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DECEMBER 2019
Two Christmases Celebrate the Holidays With the Nelson Family
Every Christmas was a white Christmas when I was a kid. No, we weren’t unexpectedly getting snow at my house here in Texas. My dad’s parents lived in Missouri, and my mom’s parents lived in Iowa. Every year, we’d drive up north to visit them. I didn’t spend a Christmas at home until my grandmother passed away in 2000. I really enjoyed going up to visit my grandparents for the holidays. Like I said, it always snowed, so that was fun. Going up north for Christmas also meant we’d celebrate it at home early. My siblings and I would be at school talking about what we got for Christmas and our friends would be so confused. “Christmas isn’t for another two weeks!” they’d protest. As a kid, there was nothing cooler than getting to celebrate Christmas twice. That’s one tradition I’m still celebrating today. Both my parents and my in-laws all live in the same town, which makes it easy to spend the holidays with the whole family. We’ll spend Christmas Eve with Tiffany’s family and enjoy a nice dinner together. Then, come Christmas Day, we’ll celebrate with my family. Both gatherings are tons of fun, and each family has their own traditions. Tiffany’s family does a big white elephant gift swap. Everyone agrees on a dollar amount then brings a wrapped present to exchange. That game is always a lot of fun. Meanwhile, my family has gotten so big that we’ve taken to doing Secret Santa. We all draw a name, and that’s the person we get a gift for. It takes a lot of pressure off, and I enjoy trying to find the perfect gift that’s really going to wow whoever I got. Of course, the grandkids don’t count for either of these games. They get tons of presents stacked under the tree from all the relatives.
Holidays change a lot as you get older, but the best difference is definitely getting to celebrate with my kids. Each year, Christmas gets more fun. My girls are getting older, so they
know Christmas is coming and get excited. It’s really fun to see them so enchanted by the magic of the season. And of course, they’re still young enough to look forward to Santa Claus coming to visit. Our old trampoline broke earlier this year, so I think old Saint Nick will bring us a new one. Thankfully, the girls haven’t yet asked me how Santa is going to fit a whole trampoline on his sleigh. As the holidays gear up and the year draws to a close, I’ve been reflecting on how blessed I am. This has been such a great year, and for that, I have our clients to thank. Your support makes it possible for me and my team to come to work and do what we love, then go home and spend the holidays with our families. Thank you so much for a great 2019.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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Treating Your Pets Like Family
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Want to treat yourself this holiday season? We can help!
We’re Giving Away a LOUIS VUITTON Bag!
From now until Friday, Dec. 13, 2019, for every friend or family member you refer* to Town & Country Vet Clinic, you’ll be entered into a drawing to win a Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM™ bag. How the Drawing Works: 1. Send a friend or family member to Town & Country Vet Clinic. 2. Make sure they give your name at the front desk, or you could miss out! It’s that easy! Best of all , when the person you refer brings their pet in, you both are entered to win the Louis Vuitton™ bag! The more people you refer, the more entries you get for the grand prize. First referral = 1 entry
™
Second referral = 2 entries Third referral = 3 entries
… And so on! By your third referral, you’ll have 6 chances to win! With unlimited entries, the more people you send our way, the more chances you have to
score that Louis Vuitton™ bag. Referrals must come in by Friday, Dec. 13, 2019. Winner will be drawn on Monday, Dec. 16, 2019. Good luck! *Referral must be a paid service client
Puppy NOT included!
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Treating Your Pets Like Family
817.380.3935
TOWNANDCOUNTRYVETCLINIC.NET
Unspoken Trouble Could You Tell if Your Pet Was Suffering Chronic Pain?
Do you understand what your pet is trying to tell you?
Our pets can’t tell us when they’re feeling bad, so it’s up to us to watch for warning signs and take action. Some common signs of pain in your pet may include:
Most pet owners are proud to say they do. The bond between dogs and humans has grown so much over the eons; there’s often unspoken communication between man and man’s best friend. Even cat owners become attuned to the meanings behind the different meows their cats make. However, there are still some things animals tend to be very secretive about, like pain. For pets, pain can be scary. They aren’t able to tell you what they’re feeling, and they don’t understand why they’re hurting. For this reason, pain can cause major changes in your dog or cat’s behavior. Determining whether your pet’s pain is acute or chronic is the first step to identifying the reason for these changes. Acute pain is sudden and triggered by a specific incident, like an accident or injury. It’s usually easy to spot acute pain due to the sudden change in your pet’s behavior. However, chronic pain can develop slowly, causing behavioral changes you might not notice at first. Chronic pain can be brought on by joint inflammation, arthritis, or tooth decay.
