The Pet Gal’s Wedding Pet Attendant Services Take the Stress Out of Bringing Your Pet Along on Your Wedding Day Credit: The Pet Gal When dreaming of the perfect wedding day, there’s one family member every girl feels devastated to leave out, her fur child. But with everything a bride must be part of on her wedding day keeping track of and tending her pup can seem like an impossible feat, and let's be honest, do you really want to trust a drunk groomsman with your most precious?  Enter The Pet Gal’s wedding attendant services. The Austin-based pet care service provider will not only chauffer your pup at your ceremony but will ensure they are right on schedule to walk down the aisle or pose for family photos.  “The bride and groom’s reaction when they see their pet is amazing,” says Joy Viscomi, Pet Gal Wedding Pet Coordinator. “I also love seeing the guests' reactions when the dog walks down the aisle. Sometimes it's a surprise for the guests because they don't know the dog will be there.”  Pet Gal wedding attendants work with you to customize your day and include your pet in any way you feel you want to. Viscomi says she’s even assisted a bride in having a mother-son dance with her fur son, Roman.  “The first wedding I did in 2017, the couple had booked us for four hours, and then the couple came up and asked me how much for the rest of the night?” Viscomi recalls. “So, I was there when Roman, the Great Dane, had his first dance with mom and spent time in the cigar lounge with dad. He was also part of the send-off.”  Viscomi says the most popular things for pets to do during weddings is to walk down the aisle with members of the wedding party, pose for photos, or be part of the ceremony as a flower girl or ring bearer. She said that typically, pups don’t stand at the front of the alter next to mom and dad for the nuptials though because they can be quite unpredictable.  Visomi recalled a time where the bride and groom did want the furbaby to stand at the altar for their outdoor ceremony. Viscomi was nervous about this, and for good reason, because sure enough, the pup started “boot scooting during the ceremony” causing quite the reason for the crowd to laugh. However, the bride and groom laughed too, she says.   Typically, during the vows, The Pet Gal attendants will walk pets around the venue grounds away from the ceremony where they can burn off energy, use the restroom, or bark freely.   Credit: The Pet Gal Another, cuter challenge with wedding ceremonies, Viscomi says is getting pups to focus on the task at hand during the ceremony.  “The most difficult aspect is getting the dog to walk down the aisle and not want to greet every guest down the aisle,” she says. “We usually recommend a short leash, that way they don’t stop at every person saying ‘but wait you can pet me, and you can pet me.’”  She added that treats also are a big help when encouraging pets to sit for photos or perform as the pet parents hoped.  “We bring treats and I check with the pet the day before to make sure the pet doesn’t have any allergies,” she says. “We bring a squeaky toy to get their attention during photos, and water. Lots and lots of water because it can get hot in the summertime.”  Viscomi says that typically couples will have their pet stay for the ceremony, and greet guests during cocktail hour while the bride and groom take photos -- once the pet has completed their portion of the photo-taking of course. Then, once dinner is served, typically couples will have the furbaby head home for the rest of the night.  The Pet Gal was founded by Susan Anderson in 2009 and began offering wedding attending services in 2017 after a client asked Anderson if she could help her pup be part of her wedding day. Anderson did and realized she could add this as a service to her business.  In addition to wedding attending, The Pet Gal offers dog walking, pet sitting, and pet taxiing services in the Austin area. Currently, The Pet Gal does 25-30 weddings annually and has 3-4 wedding attendants, but Viscomi says she thinks that number will increase as the demand for pet attending grows.  “We were on track to do more weddings last year, but then COVID hit,” she says.  Viscomi started working for The Pet Gal six years ago and took over the wedding attendant program a couple of years later. Since then, she's been the primary attendant on dozens of weddings around the Austin area and has traveled as far as San Antonio to help pets be part of the bride’s special day.  Credit: The Pet Gal While most of The Pet Gal’s weddings are in the Austin and Dripping Springs area, they will travel anywhere to bring their services to brides in need. The cost of The Pet Gal’s wedding attendant services is $330 for (2 hours), $540 (4 hours), $780 (6 hours). Each package includes services for one pet, travel to a venue in a 60-mile radius of Round Rock, one attendant, and event insurance. The fee to add additional pets is $20 per pet and chauffeur services are around $2 per mile. There is also an option to add additional attendants, should you have an overly zealous pet.  “It depends on the breed of the dog and what the bride and groom request,” Viscomi says. “I have one coming up where the bride and groom have requested a second attendant for their Husky because he is very excited.”  Viscomi says that she’s got the best job in the world. She loves helping pets and their people be together on the best day of their lives, and if there’s one thing she wants everyone to know, it’s that The Pet Gal’s Wedding Attending Services aren’t just for dogs.  “We have a cat at a wedding too,” she says, “There were two dogs and one cat and it was amazing. I always said I wanted to help a cat be part of a wedding and I got to do that, he even wore a bow-tie. My next goal is to help a little pot-bellied pig be part of a ceremony.”  To learn more about The Pet Gal’s Wedding Attendant services visit www.thepetgal.com .

