September 2013

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

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Issue 8: Volume 7

Cover photo and this photo by Paw Prints by Jamie PetPhotography.

contents

EVENT CALENDAR 6September 2013

THE SCOOP 7Canine News and Happenings

HAPPY TALES 10National Homeless Animals Day Helps HighlightDespair and Hope of Homeless Animals

SPECIAL FEATURE 142013 Animal Legislation Update

HEALTH & WELLNESS 18Part III: Radiation Therapy & Your PetQuestions and Answers

BODY & SOUL 22What is Reiki and How Does it Benefit Meand My Dog?

ADOPTION 24Houston Beagle & Hound Rescue

PublisherJennifer Kitchens-Street(281) [email protected]

Advertising(281) [email protected]

Contributing WritersHeather SaucierMichelle SpencerJan Davidson

Staff PhotographerJamie Fincherwww.pawprintsbyjamie.com

Urban Paws MagazinePO Box 1556Spring, TX 77383www.urbanpawsmagazine.com

Web:www.urbanpawsmagazine.com

© Copyright 2013. No part of thispublication may be reprinted orotherwise reproduced without thepublisher’s written permission.Urban Paws magazine assumes noresponsibility for unsolicited manu-scripts, feature and idea submis-sions, or photographs, and suchmaterial will not be returned. UrbanPaws magazine assumes no liabilityfor the contents herein and has theright to refuse advertising for anyreason. Urban Paws magazine doesnot endorse any specific product orservice contained herein; we doencourage you to support ouradvertisers whenever possible.

Please tell our advertisers thatyou heard about them in UrbanPaws Magazine!

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COMING INOCTOBER:

Rescue & Adoption

COMING INNOVEMBER:Senior Pet Issue

Contact us forspecial advertisingopportunities at281.384.5431.

SEPTEMBERevent calendar

SEPTEMBER 6-75th Annual THLN Animal Advocacy Conference.

Renaissance Austin Hotel. This is a great confer-

ence for animal rescue and shelter workers, ani-

mal control officers, animal law attorneys, animal

protection organization volunteers, students, vet-

erinarians, and citizens who care about the wel-

fare of animals. Weekend registration is $140. To

register, visit http://thln2013conference.thln.org.

SEPTEMBER 14Special Pals Mobile Adoption event at Underdogs

Sports Pub, 4212 Washington Ave. 6:00 - 10:00

p.m. For more information, visit

www.specialpalshouston.org.

SEPTEMBER 16PAWS Houston’s Food and Wine Extravaganza

hosted by Sorrell Urban Bistro, 2202 West

Alabama. 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. Four of Houston’s best

chefs will prepare their signature dishes. Tickets

are $95 per person or $180 for couples. To R.S.V.P.

email [email protected] or call

713.840.7297.

SEPTEMBER 21You and your dog are invited to join Best Friends

Animal Society’s First Annual Strut Your Mutt in

Houston. Enjoy a leisurely fundraising dog walk

followed by a doggie-themed festival that includes

pet contests, photos, treats for your dogs, fun

activities, refreshments and more. TC Jester Park,

4201 W. TC Jester. 7:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. For more

information, visit

www.strutyourmutt.org/houston.

SEPTEMBER 222nd Annual Music for Mutts event will benefit

Unity for a Solution. This event will feature live

music by Zenteno Spirit, Mitch Jacobs Band,

Zydeco Dots, David DeLaGarza & Friends and Ken

Mondshine & Brotherhood. Outlaw Dave will

emcee. Rockefeller Hall. 2:00 - 6:00 p.m.

To purchase tickets, visit

www.eventbee.com/v/musicformuttshouston.

SEPTEMBER 27Houston Beagle Rescue’s Yappy Hour at Animal

Tales, 23930 Westheimer Parkway. 6:00 - 8:00

p.m. Stop by to meet the adoptable beagles avail-

able for adoption. Food and beverages will be pro-

vided. For more information, visit

www.houstonbeaglerescue.org.

SEPTEMBER 27-29DockDogs returns for its sixth year of canine com-

petition and family fun at Discovery Green. For

more information, visit

www.discoverygreen.com/dockdogs.

SEPTEMBER 30Swing, Drive and Putt: Save a Kitty and a Mutt. 9th

Annual Golf Tournament benefiting Abandoned

Animal Rescue. High Meadow Ranch Golf Club. To

register, visit www.aartomball.org.

