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APRIL 2019
I COME TO FIGHT. I DON’T BARK. I BITE! WWW.THETEXASLAWDOG.COM 817.775.5364
OF EASTER In the Spirit
E aster is a mixed-up affair: Fluffy bunnies and candies often take dissonance, a tangle of images — empty caves versus chocolate eggs, daffodils versus crowns of thorns. I'm a Christian and Easter is a significant date for me as it is the foundation of the Christian faith. I believe what the Bible says in Matthew 28, Mark 16, and Luke 24. Jesus, the Son of God, fulfilled prophecy and, through his death, has given the gift of eternal life in heaven to those who believe in his death and resurrection. My family attended church regularly when I was a child. We were not “Creasters.” A Creaster is a Christian who only attends Christmas and Easter services. My mom always made sure we all had new Easter outfits to wear to Easter service. One of my fondest memories is her getting me a white sports coat to wear on Easter when I was about 10 years old. Miami Vice was a popular show at the time, and I thought I was cool like Don Johnson on the show! precedence over the tale of a young man being tortured to death. We could say it suffers from symbolic
Sugar (left) and Cleo (right)
of acres. There were many years when she held sunrise services at her pond. I have such fond
memories of watching the sun rise over that pond on Easter mornings. We also attended a small country church where the enrollment was only around 60 people. The ladies were always given an Easter lily to wear on their dress at church. My parents always made sure I enjoyed the more commercial aspects of Easter, as well. This included your typical bunnies, baskets, candy, eggs, and so on. Growing up on a farm, there were a couple of Easters where I even had real bunnies. The Easter Bunny made sure I always had a basket to wake up to on Easter morning chock-full of goodies. I always had my heart set on getting a big chocolate bunny to eat. My mom and sister would make a cake that was decorated to look like a bunny with colored coconut topping, licorice whiskers, and Hershey Kisses for eyes. Like many families, we also decorated eggs the week before to have eggs to hunt on Easter Sunday. The hard-boiled eggs were fun to decorate. And, of course, hunting for the eggs was always a blast as a kid. My parents would take me to different places to hunt, such as churches and our neighbors’ houses. As we got older, the kids still enjoyed hunting for the prize egg, which sometimes had $100 inside!
Easter is a transition — it brings spring, the revival of dormant plants and trees, and the birth of new life in the animal world. I wish you all a happy Easter and happy spring!
-Matt Aulsbrook 1
All dressed up, we attended Easter sunrise services. Our neighbor had a pond that was at least a couple
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No Place Like Home
MY COPILOT IS A DOG
Be a Tourist in Your Hometown
Do you dream of adventure? Do you want to see something new, discover someplace interesting, and make memories you’ll cherish forever? Do you still have to be at work on Monday? Finding adventure doesn't have to mean packing up and trekking across the globe for six months. Being adventurous is all about changing your mindset and looking for the unexpected in the familiar.
This is Moose, our most recent rescue who has gone on to his forever family.
As you start planning summer vacations, instead of spending a lot of money to be a tourist somewhere else, why not try finding a little adventure at home?
KeepYour Pets Safe on the Road
Get a Room If you really want to experience your hometown through the eyes of a tourist, try waking up somewhere new. One night in a hotel room or bed-and-breakfast can really put you in the adventuring mindset. Find Local Events Now’s the time to check out the farmers market you’ve been meaning to go to for ages! Then you can swing by that free concert in the park before going to a play at your community theater. Attending local events is a great way to visit places in town you’ve never been before. You might even find a historical tour that can teach you all about the wonders of your town. Download an app like Eventbrite, or go old-school and check for fun local events in the paper. Appreciate the Arts There are countless tiny museums and cultural attractions all over the place that most people overlook — especially those who have lived in an area for a while. Does your hometown have interesting art installations on Main Street? What about museums dedicated to strange and supernatural phenomena, parks, historical landmarks, or giant robotic farm animals? Check Yelp.com for lists of popular attractions near you, or ask your friends for suggestions. You might be surprised by what your hometown has to offer. You might be thinking, “This is would be great if I lived somewhere fun!” If you’ve ever thought your town was boring, that’s all the more reason to try being a tourist! Adventures can happen anywhere if you just take that first step out the door.
Many of us love taking our pets along for the ride when we travel. Whether we’re going on a road trip or just across town, nothing makes the car ride more fun than when our best furry friend is in the passenger seat. But, like our human companions, we want to make the ride for our pets as safe as possible. Every pet is different. Some love going on car rides and are well- conditioned for the road. Other pets, not so much. Before you start driving, know how comfortable your dog (or cat) is with the open road to minimize distractions. Here are some items to have on hand to make the ride as safe and comfortable as possible. Harnesses. Standard car seat belts aren’t ideal for pets. Instead, look for a safety harness that fits around your pet. Safety harnesses allow for some movement while keeping your pet safe in the event of an accident or sudden braking. Harnesses come in all shapes and sizes and are available at most pet retailers. Barriers. Unlike harnesses, barriers give your pet a little more space that is just theirs. You can customize exactly how much space they may need while keeping them in a designated part of the car and reducing potential distractions. Barriers come in all sizes, typically for SUVs, minivans, wagons, and hatchbacks. Crates. Though we’d love our pet to be right up front with us, some animals become very anxious in moving vehicles. To help reduce anxiety, crates are generally the best option. Look for crates that are safety-certified and built to withstand an accident. Also, make sure the crate is ideal for the size of your pet and has plenty of airflow for maximum comfort. Food, water, and exercise. When you’re on the road with your pet, don’t forget the essentials. Always have food or snacks at the ready, along with water. Store food in a zip lock bag and water in a bottle, with a dish on standby. When your pup needs a drink, just pour some in the dish. For longer rides, be sure to let your pet out for a little exercise. Just like us, they need a break every once and a while.
