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www.OKCPetsMagazine.com / Online Directory / Community Pet Calendar / Local Pet Photos
from
the
publisher
(405) 397-4310 / (918) 346-6044 Fax
www.okcpetsmagazine.com
Howdy, OKC Pet Lovers, and Happy (almost) Holidays!
Meet (the gorgeous) Gibbs, our holiday cover star!
We truly loved every photo we received for our holiday cover contest, and we so
appreciate everyone sending in photos. However, our hearts especially melted
when we saw Gibbs. (Who doesn’t love a Golden?) We’re thrilled to showcase this
beautiful canine, and we hope you love him as much as we do!
Gibbs belongs to Richard and Shari Cathcart of Edmond. He’s 2 and a half years
old. The Cathcarts say their lives have not been the same
since he joined the family. Whenever they arrive home
from work, Gibbs likes to climb up on his favorite chair
and greet them with one of his toys, or a shoe if it’s
handier. (Since he was a puppy, Gibbs has always
enjoyed climbing over things.) At Christmastime, they
say Gibbs takes great joy in unwrapping and methodically tearing into his gifts. Tearing paper is one of his
favorite things. Most of all, though, Gibbs loves meeting
people and going on walks.
Gibbs is active in the Central Oklahoma Golden Retriever Club where he works
on “teaching his owners a thing or two about obedience training.” Soon, Gibbs
hopes to participate in his first obedience trial, and he has already received his
Canine Good Citizen’s Certificate. This past year, Gibbs gained a little brother
named Tucker who is a 1-year-old Miniature Schnauzer. Gibbs now has a constant
companion who “keeps him in and out of trouble.” Thank you to Richard and Shari
for sharing Gibbs with us. We received so many wonderful pictures, and you can
view them all at www.okcpetsmagazine.com/holiday-pics-2015/.
From canines to equine, I am especially excited to include the story on Big Paul.
My love for horses stems from my childhood, when all of us kids had a horse. There
was Shorty, Peanuts, and a few others over the years, but mine was Tag (that’s us
pictured above). We boarded them at a stable and most times I sobbed all the way
home because I couldn’t understand why my dad wouldn’t let me stay and spend
the night in the stall with Tag.
Also in this issue, we bring you an update on the Pet Food Pantry and all of the
new activities and programs in which they’re involved. It will surely put you in the
giving spirit! Last but not least, don’t miss the Q&A with OKC Animal Welfare
Superintendent Julie Bank, plus a whole lot more.
So dig in and enjoy this issue. We wish you a most happy holiday season, and
we’re ecstatic to begin year number THREE in 2016!
Marilyn (& Tag)
4 OKC Pets November/December 2015
PUBLISHER
Marilyn King
(405) 397-4310
[email protected]
CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Debra Fite
WEB MANAGER
Steve Kirkpatrick
(405) 397-2740
[email protected]
EDITOR
Anna Holton-Dean
(830) 837-1662
[email protected]
ADVERTISING SALES
Marilyn King
(405) 397-4310
[email protected]
Steve Kirkpatrick
(405) 397-2740
[email protected]
Nancy Harrison
(405) 826-6888
[email protected]
Cheryl Steckler
(405) 922-6542
[email protected]
Nicole Castillo
(405) 361-9762
[email protected]
Christopher Martin
(405) 996-6674
[email protected]
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Julie Bank
Pat Becker
Nicole Castillo
Lauren Cavagnolo
Kaycee Chance
Blaize Dicus
Nancy Gallimore
Sheri Goodall
Marilyn King
Emily Perry
P.O. Box 14128
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74159 -1128
©2015 All rights reserved.
Volume 2, Number 6
No part of this publication may be reproduced
without the express consent of the publisher.
—
On The Cover:
Gibbs
Photo by Richard Cathcart
OKC Pets November/December 2015 5
novemberdecember
2015
PUBLISHER’S LETTER
pg 4
PET FOOd PanTRy
a SECOnd CHanCE
PET Law Q&a
VCa anIMaL HOSPITaLS
REFLECTIOn POInTE
GaRdEnS
Time to “paws” for those in need
PETS ABOUT TOWN
pg 8
The rescue of Big Paul
pg 10
Julie Bank answers readers’ questions
pg 13
Their unique Oklahoma operation
pg 14
Pet-friendly cremation and memorial services
pg 18
wELLnESS COLUMn
Ditch the rawhides!
PG 20
Vienna
pg 23
yOU BETTER waTCH OUT,
yOU BETTER nOT BITE...
a dOG’S THanKS
wHaT wE wOULdn’T
dO FOR OUR PETS
Christmas shopping for Fido and Fluffy in the OKC Metro
pg 28
For a lifetime of love and companionship
pg 31
Going above and beyond
pg 34
dIRECTORy
Local products, services and friends of pets
pg 36
PaT BECKER
The mystery of a dog’s past
Julie Bank
Pat Becker
Nicole Castillo
pg 38
Lauren Cavagnolo
Kaycee Chance
contributing
writers
Blaize Dicus
Nancy Gallimore
Sherri Goodall
Marilyn King
Emily Perry
Time To “Paws”
For Those In Need
By Nicole Castillo
the holidays draw near, hearts turn
toward the less fortunate. Charities
and food banks fill with food,
volunteers and monetary donations. Oklahoma City Metro residents, who do not have
enough to eat, can benefit from these organizations. But if these people are not able to
feed themselves, what happens to their pets?
How will they be able to fill the tummies of
furry family members?
In June 2010, Kim Pempin realized many
pet owners were sharing their meager meals
with their dogs and cats. The realization
pulled at her heartstrings, and Kim set into
action. Knowing there were other organizations that aided animals in need, she
researched and reached out to a pet pantry in
Seattle, Wash. The Washingtonians were
more than happy to offer advice and told her
what bags to purchase, what ties to use, and
how to mix the food and bag it.
The Pet Food Pantry of Oklahoma began in
Kim’s garage and provided a handful of
seniors with food for their companions. Soon,
the garage was full, so Kim and her husband
Mike stored the bags in their cars. The
vehicles were quickly filled to capacity, and
they relocated to a small storefront location.
Before long, when they couldn’t fit one more
can of cat food on the crowded shelves, they
had to look—once again—for a new place.
Now, five years later, the Pet Food Pantry
resides in a warehouse in north Oklahoma
City. “We started with 25 seniors. We now
serve approximately 120 seniors and
veterans, plus over 100 homeless. That’s
approximately 650 pets each month,” Kim
says. “We currently provide food to senior
citizens, veterans and those who find
themselves homeless. If we provide pet food
as
8
OKC Pets November/December 2015
to these pet parents, then they can keep their
own food. Rescues and shelters benefit
because people don’t have to surrender their
pets due to financial hardships.”
I arrived at the warehouse on a crisp
October morning. The rolling doors were
open, and I heard energetic chatter skipping
Truckload! (Photo courtesy of Pet
Food Pantry of Oklahoma)
Pet Food Pantry of Oklahoma warehouse,
1000 NW 82nd, OKC (Photo courtesy of
Carlos Castillo)
out into the air. Inside, there was a hubbub of
activity. Volunteers trickled in with cheerful
hellos and good mornings before setting to
work. The Pet Pantry organizes and bags a
whopping six pallets of food on the second
Saturday of each month. This is done by
mixing all the different types of food together
to make distribution easier and fair. Volunteers gathered around huge totes of cat or dog
kibble to fill and weigh the bags, while others
kept the totes full by pouring in more. The
comradery was infectious. The vibrant group
of people labored like clockwork, and soon
mounds of bagged pet food were packed into
large boxes to be disbursed the following
Saturday.
“Years ago, I asked one of our volunteers
why she wanted to be a part of the Pantry,”
Kim said. “She told me she used to deliver for
Meals on Wheels. She watched the people she
delivered to open the food that was meant for
them and give to their pet. She knew at that
point that what we were doing made a
difference. These people will put their pets
first—sometimes going without food or
medication. Many of them don’t have family
or family they are not close to. I’ve personally
watched these people with their pets – they
are their family.”
Like Meals on Wheels for pets, on distribution day, volunteers are given routes, and
the pet food is delivered to the doors of the
elderly around the Metro. These route drivers
get to know the people they deliver to and
keep an eye on them as well. In some cases,
the Pantry volunteers are the only individuals
these seniors and veterans see in a week.
On the first Tuesday of each month, the Pet
Pantry visits the Homeless Alliance with Dr.
