urban paws magazine

FREE!

FREE!

TAKE ONE!

TAKE ONE!

See how Bark Busters changedthe life of an Airforce dog han-dler or, view the “Aspen’s Story”video on YouTube.com

Co-Pilot Protection PlanProtect your Pet’s Health with Healthy Paws Pet Insurance

Your enrollment helps homeless pets!

GoHealthyPaws.com/UrbanPaws

IN THIS ISSUE

06

07

14

16

18

22

24

EVENT CALENDARAugust 2012

THE SCOOPNews and Happenings in the Houston Area

SPECIAL FEATUREWhich Pet Food Should I Feed My Dog?

LITTLE BITSWho Says You Can’t Find Small Dogs for Adoption?

TRAINING & BEHAVIORHow to Deal With a Leg-Lifting Bandit

CHEW ON THISDining Out With Your Dog

RESCUE & ADOPTIONAll Border Collie Rescue

"Acquiring a dog may be the only opportunitya human ever has to choose a relative."

~Mordecai Siegal

4 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com

t’s not an easy task to decipher what’s inyour dog’s food. And looks, well, they canbe deceiving. On page 14, we take a look at

selecting the right food for your pet. Just as weare taught to make healthy eating choices, weshould also learn how to make them for ourfour-legged friends. Nutrition is an importantcontributor to a healthy pet.

Does Barney use your table leg as a peeingpost? If so, be sure to read the article on page18 that offers some great suggestions on how todeal with male dog marking.Also in this issue, we feature some tips on din-

ing out with your dog. More and more Houstonarea restaurants are allowing pooches on theirpatios. If you are looking to dine al fresco with

Editorial

I

Issue 7: Volume 6www.urbanpawsmagazine.com

your dog, view the list of locations that allowpets on page 22.

Our lovely cover dog, Leah is available foradoption through All Border Collie Rescue. Tolearn more about her and other adoptable dogs,turn to page 24.If you like freebies (who doesn’t?), be sure to

enter the LeLePets giveaway this month. Twolucky readers will win $25 toward some greatdoggy loot!

Jennifer Kitchens-Street

On the Cover

Photo by Paw Prints by Jamie

URBAN PAWSMAGAZINEP.O. Box 1556Spring, Texas 77383www.UrbanPawsMagazine.com

Design and layout by:ZOECOCREATIVE

© Copyright 2012. No part of this publication may bereprinted or otherwise reproduced without the publish-er’s written permission. Urban Paws magazine assumesno responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, feature andidea submissions, or photographs, and such material willnot be returned. Urban Paws magazine assumes no lia-bility for the contents herein and has the right to refuseadvertising for any reason. Urban Paws magazine doesnot endorse any specific product or service containedherein; we do encourage you to support our advertiserswhenever possible.

Please tell our advertisers that you heard aboutthem in Urban Paws!

Urban Paws Magazine 5


August 2012 Events For a full listing of events, visit:www.urbanpawsmagazine.com/events

AUGUST 4The Woodlands Strykers Dog DayWhat could be better than sharing America’sfavorite past-time with man’s best friend? Ifyour dog is ready to ruff, ruff for the hometeam, grab your leash and head out to the ballgame. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. First pitch is at7:05 p.m. Presented by Barker Street GourmetDog Bakery. $2 from each ticket purchasedhelps support local animal rescue. For moreinformation, visit www.strykersdogday.com.

AUGUST 4Barks and Bytes Electronic RecyclingDriveSpecial Pals Shelter is partnering with GreenArrow Recycling to collect the unwanted elec-tronic equipment. Computers, keyboards, mon-itors, printers and ink cartridges are among theitems that will be collected at the communityevent. Members Choice Credit Union, 3770 N.Fry Road. 12:00 - 4:00 p.m. For more informa-tion, visit www.specialpalsshelter.org.

AUGUST 4Adoption Meet 'n Greet EventVisit the adoptable dogs from Boston TerrierRescue Group of Houston at the Petco inPearland, 3265 East Broadway from 12:00 -4:00 p.m. Contact [email protected] withquestions.

