For the Love of the Older Dog

Transcription

For the Love of the Older Dog
SUMMER 2009
TulsaPets
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Providing Tulsa
Pet Owners with a
One-Stop Resource
for Local Products,
Services and
Information
For the
Love
of the
Older
Dog
The Death of
HOUSE
BILL 1332
See
Pets
t
Abou
Town
TERRY,
a special Sheltie, whose family is
proud to have been the highest
bidder for the July 2009 cover to
benefit the Tulsa Chapter of the
American Cancer Society.
www.tulsapetsmagazine.com
The Shelter Report
On June 11, TulsaPets Magazine toured the Tulsa Animal Welfare shelter and took these
photos of dogs and cats available for adoption. There are lots of wonderful available
animals so please save a life and adopt a new best friend!
The following identifiable breeds were available for adoption
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1
1
1
1
Beagle
Blue Heeler
Boxer
Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Chihuahua
1 Dachshund
3German Shepherds
1Husky
8 Labrador Retrievers
1 Lhasa Apso
2 Mastiffst
13 Pit Bull Terriers
1Rottweiler
1 Saint Bernard
January through may 2009
Impounded/Drop-Offs
Dogs Cats Others Totals 3455
1343
178
4976
Claimed/Adopted/Rescued Euthanized %
1184
267 46
1497
2027 920 101 3048 59%
69%
57%
61%
Make a difference….adopt a shelter animal!!
The adoption facility is open daily, except on City holidays. The shelter is open to the public: Tuesday-Friday 10am - 6pm; Saturday 12 - 4pm; Closed Sundays and Mondays.
Dog and cat adoptions are $75.00 regardless of age
Tulsa Animal Welfare • 3031 N. Erie Avenue • Tulsa 74115 • (918) 669-6299
Funding for this page was provided by Carolyn Arkison and an Anonymous Sponsor.
TulsaPets Summer 2009 3
contents
Summer 2009
12
9 For the Love of the Silver Muzzles
In honor of the older dog
12 Pets About Town
15 Legal Column
Tulsa’s Bark Park rules
19 Bite Avoidance
Tips for a Safe Rescue Effort
24Spotlight on A.R.F.
Animal Rescue Foundation
26Directory of Products,
Services, & Friends of Pets
29Calendar of Events
4 TulsaPets Summer 2009
30Summer’s Fifth Night
Utica Square has gone to the dogs!
35Pet Peace of Mind
Hospice’s program goes national!
39Red Cross Pet First Aid
A must for every pet owner
41 Meet Miss Emily
The pacemaker dog
44Training Column
With Mary Green
47The Death of House Bill 1332
50A Word … Pit Bulls
24/7
Animal
Emergency
Center
Tulsa’s only fully-staffed
emergency & trauma care center.
Your 24-Hour
EMERGENCY Pet
Care Center
665-0508
41st
memorial
S. 70th e. ave
sheridan
www.aec-tulsa.com
Between Sheridan
& Memorial
on 41st
TulsaPets Summer 2009 5
Publisher Letter
TulsaPets
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reetings from TulsaPets Magazine,
and welcome to our Summer 2009
Issue!
First off, I do apologize to all the cat lovers out there (of which I am one) for a dog
yet again gracing the magazine’s cover. I
can explain, and I ask for your forgiveness. The Tulsa Chapter of the American Cancer
Society held their annual Cattle Baron’s Ball
April 3rd at the Cain’s Ball Room, and I
was asked to “donate” my front cover as a
live auction item for bid. The highest bidder would win their pet’s picture on the
July cover of TulsaPets Magazine and the
bid amount donated to the Tulsa Chapter of
the American Cancer Society. I was thrilled
to donate my cover for this cause, and I’m
proud to introduce the winning Sheltie,
Photo by Sirius Photography
Terry. Terry’s family is proud to show him
off, and the Tulsa Chapter of the American Cancer Society is $1,200 richer!
We’re receiving more and more dogs, cats, and “others” for adoption placement
on our Available for Adoption Today! at www.tulsapetsmagazine.com. Thank
you to those rescue groups who are participating in this free service! I do encourage groups who are not participating to please do submit adoptions for posting
on the site, and if you need help please email [email protected] for
simple instructions on placing your adoptable pets on our site. I have to say shame on those involved in the sudden death of House Bill 1332. This is covered in this current issue by Ruth Steinberger, and was the bill that
would place minimum basic regulations on puppy mill operations or those producing over 35 dogs per year. Why the whole outcome is cloaked in mystery is
certainly puzzling, and it’s downright disappointing that we can’t get a straight
answer about what really transpired. I would hope that the truth will surface,
and in the meantime, the only thing I can say is that may each and every person
who is responsible for either delaying or interfering in the bill be forever haunted
by the ghosts of the puppies and dogs living the lives of the damned in those
mills. May better days be ahead for our Oklahoma puppy mill victims. Please do try to donate a Kuranda bed to the City of Tulsa Shelter (www.kuranda.com). It’s a most worthwhile donation and will help a dog or
puppy be more comfortable during their impoundment.
Thank you to all who again continue to make TulsaPets Magazine possible my advertisers, ad designers, and readers. Please join the Community at our website www.tulsapetsmagazine.com for timely community news, chats, and other
postings, and keep the pets about town pictures coming. See you back in the fall!
Chow until then,
Marilyn, Sam and Elmer
6 TulsaPets Summer 2009
CORRECTION: We discovered that the poem
“I Am An Animal Rescuer” in the last issue
was written by Annette King-Tucker, and
we indicated an anonymous author. Our
apologies to Ms. King-Tucker for the error.
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(918) 520-0611 / (918) 834-1252 Fax
www.tulsapetsmagazine.com
[email protected]
Publisher Marilyn King
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Amanda Bullock
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Don Hensley
WEB MANAGER Steve Kirkpatrick
[email protected]
P.O. Box 14128
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74159-1128
918 /520-0611
918/834-1252 Fax
©2009. All rights reserved.
Volume 3, Number 3
TulsaPets Magazine is available at no charge,
one per person. Additional copies can
be purchased by calling (918) 520-0611.
On the cover: Terry, a much-loved Sheltie,
whose family was the highest-bidder for the
magazine’s cover at a live auction held during the 2009 Tulsa Chapter of the American
Cancer Society’s Cattle Baron’s Ball. All
proceeds went to the Tulsa Chapter of the
American Cancer Society.
Cover photo by Roy Zoellner Photography.
Sugar is anxiously
awaiting her newest issue
of TulsaPets Magazine.
Congrats Marilyn on another
successful issue of TulsaPets
Magazine! From your friends at
Langdon Publishing.
1603 South Boulder Avenue
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119-4407
918.585.9924 (Ext. 219)
www.langdonpublishing.com
TulsaPets Summer 2009 7
your new best friend
is waiting for you at the
tulsa animal shelter, but he
can’t wait for long.
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8 TulsaPets Summer 2009
Good Vibes
Story by Nancy Gallimore Werhane
Photos by Sirius Photography
For the
Love of
Silver
Muzzles
The Plight of Senior
Dog Adoptions
Daniel
TulsaPets Summer 2009 9
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Daniel
Apollo
10 TulsaPets Summer 2009
he best of breed competition at the prestigious
Westminster Kennel Club dog show presented an
evening of firsts as a jaunty Sussex spaniel known
formally as Champion Clussess Three D Grinchy Glee walked
away with the top prize.
In a lineup that included a standard poodle, a Scottish
terrier, a puli, a Brussels griffon, a giant schnauzer and
a Scottish deerhound, this win marked the first time a
Sussex spaniel has won the coveted title of best of breed at
Westminster. However, another first marks the emotional
achievement of the night. All formal names and titles aside,
the well-loved, sleep-in-the-bed spaniel, affectionately known
as Stump, came out of retirement to become the top show
dog in the nation. Born on December 1 of 1999, at 10 years
of age Stump officially became the oldest dog to wear the
coveted Westminster crown. Take that same dog, however, and place him in just about
any shelter or with any rescue group and his story would
likely be quite different. Oh sure, a cute boy like Stump
might attract some potential adopters, but one look at his age
and he would probably be passed over for younger dogs and
puppies. It’s the sad reality that befalls many wonderful older
dogs as they are bypassed in favor of younger dogs and left to
an uncertain fate.
A clear example of this dilemma exists on the current
adoption list posted online by the Dalmatian Assistance
League, Inc. (D.A.L.) of Tulsa. Some of the dogs shown have
been waiting for permanent homes for a very long time.
There’s Bradley and Apollo, both very handsome, friendly
dogs who first found themselves in the city of Tulsa Animal
Welfare shelter with no adoption prospects and now have
spent the better part of a year waiting for permanent homes. And how about Daniel? He’s a big, sweetheart of a boy once
left to starve in the yard of a vacant house, but now happy
and in good health in the care of the rescue group. These are
all extremely likeable, loveable dogs so why no takers? For the
simple reason that all three are about the same age as Stump,
our Westminster winner, or older.
Even beautiful Bonnie, a youthful eight years by
comparison to her brothers in rescue, who has had the most
views on Pet Finder of any dog sponsored by D.A.L., has
no takers. The comment is always the same, people want a
younger dog.
According to Jean Letcher, manager, City of Tulsa Animal
Welfare, most people come into the shelter looking for
puppies one year old or younger. The next most popular age
range falls into the two to three year range. That immediately
knocks a lot of very special mature dogs out of consideration.
Understandably, when you welcome a dog into your family,
you want to have it with you for as long as possible. Many
people tell us they just can’t bear the prospect of adopting
a dog that may only be with them for another three to five
years or less. There is also the concern that older dogs may
come with health issues and have increased care needs. These
are all valid concerns and true possibilities.
But maybe our Westminster winner Stump can help the
concept of quality vs. quantity have true meaning as we
consider the dogs we are willing to welcome into our lives
and homes.
This brings me to my own experience with a darling dog
named Maggie. I received word through
Tulsa’s rescue network of an older
woman who was battling cancer and
unable to care for her 14 year old Boston
terrier any longer. The e-mail ended
with a simple plea, “Surely someone can
help this woman and her old dog.” I’ve
always had a soft spot for senior dogs
so I thought I would take Maggie into
my home to give her
Elvis
a place to quietly live
out her remaining
days.
What I got when
I picked up Miss
Maggie was anything
but quiet. At 14-soonto-be-15, Maggie was
a bundle of energy
that showed me a
thing or two about
my definition of “old.”
Maggie bounded into
my home and my
heart, giving us all —
human and canine
residents alike — a run
for our money. Had
cancer not robbed
me of my funny little
dog, I’m quite sure she
would have lived on
to set some ridiculous
record for canine
longevity. We only had
six months together,
but what an incredible
lifetime we shared in
those months. My days with
Maggie have left me
with a special fondness for senior rescue
dogs and how much they still have to
offer as companions. In our home we
currently enjoy the company of the
aforementioned Bonnie and sweet Ellie,
another Dalmatian that is now likely
more than 15 years old. Ellie has been
with us for about three years after being
found stray in west Tulsa. Both girls are
welcome additions to the family.
Letcher does say that senior dogs do
get adopted from the shelter from time
to time. “Sometimes a person will be
drawn to a specific dog and then they’ll
find out the dog’s age after a connection
has already been made.” She claims that
if a relationship has already been forged,
age doesn’t seem to matter quite so
much.
While any placement of a rescued dog
is a wonderful thing, there is a special
celebration for the “happily ever after”
that comes with the placement of a
senior dog. Dogs sporting a little grey
around the muzzle deserve to know the
good life just as much as their younger
counterparts do.
And those happy endings for senior
dogs do indeed
happen. One such
story surrounds
Elvis, a friendly,
outgoing, full-of-life
dog that was taken
into the care of
the Tulsa Animal
Welfare Center after
being found stray.
Despite his wagging
tail and obviously
grand disposition,
Elvis, likely 10 or 11
years old, spent two
weeks at the shelter
with zero prospects
for a new home.
D.A.L. stepped in
to help with Elvis
and in short order
introduced him to
Peggy Huffman. She
had been looking
for a Dalmatian to
adopt — preferably
a female under the
age of five. While
Elvis didn’t even
come close to fitting
in that category,
Huffman took an
immediate liking to the dog.
“He looks so much like the old girl
we just lost it’s almost spooky,” said
Huffman. “I took him home for a visit
to see how he would get along with our
other dogs and he walked right in as
if he had been living there with us his
whole life.”
“Elvis will have a great life for
whatever time he has remaining,” added
Huffman with a smile. Judging from
the spring in his step when he headed
home to join his new
family, it’s going to be a
wonderful lifetime for
all involved. 
