Animal Radio® Show #492 May 9, 2009
Fido Friendly Travel Talk With Susan Sims
DOGSWELL Bow Wow Bailout
Susan speaks with Marco Giannini from DOGSWELL. He states it’s a tough economic time right now and DOGSWELL wants people to be able to keep their pets. As a result, they are giving away 10,000 bags of dry dog food to people who have either been laid off, have a pay cut, or other type of financial hardship.
Until May 15, DOGSWELL® will offer one free bag of dry dog food to the first 10,000 eligible people.
Please send the completed Bow-Wow Bailout Redemption Form to:
Email - bailout@dogswell.com
Fax - 877.730.7877
Mail - DOGSWELL®, Attn: Bow-Wow Bailout, 1964 Westwood Blvd. Ste. 350, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Because of the economic crisis, Americans are being ousted from their homes and, in many cases forced to give up their pets for adoption. The toll on pets is just as big as on people, and DOGSWELL® is doing its part to ensure that pooches aren't forgotten during these troubled economic times.
http://www.dogswell.com/bowwowbailout
Get Your Licks on Route 66 - National Adoption Tour
Fido Friendly Magazine and North Shore Animal League America are teaming up for a new and exciting national adoption tour.
In early June, this nostalgic pet adoption tour will kick-off in Santa Monica, CA, then a 40’ mobile adoption unit will travel the length of Route 66—through CA, AZ, NM, TX, OK, KS, MO, and IL—with a culmination event in Chicago, IL in early July. A wrap party in Grand Rapids, MI will follow the Tour.
The Get Your Licks on Route 66 Tour will raise awareness of shelter adoptions, promote its mission to save lives, and generate significant awareness of Sponsors—and their commitment to this mission.
With the support of North Shore Animal League America’s shelter partners, the Tour will make approximately 12 stops along the route.
Fido Friendly Magazine:
The Travel Magazine For You & Your Dog, a complete guide to Fido-friendly accommodations across the United States and Canada. "Fido Friendly is the only magazine dedicated to the travel lifestyle of man's best friend, and the one magazine your dog will thank you for." And don't forget to join the Fido Friendly Travel Club.
http://www.fidofriendlytravelclub.com
Beginner’s Agility
Pamela Spock – Affordable Agility
We once again check in with Pamela Spock, the President of Affordable Agility and a 10-year-veteran in agility training and research, to see how Ladybug is doing on her third week of training in agility. Both Ladybug and her trainer Judy were both new to the agility course. In a matter of minutes, the course was set up and Ladybug was on her way. She is a quick study and seemed to be able to pick this agility stuff up pretty fast! Judy isn't doing too bad herself!
We are working with Ladybug using the Agility-In-A-Bag, from Affordable Agility, which consists of 6 of the most popular agility obstacles, including:
Weave pole set
Adjustable jump
Adjustable tire jump
Pause box
Tunnel & Chute
Carrying bag
Colored vinyl tape
Instruction manual
Ladybug is doing well on the hurdle and the tire jump, but is having a little difficulty with the weave poles and the tunnel & chute. Come back every week to see how Ladybug’s Agility training is progressing and what great tips Pamela helps us out with to get Ladybug through this course!
Check out the comments that were made from viewers who watched the video of Judy’s training of Ladybug
http://www.affordableagility.com
Animal Minute With Britt Savage
Mom Sues When Kid Steps in Poop
A woman who took her family to visit the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, Connecticut, has filed a claim against the city because her one-year-old son stepped in dog feces outside the Maritime garage. Kelly DeBrocky seeks $100 to cover her son’s $54 shoes she bought at Stride Rite and $50 to cover the money she spent on the Aquarium.
Quoted in the Stanford Advocate, DeBrocky said, “The incident ruined the child’s shoes and the entire outing. I was just really steamed, I thought the whole thing was disgusting.” City Attorney and dog owner, M. Jeffry Spahr, denied the claim although he doesn’t deny the incident probably happened. He said he often has the same thing happen when he mows his grass, and he didn’t think it should have ruined the whole outing. The City’s official response: Poop Happens! He added that if anyone should be able to understand that, you’d think it would be the mother of a one-year-old!
