Animal Radio® Show #498 June 20, 2009
Susan Sims, Fido Friendly Magazine
The kickoff event of “Get Your Licks on Route 66,” brought by Fido Friendly Magazine and North Shore Animal League America was a huge success. It was great to see so many people looking at the animals available for adoption. It was also great to see that many people had questions about what type of dog would best suit their families, instead of adopting animals just by their looks.
We would like to give many thanks to the City of LA Dept of Animal Services who brought out local cats and dogs for adoption. By the end of the event, many of the animals went home to their new families.
We want to recognize the following sponsors for making this happen: Purina; One Hope Network; Bissell; 3M; Toyota; LaQuinta and KOST 103.5.
The mobile adoption unit will be stopping on the length of nostalgic Route 66 in California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri, and Illinois with an adoption wrap party in Grand Rapids, Michigan in early July. Along the way they will visit with local 
shelters who will bring out their available dogs and cats for adoption. Fido Friendly Magazine will be taking pictures of everyone who adopts a dog and one lucky person will be selected to have their picture on the cover of Fido Friendly Magazine. Their goal is to raise awareness for the plight of homeless pets and get people out to find their furry companion!
Arden Moore the editor or Catnip Magazine, showed up for her support of the kick off of Get Your Licks on Route 66 with her dog Chipper, who was a three-time shelter reject. The entire tour is broadcast live every weekend on Animal Radio®. Animal Radio® is a supporting sponsor of this event.
Let’s hope that numerous animals find their way into new homes along the adoption tour!
“Zena Road Warrior Princess”
Deborah Ross, NSAL Route 66 Driver
The North Shore Animal League’s vehicle has been affectionately named “Zena Road Warrior Princess,” by drivers Deborah Ross and James Gleason. Zena is a mobile adoption vehicle, which brings out local cats and dogs along Route 66, which are available for adoption.
Odors, Stains & Shedding 
Kristin Levine, Bissell
Kristin Levine has been promoting adoptions for her entire career of 22 years. This is her first time joining Bissell, one of the sponsors of the Get Your Licks on Route 66 Tour, and she will be with them the length of the tour.
It's not surprising that the Bissell family contains big animal lovers. In fact, over 70% of Bissell employees have pets at home, which is higher than the national average of 63%. Bissell truly believes in promoting pet adoption.
One of Bissell’s studies showed that one of the top concerns about getting a pet was the clean up it involves. Two out of Five people said that they would be more likely to adopt if they knew they had simple clean up solutions.
Bissell makes some great clean up products for those with animals, including the power groom pet vacuum, which has a hair lift and a contour tool. There is also the ShedAway, which is a tool that looks like a shedding brush. It can be attached to any vacuum hose and allows you to brush and comb your pet while sucking the hair.
Studies show that the main concerns of pet owners are odors, stains and shedding. Bissell has a product to address every one of these issues!
Vladae,
The "World Famous" Russian Dog Wizard
Where Can I Get a Good German Shepherd?
This man is a truck driver and he wants a dog to guard his truck. Vladae explains that the German Shepherd is one of the few breeds that doesn’t need to be specially developed. The trucker should look for a German Shepherd that has the sweetest personality. That way, she will make a good family pet, but she will also have a natural instinct to take care of him and his property.
Dog Grabs On To People
This newly adopted Australian Cattle dog has a few bad traits. He is very affectionate, but he grabs onto your arm with his mouth, without biting. Vladae explains that these dogs are herding dogs. People adopt these types of dogs without truly understanding their breed and then they try to train this natural behavior out of them. Vladae suggests getting a metal crate, where you can see thought it on all sides. Put this in the backyard and have the kids run around the crate. If the dogs gets edgy or irritated, smack the crate (not the dog) on the side, make a startling sound like a growl and then freeze and look into the dog’s eyes. (Dogs know that when another dog freezes, they will be bitten.) If this doesn’t work, get the Herm Sprenger collar and put it on the dog in the crate. Tie a light rope to the collar and then you can snap the collar and the crate at the same time if the dog gets agitated with the kids running around him. When the dog shows no emotion with the kids running around, you will be giving him a positive response with the kids. You should also tell him “good boy” and give him plenty of treats when he doesn’t react to the activity. You can also try the collar and leash when walking your dog to keep him calm around the kids, snapping the collar when he reacts. Just remember to give him positive reinforcement with lots of treats and praise.