“My days with
Maggie have left
me with a special
fondness for senior
rescue dogs and
how much they still
have to offer as
companions. “
Nancy & Izzy
Andrea’s Furry
Angels Pet Care
Wouldn’t your furry
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Serving the Tulsa
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Excellent References
Mail/Newspaper/Plant Care
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www.andreasfurryangels.com
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STREETCATS, INC.
6520 E. 60TH ST. (60TH & SHERIDAN)
TULSA, OK 74145
www.streetcatstulsa.org
918.298.0104 (message line)
TUESDAY-SATURDAY 10:30 AM – 5 PM
All volunteer non profit
adoption center and gift boutique
“Visit us at the Affair of the
Heart of Tulsa Show, Expo
Square QuikTrip Center, July
17-19 in Booths 343 & 344
for Great Gift Items!”
TulsaPets Summer 2009 11
Pets About Town
Keep the pictures coming!
Bentley
Daphne
Boone
Daisy
Abaddon
Hank
Lucy Liu
Costello
Daphne & Coco
Cruise
Furry Murray
Grover & Francis
Herman
Mr. Bently
Evie
Holly
Hercules
Lydia
Kanny & Butterscotch
Nickles
Thanks to those who sent in their favorite pet pictures.
We plan to include the Pets About Town section in future issues so please take a moment to send in your pet’s picture!
12 TulsaPets Summer 2009
To include your pet’s picture in a future issue of
TulsaPets Magazine, please email a high-resolution
jpeg image to [email protected], or
mail a 5x7 glossy photo to TulsaPets Magazine,
P.O. Box 14128, Tulsa, OK 74159-1128.
(We regret we are unable to return photos.)
Maybe your pet will be in a future issue of
TulsaPets Magazine!
Phoebe
Niki
Pixie
Reba
Onyx
Raisin & Marble
Peaches
Pippin
Payton
Samson
Captain
Claire
Tasha
Teddi
Titan & Ramsey
Willie
BoSox
Isaac
Kenzie
Wrigley
TulsaPets Summer 2009 13
Tulsa Community College
Veterinary Technology Program
918.595.8212
7505 W. 41st Street, Tulsa, Ok 74107
14 TulsaPets Summer 2009
Legal Column — Play by the Rules
Tulsa
Dog Park
RULES
Although Tulsa is very fortunate to now have off-leash
parks for our dogs, those who wish to use the parks need to
be aware that there are many strict rules. In fact the City of
Tulsa has adopted the rules as law and violators of these laws
are subject to fines and penalties. This article will examine
only a few of those rules, however the full list can be read
online at tulsabarkpark.com/park-rules as well as being posted
at the parks. The website also has a page devoted to dog park
etiquette. One should take time to read the rules and etiquette
before using the dog park as this will make the parks’ use more
safe and enjoyable.
Recently I was retained by a woman whose dog was attacked
by another dog at one of Tulsa’s new dog parks. Apparently
my client had just arrived at the dog park for the first time to
see what it was all about. While her dog was still on-leash,
another dog attacked and injured her dog. The encounter could
have been easily avoided had the owners of the attacking dog
been watching and had control over their dog. Needless to say,
by Lloyd Benedict
Photos by Sirius Photography
I was able to persuade the attorney for the other dog owner to
settle the matter without a lawsuit. The moral of this story is
that knowing the rules before using the dog park may save you
a headache or worse. In my reading of the rules I felt the most important rule
is number 4 which states “An owner bringing a dog into an
off-leash area is liable for and assumes the risk for the dog’s
conduct.” This means that if your dog injures another dog or
a person at the park, then you are responsible for the damage. Rule number 8 is the rule I used to argue with the other
attorney I mentioned above. Rule 8 says “A dog within an
off-leash park area shall be under the owner’s immediate
control. All patrons of the Dog Park must carry their leash
with them at all times.” This rule would likely have the Court
find against negligent dog owners who think they can just let
their dogs run about within the park without supervision.
I also feel a few of the rules could be worded a little
differently. For example, I love the thought process in rule
TulsaPets Summer 2009 15
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16 TulsaPets Summer 2009
9 which states “An owner of a dog
creating a disturbance or not being
properly controlled can be evicted from
an off-leash park area. Upon leaving an
off-leash park area, an evicted owner
shall also remove his or her dog.” This
is what we attorneys refer to as the legal
term “Duh.”
One should also be aware that there
are a few rules in which, if disobeyed,
could make it difficult for you to
recover damages if your dog is harmed. Specifically, rules 11, 12, 13 and 14. Rule 11
says “Any dog within an off-leash park
area shall not be under four (4) months
of age, and shall be currently vaccinated
against rabies and have a current City
of Tulsa license affixed or attached to
the dog’s collar or harness.” Rule 12
holds that “No dog more than six (6)
months old which has not been spayed
or neutered shall be permitted.” Rule
13 prohibits dogs that are in heat at the
park, and rule 14 prohibits dogs that are
injured or diseased.
Upon my reading rule 19, I realized
that owners of large and small dog have
different responsibilities. Rule 19 states
that “No dog weighing more than 30
pounds shall be permitted within an
area designated for small dogs. Owners
allowing their small dogs to enter a
designated Large Dog Area do so at their
own risk and assume responsibility for
whatever damage or injury may result.”
The rule basically says that the dog
owner of a large dog can not place his
dog in the small dog area but a small
dog owner can place their dog in the
large dog area. Again as a lawyer, I
can’t help but criticize their wording
and rationale in writing this law. So it’s
okay to place the Chihuahua in with the
Great Dane, but not the Great Dane in
with the Chihuahua. Finally, rule 28 appears to be more
like advice than a rule. It states that
“Dog behavior can be unpredictable
around other dogs and strangers. For
the safety of all the dogs at the parks,
immediately leash your dog if it exhibits
aggressive behavior and leave the dog
park area. Protect yourself and your dog.
If aggressive behavior is observed, take
immediate action: either move your dog
to another part of the park, or leave the
park.” In any event this is sound advice.
If you find yourself or your dog a
victim of someone who ignores the
rules then you should immediately
contact the Police or Animal Control. However, I do believe that if everyone
acts responsibly and follows the rules,
your experience at the dog park will be
treasured. Lloyd Benedict is a
principal in the Benedict
Law Office, Tulsa,
and is a member of
the Tulsa County Bar
Association Animal
Lloyd Benedict
Committee. 
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TulsaPets Summer 2009 17
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18 TulsaPets Summer 2009
Safety
BITE
AVOIDANCE
BEHAVIOR
By Dolores Proubasta
EDUCATION IS KEY
Dogs bite. What amazes me is that they
don’t bite more often.
We meet a dog by thrusting a hand in his direction. “Let
the dog sniff you first,” goes the popular wisdom. This while
standing tall and square, staring the dog in the eye, and
showing teeth. Hello! This may work with a new neighbor,
but in dog language it amounts to: “Do you want a piece of
me, big boy?” The introduction is just the first thing we do
wrong. Before learning how to do things right from a dog’s
perspective, let’s first understand that most bites are not dog
attacks as they are often (mistakenly) labeled, but one or two
chomps in response to a real or perceived provocation/threat. Truth be told, dogs exercise more self-restraint than the average
bar-room brawler in delivering what is necessary to stop an
action without the full measure of damage even a Pomeranian
can inflict.
Learn canine etiquette
Injured, frightened, cornered or trapped, and chained dogs
(all of which are common in rescue situations) should be
approached with extreme caution. Nursing dames are especially
sensitive to intrusions. Timid, not socialized, or abused dogs,
may be “fear biters” (See “Bite Triggers,” p. 20).
• A dog who seems reluctant to be touched should not feel
cornered; leave him space to retreat. Approach slowly in a
curve pattern, presenting your side, not your front. Talk in
soothing tones all the while. Make yourself “smaller,” not
by bending or squatting. which would put you at risk, but
curving your body to avoid appearing tense. Do not look
the dog in the eye, but avert and soften your eyes. Relax,
blink often, and breathe calmly. Yawning is reassuring to a
frightened dog, smiling is not. Tasty treats (Vienna sausages
work miracles) gently tossed his way can help earn his
TulsaPets Summer 2009 19
Bite Triggers
Injured, frightened, cornered, chained,
trapped, or nursing dogs are likely to bite.
Threatening behavior – some examples:
•Bending over a dog, or rousing him
from his sleep
•Reaching to touch a dog’s head (when
he doesn’t want to be touched)
•Staring into a dog’s eyes (worse, at eye
level, like toddlers do)
•Trying to touch or remove a bone, a
toy, a bowl of food or anything the dog
wants
•Screaming near the dog’s face or
producing other startling noises in his
proximity
•Running toward, past, or away from a
dog
•Walking too close to a dog on leash
•Entering a protective dog’s territory
•Being afraid in the presence of a dog
•
•
Emergency Muzzle
Find a 3-ft length (longer or shorter depending on the dog’s size)
of any soft flexible material like a swath of cloth, gauze, a necktie,
rope, or similar:
1. Tie a loose knot in the middle of the material, making a large
loop.
•
2. Slip loop over dog’s nose, sliding it to the stop (i.e., where the
jaws meet the skull).
3. Quickly tighten the loop, then bring the ends under the chin
and tie again.
4. Pass the ends under the ears and tie behind the head.
5. For snub-nose dogs and for cats: Bring the ends from behind
the head down the center of the face, and secure them to the
nose piece to prevent the muzzle from slipping off.
A regular dog leash, while still attached to the collar, can also be a
short-term muzzle (while the dog is being picked up, given a shot
at the vet, etc.), when wrapped 2 or 3 times around the dog’s
upper and lower jaws.
20 TulsaPets Summer 2009
•
•Sticking a hand or finger (especially
children) inside a dog’s enclosure
•Making threatening gestures, like
raising a fist or wielding a stick
•Causing pain, injury, or subjugation to
a dog
•Overexcitement during play can cause
a friendly dog to nip or bite as he would
a playmate. Although no aggression or
warning is intended, children and older
people with delicate skins can suffer
lacerations.
confidence. If the dog reacts negatively, stop what you
are doing but keep talking reassuringly. Allow the dog
time to reconsider, and try again.
Don’t wear a hat nor carry anything resembling a
stick, unless it is a control stick and you know how
to use it. In particular, senior citizens should refrain
from using a walking stick to scare a dog away, it
may in fact provoke aggression.
Face bites are painful and often severe. When
approaching unknown or distressed dogs, do so in a
position that protects your head. If you must lift up
a dog who has no reason to trust you or who may
be frightened and in pain, improvise an emergency
muzzle (See “Emergency Muzzle,” left). Once in
place, hold tight on the neck loop and cradle the
dog’s chest with that arm and his rear with the
other to lift him. Always keep your head away from
his because he may react to the touch due to a
concealed injury or illness.
If an unfriendly dog heads your way, turn sideways
and withdraw from his territory at a constant slow
pace. Do not offer your back. Do not scream nor
yell commands, but softly say “It’s ok,” “Go home,”
“Good dog” nonstop. Try to put a tree, a dumpster,
or any other large obstacle between you and the
dog. If you carry an umbrella, a coat, a purse, etc.
do not wield it menacingly, because it may trigger
an attack. If the dog charges, use whatever is at
hand to put it between you and his jaws. If you
go down, curl up and protect face, neck, and head.
The quieter you can remain, the sooner the dog will
withdraw.
Pairs of dogs can be protective of each other. Don’t
let your guard down despite wagging tails: Give
both equal attention, do not come in between them,
and do not initiate any play or action with one that
the other may consider aggressive.
•
•
It cannot be overemphasized:
Never run toward, past, or away
from a dog unless you know him
and you are playing. The chase
instinct will be triggered and the
average fat old dog can reach 19
mph (Greyhounds are clocked
at 42 mph) at full speed versus a
puny 12 mph conditioned human
runner. Even Olympian Usain
Bolt, at 23 mph, would have his
shorts ripped by the average mutt.
Topping high-risk situations is
breaking up a dog fight. Hosing
down and voice commands
seldom stop dogs in the heat of
battle. Do not hit them as this
will infuriate them further. Do
not step in between or use your
arms unless you are wearing
Kevlar gloves and sleeves. Quickly
find a barrier to wedge between
the dog’s faces, e.g., a large piece
of plywood, an open parasol, a
folded lawn chair or card table,
a dog mattress, a large trash can
lid, etc., that will block both their
sight and teeth from each other.
(With smaller breeds, a parka,
blanket, or quilt is enough to
separate the dogs and also bundle
and scoop up one of them to
safety.)