3-year funding will help Killeen AS provide preventative and emergency care for shelter animals Dog sits waiting for his “furever” home.  Courtesy City of Killeen Facebook Page. Petco Love awarded Killeen Animal Services a $300,000 grant to be paid out over three years for use in preventative and emergency care for animals at Killeen Animal Shelter.   “The grant that we have received will help so many animals here in Killeen,” says  Jessica Dunagan, Killeen Animal Services Manager.  “We will be able to begin the process of cutting down on unwanted litters, vaccinate animals, and get the help and attention they need for what they may come in for. I don’t believe that there is a more rewarding feeling than knowing you made a difference in the life of an animal and a citizen who needed that companionship.”  Dunagan says that the money provided by Petco Love will go directly to veterinary care of the animals the shelter intakes, some of which arrive in need of emergency care or slower lifesaving treatments such as treatment for heartworm disease. “We see all types of emergencies from parvovirus, animals hit by cars, animal cruelty investigations, and so much more,” says Dunagan. “We would like all animals adopted from the shelter to be at their healthiest when they go to their new homes.”  “[Providing heartworm treatment] has not been an option in the past for the Killeen Animal Shelter and will definitely be something that we look more into and provide the best care that we can in order to make their lives the best that they can be,” Dunagan adds.  Atlas poses for a photo on the City of Killeen’s Facebook page as the shelter’s adoptable pet of the week in May 2021. Courtesy City of Killeen Facebook Page. Petco Love is a nonprofit that invests in local shelters, rescues, and animal welfare organizations across the nation to improve the lives of pets across the U.S. Locally in Killeen, Petco Love, formerly Petco Foundation has been a longtime supporter of the shelter -- providing grants since 2014. With previous funding from the organization, Killeen Animal Services has been able to provide more than one thousand serialization and rabies vaccination vouchers and enhance the shelter’s sanitation. This new grant will further enhance these previous efforts by allowing more proactive efforts to increase animal health and ultimately adaptability.  Pheobe poses for a photo on the City of Killeen’s Facebook page as the shelter’s adoptable pet of the week in May 2021. Courtesy City of Killeen Facebook Page. “The relationship between Petco Love and Killeen Animal Services is strong,” says  Joe Brown, executive director of Killeen Recreation Services. “What’s really special about this grant investment is that it tangibly assists animals within our community in a very positive way. To be awarded this grant is an absolute win and a game-changer for animals in need in our community.”  The shelter intakes approximately 5,500 animals on average annually, says Dunagan. She says that it’s no secret around the shelter, that Petco’s contributions coupled with the city’s decision to move animal services under the umbrella of the Recreation Services Department have both been big contributors in helping improve animal welfare at the shelter -- allowing for the edition of improved sanitation by laying concrete in working areas, adding four new play yards, upgrading kennels for pet safety, aquiring larger cat rooms, and upgrading staff equipment to better serve citizens while in the field.  Skylar and kennel tech Haley pose for a photo outside Killeen Animal Shelter. Courtesy City of Killeen Facebook Page “Killeen Animal Services has come a long way to making a difference for the lost animals in our City and helping our citizens,” Dunagan says. “Since Animal Services was put under the Recreation Services Department we have gone from an 82% live release rate to 94.2%, in just under two years. Our team has come a long way and we have built a better lifestyle for the animals that enter the shelter so that we can give them the best possible life while here at the shelter. We than k  Petco Love for the opportunity they have bestowed upon us and we will do everything in our power to make the lives of these animals better each and every day.” Since its founding in 1999 as the Petco Foundation, Petco Love has empowered organizations with nearly $300 million invested to date for adoption and other lifesaving efforts and helped find homes for more than 6.5 million pets in partnership with Petco stores nationwide.  