Why Doesn’t Your Dog Listen?
Vladae states that most people speak English to their dogs when they should be speaking “Doglish.” The most common mistakes are:
You are not in charge and your dog knows it
You speak in the wrong language – English – you need to speak Doglish
You repeat your commands
He emphasizes that you should do what a mother dog does to teach her young which is:
She doesn’t t give any commands she can’t enforce
She reinforces what she says
She doesn’t repeat any commands
Vinnie Penn, Animal Radio's Resident Party
Animal
People Who Look Like Their Pets
I know that a lot of you out there listening are pet lovers to like the 10th degree, and I’ve heard this story like a million times before, where some people wind up having the same hairdo as their pets.
I have seen photos on Jay Leno, not that I watch that show regularly, but I have never seen it live and in person, until the other day when I was picking my son up at daycare in a neighborhood I usually don’t go to. I’ve heard the legend of this woman, and she was out walking her dog. Now listen, her hairdo was so identical to her dog, it has to have been done on purpose. She has to be taking a picture of her dog. They 
even had the same ribbon in her hair. She has to be going to her salon and saying, “Can you may me look like this?” To which the stylist must say, “Well, God already took care of the face!”
Are you out there doing this? Doing your hair like your dogs? Or doing your dog’s hair like yours? This is terrifying! This is a movement that needs to be stopped! As a matter of fact, why don’t you inundate the Animal Radio email (yourvoice@animalradio.com), with photos? Maybe we can start posting the photos and have a contest. The prize could be therapy!
Invitation To Birthday Party For Friend’s Cat
This one tops them all – an invitation arrived in the mail the other day, not even email, but with postage paid to my wife – she was invited to a birthday party for her friend’s cat.
Now one, I have been telling her for ages that this girlfriend of hers has crossed the line; she’s past the point of no return. She’s in her 40’s; this cat is the love of her life. It’s just her, the cat, a quilt and a big jug of Ben & Jerry’s, that’s it! Oh, and she knits! This cat is her life. And that’s great, but to throw the cat a birthday party – that is a cry for help!
I told my wife you are not a good friend. This is a cry for help and you’re not responding to this. And like, I said, maybe if she had emailed it, but stamps were put on these! Are people going to show up? Are they going to sing to this cat? Are they going to say, “ How old are you now?” and expect the cat to scratch out his age?
Be a good friend. Take the invitation to your local therapist, write your friend’s phone number on it, or address, and get a straight jacket fitted.
Dr. Jim Humphries - Veterinary Minute
Spending on Pets Expected to Soar
Fluffy, Fido and Spot tug at their guardians’ hearts, and in many cases, at their wallets. About 63% of all US households, or 69 million homes, have at least one pet according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. Experts expect the growth of two demographic groups, children younger than 18 years of age and empty nesters to drive that number higher over the next few years. The pet products experts point to research showing that having a pet can provide benefits ranging from helping to lower blood pressure to assisting in fighting depression, that or just that many pet owners view their pets as family, helps drive them to providing the animals with the best of everything. Pet industry expenditures were 36 billion dollars in 2005 and are expected to grow by 5.8% to about 38 billion dollars in 2006.
More Women Prefer Dogs Over Husbands
More women prefer dogs over husbands. I’m quite confused over this story! An online poll released shows more women would rather have a pet than a husband. Can you relate to this story? An overwhelming 78% voted for a furry, rather than a hairy, companion. The poll had a sampling error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.
“Life is too short to commit to someone you’ll need to know over time,” says Nancy Keller, 29 years of age. “I’d rather have a pet and simply date,” she says, “It’s less stressful for everyone involved.”
In a related subject, Sealy, the maker of all of those wonderful mattresses, published an interesting report entitled the Sealy Snooze Report, about people’s sleeping habits. Among the findings was 67% of respondents said they preferred to sleep with their pets; 51% say their partners are just too disturbing in their sleep; 55% of women say that their partner was far more annoying than their pet. But 38% of the respondents stood firm and said there’s no room in their bed for their pets.
I say, leave sleeping dogs and husbands lie.
Animal Radio® News with Bobbie Hill
Spay Neuter Law Adopted – Euthanasia Drops 60%
California’s original “surf city” - Santa Cruz adopted a spay-neuter law and saw euthanasia drop 60%. The bill, now headed to the Assembly, would require adult dogs and free roaming cats to be spayed or neutered. The Senate Bill is numbered 250 based on the amount spent each year by the state to take care of unwanted pets - 250-million dollars.
