"What My Dog Does When I Leave"
Mike (Holmes) The Intern

If you are like most people with animals, you say goodbye to them every morning when you leave for work. But do you ever stop to think about what they actually do all day? You probably think that your pet just lies around all day waiting for you to come home. Mike Holmes is a Springfield, Missouri radio host and he also thought his dog just slept all day while waiting for his return.

But during "The Perfect Storm" when it was Mike's birthday and his buddy came over to take him out to lunch, his buddy happened to bring a GoPro Camera that he had just acquired. Mike was also getting one, but his hadn't yet arrived. They had planned to use it to record a concert that they were going to later that night. But at first they need to kill the battery. Mike then had the bright idea to put it on his dog Guinness' collar (yes, he is named after the beer) to see what happens.

Mike was shocked and heartbroken after watching the video of Guinness being left alone for just an hour. During the first couple of minutes, you can see Guinness getting antsy. Next, he jumped on the bed and started howling and crying.

Guinness, a Goldendoodle, just turned six in December and Mike had never heard him howl like that in his six years. He has heard him whine on occasion, but nothing like this gut wrenching howl, which broke Mike's heart.

The good thing is that this appears to be an isolated incident and not common for Guinness. Mike believes the reason he acted that way was because of his friend. Normally when his friend comes over, nine times out of ten Guinness goes with them, as Mike takes him everywhere. Mike feels Guinness just assumed he was going to go with them and then had this reaction.

Mike has since tried the camera on Guinness on other occasions. Sometimes Guinness will play with his bone, just lie on the couch, or sleep on Mike's bed and take a nap.

Mike has decided that after all of this, he is going to adopt another dog as a companion for Guinness. He is even considering another videotape of the two of them when the time comes. Mike advises other pet owners that if they are going to be gone for long periods of time, they shouldn't leave their pet home alone all day, even if they are well behaved.

Mike has posted his video online, which has over 15 million views.





Practical Uses For Muzzles
Dr. Roger Mugford, Company of Animals

Company of Animals' Dr. Roger Mugford joins us from "across the pond" to explain why Europeans embrace the muzzle more than U.S. pet owners. Perhaps it's time to change the way we think about these tools.

Muzzles actually allow dogs to have a second chance. The Baskerville Ultra Muzzle has been created to allow dogs to meet other dogs, to meet people, to receive treats while wearing the muzzle, and to pant and drink and lead a pretty normal life, but they can't bite.

"Anyone who is uncertain about their dog's response to an unusual or stressful situation should be thinking about using a muzzle," Dr. Mugford said. Muzzles are frequently used in all sorts of situations - such as controlling excitable animal during a vet visit, when meeting new dogs, or during busy events and gatherings. They are also great for dog walking, especially you have a dog that eats everything in his path, including poop! They can also stop a dog from harmful self-licking. Muzzles naturally help you to be a more responsible, in control, pet owner.

Surprisingly, the Baskerville Ultra Muzzle is comfortable for your pet. It can be shaped to fit your dog by warming in hot water then cooling in cold to create a broad muzzle for a boxer or a narrow muzzle for a Borzoi. It also has a more flexible fit for dogs with wider noses.

Muzzles that are currently used in the United States are basically something that looks like a sock with the toes cut off. It is then placed around the snout of a fog. The bad thing about these is that the dog can't open his mouth; therefore he cannot pant or eat, which doesn't allow him to cool himself causing overheating, which can be very dangerous. Dr. Mugford feels they should be banned altogether, or just used for the very shortest of examinations, and you should never allow a dog to run around with one of these on. However, you don't need to worry about this with the Baskerville Ultra Muzzle, which allows your dog to pretty much do everything he normally does with comfort, except bite and eat things you don't want him to.

Dr. Mugford offers tips and advice on getting your dog used to the Baskerville Ultra Muzzle. When first introducing the muzzle, place food in your hand and allow the dog to eat through the muzzle - to encourage him to voluntarily put his nose into the muzzle. Continue to do this until he is happy, at which point you can then secure the back strap, which should be sufficiently tight to prevent the dog from removing it.

It is useful to pre-locate the holes in the webbing strap to ensure it is easier to fit when on the dog. When fitted, there should be about one-tenth of an inch between the end of the dog's nose and the end of the muzzle. If you do not need to use the top strap, it can be removed.