A small smiling dog waits to be adopted at a KAS adoption event in May 2021. Courtesy City of Killeen Facebook Page. “Today Petco Love announces an investment in Killeen Animal Services and hundreds of other organizations as part of our commitment to create a future in which no pet is unnecessarily euthanized,” says Susanne Kogut, president of Petco Love in a statement on April 21st. “Our local investments are only one component. This month, we will also launch the first of our national tools to empower all animal lovers to drive lifesaving change right alongside us.” Killeen Animal Shelter is located at 3118 Commerce Drive and is open for adoptions Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. More information about Killeen Animal Services along with a link to view adoptable animals online is available at killeentexas.gov/animals .

Two key pieces of animal rights regulations were upheld this legislative session as Texas Sunset Commission Members reviewed recommendations set forth to gut the regulations pertaining to cat and dog breeding in Texas and its oversight by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.  Cat and dog breeders as well as responsible pet ownership courses must be licensed by TLDR, which oversees these licenses and has the power to revoke the license of pet breeders or declare that a responsible pet ownership class is inadequate. These programs came under fire during Summer 2020 after the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission, which conducts audits on government agencies to ensure their practices and policies are relevant in an ever-changing world, recommended doing away with the programs -- leaving their fate in the hands of five senate members and 6 house members.  Texas Humane Legislation Network, a 501c4 nonprofit that lobbies on behalf of animal rights, spent much of last year convincing the legislature to vote against doing away with these programs, especially the dog and cat breeder licensing regulation — a bill they had a hand in passing in 2011 -- and the group’s hard work paid off.  “We were able to save the license breeder program and hope to be able to revisit it and strengthen it next legislative session,” says THLN Executive Director Shelby Bobosky. “We are thankful the Sunset Commission Members recognized the Licensed Breeders Program's importance.” Credit: Zana Pq, Unsplash Texas began regulating cat and dog breeding in 2011, with the passage of House Bill 1451, commonly called "The Puppy Mill Bill." The bill states that persons required to be licensed as a dog or cat breeder are licensed and provide adequate and humane care for the animals they breed, keep them properly sheltered and provide adequate veterinary care. The bill also prevents those who have been convicted of animal cruelty from becoming a licensed breeders and requires TDLR inspectors who witness animal cruelty to report it to local law enforcement.   During the 2021 legislative session, time ran out for HB 1818 which would have added the further restrictions to this bill that Bobosky and other animal welfare groups have been looking for. HB 1818, made it through both chambers of Congress but was halted in the Conference Committee where it did not make it through to meet the final deadlines for passage this legislative session.  The bill, filed by Rep. Jared Patterson, called for dogs in pet stores to be sourced from rescues, shelters, and humane societies and required pet stores to keep a record of where the animals were obtained from for at least one year. Additionally, some leeway existed in the initial bill for the four percent of Texas licensed breeders who sell puppies at pet stores. Additionally, the law also did not affect counties with a population of less than 200,000 citing that communities may not have the number of animals needed to supply retail pet stores.  Bobosky says that the largest opponent for the passage of this bill has been Petland.  “Texas ships out hundreds of dogs to states that don’t have the overpopulation crisis we have, but we ship in hundreds of bred dogs,” Bobosky says. “Out of the top 25 pet retailers only one still sells puppies and kittens and that’s Petland. All of the other big players have switched to the humane model.”  Bobosky contends that THLN plans to introduce similar legislation in the 2023 session in the hopes to crack down on puppy mills in Texas.  