Recognizing danger
A discussion about bite avoidance may
leave the reader with the impression
that human-canine relations are a
time-bomb. Nothing’s farther from the
truth. When there is mutual respect and
trust between dogs and adult people it
is perfectly safe to engage in activities
one would be wise to avoid with an
unfamiliar dog. However, Mark Twain’s
dictum that the principal difference
between a dog and a man is that “If
you pick up a starving dog and make
him prosperous, he will not bite you,”
has its limits. Even a family pet can get
tired of rough-housing, be too possessive
about a chew toy, feel threatened by a
visitor, etc. and warn us that his mood
is changing.
Although most dog bites are reported
as “unprovoked,” in fact this is
inconsistent with canine behavior. “Dogs
are not unpredictable,” says Melissa
Chan, animal behavior and training
coordinator at the Houston SPCA.
“They communicate in a language
comprised largely of visual clues and
offer many warning signs before even
bristling, growling, and baring teeth.”
Hard faces. More alarming than the
cautionary baring of teeth is the agonistic
pucker: the pursing of lips that precedes
a bite. Other warnings are the tensing of
facial muscles, such as a closed mouth,
tension ridges on muzzle; ears back;
Children
at Risk
The benefits of a child growing up
with a dog far surpass the risks if
adults provide a safe environment for
both. Here is how:
•Infants and toddlers should never
be unsupervised when there is
a dog present, because face,
head, and neck injuries may be life
threatening. Even the trusted family
pet may be startled by a noise,
annoyed by the baby touching his
toy, etc.
•Children between the ages of
5 and 12 are at greater risk of
being bitten. Their hyperactivity,
unpredictability, and noisiness
are destabilizing to all animals
(including people). Most dog-tochild bites are provoked by the
child’s behavior. Therefore, impress
on your children the correct
behavior to observe with dogs and
all pets:
1. Supervise children’s ages 0-12
whenever there is a dog present.
2. Teach children to treat dogs
with kindness and respect, without
instilling undue fear.
3. Issue absolute rules: “Don’t
chase, don’t grab, don’t stare,
don’t hit, don’t yell, don’t run,”
etc. and post a written list on the
refrigerator or another central
place.
4. Firmly and consistently correct
any departure from safe behavior.
•Contact the school principal
requesting a dog bite prevention
lecture by a competent
professional (Chart 4) be included
in the calendar year. In the final
analysis, when dog bites child (or
vice versa), both are victims and
the only ones to blame are the
adults who failed to prevent it.
TulsaPets Summer 2009 21
Education is
Prevention
Bite prevention is a matter of continued education
from kindergarten to retirement community. Qualified
professionals to lead public education efforts are
veterinarians, National Animal Control Associationcertified animal control officers, SPCA, HSUS or other
humane society/animal shelter/rescue group education
specialists, and American College of Veterinary
Behaviorists graduates.
•Children are the main target group. School lectures,
assembly programs, games, field trips to shelters
including lecture by an animal behaviorist, all can
teach children safe behavior.
•Parents must be reminded of their responsibility to (1)
supervise their children and (2) insist on safe behavior.
Educational materials can be distributed with school
announcements, doctor’s wellness reports, veterinary
invoices, utility bills, etc.
•People who spend time outdoors —bicyclists, joggers,
meter readers, mail carriers, real estate agents, and
delivery personnel among others— or visit other
people’s homes — such as social workers, home care
providers, or pet sitters — need specific information
distributed by employers, clubs, and associations on
how to handle animal-related situations they are likely
to encounter.
•Senior citizens can benefit from dog bite prevention
lectures and programs through church groups,
recreational centers, travel groups, shopping malls,
health care professionals, and others.
•Shelters and other animal adoption centers should
provide guidance to those seeking to obtain a dog,
steering them away from bad matches. Ideally, all
people who decide to adopt a dog should attend
a realistic bite-prevention film before signing on the
dotted line.
•Pet stores, groomers, dog shows, trainers … all
should distribute dog-bite prevention literature.
•The media should offer regular bite-prevention tips
through interviews with experts, printed lists of do’s
and don’ts that parents can attach to the fridge,
sponsorship of pet-ownership education events, etc.
•Community standards for responsible ownership
should be established by every local government.
Dogs owners should be informed of the ordinances
and rules enforced, the main obstacle, however, is that
the least likely to comply are dog owners with minimal
attachment to their pets, precisely those responsible
for a majority of dog-bite incidents.
22 TulsaPets Summer 2009
eyes staring directly into yours, or else “whale eyes” (showing
the white) looking at you but with the head turned in a different
direction; brow tense or furrowed. Tongue flicks may also
indicate high stress. All these are signs that you should slowly
put some distance between you and the dog.
Tense bodies. Do not approach a dog with tensed up muscles,
whether standing straight or leaning forward. Hind legs tucked
while the front of the body is leaning right or left, as if ready to
run, are bad signs. If the dog is holding his breath, don’t hold
yours (always breathe calmly), but slowly start withdrawing.
Other than the dog’s own body language, other aspects to be
considered are:
Dog breeds
Theories as to which breeds are less likely to mix well in a
family setting, especially with children (see “Children at Risk,”
p. 21), differ. But because the popularity of breeds, and so their
number, fluctuates and may nearly vanish, comparative breedspecific bite statistics are unreliable. Often, the person reporting
a bite will identify the dog as “pit bull” (there is no such
breed) when in reality it may be a deep-in-chest, cheeky faced
crossbreed, an American Bulldog, or other. People commonly
identify dogs of mixed ancestry as purebreds. All this produces
unreliable data that gives a false sense of security at best.
The propensity to bite actually results from interacting factors
such as heredity, socialization, training, and mental/physical
health. The difference between pit bull types, Akitas, Huskies,
or other powerful dogs, and breeds who are, in fact, more likely
to bite (like Cocker Spaniels and Chihuahuas among others) is
in the consequences, which increase in severity and mortality
proportionally to the size and strength of the dog.
Interestingly, the ban on certain breeds (e.g., pit-bull types in
the United Kingdom in the 1990s), invariably fails to lower the
number of dog bites, which keeps rising. This is one of the many
arguments backing up the positions of The American Veterinary
Medical Association, the American Kennel Club, the ASPCA,
HSUS and others, all of which reject breed discrimination in
favor of (1) public education (See “Education is Prevention,” left)
and (2) responsible pet ownership to curb dog bite incidents (see
“Education is Prevention,” left). Which brings us to the “people
factor.”
It’s not the dog’s fault
At the root of most bites is an irresponsible owner who failed
to: (1) sterilize; (2) socialize and train; and (3) contain the dog.
Puppy-mill breeders give no consideration to temperament or
socialization of their “stock,” and backyard breeders are, by
definition, irresponsible owners. If the dog is a stray, it is because
he was abandoned, neglected, or unrestrained. Behind every dog
bite, there is a person to blame.
•
Sterilization is the first step toward responsible pet
ownership. Neutered dogs are three times less likely to
bite. People who cannot afford veterinary services for their
pets should clearly not have them, but lack of money is no
excuse. Anyone receiving assistance from the Department
of Human Services can apply with the caseworker to
USA Facts
More than 4.7 million people (2% of the
population) are bitten each year; more dog
bites go unreported
77% of biting dogs belong to a relative or
friend of the victim
•
Maulings caused 23 deaths in 2008; 16
were children
There are nearly 80 million owned dogs
39% of the households own at least one
dog
50% of the bites occur on the dog
owner’s property
Dog bite injuries account for more
than 1/3 of all liability claims against
homeowners insurance
There is a 1-in-50 chance of being
bitten during a 12-month period
•
5% of all ER cases are bites
Only 10% of bites are inflicted by dogs
unknown to the victim
Intact (not neutered) male dogs represent
70-76% of all reported dog bite incidents
•
1-in-6 bites requires medical attention
get free spay and neuter surgeries,
rabies and other vaccines through
the Tulsa County Veterinary Medical
Association.
A growing number of people, many of
them youngsters, sad to say, instigate
their dogs to be aggressive. Dog bites
have increased disproportionate to the
number of dogs owned (see “USA
Facts,” above). Most dog bites are not
reported because the gravity of the
injury doesn’t warrant it (see “When
Bites Occur,” right). Veterinarians,
vet technicians, animal rescuers and
shelter personnel among others are
bitten on a regular basis. But the
rare attack by a Presa Canario or a
Rottweiler can cause severe injuries
and sensational headlines, thus unfairly
smearing the reputation of the whole
breed. More is the pity, when a
bad reputation attracts irresponsible
owners and breeders.
Animal shelters and humane societies
get their share of visitors who scope
the runs for “mean” dogs — dogs who
never bit anyone before, but will be
goaded into becoming aggressive or
die in the process. Although anyone
suspected of wanting a dog for the
wrong reasons is refused adoption,
some manage to fake good intentions
and, tragically, good dogs end up with
bad people.
Victims themselves are often the cause
for being bitten because, intentionally
Data from the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, American Veterinary Medical
Association, American Medical Association,
Insurance Information Institute.
•
or not, they scared or challenged the
dog. Fear of dogs may be, in fact, one
of the chief causes why city dwellers
unaccustomed to animals, and people
from cultures which shrink from dogs
are often bit. People afraid of dogs
should simply avoid them. When
visiting a home with pets, ask the
owner to confine the dog. Don’t let
anyone persuade you to touch the dog
to get over your fear, because your fear
is contagious to the dog, and that can
be dangerous. Also, avoid areas where
dogs may be running loose. If despite
all precautions you are confronted by
a dog, remain calm. Don’t look at the
dog, don’t stiffen up, don’t scream or
ask for help, but slowly turn your
side (not your back) to him, and start
backing off. Try to breathe calmly.
When the victim is a child, invariably
it’s the negligence of parents,
guardians, dog owners, or any other
adult who should have prevented the
situation. People, in short, expect more
discernment and self-control from
dogs than from their own kind. The
vast majority of dogs live up to our
unreasonable expectations, but those
who can’t often pay for relatively small
injuries with their
lives. Dogs are still and
forever man’s best friend.
For their sake and ours,
let’s be reasonable and
careful. 
When
Bites
Occur
1. Thoroughly cleanse the
wound with soap and irrigate
profusely with running water. If
the bite is severe, get medical
attention.
2. Confine—but do not harm
or try to “punish”—the dog in
a safe indoor enclosure until
animal control arrives and the
dog is placed under veterinary
observation.
3. In Oklahoma, even if the
dog is current on rabies shots,
there is a mandatory 10-day
quarantine in an animal clinic for
the remote chance of a vaccine
break. If the dog is not current
on shots or if he is a stray, he will
also be placed under quarantine
to ensure no symptoms of rabies
are manifest.
4. If the dog (or cat) is at
large, contact police and
provide information (color, size,
distinguishing marks; address or
location where the bite occurred;
name and address of the owner
if known; etc.) that may help find
the missing animal.
States have different laws
and statutes concerning dog
bites, owner liability, handling
of the dog, etc. In Oklahoma
as everywhere else, even
responsible owners and good
dogs can find themselves
in unpredictable situations.
Knowing where you stand
before your dog bites, or before
your dog or you are bitten, is
part of responsible ownership.
Educate yourself about Title 2 of
Tulsa’s Ordinances concerning
the definition of “Nuisance” and
“Vicious” dogs. Most courts,
however, will uphold a dog’s
right to bite in self defense.
Delores
TulsaPets Summer 2009 23
A.R.F. – Animal Rescue Foundation
Above, ARF Volunteers Lauren,
Jennifer, Jeri, Katie (sitting), Emily
and Shadow.
Left, Katie playing with a little pup up
for adoption.
?
ARF you ready
for a new BFFF
(best furry friend forever)
By Carolyn Arkison, author of Sadie Mae Baird book series
If the answer to that question is “yes,” please make
haste to visit the website of the Tulsa non-profit organization, Animal Rescue Foundation (A.R.F.), at www.arftulsa.org. ARF also has animals available for
adoption at the PetSmart® on 71st Street every Friday
and the PetSmart® on 41st Street every Saturday.
ARF was founded 20 years ago when a group of friends began working together
to rescue animals from area shelters. The group, loosely associated at first, obtained
non-profit organization status and has become more organized and efficient with the
passing years. Currently, the primary purpose of ARF is to save as many animals
from kill shelters within the Tulsa and surrounding area as they possibly can. In
2008, ARF found homes for more than 340 animals and hopes to place 400-500 animals in loving homes in 2009.