Baez of Midtown Vets. Dr. Baez gives
vaccinations and general medical care, while
Mike Pempin hands out food. The Pantry also
collaborates with police officers who work
with the homeless. This came about from
officers noticing hungry animals and contacting the Pantry for food. Now Kim makes
sure the officers have food with them to hand
out to those in need.
I met Pet Food Pantry board members
Mindy Duke and Devon Sisson. Devon comes
from St. Luke’s Pet Ministry. What is the Pet
Ministry, you may ask? She explained: “We
Pet Pantry Board Members (left to right) Devon Sisson, Kim Pempin, and Mindy Duke (Photo courtesy of Carlos Castillo)
meet bi-monthly with special guest speakers,
volunteer with the Pet Food Pantry of OKC,
Inc., provide donations to animal nonprofit
organizations, and host an annual Pet
Blessing. We also have a PAWS Prayer Team,
made mostly of children, who pray for
animals in need, as well as a note-writing
team who send notes in the mail to those who
have experienced a celebration (like a new
pet) or a loss.” You can check out the Pet
Ministry webpage at www.stlukesokc.org/
index.php/details/pet_ministry or find them
on Facebook.
Devon also explained how the ministry
joined the Pantry. “Mindy Duke has an
incredibly loving heart for both people and
animals, and she approached me about the
St. Luke’s Pet Ministry possibly collaborating
to help the Pet Food Pantry of OKC, Inc. She
arranged for Kim Pempin and Marsha Davis
to come speak to the St. Luke’s Pet Ministry
at one of our meetings. After learning about
their organization, we decided as a ministry
to start volunteering with them. As such, our
ministry volunteers with them once a month
to help bag pet food, and we also help at
outreach events.”
The Pantry also works with the Regional
Food Bank of Oklahoma. Pet food is collected
there as well, and Kim gets a call once or
twice a week to pick up donations. Surprisingly, Kim does all this with just one parttime employee; the rest is all by volunteers.
“We have amazing volunteers!” she said.
“It’s a chain reaction. We have volunteers who
spend their time at events informing the
public of what we do, bin managers who pick
up donations from our drop-off locations,
those who come to the warehouse each
month to help prepare the food, route drivers
who deliver food each month to the seniors
and veterans, and those who are involved in
helping the homeless by providing pet food
to local homeless camps. We also have a
group who meets twice a month to hand out
food to the homeless close to downtown.”
Kim cherishes her flock of helpers. “We
would not be where we are today, helping so
many people with their pets, if we did not
have the most amazing volunteers and
donors. They are what keep the doors open
and the pet food going out.”
So what does the Pantry need? “Like most
nonprofits, the greatest need is money,”
Kim said. “Because we can purchase food at
a discount, our donor’s dollars go much
further than what they could purchase food
for. While we are extremely blessed to receive
collars, leashes, beds, carriers, flea/tick meds,
treats, cat litter, etc., at the end of the day we
are about keeping hungry tummies full. That
is our first and foremost reason we exist.”
A 20-pound bag of dog food costs about
$20; so for $100, you can purchase five bags
of dog food. That same $100, through the
Pantry, can buy a pallet of dog food.
You can find a Pet Pantry booth at almost
every animal event in the Oklahoma City area.
You can also find them on Facebook, or visit
their website at www.petfoodpantryokc.org.
Both pages provide information on volunteering, donating money, and food drop-off
locations.
From what I encountered at the warehouse, the Pet Food Pantry of Oklahoma does
much more than feed animals. Aiding those
in need adds meaning and purpose to the
monotony of everyday life. Every volunteer I
saw had a smile and twinkle in his or her eyes.
Yes, they could have slept in on that beautiful
Saturday morning, or started the endless list
of errands we all accumulate over the
workweek, but the effort they gave for those
two hours will enrich the rest of the weekend.
Knowing that each bag of food will be put to
good use is all the reward they need. I have
always believed that animal people are the
best type of people, and seeing the Pantry
folks in action was proof.
■
By Nancy Gallimore, CPDT-KA
Can you love a horse
you’ve never actually met?
The answer is yes.
A loud, resounding yes.
The photo of the big Belgian draft
horse that popped up on my computer
screen stopped me cold. He was
standing in a dusty, barren feedlot near
Stillwater, Okla. He held his neck low,
his head extended forward, his eyes
staring blankly ahead. The strawberry
blond of his coat was dull and dirty in
the sunshine but had the promise of a
glossy sheen with just a little care. His
long legs appeared to be straight and
strong, his back wide and sturdy.
He did not seem to notice the person
taking his photo, as he stood alone in
his own corner of the busy feedlot. His
eyes were shut, perhaps to retreat into his own little world, far
removed from the stress and confusion.
Why this one horse grabbed my attention so firmly, I have yet to
comprehend. I’ll understand better when I finally meet him, when
I finally have the chance to run my hands along his massive neck.
His image called to me for a reason—I’m sure of that.
I look at hundreds of
horses every week. They are
the feedlot horses featured
on Facebook pages administrated by people working
around the clock to find
buyers who will give homes
to the horses purchased at
auction by killer buyers. The
feedlot owners will set a
price and give people a limited window of opportunity to purchase horses and move them off
the lot. Many horses are saved through the efforts of the people
pouring information into these posts. But if the trucks roll in to load
up, good horses are quickly, forever lost.
Many people are not familiar with the term “killer buyer.” For
most, it is an ugly little secret. But for people who love horses and
work to protect them, it is a stark and disturbing truth affecting
approximately 150,000 to 200,000 horses every year.
continued on page 22
OKC Animal Ordinances
BY JULIE BANK
OKC Animal Welfare
My neighbor’s dog barks all night and
keeps us up. Who can we call?
Oklahoma City Animal Welfare is the agency
to which you should report nuisance-barking
dogs in OKC. You can file a complaint at the
city’s Action Center at www.okc.gov or on the
City of OKC app on any smart phone.
A barking dog problem can reduce the
quality of neighborhoods and is considered a
disturbance of the peace. It is a violation of
Oklahoma City ordinance 8-47.3 for a dog
owner to allow his or her dog to bark and
become a nuisance to a neighbor. It is not a
violation for a dog to bark; it’s only a violation
if the barking is excessive. When determining
if barking is in violation of the law, an animal
control officer will consider the following:
how often the dog barks and for how long,
how loud the dog is barking, what time of day
the dog barks, and if there is some other
disturbance that is causing the dog to bark.
The most effective way to solve a barking
dog problem is to try and work with the dog
owner. Consider talking to your neighbor to
give him or her the opportunity to resolve
the situation since often the owner is
unaware that barking is occurring or that excessive barking is a violation of the law.
You can provide them with “How to Stop a
Dog from Barking” literature pulled from
the Internet or a business card of a local
trainer. Be polite, cooperative, and helpful,
and your communication can have great
positive results. Through the OKC Action
Center, OKC Animal Welfare can help
by mailing a courtesy notice letting your
neighbor know that a complaint was made,
giving him or her time to work to rectify the
problem through bringing the animal inside,
training, and other humane aversives.
If a dog owner refuses to take reasonable
efforts to control a dog’s barking, or if after a
reasonable amount of time the problem has
not been resolved, you as a complainant can
then pursue criminal prosecution of the dog
owner. Like any criminal offense, you must
be able to prove in court that a crime has
been committed by the accused. The person
who witnessed and is bothered by the
barking dog must sign a formal citation. You
can sign a citation by visiting the shelter at
2811 SE 29th Street, seven days a week,
between 9 a.m. and 5:45 p.m., or by filing
a notice through the City Action Center at
www.okc.gov, and an officer will be sent
to your home. Once signed, OKC Animal
Welfare will serve the citation and issue a
court date for the person to appear in court
to explain or defend the allegation in front
of a judge. You, as the person who wants
the barking to stop, will have to appear in
court and justify the citation.
What is the limit on the number of
animals I can legally have at my home,
which is in the OKC city limits?
In OKC, you are legally allowed to own four
dogs and four cats. This does not include
puppies or kittens under the age of 6 months.
To house more than eight animals, you must
apply for a kennel permit and be zoned
appropriately for a business and/or kennel.
When it comes to livestock, you must be in
an area zoned for livestock or domestic fowl.
On parcels between one and five acres in size,
raising, feeding, maintaining and breeding of
not more than one of the following (excluding
un-weaned offspring less than 6 months of
age) shall be permitted per each one half
acre: (1) one horse, donkey or mule; (2) One
cow, bull, heifer or steer; (3) two goats, sheep
or similar animal. You are required to confine
your livestock to your property. You must
provide food, water, shelter and medical care.