The upheld “Puppy Mill Bill” that was saved by Sunset Review Members, contrary to popular belief, does not make puppy mills illegal in the state of Texas but rather heightens the threshold of care required for these animals. These regulations help ensure that breeders don't let pets live in filth and squalor, or sell sick puppies to unsuspecting pet parents. THLN states that these regulations also help save taxpayer dollars by preventing cruelty before it begins by keeping breeders in check — lowering the number of large-scale animal seizures.  "Before issuing a license, TDLR inspects a breeding facility to make sure it meets standard of care requirements, TDLR Public Information Officer Tela Goodwin said previously in a statement to TXDM. "Agency inspectors then visit breeding facilities at least once every 18 months and other inspections may occur as needed."  — indoor or outdoor housing — enclosures — compatible grouping of animals — exercise for dogs — feeding, watering, cleaning, and sanitation — housekeeping and pest control — training of onsite personnel — grooming — veterinary care — sales and transfers — transportation standards Goodwin adds that some of the most common code violations committed by licensed breeders include not allowing females adequate rest time between breeding cycles, not providing sufficient heating or cooling for animal enclosures, not exercising animals daily, and not providing veterinary exams for each pet at least once every 12 months.  “There is always more to do to improve the lives of animals,” Bobosky says. “Next session we’re really going to focus on puppy mills and big cat ownership.”

Rambunctious, compact and practically royal — what more could one want? The Pembroke Welsh Corgi was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1934 and is most commonly known for being Queen Elizabeth II’s palace pup. The Queen got her first Pembroke in 1933, according to the AKC, and has had one (or more!) ever since. Pembrokes may be short and stout, but they are also smart and athletic. A member of the herding group, these dogs are at their happiest when they get lots of activity or have a job to do. The AKC describes this breed as “energetic, willing and highly intelligent.”

The coronavirus pandemic has changed the way we do many things and if there's one thing we became tired of cleaning pretty early on in the pandemic it's our house, and our bathroom after bathing your furbabies. After a new pet store called Pet Supplies Plus opened near our home in Denton this September, we thought we would review our experience using the self-service dog wash for you all to let you all know if it truly is as pawsome as they say.  On arrival, we walked back to the wash station where there were several elevated shower stalls with special grooming leashes on the wall to ensure that your pet doesn't jump out of the shower. Each stall also featured two clean towels with two treats on top and a variety of shampoos that are included with your wash. Along the side of the shower area, there are aprons for the pawrents to wear so that they don't get their clothes wet while bathing their pet.  Riley stands during his bath at Pet Supplies Plus in Denton, TX. This particular location opened in September 2020. Photo Credit: Tiffany Ditto  We put the special grooming leash around the neck of Riley, our resident review dog. We turned on the water and sprayed it at the wall for a few minutes until the water was warm. After ensuring Riley is adequately wet, we lathered him in the shampoo/conditioner combination provided (there were more than 4 different types of shampoo available). After rinsing him off we reached over on the wall to turn on the special vacuum-like blow dryer hose on the side of the shower and began drying our pup. Our main complaint during the whole process was that the blow dryer didn't blow warm air, and while Riley was wet, it seemed like the cool air made him feel cold (he was shivering).  Once done, there was a bin to place dirty towels in, and Riley got to pick out a toy — after all, we were in the pet store. It was nice not having to clean the bathtub and bathroom up after washing the dog, and was easier on my back not having to bend over to wash him. The elevated shower stalls made it easy to reach him without hunching over. The cost of the baths is $10 each visit, or you can buy a three-visit punch card for $21. We think this was well worth the money because it was so easy and there was no cleanup required. Overall we give the DIY dog wash stations in Pet Supplies Plus three paws up (one paw deducted for the cold blow dryer).