ARF is a foster-based group which means they work with several foster families
who take the rescued animals into their home, socialize the animals with other pets,
24 TulsaPets Summer 2009
family and friends, and this in turn
helps to match the animal with a perfect forever family. Foster families give
the rescued pets the love and attention
they so desperately need and deserve
while they also provide specialized
assistance with an animal’s issues such
as potty training, leash walking and
shyness. ARF works very closely with area
veterinarians. Every animal rescued by
ARF is tattooed, vaccinated, placed on
heartworm medication, and spayed or
neutered. ARF requires all adoptive
parents to sign a contract stating that if
for any reason the adoption does not
work out that ARF will be contacted
first. Debby Camp, ARF Public Relations
Coordinator, states, “ARF makes every
effort to assure a good match. Our foster
program lets us know how a dog will
behave with other dogs, cats and kids in
a household so that we can better match
each animal with a family. It’s hard on
animals to be returned. Dogs will often
have intestinal and digestive problems for
a week or more when they are moved
from one home to another, so we want
every adoption to be successful.”
Currently, the greatest need of ARF
is for Foster Parents. To become a
Foster Parent, ARF requests that homes
have a dog of their own that has current vaccinations and is on heartworm
medication, and a fenced back yard. ARF provides all the food and veterinary care for foster animals. Foster
Parents provide the home and the love.
Monetary donations can be made to
this organization at the website, www.arftulsa.org. Donations of bowls,
food, collars, etc., can be made at the
ARF booth at PetSmart®. Recently,
Israel Diamond Supply donated five
diamond pendants which were then
given to four adoptive families and one
foster family through a drawing. All
contributions are appreciated.
BFFF’s ARF patiently waiting for
your love and devotion … won’t you
contact the Animal
Rescue Foundation of
Tulsa today to change
your life and the life of
your best furry friend
forever? 
Carolyn Arkison
Why a Dog Wash?
W
hy not, the owner of Budget
Wash answered! Dog owners
love their pets and desire to keep
these members of their family clean
and healthy! But with the economy
the way it is today, not everyone can
afford to allocate $30+ per dog for a
bath at their local groomers; nor do
they wish to wash their dog in their
home bath tub! The hair, the mess, the
sore back from bending over keep most
pet owners from washing their pets as
frequently as they should….until now! Budget Wash opened two private dog
washing suites, open 24/7, in October
at their car wash location at 709 W.
Houston in Broken Arrow. These
two private dog washing suites are
equipped with waist high, state-of-theart, stainless steel tubs complete with a
ramp to assist with loading larger dogs
into these tubs. For only $7.00, patrons
can wash their dog and choose from
a myriad of included products such
as shampoo, conditioner, Deskunk,
oatmeal shampoo, flea and tick
shampoo, tub disinfectant, and even
a hair dryer! Since October, demand
for these two private suites has soared,
thus prompting Budget Wash to expand
and build another facility located at
6205 E. 91st Street (91st & Sheridan). This brand-new facility has four
private washing suites complete with
state-of-the-art equipment which will
even accept credit cards! This facility
will also be open 24 hours/day, seven
days a week, and no appointments or
reservations are required for good clean
family fun!
LOCATIONS:
1) 709 W. Houston (81st & Elm)
2) 6205 E. 91st St. (One block from
Biscuit Acres Dog Park)
Coming Soon!
Joe Station Bark Park
BUDGET
WASH
LOCATIONS:
1) 709 W. Houston (81st & Elm)
2) 6205 E. 91st St. (One block
from Biscuit Acres Dog Park)
$7.00
owners get
g
o
d
0
.0
7
$
For
hoice of
c
a
d
n
a
r
e
t
warm wa
ditioners.
n
o
c
d
n
a
s
o
shampo
Happy Dogs Mean Happy People!
TulsaPets Summer 2009 25
Directory
Animal Hospitals and
Veterinary Services
15th Street Veterinary Group
6231 East 15th Street
Tulsa, OK 74112
835-2336
Acadia Veterinary Hospital, Inc.
5202 E. 11th Street
Tulsa, OK 74112
834-3304
American Chiropractic Clinic
318 West Highland
Shawnee, OK 74801
www.doctorduree.com
(405) 275-6363
Animal Acupuncture, LLC
504-7502
Animal Emergency Center, Inc.
7220 E. 41st Street
Tulsa, OK 74145
665-0508
Best Friends Veterinary Hospital
5417 S. Mingo Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74146
663-7595
Briarglen Veterinary Clinic
3141 S. 129th East Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74134
665-1555
Capron Veterinary Hospital
and Dental Clinic
6705 E. 51st St.
Tulsa, OK 74145
627-5188
Cedarwood Veterinary Clinic
1412 S. Harvard Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74112
749-6588
Hammond Animal Hospital
2301 East 71st Street
Tulsa, OK 74136
www.hammondanimalhospital.com
494-0151
Indian Springs Animal Hospital
7850-C S. Elm Place
Broken Arrow, OK 74011
455-4144
Jacox Animal Hospital
2732 E. 15th Street
Tulsa, OK 74104
712-2750
26 TulsaPets Summer 2009
Marina Animal Clinic
9968 E. 21st Street
Tulsa, OK 74129
www.marinaanimalclinic.com
663-5758
VCA Veterinary Medical Center
3129 South Winston
Tulsa, OK 74135
www.vcavetmedcenter.com
743-6644
Camp Bow Wow
142 S. 147th East Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74116
www.campbowwow.com
437-DOGS (3647)
Oklahoma Veterinary Specialists
515 W. Main Street
Jenks, OK 74037
www.okvets.com
299-4900
VCA Woodland Broken Arrow
Animal Hospital
2106 West Detroit Avenue
Broken Arrow, OK 74012
www.vcawoodlandbrokenarrow.com
258-5579
DeShane Kennels
1115 South 129th East Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74108
www.deshanekennels.com
437-3343
Riverbrook Animal Hospital
3750 S. Peoria Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74105
748-4400
South Memorial Animal Hospital
7924 E. 55th Street
Tulsa, OK 74145
664-8690
Southern Agriculture
6501 E. 71st Street
Tulsa, OK 74133
www.southernagriculture.com
488-1993
Southern Agriculture
3146 South Mingo Road
Tulsa, OK 74145
www.southernagriculture.com
663-6770
Southern Agriculture
9255 N. Owasso Expressway
Owasso, OK 74055
www.southernagriculture.com
274-3770
Southern Agriculture
1746 S. 161st East Avenue
Broken Arrow, OK 74012
www.southernagriculture.com
258-8080
Southern Agriculture
1034 E. Lansing Avenue
Broken Arrow, OK 74012
www.southernagriculture.com
251-0267
VCA Cat Hospital of Tulsa
5122 S. Sheridan Road
Tulsa, OK 74133
www.vcatulsa.com
492-9292
VCA Owasso Animal Medical Center
8811 N. Owasso Expressway
Owasso, OK 74055
www.vcaowasso.com
272-5986
VCA Woodland Central Animal Hospital
4720 E. 51st Street
Tulsa, OK 74135
496-2111
www.vcawoodlandcentral.com
VCA Woodland East Animal Hospital
9509 East 61st Street
Tulsa, OK 74133
www.vcawoodlandeast.com
252-3595
VCA Woodland South Animal Hospital
9340 South Memorial Drive
Tulsa, OK 74133
www.vcawoodlandsouth.com
524-5000
Veterinary Associates
6925 S. 69th East Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74133
492-4200
Boarding Kennels
and Daycare Facilities
15th Street Veterinary Group
6231 E. 15th Street
Tulsa, OK 74112
835-2336
Acadia Veterinary Hospital, Inc.
5202 E. 11th Street
Tulsa, OK 74112
834-3304
Best Friends Veterinary Hospital
5417 S. Mingo Road
Tulsa, OK 74146
663-7595
Briarglen Veterinary Clinic
3141 S. 129th East Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74134
665-1555
Camille’s Cathouse
5986 W. 131st Street South
Sapulpa, OK 74066
www.camillescathouse.com
[email protected]
248-8100
Groomingdales
New Owners
8162 S. Harvard Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74137
492-K9K9 (5959)
Hammond Animal Hospital
2301 East 71st Street
Tulsa, OK 74136
www.hammondanimalhospital.com
494-0151
Jacox Animal Hospital
2732 E. 15th Street
Tulsa, OK 74104
712-2750
Keystone Pet Grooming & Boarding
3319 E. 30th Street
Tulsa, OK 74114
712-7387
Lesia’s Grooming and Boarding
4160 S. Mingo Road
Tulsa, OK 74146
www.tulsagroomer.com
622-6307
Lynn Lane Boarding Kennels
9302 S. Lynn Lane
Broken Arrow, OK 74012
455-7721
Marina Animal Clinic
9968 E. 21st Street
Tulsa, OK 74129
www.marinaanimalclinic.com
663-5758
Pooches
2238 East 56th Place
Tulsa, OK 74105
www.poochesplace.com
398-6459
The Catnip Cottage
1443 S. Gary Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74104
www.thecatnipcottage.com
[email protected]
743-5600
VCA Animal Hospitals
(see listings under Animal Hospitals)
Veterinary Associates
6925 S. 69th East Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74133
492-4200
Grooming Services
Acadia Veterinary Hospital, Inc.
5202 E. 11th St.
Tulsa, OK 74112
834-3304
Bark Avenue
2737 E. 15th Street
Tulsa, OK 74104
745-BARK(2275)
Bowser’s Trousers
2188 S. Sheridan Road
Tulsa, OK 74129
834-1625
Budget Wash Dog Wash
709 W. Houston Street
Broken Arrow, OK 74012
6205 E. 91st
Tulsa 74137
Chase-n-Tails Mobile Grooming
www.chasentails.com
946-9984
DeShane Kennels
1115 S. 129th East Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74108
www.deshanekennels.com
437-3343
Grooming by Debbie
6373 E. 31st Street, Suite F
Tulsa, OK 74135
835-3647
Hammond Animal Hospital
2301 E. 71st Street
Tulsa, OK 74136
www.hammondanimalhospital.com
494-0151
Keystone Pet Grooming & Boarding, Inc.
3319 E. 30th Street
Tulsa, OK 74114
712-7387
Lesia’s Grooming and Boarding
4160 S. Mingo Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74146
www.tulsagroomer.com
622-6307
Patty & Terrie’s Grooming Shop
6022 S. Sheridan Road
Tulsa, OK 74145
499-2344
Pooches
2238 East 56th Place
Tulsa, OK 74105
www.poochesplace.com
398-6459
Southern Agriculture
1746 S. 161st East Avenue
Broken Arrow, OK 74012
www.southernagriculture.com
258-8080
Sloppy Dog Wash
4316 S. Peoria Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74105
www.sloppydogwash.com
[email protected]
742-9274
Tulsa Dog Training Club
6307 S. 107th East Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74133
www.tulsadogs.com
250-9620
South Memorial Animal Hospital
7924 E. 55th Street
Tulsa, OK 74145
664-8690
The Paw Spa
6528D E. 101st Street
Tulsa, OK 74133
392-0099
VCA Animal Hospitals
(see Animal Hospitals)
Veterinary Associates
6925 S. 69th East Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74133
492-4200
Obedience Trainers
All Things Canine
Behavior Consultations
Tiffany Barnes Talley, CCBC
www.tulsadogbehavior.com
527-9663
Companion Dog School of Tulsa
4411 S. 91st East Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74145
www.companiondogschool.com
834-3566
Dog Training with Brenda
www.traink9.com
274-8774
K-9 Manners & More
328 W. Kenosha
Broken Arrow, OK 74012
www.k9-manners.com
451-8446
Pooches
2238 E. 56th Place
Tulsa, OK 74105-6114
www.poochesplace.com
398-6459
Southern Agriculture
6501 E. 71st Street
Tulsa, OK 74133
www.southernagriculture.com
488-1993
Pet Adoption, Rescue Groups,
Rescue Coordinators &
Shelters
Airedale Rescue
OK Airedales
Frances Martin
[email protected]
www.okairedales.com
836-5508
Alaskan Malamute Rescue
Virgil Reed
(918) 486-3494
A.R. F. – Animal Rescue Foundation
www.arftulsa.org
622-5962
Animal Aid of Tulsa
3307 E. 15th Street
Tulsa, OK 74112
www.animalaid.org
744-8280
Boxer Rescue
Tulsa Boxer Rescue
Rescue and adoption
Serving all of Oklahoma
[email protected]
Laura – 261-0869
Michael – 814-3047
www.tulsaboxerrescue.net
Broken Arrow Animal Shelter
3420 N. 41st Street
Broken Arrow, OK 74014
www.bashelter.petfinder.com
www.brokenarrowok.gov
259-8311
Cat Adoption Center
www.catadopttulsa.org
486-7727
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Rescue and Adoption
Marla Palovik
www.cavalierrescueusa.com
274-0408
Chesapeake Bay Retriever Rescue
Bob Hill
[email protected]
381-4504
Chihuahua Rescue of Northeast
Oklahoma
Vickie Propst
341-7991
Australian Shepherd Rescue
Sonja Jo Hahn
www.okaussies.org
906-5958
Dachshund Rescue of North America
Kathryn Dickerson
[email protected]
Cheryl Roberts
[email protected]
www.drna.org
Bichon Frisee Rescue
Small Paws Rescue
www.smallpawsrescue.org
Dalmatian Assistance League
www.tulsadals.org
Blaze’s Tribute Equine Rescue
17667 Markita Drive
Jones, OK 73049
[email protected]
www.blazesequinerescue.com
(405) 399-3084
Forest and Jenny’s Place
Animal Rescue
www.forestandjennysplace.org/
Bloodhound Rescue
Niki Ganns
[email protected]
(918) 371-4193
Sharon Bardin
[email protected]
www.southcentralbloodhounds.org
(580) 332-5254
German Shepherd Rescue
www.gsrtulsa.com
282-8593
Friends of Felines
[email protected]
Golden Retriever Rescue
Sooner Golden Retriever Rescue
www.sgrr.org
747-9281
Bonhaven Terrier Rescue
www.bonhaven.org
TulsaPets Summer 2009 27
Directory
Greyhound Adoption
Halfway Home Greyhound Adoption
www.halfwayhomegreyhounds.com
Irene Comer
584-4880
Teddy Palmer
492-8077
Home At Last Organization (HALO)
Mary Ann Jarrett
496-3117
Adult dogs only
Humane Society of Owasso
881 N. Owasso Expressway
Owasso, OK 74055
272-2400
Humane Society of Tulsa
6232 E. 60th Street
Tulsa, OK 74145
www.tulsapets.com
495-DOGS
Irish Setter Rescue
Irene and John Comer
584-4880
760-5388 Mobile
Lab Rescue of Oklahoma
www.labrescue.net
Love4all Pet Services
P.O. Box 150126
Tulsa, OK 74115-0126
[email protected]
www.love4all.petfinder.com
798-2131
Mastiff Rescue
Great Plains Mastiff Rescue Foundation
P.O. Box 6173
Edmond, OK 73083-6173
[email protected]
www.greatplainsmastiffrescue.org
(206) 202-4364
Noah Animal Rescue
www.noahanimalrescue.petfinder.com
232-1953
Oklahoma Alliance for Animals
2642 E. 21st Street, Suite 120
Tulsa, OK 74114
[email protected]
742-3700
Owasso Feline Rescue
272-4059
Parrot Rescue
Fight 4 Flight Parrot Rescue
www.myspace.com/
fight4flightrescue.com
[email protected]
Janet -283-1264; Lynn – 633-7257;
Samantha – 633-9487
28 TulsaPets Summer 2009
Partnering for Pets, Inc.
