Leonard Animal Clinic - October 2019

Check out our October newsletter!

OCTOBER 2019

903.587.2210

Pet Gazette The Spirit of the Season From Your Hometown Vet WWW.LEONARDANIMALCLINIC.COM

What Will You Be for Halloween?

When I think of great childhood costumes, the first thing that comes to mind is the Tinker Bell costume my mom made for me one Halloween. I had really blonde hair when I was young, so I really did look like the little fairy. My mom even made the shoes with the tiny puff balls on them. I loved that costume so much. Mom always made Halloween fun. The costumes and candy were great, but my favorite part of the holiday was always decorating with my mom. We’d even throw a Halloween party some years, and Mom would get dry ice for the punch bowl so it bubbled and smoked like a witch’s brew. It was fun to go all out and make Halloween about more than just one night of trick-or-treating. I love the spirit of Halloween. It’s an opportunity to have some fun, play around, and be someone different than who you are on a daily basis.

night to dress them up for the first time. Start in small segments. A few weeks before, show your pet the costume. Give them treats when they check it out so they know it’s not scary. A few days later, try putting it on them for a little bit. Give them a lot of praise

before taking it off. Letting your pet get used to the costume means there’s a better chance they’ll be comfortable wearing it around on Halloween. Another thing to keep in mind if you have dogs is getting them ready for trick-or-treaters. A lot of dogs become anxious at the sound of the doorbell and start barking. This stresses out both their owners and the trick-or-treaters on the other side of the door. On Halloween, it’s usually a good idea to let nervous dogs hang out in another room with the radio or TV on so they can’t hear the doorbell going off. My dog isn’t upset by the doorbell — in fact, Terra loves to greet people and doesn’t bark — but on Halloween, it’s possible she could get upset by a scary costume. This is why Terra usually spends Halloween night hanging out in her kennel with her favorite Kong toy filled with peanut butter. That’s a much better experience for everyone.

Even my dog, Terra, gets into the spirit of the season. One Halloween, back in veterinary school, I dressed up like a cage diver and Terra was a great white shark. Another year, I was Sirius Black from “Harry Potter” and Terra was my animagus, the dog form that Sirius can turn into. It’s a lot of fun to dress up with Terra. She wears a bandana regularly, so she’s used to having a little extra flair. If you want to dress your pets up for Halloween, it’s important that you ease them into it.

“I love the spirit of Halloween.”

Halloween is a holiday about fun, and I believe we should make sure it’s enjoyable for people and pets alike.

If your dog or cat usually only wears a collar, I’d recommend sticking to something small around their neck for a costume. Of course, if your dog is already used to wearing sweaters, they probably wouldn’t mind having a decorative shirt around their torso. Whatever costume you choose, don’t wait until Halloween

Have a happy Halloween!

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Your Hometown Vet

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Want to treat yourself this holiday season? We can help!

We’re Giving Away a Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM Bag! ™

From now until Friday, Dec. 13, 2019, for every friend or family member you refer* to Leonard Animal Clinic, you’ll be entered into a drawing to win a Louis Vuitton™ bag. How the Drawing Works: 1. Send a friend or family member to Leonard Animal 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

Not actual bag, but the picture was too cute NOT to use. Also, dog not included.

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Your Hometown Vet

903.587.2210

LEONARDANIMALCLINIC.COM

Where Should I Get A Dog? 3 Reasons to Adopt From Your Local Shelter

So, you’ve decided to get a dog. Maybe you think your kids could use a new playmate, or maybe you and your spouse want someone to join you on morning walks. Whatever the reason, the next question is where to get them. Instead of paying exorbitant amounts of money to a breeder for a purebred puppy, why not check the local shelter or humane society? October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, and, if you’re looking to get a dog, here are a few reasons to check the shelters first. It’s Cheaper to Adopt Adoption prices include the upfront expenses, such as spaying, neutering, and vaccinations, that you wouldn’t get from a breeder or pet store. Some shelters even include the cost of microchipping in their fee. If you adopt from a shelter, you’re ensured a healthy, happy dog. With some shelter dogs, you may also save on housebreaking and training costs.