Follow us on FACEBOOK & TWITTER for the mostup-to-date information, news and events!

For a full list of events, visit:www.urbanpawsmagazine.com/events

6 www.urbanpawsmagazine.com

the scoop

Rescue Bank to Hold Annual Party andSilent Auction on October 24

Rescue

Bank®,

the

Houston

non-

profit

that has

delivered

millions

of

pounds

of pet

food to local animal rescue groups, will hold

their annual “First We Feed Them™” Art and

Pet Bowl Auction and Party on Thursday,

October 24, 2013, starting at 5:30PM at

McCormick & Schmick’s in Uptown Park, 1151

Uptown Park Blvd, Houston, TX 77056.

Tickets are $35 in advance, $45 at door. There

will be Hors d’oeuvres & cash bar.

Rescue Bank’s mission is helping smaller, less

visible animal rescue groups that collectively

provide most of the community’s animal wel-

fare resources.

This year’s event features the Celebrity Bowl

– a special display of bowls decorated by local

media personalities such as Casey Curry. Your

pet could be “never more than 7 minutes

away” from their next snack.

Also featured is the Designer Super Bowl, a

“friendly” art bowl competition among

Houston’s leading graphic and design firms

Urban Paws Magazine 7

including Pennebaker and Limb Design among

others.

A silent auction will feature art from local

artists, including a painting by Jenny Grumbles

of Storage Wars of Texas.

Crazy Canvas, the West Houston “paint and

sip” studio, is proud to sponsor this event and

is donating decorative pet food bowls and

paintings created by their artists. Crazy Canvas

offers lessons, art camps and events led by

painters, ceramicists, sculptors and stained glass

artists.

Event tickets are available by email at

[email protected] or online at rescue-

bank.org/party.

It’s Time to Tee Up for the AAR 9thAnnual Golf TournamentThe Abandoned Animal Rescue 9th Annual

Golf Tournament will be held at High

Meadow Ranch Golf Club in Magnolia on

Monday, September 30th. Sign in is at 7:00 a.m.

with an 8:00 a.m. shotgun start. Prizes will be

awarded for top teams, longest drive, straight-

est drive, and closest to the pin. The $125 entry

fee includes a lunch buffet, green fee, cart,

range balls, morning coffee, goodie bag with

snacks, two drink tokens and door prize draw-

ing.

AAR is a no-kill, non-profit, animal shelter,

adoption center and affordable Wellness and

Spay-Neuter Clinic managed and maintained by

an all-volunteer staff. AAR helps the homeless

animals in our communities and encourages

civic responsibility without any government


the scoop

support. Operating money for the shelter

comes from medical and adoption fees, dona-

tions, grants, and fundraisers.

For more information, email:

[email protected]. For registration and

sponsorships, visit www.aartomball.org.

P&G Voluntarily Recalls LimitedQuantity of Dry Pet Food Due toPossible Health RiskThe Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) has

voluntarily recalled specific lots of dry pet food

because they have the potential to be contami-

nated with Salmonella. These lots were distrib-

uted in the United States and represent roughly

one-tenth of one percent (0.1%) of annual

production. No Salmonella-related illnesses

have been reported to date in association with

these product lots.

Consumers who purchased specific

Eukanuba and Iams products

(www.fda.gov/Safety/Recalls/default.htm),

should stop using the product and discard it

and contact P&G toll-free at 800.208.0172, or

via the website at www.iams.com or

www.eukanuba.com.

DockDogs® Returns to Discovery GreenDockDogs® returns September 27-29, 2013

for its sixth year of canine competition and

family fun at Discovery Green. This three-day

national tour dog jumping competition makes a

stop at Discovery Green to feature four-legged

athletes across Texas, Oklahoma, and Louisiana

in diverse jumping competitions, including a

high-jump and long-jump off a 20-foot dock

into a 40-foot pool of water on the Jones

Lawn.

Join the fun by participating in events like

the Haute Dog Costume Contest! Admission is

free and open to the public. Anyone with a dog

can participate but you must register to partici-

pate in competitions and entry fees apply.

Online pre-registration closes September 23, at

11:45 a.m.

