Animal Radio® Show #472 December 20, 2008

Marley & Me
Marley & Me is taking over Animal Radio® airwaves. Director David Frankel kicks-off a special Marley & Me show with actor Eric Dane who guest hosts as well as Marley's trainer, Mathilde DeCagny, all on Animal Radio®

David Frankel was the director of the movie Marley & Me. He has 5 dogs at homes, all strays, and says they are all like Marley! Sort of like art imitating life! He believes that a lot of people will see their lives up on the screen when watching this move. For David, the movie was an attempt to find the extraordinary in the ordinary, sort of a celebration of everyday life.

Eric Dane (Dr. Mark Sloan on Grey's Anatomy) says his character wasn't in the best-selling book, but was written in for the movie. Eric Dane plays Sebastian, John Grogan's best friend. In the movie, Sebastian is the one who suggests that John Grogan get a dog for the children that John and Jennifer Grogan will never have. Eric admits to not reading the book Marley & Me, but states he didn't want to because not only is his character not in the book, but because he didn't want to have any preconceived ideas of how it was supposed to go. Eric says while its great working with dogs, he states that they are scene-stealers and Marley was no different!

Marley's trainer, Mathilde DeCagny says, "Between all the scenes, we used a total of 22 yellow labs. Most of the scenes required them to be 'bad!' She reported recently from Philadelphia - where one of the Marley's just finished eating three Philly Cheese Steaks - just one of the rewards of show business!
http://www.marleyandmemovie.com



It's A High Price For That Doggie In The Window!
Annemarie Lucas, Animal Precinct
You could be paying a high price for that doggie in the window, especially if you plan on buying one for your family this holiday season. Many pet stores and Internet vendors across the country are taking advantage of consumers by selling animals bred in "puppy mills," which are inhumane commercial kennels that raise dogs in cramped, filthy conditions.

Animal Planet's Animal Precinct show, ASPCA Investigator Annemarie Lucas explains where the puppies come from that you find in pet stores. They come from puppy mills, which are essentially large-scale substandard commercial dog-breeding operations. That means these so called "puppy millers" house adult dogs whose function in life is to breed puppies over, and over, and over again. The puppies then end up in pet stores all across the country. But what people don't realize is that the parents of these puppies are living in horrid conditions. Their overcrowded cages are filthy and they don't receive any veterinary care. They also never get any exercise or socialization. What ends up happening is that the puppies start showing health issues after you get them home, and you can be left with large veterinarian bills for the remainder of their lives.

If you are looking for a specific breed of dog, make pet adoption your first option. Most people don't know that if they are looking for a certain breed that 1 in 4 dogs in shelters are purebred. You can also go to a breed rescue and find a dog looking for that forever home.

What is a puppy mill?

A "Puppy mill" is a large-scale, substandard commercial dog breeding operation

Puppy mills typically house dogs in overcrowded and often filthy conditions, and are often denied adequate veterinary care, food, clean water, exercise, and socialization

Puppies and dogs kept in puppy mills are treated like machines their entire lives, and often brutally killed once they have 'outlived' their usefulness

Why should consumers be concerned about puppy mills?

Puppy mills supply most pet stores across the U.S. with their stock

Consumers who purchase a puppy or dog from a pet store also run the risk of taking home a sick puppy-Dogs from puppy mills have been diagnosed with everything from respiratory infections and pneumonia to hip dysplasia

Also, your new "purebred" puppy might not really be a purebred. Dogs at puppy mills are often bred indiscriminately, and lineage records are sometimes falsified to misrepresent that the dog is a purebred, when in fact, the animal is a mixed breed

What about buying a puppy or dog off the Internet?

Buying a puppy from the Internet is as risky as buying from a pet store

What is the best way to find a new pet this holiday season?

If you are looking to bring a pet into your home, PLEASE "make pet adoption your first option"

There are so many wonderful pets up for adoption at your local shelter or rescue group ­ it is a great place to start to find a loving family pet

If your heart is set on a specific breed, keep in mind that one in four shelter dogs is a purebred

You can also do an internet search for breed-specific rescue organizations. If those attempts still don't give you the purebred puppy you're looking for, the ASPCA recommends learning how to find a responsible breeder

What should I keep in mind when looking for a pet?

You need to consider a lot of things, like your lifestyle, the age of the children in the house, awareness of the costs involved, and most importantly, the commitment involved. Pets need committed and consistent love and care, just like people do

It's very important you do your breed research, and adopt a dog that fits into your lifestyle. Your lifestyle is going to become the dog's lifestyle-and to keep both of you happy, they need to match

It may be even better to purchase a gift certificate towards the adoption of a new pet from a local shelter or rescue group, and then bring your loved ones to the shelter for a visit, so everyone can choose the pet that is best for the family together ­ it's a family affair!

