< Previous10 COASTMONTHLY.COM | AuguST 2023 F amously quotable comedian and actor W.C. Fields once quipped: “Never work with children or animals.” Having once scrapped a Christmas cover shoot because the model, a Staffordshire bull terrier mix, shook his reindeer antlers off into Galveston Bay, we get what Fields was saying. We ended up ditching that Christmas concept and put- ting his owner on the cover instead. It would be years be- fore we attempted another dog cover. Then there was the wild turkey that was terrified after its first ride to the beach. We got the shot, although not quite the one we envisioned, for a November issue. As God is our witness, we thought everyone liked the beach. We truly didn’t intend to frighten the turkey, which, for its troubles, was pardoned from the dinner table that year. In 2015, we published our first Dog Days of Summer issue. It featured Bentley, a beautiful vizsla. But it was clear from the start the red-coated gun dog was better suited to pointing and retrieving rabbits and waterfowl than posing for photos. Vizlas are sporting dogs happiest with jobs to do, but modeling isn’t among their vocations. At least not Bentley’s, who was distracted by beach wildlife. We got the cover, and it was stunning, but not without expending considerable effort and patience. But this issue proved Fields and us wrong — at least about animals. It was our great pleasure to work with some of the most well-behaved and adorable dogs on the upper Texas coast. We set out to feature one photogenic dog with a personal- ity fitting of a coastal canine. Turns out, we had too many candidates. We fell in love with them all and decided to include as many as possible. And, we’d like to point out, their humans also were quite charming. We thank them and know you’ll enjoy the beautiful pho- tography and fun profiles of each coastal canine. Although they all won our hearts, Chica in par- ticular gave us a sense of mission. Chica, 9, is avail- able for adoption through the Galveston Island Hu- mane Society. We hope this issue not only celebrates coastal ca- nines, but inspires people to adopt pets like Chica, who deserve the safe, loving homes dogs in this issue enjoy. If you have that kind of home, please consider adopting a pet through one of the many hard-working animal rescue organizations and shelters on the upper Texas coast. For all of you who love taking your dogs outdoors and about town, we’ve got tips to help make it safer in the Texas heat. Heeding those tips can be the difference between a fun or fatal outing. We wish you a happy rest of the summer. LAURA ELDER Coast Monthly Editor FROM THE EDITOR NEVER SAY NEVER WHEN WORKING WITH ANIMALSIS YOUR HOME MISBEHAVING? Perform a Forensic Review Mold | Moisture | Warped flooring | High humidity | HVAC failures | Odd smells Indoor health concerns | Contaminates | Staining | Water damage | Comfort issues Swollen trim | Building defects | Bad workmanship | Poor design | Mysteries "We had moisture and construction issues that NO one could solve or address - but Toner Home Matters DID. After diagnosing our issue, we followed the "prescription" we needed. We would venture to say that Toner Home Matters SAVED our home." SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION WWW.TONERHOMEMATTERS.COM Actual Google Review Find out what's wrong, why it happens, and what to do about itStrand Brass. They have water and treats. Ross Grief Well Bondo’s — I’m his human by the way — favorite place this time of the year is anywhere with AC. My favorite place to take him is my body shop and he likes that, too. Tom Rice Texas Tails. Natalie Fox Maisel Starbucks puppy cup. Johnny Lisa Halili Our daughter’s pup loves the beach — when they visit! L.J. Makris Our love birds and two kitties love hanging at The Naked Mermaid on Postoffice. Wydell Dixon I was just searching for indoor dog-friendly restaurants. Tere French We walk to Kempner Park in the early evening and see how many night herons we can spot. Actually Cindy and I look for the birds. Goof prefers taking a census of the squirrels. Phil Newton André says, “Mom, it’s too hot to chase the ball.” Wanda Buttner My babies barely get out of the house in this heat. They love the beach in fall and spring but not this time of year. Ginny McDonald Alvin Dock Diving is a great place to cool off with your pups! Boba Gottlieb The 83rd Street dog park. We’ve made so many friends, furry and human. We adore getting our day started there. Puppies play and people