Rounding out the scene at DockDogs is pet-

friendly vendors, dog training demonstrations,

appearances by favorite look-a-like characters

and animal adoptions. Past exhibitors have

included Pinot's Palette featuring Pet Project,

S.A.V.E. Rescue Coalition, KONA Sno-cones,

Haute Pets Mobile Grooming, Luxe Design

Dog Clothing.

For event schedules and times, visit

www.discoverygreen.com/dockdogs.

Photo by Kenneth B. Moore

the scoop

60 Works of Art on Display in Texas fora Worthy CausePAWS for a PURRpose is a Texas statewide

charitable public art

event consisting of

60 beautiful works

of art on fiberglass

sculptures of the

pets we so dearly

cherish. Life-size

dogs and cats of

different sizes, shapes and poses will be includ-

ed along with two mini-cows and a few surpris-

es. Internationally known artist Allison Gregory

has selected 43 of some of the top artists in

Texas to participate in this event. Many of these

artists produce museum-quality work, and all

were selected because of their unique style and

overall quality of work.

In July, South Texas College of Law turned the

9th floor of the law school into an art gallery

and hosted a special reception to unveil the art.

The sculptures will be on display through

August. From late August through late October,

the art pieces will be moved to "foster homes,

such as high-end retail stores, hotels, car dealer-

ships, museums, restaurants, and law offices in

Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, San

Antonio, Wichita Falls and Amarillo to generate

excitement for the upcoming celebrity hosted

live auction of the art.

The auction will be part of festivities to be

held on Thursday, November 7, 2013, at The

Downtown Club at Houston Center, 1100

Caroline, from 6:00-9:30 p.m. Proceeds from

the sponsorships and the live auction will sup-

port the Texas Humane Legislation Network

(THLN) and South Texas College of Law's

Animal Law Clinic (STCL).

To see all the fabulous art pieces, place a bid

and learn more about the live auction event visit

the website at www.pawsforapurrpose.com.

Willie Nelson autographs the mini cow exclusively for thisevent as lead artist Allison Gregory looks on.


happy tales

itting on a dirty porch of a dilapidated

hair salon in northeast Houston, “Carlos”

a pit bull mix, suffered in silence with a

red, swollen paw. Believed to be the victim of a

dog fight, he allowed a volunteer from Corridor

Rescue, an animal rescue and rehabilitation

group in Houston, to help him last year.

Named after the infamous Corridor of

Cruelty, near U.S. 59 and Little York Road where

mutilated dogs from illegal dog fighting rings are

dumped, Corridor Rescue has saved more than

700 dogs since its founding in 2008.

Carlos had to have his front leg amputated and

waited nearly a year in boarding kennels and

foster homes to be adopted.

Seeing his picture on petfinder.com several

months ago, Kacee Pavelka, 24, knew that

Carlos was meant for her, as she had lost her

right arm when she was hit by a drunk driver.

“It’s rare to find someone who can share the

same experience,” she said of losing a limb.

“Not being able to find someone I could identi-

fy with, I started thinking, why not a dog?”

To heighten awareness of the plight of tens of

thousands of homeless animals and the positive

impacts made by rescue groups, August 17 has

officially become recognized as National

Homeless Animals Day.

An estimated 80,000 dogs and cats are eutha-

nized each year and dumped in landfills in the

greater Houston area. More are wandering the

streets and suffering from cruelty and neglect.

One of the most infamous places is the

Corridor of Cruelty, a quarter-mile strip of

vacant land surrounded by shopping strips.

“Veer to the left or right along any point and

you will see the same thing everywhere – aban-

doned starving dogs in pain and suffering,” said

Deborah Hoffman, founder of Corridor

Rescue. “Here, trash and animals are discarded

without thought on a regular basis.”

If the dogs who are dumped do not die, they

continue to breed and add to the homeless pet

population.

Corridor Rescue operates with a carefully

organized group of feeders, medical and psy-

chological rehabilitators, foster homes, boarding

facilities and volunteers who perform thorough

background checks to help find animals loving,

S


National Homeless Animals Day Helps Highlight Despair andHope of Homeless Pets

Kacee and her new pal, Carlos.

permanent homes. The group works with local

pet stores, such as PetSmart and Petco, to hold

weekend adoption events.