Where can I find a shelter in my state?

Please log on to www.aspca.org, where you will find links to finding shelters in your own city and state



Pet Care on a Budget
Dr. Scott Line, Merial
With the economic pressures the country is facing, people are concerned about how to stay in their homes and feed their children, let alone how to keep and care for their pets. Naturally, finances are especially tight during the holidays. As a backdrop to this, shelters around the country are reporting a rise in pet turn-ins and vets are seeing a decline in visits and spending on recommended procedures.

It's a time when people need to cut costs, but they must do so in a way that doesn't compromise their pet's health.

Don't cut out vaccinations. Vaccinations are a great way to prevent things from happening, such as parvo, distemper and rabies. These conditions can be fatal and are very expensive to treat if your dog comes down with one of these problems. Also, don't cut out heartworm prevention. Because again, it is very expensive and it can be very dangerous and damaging to your pet to go through an infection with one of these parasites. Keeping up with routine preventives may seem like you are spending unnecessary money every month, but it is a good insurance policy and a good way to save over the lifetime of your pet.

You might want to look in your area for groups that provide low cost vaccination services. Even some shelters may be able to provide veterinary care for people with a reduced income. You can even check with your local humane organizations to see if they can assist you with vaccinations.

Some simple things you can do to keep your pet healthy is exercising them to make sure that they stay in good shape, and to ensure that they are not overweight. You can take them on a walk or to a local park. This is not going to cost anything but your time, and can prevent problems such as diabetes and arthritis, which could save you money down the road.

Make sure you monitor the amount of food your animal is fed. A good way to keep track is to measure the amount of food you give them each day and keep an eye on their weight. Don't overdo the treats and keep them away from table scraps.

Also, don't buy that big inexpensive bag of dog food at the grocery store. While it seems cheap, it is mainly filler and will actually cause your dog to eat more to get the proper nutrition that they need. And don't forget to pay attention to the expiration date. If you have a small dog, buying that big bag that you think will last all year, could be a waste of money, as the vitamins can actually degrade over time. One way to save is to perhaps go in on a big bag with a friend or neighbor and split both the cost and food.

Also pay attention to your dog's teeth. You can do some simple things like buying an inexpensive finger cap or doggy toothbrush and brush their teeth on a regular basis. This can help prevent buildup of tartar and other problems, which could become very costly if your dog has to be anesthetized to have its teeth cleaned.
http://www.merial.com



Vladae, The "World Famous" Russian Dog Wizard
Dog Chews Holes In Everything From Clothing To Bedding
Dogs chew on things not because they are angry, but just because they are dogs and they need something to chew on. In this case, you need to give the dog something appropriate to chew. Also, you need to keep this dog under your supervision at all times; if you cannot watch the dog, put them in a crate. Even take your dog outside with you. In order to fix this problem, you need to witness it. By being with your dog constantly you can correct it when it happens. When your dog starts chewing, move forward, clap your hands and make a load growling sound. They should be startled and will usually stop chewing right away. Immediately praise your dog when they stop and redirect their attention to something more appropriate that you would like them to chew on.

Dog Chews On Cardboard And Gift Bags
This dog is about 5 years old and is a good dog. However, in the last few months she has started to chew on cardboard and gift bags. Even though she has a toy box full of every toy that PetSmart sells, she wants the cardboard! Toys usually come in three types: chew toys, play toys and interactive toys. You need to use chew discrimination on this dog and convince them that chewing cardboard is bad idea and chewing the right things is a good idea. Put some bitter apple or double stick tape on cardboard and then bring something out positive for them to chew, like a bully stick, so that you can redirect their attention to something positive.
http://www.animalradio.com/vladae.html



Vinnie Penn, Animal Radio's Resident Party Animal
The Horse & Buggy of Yesteryear
Recently I did the tried and true Horse & Buggy ride for perhaps the 7th or 8th time in my life. I remember the first time; of course it was in New York, and as a little boy. It was a real coup for me and maybe I was in a cowboy phase, I don't remember. But this animal was majestic to me and just hearing the "clop, clop" down New York streets was really something to me, and I literally, vividly remember this.