AUGUST 7Smith & Wollensky Benefit DinnerBenefiting SAVE Rescue Coalition. Fourcourse meal with the infamous Smith &Wollensky steak or seafood. Door prizesinclude a Doggy & Me Spa day, one night stayat the Renaissance Hotel and a one year mem-

bership to the American Shooting Center.Tickets are $95 per person and can be pur-chased online at www.saverescue.org/events

AUGUST 18Ron H. Smith Memorial Bowlingfor Beagles1:00 - 4:00 p.m. at Palace Lanes, 4191 BellaireBlvd. $50 for three hours of unlimited bowl-ing, free t-shirt, shoe and ball rental and snacks.Proceeds benefit Houston Beagle Rescue. Formore information, visitwww.houstonbeaglerescue.org.

AUGUST 26National Dog DayCelebrated annually, National Dog Day servesto help galvanize the public to recognize thenumber of dogs that need to be rescued andacknowledges family dogs and dogs that workselflessly to save lives, keep us safe and bringus comfort. For more information, visitwww.nationaldogday.com.

SAVE THEDATE:Hawgs for Dogs - Stubbs Harley DavidsonSeptember 15$20 raffle tickets can be purchased online atwww.SAVERESCUE.org/events

SAVE THEDATE:Abandoned Animal Rescue’s 8th AnnualGolf TournamentSeptember 24www.aarescue.com

EVENT CALENDAR

THE SCOOP

BUSINESSES CHALLENGED TO SPON-SOR FREE SPAY/ NEUTER SURGERIESLaura Fulkerson Rone, owner of AccessibleDesign Solutions, is sponsoring five free spay orneuter procedures for three months (July,August, and September of 2012) through theMontgomery County Animal Shelter.Ms. Rone challenges other local businesses or

individuals to match her offer. A commitmentof just $300 per month for three months willpay for 5 spay surgeries, or 7 neuters. Smallersponsorships are also welcome. Ms. Roneexplains: "This challenge is in honor of mybeloved Willow, my fourteen year old chow mixthat rescued me 13 years ago. She passed awayrecently, and I can't think of a better way tohonor her memory."If just ten businesses in Montgomery County

accept her challenge, it will prevent at least 150animals from reproducing. One single unspayedcat can produce up to 300 kittens in her lifetime,and one unspayed dog can have up to 100 pup-pies. This program will be a significant steptoward reducing overpopulation at theMontgomery County Animal Shelter, whichtakes in around 22,000 dogs and cats each year.

To sponsor spay/neuter procedures, pleasedonate through the Montgomery CountyAnimal Society (the shelter’s non-profit organi-zation); sponsors can donate via the Paypal but-ton at www.mcaspets.org or by check written tothe Montgomery County Animal Society. Pleaseindicate that the donation is for theSpay/Neuter Challenge. Checks may be mailedto MCASociety, PO Box 130448, TheWoodlands, TX, 77393. Donations are tax-deductible.


NEW WEB SITE LAUNCHED IS DEDI-CATED TODESIGN FOR PETS

Pet owners now have a new place to go to dis-cover the best for their pets. Every week Inubarwill be releasing new products at introductoryprices (discounts of ~25%) and then movingthe 'member favorites' into an evergreen sectionso that they're always available.

The products featured are all well-designedand of the highest quality -- sure to please bothpet owners and pets alike. “We're working withsmaller brands that share our same dedicationtoward design and are usually not found in aPetco or Petsmart,” said owner Tiffany Luck. Tobecome a member, visit www.inubar.com.

80 DAYS. 40 STATES.1 LUCKYDOG!

BringFido.com lost their original mascot andbeloved dog, Rocco, to canine cancer last sum-mer. A few months later, they adopted a new co-pilot, Ace, from the local animal shelter. Ace isreally excited about his new position as the offi-cial mascot of BringFido.com, so owner,