Dr. Mugford doesn't just talk the talk, he walks the walk. He actually tested the Baskerville Ultra Muzzle on extremely aggressive dogs. He put himself out there with dogs that wanted to tear into him. But while they were wearing the Baskerville Muzzle, he was perfectly safe.

"Muzzles have done more to protect owners and their dogs than legislation," states Dr. Mugford. With tougher laws surrounding antisocial dog behavior coming into force, dog owners might find themselves worried what the changes could mean for them. The legal changes mean a possible prison sentence for owners of dogs that kill, as well as for people whose animals attack a person in a home or private property, or attack assistance animals such as guide dogs.

http://www.companyofanimals.us

"HERO PEOPLE OF THE WEEK" - Candace Bright - Size Does Matter

This week's Zeuterin Hero Person rescues large breed dogs. These are often the last at the shelter and have nowhere to go. Candace Bright devotes a lot of time and her paycheck from waitressing to make sure these big dogs are taken care of.

Rescue is Candace Bright's passion and a very large part of her life. She started Gentle Giants in 2002 and to date, they've rescued and placed over 750 dogs in foster or forever homes nationwide!

While Candace loves all animals, she has a special place in her heart for the giant breeds.

Giant breed dogs are wonderful, loving and loyal pets, but are frequently misunderstood and it can be hard to find them that special forever home, according to Candace. Their size can be intimidating and many times they're labeled aggressive for no other reason. Candace has spent her life with giant breed dogs and wanted to focus on helping these true 'gentle giants' when she started this rescue.

Gentle Giants Rescue is a small, all volunteer non profit, charitable 501(c)(3) organization specializing in senior, disabled, handicapped, ill, neglected, unwanted and otherwise hard to place giant breed dogs. This includes Bernese Mountain Dogs, Great Danes, Great Pyrenees, Irish Wolfhounds, Komondors, English and Tibetan Mastiffs, Newfoundlands and Saint Bernards. Gentle Giants Rescue is the last hope for many of them. Several dogs have come to them from high kill shelters, where giant breeds have a shorter window than most to find a rescue or forever home.

While Candace doesn't currently have a facility to house these animals, her dream is to open a sanctuary. She doesn't want any kennels, concrete or steel. Her dream sanctuary would look something like mini-condos in a refurbished barn.

Since Candace currently has no facilities for these animals, she relies on her three volunteers to help find foster homes for these large dogs. She also works with Wheels for Paws transport whens she needs to relocate an animal.

Taking care of these large animals can be costly. Candace is currently waitressing part-time, and all of the money she earns goes to her rescue organization.

The Gentle Giants Rescue does have available dogs for adoption, but they don't list their dogs on PetFinders, as they work very hard to pair the right dog with the right family for a forever adoption! They also don't charge set adoption fees, but do ask for a donation in an amount you can afford to help them save more dogs.

Candace is also very outspoken about animals offered for free on Craigslist and works tirelessly to have these posts removed as part of the of the never ending battle on animal abuse.

If you are interested in becoming a foster family or in adopting one of their wonderful 'giant babies,' Candace encourages you to fill out their foster/adoption application. They foster and adopt dogs nationwide.

Gentle Giants Rescue is located in Wayne, NJ and are not affiliated in any way with Gentle Giants of California.

http://www.GentleGiantsInc.org

Thinking Globally. Acting Locally. Do you know someone that should be nominated for our Hero Person of the Week? Send us an email to: YourVoice@AnimalRadio.com.

Animal Radio's HERO PEOPLE is brought to you by Zeuterin a safe, permanent and virtually painless alternative to surgical castration.

The Deadly Spill - Pet Antifreeze Toxicity - Dr. Debbie

Chilly winter weather means pet owner must be on the lookout for special health risks. An unfortunately common cold weather emergency is antifreeze poisoning. Just a small spill of this essential car fluid can be fatal for pets. So whether you have a dog, cat or are currently pet less but own a car - this toxicity is one you need to be aware of to keep animals safe.

Antifreeze Toxicity in Pets

Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, a compound that is used in automobiles to cool engines, and is resistant to freezing temperatures. Ethylene glycol is highly toxic to household pets - just a small quantity causes illness and death. Additionally, antifreeze has a sweet taste that animals find appealing and are apt to drink. Pets that ingest antifreeze rapidly develop neurologic symptoms and kidney failure. Small amounts of antifreeze can prove fatal for pets. Just a teaspoon can prove toxic for a cat or small dog, while several tablespoons are toxic for a larger dog.