Well, it has not been memorable since. Even times when I took horse and buggy rides through Central Park with really good-looking girls all snuggled under a blanket with me. One of the worst was when a girl went on a tirade about how convinced she was that this animal was being mistreated. She could not enjoy this ride because she was certain the rider, as pleasant as he was and as prepared he was to regale us with tails of New York City, was beating this horse. Or at the very least, this horse wasn't happy with its present employment. It ruined it for me, one because I certainly wouldn't want that to be true as I am an animal lover; and two because I knew then that this wasn't turning her on and nothing good was going to happen afterwards and what I really hoped for during.

And every other time since then, in a romantic sense, the woman has never really been all that taken by the scenes, the horse or anything. Plus, the riders never shut up.

The most recent time was in Mystic, Connecticut at a place called the Mystic Sea Port. For those of you who might be interested, there's a lot of history there, it's really a beautiful part of Connecticut. And again, as I said, a lot of history and a day of fun to be had. And what's really cool about the horse and buggy ride we did there, I went with my sister, my brother-in-law, the missus and all of the kids. So we had two sets of cousins on the ride.

My sister and my wife spent the entire ride discussing where they would have dinner, even though we were 20 minutes out of lunch, they were already discussing "Should it be sea food? Do you think the kids might want pizza?" They spent the entire ride discussing what was next on the menu.

My brother-in-law enjoyed it at the very least, because he is a history buff. And as I said, Mystic is just entrenched in history. So, he was just taken by the woman who was giving us the tour and the little history lesson.

And Little Joel was this beautiful horse and you knew he was being treated well. You know he is a part of the Mystic Sea Port family. So I didn't have that hanging over my head.

But when the most excitement it gleans from the children is them passing by one of Little Joel's bowel movements from earlier in the day, you know that the horse and buggy ride is lost on today's youth!



Animal Radio® News with Bobbie Hill
Protect Your Pets From the Cold
Everyone shivers in the bone reaching cold weather of winter and pets are no different. Here are some warning signs all owners need to watch for this winter - Veterinarians say animals shiver, just like people do when it's cold - that's the first danger sign to owners that the pet is too cold. Next, their hair stands on end just like a goose bump. Vets warn the next step, the most dangerous one is impossible to see, the blood flow shifts to keep the vital organs warm-that's when frostbite begins attacking the tail and paws. Pets can also experience hypothermia - a drop in body temperature caused by exposure to the cold. Vets say the best advice is to keep your pet inside when temperatures drop. Rescue groups in cold weather cities are anticipating an increase in caring for animals suffering from the cold this year. You can help out by dropping off blankets or cash to help pay vet bills at your local shelter.

Landlords Asked to Drop "No Pet" Clause
Down Under - the economy is taking its toll on homeowners and their pets. The Australian Veterinary Association and the RSPCA are asking landlords to drop the "no pet" clause in their rental policies. Both groups cited the health benefits of pet ownership and pointing out that it does not devalue property. The Australian groups also point overseas as an example of acceptance of animals in rental properties.

Knut May Be Leaving Berlin Zoo
The two-year-old polar bear who brought in over 6-million dollars of extra income to the Berlin Zoo may be leaving soon. Knut, born at the zoo in 2006, has graced the cover of Vanity Faire and become an international celebrity. But under the original agreement any offspring belongs to the Neumuenster Zoo - that's where Knut's father is from. Fans of the cuddly carnivore are urging the Berlin Zoo director to keep the cub in the capital. But the director was quoted in the Deutsche Welle news as saying "We entered into a contract which stated that the first surviving cub is owned by Neumuenster Zoo and that is Knut."

First Time Grey Wolves Seen Since the 1930's
The gray wolves haven't been seen by anyone in the Cascade Range of Washington since the 1930's - that is until now. A group of volunteers monitoring wildlife utilizing 43 tree mounted cameras captured pictures of the elusive gray wolf along with elk, black bear, cougars, bobcats and a lynx. The Cascades Citizen Wildlife Monitoring Project relies on cameras triggered by motion sensors and captured thousands of pictures of the little seen and threatened wildlife over the past year. The lynx, the rarest cat species in the state, was once widespread but now numbers only a few dozen. The information collected will be used for future land management decisions as well as wildlife recovery.

Don't Sacrifice Nutritional Quality During Hard Economic Times
In these harsh economic times pet owners will be tempted to save money by buying cheaper or lower quality pet food. But vets caution that sacrificing nutritional quality to save money may actually cost pet owners in the long run. Less nutritional food could lead to poor immune health, less vibrant coats and skin problems. The Morehead North Carolina News Times offers pet owners five tips for keeping pets healthy and out of the vet's office:
1. Good nutrition
2. Give your pet a variety of foods to avoid development of food allergies.
3. Keep your pet clean - good hygiene goes a long way
4. Get regular vet checkups
5. If your pet begins to exhibit signs of illness don't wait - get to the vet right away. Early diagnosis can reduce overall treatment costs.

