Reliant Park World Series of Dog Shows Issue 06: Volume 6 The Definitive Source for Houston Pet Lovers Special Issue 2007 2007 Resource Guide InsIde thIs Issue: PRESTONWOOD KENNELS PET RESORT A SHOW OF EXCELLENCE Who’sWho’s inin Charge...Charge... YouYou oror YourYour Dog?Dog? World’s Largest, Most Trusted Dog Training Company Dog Show, 2007 Contents Editorial Front of the Book am a dog lover at heart. I’ve had other species as pets but dogs are my passion. I would love to have one of 03 Contents every size, shape and color but given that I can’t even housetrain my second dog, I better hold off on add- Editorial I ing to our pack! To get my “fix” of dog varieties, I attend the Reliant World Series of Dog Shows each year at On the Cover Reliant Park. Henrietta Houstonians are lucky to have such a major event in our city each year. The Reliant World Series of Dog Shows is a very big deal...it’s one of the largest indoor shows in the country! The four-day extravaganza provides enough Features dog action to delight any dog enthusiast. 08 Cover Story The events and demonstrations, which include conformation, agility, obedience, flyball and freestyle dancing Your Pet Deserves A Vacation are exciting and entertaining. But the fun doesn’t stop there! The Meet the Breed seminars held daily are very Mo & Me informative and vendor booths for oodles of shopping line the arena. But my favorite aspect of the show is the Awards taping of the IAMS/Eukanuba Tournament of Champions Best In Show event Friday night. After all of the dog shows I’ve watched on Animal Planet, it’s fun to see what goes on “behind the scenes” to put the show together. Show Schedule Another valuable element to the show is the presence of many breed rescue groups and humane organiza- 22 tions in Houston. There are even dogs at the show up for adoption and ready to go home with just the right Resource Guide family. The entire complex is filled with many experts including trainers, breeders, handlers, pet food distributors, 46 groomers, behaviorists, artists and more. If you have a question about anything “dog”, there’s no better chance Marketplace to find the right person to ask. 51 So don’t miss this once-a-year opportunity to watch the canine antics, shop, learn, explore and pick up prod- uct samples. Be sure to stop by the Houston PetTalk booth to hear from a variety of experts that will be visiting with us throughout the weekend to answer questions. And, put your “paw” in the hat for prize drawings including veterinary care, weekend boarding passes, artwork and a few surprises. See You At The Show! Michelle Mantor On the Cover Cover Photo: Meledee Femme Fatale, call name “Taylor”, prepares for HOUSTON PETTALK MAGAZINE, LLC 14781 Memorial Drive, Ste. 510, the Reliant World Series of Houston, Texas 77079 Dog Shows with her nationally 281-556-6560 www.HoustonPetTalk.com recognized handler, Betty Brown. Taylor is owned by Prestonwood © Copyright 2007. Reproduction or use without written permission of articles, Kennels Pet Resort owner, editorial or pictorial content in any Guinette Peebles. Look for Taylor manner is prohibited. Houston PetTalk does not knowingly accept false or in the conformation ring at the misleading advertising or editorial, nor show! do the publishers assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. Cover Photo by Houston PetTalk does not endorse any specific product or service contained Evin Thayer Studios herein; we do encourage you to support our advertisers whenever possible. Tell our advertisers you heard about them in Houston PetTalk! 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He’s an was raised an LSU, A&M or UT fan, [email protected] about how I came to artist, a satirist, faithful giver to by Beagles”. there might just be S be so beautiful and humane charities and well, a cutie Incorrigible something for you! 512-517-0742 charismatic. Or, perhaps you’re pie too! Have you seen his biceps? one, isn’t he? Now, for the burn- just wondering what’s in my purse. That’s some serious drawing Don’t miss ing question; what’s Rich possibilities await you and your pet at Abundance! Either way…there’s only one person power. Jim’s visit to the in my purse that is that has the answer; famed artist In addition to his colorful art Reliant World ever so prevalent in and creator of all things “moi”, Jim (watercolor, acrylics, pen & ink Series of Dog most of my render- Sundance Lodge Moondance Cabin Tweedy. and prints) available at Hollywood Shows. He’ll be ings? Well, for those of Magnificent 2800 sq. ft. Log Home Romantic 800 sq. ft. 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Outdoor Kitchen Cedar Sauna Henrietta on Houston “Henrietta, Let’s Go”, called Mom These dogs were prancing, “Now you have style” But as I ponder “We’re going to the biggest dog show dancing “Best of Show” features on earth And posing with their derrière Next thing I knew Purebred or Mutt There’s every size and shape I was wearing a crown All are God’s creatures! And they’re all pedigreed by birth” They were brushed, fluffed And a limo arrived Powdered and sprayed To take me downtown “Pedigreed by birth” The judges checked everything Meant nothing to me Including their private parts I’m I leaned back to enjoy I pondered aloud afraid! The way life is meant to be “What could that be?” Petit Fours, a driver and In the midst of my astonishment And a glass of bubbly! Mom was quick to tell me At dogs standing so regal What pedigreed is about I wondered into a ring I seized the moment It’s a purebred dog That was clearly marked “Beagle” To cruise my favorite places Whose parents have clout We drove by trees, hydrants “Take ‘em around” shouted And my friend’s familiar faces I couldn’t wait to feast my eyes The lady with gray hair On these elite specimens So off I went with my best version Life as top dog Would they wear Prada, Diamonds Of mixed-breed flair Sure has been fine And drive Mercedes Benz? It’a memory that will I posed, strutted and Forever be mine Once in the show hall Gave my 100-watt smile All I could do was stare “You” said the lady Houston PetTalk Magazine 05 Articles Puttin’ On The Dog! 30th Annual Reliant World Series of Dog Shows By: Michelle Mantor og enthusiasts will de- Conformation and Performance. Hounds and Terriers. the Reliant Park World Series of light in the spectacle of Conformation is based on how Performance events include Dog Shows is a great place for an D four-legged varieties as well an individual dog adheres agility, flyball and obedience. In ad- introduction to the sport. Canines the 30th Annual Reliant Park World to the overall appearance and dition to the competition in these jump, twist and fly through the air Series of Dog shows returns to physical standards for its breed sports, there will also be exhibi- for the dubious reward of catching Reliant Park, July 19-22. America’s a flying disc. Sometimes referred premier canine extravaganza is to as Aerial Dogs, Flying Dogs, one of the largest events of its Frisbee Dogs or Disc Dogs, this kind, with 12,000 dogs entered The Seven Groups in “athletic” sport is an exciting and and 40,000 visitors and partici- All-Breed Shows up-beat performance. The sport pants expected. is not restricted to pure-breds and This four day fun-filled, action- Sporting - These dogs were bred to hunt game birds both on land some of the best disc dogs in the packed, hand-clapping event is and in the water. The breeds in this group include Pointers, Retriev- country are shelter rescue dogs. a great way to learn more about ers, Setters and Spaniels. Another exhibition event that’s purebred dogs, a variety of dog HOUNDS - These breeds were bred for hunting other game by sight a must-see is the Canine Freestyle sports, pet care, local humane or scent.