Check out our December newsletter!
PAWS for News TOWNANDCOUNTRYVETCLINIC.NET 682.730.8260
DECEMBER 2018
A Time to Say Goodbye
Here’s to Bubba
Hello, everyone,
By bringing a pet into our lives, we make a promise to look out for their best interests. This means making sure they’re well-fed and loved, but it also means knowing when we
This is Dr. Derrick Nelson, and I’m sorry to say I have bad news. Bubba has passed away. The old boy lived to be 13 years old, and he was strong and happy right until the end. I first met Bubba when he was 8 years old and in bad shape. He had allergies, skin issues, fleas, heartworms, and only 40 percent of his coat left. His previous owners didn’t have the money to take care of him, and they brought him in to be put to sleep. I looked at that dog, and I knew he still had some life in him, so I told them to sign Bubba over to me. I would take care of him and adopt him out. Bubba was an awesome dog; I knew that fact first and foremost. It’s why I treated him. But over time, I realized just how cool he was. Bubba was so laid-back. He was never hyperactive but still met everyone with a wagging tail. I wanted him to be my dog. At the time, I already had dogs at home, so Bubba became our clinic dog for the first year and a half. He just hung out in the reception area and loved meeting everyone, regardless of whether they came in on two legs or four. A dog should be your companion — an animal that is friendly, wants to be by your side, and that you don’t have to worry about causing trouble or biting someone. I have little kids, and I can’t have a dog that I would ever have to question how they’ll behave. With Bubba, I never worried for a second. He was smart, loving, and relaxed all the time. Aside from the shedding, which he really couldn’t help, he was the perfect dog. Bubba was one of the special ones, which made saying goodbye so much harder. The whole time we had him, Bubba had hip problems. Then the day came when he just couldn’t get up. For the last six months of his life, I knew our time with Bubba was coming to an end. But even though I knew the day was coming, it’s still hard.
have to say goodbye. There’s no perfect method for making this choice. When you know your pet is dying, you can’t let them go too soon, but you can do it too late. I have talked to many owners who said, “I wish I did this earlier. I held on for selfish reasons, and my pet was in pain longer than they needed to be.”
If it’s not the time, I’ll say so. When we can still help the pet or if the animal isn’t ready to call it quits yet, I will let clients know. However, 99 percent of the time, when an owner brings their pet in to say goodbye for the last time, they’ve made the right call. But just because it’s the right choice doesn’t mean it’s easy. We love our pets, and losing them for any reason sucks. Don’t let anyone say you can’t be sad because “it’s just a dog.” Let yourself cry. It’s natural to be sad, and the only way you’ll really overcome that sadness is by giving yourself time to grieve. Don’t feel ashamed for missing a pet you loved.
I got to have five years with the best dog ever. Thank you, Bubba. You really were a good boy.
–Dr. Derrick Nelson
1
Treating Your Pets Like Family
TOWNANDCOUNTRYVETCLINIC.NET
682.730.8260
Ugly Sweater Parties A Fun Trend You Can Easily Follow! It’s speculated that the first ugly sweater party took place in Vancouver, Canada, back in 2001. Since then, the trend has become one of the most popular holiday party themes. Come Thanksgiving, you’ll start to see racks in all types of clothing stores lined with hideous sweaters. If you’re ready to jump on the ugly-sweater-party bandwagon this Christmas season, here are a few things to keep in mind. Your Very Own Ugly Sweater Ugly sweaters come in all shapes, sizes, and prices. You can head to H&M or a local thrift store to pick one up. However, if you have a sweater that’s been cozied up for years in the back of your closet or a drawer, now’s your chance to give it new life. Arm yourself with a hot glue gun, thread, and needle, and patch Santa, Rudolph, or Frosty on it. And let it be known that an ugly sweater isn’t complete without sparkles, beads, and sequins galore. What Exactly Is an Ugly Sweater Party? It’s rather simple — slip on your favorite Christmas sweater, gather all your friends and family members, make sure there are plenty of refreshments and games, and you’re guaranteed to have a top-tier party. A few ugly-sweater- themed games that should be on the agenda include an ugly gift exchange, which is similar to the white elephant exchange, except with the gaudiest gifts you can find; an ugly photo booth, complete with terrible, tacky props; and, of course, an ugly sweater contest. This is the only time of year when slipping into a lurid red sweater with a stuffed Santa sewn on the front is considered trendy. So adorn yourself in the frumpiest, tackiest sweater you can find, and have some fun this December!
Is Love at First Sight Real? What Your Eyes Can Tell You About Love
The idea of love at first sight is wonderfully romantic. Two strangers see each other across a crowded room. There’s an instant, magnetic attraction, and suddenly they’ve found their match for all of eternity. In a world in which dating often requires a lot of work — work that comes with disappointment, rejection, and uncertainty — falling in love at first sight has strong appeal. But can it actually happen? Can your eyes tell you anything about love? The connection between the eyes and love has been described in poetry and prose since time immemorial — it’s the stuff of heroic epics and fanciful fairy tales. And evidence has increasingly shown that the human brain is hard-wired to both display and notice visual cues when gazing at a potential love interest. Enlarged pupils are one such cue. When you survey a person or object you are interested in, your brain releases a surge of dopamine — a chemical that controls the brain’s reward and pleasure centers — which causes your pupils to dilate. In this sense, beauty really is “in the eye of the beholder.” In the last decade, researchers have determined that from a romantic and reproductive standpoint, both men and women are attracted to partners with bigger pupils. Studies demonstrate that when women are at their peak fertility, they might subconsciously be more attracted to a person with sizable pupils because it could indicate a partner’s attraction to them. Likewise, researchers have reported that men seek out women with dilated pupils due to the association of larger pupils with youth and longevity. The connection between the eyes and enthrallment has inspired some of Shakespeare’s most iconic sonnets, and the science behind our eyes validates some of the Bard’s romantic claims. But does this connection between larger pupils and attraction corroborate the idea of love at first sight? If you believe that attraction equates to true love, then absolutely. But if your definition of love requires a little more depth, then you may have to toss aside the idea of love at first sight and instead view your partner’s eyes as mere “windows” to their soul.
