Cricket’s makeover was revealed at the dog show on Saturday, July 21 in hopes of finding her a forever home. Goal accomplished! Cricket was adopted the following day from CAP’s shelter. She went to a home with two other dogs, a 16-year-old Maltie-poo and a 7-year-old Schnauzer, and her new mom spends all day with her. Congratulations Cricket!

Thanks again to CAP, Pup Scouts and Edna Johnson for helping Cricket find her new home.

All dogs must be at least 6 months, on a leash and have proof of rabies vaccination.  Registration will occur on-site and pet owner will also need to fill out a release form.  There will be a sign-up sheet for screen test time slots. We recommend coming within the first 30 minutes of the event to sign-up for a time. Dog costumes not recommended. We want to capture your dogs beauty in its natural state!

Photography services provided by LTL Photography

2013 “It Dog” Screen Test

Sunday, July 22

Reliant Center

1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Hall B (room) 

Do not be fooled by his cuteness and toy-like body; this Pekingese is a serious and competitive pup especially with a name like “GCH Palacegarden Malachy!” He beat out the likes of a Dalmatian, German Shepherd, Irish Setter, a Kerry Blue Terrier and Wire-haired Dachshund at the 136^th Annual Westminster Dog Show and took home the title of Best in Show.

Malachy was also  the 2011 number one toy dog in the country and number two dog overall. He is described by his handler, David Fitzpatrick, as an extrovert in the ring. Although well-trained and pampered, this pup is always ready to let his hair down and have some fun chasing squirrels!

Don’t miss out the chance to meet and greet this four-legged, elegant champion and have a Q&A session with David Fitzpatrick at 10 a.m., 12 p.m. and 2 p.m on Saturday, July 21, and Sunday,
July 22!

As an added bonus to participating in the My Dog Can Do That! events, the American Kennel Club will offer participants a discounted registration in its AKC Canine Partners℠ program.  The program is for ALL dogs, including mixed-breeds, and allows them to list with AKC and compete in many events, including agility.  With the AKC Canine Partners listing, you also receive other perks including a lifetime enrollment in AKC CAR Pet Recovery Service and a complimentary 60-Day Trial AKC Pet Healthcare Plan. For more information on the AKC Canine Partners program, visit http://www.akc.org/mixedbreeds/ or check out the flier below.  Stay updated with Reliant Park World Series of Dog Shows news and information by following us on Facebook and Twitter @Reliantdogshows or signing up for our e-newsletter.

AKC Canine Partners Information

The doghouse challenge is a great team-building project and can be great advertising. Typical participants include girl scouts troops, 4-H members, corporations, designers, homebuilders and volunteers. CAP will auction off this year’s donated doghouses at the 8^th Annual “Best Little Doghouse in Texas” Designer Doghouse Competition held at the Reliant Park World Series of Dog Shows, July 18-22, 2012. These one-of-a-kind doghouses are sold through silent auction, which benefits homeless animals. These doghouse creations typically sell for $100 to $500 or more!

At the dog shows, attendees will get an inside look at the doghouses to then vote and/or bid on their favorite ones! CAP awards prizes and trophies in different categories and include People’s Choice, Kid’s Choice and Dixie’s Choice, awarded by a committee of CAP staff and volunteers in honor of the first CAP Ambassador Dog. The Reliant Park World Series of Dog Shows provides a great venue for CAP to publicize its mission. At its booth, CAP provides activities and projects for kids as well as information on its sheltered animals, many that are purebred dogs seeking a second chance to find forever homes.

“The dog show is a good place for people to come and see all the magnificent types of dogs and how they can enrich our lives as companion animals,” says Trisha Royal, Community Outreach Director for CAP. “We are happy to be part of such a grand event and adding to the dog show experience.”

If you would like to be a part of this unique program that benefits animals seeking loving and forever homes, click here or visit the CAP events page at http://www.cap4pets.org/news-events.