You must have the appropriate permits to
keep any wild or exotic animals, and local
zoning and care rules will apply. Regardless
if you have one animal or eight, it’s important
to be a responsible pet owner. According to
OKC ordinance, you must provide appropriate food, water, shelter, and medical care
at all times. All domestic animals over the
age of 4 months must have a current rabies
vaccination, and the rabies tag must be
affixed to the animal’s neck at all times. You
cannot allow your dogs to run loose as they
must always be confined to a leash on your
property unless at an approved off-leash
dog park.
Although there are no confinement laws
for cats, it is recommended to keep them
indoors for their safety and to appease your
neighbors. Spaying or neutering your pet will
not only keep your pet safe and healthy, it
will help you control the amount of animals
in your home, cutting down on any chance
of a citation for being in violation of the city
codes. OKC Animal Welfare offers any resident of OKC a free spay or neuter surgery for
his or her pet to assist in being responsible.
OKC Animal Welfare responds to complaints
made by citizens and investigates all legitimate complaints as they arise.
To request an officer to investigate a violation of city code, call (405) 297-3100. ■
When clients bring their family
pets to a VCA clinic, they aren’t
just gaining the knowledge and
experience of the attending
veterinarian, but of a network of
3,300 veterinarians and 400
board-certified specialists
across the nation, making it
a unique experience for both
the animal and the doctor.
VCA Animal Hospitals was founded in
1986 and opened its first location with the
purchase of one animal hospital in West Los
Angeles in 1987. Since that time, it has
expanded to more than 600 animal hospitals
in 42 states, seven of which are in Oklahoma.
VCA first arrived in Oklahoma in 2004 with
its acquisition of hospitals from National
Petcare Center, according to Elliot Fields,
regional operations director for VCA.
“At VCA, your pet’s health is our top
priority, and excellent service is our goal. I
truly believe we embody that every day
regarding our clients and our patients,”
Fields said. “We try to make sure that every
client that walks through that door gets the
best medical care available.”
And it is not just the animals that are
lavished with attention. Fields says VCA’s
veterinarians make it a point to not only take
care of the animals but their owners as well.
“Usually going to a veterinary practice,
sometimes you are going for wellness or
Oklahoma
VCA Animal
Hospital
Locations and
Hours
VCA
Animal
Hospitals
Serving Oklahoma’s Pets
Dr. Tracei Holder,
medical director of
VCA Kickingbird,
Edmond
vaccines, but in a lot of cases you are coming
in because the animal is sick,” Fields said.
“Your pet is more than your pet; it is almost
your child, your baby, and that makes it a
very stressful day just by itself.”
All of the Oklahoma VCA locations offer
primary, preventative and advanced care,
boarding, grooming and pet counseling. And
while each facility operates under the VCA
standard of care, they each offer something
a little bit different.
Dr. Tracei Holder, medical director for
VCA Kickingbird in Edmond, has worked
at three VCA hospitals, two of those in
Oklahoma.
“The interesting thing about VCA for me as
VCA Kickingbird
Animal Hospital
421 N. Bryant Ave.,
Edmond, OK 73034
(405) 348-7387
Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday, 12 - 5 p.m.
a practitioner is that there is an underlying
consistency, but they are not all the same.
The three practices I have been at have been
three very different types of practices,”
Holder said. “But [VCA does] have certain
expectations of care and really try to follow
the American Animal Hospital Association
standards of care... You can expect a certain
level of care even though each practice
is unique.”
Something specific to the Tulsa-area hospitals are the weekly doctors’ rounds held at
VCA Woodland Central every Wednesday,
which is one of the things Holder says she
misses most from her time in Tulsa.
“It’s a very tight network that they have in
that group. We are here alone in Oklahoma
City as a VCA hospital, so I do miss that
aspect of it,” she said.
Dr. Pat Grogan, medical director of VCA
Woodland East, has been participating in the
weekly meetings for most of his career.
“From a medical standpoint, we have been
doing that for over 30 years,” Grogan said.
“And VCA has tried to replicate what we do
here in some of their other cities, and they
have yet to pull it off.”
Grogan said between 10 and 12 veterinarians meet each week to discuss some of
their most difficult or unusual cases as
well as share things they have learned at
continuing education meetings.
“It’s so helpful because there are some
cases that are just pretty rare, that you would
hardly ever see in your career,” Grogan said.
“But when you get 10 or 12 people together,
the chances of you actually getting exposed
to some of those cases is even greater.
VCA Veterinary Medical Center
3129 S. Winston Ave.,
Tulsa, OK 74135
(918) 743-6644
VCA Woodland Central
Animal Hospital
4720 E. 51st St.,
Tulsa, OK 74135
(918) 496-2111
Sunday, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
With Quality Care
“And then, each of us has our blinders.
There are things that somebody will challenge each other, ‘That’s an old treatment.
You need to try this newer treatment.’ It’s so
enriching, our community of veterinarians
meeting together.”
Dr. Kathryn Henshaw, medical director of
VCA Woodland Central, says that sometimes
live cases are brought into the weekly meeting.
“So instead of just talking about them and
showing blood results and X-rays to each
other, we actually bring the animal and say,
‘OK, this is what I am seeing. What do you
guys think?’” Henshaw said. “And it is so
much fun to be able to do that.”
Beyond the learning aspect of the
meetings, coming together weekly strengthens the rapport between the doctors.
“If I have something I need to refer to the
other doctors, I know how they think, and I
know they will be in good hands,” Henshaw
said.
Affordable Care
Henshaw says one of the things she appreciates about VCA is that it is constantly
By Lauren Cavagnolo
trying to offer new options as far as
affordability.
“We know that within our area, I’m not
going to be the cheapest clinic you can come
to, but I am able to provide a lot more
services and a lot more staff to help support
our services,” Henshaw said. “But I need to
still make sure that we are reasonable for
our area in that the clients have a lot of
different options.”
One of VCA’s newest options is the Care
Club Wellness Plan. For a set monthly
fee, pet owners receive five pet exams, all
vaccines and lab testing. Optional add-ons
include spay/neuter packages for younger
animals or dental cleanings and X-rays
for older animals. Plans and prices vary
by clinic. Contact your closest VCA clinic for
more details.
For the clients who use all of the services
included in purchasing the plan, it amounts
to a discount off of the normal fees. And
because it is paid for monthly, the Care Club
plan helps owners budget for the pets’ health
care expenses. “It makes it easier to provide
Dr. Kathryn Henshaw, medical director
of VCA Woodland Central, Tulsa
VCA Woodland East
Animal Hospital
9509 E. 61st St.,
Tulsa, OK 74133
(918) 252-3595
VCA Woodland South
Animal Hospital
9340 S. Memorial Drive,
Tulsa, OK 74133
(918) 524-5000
Sunday, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Dr. Pat Grogan, medical director of
VCA Woodland East, Tulsa
the care they want without having to pay
a chunk each time they come to the office,”
Holder said.
Holder says the Care Club plan has
allowed her to spot problems before they
become emergent and more costly. “I’ve had
times where we have found a tumor in a
lung that we didn’t know was there,” she
said. “Sometimes there are things you find
that may lead to other diagnostics, but we
are catching them early before they lead to
other problems.
“When we are looking for things, we find a
lot of things. I think that is a big difference;
we look a lot more than we used to for
problems,” Holder said.
Though Care Club is not pet insurance, it
does pair well with Trupanion pet insurance,
available through a separate company.
“VCA is ideally wanting clients to consider
the Care Club and then consider Trupanion
for insurance,” Grogan said. “Then together,
you’ve got an affordable package to cover
most of your pets’ needs.”
Grogan said that some pet owners might
mistakenly worry that because VCA is a
corporation their clinics may exhibit some of
the negative connotations that go along with
that, but it just isn’t true.
“What they are going to find when they go
in our hospitals is it’s populated by doctors
and people who work here who love animals more than anything else,” Grogan said.
“The only way they are going to know it is
corporate is because of the signage, but you
are not going to get that corporate feel.