Vladae,
The "World Famous" Russian Dog Wizard
Introducing New Dog Into Household
This guardian currently has two Yorkies (1 male; 1 female) and is adopting another one (female). She wants to know the best way to introduce the new dog into the household. Her two dogs like other dogs, but this new dog is coming from a puppy mill and is not socialized. Vladae suggests getting two crates for the current dogs. When the new dog comes in, the dogs will probably bark at her. Vladae tells him to make a startling sound and knock on the crate to make them stop. Then let the dogs sniff each other through the crate. When they seem okay with each other, take one of the dogs out of the crate and let them freely sniff each other. Then put that dog back in the crate and pull out the other dog and repeat.
Lack Of Structures And Discipline
All behavior problems are the result of lack of structures and lack of discipline. You can stop democracy by implementing three rules (that doggy mommas already know!):
Never give any commands you cannot enforce
Always enforce your commands
Never repeat yourself
Momma dogs have two expressions. They have the teeth to bite and the tongue to lick. And the puppy obeys for those reasons – one to get the lick and two to avoid the bite! By stopping democracy you can then start to meet the major needs of the dog, which are physical, mental and social.
Dog Won’t Pee Outside 
This 4-month old miniature Dachshund was originally trained on puppy pads and now won’t go outside. When let outside, he won’t go pee, but then comes back in the house and goes on the puppy pad. Vladae suggests putting the dog in a small crate and pull up the pads. Take him out every 30 minutes and tell him to “Go Potty.” If he does go outside, praise him and give him treats! A trick is to give him Pento water, which will make him have to go potty! If he won’t go, put him back in the crate and wait another 30 minutes. Don’t let him have food and water freely. Keep him on a schedule of food 2 times a day and water 3 times per day about 30 minutes after eating. Be sure to clean the area where the pads were thoroughly with Simple Solution and feed him in this area.
http://www.animalradio.com/vladae.html
Vinnie Penn, Animal Radio's Resident Party
Animal
Stella’s Piggy Bank
I cracked open my daughter’s piggy bank the other day, at her urging of course. The economy has not gotten the best of me, although it’s pretty damn close! She’d filled it up over the years, she’s six years old, and she was ready to spend the loot in it.
It got me to thinking. Why a pig? Who’s the person who came up with that years ago? Like, we are going to store all of this money, so let’s store it in a pig. I don’t really understand that. Why are we filling a pig? Does anyone know the legend behind why it is a piggy bank and why we’re sticking the coins in it’s back?
Do you know what is was like that morning, having bacon and eggs with my daughter. Explaining to her, because she asked me, why a pig? She’s the one who actually instigated this Party Animal segment. I’m just sitting there munching on bacon. I wonder if she even knows what we’re eating right now. I guess there were once nickels and pennies rolling around inside.
I don’t know why it is a pig. What else should it be? I don’t think an animal. Why don’t they just have little banks for children? Little plastic banks that you put your money in and it says, “Bank.” Blue ones for boys; pink ones for girls. Why a pig? Email me; I kind of really want to know!
Task Of Trying To Retrieve A Lost Animal
I just wanted to give a tip for those of you who are going through the unfortunate task of trying to recover a lost animal, a dog or a cat.
I saw a flyer in my neighborhood recently. I always check out the flyers, as everyone should, because you are always seeing animals in your neighborhood, and flyers are a great way to go, sort of an organic homegrown way to relocate the animal.
But some people who are missing a pet really have the wrong idea when it comes to what they should put on the flyer. This flyer said something like, “Please return Poochie to our house. We miss him so much and Poochie loves watching Survivor with us every Thursday night.” Well, am I supposed to go home and dress up like Jeff Probst now and walk up and down the street and hope that Poochie sees me? How is knowing what Poochie’s favorite television show is, going to help us find your dog?
Be a little smarter when it comes to the flyers, people!