“We are a small army of volunteers waging a

battle on behalf of these animals,” Hoffman

said. The group, which does not own a shelter,

regularly looks for people to foster animals

while they wait for adoption. It also relies on

transporters to take rescued animals to adoption

events and to a reputable shelter in Missouri,

which enables the quick and safe adoption of

dogs.

Often times, as in the case of Pavelka, miracle

matches are made.

“So many people look at me and see my dis-

ability and it makes them very doubtful of my

abilities,” Pavelka said. So she felt an instant

empathy for Carlos when reading his biography

on the internet. “When someone looks at a dog

with special needs like Carlos, people are taken

aback and afraid of what he can and can’t do.”

Wanting to shout to the world the undeniable

need of animals and how the dedication of peo-

ple can transform their lives, Hoffman began

Corridor Rescue with one e-mail sent to many

friends five years ago: “You will find mixes and

pure breeds of all kinds: boxers, labs, shepherds,

pitbulls, bull dogs, rottweilers, dalmatians –

mostly larger dogs. But you’ll also find small

ones and plenty of puppies, too. Some have

mange, some have broken bones, and some are

pregnant. Some are emaciated and all are hun-

gry. Some will come right up to you and some

will run the other way,” she wrote. “They live in

wooded areas and travel through the ditches and

across busy intersections. They get hit by cars

and keep on going…they scrounge in the few

parking lots there are for food scraps. They

don’t want to live like this. They are scared and

lonely. They want to be saved and have a home.”

Before she knew it, donations were flowing and

volunteers were stepping up. Today, Corridor

Rescue, a 501(c)3 charity, has dozens of volun-

teers who work year-round with their final goal

being adoption.

When Carlos first moved into Pavelka’s

Fulshear, Texas home, he did not bark or jump.

Today, he talks up a storm and jumps on her

couch. “That is very nice because he was always

very withdrawn from people,” she said.

According to Hoffman, Pavelka is one exam-

ple of how a person can dramatically change the

life of an animal. And she continues to look for

countless more.

Those looking to volunteer for Corridor

Rescue, or to help foster or adopt an animal

should contact www.corridorrescue.org.


By: Heather Saucier

Carlos waited nearly a year to be adopted.

“A good dogdeserves

a good bone.”

Ben Johnson

mutt mugs


special feature


he 83rd Texas Legislative Session ended

on May 27, 2013. During the Regular

Session, both the House and the Senate filed a

combined 5,868 bills. Only 1,437 of these were

passed. Governor Perry vetoed 26 bills and

vetoed individual items on 2 others.

Listed below are two key animal bills tracked by

the Texas Humane Legislation Network

(THLN) that recently passed.

THLN BILL: SB 360 - Relating to methods

used by an animal shelter to euthanize a dog or

cat ("The Gassing Bill").

This bill prohibits the use of the gas chamber

as a method of euthanasia in shelters, requiring

euthanasia by injection on shelter dogs and cats.

This bill passed both the House and Senate andwas signed by Governor Perry on May 10, 2013.The law became effective immediately, but the

law itself provides shelters time to come into

compliance, no later than January 1, 2014.

THLN is willing to assist the 29 shelters (still

using carbon monoxide to euthanize its shelter

dogs and cats) come into compliance by this

date.

SB 555 - Relating to provisions in protective

orders regarding pets and other companion ani-

mals; providing a penalty. ("Pets in Protective

Order Bill").

This bill makes it possible for county attorneys

to enforce the law that allows judges to include

T pets and other companion animals in protective

orders for victims of domestic violence. This

bill would technically fix the current law to add

"actual or constructive care" to "possession" so

that the county attorneys will enforce the law.

This bill has passed both the House and Senateand is being sent to Governor Perry’s office for hissignature.

Legislative sessions are a series of uphill battles

and victories depend on full support from the

public and animal welfare advocates throughout

the state of Texas. Every animal advocate has a

voice and the animals need you now more than

ever to make Texas a more humane state.

Established in 1975, Texas Humane Legislation

Network is a grassroots, nonprofit organization

that fights for the enactment and enforcement

of laws to protect animals from neglect and

abuse. THLN is the political arm and voice for

every animal and animal welfare agency in

Texas.

To learn more about THLN and animal law in

Texas, please consider attending the 5th Annual

Animal Advocacy Conference, September 6-7,

2013 in Austin. Please visit www.thln.org for

more details.