We are local... all of our hospitals existed
prior to VCA.” ■
VCA Woodland Broken Arrow
Animal Hospital
2106 W. Detroit,
Broken Arrow, OK 74012
(918) 258-5579
VCA Owasso Animal
Medical Center
8811 N. Owasso Expressway,
Owasso, OK 74055
(918) 272-5986
Keeping Best Friends Together Forever
Walking across the lawn at Reflection Pointe Gardens is a calming,
comforting and enjoyable experience. The grass is lush and green, the
gardens are overflowing with beautiful, lively flowers, and the calming
sound of a gorgeous waterfall adds to the overall sense of peace.
Although Reflection Pointe Gardens
could easily pass as a park or a public
garden, it is actually a place where families
can lay their loved ones to rest. “Reflection
Pointe Gardens has a number of options
for families who choose cremation,”
Owner Brad Whinery explains. Unlike any
other cemetery in the country, Reflection
Pointe Gardens offers various options to
stay together as a family while remaining
environmentally friendly.
Reflection Pointe even offers services to
furry family members. The first of its kind
in Oklahoma, the garden’s “Forever
Friends” section is a special place where
pets’ remains can be buried separately or
interred with their owners’. “We recognize
that cats and dogs are much more than just
pets; they are members of our families,”
Whinery explains. Reflection Pointe Gardens
offers pet lovers a place of comfort, a place
where they can celebrate their pets’ lives
and mourn them like they would any other
member of the family. A nice range of land
with lush grass, beautiful flowers and
several smile-evoking statues, the section
was clearly designed by the Whinery family
with animal lovers in mind.
The Forever Friends section is reserved
exclusively for pets, and all remains must
be cremated. Owners must purchase a plot
with their animals, which most owners do
regardless, so they can all stay together.
Reflection Pointe Gardens offers true
peace of mind for pet lovers instead of
wondering what happens to their pets’
remains after they pass away. In addition,
the gardens offer a place of comfort and
beauty for mourning; pet owners can visit
and remember their pets in a happy,
beautiful environment.
Reflection Pointe also recognizes
service animals of all kinds. As long as the
owners have purchased interment rights,
mation. A few years ago, when they began
to realize how large the need was, they
decided to sell their funeral home
properties to focus on the creation of
Reflection Pointe Gardens. A dream long
in the making for Brad and Glenda,
Reflection Pointe Gardens offers free
interment rights for verifiable service dogs,
as well as any animals that have served
their country, state, county or city. This
unique facility offers a variety of options
for pet lovers to honor the memories of
their pets with the care, love, and dignity
they deserve. “Pets are so much more
than just pets; they are family members,”
Whinery explains. And at Reflection Pointe
Gardens, they are treated as such.
Whinery and his wife Glenda began their
business, Affordable Cremation Service,
in 1999, 10 years after they purchased
their first funeral home from Whinery’s
parents. During this time, they discovered
the increasing need for more personal,
meaningful services in burial and cre-
Reflection Pointe Gardens encompasses
feelings of hope, peace and comfort.
“Visitors won’t be able to tell Reflection
Pointe Gardens is a burial setting,”
Whinery explains. “It looks and feels like a
park, celebrating life as it should be.”
Walking across the lawn at Reflection
Pointe Gardens, one can clearly see the
Whinery family has accomplished its
dream of creating a natural, positive
environment to serve as a burial site. The
green grass is lush and expansive, and
trees, which block out the busy world and
create calmness, surround the property.
The park is about an acre and a half, and
every square foot of the garden is
coordinated with a GPS point. In total,
there are about 58,000 locations. Each
By Kaycee Chance
Photos by Linda Earley
square foot can contain up to four
individuals’ ashes, so families can remain
together. Reflection Pointe also includes
a meadow in which loved ones may
scatter ashes near a small, trickling
stream, and an ossuary, which contains a
sealed vault large enough to store the
ashes of many. One of the more traditional
centerpieces of the garden is the large
slate stone waterfall that contains 300
places in which ashes may be placed. On
these niches, the names of the deceased
will be displayed.
smartphone app or its website to know the
exact location of their loved ones using
precise GPS coordinates. While choosing
not to use grave markers is certainly a
unique concept, it allows Reflection
Pointe Gardens to maintain its park-like
atmosphere and functions to give family
members a natural, peaceful environment
in which to celebrate the lives of their
loved ones.
“The goal is to look like a park; people
shouldn’t drive by and think we are a
cemetery,” Whinery says. In place of monu-
Perhaps one of the most unique features
at Reflection Pointe Gardens is that there
are no grave markers on the property other
than at the waterfall; instead, they use a
unique GPS system that allows family
members to know the exact location of
their loved ones without using monuments.
Visitors can use Reflection Pointe Garden’s
ments across the park, family members
have the capability to create an online
profile containing pictures, videos, stories
and memories visitors can view on their
smartphones or computers when they visit
the property. However, it can be conveniently viewed from home. Visitors are able
to share a memory or a note on the
website. The websites create the option for
people to be remembered with much more
detail and complexity, instead of simply a
name and a date on a headstone. Family
members can share the life of the deceased
and celebrate it in a positive way, while
also making the site accessible to others to
view as well.
The GPS system Reflection Pointe
Gardens uses is part of their Virtual
Cemetery feature. Instead of simply
locating the burial site or visiting the
website created by the family, anyone can
virtually visit the gardens at any time. This
unique benefit is possible because the
gardens were filmed from every angle in
360 degrees. And although the filming is
currently not real-time like Whinery would
prefer, he believes that will happen soon
enough in the future. The filming captures
all the beauty of the gardens on a beautiful,
sunny day and makes that beauty accessible to family members or friends from
virtually anywhere.
“Family and friends from out of town or
out of state are able to ‘visit’ their loved
ones from the comfort of their homes,”
Whinery explains. Virtual visitors can use
the GPS feature to locate their loved ones’
remains and then virtually stroll around
the park and experience its peaceful
environment. This feature provides a
sense of comfort to family members or
loved ones who live too far away to be
able to visit the site. Another benefit of the
Virtual Cemetery is that friends and family
members who visit the park—virtually
or in person—are able to view the online
profile the family creates. From there,
each can leave his or her personal
memory, which then gets submitted to the
family members. It’s a way for family
members to know when someone has
visited the grave and to celebrate their
loved one’s life through happy memories
left by family and friends from all over
the world.
Driving through Oklahoma City, Reflection Pointe Gardens stands out with its
beautiful landscape thanks to technology
and the breakthrough Virtual Cemetery,
allowing the environment to maintain its
park-like setting and serve mourners of
family and furry friends alike.
■
PETS
ABOUT
TOWN
Have a photo of your pet that's too cute not to
share? Send it to us, and we'll include him or
her in our next Pets About Town. Simply send a
high-res jpeg to [email protected]
along with your pet's name. And don't forget to
look for your photogenic fur baby in the next issue!
Frankie
Miss Daisy
Arthur
Pippa Jean
Stewart & Sophie
George & Delilah
Zeke
Gypsy
Cimmaron
Kookie & Butter
Sadie
Sydney
Dylan
Liberty Bell & Oxford
Sophie
Meaty
Cypress
Bentley
MIckey Moose
A Second Chance continued from page 11
All across our country, horses are sold at
auction. Owners who need to rehome their
horses, downsize their herds, or perhaps
dispose of a horse the kids no longer ride,
consign them to the sale, and buyers come
to bid. Some people are there to find a
new working horse, a new riding horse, or
perhaps to buy a horse to fulfill a child’s
dream. Other buyers are there for a very
different reason. They buy the horses no
one else wants and sometimes even outbid
prospective homes.
These buyers are known as “killer buyers.”
They do not discriminate; young horses, old
horses, fit riding horses, injured horses, and
even pregnant mares crowd into stock
trailers for transfer to the feedlots where they
await shipment to slaughterhouses in Canada
or, as is generally the case in our area, to
Mexico. Their meat is then most often
shipped overseas for human consumption.
It is a stressful, horrifying, drawn-out
process for these animals to endure. Horses
are transported under extremely cruel and
inhumane conditions, many traveling thousands of miles in overcrowded carriers with
little to no food, water or rest. They are often
injured or even killed inside the trailers
before they ever reach their final destination.
This was the fate that awaited the big, stoic
horse in the photograph. He may not have
understood what was happening, but I
believe he clearly sensed he was in danger.
Horses are amazingly sensitive animals. They
know the smell of stress and to fear this
sudden frenzied change in their world.
Horse slaughter is a grim, sad business that
inspires great debate, anger and frustration
in animal welfare circles, as well as in government on both state and federal levels. You
only have to enter the topic in any search
engine, and you’ll find entry after entry,
viewpoint after viewpoint.