THE SCOOP

Melissa, decided to take him on the "UltimateDog Friendly Road Trip" this summer. Over thecourse of 80 days, they're visiting 40 states andhundreds of dog friendly attractions. I'm notjust talking about the local dog parks either --Ace and Melissa are taking surfing lessons in SanDiego, hiking Dog Mountain in the ColumbiaGorge, parasailing over Coeur d’Alene Lake,whitewater rafting in New Hampshire, and eventouring the “Poop Deck” aboard the QueenMary 2 when it's docked in New York City.Sounds awesome, right? Well, you can follow

their adventures on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/bringfido, or enter to win adog-friendly road trip of your own by tellingthem about YOUR favorite place to bring Fidoin your hometown, or anywhere else you've trav-eled. The Grand Prize winner will receive a

$1,000 BringFido.com hotel gift card, $300 forgasoline, and a doggie backpack full of EarthRated Poop Bags, Petkin Pet Wipes, KONGChewy Treats, Zuke's Mini Naturals, and PetsafeLickety Stik treats.There are three ways to enter. 1. Enter online

at www.bringfido.com/roadtripcontest. 2.Follow Bring Fido onwww.facebook.com/bringfido, and post a com-ment about your favorite place to bring Fido. 3.Find Ace and Melissa on the road to get an offi-cial entry form and a free road trip survival kit.They'll be posting their stops on Facebook daily!

New Ad Size NowAv

ailable!

WWOOOOFFWWOOOOFF!!

If you like Urban Paws,please suggest it to yourfriends so that we can builda strong community of doglovers and share and learnfrom one another!

Have we told you lately howmuch we love our readers?Well, we do! Thanks forbeing a part of our UrbanPaws community!

urbanpawsmagazine.com

PLEASE SPAY & NEUTER YOUR PETS!

IFN Modern is the perfect one-stop

furnishings. Let us help you decorate your living space.

From sofas, tables, chairs, beds and lightings, you have thousands of modern items to choose from at IFN Modern. We do our best to provide you with high-quality affordable

ultimate shopping experience.

High Quality ModernHome Furniture at Affordable Prices

Get$25O� & FREE SHIPPING to the U.S and Canada

Use code IFN214 to receive this Special Offer and save an additional $25 plus get FREE Shipping on your purchase. Offer is vaild until August 31, 2012.Visit our website: www.ifn-modern.com or call us toll-free at 1-888-579-5006.


ENTER TOWIN A $25CASH VOUCHER

HOW WOULD YOU SPEND IT?The LeLePets.com contest, beginningAugust 1, 2012 is your chance to win a $25gift voucher towards quality and designinspired pet products.

WHO IS LELEPETS.COM?LeLePets is a members-only daily deals site dedicated exclusively to our pets. New sales launchesdaily, Monday-Friday, at 12PM EST. Through its 72 hour sales, LeLePets offers a curated selectionof high quality and design inspired pet products at up to 70% off! Our mission is to share our pas-sion for the animals we love and all things design. 1% of annual net sales are donated to theASPCA.

CONTEST DETAILS:Contestants must become amember of LeLePets (sign up atLeLePets.com, it's free!). 'Like'us on Facebook (face-book.com/lelepets). We will ver-ify that the winner signed upand liked us. No expiration date,but credit must be used towardsone purchase. Any unused bal-ance cannot be rolled over andused towards another purchase.Two winners will be selectedand the $25 credit will be credit-ed to their account.

ENTER TO WIN! CONTEST ENDS AUGUST 31ST.


utrition is one of the most impor-tant factors to consider in regards tocaring for your pet. We’ve all heardthe saying “You are what you eat.”

The same holds true for our pets. Just as youwouldn't subsist on a diet high in fats, sugars,salt and preservatives, neither should your pet.Disease processes in your pet can be attributedto poor dietary habits, just as with humans.Dental problems, cardiac disease, kidney disease,cancer, allergies and arthritis can all be attributedto by a poor diet and/or lack of exercise.

Fifty years ago, most dogs ate table scraps.Thirty years ago, cereal companies cor-nered the pet food market in supermarketsand agricultural feed stores. Today’s petowners drive to pet super-stores that dis-play a dazzling array of colorful bags ofdry premium foods, convenient semi-moistpackets, and gourmet diets for puppies, adultdogs, old dogs and overweight dogs. Theselections have become quite varied. So howdo you choose?