By: Jennifer Kitchens-Street


n June, Texas Governor Rick Perry signed

into law HB 489, which allows individuals

with disabilities to bring service animals to any

public place without having to show the animal’s

qualifications or certifications.

While freedom from showing a service ani-

mal’s papers is good news for the truly disabled,

the increase in people passing off any animal as

a service animal is not. Individuals who simply

want to bring their pet to dinner, for example,

can potentially do so without being questioned

by the restaurant manager or asked for certifica-

tion papers. As such, unruly or undisciplined

animals may gain access to public places and

potentially tarnish the reputation of service

dogs. A true service animal has undergone years

of training, will obey the commands of its dis-

abled companion, and will not be easily distract-

ed or excited.

Meanwhile, more than a few corrupt business-

es have seized the opportunity to sell phony

service animal certifications and vests. A quick

internet search revealed multiple businesses sell-

ing these services for anywhere from $20 to

$300. This shady business practice gives anyone

with a pet companion a sense of security about

bringing their animal anywhere they’d like –

including into airline cabins, effectively avoiding

the fees they’d normally have to pay to place

their animal in the plane’s cargo hold.

This issue has caught the attention of many

bloggers with disabilities and legitimate news

outlets. The matter is sure to continue to capture

further attention as the public attempts to dif-

ferentiate between phony and legitimate service

animals. Visit www.thln.org and register for

Action Alerts to be kept informed on this and

other important issues. More importantly, regis-

tration will allow you to be notified when we call

upon the public to take action contacting legis-

lators. Without calls to legislators, animal wel-

fare legislation will not pass.

special feature

Phony Service Dogs Could Be Ruinous for the Real Deal

By: Angie Timmons-Hanselka, Texas Humane Legislation Network Volunteer

Photo courtesy of Found Animals


I

elcome to our series on companion

animal cancer. In this article, we will

discuss radiation therapy and how it can benefit

your pet.

What is Radiation Therapy?Radiation therapy is a type of treatment that

uses high energy radiation to kill cancer cells.

The most common form of radiation therapy

used to treat companion animals is external

beam radiation which is delivered via a beam

emitted from a machine called a linear accelera-

tor. The high energy radioactive particles emit-

ted by the linear accelerator work to destroy the

DNA, or primary blueprints of cancer cells,

thereby rendering the cells unable to replicate.

What’s the difference between chemotherapyand radiation therapy?Chemotherapy is a systemic (whole body) treat-

ment, which means that both cancerous and

healthy tissues throughout the body are affected.

As a result, the side effects of chemotherapy are

systemic, too. Radiation therapy is a localized

treatment that affects only tissues treated with

the radiation beam. While radiation affects both

cancerous tissue and nearby healthy tissue, its

side effects are not systemic.

Why can’t all cancers be treated with radiationtherapy?Because radiation therapy only treats a localized

area, a systemic cancer (such as a multi-centric

lymphoma) or one that has metastasized

(spread to different parts of the body) are not

good candidates for radiation therapy. Also,

certain types of cancer respond better to radia-

tion therapy than others.

What’s the difference between curative, pallia-tive and adjunct radiation therapy?Radiation therapy can be used in different ways.

Some forms of cancer can be cured by radia-

tion therapy, so we say that the therapy is given

with curative intent. Some forms of cancer that

cannot be cured, like osteosarcoma (bone can-

cer), may produce painful tumors. In this case,

radiation therapy delivered to the tumor can

actually help reduce your pet’s pain. When used

in this manner, radiation is said to be palliative.

Radiation therapy can also be used before or

after surgery. Using therapy before surgery can

reduce the size of a tumor potentially leading to

its successful removal. Using therapy after sur-

gery can kill remaining microscopic cancer cells

left behind after a tumor removal.

What happens during planning? A few things need to take place before treat-

ment begins on your pet. After discussing treat-

ment with your Radiation Oncologist, he or she

will make sure that your pet is well enough to

undergo therapy. Normally, they will perform a

physical exam and run blood work to ensure

that your animal is fit to receive anesthesia.