Just looking through the photos of the
horses featured day after day on the
Facebook feeds has given me a quick and
unsettling education. It’s one thing to know
that something like this goes on, and animals
that have been our trusted partners for
centuries are allowed to meet such a horrific
fate. But where is the crime? Is it in
slaughtering horses? Is it in being the middleman whose job is to purchase the horses? Or
is it rooted in the hands of the people who
let their horses go to the highest bidder in the
first place?
For people in some other countries, horses
are a commodity and a food source—even
considered a delicacy. And here in the United
States, where horse slaughter is currently
prohibited, we have a surplus of horses that
are seemingly cast aside. As wrong as that
feels to me, it is reality.
There are people fighting to keep slaughterhouses out of our backyard forever. Of
course, this means we are, in a sense, failing
the horses that are then condemned to the
long, difficult trailer rides across the border.
There are others fighting to ban horse
slaughter, as well as the export of horses to
Canada and Mexico for slaughter. Closing the
borders to this practice would be a huge step
in protecting animals that are as much our
companion animals as the dogs sitting at
our feet or the cats purring next to us on
the couch. But it still would not solve the
problem of the unwanted horses consigned
to auction by owners who, in my opinion,
want an easy out. It’s a complex and
exhausting tragedy in our country.
But falling for Big Paul (the aforementioned horse’s new name) has really
opened my eyes even wider to the situation.
While people argue back and forth about the
morality of the whole issue, I’m firmly rooted
in the one thing that should really matter in
any discussion of the topic: the welfare of the
horses. And for me, one specific gentle,
handsome draft horse.
In this article, I cannot begin to detail the
overwhelming issue of our castaway horses
and the battle over what is truly right and
humane in dealing with them. It is a topic that
cuts through me and one that requires
continued discussion that needs to be faced
head on. But right now, I just want to focus
on the horse I named Big Paul.
I was drawn heart and soul to this horse the
very instant his photo popped up with the
label “urgent,” followed by the warning that
the stock carriers were pulling into the feedlot
to load horses for their final journey. It was
now or never for the big, blond draft horse.
I made a snap decision. This horse’s photo
would not bear the heartbreaking label
“shipped.” Instead, I would see to it that his
photo would be labeled “safe/sold.” Through
the miracle of the Internet, Paypal, and my
fast typing fingers in Tulsa, I was able to send
funds to secure the horse’s safety and then
arranged for his transfer from the Stillwater
feedlot to Silvermoon TLC, a short-term
boarding ranch outside of Oklahoma City.
Silvermoon TLC is a common stopover for
many horses rescued from “killer buyers.”
Because the feedlots are often a breeding
ground for illness, a 30-day quarantine period
is recommended before moving the horses
into new homes where they will be around
other horses.
Thanks to expert care by Tonni Canaday,
who manages the boarding facility, a transformation took place in Big Paul. Now, in
every photo I see of him, he is turned to look
at the person taking the photo, his face soft,
relaxed and curious. No longer is he staring
blankly ahead. He is engaged, looking
hopeful. His spirit is being restored just as his
coat is taking on a new glow with healthy
food and a good brushing.
The veterinarian paid Big Paul a visit to
assess his overall health and to pull a little
blood for a few necessary tests. To no one’s
surprise, he developed a runny nose, commonly called a shipping cold, after his time
in the stressful feedlot environment. Some
horses fall quite ill and develop a fever and
cough; some shake it off easily. So far it
appears Paul is going to fall in the latter
category. He’s a strong boy.
Overall, the veterinarian declared Big
Paul to be sound and in good shape. She
recommended treating him for intestinal
worms and giving him some supplements to
help strengthen his system. These are all
steps the good people at Silvermoon TLC are
willing to take for Big Paul’s welfare.
The vet who said this is the horse she’d
want to take home with her—high praise for
his gentle disposition—estimated Paul’s age
to be around 16 years. With proper care, he
should have many good years left. Belgians
have a life expectancy of about 30 years.
I’m so pleased this beautiful, impressive
horse, that stands more than 17 hands tall,
will now have the chance to enjoy a full and
happy lifespan.
I’m also pleased to have 30 days to figure
out what’s next for Big Paul. As I said, this
may well have been the impulse buy heard
‘round the world. Those spur-of-the-moment
“purchase now” clicks on Amazon.com pale
in comparison to buying a 2,000-pound living,
breathing animal online. It’s possible I owe
my ever-patient partner Jim a few hundred
more apologies for buying a giant horse
without first discussing the idea with him.
Following that spontaneous decision to
act first and figure out the details later, an
amazing thing happened. Thanks to an online
campaign by my friend, best-selling author
Jon Katz (www.bedlamfarm.com), Big Paul
has received an amazing outpouring of
compassion and concern from people all
across North America. Through the kindness
of friends and strangers, I have received
donations to cover Paul’s short-term
boarding and immediate expenses. It is a
blessing to not worry about the vet bills.
What profound and touching proof that our
love for, and relationship with, horses
remains strong.
Now, looking forward, I’m determined to
provide the best possible life for Big Paul,
whether at our own farm with our other
horses, or with help from a friend who could
secure Paul sanctuary with a draft horse
rescue group. I will do what is best for Big
Paul. He will never have to wear a worried
expression on his big, sweet face again.
I still return on a regular basis to the
Facebook page where I first saw Big Paul’s
listing. It’s hard to look away. There are new
horses listed there every single day—more
horses in danger; many horses shipped to
slaughter.
Big Paul was just one horse saved out of
the thousands at risk in Oklahoma and in
states across the country. When I considered
the enormity of that big picture, the story of
this one horse almost seemed insignificant.
Then I ran across a quote by Mother Teresa
that put it all into perspective for me: “Not all
of us can do great things, but we can do small
things with great love.”
As many people have reminded me,
sometimes this is how change happens—one
small act at a time. Maybe the story of each
horse saved will be the start of great things.
But right now, with great love, I’m going to
focus on making sure this one horse, that has
a new name and a new chance in life, has the
words “he lived happily ever after” at the end
of his story.
He deserves that. Maybe his story can help
us realize they all do. ■
WORDS OF WELLNESS
THE RAW STORY ON RAWHIDES
BY EMILY PERRY
Rawhide chews and bones are very popular treats
for dogs. They come in all sorts of sizes and are
pretty economical to buy. Depending on the dog, a
rawhide can last days or even weeks! However,
rawhide is extremely dangerous—so dangerous, I
am stunned it’s still on the market.
In fact, the Humane Society of the United States and
the ASPCA both discourage rawhide consumption and
list it among the dangerous household products for pets
(next to pesticides and cleaning chemicals). If you still
use rawhide, read on to find out more about why you
should stop and what chewing alternatives are out there.
What Is Rawhide Anyway?
It’s the inner layer of cow or horsehides that has been
cleaned and stripped of hair. In order to remove the hair
from this layer, the hide must be soaked in chemicals,
primarily sodium sulfide. It’s as toxic as it sounds. It’s
then washed and whitened with hydrogen peroxide,
dried, and pressed into the treats you see in stores.
(Sometimes they add flavorings or coatings to make
them appetizing for dogs.)
Other toxins, such as trace amounts of arsenic and
formaldehyde, have been detected in rawhide treats as
well. Rawhide is classified neither as human food nor pet
food, so there are no regulations over its production.
Safe Alternatives
Bully Sticks (may go by other brand names) - These are
dried bull pizzles. There is no choking hazard, they are
digestible, and they come in all the same sizes.
Antlers - These are from elk or deer. They won’t
splinter or create much odor, and they have nooks and
crannies that really help get your dog’s teeth clean.
Yak/Himalayan chews - These are made from yak’s
milk using a Nepali method. They are hard and thick, but
yielding. They are all natural, so there is no concern with
bacteria, choking, digestion or smell. These are one of
the best chewing options available on the market today.
Marrow Bones - These are the big guys—femurs or hip
bones that are thick and filled with marrow. Store them
in the freezer and offer one to your dog with supervision.
You can purchase them at the butcher or meat counter
in a grocery store. Just beware: they are messy! ■
Wags & Kisses
Mia & Co. Pet Salon
You Better Watch Out,
You Better Not Bite...
Gift Ideas for Pets
By Blaize Dicus
CANDY CANES, ice skating, and snowmen
signal the beginning of another holiday
season. Christmas is fast approaching, and
before long, we will all be flocking to the mall
to pick up last minute gifts on Christmas Eve.