Nutrition is the foundation of good healthfor people and the same is true for our ani-mal companions. Diet is the most importantcomponent of your pet’s health care. Thebest diet for your dog or cat is not unlike thebest diet for you – it consists of a variety ofwhole foods enhanced with vitamins andminerals, enzymes and supplements, whennecessary, to promote optimal health, pre-vent disease or to address health issues.

Our animal companions are natural huntersand carnivores - just look at their ancestry.The dog at your feet (or on your sofa) has

evolved from the wolf, and his digestive systemis virtually the same despite thousands of yearsof domestication. They have very short intestin-al tracts geared toward the consumption anddigestion of raw foods.

Commercially prepared kibble has become thestandard diet for most pets in our culture. It is relatively inexpensive and quite convenient.Knowledgeable pet owners and many veterinar-ians, however, are becoming increasingly aware

of the true nutritional needs of com-

SPECIAL FEATURE

Which Pet Food Should I Feed My Dog?Understanding Pet Food Labels

N


panion animals and are taking a proactiveapproach to nutrition by placing more impor-tance on getting the highest quality ingredientsand carefully controlled preparation than oncost and convenience.

The next piece of information is designed tohelp you understand how to read pet foodlabels. Pet food packaging has become moreelaborate and may even show mouth-wateringphotos of meats and fresh vegetables. But toreally know what that bag of food contains, youmust turn it over and read the ingredient list.

Selecting the right food for your pet can be adaunting task. There are so many optionsamongst the aisles of food in your local petstore. While many pet owners appreciate variety,most don’t know where to begin when it comesto making the right decisions for their pet’s diet.Aside from the sheer volume of pet foods avail-able on the market, a large part of the confusionfor pet owners is due to the packaging and label-ing techniques used by various pet food compa-nies.

Companies know that most people are morelikely to read the bold print on the front of thepackage than they are to read the nutritionalinformation printed on the back or side. Somebrands will claim their products to be ‘all natu-ral’ or ‘complete and balanced’, but these state-ments are often misleading. It is important tolearn how to decode the information on petfood packaging, so that you can make an educat-ed decision about what to feed your pet.

There are two main methods used in producingdry kibble. One is by extrusion/expansion andthe other is drying. The most commonly usedprocess is extrusion, where the ingredients areground, mixed together and cooked on highheat and under high pressure to produce kibble.The kibble is often passed through a machinethat sprays on a coating, which is generally a fla-

vor enhancer.

Federal and state laws and regulations apply tothe various aspects of pet food including ingre-dients, manufacturing processes and labeling.Virtually all state pet food laws and regulationsare based upon the work of the Association ofAmerican Feed Control Officials. AAFCO is anorganization of state officials who regulate ani-mal feed, which includes pet food. Members ofAAFCO developed standard ingredient defini-tions, nutritional requirements, labeling andother guidelines.

Most states require under their state animal feedlaws and regulations that pet food labels be reg-istered and approved. Pet food labels arerequired to provide truthful and non-misleadinginformation, as well as:

• Identify the products as a dog or cat food• Display the quantity statement and name of manufacturer or distributor

• Display a brand name that is not misleading as to content or nutritional properties

• Provide a guaranteed chemical analysis that conforms to state animal feed laws

• List ingredients in descending order of predominance by weight in the product.

• List ingredients in accordance with AAFCO definitions

A pet food may not express or imply any claimthat a product is complete, perfect, scientific,balanced, etc., under AAFCO regulations,unless:

• It is nutritionally adequate for a normal animal in all of its life stages (growth, adult mainte-nance, and gestation/lactation), or

• The claim is modified by stating that it is complete and/or balanced for one or more specif-ic life stages.

...continued on page 20

“Who says you can’t find small dogs for adoption?”


ne of the most ubiquitous rumorsabout animal shelters is that they

don’t have small dogs available for adoption.However, Montgomery County Animal Shelter(MCAS) begs to differ. “The shelter is full ofwonderful little dogs,” states Cory Durand,MCAS employee. “Right now we have anywherefrom 35-40 Chihuahua, Rat Terrier, Dachshund-mixes and other small, scruffy mixes either atthe shelter or in foster homes,” Durand adds.