Animal Radio® News with Bobbie Hill
21 Horses Accidentally Killed
The Associated Press is reporting that the 21 polo horses killed in Florida last month were all given the same supplement made by a local pharmacy and it may have been one ingredient that was incorrectly mixed which proved fatal. The French made supplement Biodyl, which has not been approved for use in the United States, containing four ingredients - vitamin B12, selenium, potassium and magnesium. A Florida veterinarian wrote a prescription for a pharmacy to create a compound similar to Biodyl that was given to the horses. The medication, which is legal in Venezuela, helps animals recover from exhaustion.
Free Spay/Neuter Vouches Reinstated
Following up on a story about Los Angelenos and their free spay neuter program. A few months ago the head of the L.A. Dept. of Animal Services, Ed Boks, cut the vouchers that provided the free service to low income pet owners. Boks said it was a way to save 150-thousand dollars but members of the City Council sided with residents and reinstated the program. Now comes word from the L.A. Times that the controversial head of the department, Ed Boks, has resigned.
Why birds Shouldn’t Smoke!
Yet another reason why birds should not smoke...a shop owner in Leasington England liked seeing the sparrows building nests in the stores eaves...that is until the shop caught fire. According to the insurance company, an investigation into the cause of the blaze that did 300-thousand dollars worth of damage showed it was caused by a lit cigarette in the bird’s nest. Apparently the little birds used not only twigs to build the nest but also cigarette butts - 35 to be exact.
Wrigley Field Attracts Cats!
Wrigley Field attracts cats - in a recent Cubs/Reds game at the Friendly Confines a frightened cat dashed across the field. A security guard managed to grab the cat by the tail and tossed it into the stands. Fortunately for the cat, a veterinarian was in the stands and took control of the feisty feline. According to the Chicago Tribune, the vet examined the cat who was in good condition and suffered no injury as a result of the “tail grabbing”. The vet plans to care for the kitty until its owners are found. A Cubs spokesman said its unclear how the cat got into the ballpark. Cats have crossed the path of the Chicago Cubs on more than one occasion. Most memorably back in 1969 during a game against the Mets a black cat sauntered past third baseman Ron Santo and gave him “the stink eye.” Then it stared down all the players in the Chicago dugout before slinking away - the Mets won the world series that year.
{p.s. a cat’s tail is not meant to hold their weight}
Millions Redirected from Dogs
Known as the Queen of Mean, the late Leona Helmsley left a fortune to animals. A stipulation in her will directed the majority of her estate - estimated at 5 to 8 billion dollars - go toward the care and welfare of dogs. However, there were also instructions for Helmsley’s trustees to use their discretion when dolling out the funds. Now comes word that the trustees plan to donate 136 million dollars to various charities - leaving one million for the dogs.
“Portie” Alerts Family of Fire
Portuguese water dogs are in the news not just in D.C. In San Diego one was named an honorary Fire Dog after alerting his owner to an early morning blaze. Two-year-old Cabrillo started barking just after 3am in early April. The “portie’s” owner got out of bed to see that his neighbor’s house was on fire and called 9-1-1. Crews were able to douse the fire quickly thanks to Cabrillo who was named a hero and given a box of treats according to the L.A. Times.
NEWS UPDATE Brought To You By Simple
Solution Natural Line Of Products
Your Vet Questions Answered with Dr. Debbie
How To Intro Cats To A New House
Three cats are moving into an already established house with their guardians. They have never been in this house before with these other people. They are all neutered and won’t be facing any other animals inside the house, but a dog that stays outside. Dr. Debbie suggests starting them out in one room in the house, where it can be closed off. Make sure they have everything they need in the room. In this case, 4 litter boxes (one for every cats plus one) food, water and scratching posts. Let them get acclimated to the room before allowing them to roam the house. Also, find out what they liked at their previous home (such as window seats, etc) so they can also have those items in their new home. And lastly, using scent hormones (pheromones) are very helpful to calm cats.
Dog Has Scratched Cornea
An American Bulldog, three years old, was roughhousing with another dog in the household, which resulted in his eye being scratched. The vet recommended eye drops, which cleared it up. However, the dog is still tearing and scratching at the eye. Dr. Debbie suggests using an artificial tear medication and maybe try an anti-inflammatory.