Amidst the hustle and bustle, it can be
easy to forget about our special furry
friends. Most of the time, a scrap or
two of leftover Christmas roast is all
it takes to satisfy their drooling
snouts. However, if you want to
give them extra joy come
Christmas morning, here
are a few gift suggestions
that rival the handiwork
of Santa’s elite elf squad.
One Lucky Mutt in
Edmond, Okla., is a
one-stop specialty
shop for
natural
dog foods,
toys, and
awesome selfserve dog wash
stations. The
minute you step
inside the store,
it is apparent there
is a heavy focus on quality
with top-notch products; the
store itself is immaculate and
creates an upbeat, positive vibe.
Here you can check out products
by West Paw Design and the Zogoflex
dog toy line (suggested by Co-owner
Valerie Petty). The toys have a unique
ranking system that explains whether
they are better for chewing or for
playing. There are multiple designs
including Bumi Tug Toy, Jive Dog
Ball, and the Hurley Dog Bone—all
fantastic choices if your canine is
especially hard on his or her toys.
My own pup, Delilah, who is a PitBeagle can destroy an everyday
tennis ball in about five minutes,
but these toys have proven to be a
formidable substitute. She especially loves the Bumi Tug Toy
because it is great for tug-of-war; it can stretch up to two times its
original size. It also floats on water, so it would be great for playtime
at the lake, and if it gets dirty, it’s completely dishwasher safe. All
of the Zogoflex toys have a great bounce to them, guaranteeing a
jowl-dropping good time.
Valerie also recommends the handmade all-natural dog biscuits,
which can be found in the shop year-round. They are simple dog
biscuits with a great flavored icing. She says they are so delectable
that most dogs try to snatch them on their way out the door. She
gave me a sample cookie to take home, and Delilah absolutely loved
it. Stop in and grab a couple featuring fun seasonal designs,
depending on the time of year!
If shopping for feline family members, PurrfecTrends Cat
Furniture is a must-have! Based out of Springdale, Ark., these cat
towers are a giant leap above the competition. They are handmade
in the U.S. out of cabinet-grade Birch hardwood, which makes them
much more attractive than the typical carpet-covered towers.
Offering multiple wood finishes, there is an option to match the
motif of any household.
They are also much wider than most brands—the bedchamber
at the base of the structure is heavier, which adds stability, and each
shelf is capable of supporting 25 pounds! They come in three
different heights: 48, 62, and 72 inches. Each level of the tower
offers a side-wall that cats love to lean against while napping. A sisal
scratching pad is also embedded in each level of the towers. And
the best part: the scratching pads are replaceable! After your kitties
have gotten all the wear-and-tear out of the rectangular carpet
pieces, simply order more online from PurrfecTrends, remove the
old pad, and screw in the new one. Have no fear about their out-ofstate status; domestic shipping is free. Soon, they will offer
PurrfectSteps as well, so be on the lookout for that!
If you have children in your life (or remember when you were
one), you know the delight a “happy meal” brings. Well, Barking
Dog Bakery now offers the pet version—“doggie meals”—and it’s
not your basic fast food fare; think of it as your pet’s Christmas feast
and present in one. Owner Sherri Lanier says doggie meals include
an all-beef hamburger, all-beef hot dog or pizza; parmesan cheese
or sweet potato fries; a dog chew; a toy (what’s a happy meal
without one?); and a decorated cookie. While all recipes are all
natural and diabetic friendly, they also have a three-month shelf life
and no preservatives. It’s a win-win.
After all, Barking Dog is a bakery, and Sherri says you can’t skip
out on the five pack of decorated cookies; the seasonal offerings
are a perfect stocking stuffer for Fido. Check out the special event
cakes too—all with sugar-free icing.
Owner Virginia Kramer of Britton Feed and Seed suggests
another perfect pet gift during Oklahoma winter weather—
the Soggy Doggy Mat. It’s her favorite gift item of 2015, she says.
The Mat will catch it all, from wet paws and leaves to mud and dirt.
You’ll probably want more than one for every door of your home,
she says. “We love the Soggy Doggy Mats, and we know that you
will too.”
If your home is already full of pet paraphernalia and tasty treats
galore, grooming is a great way to tell your pets they are loved. Not
only will they look fantastic, but the experience can be relaxing
for them as well. Who doesn’t love a little extra pampering? The
Directory in this magazine and on www.okcpetsmagazine.com lists
many grooming shops, so be sure to check there first!
Santa will be dropping down the chimney before we know it, so
make sure your furry friends know that he is a welcome visitor. And
in case he hasn’t been informed of what your pets want, check out
One Lucky Mutt, Britton Feed and Seed, and Barking Dog Bakery’s
offerings or schedule that grooming getaway for your four-legged
best friend! ■
by Marilyn King
A D o g ’ s T ha n k s
Even though I’m gone, dear friend, I want to comfort you
with my thanks for our wonderful life together. I was the
luckiest dog ever, as you were the best human friend any dog
could ever hope to have. I will love you always and forever,
and our memories I will cherish. My soul appreciates the good
care you gave me, always feeding me nourishing food, making
sure my water bowl was clean and full, sitting with me when I
was sick, and just hanging out by my side. You made it a point
to always look out for me, and I never doubted your love. What
a great life we had! And when the bad times inevitably crept
into my life, we became ever closer as you tended to me day
and night, making sure I got my medicine and making me as
comfortable as possible.
On that dark day, I knew your grief, which pained my heart,
and I wept for you knowing the end’s approach was beyond
our control. At the final moments you made it so much easier
for me to pass on, because I could hear your voice whispering
your love for me.
I’m free now, dear friend, and await our glorious reunion
where the sunshine makes rainbows, and there are no more
tears. So please don’t cry for me. I know we canines don’t live
long, and that the best we can hope for in this fleeting lifetime
is caring and love. With all the love in your heart you gave me,
I know there’s some left over for another lost and scared
creature out there. So go now, dear friend, and find another
one like me to love. Life is short! ■
WHAT
WE
WOULDN’T
DO
FOR
OUR
PETS
No matter the cost—from money to physical pain—our pets are worth it all.
BY SHERRI GOODALL
ME AND MULLIGAN
On July 3, I took Mulligan, my
Westie, to the vet for an
immunization. Since I didn’t
have her companion, Mac
MULLIGAN
Two, I just carried her.
On the way out to my car, I
realized I had parked too far from
the curb and couldn’t toss Mulligan in
the back seat as usual. So I stepped down,
and that’s when I knew something dreadful
was about to happen. My ankle twisted under
me, and I began to fall. As if in slow motion,
all I could think of was not crushing Mulligan.
So I pushed her sideways and twisted my
body in some weird Cirque du Soleil move,
landing on my bad right knee with my foot
twisted under me.
But (this is important) I didn’t injure one
hair on Mulligan’s little body. I set her down
in the parking lot and rolled over. Nothing
hurt at that point, and no one saw what
happened. I immediately grabbed her and
jumped in the car. I felt fine—no screaming
pain and no huge embarrassment.
I must admit, Mulligan gave me the “big
stink eye” in the parking lot as
if to say, “Why am I lying in the
middle of the parking lot?
What’s wrong with you?” I
wanted to say, “Sister, it
was between me and you,
and I chose you!”
I went about my day,
took Mulligan home,
ran errands, went out
to dinner that night
and thought all was
well. The next day, LOLA
July 4, my ankle was
black and blue, swollen, and my knee was the
size of a cantaloupe.
We were supposed to go on a golfing
trip that week with some friends for my
birthday—trip cancelled. Saturday morning,
the 4th of July, I wasn’t about to go to the
emergency room, so I called my vet. After
all, he had performed a repair on a torn ACL
on Mulligan recently. I thought, “An X-ray
machine is an X-ray machine. Why can’t my
vet X-ray my knee?”
My husband, on the other hand, was ready
to call Laureate.
“Actually, there was a time when we could
do this,” my vet said. “Now we would get in
big trouble.”
Off to Urgent Care we went. A couple of X34 OKC Pets November/December 2015
rays and one MRI later, I found
that I hadn’t torn any ligaments,
just stretched them. The real
damage was to my kneecap,
which is already bone on bone
with bone spurs. My Miracle
Dr. drained my cantaloupeknee and gave me a cortisone shot. Two weeks later,
I’m pretty much healed.
Now, when I go to pick up Mulligan,
she kinda gives me the “baby stinkeye,” like “not again!”