12324 E. 86th Street North, #142
Owasso, OK 74055
www. partneringforpets.org
376-2525
PAWS of Tulsa
pawsoftulsa.org
376-2397
PAL - Pet Adoption League
www.pet-adopt.org
365-8725
Pet Boutiques
StreetCats
6520 E. 60th Street
Tulsa, OK 74145
www.streetcatstulsa.org
298-0104
The Catnip Cottage
1443 S. Gary Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74104
www.thecatnipcottage.com
[email protected]
743-5600
Pembroke Welsh Corgi Rescue
Green Country Pembroke
Welsh Corgi Rescue
[email protected]
663-7595
Missie Holbrook
Lynn Johnson
The Dog Dish
The Farm Shopping Center
6502 E. 51st Street
Tulsa, OK 74145
www.dogdish.com
624-2600
Poodle Rescue
Poodle Club of Tulsa, Inc.
Susan Wagner
www.poodlecluboftulsa.org
346-7121
The Posh Pup
The Market
8281 S. Harvard Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74137
857-1518 or 492-5517
Siberian Husky Rescue
Alicia Kindle
(918) 241-8487
Pet Food and Treats
StreetCats (cat adoption only)
6520 E. 60th Street
Tulsa 74145
www.streetcatstulsa.org
298-0104
Tulsa Animal Welfare
3031 N. Erie
Tulsa. OK 74115
www.tulsa-animalshelter.org
669-6299
Tulsa SPCA
2910 Mohawk Blvd.
Tulsa, OK 74110-1419
www.tulsaspca.org
428-7722
Westie Rescue
Oklahoma Westie Rescue
Meredith or Mike Butcher
www.okwestierescue.com
407-4569
Zoi’s Animal Rescue
P.O. Box 2905
Claremore, OK 74018
[email protected]
734-1184
Animal Health Supply
6939 E. 15th Street
Tulsa, OK 74112
836-3959
Natura Pet Products
www.naturapet.com
Pet Squad
www.petsquadok.com
369-9399
Red Dog Hound & Pet Supply
2198 S. Sheridan Road
Tulsa, OK 74129
834-1224
The Dog Dish
The Farm Shopping Center
6502 E. 51st Street
Tulsa, OK 74145
www.dogdish.com
624-2600
Yellow Dog Bakery
www.yellowdogbakery.net
406-3619
Pet Mortuary and
Cremation Services
Companions Forever
7442 E. 46th Street
Tulsa, OK 74145
www.companionsforever.com
610-0348
Pet Memorial Memory Gardens
11010 North Yale
Tulsa, OK 74073
288-6414
Pet Photography/Pet Portraits
Foshay Studio and Gallery
Broken Arrow, OK 74012
foshaystudioandgallery.com
[email protected]
384-9422
Helen F. Howerton
www.howertonart.com
494-5994
Studio D Photography at Moto Photo
8220 S. Harvard Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74137
494-6686
Moto Photo and Portrait Studio
802 S. Aspen
Broken Arrow, OK 74012
258-7676
Sirius Photography
www.siriusphotography.smugmug.com
543-6578
Pet Sitting and
Walking Services
A Pet’s Companion
24-Hour In-home Pet Sitting
Beth Sims - Owner
282-8528
Andrea’s Furry Angels Pet Care
[email protected]
695-5118
Homeward Bound
Pet Sitting Service
“In Your Own Home”
HBPets@ yahoo.com
451-PETS
Stephanie’s Affordable
Pet Care Service
409-9426
The Comfort of Home
Irene Comer
Email: [email protected]
760-5388 Mobile
Vet Recommended
Whitney Ensing Pet Sitting Service
813-2717
Pet Supplies
Animal Health Supply
6939 E. 15th Street
Tulsa, OK 74112
836-3959
MuzzleFluff Dog Beds
www.muzzlefluff.com
[email protected]
809-8232
Red Dog Hound & Pet Supply
2198 S. Sheridan Road
Tulsa, OK 74129
834-1224
Sloppy Dog Wash
4316 S. Peoria Ave.
Tulsa, OK 74105
www.sloppydogwash.com
[email protected]
742-9274
Southern Agriculture
6501 E. 71st Street
Tulsa, OK 74133
www.southernagriculture.com
488-1993
Southern Agriculture
3146 South Mingo Road
Tulsa, OK 74145
www.southernagriculture.com
663-6770
Southern Agriculture
2618 S. Harvard Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74114
www.southernagriculture.com
747-6872
Southern Agriculture
2914 E. 91st Street
Tulsa, OK 74137
www.southernagriculture.com
299-1981
Southern Agriculture
9255 N. Owasso Expressway
Owasso, OK 74055
www.southernagriculture.com
274-3770
Southern Agriculture
1746 S. 161st East Avenue
Broken Arrow, OK 74012
www.southernagriculture.com
258-8080
Southern Agriculture
1034 E. Lansing Street
Broken Arrow, OK 74012
www.southernagriculture.com
251-0267
Miscellaneous Pet Products/
Services/Friends of Pets
American AutoMart
9404 E. 31st
Tulsa, OK 74145
Catherine Tatum
McGraw Realtors
492-7191
Cindy Johnson
Keller Williams Realtors
810-0528
Hospice of Green Country
2121 S. Columbia, Suite 200
www.hospiceofgreencountry.org
747-2273
Hurricane K-9 Waste Removal
H-K9.com
812-8859
Jim Giles Safe Rooms
www.jimsafe.com
639-8102
Calendar
of Events
4th Sunday of the month
(except December)
The Oklahoma Avicultural Society (Exotic Bird
Club)
1:30-4:30pm. Hardesty Library, 8316 E. 93rd St,
Tulsa, Ok. Informative pet bird related programs.
Free admission, everyone welcome. Contact: Mary
Prater Hill, 918-437-3343.www.okbirds.com
Last Saturday of Every Month
Adopt a Little Okie
12-4 p.m. Tulsa Animal Welfare, 3031 N. Erie.
Sponsored by Tulsa Animal Welfare and the
Oklahoma Alliance for Animals.Contact: 742-3700
Oklahoma Aquarium
300 Aquarium Drive
Jenks, OK 74037
www.okaquarium.org
296-3474
July 17, 18, 19
StreetCats Booth at Affair of the Heart of Tulsa
Expo Square, QuikTrip Center
Booth 343 & 344
Pet Loss Support Group
592-0021
July 20, August 3, 17th, 31st, September 14th,
28th
Pet Loss Support Group
5:30-6:30 p.m.
Central Park Community Center
Activity Room, 1028 E. 6th, Tulsa. For more
information or for appointment: 592-0021
Queenie’s Restaurant
1834 Utica Square
749-3481
Safe-Step Dog Waste Removal Service
834-POOP (7667)
Tulsa Community College
Veterinary Technology Program
7505 W. 41st Street
Tulsa, OK 74107
595-8213
Directory listings are
free of charge for advertisers;
non-advertisers may be listed for a
$35.00 fee. For listings please email
[email protected].
September 12, 10-2 p.m.
Woofstock
Veteran’s Park, 21st & Boulder.Sponsored by the
Oklahoma Alliance for Animals & KBEZ.Rescue dogs
available for adoption, microchipping, and more! For
more information: 742-3700
September 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Exotic Bird Fair
Green Country Event Center, 12000 E. 31st St.
Sponsored by the Oklahoma Avicultural Society. For
more information: 437-3343
Have an event scheduled from
mid-October 2009 through
mid-January 2010? Email details to
[email protected].
TulsaPets Summer 2009 29
Dixie
30 TulsaPets Summer 2009
A “rowling” good time!
By Judy Langdon. Photos by Sirius Photography.
If you think you need
to leave the dog at home
while you are out and
about this summer, think
again.
From May through October, you can
find many Tulsans enjoying their evenings at free outdoor music concerts.
You can find lots of dogs (with their
owners) there, too. And they appear to
be having a “rowling” good time!
At a recent early summer concert at
Utica Square’s “Summer’s 5th Night,”
amid a sea of circled lawn chairs, coolers, parents and small children, there
was a whole menagerie of canines present, in all sizes (including tiny cuddly
puppies), colors, breeds and shapes. Lots
of them. Some are rescue dogs. Some
were even there to make a fashion statement.
While this summer might be the dogs
and owners’ first to attend the concerts,
many Tulsans have been bringing their
“four-legged children” to Summer’s 5th
Night for years, they said.
One couple even brought their “granddog” on their motorcycle!
According to their owners, most of
the time the dogs will obediently sit or
lay, leashed, at their masters’ sides, but
a few have been known to wander off
to the other side of a parking lot. Some
dogs even have their own cushioned
chairs with food, bones, water and toys;
and some get a little bit of attitude if a
passerby doesn’t give them a scratch or
pat on the head.
A few of the dogs and owners
encountered at the concert:
John, who recently moved to Tulsa
from Houston, was enjoying the concert
with his 10 year-old Golden Retriever,
Monroe. For a first-timer, Monroe
(who was born in Jenks) was taking
the crowded, loud evening all in stride.
“He’s usually pretty lazy,” says Powers.
Cara hasn’t always brought her dog
to Summer’s 5th Night…she has even
brought her bird, a Red Lorey! But making her first appearance at the concert
on this night, was 11 week-old Blue
Great Dane, Chloe.
Michelle has been attending the con-
certs for five years, she said, but had her
8 week old black miniature Schnauzer,
Maud, in tow.
Rose, a red Standard poodle, has been
coming to Utica Square with Harry and
Beverly for the past four years. “She
loves to ride in the car,” says Beverly.
“And she loves seeing the children here.
She thinks everyone should stop and
talk to her, and gets upset if people
don’t.” Still, Rose makes sure Harry and
Beverly are always right beside her, says
Beverly.
Chicka-Chula-Valentina, a 4 ½ yearold very vocal black Chihuahua, always
sits atop a special red rug on her chair
and (the night of the interview) a red
bandana tied around her neck. Her
owner, Karen, says Valentina, who is
always leashed, during one concert took
off across the parking lot, even attached
to Karen’s chair!