• Limping • Loss of appetite • Nausea and/or vomiting • Vocalization • Change in temperament or behavior
• Licking a specific area • Change in bathroom habits • Panting • Appearance of the third eyelid • Hiding
How can I help my pet with their pain?
Pain management often involves medication, including nonsteroidal anti- inflammatories or topical anesthetics. Other strategies may include special treatments, like acupuncture or laser therapy, as well as lifestyle changes. A new diet, different bedding, raised food and water dishes, or an extra walk a day can make a huge difference for your pet’s chronic pain. Because our pets can’t tell us when they’re hurting, it can be difficult to determine the cause or solution. If you suspect your pet is struggling with chronic pain, don’t hesitate to reach out to your veterinarian. They have experience identifying the cause of a pet’s pain and creating appropriate treatment plans for long-lasting relief.
Food Hounds ! GINGERBREAD DOGS
PAWSitively Hilarious !
‘Tis the season for holiday cheer! Share some cheer with your four-legged friends with these special holiday dog treats.
Ingredients
• • • •
1 cup molasses
• • • •
6 cups all-purpose flour
4 tbsp honey 1 cup water
2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp dried powder ginger
Directions
1. Heat oven to 350 F. 2. In a medium bowl, combine molasses, honey, water, and oil, and set aside. In a large bowl, mix together flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and ginger. Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing well until dough forms. 3. Separate dough into four equal balls. Wrap dough balls in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3–5 hours. 4. On a lightly floured surface, roll out chilled dough to 1/4-inch thick. Use dog-shaped cookie cutters to cut out treats. 5. Bake for 20–25 minutes on baking sheet until cookies start to brown. Carefully remove treats from the oven and let them cool completely before serving to your dog.
Inspired by GoneToTheSnowDogs.com
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Treating Your Pets Like Family
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
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913 Robert’s Cut Off Rd. | River Oaks, TX 76114
Inside
What’s the Best White Elephant Gift?
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Win a Louis Vuitton Bag for Christmas!
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Could You Tell if Your Pet Was Suffering Chronic Pain?
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Homemade Gingerbread Dog Treats
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Peyo the Therapy Horse
Horsing Around Meet a Different Kind of Therapy Animal
Horses have been loyal and useful companions to humans for centuries. But unbeknownst to many who fear these long-legged, 1,000-plus-pound mammals, horses are also naturally intuitive and extremely sensitive to the moods of people around them. These traits make them excellent therapy animals for those with autism, cerebral palsy, chronic illnesses, and PTSD, among many more. In fact, there are dedicated horse-riding camps geared toward chronically ill children and adults all over the world. However, riding horses isn’t the only way to benefit from equine therapy; horses are also fantastic comfort animals that can relieve anxiety and promote a positive environment for bedridden patients — as long as the doorway is big enough. Meet Peyo, the 14-year-old “love stallion” from Dijon, France, who is cheering up chronically ill patients one nuzzle at a time. This accomplished artistic dressage competitor accompanies his owner, Hassen Bouchakour, on visits to hospitals and nursing homes, bringing joy with every clop of his hooves.
keen sense for patients who are truly suffering, and though his handler is always nearby, Peyo often chooses which rooms to enter of his own volition.
Having a horse in a hospital room may not sound very sanitary, but Peyo goes through a strict grooming regimen to be deemed
hygienic enough to be around patients. His hooves are greased, his mane and tail are braided, and his entire body is rubbed down with antibacterial lotion before being covered by a blanket. Before Peyo became a therapy horse, he was almost put up for sale by Bouchakour, who had a hard time wrangling Peyo’s fiery personality. But, over time, when they traveled to shows and competitions together, Bouchakour noticed the horse was drawn to the injured and disabled and would instantly calm at their touch. “It is one of the most pure, honest, and sweet things,” Bouchakour says. “They like each other very much without asking for anything else.”
Patients suffering from all manner of ailments blossom when Peyo comes to visit, laughing and smiling while being nudged by his soft nose. He seems to have a
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Treating Your Pets Like Family
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817.380.3935
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