Shake It Pup dog food seasoning struck an $800k deal with Texas Billionaire Mark Cuban earlier this year after appearing on an episode of NBC's Shark Tank. Photo Credit: Tiffany Ditto  If you and your pup are anything like us, food is one of the things in life that bring you joy. We love trying different foods and flavors, so why shouldn't we introduce this spice into the lives of our pets? With Shake It Pup, now you can!  After Shake It Pup struck an $800,000 deal with Texas billionaire Mark Cuban on NBC's Shark Tank  earlier this year, we knew we had to try to hype ourselves.  Shake It Pup dog food seasonings are gourmet seasonings sold directly from the Shake It Pup website, or through the website of their parent company Snap Wag, a gourmet dog food manufacturer.  We ordered two Shake It Pup seasonings — a bone and joint blend, and "Barkin' BBQ." The seasonings tout human-grade ingredients. Depending on the weight of your pet, you simply add 1-2 teaspoons of seasoning to the top of their food they eat every day. Seasonings sell for $12.99 each and come in 3.5 or 4.5 ounce bottles depending on the flavor. At the time of publication, Shake It Pup is running at buy three get one free sale and offers free shipping on orders over $35.  Our resident review dog Riley, a spunky 9-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, did the first tasting honors. We ordered the Bone and Joint formula specifically for Riley because, like a typical Cavalier, he experiences some joint issues.   Riley devoured the food topped with Shake It Pup faster than he typically eats his everyday canned food. He enjoyed both of the seasoning flavors, there didn't seem to be a clear winner. But since these seasonings are made from human-grade ingredients, you know we had to try them too.  The "Barkin' BBQ" flavor was powdery and tasted like chicken, which makes sense, as three of the ingredients are chicken, chicken bone broth and chicken liver (also lentils). The flavoring wasn't strong enough to want to use it in human cooking, but it's obvious that it's enough to spice up your pup's life. Shake It Pup's Bone and Joint seasoning tasted strongly like chicken and turmeric with a weird aftertaste (possibly from the cinnamon also in it?). While they weren't that tasty for human consumption, they are  made for dogs, so the real win is if your pup loves them and ours did. We give this product four paws up.  To order your furbaby Shake it Pup, visit shakeitpup.com Please don't forget to consult with your veterinarian before beginning to add any seasonings or supplements to your dog's food.

Little Mona Meets a Pup By: S. Renee Mac Little Mona Meets a Pup is a youth picture book that tells the true story of the author’s experience meeting a scared wet pup on a chilly, rainy day. Written by a Texas neighbor in Louisiana, this book is a story about long lasting friendship and the love between a girl and her pup.  A Kid’s Guide to Dogs: How to Train, Care for, and Play and Communicate with Your Amazing Pet!  By: Arden Moore Written by Texas author and pet first aid instructor Arden Moore, this book provides a comprehensive guide for child dog owners to learn about how to care for their furry brother or sister. The book features fun tips and tricks to ownership, how to teach your dog tricks and commands, trivia quizzes, and DIY arts and crafts for kids to do with their doggos. This fun book is a must-read for any young pet owner.  Dog Man: Grime and Punishment  By: Dav Pilkey  Written by the esteemed author of the Captain Underpants series, Pilkey has done it again creating a full-color illustrated comic-style book about part dog, part man who digs into deception and rolls over robbers. This fun book is sure to keep your kids reading and laughing. This book is sure to make reading fun and engaging.   Hank the Cowdog: The Frozen Rodeo By: John R. Erikson Many Millennials grew up reading Hank the Cowdog, and now your kids can too. In the latest installment of the series, Hank helps Slim and Loper as their cattle get out in an ice storm. Their cattle roping adventure is full of mishaps and what turns into a frozen rodeo.  Cat Dog Dog By: Nelly Buchet This laugh out loud picture book tells the story of a mixed animal household as two pet parents become a couple and move in together. The house now features two dogs and a cat, as the pets adapt to life together. This book tells the story of how to adapt when life throws you curveballs, and is sure to resonate with any kids dealing with changes in their life.

