 Animal Radio® Show #596 May 7, 2011
How Do They Know?
Rupert Sheldrake, Dogs That Know When Their Owners Are Coming Home
 We all have stories about our cats and dogs that were waiting at the door when we came home, and if not, we all know someone who had an animal like this.
This happens with cats as well as dogs and to some extent parrots and even the odd guinea pig or rabbit. It's not confined to dogs. But dogs do it most and they do it best.
Surveys were done in the United States as well as in England and it was found that about 50% of dog owners said that their dog anticipates the arrival of a member of the family.
In some cases, if it's just a minute or two before someone arrives, the dog could simply be hearing the crunch of tires on the gravel or footsteps or even the sound of the engine. If it is a routine time, it could be a routine response. But lots of people state that they come home at non-routine times, are dropped off by friends in unfamiliar vehicles and even use public transportation, and their dogs still know they are coming.
Rupert was able to find cases where dogs knew at least 10 minutes in advance when their guardian was coming home. They were able to test this by experimenting with the guardian leaving home by at least by 5 miles. The place where the dog waits was being filmed, so it was known exactly when the dog went to the door. The people arrived home at random times and in different taxis so the dog would not get familiar with the same taxi sound. No one at the house knew when they were coming. The dogs went to the door over and over again just before the person arrived.
 In Rupert's new book, Dogs That Know, you will find stories like Jaytee, a mixed-breed terrier living in Northern England who correctly anticipated the return of his owner Pam 85 percent of the time during a yearlong experiment. Pam kept a log of her own travels including the varying and random times when she set off for home. Her parents kept a log of Jaytee’s activities including when he went to the French door to await his mistress. The match-up was remarkable.
There’s the tale of a cat named Sami living in Washington, D.C., who waits by the door about 10 minutes before either his owner Jeanne or her boyfriend arrives home at Jeanne’s high-rise apartment at widely varying and unexpected times. How did Sami or Jaytee or the other critters in the book know their owners had set out for home and would soon arrive -- when the people at home did not know?
So just how do they know? All the normal senses have been ruled out like smell, sight, routines, etc. So what's left is telepathy. They do seem to be picking up the owner's intention to come home. It's the intention they are responding to. In the most sensitive dogs, they start waiting not when the person got into the taxi, but when they called for the taxi. It was when they decided to go home that the dog responded. This has nothing to do with smells or car sounds, they are responding to the person's intention.
It seems like dogs know what we are thinking, but it is probably more like they only know when it concerns themselves. It helps to have a close bond with your pet to enable them to do this, but they must also be interested in what you are doing.
http://www.dogsthatknow.com
Paw-Parazzi Pet Photo Contest
Steve Pinetti, Kimpton
 At Kimpton, they love pets so much that they have set out to find the cutest and most photogenic pet out there by kicking off the Kimpton Hotels Paw-Parazzi Contest.
Anyone can upload a pet photo to their site. Every two weeks, the five photos with the most “Like” votes will win pet-tacular prizes from their partners such as Olive Green Dog, Polka Dog Bakery, and Republic of Paws. The contest runs for three months through May 31, 2011.
On June 1, 2011, judges from Animal Radio will select the Grand Prize photo from the 30 bi-weekly winners for the "Ultimate hosPETality  Getaway" which includes:
- A two night stay at a Kimpton Hotel of the winner's choice
- Two round trip tickets on JetBlue for human passengers
- $500 credit for the photogenic pet on Pet Airways, a pet only airline
- One $100 Kimpton Restaurant or in-room dining gift certificate
- One in-room spa treatment for two
- An Amelia Collection Carrier by Sherpa Pet Carrier
- Use of pet amenities such as a dog bed, bowl, and treats
Anyone may enter by logging onto kimptonhotels.com to upload a photo of his or her pet.
What are you waiting for!
Dodge Journey Pet Destinations
What Is Your Favorite Place To Take Your Pet?
People who have pets love to travel with them. At Dodge, they have made it easier with their pet friendly vehicle, the Dodge Journey, which contains concealed storage bins, Chill Zone glove box cooler and second-row dual in-floor storage bins with removable and washable liners (very handy for muddy paws!) Call us with your favorite place to take your furry-friend: 1-866-405-8405.
This week's Dodge Journey Pet Destination:
 Dave of Michigan likes to take his two dogs to an island that is in the delta area of Lake St. Clair, called Gull Island, in Michigan. Gull Island is a tiny island that was made from dredging one of the channels. It is an uninhabited island without any authorities. You can just beach your boat on island, which is about 500 feet around, where you will find many trees and a nice sandy beach. The water around the island is deep enough so that the dogs can jump off the back of the boat and swim around. You can even camp on the island.
To view Past Dodge Journey Pet Destinations, click here.
Tropiclean Best Smile Contest
  Your pet could be a winner! Share a photo of your smiling dog or cat and tell everyone why your pet has "TropiClean's Best Smile." You could win a $1,500 contribution to your favorite animal shelter plus a $500 VISA gift card and more for yourself – and there are new prize drawings every month! All entries must be submitted by June 30, 2011 to be eligible for the Grand Prize!
To submit a photo of your pet, visit www.TropiCleanBestSmile.com and create an account. Once registered, log in to upload your favorite photo of your smiling pet. Don't forget to let us know why your pet has TropiClean's Best Smile too! Got more than one pet to show off its smile? Go ahead and upload their picture too.
The Dogfather's Grooming Tip with Joey Villani
Don't Shave Your Shedding Dog
The warm weather is finally here and there are many of you that have those double-coated dogs like Huskies, Chows, etc., that shed like mad about this time of year in your house.