Ethylene glycol is also found in some lesser known places but still poses the same toxic risk. It is used in winterizing fluids for toilets in vacation homes and RV's. Ethylene glycol is also found in home solar units, break fluids and within portable basketball goalpost bases.

What are the symptoms of antifreeze toxicity?

Initial symptoms occur within 30 minutes to 12 hours after ingestion and include increased thirst, increased urination, depression, uncoordination and seizures. Some pet owners describe their pet acting "drunk."

Later symptoms occur 12-72 hours after ingestion and may include severe lethargy, difficulty breathing, mouth ulcers, vomiting and coma.

How is antifreeze poisoning diagnosed and treated?

Your veterinarian will perform blood work, urine tests and may perform a specific test for the presence of ethylene glycol.

Suspect cases, even if unproven, are aggressively treated with intravenous fluids. Intravenous antidotes are given to bind the toxin, and anti-seizure medication is administered if needed.

Once kidney failure has set in, the prognosis is unfortunately grim for survival.

How to prevent accidental antifreeze poisoning?

Pet owners should recognize what an antifreeze spill looks like. Look for puddles of this fluid in parking lots, driveways and streets and keep your pets far away. The color of antifreeze may be green, pink, yellow, red, blue or orange. Report antifreeze spills to neighbors and businesses. One time I made a fuss at a pet-friendly coffee bar when I noted an antifreeze puddle smack dab in the path of dogs. Speak up - the life you save could be your own pet.

Don't allow your pets to roam. Outdoor cats and dogs that are permitted to wander are at risk for encountering antifreeze spills. How can you prevent a toxicity when you can't monitor your pet's behavior or whereabouts?

Keep your car and garage safe. Immediately clean up any antifreeze spills and safely secure bottles of antifreeze away from pets and children. Keep up regular automotive maintenance to ensure no antifreeze leaks.

Switch to less toxic antifreeze. While no antifreeze is completely safe, look for antifreeze that contains propylene glycol in place of ethylene glycol. This compound is a safer choice, but still can pose a toxic risk if ingested in larger quantities. Some antifreeze products have a bittering agent included to deter animals and children from ingesting it. But according to the ASPCA, there isn't any published data proving that adding a bittering agent helps to prevent ingestion. Any antifreeze should be considered potentially toxic and handled with appropriate caution.

What to do if your pet ingests antifreeze?

Time is of the essence - seek prompt treatment at your veterinarian or emergency hospital for the best chance of survival. Don't wait until serious symptoms arise, because once advanced kidney failure develops, the prognosis is poor.

For more information about pet toxicities visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control website.

Featured veterinarian known as "Dr. Debbie" on national pet radio program, Animal Radio. Ebook author of "Yorkshire Terriers: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend"; "Pugs: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend"; "Mini Schnauzers: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend"; and "Shih Tzu: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend."

http://www.drdebbie

It's a Wacky Wednesday Here at the Animal Radio® Studios

WackyWed Contest IS ON - LIKE your FAVORITE pic and the three pics with the most LIKES & SHARES are this week's winner will receive online training courses from Wagfield Academy.

TO ENTER Send us your FUNNY pet pic to WackyWed@AnimalRadio.com - (Please put WACKYWED in the subject line & give us your pet's name, your name & where you hail from) If YOUR pic is chosen then spread the word to your friends & family on Wednesday - the pics w/the most LIKES and SHARES will be the winner!

This week we are giving away 6 months of online training courses from Wagfield Academy. You will be able to chose from three different courses. There is the Puppy 101 All The Basics; Training Top Up; and Rescue Refresher.

Wagfield Academy - The Premier Site for Dog Training. Online-based courses will have your pup trained in no time, all from the comfort of your own home!

Join Animal Radio® on Facebook for Wacky Wednesday! Win great prizes every week for your wacky pet pictures. Last month we gave out goodies from PetKeeper Secrets, Bergan, Central Garden and more. Visit us on Facebook now.

