bringing joy to others!

THE REWARD OF SEEING HOW MUCH HAPPINESS DOGS BRING TO PATIENTS WHILE THEY ARE IN THE HOSPITAL IS ALL THE INCENTIVE MARY ANNE NEEDS TO CONTINUE SERVING.

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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Revealed RESCUE

GREAT DANE RESUE OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS

T

he Great Dane Rescue of Southeast Texas (GDRST) blossomed out of love for the Great Dane breed amongst a group of friends and acquaintances who met regularly at dog parks with their Great Danes.

In 2009, it became obvious that the Houston area was in dire need of a Great Dane rescue group. GDRST was founded at that time and consists of a volunteer base that rescues and rehabilitates Great Danes. GDRST is a 501c(3) non-profit organization that depends solely on donations and volunteers.

LUCY Lucy is an affectionate, animated girl! She will take every opportunity to get an ear rub or extra cuddles. Being a lady, she refuses to get on the furniture and will simply lay her head on you while you lounge. She enjoys a good romp in the yard with her fur-siblings as well as hanging out quietly inside. Lucy came into the program from a shelter where she had been picked up as a stray. She had a swollen rear leg that stumped many as to the cause.

It turns out she suffers from Lymphodema.

GDRST has her in a foster home where she is receiving care & treatment for her condition.

Lucy

DAGO Dago is a young, shy Dane who is learning what it is like to be in a loving home. Since being in foster care, he has started to come out of his shell, playing with toys, playing with other dogs and learning basic manners. He gets along great with his foster siblings (both dogs & cats) and has started putting on weight.

This boy is well on his way to being the confident Dane he was meant to be!

Find out about adoption at saveadane.org.

Each issue, we highlight a local 501(c)3 animal charity in hopes that our readers will find their true love with one of these rescue groups! Charities are chosen from PetTalk GoFetch, our pet directory website and free mobile App, www. pettalkgofetch.com. To be listed as a rescue group, please email info@houstonpettalk.com.

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Dago

Houston PetTalk Magazine

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Houston PetTalk Magazine

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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 children and nature. Look for other upcoming conservation stories so that you too can help save a species.

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L

ife can get a little messy sometimes, and so should we! Digging in the dirt, crossing creeks on a tree bridge, and discovering new bugs is what being a kid is all about. At the Houston Zoo, we know that inspiring young children to connect with nature is a necessary part of developing

By: Jackie Wallace & Melissa Wong Houston Zoo

Photos, Stephanie Adams/Houston Zoo

CONNECT WITH NATURE TO SAVE ANIMALS

adults who care about saving animals.

The Houston Zoo provides many ways for kids and adults to connect with nature both inside the Zoo, and as groups around Greater Houston. With Zoo Sprouts, kiddos age 18 months to 5 years old (and their favorite adult) go on regular

adventures around the Zoo to learn all about nature in classes tailored specifically for their developmental milestones. This year, we have searched for frogs in the Reflection Pool, joined an armadillo for her breakfast of worms, and ventured off grounds to explore green spaces around the Houston area.

Inside Explore the Wild at the Houston Zoo, little imaginations are encouraged to run wild, as sticks turn into wands, leaves become fairy wings, and sand is the main ingredient in the very best mud pie. Explore the Wild is a nature play area designed to inspire children to use their imagination and discover the world around them.

From a naturalistic rock wall for climbing, loose tree

branches for building and sand pits for digging, this play space was created with the knowledge that children need to connect with nature at a young age, or they lose the desire to protect it.

At Camp Zoofari, campers spend most of the day outdoors playing games, observing and meeting animals. Instead of indoor crafts, campers go on nature scavenger hunts looking for unique shapes, colors and textures in the natural world.

They may even use these items to create temporary nature art installations outdoors. Camp Zoofari is most known for a wonderful place for kids to come in the summer, but Camp Zoofari also runs when kids are out of school in the winter too! Winter Camp Zoofari

opens for registration on September 10 for Members and September 17 to the public.

Family Nature Club is for families who are interested in finding new outdoor spaces and visiting those spaces with a trusted Zoo expert. This program visits parks and nature spaces in different parts of Greater Houston with the intent to increase families’ confidence to return to those spaces and make it part of their family time outdoors. While Family Nature Club might include unstructured play opportunities and exploratory walks through nature, Adventure Programs take it to the next level. During these experiences families participate in outdoor recreation with a trusted Zoo staff member

handling all the details.

Kayaking, paddle boarding and fishing are all activities that families may be interested in but perhaps don’t have the tools, equipment or confidence to do on their own. Adventure Programs also include opportunities to get hands on and study wildlife through bird banding at the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory or helping with

Monarch butterfly tagging in the fall. In 2019, we’re looking forward to hosting our first overnight camping trip in Greater Houston. The Zoo provides all the equipment and activities, so families can try this exciting experience for the first time!

To learn more about connecting with nature at the Houston Zoo, visit houstonzoo.org.

Houston PetTalk Magazine

65

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