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WHA T TO DO AND NOT DO AF T E R A CAR ACC I DEN T After the Accident
Do call the police. Even if it’s a minor accident, inform law enforcement. Don’t make any assumptions about the accident. Law enforcement will help determine liability. They can assess the situation, and, if tempers are flaring, they can help get things under control.
If you are involved in a car accident and you are able to respond, there are several things you need to do to stay safe and protect yourself. There are also several things you don’t want to do. Here are six things to keep in mind. Do check for injuries. Check yourself from head to toe. In a car accident, injuries can happen in the neck or the ankle. If you have a passenger, assess them as well. Share your concerns with emergency personnel and let them know about every ache and pain you’re experiencing. Don’t drive away. Stay at the scene and document any injuries or damage. Get information from the other driver and wait for emergency responders. The
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Don’t blame anyone. If you’re involved in an accident with another vehicle, don’t worry about who’s at fault. Stay focused on the situation. Get information, take pictures, and speak with law enforcement. Pointing fingers is not productive. Do exchange information. Major or minor, you need to share your name, contact information, and insurance details with the other driver or property owner. You need their information as well. If the other person does not want to cooperate, you should at least get their license plate number. Don’t lose your cool. Getting into a car accident is stressful. Try to stay calm and levelheaded. This will help you keep perspective and get the details you need to move forward. Again, it’s easy to get angry after an accident, but don’t let that anger control the situation. MONTSERRAT O S WA L D
more documentation (from contact info to photos) you can get, the better.
Just for Laughs
OPENING DAY HAMBURGERS
INSPIRED BY SAVEUR MAGAZINE
INGREDIENTS
• • • • •
1 pound ground chuck, 80 percent lean 4 soft, white hamburger buns, split
• • • •
4 1/4-inch-thick yellow onion slices
1 teaspoon vegetable oil Salt and pepper, to taste Condiments of your choice
4 1/4-inch-thick tomato slices
12–16 pickle rounds
4 small leaves iceberg lettuce
DIRECT IONS
1. Lightly grease a small nonstick skillet with oil. Heat over medium-high. 2. While heating, gently shape meat into four patties 3 1/2 inches in diameter. Be careful to handle the meat as little as possible to prevent tough burgers. Season liberally with salt and pepper. 3. Sear patties on each side, about 1 minute per side. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue cooking until desired doneness, about 1 more minute per side for medium-rare, 2 more per side for medium-well. 4. Let meat rest for a minimum of 3 minutes. 5. To assemble, place patty on bottom bun and top with tomato, pickles, lettuce, and onion (in that order). Spread condiments on top half of bun and place on top of onion. Serve.
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MONTSERRAT OSWALD
INSIDE Traditions and Memories of Easter 1 Adventure Awaits (At Home) A Few Ways to Keep Your Pets Safe on the Road 2 After the Accident Opening Day Hamburgers 3 Three Travel Myths Debunked 4
Cases We Handle: • Personal Injury/ Wrongful Death • Criminal Law/DWI
• Business Law • Immigration
PARIS ON A BUDGET?
Three Travel Myths You Should Stop Believing
Myth: Traveling is dangerous. Fact: If you’re smart about what you do and where you go, traveling can be safe. Go with your gut and only stay somewhere that is approved by travel guides. Visit places you feel comfortable in, and do your research by reading travel blogs, websites, and books to find places that have been vetted by others. Traveling in groups can also be a great way to lower your risk of danger. As long as you plan ahead, you will have a safe trip. Myth: Jet lag is caused by a lack of sleep. Fact: While jet lag can make you sleepy, it’s actually caused by a disruption in your circadian rhythm. Our bodies are cyclical, and the circadian rhythm is set by both a natural need for your body to reset and outside forces, such as your job, time zone, and diet. Travel can disrupt this rhythm and routine, which leaves you lethargic during and after your vacation. Sticking to water before and during your flights and staying physically active during and after traveling are great ways to fight jet lag and get back into your normal rhythm.
Traveling has many social and educational benefits, but some people have hesitations that prevent them from jetting off on new adventures. Below are three debunked travel myths to give you some ease as you plan your summer vacation! Myth: Vacations are expensive. Fact: You can travel anywhere on a budget. Tracking flights to score the best deal, setting spending limits, and packing meals are a few ways to save money. Hostels and Airbnbs are great alternatives to spendy hotel stays. Additionally, you don’t have to cross the country to have a great trip. Every state has
museums, unique roadside attractions, historical sites, and a booming nightlife. When you know your price limits and what you want to do, traveling can be a fun and inexpensive venture.
Don’t let these travel myths keep you from seeing the world. Set a budget, go with your gut, and prepare for a shifting rhythm to make your next adventure the best one yet.
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