TulsaPets Magazine January 2024

January / February 2024 • TulsaPets 33 CITY VETERINARY HOSPITAL FULL SERVICE VETERINARY CARE IN BROOKSIDE SINCE 1942 Medicine • Surgery • Dentistry • Vaccinations Heartworm Prevention • Flea & Tick Prevention Boarding • Pet Taxi • Pet Sitting • House Calls On-Site Lab & X rays Full-time groomer on staff. Please call for a grooming appointment! 24 Hour Emergency Service For All Of Green Country 3550 S Peoria Avenue (Corner of 36th & Peoria) 918.747.1641 dr.chet.thomas@gmail.com / city.vet.tulsa@gmail.com CHET S. THOMAS, DVM / OK LIC #3519 46 Years Full Service Veterinary for Small Animals and Exotic Pets 8134 S Harvard Ave • 918-481-0440 https://danner.vet DA N G . DA NN E R DVM, BS S treet C atS , I nC . 6520 E. 60th St. (60th & S. Sheridan) | Tulsa, OK 74145 www.streetcatstulsa.org | 918.298.0104 (message line) Tuesday—Saturday: 10:30 am—5:00 pm All volunteer non profit adoption center and gift boutique I got the name of Flower when I went in to StreetCats. I’m a tortoiseshell kitty less than one year old who was adopted quickly, but my new mom had a stroke so I had to come back to StreetCats. I wander around in StreetCats, but I’m more of a quiet standalone kitty. I’d love a new home so I can be settled for 2024. FLOWER There are also other kitties here to look at too! in us, but also in our dogs, and class was immediately in session. Initially, Rudy was wary of going out into our yard. I expected to see him race around with joy at his newfound freedom. Instead, he stood on the porch or near my legs every moment in the yard. He was un- willing to explore and continually bolted back into the sanctuary of our house. I could almost hear the dialogue inside his young mind. “House is good. Out- side is bad,” he must have been thinking through the images in his brain. “I only want to be inside.” Although I can’t say I blamed him for not wanting to chance being left out- side, his unwillingness to initially spend any time in the yard made teaching house-training skills a challenge. The first time Rudy ran several paces past me to squat in the yard to relieve himself might have also been the first time he paid atten- tion to my voice. I rained excited, happy praise on that sweet puppy, and his head swiveled toward me with ears perked, his tail wagging in delight. It seemed from that point on, Rudy learned how to be a puppy with ease. He discovered toys. He joined in wrestling matches with his canine counterparts. Meals became an expected treat. He would dance in tight circles all the way to his crate, where he would wait in drooling anticipation to be served. Most important, he learned that a silly, high-pitched human voice offered the promise of good things to come. I’ve never understood how people can sentence a dog to the torture of life on a chain, and I never will. I know it is the fate of many dogs across the country and in our own community. There are spe- cific organizations that work relentlessly to improve the lives of chained dogs. I’ve had the opportunity to ride along with the volunteers of the Oklahoma Alliance for Animals Unchain Oklahoma program to witness their dedication, patience, and compassion firsthand as they visit owners of chained dogs to offer life-changing alternatives. Without the backing of strict legislation and subsequent enforcement, turning the tide for chained dogs can happen only one dog at a time. Now, watching our one dog race effortlessly out the door to join in a wild game of chase in our yard, I am grateful to everyone involved in securing his freedom. I know Rudy’s future will be nothing but soft beds, regular meals, a safe yard, loving new owners — their applica- tion was just approved today — and silly, high-pitched voices that finally have great meaning for him. Rudy is now healthy, happy, and headed to a forever home. Photo by Nancy Gallimore.