Next, your pet will undergo imaging tests to

Part III - Radiation Therapy & Your Pet: Q and A

health & wellness


W

check for possible spread of the cancer and then

to map out a treatment plan based on the can-

cer’s location. Chest x-rays are usually per-

formed to check for metastasis (or spread) of

the cancer and a CT is usually performed to

determine the exact location of the tumor. The

Radiation Oncologist will then use these images

to map out your pet’s treatment. They will deter-

mine the exact location and amount of radiation

your pet will receive to maximize treatment and

minimize damage to healthy tissue.

Did you say ‘anesthesia’?Yes. In order to maximize treatment potential

and minimize damage to healthy tissue, your pet

must remain absolutely still and in the same

position during each and every treatment.

Sometimes, a simple sedative will do the trick.

Other times, injectable or gas anesthetic must be

used.

What are the side effects of radiation therapy? The side effects of radiation therapy are local-

ized, and only involve the tissue surrounding the

treatment area. The most common side effects

are:

Mucositis: the irritation and/or ulceration of thelining of the digestive tract anywhere from the

mouth to the anus. Mucositis normally begins 1-

2 weeks into treatment and resolves 1-2 weeks

after treatment has ended. Your veterinarian can

prescribe medications to combat pain or diar-

rhea caused my mucositis.

By: Michelle Spencer, Veterinary Technician, Oncology Specialist


Dermal Effects: moist

desquamation or “radia-

tion burn” of the skin

may occur, again, typi-

cally lasting a couple of

weeks. During this time,

your goals will be to pre-

vent licking/chewing of

the area, to keep it clean

and to give any pain

medications prescribed

by your veterinarian. Do

not put anything (topical

aids, bandages, etc) on

the area without your

veterinarian’s instructions. Your pet may also

experience temporary alopecia (hair loss). Hair

normally returns, but may be a different color.

Ocular Effects: cataracts, KCS (chronic lack oftear production) and blindness may occur. Most

ocular changes occur months to years after radi-

ation therapy had ended. Again, if your pet’s

eyes are within the treatment field, every effort

will be made to protect their eyes and reduce

possible side effects.

Rest assured, if any of these side effects are like-

ly to occur as a result of your pet’s treatment,

your Radiation Oncologist will discuss them

with you at length prior to starting treatment.

What happens during a typical treatment andwhy can’t I be present?Typically, a veterinary technician will greet you

and your pet and ask if there have been any

changes since your last visit. If not, the techni-

cian will take your pet into the treatment area

and you will wait in the waiting room. In order

to go into the treatment area, you must go

through safety training and wear a radiation

monitoring badge. Normally, your pet will be

briefly examined, then sedated/anesthetized and

moved onto the platform of the linear accelera-

tor. They will be positioned properly and the

technicians will move behind protective walls.

Your pet will be monitored via cameras or win-

dows and will have monitors attached which

allow the staff to track their heart rate and other



important vital signs. The staff will then prepare

and test the linear accelerator and deliver the

treatment. As soon as the treatment has ended,

they will enter the room and begin to take your

pet off of anesthesia. Normally, all of this hap-

pens within 15 minutes! However, your pet will

not be released to you until they have recovered

from sedation/anesthesia, which may take

another 15-45 minutes. During this time, your

pet will relax on a bed or in a comfortable cage

and will continue to be monitored by a techni-

cian.

Will my pet be radioactive? No. Your pet will not be radioactive and you do

not have to take any special precautions!

Thank you for joining us for this installment of

our cancer series. In our next article, we will dis-

cuss how surgery is used in the treatment of

cancer.

New England Pet Hospice & Home Care supports those car-ing for ill, elderly and special needs animals at home followingthe human hospice and palliative care models of interdiscipli-nary care. Learn more and get your free subscription to Wag& Purr: Your Guide to comfort and Care for Pets atwww.NewEnglandPetHospice.com.


body & soul

What is Reiki and How Does it Benefit Me and My Dog?

eiki is energy healing where the practi-

tioner is a conduit for universal energy.

It can be done with hands on or hands off and

is always done fully clothed (in the case of

humans!). Reiki is great for both humans and

animals. Reiki benefits that both you and your

dog may experience include:

• Reduced stress

• Reduced pain sensations

• Increased relaxation

If you have read my previous articles, you

know I used Reiki to help my Chocolate Lab

Mollie with hip pain. I now have a Rottweiler

that was trained with a very heavy hand (which

she did not need!). Because of that, she now is

very fearful of making a mistake. Initially, when

I would reach to pet her, she would duck. I

immediately started using Reiki to help with her

fear. She has gone from a dog whose ears were

always back to a happy hound. I can reach for

her and she no longer ducks my hands. She has

definitely progressed toward a healthier mental

state.

