OkcPets Magazine January 2022

4 OKC Pets • January/February 2022 I hope the new year of 2022 is off to a good start for you and your pets — dogs, cats, lizards, or whatever! I’m sure we all look forward to many enjoyable times as the winter progresses and we start to navigate our way through the unusual challenges of the past two years. As you settle down for some reading time with this issue of the magazine, don’t miss the article about Common Bonds, an organization supported by the Kirkpatrick Foundation, which is working to save more shelter dogs and cats in Oklahoma by reducing the percentage of euthanasia. Learn about the Common Bonds partners’ three-pronged approach to meeting the goal of 90 percent adoption of shelter animals. If starting the year with less clutter is one of your goals and you would like to help local rescues, sanctuaries, and shelters, read about creative ways to donate household items and other things you would never think of. Going to a dog park might be on your agenda for the new year. Read about how to keep the visits positive for canines and humans. “Fire dogs” are in the forefront. We have a story about the fostering of a traditional spotted Dalmatian mother named Peggy and her new arrivals — six pups. And don’t miss a fascinating account of taming Australian lizards from Kim Doner, who keeps us intrigued with stories about exotic creatures. It is surprising to learn that bearded dragons are playful and affectionate. Learn how to provide these little guys with just the right conditions to bring out their trusting, responsive natures. As always, Travis Brorsen offers good solid training tips for dogs and their owners. He discusses five tips for retraining your dog so that vacuum clean- ers, doorbells, and thunderstorms don’t send him into a conniption fit. In a sensitive and touching story, Karen Dugan Holman remembers a very special dog she grew up with. Her unforgettable bond with that one particular dog is a source of strength in her adult life and her work with rescue dogs. If you would like to take good photos of your pets, pick up some pointers from professional pho- tographers in the Oklahoma City area. So kick off your shoes, crunch some popcorn, sip some cider, and enjoy our magazine! Happy New Year, Marilyn and Elmer FROM THE PUBLISHER Elmer OKC Pets Volume 9, Number 1 PUBLISHER Marilyn King 918.520.0611 mking@okcpetsmagazine.com EDITOR Rowena Mills 918.274.9251 hrmills444@yahoo.com CREATIVE DIRECTOR Amanda Watkins WEB MANAGER/AD SALES Steve Kirkpatrick 918.230.2493 steve@okcpetsmagazine.com ADVERTISING SALES Marilyn King 918.520.0611 mking@okcpetsmagazine.com Steve Kirkpatrick 405.397.2740 steve@okcpetsmagazine.com Michael Bell 405.439.8741 michael.okcpetsmag@gmail.com Rosalie Childs 918.630.5775 rfchilds@me.com Rowena Mills 918.274.9251 hrmills444@yahoo.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Michael Bell Heide Brandes Travis Brorsen Kaycee Chance Kim Doner Jezy Gray Karen Holman Rowena Mills 918.520.0611 www.okcpetsmagazine.com P.O. Box 14128 Tulsa, Oklahoma 74159-1128 ©2022 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express written consent of the publisher.