Scoob! promotional poster. Credit: Warner Bros “Scoob!” Made its debut May 15 amid the coronavirus pandemic. The movie aims to introduce today’s youth to the iconic characters we all know and love. The movie doesn’t quite do the gang justice, but it wasn’t so bad that we would tell you to skip it either.  The movie is full of modern-day jokes but also serves as an origin story for how Scooby and Shaggy met. At the beginning of the film, we see a lonely Shaggy, who is just a kid a the time, and a dog with no name who is causing trouble throughout the town stealing meat. In an effort to save the dog from being picked up by police, Shaggy dubs Scoob—officially naming him Scooby Doobie Doo.  The duo later meets Fred, Velma, and Daphne while out and about trick or treating for Halloween. The group of kids solve their first masked ghost mystery and thus Mystery Inc. is born. Fast-forward and the gang are working together to solve numerous mysteries.  It’s during this time that a true Scooby-Doo fans will see a hidden gem as the film recreates ionic Scooby Doo scenes that we all remember and love, like the intro sequence from ”Scooby-Doo, Where are You!” As the movie progresses Scooby and Shaggy find themselves at the center of a world-ending plot and work with a superhero named Blue Falcon (voiced by Mark Wahlberg) to stop the evil Dick Dastardly (voiced by Jason Isaacs—who played Lucious Malfoy in Harry Potter).  Though the storyline is fun and proves that friendship conquers all, the film lacks key elements that would have made parents nostalgic for the good old days of “Scooby-Doo, Where are you!” –- namely not revealing who the villain is until the end.  In this new film, we know who the villain Dick Dastardly is for most of the film, and are even given a Despicable Me style look into his life. If fact, the character may remind you of Gru, as Dastardly even has an army of quirky robots that seem almost minion like.  Another thing that was somewhat off-putting for existing Scooby-Doo fans was how much Scooby talked in this film. At times it bordered on a bit creepy.  Overall, “Scoob!” was a new take on a classic and was enjoyable as it did have a storyline, and evoked emotions of joy and sorrow.  The movie had some funny jokes, and a storyline that did draw us in (even if it wasn’t the same formula as the older movies and shows). It wasn’t quite what an OG “Scooby-Doo, Where are You!” fan was expecting or looking for in this reboot, but it is worth watching. We give “Scoob!” three out of four paws up.

The Call of the Wild movie poster Disney’s The Call of the Wild is a riveting tale of finding the true meaning of home. With nail-biting adventure, and villains that make you wish they we’re defeated earlier on.  The story follows Buck, a large St. Bernard cross whose rambunctious lifestyle often gets him into trouble. One day, Buck is snatched from his home in California, where he lives a leisurely lifestyle with a judge, and shipped off to Alaska where his thieves hoped to make money selling him as a sled dog.  Sled dogs were in high demand as people came from far and wide seeking gold during the 1890s Klondike Gold Rush.  A kind-hearted man named Perrault adopts Buck to be a member of his sled team where Buck learns the art of running in the Yukon’s harsh weather. The teamwork for the mail service and Buck quickly becomes the leader of the pack. Buck’s love for running through the Alaskan backcountry flourished.  When one of his owners falls through the ice, it’s Bucks heroism that saves her life.  However, the tale doesn’t end there. When Perrault is told his mail route is canceled Buck and his team are sold to a group of rich wannabe gold miners who’s cruel nature put the dogs to the test.  Eventually, Buck is separated from his team when he collapses during a run due to mistreatment from his owners.  Harrison Ford as John Thornton—a troubled man searching for salvation in the backcountry of Alaska rescues Buck from his owners and takes him in. The duo set off on their own adventure, traveling “beyond the map.” While John and Buck explore the wilderness, something calls Buck into the woods, towards the hunt.  From there the movie kicks off as the duo set out on an adventure that not only tells the heartfelt story of a man and his dog but tells the story of finding the one place you belong—a place to call home.  The film keeps many of the key elements Jack London wrote in this novel, but many of the more violent aspects of the book have been cut out to make way for a more family-friendly version of the film. The Call of the Wild debuted in theatres pre-quarantine in the U.S. The film is a must-see for dog lovers because it doesn’t tell the traditional dog story we are used to, and challenges us to think about our furry friends and the wild instincts that call them. We give The Call of the Wild four out of four paws up.