Most people think that it is now time to cut them down short for the summer. THIS IS THE WORST THING YOU CAN DO!!!! It is extremely horrible for the pet!
Nature has it's own way of letting the heat out of the coat. Before dogs were totally domesticated, when dogs were working dogs, they would run through the brush, which was like a de-shedding tool. This would almost de-shed the dog naturally.
Now, because most of our dogs aren't working dogs, we need to help this summer shedding along. Brushing and combing is a major part of this. By doing this, the right coat will come out. These dogs have two types of coat, an undercoat that is cottony and a topcoat, which is flat.
 The topcoat protects the undercoat, sort of like weatherproof. Picture the outer case on a pillow. This keeps the inside in place and clean. This is what your dog's coat does. But when you cut your dog's coat away, the hot air will no longer come out the way it should or the cold air come in. This completely changes what nature gave our pets to keep them cool in the summer and warm in the winter. By cutting your dog's coat, you can damage it forever.
For people who don't have double coated haired dogs like Malteses, ShihTzus, the dogs with the long flowing coats, you might also be thinking about cutting these coats down as well. You have to remember when doing this, is that your dog will sunburn as bad or worse than you.
There are many sun blocking products made just for pets. If you can't find products made specifically for pets, find something that you can use on a baby.
If you follow these tips, you are going to have a dog that is going to have as much fun in the sun as you will!
 DOGFATHER'S GROOMING TIP Brought To You By SeniorPetProducts.com. Use the code "SAVE25" to receive 25% off!
Animal Radio® News with Stacey Cohen
Chicks Can Make Kids Sick
If you let your child play with a baby chick or duckling, make sure they thoroughly wash their hands afterward. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, these young birds can spread salmonella. Kids can become infected by touching their dirty hands to their mouth and suffer serious diarrhea, vomiting and fever.
Duck For Cover From Diving Birds
Customers of a Florida bank are ducking for cover after several birds protecting their nests have been diving at people's heads. Just before the City National Bank closes for the day, at a time when foot traffic is at its highest, they attack. "I'm in shock. I'm in total shock," said Abby Ortiz, who was out of breath and shaking after running to her car. Like a well-organized street gang, the flock of angry birds has claimed the bank's parking lot. "I just got attacked by birds and didn't even know what to do," said Ortiz, whose bird encounter was caught on a local TV station's camera. One bird hit Ortiz in the head while four others swarmed around her. Those who frequent the area have come to recognize one chatty mockingbird as the lookout and a grackle as the leader of the aggressive flock. When their call goes out people, who have seen them in action, recommend that you duck. The situation calls to mind Alfred Hitchcock's classic film "The Birds," in which thousands of birds wreak havoc on a small town. But as visitors to the Hallandale Beach bank know all too well, sometimes life imitates art. "If you look over there, you'll see all the pieces torn up," said bank manager and bird enthusiast Armen Lovenvirth. Lovenvirth explained that the birds are indeed protecting something: their babies. Every year, spring grackles and mockingbirds nest in the rafters of the bank. "In the last three or four years, this has become the spot for nesting," Lovenvirth said. Lovenvirth said the birds should become less aggressive in the coming weeks as their babies mature. In the meantime, he hopes their attacks don't chase away too much business.
 Singing Dog Attracts Customers To Pet Shop
A dog with a unique talent is helping to increase business at a pet shop in China. The shop's owner tells the U.K.'s Orange news that his singing Samoyed named Prince is helping to attract customers. The owner says he first discovered Prince could sing one morning when he was awakened by the dog hitting a few notes. The owner goes on to say that Prince loves music with "a high beat, and strong rhythm," noting that he's not a big fan of love songs. The owner adds that while Prince may be popular, he won't sell him "no matter what the price is."
Stop Your Dog From Spraying You after A Bath
Does your dog love to shake water all over you when he gets out of his bath? Hold his nose for a few seconds and you can stop the dog shower!
 Gold Fish Races Cancelled
The weekly gold fish races at a Tacoma bar are canceled after it received complaints from animal rights activists. Every Tuesday night the Harmon Tap Room would feature races in which cheap feeder fish from a pet store were "raced" down two 8-foot troughs. Racers guided the fish with squirt bottles. Bartender Joel Cummings said the fish were cared for when they weren't racing, but occasionally they would pass away. After complaints by phone and email, the Harmon Tap Room replaced goldfish racing with beer pong.
 Branson Modern Day Noah
Billionaire Richard Branson says he wants to use one of his private Caribbean islands to help save an endangered species of African primate. The British entrepreneur plans to introduce lemurs to the undeveloped Moskito Island in the British Virgin Islands. Branson said that he hopes to create a thriving population to help make up for the loss of their native habitat on the island of Madagascar. Branson said that he hopes to bring the first group of about 30 from zoos in the coming weeks. He calls it a radical idea and says he will try to address concerns of critics who fear the plan will hurt native lizard and bird populations.
Jellyfish Hold The Secret To Longevity
"Some animals and plants that reproduce asexually, can in principle achieve essentially eternal life," according to a University of Gothenburg press release. Scientists at the university are studying such species to find out how they avoid aging. So far, one chemical appears to be key: telomerase. This is an enzyme that protects DNA. It is more active in the longest-lived people, so its benefits likely extend throughout the animal kingdom. The animals that can possibly achieve immortality under ideal conditions, such as sea squirts, certain corals, Hydra, and T (the immortal jellyfish), often activate telomerase. Out of the animal immortality A-list, sea squirts and starfish have genes that most closely resemble those of humans. Scientists are therefore rushing to study such species, which may hold the secrets of increasing our own longevity.
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