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​Paw Prints

A blog by the friendly folks at ​Midland Humane Coalition

KEEP PETS AWAY FROM TOXIC FOOD

9/30/2021

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Always be mindful of what you feed your pets.


Many seemingly innocent and even healthy human food can be harmful or even toxic for pets who process food components differently than us. 

​When your pet begs for a treat at the table -- say "NO" to those puppy dog eyes! 



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Sometimes we might think feeding our pets a little bit of what we are eating couldn't possibly harm them, but our meals may contain some ingredients that could have adverse effects if consumed by pets (like garlic or onion).  

Stick to food specifically designed for your pet to ensure their safety! Refrain from feeding your pet human food. It might be boring and your pet might not be as excited about it, but it is always better to err on the side of caution. 

If your pet accidentally ingests toxic food, please consult with your veterinarian as soon as possible. Your pet may or may not show any symptoms or signs of distress immediately but may be in danger nonetheless   -- like vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, blood in stool. 

If in doubt, give your vet a shout! 
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Finding the right Dog School for your pet

9/30/2021

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​As  kids get settled back in schools and start their learning routines, it may be time to consider teaching Fido a few new tricks.  

The slogan, “a mind is a terrible thing to waste,” can be applied to pets as well as people.



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​We all respond favorably to the ability to communicate. As pet owners, we can benefit from teaching our dogs to understand what we ask of them. 

If commands like “sit, stay, heel and come” make an evening walk in the neighborhood more pleasant for dog owners, it probably makes it more enjoyable for your dog, too. Plus, many unwanted behaviors like jumping on guests and separation anxiety may be improved with proper training techniques.

​Additionally, spending one-on-one time with your dog is a fun way to bond with your pet, socialize your new pup, get some exercise for the both of you and make new friends with people you already have something in common with—the love of an animal.


Unfortunately, according to the American Kennel Club, dog training is an unregulated industry. Anybody can print business cards and charge for his or her services, regardless of background, education, or experience. Therefore, it is essential to evaluate potential trainers before trusting them with your hard-earned money and your precious pet.

Don’t simply pick the closest training school. Do your research to determine if a potential trainer is the right fit for you and your dog.

Here are some tips on what to look for when choosing a class or trainer:
  • Speak with the trainer to get a feel for personality and people skills. It’s not enough to read the brochure or website. In truth, dog trainers teach people, and the dog’s owner trains the pet, so you need to feel comfortable being his or her student.
  • Just like you were selecting a school or day care for your child, get references from other dog owners and visit the class to see first-hand if the participants (human and canine) seen to be enjoying the experience. Like a school field trip, everyone should look forward to attending and to having a good time.
  • Certification with an organization like the Certification Council of Professional Dog Trainers is not mandatory for trainers, but it shows dedication to the profession and an interest in continuing education. 
  • If you have a special problem with your dog that needs attention, ask if the trainer offers private lessons to help you address that behavior. 

Once you have found the best school for your pet, be sure to maximize the experience by practicing all the methods you've learned. 

Do your homework to get off to a good start. Learn the trainer’s philosophy and methods. Dogs, like people, respond to praise and positive reinforcement. Those training techniques are based on the science of animal learning and have the bonus of strengthening the dog-owner bond and fostering a love of learning in dogs.

Looking to be “teacher’s pet?” Set a few minutes aside each day for you and your dog to practice what you learned in class. Repetition and practice are key to success.

Now, off to school and have fun!
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Shelia Huffman, Contributor/MHC Board 
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Shelia recently moved to the Greenwood community of Midland from Dallas where she was a staff writer for White Rock Lake Weekly and a columnist for Bubblelife Media.  A retired travel agent and event planner, she has  been an animal activist her entire life.  Shelia  has a daughter and son-in-law in Midland, a grandson in Dallas and a granddaughter at Texas Tech. She lists cooking and writing about food, and,  of course, playing with her Terrier Mix rescue, Penelope, as some of her favorite things.
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NOTES FROM THE ADOPTION CENTER: CHURRO

9/26/2021

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NOTES FROM THE ADOPTION CENTER is a blog series where we will be sharing some of our rescue stories and our day-to-day challenges & successes at the Midland Humane Coalition Adoption Center. ​​

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This is "Churro". Do you know this dog?