Animals can sense the energy much more

readily than we can because they don’t have the

same thought processes and skepticism that we

humans have.

So what does a Reiki session entail?

For dogs, it is usually conducted in their home

because they are comfortable there and more

receptive. In reality, it could take place any-

where. One of the precepts of Reiki is that the

receiver must ask for the energy. This involves

talking with the dog to gauge whether they are

receptive. If they are not receptive, I simply sit

with them and see if it changes. If they are

receptive we proceed with the session by laying

hands on the dog in various positions.

While many practitioners use the hand posi-

tions currently taught in Reiki training, I have

gone back to what Dr. Usui did: allow the ener-

gy to direct where my hands are placed. In addi-

tion, I allow the dog to dictate the session. A

normal session is 60 minutes; however, animals

intuitively know when they are energy filled.

As a practitioner, a Reiki session is all about

honoring the sacred in all beings.

If you are interested in learning more, Elegant

Hippy will have a booth at the 6th Annual

Kingwood Barkfest and we will be conducting

sample sessions and answering questions. Come

on out and help a good cause!

RBy: Jan Davidson, Elegant Hippy

Houston Beagle & Hound Rescuewww.houstonbeaglerescue.org

Houston Beagle and Hound Rescue, Inc. (HBHR) is a non-profit 501(c)3, all volunteer organization ded-icated to beagle and hound rescue. They are a small group of volunteers who foster dogs in theirhomes. HBHR provides placement assistance to shelters and individuals who need to find homes forhounds, which for various reasons, have become stray or homeless. Their goal is to educate the pub-lic regarding the tragic pet over population problem in the U.S. and around the world so that rescuewill one day no longer be needed.

adoption

Tanner is a 9 year old male who sud-

denly found himself in need of a new

forever home. He was returned to

Houston, because his owner no

longer had any time to give this won-

derful boy. At 14 inches and 30 lbs,

Tanner is just about perfect. He has

spent years cooped up in an apart-

ment in NYC, so he is really enjoying

being able to play in a yard. He gets

along well with his canine foster sib-

lings, even after years of being an

only dog. Tanner does get nervous if

one of those dogs gets too close to

him while he is eating. He does like

his food as any respectable beagle

does! Tanner is a sweet, loving boy

who needs love and attention to

make his life complete. A yard, a

canine buddy and a dog door would-

n’t hurt a bit!

Photos by Paw Prints by Jamie Pet Photography.

Our cover dog,

Tanner!


Join us in helping our four-legged friends

find loving homes. Adopt a dog today!


Sandy

Sandy is a 7 month old small bundleof energy. At 13 inches and 16pounds, she makes her tiny frame flyaround the yard as she chases afterimaginary butterflies! This red andwhite cutie came to HBHR from ashelter, SW of Houston. She wasturned in by her owners after hervetting was completed. Beagles arejust not for everyone. It takes some-one with a good sense of humor toput up with the antics of a beaglepuppy!

Liza is a young female beagle,approximately 10 months old. Liza isall puppy in her behavior. She lovesto play and has a lot of energy. Shelikes to "borrow" shoes and slippers,but so far has not damage anything;they are however usually prettydamp when retrieved. Liza likes topuppy bite, and likes to jump on peo-ple when she plays, so she wouldprobably do best in a home with nosmall children.

Liza

Joanie & Piper

Piper is 8 years old and Joanie is 9years old so we aren’t wild and crazylike the young dogs, but we suredon’t look or act as old as we actual-ly are either. We are very wellbehaved in the house and neverhave to be crated. We do love cud-dling on the furniture and hope ourfamily will let us keep doing that. Welove going on car rides and walks…or anything really! We get along justfine with other dogs but I’m a littlescared of dogs that are a lot biggerthan me, I’m tiny! I am barely 12” talland about 18 pounds. Joanie isn’tmuch bigger, only 13” tall and 20pounds. We also enjoy spendingtime with children and would proba-bly do well with cats too.

September 2013

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Transcript of September 2013