chat and walk laps. It’s wonderful! Marcy Hanson Haha — mine enjoy anywhere the air-conditioning is. Becky Dundee George the African spurred desert tortoise loves the heat. He just chills in the sun munching on grass. Kathy Whatley The beach. Robert Darst Jack Brooks Park in Hitchcock! Best hikes ever. They both love it! Jeannie Janota Waterman’s has a dog menu and dog beer. Shawn Porche Pool. Kathy Whitaker Hey Mikey’s Ice Cream in Texas City. Dale Jackson Playful Pawz. Mary Ellen Arledge Restaurant dining. Laz Garza III My doodles like the beach! Nikki Harper Ashcraft My apartment complex has lots of trees and long walking paths so my pups are protected from sunny sidewalks and rainy days. They have snakes, big birds, very friendly squirrels and turtles laying eggs. We have seen five turtles this year. Jerry Luedecke Boating on Offatts Bayou. Pamela Gabriel I wish there was an indoor dog park! I have a very long-haired bor- der collie and he gets hot so easy. I wish there was a gym or a mall or someplace cool. The dog park is just too hot — for me, too! Donita Brannon Wagabonz. Dog bakery, supplies and grooming all in one spot. And locally owned. Scott Tripp Salty Dog for bath and grooming! The dogs love everyone there. Carly Suzanne 12 COASTMONTHLY.COM | AuGuST 2023 SHORELINES WE ASKED ON FACEBOOK: Where are your favorite places to take pets around here? PHOTO: COuRTESY SHAWN PORCHE Dogs are welcome at Waterman’s Restaurant in Galveston. The waterfront eatery even has a dog menu and dog beer.Leading Orthopedic Care to KEEP YOU MOVING Same-day appointments for injuries. Schedule an appointment: houstonmethodist.org/sportsmed . . Our sports medicine specialists can help keep your body in motion. At Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, we know every movement matters. Our board-certifi ed sports medicine specialists offer: • The latest imaging and technology • Advanced nonsurgical treatments • Minimally invasive procedures • State-of-the-art physical and occupational therapy Whether you’re suffering from simple aches and pains or dealing with a complex injury, we can get you back on your feet — and keep you moving. 20+ convenient locations across Greater Houston Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Houston Methodist Orthopedic Injury Clinic — offering same-day care 45 528 146 League City 96 Pasadena NASA PKWY. BAY AREA BLVD. CLEAR LAKE CITY BLVD. FAIRMONT PKWY. Clear LakeDOG DAYS OF SUMMER These coastal canines love beach days, floating in the pool and dining downtown COASTMONTHLY.COM | AuguST 2023 15 P eople know there’s something special about living on the upper Texas coast. And so do their pets. Whether they’re playing in the pool, splashing in the Gulf or bay or hanging with their parents at fashionable shops and restaurants, these coastal canines are living large. WINSTON MAXWELL Nicknames: Winnie, Bug Age: 2 Breed: All of them Parents’ names: Brian and Katherine Maxwell City: galveston How did you meet Winston? Winston adopted us at Christmas a couple years ago at the Galveston Island animal shelter. What’s his favorite coastal pas- time? Winston loves long walks on the beach and floating on his float in our pool. How do you and Winston beat the heat? The beach and laying belly up under the fan. What’s a funny memory involv- ing Winston? While celebrating his feline sister’s 15th birthday, Winston managed to get out of the yard, and because it was a special occasion, he was, of course, wearing his tuxedo. His uncle, who was coming to the party, saw him a block away and said, “Is that dog wearing a tuxedo? That has to be Winston!” What’s a talent/trick Winston has? He has a special look he can give you that makes him instantly adoptable! Is there a trick Winston has taught you? Mr. Winston has trained his mother and I by bringing us his food bowl when he is hungry. He will carry it to us when empty wherever we are at the house or yard. What’s his favorite toy? We pro- cured him a Bevo doll. Nothing more enjoyable than seeing your dog chew those horns off! What’s his favorite treat? Whatev- er we are eating! What special way do you spoil/ pamper Winston? Winston gets long walks twice a day and sleeps comfort- ably in our bed each night. He goes to the beauty shop (Wagabonz) once a week for his “spaw” day. If you could compare Winston to any celebrity or famous person, who would it be? Not necessarily famous, but my grandmother always wanted her family together. She never liked any of us to be apart. We swear