Ever thought of adopting a Koala?
You can adopt a Koala for less than 40-bucks with the proceeds going to the Koala Hospital in Australia. The "Adopt a wild Koala Program" began 15 years ago at the world's only medical facility dedicated to caring for the marsupials. Here's what 40 dollars gets the adoptive parents of these cute, cuddly little critters - rescue, care and rehabilitation of sick or injured koalas, release back into the wild along with preservation of habitat. Adopters get a picture of the Koala as well as the background story of its journey to the hospital, an adoption certificate, stickers and info about the hospital. Volunteer Ann Walsh explains that rescued Koalas are named after the area they were found and the person who helped rescue them - hence the names Bonny Fire, Kempsey Carolina and Westhaven Barry.

NEWS UPDATE Brought To You By Simple Solution Natural Line Of Products



NAPPS Annual Conference
NAPPS has been around for a dozen years and is the largest non-profit pet sitting organization in the United States. NAPPS offers certification, educational programs and business advice to pet sitters. They provide all the tools necessary to start up a business, including everything from contracts to marketing and advertising.

For someone considering pet sitting as a career, NAPPS has an annual conference both in the business field as well as people in the pet care and behavior industries. This year's 2009 Annual Conference is scheduled for January 16-18, 2009 at the Queen Mary in Long Beach, California. From pet sitting business basics for the novice pet sitter to programs for the more seasoned pet sitter, you won't want to miss this conference!

Animal Radio will be broadcasting live at this conference ­ come out and say Hi!
http://www.petsitters.org

Talk With Your Animals with Joy Turner
Sherri speaks to her dog Bandit, who is a 5-year-old terrier, to find out what he wants for Christmas, as she doesn't think she was successful in the past getting him the right present. In return, Bandit feels just the thought of his guardian asking what he wants ­ is already the best present he could have, just knowing that his guardian loves him so much they would ask a communicator to help them select the right gift!
http://www.talkwithyouranimals.com
http://www.joyturner.com



Animal Minute With Britt Savage
Jockey Wins 1st Race After 28 Years
After 28 years of trying, a British Jockey finally won his first race. Forty-four year old Anthony Knott, whose day job is a diary farmer, was so overcome with the thought that he really could be winning, he sat up in his stirrups and was nearly passed by a fellow rider, but he was victorious, riding "Wise Men Say," a horse he bought when he was lame and nursed him back to health. Knott describes his horse as being a little difficult at first, explaining he used to bite and kick. But, the unlikely pair became champions together. So what's next for Knott? He's quitting! Saying he wanted to quit when he was ahead, and being that he had never been ahead before, he thought it was a great time to quit!



Your Vet Questions Answered with Dr. Debbie
Long-Haired Chihuahua Sheds Like Crazy
Dogs unfortunately shed like crazy and there is the constant turn over cycle of new hair growth and old hair falling out. Sometimes when a dog gets excited or nervous they will also shed a large amount of hair. Even if you have a short hair dog, you need to brush them on a regular basis. You can also give them fatty acid supplements, which helps the coat stay in good shape and not dry out.

Golden Retriever Always Has To Have Something In His Mouth
When this Golden Retriever plays with a large ball with his feet, he has to have something in his mouth like a tug toy. Dr. Debbie suggests that this is perhaps just his strong "retrieving drive" and is nothing to worry about.

Do Dogs Get Prostate Cancer?
Unfortunately this is true, just as it is with human males. This is why it is a good idea to get your pet neutered when they are young, which will reduce their chances of getting prostate cancer. Besides controlling the pet population, it also makes it so they don't want to wander off and helps them live a longer, healthier life.

Dog Appears To Have Some Type Of Seizures
This 3-year-old Labrador seems to have some sort of seizure when he has an active day. He is a hunting dog and after a big day, when he gets home he seems to tense up, claws come out and his eyes get real large. These seizures usually last about 30 seconds. Dr. Debbie states that labs usually have a sort of collapsing episode that can be completely different from a seizure, which is more of an exercised induced collapse. During these exercised induced collapsing episodes, the dog is usually aware of what is going on, but their body will not cooperate. They way to tell the difference, is that during a seizure, they will lay on their side, kick and paddle, foam at the mouth and can even lose bodily functions. You want to get a blood test as close to the episode as possible, because there is some things are dynamic and some things can change during these episodes. There is also something called hunting dog hypoglycemia problem. Dr. Debbie suggests that this "hunting" dog retire!

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