2
Treating Your Pets Like Family
TOWNANDCOUNTRYVETCLINIC.NET
682.730.8260
A Visit From Santa Paws
How to Buy a Gift for Your Pet
PRESENTS FOR CATS Indoor cats don’t get much mental stimulation, so it’s important they have things to play with. If you’re in the market for a cat toy, you first need to determine if you have a bird cat or a mouse cat. Some cats prefer feathers and dangling toys that flutter in the air, while others would rather pounce on furry things on the ground. Don’t spend money on fake mice when your cat would be happier chasing a ribbon. Not every cat will be interested in toys, but there are other gifts that can keep your cat entertained. Tall scratching posts are often a hit, as are shelves or ledges that give your cat access to the window. Being able to sit and watch the birds and squirrels outside is great for your cat’s mental health.
Finding the perfect present is hard enough when shopping for family members who can tell us what they want, but what about our pets? If you want to have toys for your dog or cat under the tree this year, let these veterinarian- approved tips be your guide. PRESENTS FOR DOGS Treats are a popular choice for dog gifts, but you should avoid real bones and rawhide. Hard cow bones can hurt a dog’s teeth, and it’s common for pig ears or rawhide to get stuck in their intestines. When it comes to dog treats, processed goodies are actually safer for their health. In terms of dog toys, there’s no end to the fun that’s in store. Whatever toy you buy, always check for choking hazards before playtime and remove any rubber bands, strings, or plastic eyes that can be swallowed. On that note, make sure you don’t give your dog something they can easily tear apart. Dogs like ripping stuffed animals to shreds, but you don’t want them to swallow the fabric or stuffing. Consider more durable options instead, like a Kong chew toy.
In the end, you know your pet better than anyone. When you make safety a priority, you’ll be sure to find a present your pet will love for years — or at least until they finish ripping it apart.
PAWSitively Hilarious !
Food Hounds !
HOLIDAY ROAST PRIME RIB
Looking for an easy holiday roast that still feels elegant enough for the occasion? Look no further than this delicious prime rib flavored with garlic, thyme, and red wine.
Ingredients
• • • •
1 bone-in prime rib (6–7 pounds)
•
1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
8 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
2 cups red wine 4 cups beef stock
•
Directions
1. 30 minutes before cooking, remove roast from fridge and let sit until it reaches room temperature. 2. Heat oven to 350 F. 3. Make small slits in prime rib and stuff with slices of garlic. Liberally season with salt and pepper. 4. Place a rack inside a roasting pan and roast prime rib for 2 hours, until medium-rare. 5. To make au jus, place roasting pan with drippings from roast over 2 burners on high. Add wine and scrape pan as liquid reduces. Add beef stock and cook until reduced by half. Finally, sprinkle in thyme. 6. Slice roast and serve topped with au jus.
3
Treating Your Pets Like Family
TOWNANDCOUNTRYVETCLINIC.NET
682.730.8260
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
682.730.8260
TOWNANDCOUNTRYVETCLINIC.NET
913 Robert’s Cut Off Rd. | River Oaks, TX 76114
Inside
Remembering Bubba
1
Everything You’ll Need for an Ugly Sweater Christmas
2
What Your Eyes Can Tell You About Love
3
What’s on Your Pet’s Wish List?
Holiday Prime Rib Roast
4
Hurricane Pet Hero
Hurricane Hero Tony Alsup How One Man Saved Hundreds of Animals
In the wake of destruction, it’s easy to focus on self-preservation. After all, fight- or-flight instincts are hard-wired into our brains so that we can survive dangerous situations. But while fear drives the actions of many in times of chaos, there are a few who find greater strength in compassion. Tony Alsup considered the potential devastation of Hurricane Florence as he sat comfortably in his home in Greeneville, Tennessee. Rather than sit back and watch, the truck driver by trade packed up an out-of-commission school bus he’d bought and set off to South Carolina with one goal in mind: to save as many animals as possible. Stopping by every shelter he found along the coast, Alsup rescued over 60 cats and dogs in both North and South Carolina and took them to Foley, Alabama. The heroic efforts of Alsup saved the lives of many animals, but it wasn’t the first time he’d rushed into danger for a good cause. He’d originally purchased the school bus, which he turned into Noah’s Ark last year, to save animals in Texas and Florida as Hurricane Harvey pounded the Gulf Coast. When he finished there, his mission shifted to helping animals in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria ravaged the island.
It’s said that character is defined by the way someone acts when no one is watching. Many people heard of Alsup’s bravery after the devastation of Florence, but as news stories turned to sports, politics, and business, America slowly
moved on. Victims of the hurricane who lacked supplies received less national attention, but more than a month later, Alsup’s commitment to the cause was as strong as ever. Living out of the back of the bus for weeks, he drove pets out of the persistent flooding and convoyed shipments of desperately needed supplies to the coastal Carolina towns. You can follow Tony’s commitment on Facebook. He’s not asking for money or fame; he’s just a person with a heart to serve, using social media to promote awareness about those who desperately need our help. If you’re wondering what drives such a person, you can find it written at the bottom of every update he posts: “Love y’all, mean it.”
4
Treating Your Pets Like Family
TOWNANDCOUNTRYVETCLINIC.NET
682.730.8260
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs