AN INTERVIEW WITH Dr. Katie Eick, CEO & Founder of Rockin' Pets, Rollin' Vets & Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
What were your biggest challenges in 2020? Well, the onset of Covid would have to be our biggest challenge. Before we knew too much about how it was transmitted, we enacted mask mandates and changed the way we interacted with each other and our clients. We shortened our hours and paired off into groups of two so that if one group got sick or exposed, we would have other groups intact to be able to continue working.
<p><strong>How did you adjust and overcome obstacles?</strong> We kept a sense of humor and lightness, despite the grave circumstances of the pandemic. Thankfully, pets help with keeping spirits light! So that aspect of our work kept us going. </p><p><strong>What's the secret to staying hopeful and forward-looking in tough times? </strong>I will quote Mr. Rogers: "Look for the helpers." </p><p>We are a practice full of helpers. Everyone continued to show up, despite circumstances. Everyone performed their jobs with grace, dignity and determination. Witnessing this group of individuals going about their jobs with the level of dedication they have shown has been humbling and also makes me incredibly hopeful. Even in the face of a global pandemic, our staff came to work every day, happy to be there, ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work. These are the helpers, and I could not be prouder to have them on our team! </p><p>All I need to do to remain forward-looking is to see them hard at work every day. They make me believe that one day life will be back to the way we once knew it, and possibly be even better because we'll have gained a deeper sense of gratitude than we knew before.</p><p><strong>What did you learn about yourself, your business or your community that might inspire others? </strong>It was inspiring to me to see how people adopted animals in record numbers. Since they were home and had the time, people opened their homes and their hearts to homeless animals. This act alone reminds me of the goodness of humans and inspires me to be a better one. It also reminds me of the healing power of animals, and how their companionship can change everything for an individual. There were — and still are — many individuals who live alone, work remotely and remain relatively isolated from the community. Those who fit that criteria, but also had a companion pet, seem to have weathered the quarantine storm with less anxiety, isolation and hopelessness. </p><p><strong></strong></p><p><strong>What's new for 2021 that you're excited about? </strong>So much! Vaccines are rolling out so life is closer to getting back to normal. We are in a rapid expansion phase and have so much changing with our growth plans this year! We are excited to see where this year takes us and how many animals and people we get to help along the way.</p>
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Rothko Turns 50, and Other Cool Stuff This Weekend
Feb. 25, 2021
Photo @rothko_chapel on Instagram
LAST WEEK WAS brutal, Houston. Take this weekend as a chance to recharge with fab food, a livestream workout or some shopping. Here are our picks!
<p><strong>Revel in the Rothko Chapel's Reno</strong></p><p>The Rothko Chapel is finally back! After 18 months of renovation, the space is now open — just in time for its 50th anniversary! Tune in on Sunday at 2pm for a <a href="http://rothkochapel.org/experience/events/register/2134" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vimeo Livestream</a> of the Anniversary Interfaith Service & Community Celebration. The event is meat to "lift up the last 50 years of the Rothko Chapel's work and mission and strengthen its commitment to serve as a welcoming … sanctuary for all and a place to rally around the significant human rights issues of the day."</p>
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<p><strong>Shop (and Sip and Eat!) Local</strong><br/></p><p>Another weekend, another <a href="https://houmarkets.com" target="_blank">Houston Heights Market</a> — or three! On Saturday, find the outdoor shopping and farmers' market in Montrose from 10am-2pm, and on Sunday, support local artists, vendors and entrepreneurs from 10am-3pm at two different markets on White Oak.</p><p><strong>'Chili' Out at SpindleTap</strong></p><p>Missing the Rodeo this year? Get your chili-cookoff fix on Saturday at SpindleTap Brewery's fifth annual event. Put your recipe to the test by registering your team via <a href="mailto:info@spindletap.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">info@spindletap.com</a> — or if you're more of a taster, just make sure you come hungry! Setup for contestants begins at 8am, but the event won't start until 11am and will go until 3pm.</p><p><strong>Groove with Musiqa</strong></p><p>This weekend, <a href="https://musiqahouston.org/inside-out/" target="_blank">Musiqa</a> streams <em>Inside/Out</em>, created in collaboration with Open Dance Project. The piece is comprised of two short dance films, <em>Moving Pieces</em> and <em>Still We Tend</em>. This is the third collaboration between the two companies, and is sure to inspire creativity and display pure art in the form of movement. Streaming is available Saturday and Sunday, from 10am-10pm on the date of the ticket. Tickets are pay-what-you-can, with a suggested donation of $25.</p><div class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="104c01b048d517f692bbb577952b0e68" id="062d5"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CK4dqhego4_/" data-instgrm-version="4" style=" background:#FFF; border:0;
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</div></blockquote></div><p><strong>Buy Some #HoustonStrong Swag</strong><br/></p><p>After an already tough year, small businesses in Texas are banding together to give back to the community following last week's disastrous winter storm. <a href="https://www.houstoncitybook.com/houston-strong-ways-to-shop-small-and-give-back/" target="_blank">Scroll through</a> some of the feel-good gear and great goods you can score, all while benefiting recovery efforts.</p>
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AS WE SOON roll into March and reflect over the last 12 months, it's pretty tough to deny that it's been a full year of truly remarkable disruption. Starting at this time last year when the dreaded Corona virus made the scene, it has since left 500,000 Americans dead and millions sick.
<p>Unprecedented events seem to be breaking out left and right. Things that occur "once in a lifetime" seem to be piling up into "once in a year."</p><p>Political and racial divides managed to hit an all-time high, culminating in the domestic attack on our nation's capital. Fighting within and among countries seems to be daily news. Who knows what is causing this seemingly supernatural intolerance, leading to things like cancel culture, hatred and lack of grace and tolerance.</p><p>And then comes our most recent infliction. Seriously? The Arctic came to Texas!?</p><p>Is God angry? </p><p>This latest weather fiasco devastated our state. Although a tally of storm-related deaths isn't quite yet available, even <em>one</em> would be too many to justify. Yet despite our setbacks, I once again simply cannot get over the pliancy I have witnessed in my fellow Houstonians during a time of crisis. </p><p>The positive attitudes, despite the unparalleled circumstances people find themselves in, is remarkable. Last week, visions of family members wrapped up in ski parkas in their living rooms by candlelight making the most of an uncomfortable situation, are what stand out in my mind. </p><p>Friends heading out to the country determined to save their baby calves from freezing to death upon their birth; on the way, delivering sleeping bags to the homeless on the streets of Downtown. And the most unfathomable scenario of all — a family of six, old friends of ours — curled up in front of the fire in the living room at 4am who began to smell the smoke-filled house. They ran out just in time to save themselves from catastrophe! An ember had made its way into the walls of their River Oaks home and burned it down. But you know what? When I checked in with her, she was cheerful and hopeful and felt blessed because her family was safe, unscathed and alive. </p><p>God might be mad. Or He may be sending us opportunities to grow. I can't pretend to have a clue. But I can look into the hearts of my fellow neighbors, friends and family and remember why I love this town so much. It's certainly not for the weather, or the completely flat topography! It's the people and their attitudes that make it so great.</p><p>"Cynicism is the atrophy of your heart," as Liz Murray, known for <em>Homeless to Harvard</em>, believes. Houstonians, along with their big and flourishing hearts, manage to stay optimistic and positive — despite some of the most abysmal circumstances. This is part of what defines us as resilient Texans.</p><p>I don't know what God has in store for us next. But one thing I know for sure, we are becoming pros at navigating "unprecedented times." I have faith that tomorrow will come, and we will be stronger because of what it brings. </p>
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