Texas Dog Magazine was founded by Nealie Sanchez on July 4, 2017. While the first magazine was released March 1, 2018, many don’t know that the first-ever mock-up edition lives online to this day. In this edition, Sanchez named her own dog Gannicus, an American Pit Bull Terrier, Texas Top Dog. In the first edition, the TXDM team would go on to donate to The Love Pit, a nonprofit Pit Bull rescue based in Dallas-Fort Worth. In honor of Gannicus, in celebration of the aforementioned things and in recognition of all breeds placed on breed restriction lists, as well as the dog parents who continue to adopt, love and care for these breeds please enjoy our breed focus: The American Pit Bull Terrier American Pit Bull Terriers are an interesting mix of “the gameness of the terrier with the strength and athleticism of the Bulldog,” according to the United Kennel Club. This association was the first to recognize this breed, with founder C. Z. Bennett assigning his own American Pit Bull Terrier registration No. 1. While the American Kennel Club recognizes the American Staffordshire Terrier as a breed, the organization does not recognize the American Pit Bull Terrier as a separate breed. With ancestry from the British Isles, this dog is known for its medium build, short coat, broad skull and wide muzzle. This breed can come in any color and pattern aside from merle, according to the UKC.  The breed’s temperament towards children and families is described as loving by the UKC, however, the organization does address personality traits and training required of the American Pit Bull Terrier stating, “Because most APBTs exhibit some level of dog aggression and because of its powerful physique, the APBT requires an owner who will carefully socialize and obedience train the dog.” It’s no secret that despite many people still owning and caring for this breed, it has a particularly bad reputation often labeled an aggressive breed and subject to breed-specific legislation or BSL. Their reputation precedes them, dating back as far as the early 1800s in Great Britain the breed was used in “bull-baiting.” This didn’t last long as this blood sport was outlaws in 1835, according to VetIQ. In fact, since these days the American Pit Bull Terrier was used by the American military as a symbol in World War I and World War II. Many even believed the most decorated war dog of WWI, Sgt. Stubby, to be a Pit Bull Terrier (other guesses included Boston Terrier mixes). Finally, while the American Pit Bull Terrier isn’t shown at Westminster Dog Show, the breed’s close relative the American Staffordshire Terrier made one small pounce for bullies and one giant leap for bully breed kind in the show over the past several years. Louie, an American Staffordshire Terrier has taken Best of Breed in 2016, Best of Breed and Group Third in 2017 and Best of Breed and Group Second in 2018 paving a way for what some lump together as “Bully Breeds.” Grooming Because of the breed’s short coat, maintenance is relatively low. PetCareRx recommends brushing with a rubber curry brush to maintain coat shine. Please consult your veterinarian for the best practices for your specific dog. Did you know? April 8 is National Dog Fighting Awareness Day. The ASPCA created this day to raise awareness about the prevalence of dogfighting in the U.S. Across America, innocent dogs are forced to fight. Take action by signing the petition here: aspca.org/break-the-chain April 12-18, 2020, is Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week. To reduce the stigma surrounding animal control officers, TXDM observes Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week. This week we recognize that these officers pick up abandoned, abused, even dead animals and often are the animals’ first line of defense for justice.  Coincidentally, April 12-18, 2020, is also National Dog Bite Prevention Week. While reminding the public that any dog can bite, this week is dedicated to the education and prevention of dog bites. Together we can stamp out dog bites.