In recent years and in conjunction with arecessed economy, animal shelters have seen anincreased intake of small (otherwise known as“designer”) dogs. Shannon Hill, MontgomeryCounty Animal Society (MCASociety) president,speculates that it could just be a sign of thetimes. “People who could afford to feed and vettheir dogs are now finding the maintenancecosts to be too much to handle.” Costs associat-ed with owning a dog are often forgotten whenopting to purchase that adorable puppy. “Ourcounty suffers from tremendous overcrowdingof homeless animals, in part to backyard breed-ers who do nothing to ensure their pets are

going to responsible homes,” says Hill. “We sus-pect that most of our small dogs were pur-chased at flea markets or on the side of the roadfor a couple hundred dollars each.” The up frontcost seems reasonable until you factor in food,vaccinations, yearly veterinarian visits andmonthly flea and heartworm prevention. Andthis is only if your pet is healthy. “Add a seriousillness or disease in the mix and your cost ofownership just skyrockets – pet owners shouldbe prepared for that. Many people don't evenconsider the basic costs like spay or neuter andyearly vaccinations,” warns Hill.

Hill should know the costs associated with vet-ting a sick dog. Her not-for-profit groupMCASociety was created with the express mis-sion to help fund vet care for MCAS animals.“The small dogs coming into the shelter areoften long-haired breeds with severely mattedhair or Chihuahuas and Dachshunds who havebeen relegated to an outdoor life and left unpro-tected from fleas and heartworms,” explainsHill. “Proper grooming, heartworm and fleaprevention – these are not terribly expensive,

By Rosanna Russell, MCAS Communications & Marketing Volunteer

Animal Shelter Begs the Question,

O


but if not maintained can lead to serious andcostly problems.” But these are extreme cases.Hill states that the majority of the small dogsturned into the shelter are healthy and ready togo home with you.

And while small dogs are highly desirable in oursociety, the general public is often unaware thatshelters are loaded with dogs weighing in at just10 to 20 pounds. “It is disheartening to hear thata coworker or friend has bought a new puppyfrom a breeder when I know there are greatdogs wasting away in the shelter,” says DavidDancsak, MCASociety board member. “Forinstance, Roadie, a freck-

led Rat Terrier mix who hasbeen at the shelter since April,has always been an upbeat,happy little guy, but shelter lifeis taking its toll on him and heis becoming more and moredespondent. I just can’tbelieve he’s been there solong.” And to those whowould say that they want apuppy, Dancsak affirms,“adopt one of these small

adult dogs and you already know what to expect– their personalities have already been formedand the hard part is done.” The hard part ispotty training. “Usually, you’ll find that smalldogs who have been turned in by their ownersrequire just a brush up course in house training.”

MCAS, while not what you would call a “no kill”shelter, still tries its best to keep animals as longas they can. Yet dogs were not meant to livetheir lives in concrete kennels and this is espe-cially true of small indoor breeds who are usedto a warm lap and other creature comforts.“Little dogs have such big personalities and it is

painful to see them giving up before youreyes,” says Hill. If you’re in the market for asmall dog, Hill encourages you to make theshelter your first stop. “You’ll be pleasantlysurprised at all of the little dogs ready totake a big place in your heart.”

TRAINING & BEHAVIOR


s your couch your pup’s peeing

post? Does he lift his leg on

your favorite table leg? I

How to DealWith a LegLifting Bandit

�Bad dog!

�No No!

�Not the sofa,again!

echnically, your dog’s not urinating, butrather marking - a distinct behavior bywhich dogs communicate with each

other by leaving behind an identifying scent. Marking is generally a behavior of an intact,

territorial male dog that characteristically liftstheir leg. This becomes a problem when itoccurs indoors and dogs lift their legs on objectswithin reach when they feel the urge to expresstheir high social rank or territorial ownership.Territory is important to many species of ani-

mals. The same instincts remain in most dogs.While territorial behavior can result in an excel-lent guard dog, sometimes the behaviorbecomes excessive and unacceptable. One wayin which many male dogs mark their territory isby lifting their leg and marking their spot. Thisbehavior can ruin a person’s home and createunpleasant living conditions.Since marking isn’t a house training problem,

punishing your dog’s behavior or rewarding himfor outdoor urination won’t help. Treatmentrequires a program of prevention, environmen-tal modification (i.e. limiting your dog's access toan area marked frequently in the house), andbehavioral conditioning.