Dog Has Itchy Ears and Red Spot on Elbow
This 5-year-old Siberian Husky has itchy, hot ears and a red spot on his elbow that looks like red dye. His vet diagnosed allergies and the dog was put on Hills Science Diet Z/D and the vet said that it will take 6 months before the previous food is removed from his system. While Dr. Debbie doesn’t feel it will take that long, she does admit that it can take a couple of months. She also stresses during this time that no other foods are fed, which means no treats and especially no table scraps!
Is There A Supplement For Dogs With Poor Diets?
During hard economic times, this guardian has downgraded his dogs’ food from Beneful to Old Roy and is looking for a supplement to replace the nutrients they are no longer receiving. Dr. Debbie doesn’t feel a poor diet can be fixed with adding a supplement. Its just like humans, you can’t eat a poor diet without any fresh fruits and vegetables and then make it up with a vitamin – it doesn’t work! Even though it is a financial struggle, you should feed the most expensive food that you can. A poor diet will cost you more in the long run both with vet bills and the amount of extra food he will eat to become full.
How Do I Teach My Parakeet to Talk?
This guardian once had a bird that she taught to speak Hawaiian, English, Spanish and French with a vocabulary of over 200 words. However, her new bird is not picking up any words. The guardian has a mirror in the cage and the bird will stand in front of it and make sounds. Dr. Debbie states that the male parakeets are the better talkers and it helps to get them young. She also suggests taking away the mirror, which will make the guardian the bird’s main focus. Then start with taming them on your finger for about 30 minutes a day, in the morning, when birds seem to be most adaptable, and work on their vocabulary at that time.
Dog Has Skin Problems
This male, 2-year-old German Shepherd, is a recent rescue and was scratching when he was brought into the home. He was given several flea baths and the Frontline flea medication but nothing seems to work. His skin is dry and his guardian puts olive oil in his food. Dr. Debbie feels it may be chronic or allergy driven. This is typical in German Shepherds. She suggests trying a hypoallergenic diet such as Kangaroo or Venison or even trying a hydrolyzed protein diet. She also suggests using a specific veterinary product that is a balanced Omega fatty acid for the skin instead of olive oil.
Cat Goes To Bathroom On Bed
This 17-year-old Tonkinese cat started urinating on his guardians’ bed about 6 years ago. His guardian keeps the litter clean, but he has two cats and only one litter box (the recommendation is one for every cat plus one – so in this case he should have 3!). The cat will sometimes use the box, but still goes on the bed about once a month. Dr. Debbie states that while the cat seems healthy, cats in that age group can have kidney problems or arthritis, which can make getting in the litter box difficult. She suggest a visit to the vets.
The DogFather –Pugsy Malone!
Marc Todd, The Pet Poets Club
If you have got a bone to pick,
Then come bring me your bone,
I'm top dog in this neighbourhood,
I'm The DogFather -- Pugsy Malone!
All the dogs here owe me favours,
For helping sort out tricky things,
I know everything happening here on my turf,
I'm the one who is working the strings...
If some cat on your patch is becoming a pest,
I can soon make that problem be gone,
All it needs is a whisper in somebody's ear,
And a woof from your neighbourhood Don.
I'll make others give you whatever you want,
Just tell me the thing that you choose,
I'll persuade them they really should do as I ask,
With an offer they cannot refuse...
Ronny Rottweiler is one of my mob,
He's my man when the going gets ruff,
My pug-mug, I know, makes me look pretty mean,
But really I'm not all that tough!
I just love the feeling of power,
It's a must when you're titchy like me,
So I act like a gangster by mumbling my growls,
And pretending I'm from Sicily!
Check out the DogFather video.
Listen to the entire Podcast of this show (#492)
Broadcast on XM Satellite Radio and Podcast Versions Only.
Listen to Animal Radio® - Go to the launch page
Copyright 2008 All Rights Reserved Animal Radio Network LLC