she is reincarnated in Winston. He absolutely wants all of his humans together in one room, always! PHOTOS: STuART VILLANuEVA (Above) Brian Maxwell and his dog, Winston, sport matching outfits on the beach in Galveston. (Opposite) Winston loves cooling off on his paw-shaped float in the family pool. FEATURE16 COASTMONTHLY.COM | AuguST 2023 Golden retrievers Divi, left, and Ellie are 7-year-old sister litter mates. They love visiting Galveston’s beaches and pet-friendly restaurants with their owners Cathy and Lee Usry. PHOTOS: ST u ART VILLAN u EVA COASTMONTHLY.COM | AuguST 2023 17 FEATURE ELLIE AND DIVI Nicknames: We have several but usually call them by their respective names. Ages: They are 7-year-old sister litter mates. Breed: golden retriever Parents’ names: Lee and Cathy usry City: Pasadena but we love coming down to galveston. How did you meet Ellie and Divi? They are from Austin breeder Mia Neiman of Amica Goldens. What’s their favorite coastal pas- time? They love The Strand, especial- ly sitting in front of Tola Mo’ Bettah Market drawing attention or at Yaga’s begging for pizza crumbs. How do you and your dogs beat the heat? They swim at home, and we watch the temps closely before taking them out. What’s a funny memory involv- ing your dogs? We’ve had Ellie since she was a pup and adopted Divi last November. Ellie went from being the queen to sharing. She still gives us “the look” on occasion. What’s a talent/trick they have? Ellie is a Therapy Dogs International pet therapy dog and American Kennel Club trick dog. She can do eight to 10 tricks based on her willingness that day. She’s a bit of a diva. Divi just wants to be your buddy. Is there a trick they have taught you? Cathy volunteers two days a week with Ellie, and they do tricks for kids at both libraries and schools. What’s their favorite toy? They love to fetch. They also are passionate about chasing the remote-controlled truck. We’ve had to buy the expensive brands because Divi can and does try to trash them! What’s their favorite treat? We use Fromm dog treats as rewards. Goldens can have tender stomachs, and after having them for 40 years, we have learned. What special way do you spoil/ pamper them? They live, sleep and play inside. Outdoors finds them swimming or going somewhere. Our weekend dining is most often at pet-friendly restaurants. Galves- ton has several, and those are our favorites. If you could compare Ellie and Divi to any celebrity or famous person, who would it be? Divi is just a sweet girl that spent her first six years becoming an AKC Grand Champion. She’s her own personality. Ellie is a handful, akin to a celebrity with a long list of demands on their professional appearance riders and demands.18 COASTMONTHLY.COM | AuguST 2023 FEATURE SADIE JANE Nickname: J Crazy Age: 3 Breed: Basset hound Parent’s Name: Alison Christensen City: galveston How did you meet Sadie Jane? I saw her newborn puppy picture online and picked her up from the breeder eight weeks later. What’s her favorite coastal pas- time? Short — very short — walks on the beach. How do you and Sadie Jane beat the heat? We drink a lot of water. Sadie goes one step further and dips her ears in the water bowl. What’s a funny memory involv- ing Sadie? Riding on a golf cart with her ears flying in the breeze straight out from the sides of her head. What’s a talent/trick Sadie has? Sadie can fall asleep instantly on the bed and not move for hours. She also manages to rearrange the decorative pillows so that the small lumbar pil- low is under her chin. Is there a trick she has taught you? Do not disturb Sadie while she is asleep. What’s her favorite toy? A soft baby doll she’s had since she was a puppy — head and body are still intact. What’s her favorite treat? Gree- nies! And cheese, salmon, scrambled eggs, french fries ... . What special way do you spoil/ pamper Sadie? Once a week, Sadie Jane goes to doggy day care to play with friends. Once a month, she gets a paw-dicure at a local dog salon in town. Constant belly rubs when she’s awake. If you could compare Sadie to any celebrity or famous person, who would it be? Sherlock Holmes — Sadie is always on the hunt for clues that will lead her to treats, food and fun. COASTMONTHLY.COM | AuguST 2023 19 PHOTOS: ST u ART VILLAN u EVA Sadie Jane, a 3-year-old basset hound, romps through shallow water in her backyard pool in Galveston. (Opposite) When they’re not hanging out poolside, Sadie Jane and owner Alison Christensen go on short walks on the beach.Next >