NEUTER YOUR DOG

The first way to eliminate the marking of thehome is to neuter your male dog. Onceneutered, the instincts to designate his territorywill be weakened. Neutering is always the bestdecision, even if your dog does not a problemwith marking. In addition to decreasing a dog’surge to mark his territory, you may also notice adecrease in aggressive behaviors, and preventreproductive system related health problems inthe future.

CLEAN EXISTING ODORS

Even with neutering your dog, he may begin to

mark his territory out of habit. When dogssmell urine in an area, in their minds they thinkthat the area is meant to be used as a bathroom.As long as your dog can smell where he hasmarked his territory in the past, he will probablytry to continue his actions. Thoroughly disinfectthe marked area to remove as much of the scentas possible. There are products on the marketthat you can spray in your home to decreaseyour dog’s urge to lift his leg.

CONTROL YOUR DOG’ S

MOVEMENTS

Use a leash inside the house as well as in otherpeople’s homes, veterinary clinics and anywhereelse he visits. Also important is the need toorganize the dominance hierarchy within yourhome so that you are the one in control. Whendogs are required to sit or lie down in order toget what they want (attention, food, toys andeven exercise), they learn to defer to their own-ers in these circumstances. If you live withmore than one dog, look at the dogs' relation-ships with each other. For example, if the urinemarking dog is also the one who interferes whenany attention is paid to the other dogs, it may behelpful to have him sit and wait his turn beforehe receives attention.

CONSIDER OBEDIENCE

TRAINING

If these efforts are unsuccessful, considerenrolling in obedience training classes. Theseclasses will stimulate your dog’s mind, and allowhim to see you as the leader of the house. Hewill eliminate his need to mark territory, andbecome more trainable in all areas of his life.

Belly bands or male dog diapers can also be usedon dogs to help control urination on your furni-ture and carpet.


T


At the federal level, pet food is regulated by theU.S. Food and Drug Administration, U.S.Department of Agriculture and Federal TradeCommission. Both the FDA and FTC haveauthority over labeling and advertising claims. Inaddition to the states, FDA regulates pet foodingredients and finished products. The FDAalso imposes certain requirements that apply toall food, both products for people as well asproducts for pets. The FDA has the authority toissue a consumer warning in the event that itdeems a product on the market to be unsafe andshould be withdrawn.

So, what do you need to look for in a quality petfood? We’ve broken it down the key factors toconsider when choosing the right food for yourpet.

FOOD QUALITYWhat to look for: Nutritional adequacy. Doesthe food have optimal nutrient levels to meet theneeds of your pet, and do they meet the currentneeds of your pet’s life stage (puppy, adult, sen-ior)? Read the ingredients. They are listed indescending order of their respective amounts byweight. The label will also show a guaranteedanalysis of the minimum amount of crude pro-tein and fat, the maximum amount of moistureand crude fiber and the added vitamins andminerals.

Be suspicious of: Misleading labels. For exam-ple, it is not required to give the actual amountof each ingredient so they are listed as relativeamounts. Food ingredients can also be listedunder different terminologies–meat sources canbe meat and bone meal (ground animal carcass-es), meat by-products (liver, kidney, lungs, etc.)or meat (muscle). The chemical analysis forthese listings may be generally the same but thequality of the protein can vary considerably.

WHOLESOMENESSWhat to look for: By definition, the word

wholesome means “good for one’s health” andthe wholesomeness of a food source has aneffect on digestibility. Search for sources thatyou would not be afraid to eat yourself.

Be suspicious of: Food sources that make yousquirm such as meat by-products. It is best toavoid products that contain mostly grains as adiet high in grains is not truly wholesome for acarnivorous pet.