Shelter dogs come in all shapes, sizes, and ages. Some organizations rescue specific breeds, and with a little research, you may find one near you. Even if you don’t find the breed you’re looking for, you may find an indispensable companion in a breed you weren’t looking for — and you never would have found them if you didn’t check the shelters. Great for Your Kids Having a dog can be great for your kids, and getting it from a shelter can be even better for them. Dogs encourage kids to play outside and be more active, and kids gain a friend who loves them unconditionally. Plus, if you adopt, the act of giving an unwanted animal a new home can teach your kids empathy.

If you still haven’t checked your local shelter for the newest member of

your family, what are you waiting for? Find a furry friend you and your kids will love today!

Lots of Choices Is there a specific breed you’re looking for? Chances are you will find it at the shelter.

PAWSitively Hilarious !

Food Hounds !

CANINE-FRIENDLY PUMPKIN TRUFFLES

It’s the season of costumes and candy! While there are plenty of canine costumes to choose from, dogs should stay well away from the trick- or-treat bucket. Fortunately, you can still treat your dogs to a Happy Howl-oween with these tasty and dog-friendly truffles. Ingredients

3/4 cup canned puréed pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling)

• • • •

1 teaspoon turmeric 1/2 cup coconut flour 1/4 cup ground flaxseed 1/4 cup Panko bread crumbs

1/8 cup coconut oil

Directions

1. Warm coconut oil into liquid, then combine with pumpkin purée in a medium mixing bowl. Mix in turmeric, then add coconut flour incrementally. Mix thoroughly to create a sticky dough. 2. Roll dough into bite-size balls. 3. Combine flaxseed with bread crumbs in a small mixing bowl, and then coat truffles in mixture. 4. Refrigerate treats until firm.

Inspired by DalmatianDIY.blogspot.com.

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400 HWY 69 South Leonard, TX 75452

903.587.2210

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Inside

What’s Your Favorite Halloween Costume?

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Win a Louis Vuitton for Christmas!

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Reasons to Adopt a Shelter Dog

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A Special Howl-oween Treat

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Amazing Cat Tales

Tails From the Past

Mythical Cats of the World

Most owners will tell you their cats act like ancient deities. Majestic, scrupulous, and utterly unpredictable, these fascinating creatures have long captured our imaginations. Even before cat videos took the internet by storm, humans have been idolizing felines, placing them alongside some of their most important mythological figures. Bastet — Egypt Of course, a list of mythical cats has to start with Egypt. While many people know the pharaohs and their followers thought cats were sacred, you may be surprised by how deep the connection goes. The earliest depiction of Bastet, the feline deity of protection, is a lion-headed woman in battle. But, over the course of 2,000 years, Bastet evolved to resemble the domesticated, pointy-eared cats we know and love today. 招き猫 (Maneki-Neko) — Japan Legend has it that in the 17th century, a monk living in a small temple in Edo (now Tokyo) was struggling to survive,

but he still split his meals with his cat, Tama. One day, Lord Nakaota li got caught in a rainstorm while hunting and took shelter under a tree near the temple. Nakaota spotted Tama near the temple, and the cat raised its leg, beckoning the noble to come toward him. Curious, Nakaota complied, stepping out from beneath the tree just before a bolt of lightning struck it down. The lord’s life was saved, and to this day, the Maneki-Neko (the beckoning cat) is a symbol of wealth and good fortune. means of travel: a chariot pulled by two cats. These were skogkatts, or Norwegian Forest cats, that were only a little larger than your average house cat. Still, these small felines towed Freya around battlefields as she gathered warriors to send to Valhalla. On top of being the goddess of war, love affairs, and magic, Freya may well have been Midgard’s first cat lady. Freya’s Skogkatts — Norway In Norse folklore, the goddess Freya had a unique

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