Bruno, an adventuresome 3 year- old
Pomeranian, was with his owner Lynne,
who has been attending the concerts
about four years. “He has been known
to run away,” says Lynne, “so he’s
always on a leash.”
Bruno
Chubby
Chicka-Chula-Valentina
TulsaPets Summer 2009 31
Drover
Khaki
Coco
Rose
Hope
Chloe
Pam, who resides in Tahlequah,
brings her 4 year-old male Cavalier King
Charles Spaniel, Chubby, a rescue dog,
to the weekly concerts. “We come to
these all the time,” says Pam, who says
her dog doesn’t mind the drive. He even
has his own chair.
Drover, a four month-old miniature
Australian Shepherd came to Summer’s
5th Night on his “grandparents,’’ Steve’s
and Laura’s, motorcycle.
It was only the second time that
Stephanie brought her year-old white
Labradoodle, Khaki, to the concert. “We
came last year at the tail end of the
summer,” says Stephanie.
Dressed in hot pink, just like her
owner, Linda, was two-year old
Pekingese, Coco. Coco was clad with a
pink polka dot bow tied top her head
and a pink ribbon around her neck.
“She loves everyone and thinks everyone
should love her,” says Linda. “She is
spoiled rotten and loves to go places.”
Belinda, her husband and two daughters, brought Charlie, their 7 year-old
Welsh Corgi, for the third year in a
row. The family has been coming to
the concerts since they started, and
they have two additional Welsh Corgis,
Chester and Lucy, at home. “When
Chester gets a bone, he doesn’t chew on
it, but he doesn’t want the other dogs
to get it either,” says Belinda. “And he
loves to watch ‘Animal Planet,’ on television. He barks at all the dogs on the
screen.”
Hope, a loveable 1 year-old white
Con-de-etouron (which resembles a
Maltese), came to the rescue when her
owner, also named Linda, was battling
cancer. “It was a tense time (when we
met),” says Linda, who named her dog
because she gave her another reason
to live. “She is a joy to have around,
always wants to play and tries to kiss
everyone.”
32 TulsaPets Summer 2009
Dixie, who is another rescue dog, is a
4 month-old miniature Schnauzer who
came to her owner, Cheryl and family,
just in the nick of time. “I saw her picture in the paper and learned Dixie, her
mother and the rest of the litter (who
were in Oklahoma City) were going to
be put down the next day,” says Cheryl.
“I told my husband, ‘We have to get this
puppy.” But the Dixons already had a
dog and Cheryl’s husband’s first answer
was no. “But then he had a change of
heart, and he and our daughter went to
Oklahoma City the next day and picked
her up as a Mother’s Day present.” Dixie
is still kind of timid, says Cheryl, and a
typical puppy. “We do have to watch
her, because she chews on shoes.”
“This is our second or third year
to come to Summer’s 5th Night,” says
Dan Blevins, with his 4 year-old miniature Italian Greyhound, Bella. “And we
always sit in the same place.” 
www.marinaanimalclinic.com
Designer Collars • Gourmet Treats • Holistic Food • Terrific Toys • Beautiful Bowls • Great Gifts
In business since 1979
9968 E. 21st St.
Tulsa, OK 74129
p. 663.5758
f. 663.1451
www.dogdish.com
Tulsa’s greatest selection of collars,
beds, bowls and dog attire
Specializing in holistic food and
natural treats
Bruce Almighty • Adopted 2007
Tulsa Animal Welfare Shelter • www.tulsa-animalshelter.org
Chase • Adopted 2003 • Animal Rescue Foundation • www.arftulsa.org
Katie Rabbit • Adopted 2004
Sooner Golden Retriever Rescue • www.sgrr.org
Located in the Farm Shopping Center
at 51st and Sheridan
(918) 624-2600 – www.dogdish.com
The Dog Dish and its four legged staff members encourage all
Tulsans to consider adopting their next best friend from the
Tulsa Animal Shelter or local animal rescue groups.
Pet Apparel • Human Apparel • Gorgeous Jewelry • Luxurious Beds
Marina
Animal
Clinic, Inc.
Serving Pets and Their People
Since 2002!
Designer Collars • Gourmet Treats • Holistic Food • Terrific Toys • Beautiful Bowls • Great Gifts
Quality Care.
Affordable Prices.
Human Apparel • Gorgeous Jewelry • Luxurious Beds • Designer Collars
Keep the
Pets About Town
pictures coming!
We want to see
your pet in
TulsaPets Magazine!
Please email a
high-resolution jpeg image
(at least 300 dpi) with your
pet’s name to
[email protected] —
or send a photo snail mail to
P.O. Box 14128, Tulsa OK
74159-1128.
(Sorry but hard copy photos
can not be returned.)
We’ll do out best to include
your pet in a future issue!
TulsaPets Summer 2009 33
15th Street Veterinary Group
Trusted veterinary care for the life of your pet
Ed Wagner, D.V.M.
Mark Shackelford, D.V.M.
Erin Reed, D.V.M.
M-F 8:00 - 6:00 • Sat: 8:00 -12:00
6231 E. 15th • Tulsa, OK 74112 • 835-2336
$169/mo
Bi-weekly
appts.
Canine
Arthritis
Special
Laser, acupuncture, massage,
exercise therapy, weight loss,
and more. For more details
call or visit our web site.
918.664.8690
southmemorial.com
34 TulsaPets Summer 2009
Thank You For Your Support
Because of your generous support to our” Wheels of
Hope” project, Oklahoma Alliance for Animals is able
to help save more lives by helping Oklahoma’s at risk
animals. Your continued support is vital in our life
saving mission.
Keep the wheels rolling to save lives by donating to “Wheels of Hope”
742-3700
www.animalallianceok.org
Peace-of-Mind
Lloyd and the dogs didn’t know how
fortunate they were to be connected to
Tulsa’s only non-profit hospice organization
that also has a program to care for patients’
pets caught up in the end-of-life process.
Homes were found for three of the adult
dogs and plans made to vaccinate the
puppies. “But we were too late,” McNac
says. On vaccination day, the puppies were
all dying with distemper. Only puppy Jack
and the adult Weimeraner survived.
“I knew then that Jack was special. He
had pneumonia, but he still wagged his tail
when I petted and talked to him … he had a
quiet strength about him that spoke straight
to my heart,” she recalls.
It’s that heart-to-heart bond that is the
essence of Pet Peace of Mind, HGC’s unique
program that enables hospice patients
to keep their pets at home with them
throughout their illnesses, ensuring that the
deep human-animal bond does not become
a casualty at a time when other losses are
occurring.
The program provides a range of services
for its clients’ pets such as transportation to
and payment for vet care or grooming, and
buying food, medication and kitty litter, flea
and tick treatment, and pain and comfort
Jack Black takes friend teddy toy while visiting staff and
care for elderly pets. It also helps patients
volunteers at Hospice of Green Country offices.
with planning for animal placement after
death.
Tulsa’s Pet Peace of Mind is going national
now as a model for establishing similar
programs in hospices around the country.
Banfield Charitable Trust, based in Portland,
Ore., contacted McNac a year ago when
trust officials were looking for ways to
support hospice patients and their pets. Its
mission is fostering programs to keep pets
and people together and Tulsa’s two-yearold program is a natural match for Banfield. McNac will be involved in reviewing
Stories and photos by Pat Atkinson. A journalist for more than 25 years, Atkinson is involved with
grant requests and training hospice staffs
animal rescue and advocacy activities.
nationwide.
McNac was a veterinarian before
Jack Black was only 10-months old and living under
transitioning into her chaplaincy training,
a house trailer with five other puppies and four adult
bringing with her to hospice a professional
dogs when the hospice staff first met the furry gang.
and personal awareness of the importance of
Jack’s owner, Lloyd, was a Vietnam vet with a gruff exterior and a tender heart. the bond between people and their loving
And he was on his end-of-life journey, softened and assisted by the caring people
and faithful furry companions throughout
from Hospice of Green Country.
life, especially at life’s end. A relative of Lloyd’s had dropped off four adult Weimeraners, earlier purchased
Assisted by the pet-loving staff at HGC,
for breeding. Along came a black Labrador and soon there were six puppies.
she established Pet Peace of Mind in July,
“When we first admitted Lloyd to hospice, we discovered that he had 10 dogs
2007 funded from her own pocket, later
running around and he was overwhelmed,” recalls Rev. Delana McNac, HGC’s
from an anonymous donor and HGC. director of spiritual care.
McNac’s acquaintance with a “portly”
Paw Prints from
Heart-to-Heart
Hospice’s Pet Peace of Mind
Program Goes National
TulsaPets Summer 2009 35
Dachshund named Stretch sparked the
idea for pet hospice care four years ago
at a different hospice program. Stretch’s
owner Harold and the little weenie
dog were inseparable from the moment
Stretch unexpectedly waddled through
Harold‘s door and into his heart.
As Harold’s and his wife’s health
deteriorated, his family decided to send
the dog to live out of state and Harold’s
health accelerated downhill. Grieving
and isolated while sitting in a darkened
room, he confided to McNac how he
missed his little dog, worried about
Stretch, was angry that the family took
him away and afraid the relative might
have taken Stretch to a shelter.
McNac recalls: “My last visit was one
I will never forget. Harold laid on his
bed, fully clothed, talking nonsensically
to no one in particular, staring at the
television. Beside him, where Stretch had
always laid, Harold petted an invisible
dog over and over again. He died later
that night.”
She says she later founded Pet Peace
of Mind because she believes, “We could
have changed the end of Harold’s life if
we had taken Stretch in, placed him in
a foster home and brought him to visit
Harold on a regular basis with hospice
volunteers.” And the hospice staff would
have helped Harold plan ahead for
Stretch’s home life after Harold’s death.
As Pet Peace of Mind was being
launched, little survivor Jack Black was
one of the earliest pets aided by Hospice
of Green Country’s program.
“He cheated death,” McNac says. After the death of Jack’s owner,
McNac adopted the brave, black
Labrador-Weimeraner cross. Jack
often visits HGC’s offices, walking
the hallways carrying toys, greeting
and acknowledging staff members and
volunteers.
“He cheers up everyone he meets
and gives all of us motivation and
inspiration,” she says. 
Rev. Delana McNac shares a heart-to-heart hug with Jack Black, a continuing
inspiration for Hospice of Green Country’s Pet Peace of Mind program, keeping pets
and their people who are receiving hospice care together at end of life.
36 TulsaPets Summer 2009
Hospice of
Green Country’s
Pet Peace of
Mind program
has gone
national.
Portland, Oregon-based Banfield
Charitable Trust is offering start-up
funding to nonprofit hospice programs
across the country, based on a how-to
manual written at Banfield’s request
by Pet Peace of Mind founder Rev.
Delana McNac, spiritual director at
HGC and a former veterinarian.
Pet Peace of Mind in Tulsa, founded
two years ago, has cared for 150 pets
owned by approximately 50 hospice
patients.
Banfield directors were looking
for another way to continue the
trust’s mission to fund or administer
innovative programs keeping pets and
families together.
“For many in hospice care,
their physical condition leads to a
decrease of previously enjoyed social
opportunities and relationships.
Their pets offer unconditional
love and acceptance, comfort and
companionship when it’s needed
most – when friends and family aren’t
seen as frequently, or when words are
too hard to say,” the Banfield’s recent
media announcement notes.
Banfield grants will include training
by McNac and others to help hospices
across the country offer pet care
to patients physically or financially
unable to provide essentials for their
pets. Sometimes simple tasks like
walking, feeding, grooming or a trip
to the veterinarian are difficult. The
program provides these services and
more. The trust is associated with
Banfield veterinary clinics based in
PetSmart stores.
Grants foster Banfield’s goal of
helping hospice patients “complete
their end-of-life journey with the
comfort and companionship of their
pet, without worrying about their pet’s
current or future needs.”
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TulsaPets Summer 2009 37
In Memory
of…Calie
INT. & AM. CH SNOWONDER’S CALIENTE
ROJA CD, U-CD, HIC, CGC, TDINC, WS, WSX
July 2, 1994 to April 2, 2009
Calie came into my life as a darling
little white fur ball! She was my
practice dog for obedience, agility,
herding, doggy dancing, confirmation,
rally and pet therapy. I learned so
much about how to train a dog with
this lovely example of a Samoyed.
Because of her I have met hundreds
of people involved with every aspect
of dogdom and gone places I never
would have, had I not experienced
training and showing Calie. We
became a registered therapy team
when she was two. We made folks
smile and laugh and forget their pain at nursing homes, hospitals,
schools, libraries, rehabilitation units and day cares for over
thirteen years. Calie had over 200 hours of therapy visits in the
greater Tulsa area. She was my true heart dog.
“You have gone ahead
And nothing is the same
Leaving paw prints on my heart
That will always remain…”
TULSA DOG TRAINING CLUB
Sharon Wilson
April 2009
Stay tuned in to
the latest community
pet news!
Training People to Train
Their Dogs Since 1947
Visit our website at www.tulsadogs.com for
information on the next class sessions and
upcoming events.
Puppy… Rally… Obedience…Agility...
6307 S. 107th East Ave.
250-9620
38 TulsaPets Summer 2009
Find out what’s happening in the Tulsa pet world:
Pet News • Adoption Events
Fund raisers • Dog Park News
www.tulsapetsmagazine.com
Pet Safety
Tulsa Pets are Safely
in the Hands of the
American Red Cross
By Kelsy Taylor
The Tulsa Area Chapter of the American Red
Cross has helped the community in so many ways.
One very important part of their program is to
help families and their pets during emergencies.
“The Red Cross has always included pets in their plan, especially in
disaster preparedness and first aid” emphasized Devone Chezum, the
Education Community Coordinator of the Tulsa Area Chapter of the
American Red Cross.
There are a variety of resources and programs that involve pets in the
organization. Devone Chezum said that, “most chapters of the American Red
Cross offer Pet First Aid classes that
are available once or twice a year.”
The classes will help prepare pet
owners to face a variety of situations
with confidence. This is a great
opportunity for owners of both dogs
and cats in the Tulsa area to learn
valuable skills, when to recognize an
emergency and how to prepare for
one. “Rescue breathing and CPR are
taught in the class, instructors also
show the students how to create
a first aid kit
for their pets”
explained
Chezum. The
pet first aid
kits include
helpful supplies
such as bandages,
ointments, and
blankets. The
kits are also available, already
prepared, from the American Red Cross. Devone
emphasized that the kits should be brought along
with the dog wherever it goes because you never
know when you may need them!
Pets have become a part of the family in recent
years. They come along during family activities,
welcome long walks with us, and enjoy spending
time curled up by our sides. Recently an increase
in pet ownership and more people feeling like
pets are a part of their family has inspired the
American Red Cross to create two very important
products to accompany their pet first aid classes.
The organization has prepared a book that
includes valuable information for pet owners. The
topics range from minor situations up to how to
aid an animal while rushing it to a veterinarian.
This product can be used as a quick reference
guide since the topics are well organized and
easy to find. Devone added that the book “is a
supplement to being a good pet owner.”
The organization also offers an informative
DVD that also covers a wide range of topics.
“The DVD is a reinforcement of what is learned
in the class” describes Devone. A few of the
topics that are covered include: eye injuries,
wound care, burn care, and broken bones. The
DVD is also a great reference guide designed for
easy access to specific topics.
“It is very comforting to know the information
from the books and DVD for your own or others
pets” mentioned Devone. Often, the skills that
are gained through the classes and products from
the American Red Cross can save not only the
participant’s pet but a stray or injured animal. Anyone interested in enrolling in a pet
first aid class or purchasing one of the
products should visit www.tulsaredcross.org
or call 918-831-1126. The Tulsa Area Chapter
of the American Red Cross has a store in
their lobby, located at 10151
East 11th Street Tulsa, OK
74128, where all of their pet
products are available. A
Kelsy Taylor
TulsaPets Summer 2009 39
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Good Story
Emily —
the Schipperke Dog
By Alice Benavides as told to her by Kaye Lynn.
Alice Benavides is a writer and freelance editor from Jenks, Oklahoma.
Emily today
Emily, only eight weeks
old and a tiny ball of
black fur, was Kaye Lynn’s
Christmas gift from her
son Matthew and his fiancée Jennifer. In an effort
to help Kaye stave off the
empty-nest syndrome, the
engaged couple looked for
the perfect companion for
her.
After some research, Matthew and
Jennifer decided on a beagle. But when
they visited the kennel, Jennifer noticed
a little back bundle crouched in the
corner behind the mother beagle. The
kennel owner explained that the little
schipperke pup was abandoned by
her mother, so they put her with the
mother beagle who had just delivered a
litter of her own.
When Jennifer bent down for a closer look, the little schipperke waddled
toward her and Jennifer fell in love.
After more research, the young couple
decided this little puppy was just the
one for Kaye.
With Christmas still a week away,
Matthew took care of the little pup in
his apartment. Then on Christmas Day,
with the little dog nestled in the palm
of his hand, Matthew and Jennifer presented their gift to Kaye.
“What are you going to name her?”
they asked Kaye. Jennifer had started
calling her “Squeakers” since her bark
was not fully developed, but Kaye liked
the name “Emily.”
Kaye loved little Emily right away
but found house training to be a challenge, particularly in the middle of
winter — a wet winter. And Kaye’s big
back yard made it difficult to find the
tiny dog when she was let out.
“Miss Emily and I had to get used to
one another,” Kaye says, and it was the
TulsaPets Summer 2009 41
Emily with decreasing endurance.
purchase of a book on puppy care and
training that saved her life … and Miss
Emily’s!
Kaye also purchased a large crate and
lots of toys to keep Emily occupied and
out of trouble while she was at work.
She set the crate by the window so
the puppy could see out. When Kaye
returned home each day and let her out
of the crate, Emily wiggled with excitement. At last, the two were becoming
friends.
At six months old, Kaye took Emily
to have her spayed. Later that day, the
veterinarian called to explain that during
surgery Emily suffered a cardiac arrest,
but that she was alive and doing well.
“My heart just broke. It was at that
moment I realized how much that little
black ball of fur lived in my heart,”
Kaye said. Emily recovered completely
from that incident, and as time went on,
the two became even closer friends.
Kaye’s mother became ill and moved
in with Kaye. Seeing her mom so ill was
difficult for Kaye and Emily knew it.
“When times would be tough, I would
walk and carry Miss Emily. When I
cried, her black fur would catch my
tears.” And when burdens overwhelmed
her, Kaye noticed that Emily would
climb up next to her and would place
her paw on her leg as if to pat her and
say, “It’s okay, I am here.” And after the
death of her mother, Kaye realized how
Emily had grown to understand her.
42 TulsaPets Summer 2009
Emily the first morning home after her surgery.
That’s when Kaye began to notice that
something was not right with Emily.
“When I would pick her up, my hand
on her chest, I could feel her heart beat.
It was slow and irregular.” Kaye also
noticed that Emily’s activity level had
become sluggish. Emily could hardly run
to chase a ball one time. Kaye, a cardiac
nurse for many years, also noticed other
symptoms that indicated a problem.
Kaye took Emily to the vet who performed an EKG, but his diagnosis was
simply an irregular heart rhythm that
many dogs have. He did not feel any
other treatment was necessary. But after
Emily developed other health problems,
Kaye requested a cardiac exam. When
Kaye found herself at odds with the
doctor, she asked for a referral.
Dr. Patrick Grogan, DVM, performed
another EKG and an echocardiogram
while Kaye stayed by Emily’s side. Kaye
did not tell Dr. Grogan about her profession but watched as the EKG printed
out the results. Then she asked the doctor if the squiggly lines could be read
the same as for a human heart. When
the doctor said yes, she knew Emily was
in trouble.
At only four years old, Emily had a
bad conduction in her heart that was
not telling it when to beat. The results
also showed that Emily’s heart rate
dropped to the twenties with eight- to
nine-second pauses between beats. Kaye
was astonished and knew she had to
do something. Emily had so faithfully
looked after Kaye while her mother was
ill, and now it was Kaye’s turn to look
after her. If Emily was to survive, she
would need a pacemaker.
After Kaye pressed the issue once
again, Dr. Grogan made the arrangements and secured an appointment for
Kaye and Emily to see a cardiologist
at Texas A&M University. Dr. Sonya
Gordon and her staff placed a pacemaker in front of Emily’s right shoulder. She
recovered well from that surgery and
has lived a good life with Kaye. Emily
will soon be thirteen years old and currently functions 50% of the time on the
pacemaker.
“Not everyone has the money to help
their pets,” Kaye admits, “but if they
want to take responsibility for their
animals, there are ways to do it.” Kaye
encourages other pet owners who may
be struggling with their pets’ health
issues to not give up and to take responsibility early.
Kaye says, “A schipperke life span is
between fifteen and
twenty years. We had
a talk and she (Emily)
agreed to stay with
me at least ten more
years.” 
Alice Benavides
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TulsaPets Summer 2009 43
Dog Training 411
Mary Green answers your questions
Q
I have a Corgi puppy that
is now about 10 months
old. She is a very loving and
affectionate dog – most of the time.
Recently, she has snapped at both
of my children. I have 2 daughters, 7
and 9 years old. What has me really
concerned is that she snapped right
in their faces. She growled at me one
time when I went to get her off the
sofa, but she has not snapped at me.
I’m not sure what happened with the
girls, because I didn’t see it, but I do
know that Rosie was on the sofa.
A Young children and dogs should
never be unsupervised. At 7 and
9 your children are too young
to be playing with Rosie unless you are
right there to monitor their interactions. While it is never acceptable for dogs to
bite, sometimes we can understand why
they want to! Little girls especially like
to pick up puppies, hold them, and carry
them around. They tend to treat them
like living dolls. Puppies often grow
tired of being pursued by children, and
may use their teeth to defend themselves. Little boys like to play wrestling and
chase games with dogs, which can have
disastrous consequences! While it may
be cute that the 10 week old Lab puppy
chases the kids, and they fall down and
wrestle, it’s not such a cute behavior at
10 months of age when the dog now
weighs 60 pounds or more.
I have counseled parents whose child
was bitten when they bent down to hug
a sleeping dog. There is truth in the old
adage “Let sleeping dogs lie.”
Rosie may be territorial about the sofa,
too. Teach her that she is not allowed
up there unless you have invited her. Train her to jump off the sofa to get a
treat when you tell her. Don’t pick her
up and remove her from the sofa, or drag
her off. Make sure that she is willingly
jumping down when asked.
Teach your daughters how to
play with Rosie. Have short play
sessions that are toy oriented,
and eliminate chase and wrestling
games. Instruct the children
not to pick up Rosie, or pursue
her. Teach her to come when
called, and sit politely for petting. Treats are a great motivation for
these behaviors!
Q
Do no-bark collars
work?
A Unfortunately, there’s
no short answer to
your short question! There are various types of
anti-bark, or bark control
collars, and many drawbacks
to using them. One type is considered
a shock collar, which delivers a jolt
when the dog barks. These collars are
marketed with misleading descriptions
of “levels of stimulation” or “light touch
correction.” The barking dog receives a
shock that he may or may not associate
with his barking! He may associate the
“unpleasant feeling” with the presence of
another dog or person. He may become
fearful about going into the yard. There are no-shock solutions that may
be effective. One option is a device
which emits an ultrasonic “correction”
tone when dogs bark. They can be
mounted on the fence, wall, or pole. They have adjustments for frequency and
sensitivity. The biggest drawback with
these devices is that all the dogs within
range (which can be as much as 50 feet)
are affected. So, the non-barkers are
corrected just the same as the barkers! There is a wide range of sensitivity to
this among dogs. The ultrasonic tone
is hugely aversive for some dogs, while
others are oblivious.
If I were to use an anti-barking
collar, I would use a citronella collar. The collar, when triggered by the dog
barking, delivers a burst of citronella
spray near his nose. Citronella, while
not harmful to the dog, is still very
unpleasant. One of the drawbacks is that
once the dog has stopped barking, the
citronella scent is still in his nose. As
with the ultrasonic tone, some dogs are
not terribly deterred by citronella.
Before making the decision to use
an anti-bark device, you really need
to identify the underlying cause of his
barking. Using a no-bark device without
incorporating a behavior modification
program might put an end to the
barking, and turn into a bigger problem
like escaping, or even aggression. 
Have a behavior-related
question for October?
Email askthetrainer@
tulsapetsmagazine.com.
Mary Green
Mary Green, Certified Pet Dog Trainer, is the owner of K9 Manners & More in Broken Arrow. She is a consultant for the Tulsa SPCA,
trainer for TheraPetics Service Dogs of OK, and is a monthly guest on the KOTV Noon News. www.k9-manners.com
44 TulsaPets Summer 2009
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Veterinary
Clinic
Grooming by Debbie
All breed groomer
Evening grooming available by appointment
6373 E. 31st Street
Suite F
Tulsa, OK 74135
835-3647
1412 S. Harvard Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74112
(918) 749-6588
(918) 749-6695 Fax
Robert W. Poteet, D.V.M.
Wendy Sales, D.V.M.
Bill Gooldy, D.V.M.