PRESERVATIVESWhat to look for: Most commercial pet foodsmust have a shelf life to ensure that they will besold before they spoil. This requires that preser-vatives be added, especially to prevent the fats inthe foods from becoming rancid. Most pet foodmanufacturers use Butylated hydroxyansole(BHA) and the related compound ButylatedHydroxytoluene (BHT) and/or Ethoxyquin.Some are now opting for more natural preserv-atives such as vitamins A or C or herbal prod-ucts such as rosemary.

Be suspicious of: Synthetic preservatives aslisted above. It is best to look for foods that usenatural preservatives or none at all. There ismuch controversy on this topic and it may be awhile before it’s completely resolved.

PALATABILITYWhat to look for: Does your pet like it? Keepin mind that if you are switching from one foodto another, you need to allow some time foryour pet to adjust to the new taste. Try mixingsome of the old food with the new one forabout a week to gradually make the transition.

Be suspicious of: Foods that your pet shy awayfrom or refuses to eat. Again, it may take sometime for the transition to a new food.

COSTWhat to look for: Most of us look for an inex-pensive pet food as long as it seems wholesomeand healthy, although today’s pet food con-sumers are turning more and more to high qual-ity foods. The reality is that good quality proteinsources cost money and the extrusion process isa factor in he overall cost.

Be suspicious of: Cheap pet food. The oldadage is true: You get what you pay for. Cheaperproducts tend to be made from poor qualityingredients. It is not always true although, thatthe more expensive the product, the better thefood. It’s important to keep in mind that colors,artificial flavors and fancy packaging also add tothe cost. These features mean nothing to yourpet and in fact, some of these food frills mayactually be unhealthy.


D I NI NG OU T W I T H YOU R D OG

s pet owners, we’re always on the look-

out for new and exciting things to do

with our dogs, and summer is the best time to

enjoy some new experiences with your pooch.

Fortunately, many cities are becoming increas-

ingly pet-friendly, which means there are plenty

of things you can do with your dog that don’t

include the redundant tossing of a wet, slobbery

tennis ball.

Here’s an activity that’s sure to please both you

and your dog – al fresco dining. You enjoy a

great meal, and your dog gets to enjoy attention

from strangers (not to mention, lots of delicious

smells). Thanks to the grass-roots movement

Paws on Patios, more and more Houston area

restaurants are opening their patio doors to

dogs. Check out our list of the latest locations

and consider heading out for a fun outdoor meal

with your canine companion.

For a stress free dining experience, be sure to

follow these tips :

Before you go, make sure that your dog is com-

fortable around strangers, and well-behaved

enough to handle the excitement. This could be

sensory overload for your dog. If he is known to

jump up on the table or has trouble sitting still,

it may be a good idea to make sure he’s extra

tired before attempting a public meal with him.

Practice dining out at a casual lunch spot before

attempting your favorite fancy bistro. This way

you’ll know ahead of time if your dog has the

appropriate table manners to come with you

somewhere less laid-back.

Use a short leash for dining out, even if you

usually walk him on an expanding lead. There’s

nothing fun or relaxing about constantly untan-

gling your dog from chair legs, or having to con-

tinually pull him back to you as he tries to follow

the waiter back into the kitchen.

A


Pet-friendly restaurants will usually provide your

pup with a bowl of water. If he’s lucky, maybe

some snacks, too. Just to be safe, bring a bag of

treats and a bowl for water.

Make sure your dog’s clean and looking his best.

A suit and tie is not required, but he should be

bathed and smell nice. You wouldn’t go out for

a nice dinner without showering and your dog

shouldn’t either. If you’re short on time but still

want to take him out, freshen him up quickly

and easily with pet wipes or dry shampoo for

dogs.

It goes without saying, but if your dog just can’t

seem to settle down, is nervous around

strangers, or is incessantly barking, you may

want to nix the restaurant and choose an activi-

ty that’s more fitted for his personality. A dining

experience should fun and relaxing, not nerve-

wracking!