​A Greenwood ISD police officer brought him to MHC when he was found at the school playing with the kids all morning. Churro isn't microchipped and didn't have ID so the officer couldn’t find his home. And so he reached out to rescues for help. 

We quickly took Churro in and are still trying to find his owners. If owners do not show up, we will vet him and he will be available for adoption at a later date. 

​​We have learned Churro is deaf. Despite this, he is an adorable and gentle dog who loves being around people, playing and having a good time.

We are hoping for the best outcome for Churro -- whether he ends up back with owners or in a new home who will provide him with the care he needs. 

Stay tuned for updates! 

Vanessa Medina, MHC Executive Director 
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Midland Humane Coalition is honored to be a recipient of the  PetSmart Charities Adoption Preparation Grant for 2021.

With the help of this grant, we are able to prepare rescues for their new homes!  

Thank you, PetSmart Charities!

DONATIONS ARE ALWAYS APPRECIATED!  With rescue work, we never know what situations we will have to deal with each day. Having a steady flow of funds enables us to be ready for whatever challenges we may encounter as we help cats & dogs out of desperate situations.  Please donate here>>
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NOTES FROM THE ADOPTION CENTER: COCO

9/20/2021

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NOTES FROM THE ADOPTION CENTER is a blog series where we will be sharing some of our rescue stories and our day-to-day challenges & successes at the Midland Humane Coalition Adoption Center. ​

We had a crazy weekend at the Adoption Center. 

The highlight was that we had a sweet visit from Coco, who had been staying at a lovely foster home. 

​Unfortunately,  the visit was a  bittersweet one. 


 Coco was a dog adopted from MHC 9 years ago as a young puppy.

In September 2020, Coco found herself back at MHC as a 10.5 year old dog  surrendered by her owners. 
 
We took her in without hesitation, thinking we'd find her a new forever home very quickly.  

While she was at the Adoption Center, staff noticed a growth on Coco’s stomach. We took her to the vet to get it checked and found out that it was an aggressive growth that needed to be removed. 

During this check up, the vet also found that Coco has a cancerous tumor on her spleen. She had no symptoms. Unfortunately, this couldn't be removed surgically.

Despite this, our plans for Coco did not change. We wanted her to find a home where she can spend her last days with people who care about her -- not cooped up in a kennel. 

The stars aligned and a wonderful foster stepped up to make Coco's last wish come true -- have a home & a family to love. 

Knowing everything about Coco's background and condition, the foster wholeheartedly (and courageously) opened up their hearts and home to this sweet dog to willingly provide the necessary hospice care. They would make Coco comfortable and happy for as long as she needs. 

Coco stayed happily in foster care for half a year. We kept in touch to check in on her status throughout, making sure Coco had everything she needed and the foster had no issues. 

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The Brama family took Coco in and gave her all the love and care that she could ask for
BITTERSWEET VISIT 

We got to see Coco again on Saturday, but, unfortunately, this time it was to say our goodbyes.

​Coco fought with everything she had (she loved life with her fosters so much she didn't want to go), but it was time for her to get some much-needed rest. It was time for her to leave us.



Coco will be very much missed by everyone at MHC and especially by her loving  hospice fosters.

She got to be in such an amazing home the last few months of her life. We are all so thankful that Coco was so spoiled and finally got the home she deserved.

Coco  crossed the rainbow bridge on a peaceful Sunday at Legacy Animal Emergency Hospital. ​

Thank you to the Brama family for welcoming Coco into your home and making her last days bright and filled with love! 



FAREWELL, SWEET COCO
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COCO's journey with MHC 

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Midland Humane Coalition is honored to be a recipient of the  PetSmart Charities Adoption Preparation Grant for 2021.

With the help of this grant, we are able to prepare rescues for their new homes!  

Thank you, PetSmart Charities!

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Midland Humane Coalition is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to partner with the Midland Community to end euthanasia of and to find Furr-Ever Homes for healthy, adoptable Dogs and Cats.

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  • Home
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    • Blog
    • Hot Dog Run 2023 >
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    • Pawtrait Auction
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