Learn from my mistake: this is
why God invented leashes!
WHATEVER LOLA WANTS…
My friend Sally has “the best dog
she’s ever had, period.” Her name
is Lola, and she’s a 52-pound, 10year-old English Bulldog, a chunky
gal—close to the floor.
Sally and her husband discovered Lola had “AFib” (a heart condition
where the heartbeat is irregular) when she
was about to have a tooth removed. When
Lola was given anesthetic, she “flat-lined.”
The vet immediately brought her
back and told Sally that Lola could
never have anesthesia again. She now
requires hearts meds given twice a
day. OK, no problem; either Sally
or Rick goes home twice a day to
give Lola her meds—her very
expensive meds.
Last fall, Lola was injured and tore some ligaments in her front leg. Not
being able to have surgery,
she just had to be wrapped
to heal on her own, which
she did. However, her front paw curves
under, and she can only walk short distances
(and certainly cannot do steps). Yes, Sally’s
house has steps. Thank-fully, she isn’t in pain.
Bulldogs lie around anyway, which is a good
thing. So Lola isn’t deprived of activity.
Now Lola must be carried on a blanket,
a la Cleopatra on her throne, to do her
business outside and to go upstairs to their
bedroom. Lola knows the drill; she gets on
her blanket, and Sally and Rick grab the
corners and drag or lift her up and down the
stairs. Lola sleeps in her bed on the floor
next to Sally. So, Sally has her husband
snoring on one side, and Lola echoing the
snores on the other side. When she needs to
go out (usually at 4 a.m.), she barks, and they
get up and carry/drag her up and down the
stairs. The AFib causes sweet Lola to pant
when her heart starts racing, so Sally or Rick
gets down on the floor and pets her until she
calms down.
Lola has also decided she does not like
dog food any longer. So, Lola has sampled
home cooking and carry-out: chicken, pork
tenderloin, Chick-fil-A, Arby’s, ground sirloin.
Now they’re trying cooked rice and green
beans. It’s apparent Lola
SAM
will not be eating dog food
again.
Sally says, “I’d do it all
over again; we love Lola
so much.”
DON’T LEAVE ME!
Sam is a chocolate Labrador who belongs to our
esteemed OKC Pets Publisher Marilyn King. He has
a terrific case of separation
anxiety. The first time she and Steve left him
for a night out, the house looked as if a band
of baboons had held a gymnastics meet.
Furniture overturned, knick-knacks, vases,
and lamps broken, couches chewed... her
other dogs looked at her like “What is with
this crazy dog?”
Well, this “crazy” dog does not like being
separated from his owners. You leave him,
and he’ll tear up your house, plain and
simple. Sam is a sweetheart otherwise;
I’ve met him.
So, since that first episode nine years ago,
Marilyn and Steve have had to juggle Sam
each and every day, and when they leave,
even to go to dinner, they arrange for a sitter.
Now Sam has the human attention he craves
when his owners are gone.
Some might consider this a bit ridiculous,
but, on the other hand, I wouldn’t be writing
this article if it weren’t for people like me and
you who read this magazine and would do
anything for our pets.
NO COUNTER SURFING
My last story is a short one about a couple
who decided they wouldn’t have children.
Instead they got three Great Danes.
They were building a home at the time
and specifically had the kitchen counters
raised to heights where the Danes couldn’t
“counter surf.”
Good idea! I haven’t checked, since it’s
been a while, but what happens if they decide
to sell the house? Only very tall people apply?
■
OKC Pets
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Animal Hospitals and
Veterinary Services
american Chiropractic Clinic
318 West Highland
Shawnee, OK 74801
www.doctorduree.com
(405) 275-6363
Boarding Kennels and
Daycare Facilities
aristocats
930 W. Hefner Rd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73144
www.aristocatshotel.com
(405) 607-4422
animal Emergency & Surgical Center
931 SW 74th
www.okcanimalemergency.com
(405) 631-7828
Bark of the Town Resort & Spaw
1020 NW 67th
www.barkofthetownokc.com
(405) 842-1515
Best Friends animal Clinic
1313 N. Harrison
Shawnee, OK 74801
www.bradroachdvm.com
(405) 275-9355
Camp Bow wow
801 Centennial Blvd.
Edmond, OK 73013
www.mycbw.com/edmond
(405) 359-7297
Britton Road Veterinary Clinic
2826 W. Britton Rd.
www.brittonroadveterinaryclinic.com
(405) 751-8007
dawns Barking Lot
161 W. Waterloo Rd.
Edmond, OK 73025
www.dawnsbarkinglot.com
(405) 844-0079
Eye Care Clinic for animals
9225 S. I-35 Service Rd.
www.eyecareclinicforanimals.vetsourcecms.com
(405) 616-3937
Fefe’s Kennel
10901 N. Western
www.fefeskennel.com
(405) 751-3046
Great Plains Veterinary Services
www.greatplainsvet.com
(405) 385-1074
Guthrie Pet Hospital
123 W. Harrison Ave.
Guthrie, OK 73044
www.guthriepet.net
(405) 282-8796
Guthrie, OK 73044
www.guthriepet.net
(405) 282-8796
Holland’s Veterinary Referral Hospital
9421 N. Robinson Ave.
(405) 842-2275
Midtown Vets
231 NW 10th
www.midtownvets.com
(405) 606-4477
OSU Veterinary Hospital
Center for Veterinary Health Sciences
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK 74078
www.cvhs.okstate.edu/vth
(405) 744-7000
Reno animal Hospital
6400 E. Reno Ave.
Midwest City, OK 73110
www.renoanimalhospital.net
(405) 733-3346
Susan Streeter, PLLC
2915 NW 122nd
Oklahoma City 73120
(405) 808-5800
VCa Kickingbird
421 N. Bryant Ave.
Edmond, OK 73034
www.vcaanimalhospitals.com/kickingbird
(405) 348-7387
Midtown Vets
231 NW 10th
www.midtownvets.com
(405) 606-4477
6400 E. Reno Ave.
www.renoanimalhospital.com
(405) 733-3346
The Pawparazzi Lounge
3724 E. 2nd
Edmond, OK 73034
www.pawparazzilounge.com
(405) 341-0057
VCa Kickingbird
421 N. Bryant Ave.
Edmond, OK 73034
(405) 348-7387
arf‘n annies
314 S.W. 89th
(405) 634-7833
Bark of the Town Resort & Spaw
1020 NW 67th
www.barkofthetownokc.com
(405) 842-1515
Barking in Style
9431 N. May Ave.
(405) 495-5723
Britton Road Veterinary Clinic
2826 W. Britton Rd.
www.brittonroadveterinaryclinic.com
(405) 751-8007
Camp Bow wow
801 Centennial Blvd.
Edmond, OK 73013
www.mycbw.com/edmond
(405) 359-7297
Copper dog Salon
7911 W. Hefner Road, Suite 5
www.copperdogsalon.net
(405) 888-3191
dawns Barking Lot
161 W. Waterloo Rd.
Edmond, OK 73025
www.dawnsbarkinglot.com
(405) 844-0079
dog dynasty Salon
5026 N. May Avenue
Suite E
(405) 635-8080
doggie Styles
1261 S. Eastern Ave.
Moore, OK 73160
(405) 790-0926
Fefe’s Kennel
10901 N. Western
Oklahoma City 73114
www.fefeskennel.com
(405) 751-3046
Guthrie, OK 73044
www.guthriepet.net
(405) 282-8796
Vera’s Posh Paws
www.verasposhpaws.com
105 Sutton Circle
Moore, OK 73160
(405) 759-POSH (7674)
K-9 Korral
110 W. Main
Moore, OK 73160
(405) 794-0515
8533 NW Expressway
(Council & NW Expressway)
Oklahoma City 73162
(918) 759-3647 (dogs)
Mia & Company Pet Salon
7326 N. May Ave.
Oklahoma City 73116
(405) 595-6116
Grooming Services
academy of dog Grooming arts
5920 N.W. 38th
www.okcdoggroomingschool.com
(405) 470-5551
Midtown Vets
231 NW 10th
www.midtownvets.com
(405) 606-4477
Pawfecto Pet Salon
11024 N. Rockwell Ave.
Oklahoma City 73162
www.pawfectopetsalon.com
(405) 773-3647
6400 E. Reno Ave.
www.renoanimalhospital.com
(405) 733-3346
The Chisolm Tails
126 W State Highway 152
Mustang 73064
(405) 376-4292
The doggie Spot
12-A East Main St.