Houston AreaPet-Friendly Restaurants

Ziggy’s Bar & Grill302 Fairview702 Main

Baby Barnaby’s604 Fairview

Hugo’s1600 Westheimer

Little Bigs2703 Montrose

Canopy3939 Montrose, Suite C

Barnaby’s Cafe1701 S. Shepherd5750 Woodway

Backstreet Cafe1103 S. Shepherd

Tila’s Restaurant & Bar1111 S. Shepherd

Inversion Coffee House1953 Montrose

BlackFinn American Grille1910 Bagby

Front Porch Pub217 Gray

Pub Fiction2303 Smith

Celtic Gardens2300 Louisiana

The Grove1611 Lamar (Discovery Green)

The Lake House1500 McKinney (Discovery Green)

UP Bistro4001 Westheimer

BRC519 Shepherd

Bone appétit!

Join us in helping our four-legged friends find loving homes. Adopt a dog today!

Leah Syrian meaning: RulerLeah is definitely a queen and deserves tobe treated as such! She is a regal girl withimpeccable manners. Leah’s past is a bit ofa mystery. She came from a shelter inNorth Texas, but it’s obvious that she hada home at one time. Leah is 3-4 years old,house trained, leash trained, and loves carrides. She gets along fine with the threeother dogs in her foster home, but she’s alittle too interested in the kitties. They geta little irritated when she stalks themthrough the house and stares them into acorner. She can’t help it—her border collieherding instincts just take over. Leah’smain love is people. She never meets astranger and always sits sweetly to be pet-ted and admired. She’s also very patientand accepting of children. If you’re homeneeds that specialroyal touch,Queen Leahis the dogfor you.

Ourcover dog,Leah!

All Border Collie Rescuewww.allbordercollierescue.com

All Border Collie Rescue is a not for profit volunteer rescue organization dedicated to the res-cue of Border Collies. This passionate group of Border Collie lovers have had the good for-tune of meeting and befriending each other through past rescue work. Some of our volun-teers are new to working with border collies, while some possess over a decade of experiencewith Border Collies. We work extensively with many other Border Collie and all breed rescues.Our goal is to rescue, in some cases rehab, and successfully match our Border Collies to for-ever homes with well-matched temperament and abilities.


RESCUE & ADOPTION

Photos by Paw Prints by Jamie

Please note that thesedogs may have been adopt-ed by the time you visit

them; however, there are many more won-derful dogs in need of

forever homes.


Kiah

Diesel

Tucker

Brenna

Kiah is a 4-5 year old, black and whitefemale. She recently went through heart-worm treatment, but is better now andlooking for her forever home. Kiah isfriendly with all dogs (if they don’t chal-lenge her slight alpha personality), lovesall humans and does fine with kids. Shelikes to run with other dogs, but prefersto chase the ball dog rather than be theball. Kiah would work best in a homewithout cats.

Brenna is a three-year-old, semi-rough redand white girl who was picked up by animalcontrol. She is very affectionate with peo-ple and does well with older dogs. She haslearned that it’s pretty cool to lay on thecouch and chew a bone! Brenna is quitesubmissive, but with a patient family, shewill continue to gain confidence.

Diesel is a semi-rough coat, male BorderCollie/Aussie mix who is about a yearold. He was an owner surrender and wasleft at a shelter to be euthanized. Thathas impacted his life and he now hasgeneralized anxiety and does not like tobe left in a small crate. He is learning totrust again and is on medication to helpwith the anxiety. He is a happy guy whois up for any adventure.

Tucker is a gorgeous, male, blue merlewho is about a year old. He was a puppymill survivor that is learning to socializeand be comfortable with people. WhileTucker can entertain himself easily, heloves the companionship of other dogs.He prefers to be outdoors, but doesenjoy chewing on bones and hanging outwith his family indoors. He needs a fam-ily that will be patient with him and con-tinue to let him blossom as he becomesmore accepting of people.


Advertise Your Businessin our Marketplace for

only $600for the

Entire Year!Includes web exposure.

MARKETPLACE

VISIT US ONLINEwww.urbanpawsmagazine.com

Articles, Contests, Events & More!

COMING IN SEPTEMBEROur September issue is dedicated to

animal legislation. Contact us for

special advertising opportunities at

[email protected].

Urban Paws Magazine supportslocal, non-profit organizations that ensure our four-legged

friends are cared for. We encourage

you to adopt, not shop.

urban paws magazine

Documents