Disney+ Original Film Poster: Togo 2019 Togo will make viewers laugh, cry, and rejoice for man’s best friend Disney’s Togo  is a tale of adventure, heroism, and the love between a man and his dog.  Togo  will tug on the viewer’s heartstrings as it evokes a fury of emotions from frustration, pride and hope to sorrow, laughter and, most of all, love. Viewers will be rushed away on musher Leonhard Seppala’s sled as he travels 261 miles across the Alaskan wilderness with his team of Husky sled dogs. Togo  (based on a true story) premiered on Disney+ on Dec. 20 as one of many promised pieces of content exclusive to the streaming platform. The movie aims to set the record straight as to which dog historically saved the city of Nome in the 1925 serum run to Nome, Alaska. Historically, Balto, a sled dog from another team, stole the fame and credit for bringing the lifesaving drugs the children of Nome needed to fight the diphtheria outbreak of the time — so much so that a statue was erected of Balto in Central Park 10 months after the 1925 run (yes, it’s still there). The movie opens on Seppala mushing his dog team across a snowy terrain. A storm brews in the distance, and we see that Seppala’s dogs want to chase a pack of caribou, but instead choose to run for the city — indicating that this storm is one that animals know to fear. Once the team reaches the city, they find that the children have fallen ill as diphtheria wreaks havoc on the townspeople. Doctors and city officials plead for Seppala to go and retrieve lifesaving medicine nearly 674 miles away. Due to the storm, the government was unable to send a plane into the city with the medication — meaning Seppala was their only hope. Reluctantly, Seppala agrees to make the trip and takes his best dog, 12-year-old Togo, with him. Throughout their journey, we see flashbacks of a young Togo and the trouble he caused his master. Viewers will laugh at the pup’s antics and dedication as he hopes to be selected as part of Seppala’s sled team. We see a stubborn dog who ultimately knows who he loves and, with time, proves his worth.  A perolis journey unfolds, and officials decide to send help to Seppala. Unbeknownst to him, officials have decided to initiate a sled-dog relay to get the medication back to Alaska. It’s only by mere happenstance, and after over 135 miles of mushing, that the team crosses paths with one of the relay teams. The journey takes its toll on Togo, who has a heart of steel and a will that won’t quit, but the body of an older dog.  The team takes on blistering winds, a not so frozen body of water and their own body’s will to rest at a time when they simply can’t. Togo  is a story that will make you appreciate the love you have with your own pets and make you hold them a little tighter. It’s a story full of great triumph, love and heartbreak, and for all of those reasons and more, we give Togo a perfect four paws up.

The Basics You reach down to pet your sweet pupper, but your palm isn’t full of fur. Until you reach around and scratch the little bit of scruff around the ears! This is a Chinese Crested Dog, a spotted pink-and-black skinned dog that has some lengthy patches of fur around its ears, on top of its head, around its paws and down its tail. While considered hairless by the general public, the breed does, in fact, come in a coated variety.  Courtesy of the AKC Library and Archives Some may remember this dog from the early 2000s film Cats and Dogs , but there is much more to know about this pooch! The hypoallergenic breed is characterized by the American Kennel Club as “fine-boned, elegant and graceful.” Despite the breed’s seemingly apt name, it is unconfirmed where the breed hales from because of the lack of historical evidence according to Gea Ledra. While the puppers’ origins are considered untraceable, the breed is considered ancient.  According to Gea Ledra, a Chinese Crested Dog is featured in a painting from the United Kingdom dating as far back as 1881, however, they didn’t gain popularity until burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee started promoting them. The breed would go on to be recognized by the American Kennel Club until 1991. The American Kennel Club acknowledges three other hairless dog breeds: The American Hairless Terrier, the Peruvian Inca Orchid and the Xoloitzcuintli. Each of these breeds also comes in a coated variety! Care The Chinese Crested Dog’s skin is susceptible to acne, dryness and sunburn. For periods of time in the sun it is recommended that dog owners cover their pup in protective clothing. Acne should be treated by veterinarian-approved methods and skin should be kept moisturized by veterinarian-approved methods to avoid dryness.