Shawnee, OK 74801
www.thedoggiespot.com
(405) 878-8822
The Pawparazzi Lounge
3724 E. 2nd
Edmond, OK 73034
www.pawparazzilounge.com
(405) 341-0057
VCa Kickingbird
421 N. Bryant Ave.
Edmond, OK 73034
(405) 348-7387
Vera’s Posh Paws
105 Sutton Circle
Moore, OK 73160
www.verasposhpaws.com
(405) 759-POSH (7674)
8533 NW Expressway
(Council & NW Expressway)
(918) 759-3647 (dogs)
Obedience Trainers
Canine Sports academy
30217 Santa Fe Ave.
Norman, OK 73027
www.caninesportsacademy.com
(405) 288-092
Sit Means Sit
Edmond and surrounding areas
[email protected]
(405) 673-5538
The doggie Spot
12-A East Main St.
Shawnee, OK 74801
www.thedoggiespot.com
(405) 878-8822
Twister agility
Waterloo Road
Edmond, OK 73025
www.twisteragility.com
(405) 826-7524
Pet Mortuary and
Cremation Services
all Paws Go To Heaven
4444 S. Division St.
Guthrie, OK 73044
www.allpawsgotoheaven.com
(405) 313-7297
Pet Memorial Gardens
17560 State Highway 9
Norman, OK 73069
(405) 387- 5737
Pet Memories
1336 W. Main St.
www.petmemoriesok.com
(405) 840-0800
Precious Pets Cemetery
5501 Spencer Road
Spencer, OK 73084
www.preciouspetscemetery.com
(405) 771-5510
Reflection Pointe Gardens
10900 N. Eastern Rd.
www.reflectionpointe.net
Pet Photographers
Cameron & Madalyn
www.cameronandmadalyn.com
(405) 308-5605
Pet Retail
a1 Pet Emporium
www.a1petemporium.com
2911 W. Britton Rd.
(405) 749-1738
432 S. Santa Fe Ave.
Edmond, OK 73003
(405) 509-6644
Barking dog Bakery
10455 N. May Ave.
www.barkingdogbakeryokc.com
(405) 879-2280
Britton Feed & Seed
708 W. Britton Rd.
(405) 842-5590
One Lucky Mutt
15220 N. Western, Suite E2
www.oneluckymutt.com
(405) 348-6888
Pet Sitting, Transportation,
and Walking Services
Carey Pet & Home Care
www.careypet.com
(405) 605-3355
Barking dog Bakery
10455 N. May Ave.
www.barkingdogbakeryokc.com
(405) 879-2280
Britton Feed & Seed
708 W. Britton Rd.
(405) 842-5590
Earthborn Holistic natural Pet Food
www.earthbornholisticpetfood.com
One Lucky Mutt
15220 N. Western, Suite E2
www.oneluckymutt.com
(405) 348-6888
SPORTMiX Premium Pet Food
www.sportmix.com
Friends of Pets
angelic Hands
3009 NW 63rd
Suite A-1
www.ahharts.com
(405) 205-7918
Bow & arrow Boutique
617 N. Broadway
www.shopbowandarrow.com
(405) 601-0605
Citro’s Carpet Cops
www.wecleanyourcarpets.com
(405) 631-1209
dental works
Edwina Johnson, DDS
4200 Hemingway Drive
www.evjdentalworks.com
(405) 557-1245
dog Talk
www.dogtalktv.com
[email protected]
Heritage College
7202 S. I-35 Service Rd.
www.heritagecollege.edu
(888) 833-4733
Louie’s Grill and Bar
www.ehsrg.com/louies/home
Pet Limousine
www.petlimousine.com
(405) 922-6542
nexGen Lawns
www.nexgenlawns.com
(918) 671-8428
Savvy Pet Sitter
www.savvypetsitter.com
(405) 219-0011
Storm Xcape
1015 W. Britton Rd.
(405) 286-4052
Specialty Pet Food
and Treats
a1 Pet Emporium
www.a1petemporium.com
2911 W. Britton Rd.
(405) 749-1738
Valir HosPets
800 NW 6th
www.valir.com
(405) 609-3636
432 S. Santa Fe Ave.
Edmond, OK 73003
(405) 509-6644
The Mystery of an Adopted Dog’s
History
BY PAT BECKER
If you raise a dog from about 8 weeks of age, and you got
him or her from a reputable breeder, you will have
control of that pup’s mind and physical health.
Therefore, your dog’s future depends on the way
you manage his or her early life.
I’ve always said that each of us is our pet’s basic
trainer. Every time you interact with your dogs, you
teach them something about you, themselves, and the world around
them. Your dog’s personality, his or her ability for impulse control,
and social skills all will begin through your efforts. If you’re consistently raising your pet with kindness and care, you will have a
great chance for living with a happy, healthy, loving companion.
As a wise philosopher once said, “We are a part of all whom we
have met.”
That being said, let’s talk about what to expect if you didn’t raise
the dog you just brought into your family.
What do you know about this little guy’s past life and how he was
raised? What kind of traumatic, negative experiences did he have
which will influence his behavior? Most of the time there is an “X
Factor” for the majority of dogs adopted from rescues and shelters.
Statistically, in the U.S. 8 million dogs and cats enter shelters each
year. About three-fourths of that number are dogs, half of which will
die there. The lucky few will be adopted by folks like you and me.
Here are a few questions to ask ourselves about why they are there:
A. Did they escape their home environment, and couldn’t find
their way back?
B. Were they brought to the shelter by their owners, and if so,
for what reason?
C. Were they puppies born and not wanted? (Those owners need
to have “Spay And Neuter” tattooed on each hand!)
D. Were they dogs who became aggressive, and if so, why?
Have you ever wished they could tell you the story of their lives?
We basically know what they are subjected to when they’re picked
up or owner-surrendered.
They’re introduced to the local pet penal system—a very stressful
situation. The routine goes like this: examination, injection, castration, incarceration. Sound like fun?
Those of us who work tirelessly advocating for pet adoptions
give these little critters cute, catchy names. We lie sometimes about
their DNA and always try to comfort and socialize them with
people and other dogs while in the shelter or rescue to help their
chances for re-homing.
It’s pretty amazing that some of these sweet dogs can hide their
anxieties, set aside their fears, and cooperate with the folks handling
them as agents of their future. These dogs who can more easily adapt
are best qualified to re-enter society and find loving homes.
Still, there is a mysterious similarity to the behavior of all adopted
dogs. Are you aware of it? Do you see it or sense it?
Let me give you a few scenarios and tell me if they
sound familiar?
Your new little guy is jumping around happily,
then as you accidentally drop a jar lid to the
floor or call out loudly to one of your kids, he
flattens his ears and runs or throws himself
down in a submissive position.
Or he runs to hide behind something as you correct one of your
other dogs. Or sadly you discover that your adoptee has never
had a toy. Or you hear him moan and whine in his sleep. (Oh, yes!
Research science tells us that they do dream!)
I could go on and on listing the symptoms of dogs experiencing
recall of some traumatic issue. Some symptoms are very subtle but
distinct and discernable to those of us who have volunteered and
fostered for years.
A dog’s behavior flows from three main sources: desire, emotion,
and knowledge. Dogs are born with open minds. As they grow, and
experience life, they learn. We as caregivers need to be reminded of
the responsibility that accompanies dog ownership—whether we
raise them or adopt them.
I have a few tips for those adopters who didn’t realize the
necessity of having a plan when the new “kid” joined the family.
1. Try to communicate effectively with your new dog through
gentleness of tone of voice and physical actions.
2. Allow him or her to adapt to the family routine as slowly as
he or she finds necessary.
3. Give him or her a chance to build confidence with rewards,
such as a small treat, for training accomplishments.
4. Give your newbie as much interactive exercise as he or
she wants.
I promise you there would be far fewer “returns” if adopters would
consider the new family addition a “project.” Folks need to have
patience and understand that these dogs need to regain the ability
to trust!
The other option to solving the problem of your dog’s “history
mystery” is to write a fictional background about his or her life.
I guarantee it will help you understand why your dog is so darn
grateful to you and shows you daily!
I even wrote some history mysteries about my dogs. Visit
patbeckerbooks.com.
You can do it too. Try it! It’s great therapy by the way!
■
Many Hugs!
Pat Becker
See ya on Dog Talk TV!

www.OKCPetsMagazine.com / Online Directory / Community Pet

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