Tues. - Sat • 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
TulsaPets Summer 2009 45
Companions Forever Pet Memorial
Companions Forever staff Tina Elliott, Tracy Auman, Wendy Barnett, and Mike Bates
Photos by KMR Photography
Companions Forever owner Wendy Barnett.
C
ompanions Forever Pet Memorial,
located at 7442 E. 46th St. in
Tulsa, offers aftercare services for your
pet. Wendy Barnett and her staff have
experience in assisting pet owners
choose a fitting tribute for that special
friend. Their care and compassion help
ease the pain and emotional stress of
losing a beloved companion.
Cremation services are provided
using state of the art crematoriums. With the individual cremation
option, ashes are returned to the
owner. Companions’ showroom
features a wide selection of urns and
remembrance items to choose from
including jewelry. Ask about the new
Floramorial product which allows
your pet’s ashes to be returned to the
natural ecosystem. With the simple
cremation service option, your pet’s
46 TulsaPets Summer 2009
ashes are scattered at their peaceful
memorial grounds. Remembrance
plaques are available for purchase
and to be permanently affixed to the
Memorial Wall. A portion of those
proceeds are donated throughout the
year to local animal rescue groups.
Wendy and her dad, Gary Dunbar,
opened Companions Forever in
December of 1996. Gary was inspired
to return to Tulsa to offer these
specials services after the loss of
his beloved cat Sammy. Since his
death in 2006, Wendy has continued
their vision with the same care and
professional experience. Companions
has been a member of the Better
Business Bureau since its inception.
When you visit, you may also be
greeted by the friendly pet staff. Two
cats Alex and Sheridan, oversee daily
operations. They were both rescued
from the streets and understand just
how special the animal human bond
can be.
Companions Forever office is located
on 46th street between Sheridan and
Memorial. Their office hours are
Monday through Friday 9am-4pm.
Phones are answered 24 hours a day
and an on-call person is available to
assist with weekend and after hour
emergency needs. You can also visit online at
www.companionsforever.com or
call 918-610-0348 or 800-997-7576.
Animal Rights
The Puppy Mill Bill
and House Bill 1045
Reporting on
the Sad State
for Oklahoma’s
Puppy Mill Dogs
and Abandoned
Animals
By Ruth Steinberger
Despite overwhelming
promise for strides
in animal welfare at
the beginning of the
2009 legislative session,
Oklahomans who care
about animals were deeply
saddened and shocked by
the outcome of the session.
The session started out with two
strong measures to address the worst
animal welfare issues facing companion
animals in Oklahoma, puppy mills and
routine abandonment of unwanted pets.
However, despite strong grass roots support across the entire state, disappointing
outcomes on both bills left animals in
the dust one more year.
The Pet Quality Assurance Act, or
the “puppy mill bill,” House Bill 1332,
and House Bill 1045, a bill which would
have allowed low-population counties
to operate a shelter and pass animal
control ordinances, would have combined to help the most voiceless of all
companion animals in our state; dogs
in unlicensed dog dealing facilities and
unwanted animals facing abandonment
due to the absence of shelters. Currently,
TulsaPets Summer 2009 47
while cities and towns may establish
animal shelters and animal control codes,
all except for three counties with populations exceeding 200,000, may not. In fact,
although Tulsa, Oklahoma and Cleveland
counties have populations exceeding
200,000, none of the three have a shelter
serving those living in the county. Citizens have not been offered a clear
reason why either bill failed.
The Pet Quality Assurance Act, introduced by Representative Lee Denney,
DVM (R-Cushing), would have created
minimum standards for facilities producing over 35 dogs, cats, kittens or puppies
in a year. This bill passed the Oklahoma
House by a margin of 74 in favor and 26
opposed, it sailed through the House by
nearly two thirds and suddenly, in the
Senate General Conference Committee on
Appropriations, it died in the final week
of the session due to a lack of signatures
to pass out of that committee.
This final disappointment has never
been fully explained. The list of which
committee members signed and those
that refused to sign has not been released,
leaving those who supported the bill
unable to even thank those that tried to
help the animals. For those not familiar with the bill,
Oklahoma is the only high volume breeder state to lack state regulations of the
facilities commonly referred to as “puppy
mills.” While dog breeders that produce
dogs to sell to brokers must be licensed
by USDA, those that sell puppies directly
to the consumer are not required to hold
a federal license; in Oklahoma they are
not required to meet any standards at all.
As other states have passed regulations of
48 TulsaPets Summer 2009
all entities that sell, trade or adopt out a
large number of dogs, substandard breeders and rescues that are unable to meet
the standards in their home states have
flocked here. This has included those
who contain breeding animals in tiny
cages in filth as well as those who own
large scale bully breed kennels with web
sites linked to gang activity.
Unlicensed breeders represent a financial challenge to Oklahoma as well.
Conservative estimates place their unreported, and therefore untaxed, revenue at
over forty million dollars in sales. They
represent a cost to law enforcement, the
courts and public agencies as well. The
emotional cost to consumers who buy
unvaccinated and diseased puppies from
clandestine puppy mills cannot be tabulated.
The regulations under HB 1332 would
have mandated only that all breeders
meet or exceed the same regulations as
those who comply with federal standards.
For those not familiar with those standards, they are very, very low. A dog
is entitled to a cage size only six inches
longer than itself and there are no exercise requirements. When “spent,” a dog
is likely to be sold at auction for under
five dollars.
The laundry list of those who felt these
meager restrictions would put breeders
out of business included the American
Kennel Club, the American Canine
Association, the American Pet Registry,
the Sporting Dog Alliance and Oklahoma
Pet Professionals, an organization of federally licensed dog dealers that would
seemingly benefit from regulations based
on the standards they already meet. On April 25, 2009, Michael Glass of
America’s Pet Registry of Bethlehem, PA
sent out an e-mail alert asking members
nationwide to try to kill the bill and Bob
Yarnall of American Canine Association,
also of Pennsylvania, flew to Oklahoma
to lobby against passage of the bill. John
Yates of Pennsylvania-based Sporting Dog
Alliance tried likewise to kill HB 1332 by
circulating his own version of the bill
which made the bill appear to outlaw
pet ownership in Oklahoma. According
to a source in the House, one major air
carrier traveled to Oklahoma to express
their concern over losing shipping business from unregulated breeders, as Tulsa
and Oklahoma City are the second and
third largest puppy exporting points in
the nation, following only Kansas City,
MO. In his comments on the House
floor, Representative Brian Renegar
(D-McAllister) noted the number of outof-state interests invested in killing the
bill.
Thia King, President of OK Pet
Professionals and a federally licensed
breeder, claimed in an e-mail that passage of HB 1332 would spell the end
of the breeding industry in Oklahoma. Referring to King’s opposition Pat
Grasse, President of Oklahoma Humane
Federation said, “It’s a mystery why
licensed breeders who must comply with
USDA standards would oppose having
those standards in place for all other
breeders in Oklahoma. Maybe this industry is hiding more than is known at this
point.” Indeed, closures of unlicensed facilities have revealed that some perform
C-sections, tail docking and ear trimming
on their own dogs and puppies, practices
that require drugs that are not readily
obtained. Trafficking in local puppy sales
brings in cash income and as breeders are
being regulated elsewhere, high volume
producers of so-called, “bully breeds,”
now line the I-35 corridor, advertising
gang culture and making thinly veiled
references to dog fighting on their websites.
To take action on this issue, first please
send a warm thank you to Representative
Lee Denney, DVM, (leedenney@okhouse.
gov) the house sponsor of this bill, and
to senate sponsor Senator Cliff Branan
(R-Oklahoma City) at branan@oksenate.
gov for their unwavering commitment to
this issue, and for their compassion for
the dogs and cats that languish in tiny
cages and covered with filth, waiting for
someone to care. Then contact your own
representative and senator to express
your concern over this issue.
Please look at www.okpuppymilltruth.
org for updates on this issue.
The defeat of HB 1045 was particularly
disappointing for animal rescue organizations as the problem of abandoned pets
has ballooned across Oklahoma during
the economic downturn. Introduced
by Representative Rex Duncan (R-Sand
Springs) HB 1045 would have removed
the population restriction that prohibits Oklahoma counties with less than a
200,000 population from enacting animal welfare/control codes or operating
an animal shelter. Currently, a deputy
can charge someone for abandoning an
unwanted pet, but the county may not
help the abandoned animal itself. As pets
have become increasingly at-risk during
the economic crisis, local rescue organizations have been overwhelmed by the
requests for help from panicked families
with no place to turn for their pets. Deb Stellas, President of Zoi’s Rescue
of Claremore and clinic manager of SPAY
OK has noted that animal relinquish-
ments by families in crisis have reached
shocking numbers, and that these animals
become at-risk of abuse, abandonment
and starvation when desperate owners
have no place to turn.
Currently 60% of Oklahomans have no
access to an animal shelter; abandonment
and subsequent starvation for unwanted
companion animals are the norm in
Oklahoma.
Despite passage through the House, HB
1045 bill garnered opposition when the
Association of County Commissioners of
Oklahoma (ACCO) took 16 commissioners to the capitol to express their concern
and opposition to the bill. ACCO is an
advocacy organization which represents
county commissioners, not necessarily their constituents. Once the bill was
dead for the session, ACCO no longer
opposed the bill, but by then it was dormant, something which had been noted
on their website.
Carla Bonner of ACCO said, “I think
making the commissioners responsible for
it was not something they were ready to
take on at this time.” Bonner acknowledged that the bill did not mandate the
expenditures, but simply allowed the
counties to build a shelter if they chose
to, but she said that to the public, “May
means shall.” So shelters will remain
prohibited for one more year while abandoned animals suffer and Oklahomans
are unable to effectively express the need
for shelters.
What you can do to address the animal sheltering language is to let your
county commissioners know that the cat
is out of the bag regarding the reason
Oklahomans do not have access to public animal shelters. Watch this issue as
an animal advocate, and also as a voter.
Communicate to ACCO that you do
not want Oklahomans to be faced with
committing animal cruelty in order to
relinquish a dog or cat. You can find
out what your county spends on ACCO
membership through your county offices.
Most importantly, remember that
the 2010 legislative session is only eight
months away. As a concerned advocate
for animals, this is the time to start to
contact legislators, newspapers and even
organize a rally at your county offices.
Call your county commissioners about
the animal sheltering issue immediately.
Educate yourself on these issues so you
can share with others. 
Ruth Steinberger
Veterinary Associates
Proudly Serving Tulsa Pets for Over 30 Years
Briarglen
Veterinary Clinic
Vaccinations Surgery Boarding
3141 S. 129th E. Ave.
Tulsa, OK 74134
(918) 665-1555
Playtime at Veterinary Associates
• OVMA Veterinarian of the
Year Award
• State-of-the-art facility
• Veterinary Associates is
committed to providing you
and your beloved pet the best
possible service and care.
6925 S. 69th E. Ave. • Tulsa 74133
918-492-4200 • www.veterinaryassociates.net
Monday – Friday
7:30 am – 6:30 pm
Saturdays
9:00 am – 2:00 pm
TulsaPets Summer 2009 49
A Word…
Pitbulls
The young newborn is caged by a strange
shadow.
Alone in the dark it becomes
Cold … scared …
Until it is his turn. He is next.
The young pitbull is beaten and abused till
it coat turns …
Red … blood … red …
Years and years pass … He is ready …
A beautiful young pup, now a scared dog
has to
Fight to keep his life …
The shadows watch and laugh at
Their version of cruel entertainment.
Growls and snarls fill the air
Awful scents of a filthy environment.
He knows only one will be left
And then his flesh is torn
Apart. The laughter grows stronger …
louder …
Until one is left and wounded. The other …
Left … Gone … Dead …
And the last standing is beaten
and locked up.
He is … Cold … scared …
Written at age 13 by Lauren Guterman, now 14, a student at
Riverfield Elementary School.
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Celebrating 13 Years Assisting Clients in Need • Established in 1996
Loyal Companions
With The Fullest
Dignity and
Respect…
Our services include:
Cremation Services,
Ashes Scattered or
Returned
Memorial Wall for Pets
Urns and
Memorial Markers
24 Hour
Emergency Service
Pre-Need
Arrangements Available
Now offered exclusively
by Companions Forever:
Floramorial
Commemorate the life of your beloved companion in a unique new way! The
Floramorial process converts your pet’s cremation ashes into a planting medium to
grow a plant, bush, or tree, and allows your pet’s ashes to return to nature as part
of the ecosystem. Floramorial provides a living memorial honoring the life of your
departed friend. Call us for more information!
7442 E. 46th St. • Tulsa, OK 74145 • www.companionsforever.com •TulsaPets
610.0348
Summer 2009
51