Animal Radio® News with Tammy Trujillo

A Prescription To Get A Pet?
One day doctors might actually write you a prescription for a pet and your insurance might even cover it! It could happen, as there's more and more proof that animals can be beneficial to our health. Most of the studies done involve dogs, as they're best known as therapy animals and it's been proven that interacting with dogs can lower blood pressure and reduce stress hormones. Cats can also be therapeutic as well, especially when dealing with the heart. A study done over 20 years found that both past and current cat guardians were significantly more likely to survive a heart attack than people who had never taken care of a cat.

Lawsuit Over Dog Killed After Exposure To Ebola
You may remember Ex-Caliber; he was the dog who was killed in Spain after his guardian Teresa Romero came down with Ebola. While she was in the hospital, health authorities euthanized Ex-Caliber, despite pleas from her husband and thousand of signatures on an online petition to save him. The family has now adopted another dog, an American Stafford Terrier. They named her Alma, which is Spanish for soul. The family is not forgetting Ex-Caliber in any way. They have sued for compensation for the loss of the dog they said was like a child to them. In adopting Alma, they say they wanted the world to realize that there are many abandoned animals that need a new home.

Cat Claws Way Out of Grave
A cat named Bart in Tampa, Florida can only be called a miracle cat. Bart got hit by a car and his guardian thought he was dead, so he buried him. As unbelievable as it sounds, five days later Bart showed up in the neighbor's yard. Bart had dug his way out of the grave and slowly made it back as close to home as he could. Bart was weak and dehydrated and needing medical attention for the injuries he received when he was hit. The owner couldn't afford fix his jaw and remove a damaged eye, so the local Humane Society is taking care of him. They say this courageous black and white cat will recover and hopefully find a new and wonderful home.

Super Bowl Ad You Didn't See
Lots of people watched the Super Bowl for the commercials, but this year, there was one you didn't get to see. It was GoDaddy's spot called Journey Home. It leaked out about a week before the game. People were so outraged, and made that outrage known on social media, that Go Daddy pulled the spot. The commercial started with a Golden Retriever puppy getting bounced out of the back of a truck. He then manages to dodge several dangerous situations and makes it home, where he runs joyfully to a woman who scoops him up and then tells him he has been sold online through a site she made on GoDaddy. The final scene is of the puppy leaving in a delivery ban. People saw how wrong it was on so many levels, from the adorable puppy being nothing more than a commodity, to him riding loose in the bed of the truck, to promoting puppy mills. GoDaddy not only pulled the spot but also launched into spin control, saying that Buddy, the puppy, came from a reputable and loving breeder in California is now part of the GoDaddy family as their new Chief Companion Officer and he lives permanently with one of the company's longtime employees.

New York May Be First State To Ban Declawing
New York could become the first state in the nation to ban declawing cats and all types of felines. Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal introduced bill A-1297. It would ban declawing except where the procedure is medically necessary in order to treat an underlying condition. She's adamant about declawing for the sake of human convenience and to save the furniture. As we now realize, it's not just removing the claw, but actually removing the entire first joint of the cat's toe. On a person it would be like removing the entire first joint on the fingers. Last summer, the American Veterinary Medical Association amended its policy about declawing to clarify that it is a major surgery, also describing it as an amputation, but it stopped short of advising against having it done, saying only that it should be used as a last resort to stop destructive behavior. And there are plenty of other things to try like scratching posts and nail trimming to deterrents like Sticky Paws or using plastic nail caps like Soft Paws.

Animals Never Cease To Amaze
In Seattle, riding the bus has become a lot more fun because the human passengers share the bus with a 2-year-old black Labrador mix named Eclipse. This dog has figured out how to ride the bus alone to the dog park. The dog's guardian, Jeff Young, says that Eclipse just started getting on the bus herself if he hadn't finished his cigarette when it arrived. She also knows what stop to get off on. Jeff says he just catches up with her at the dog park. Sometimes she even goes without him. Metro Transit says Eclipse should really be on a leash and with Jeff, but they say dogs are allowed to ride buses at the discretion of the driver, provided the animal isn't a hazard and doesn't create a disturbance. While this sounds amazing, Eclipse isn't the only dog taking advantage of public transportation. Stray dogs in Moscow, Russia, have learned to commute in and out of the city from the suburbs by riding the subway, even watching out for other dogs to make sure they exit at the correct stop.

NEWS UPDATE brought to you by Drs. Foster & Smith, affordable pet supplies. Low prices every day, so you save on every order.

Listen to the entire Podcast of this show (#793)