About CAP

Citizens for Animal Protection is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that provides shelter, adoption, foster care, rescue and other valuable services to animals in need in the Houston area. CAP also provides humane education and community outreach programs to encourage love and respect for all animals.

The crate drive will benefit all area senior evacuees, including those that are clients of Interfaith Ministries’ animal Meals on Wheels program.

In the fall of 2006, Congress passed the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act. The PETS Act ensures that state and local emergency preparedness plans address the needs of individuals with household pets and service animals following a major disaster or emergency. In order to board a state certified evacuation bus with his or her owners, each animal must have a crate, leash, and be up to date on all of his/her vaccinations. In addition, disaster shelters for pets require that each pet have an individual crate. If you would like to help our senior friends and their pets prepare for disaster, please donate a new or used crate.

CRATE DRIVE DROP-OFF LOCATION: Houston SPCA Booth at the Reliant Park World Series of Dog Shows

Hurricanes Rita and Katrina proved that animal issues during a disaster are people issues. By working together, we can save lives!

Special Pals is a small non-profit, which has been around for more than 30 years.  We offer a wide range of services for our furry friends, such as pet adoption, boarding, low-cost spay and neuter, and a wellness clinic.

Special Pals is an adoption center providing pound rescues with medical care and shelter without the threat of euthanasia. We also help unwanted animals find safe, loving homes. We show our commitment to reducing the pet population for future generations by providing discounted spay and neuter services, as well as low-cost vaccination clinics.  Boarding is also available at a competitive rate; the proceeds from these services go toward our animals still waiting to find a loving home.

For more information, visit www.specialpalsshelter.org or come by to see us – we’re open seven days a week. Special Pals may be small, but with our adoptions, boarding and clinic services, we do our part to make a big impact in the Houston and Katy areas. We are saving one life at a time and encouraging responsible pet ownership.

Click here to view the Synbiotics Corporation website.

For more information about the Pro Plan Performance Team, please call 1-888-688-PETS or send an email to  purinafarms@purina.nestle.com.

• Always ask before petting any dog. Whether the dog is competing or not, the owner or handler (person showing a dog) put a lot of time, energy and work into grooming the dog for the shows. Never go up and start petting a dog; always ask permission.
• Wait until handlers have completely finished showing before asking questions. Before an event, the handler or owner is focused on making sure his dog is prepared and groomed to compete before entering the ring. If the competitor wins a class, oftentimes he may have to go back in the ring to compete again. Waiting until after breed judging has closed is polite and will give the person more time to answer your questions.
• Turn off your cell phones, or put them on vibrate or silent mode. Loud ringtones and songs can be distracting, not only to any animal that can hear it, but also to a dog’s handler or owner who is extremely focused on doing well in the event in which he is competing.
• Stay away from ring entrances. During competitions, there is a steady flow of people and dogs in and out of the event ring, so be careful not to block any entrance to the ring or the flow of traffic in the aisle while waiting to ask a question, or watching the event.
• For your comfort, we also suggest you wear comfortable, low-heeled, rubber-soled shoes.

Glossary of Dog Show Terms

• Angulation — angles created by bones meeting at their given joints
• Baiting — the use of a treat to get the dog’s attention and have it look alert
• Bitch — term for a female dog
• Class — one of six categories in which dogs may be entered:
  • Puppy — dog aged six to 12 months
  • 12 to 18 Months — dog aged 12 to 18 months
  • Novice — has never won first place in any other class, or has won fewer than three ribbons in novice
  • Bred by Exhibitor — the exhibitor is also the dog’s breeder
  • American Bred — shows for dogs born in America with parents mated in the U.S.
• Open — any dog breed may compete
• Dog — term for male dogs
• Exhibitor — anyone involved in bringing a dog to a show and entering it to compete in an AKC event
• Soundness — refers to a dog’s mental and physical well-being
• Stacking — the process of posing the dog’s legs and body to create a pleasing profile during conformation judging