Drug To Treat Skin Cancer in Dogs Approved
A drug used to treat skin cancer in dogs has been approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration. Palladia was given the green light from the FDA to treat cutaneous mast cell tumors found in about 20% of skin cancer in dogs. The drug maker Pfizer developed the drug with Ohio State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and trials showed 60% of dogs treated had their tumors shrink or stop growing. The drug should be available to veterinary oncologists early next year, prior to this approval, vets had to rely on cancer medications designed for humans.
Ten Fun Things To Do With Your Dog This Summer
Here’s a list of ten fun things to do with your dog this summer:
C
at Survives 26th Story Fall
The Big Apple is known for it’s big buildings and unfortunately cats falling from them. “Lucky” the aptly named cat is now home from the hospital after surviving a fall from the 26th floor of his owner’s apartment. Window washers working across the street witnessed the tumble and saw him land on a balcony. Lucky was taken to the veterinary hospital with only minor injuries. Lucy’s owner says the cat apparently slipped out an open window and fell off the ledge.
Britons Peeved At Taxpayer Study of Ducks
London’s The Guardian reports a lot of Briton’s are peeved at a taxpayer-funded study of ducks. The three year in depth study aimed at determining “the importance of bathing water to ducks by quantifying their motivation to gain access to water in which they can bathe” ran up a tab of 300-thousand pounds - that’s 500-thousand U.S. dollars. Researchers gave a group of ducks a choice of a pond, a shower or a water trough. It seems the ducks like the running water of the shower best and taxpayers like paying 300-thousand pounds for studies to show ducks like water, least.
Do You Know the Top Cat Toys?
Do you know the top cat toys? They may not be what you think - rarely a real “cat toy” seems felines fancy - in no particular order - paper bags, empty cardboard tubes, plastic shower curtain rings, cardboard boxes and catnip filled toys, although not all cats react to the herb, which is not addictive. Some kitties rub in it, roll in it or eat it, some get very aggressive while others get pretty relaxed... and like to watch Disney animation.. I’m just kidding!
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Animal Minute With Britt Savage
Neither Rain, Nor Hail, But A Cat – That’s A Different Story!
Most mail carriers will deliver the mail in rain, hail, snow, etc. But a mail carrier in Canada is refusing to deliver mail to a house after being frightened by a “very threatening cat.”
The postal service is concerned about the welfare of all of their carriers, but hopes for an amicable solution to the problem. The mail carrier was brought up on a farm and is used to being around all types of animals.
The cat, Shadow, is an eight-year-old docile declawed black cat, according to his guardian. The guardian states that Shadow "likes to eat and sleep and cuddle. You could drop a bomb and he'd just open one eye, take a look, then close them and go back to sleep.”Until it is resolved, the guardian will be picking up his mail at the post office.
Groomer Reattaches Dog’s Ear with Super-Glue
After a woman, Anni Sheriffius, picked her dog up from the groomer, she noticed dirt on her dog’s ear. When she tried to wash off the dirt, her dog’s ear fell off. At that time she realized that the groomer had cut off the ear and tried to reattach it with super-glue.
She immediately rushed her dog to the vet who confirmed that in fact the ear had been cut off and reattached. Her dog, Jasmine, was then treated for an infection.
While, unfortunately, the groomer was cited for operating without a license, no charges were filed because it can’t be proved. The groomer is now looking for a different line of work.
“I’d like her never, ever to touch another dog. That’s what I’d like to see,” said Sheriffius.
Your Vet Questions Answered with Dr. Debbie
Dog Has Cushings Disease
Cushing’s Disease usually appears in dogs 10 years or older and affects many breeds. It is a disorder resulting from excessive circulating cortisol (a steroid). The most common signs of Cushing's Disease are increased appetite, increased thirst and urination, hair loss, lethargy, and pendulous abdomen (due to increased liver size and muscle breakdown). In most cases the cause of Cushing's Disease is due to a non-cancerous overgrowth (hyperplasia) of the pituitary gland (called Pituitary Dependent Hyperadrenocorticism or PDH). Cushing's disease can also be caused by a tumor in the adrenal glands, which are located in the abdomen next to the kidneys. Cushings is a manageable disease.
Dog Has Split Pads
The front foot pads on this 3-year-old Miniature Pinscher, named Duke, keep splitting. He has been on antibiotics and allergy medication, but this is the third time it has come back. His pads develop blood blisters, swell up and split into chunks. While Duke is not terribly bothered by this and he doesn’t chew at his pads, it still makes it difficult to walk. Dr. Debbie says you need to find the cause. First, find out if it is an infection by getting a sample of the pad and get a culture on it. This could also be an immune problem. While this is going on, you need to make sure that the dog can’t lick his feet, so you might consider the “cone of shame” until they heal. You can even try some foot soaks with different materials and keep his feet clean.
Dog Has Hemolytic Anemia
This Corgi came down with Hemolytic Anemia about a year ago and fortunately seems to have kicked it. Her guardian wants to make others aware of this disease. Dr. Debbie sees this a lot in her practice. This is where the body basically attacks the red blood cells and destroys them, leaving the dog anemic. This can result in blood transfusions and can leave them immunosuppressant. The first signs this guardian noticed was that his dog seemed to be very tired and her tongue and gums were white. Dr. Debbie says that there are a lot of things that can trigger this including cancer and even bee stings! She also states that a lot of animals with hemolytic anemia unfortunately don’t pull through.
Dog Poops In House
This Cairn Terrier, who is about one year old, is a very bright dog but likes to leave “little presents” for her guardians all over the house. The guardian also states that both this dog and his other dog have free roam all over the house. Dr. Debbie says you have to set down some rules. She feels that the dog never caught on to potty training as a puppy. She states that you have to go back to the very beginning and start with basic potty training. The dog should be kept in a small crate whenever she can’t be watched and should be taken out frequently for potty breaks, giving her positive reinforcement and treats when she eliminates outside.
Great Dane Has Arthritis
This 10-year-old Great Dane has arthritis and the guardian wants to know if there is anything he can give her to make her life better. Dr. Debbie says there are so many products out there, and unfortunately there is so little research or support that can be used to prove one product over another. With an older dog, you should consider joint support and look for a product that has glucosamine, and try something recommended by your vet.
Cat Is Attracting Other Cats
This female cat showed up one day and made herself at home about 10 months ago. She stays outside on the porch and now many other cats are starting to show up. This guardian doesn’t mind feeding her, but he doesn’t want to feed all of the cats in his neighborhood. The guardian doesn’t know if she is spayed, and Dr. Debbie suspects she is not. When a female cat is in heat, you will be amazed how many cats come from miles away because they pick up on her smell. Dr. Debbie says get her to the vet and if she hasn’t been spayed, get it done! This will not only keep the pet population down, but you can also avoid many cancers and keep the peace and quiet!
Disney Pixar “Up" The Must-See Comedy for Everyone this Summer!
Animal Radio® has teamed up with Disney/Pixar to celebrate the kick-off of “Up.”
Up is a comedy adventure about 78-year-old balloon salesman, Carl Fredricksen, who finally fulfills his lifelong dream of a great adventure when he ties thousands of balloons to his house and flies away to the wilds of South America. But he discovers all too late that his biggest nightmare has stowed away on the trip: an overly optimistic 8-year-old Wilderness Explorer named Russell. Up will be presented in Disney Digital 3’D in select theaters.
Cast and characters:
* Edward Asner as Carl Fredricksen.
* Jordan Nagai as Russell, Wilderness Explorer stowaway on Carl's flying house
* Bob Peterson as Dug, a dog with a collar that translates his thoughts into comical-sounding English
* Kevin, a large tropical bird. Russell gives the bird a male name although Kevin is actually a girl
* Christopher Plummer as Charles F. Muntz, the villain
* Delroy Lindo as Beta, Muntz's talking Rottweiler
* Jerome Ranft as Gamma, Muntz's talking Bulldog
* John Ratzenberger as Tom, a construction worker
* Elizabeth "Ellie" Docter as Young Ellie, Carl's late wife (as a child)
Tune in to win a great prize pack from Disney/Pixar's first film in Disney Digital 3-D™, UP! UP opened nationwide on May 29th - and you can take home the adventure now. Select Animal Radio® callers will receive the Tag™ Reading System and Up storybook plus a movie hat, t-shirt and mini poster. Give reading skills a lift with this LeapFrog® Tag™ storybook featuring Carl, Russell and friends from Up! Kids can use the Tag Reading System to bring words and pictures in the book to life, then play learning activities that help build vocabulary and reading comprehension skills! Learn more about the movie at Disney.com/UP
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