ANIMAL RADIO® Network Newsletter
January 2008
Programming with a Purpose
In this issue:

Animal Radio ® News

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    Animal Radio®
    a PROUD partner of:
    SPAY DAY USA 2008

    What: The Humane Society of the United States' annual campaign to inspire people to save animal lives by spaying or neutering pets and feral cats.

    When: The last Tuesday of February, but events and activities take place throughout the month of February. The 14th annual Spay Day USA is Feb. 26, 2008.

    Where: Across the United States and U.S. territories.

    Why: It's not just rabbits who multiply like rabbits! Thousands of kittens and puppies are born every hour in the United States. While these baby animals are adorable, the fate of most of them is tragic. Spaying or neutering our pets and feral cats is the most effective way to reduce the vast numbers of animals who are born only to die prematurely and without a family who loves them.

    http://www.SpayDayUSA.com

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Animal Radio® made possible by:
    FIDO FRIENDLY MAGAZINE
    Fido Friendly magazine lists accommodations where you can stay with your dog while traveling in the United States and Canada. Each quarter, our editorial includes hotel, city and state reviews.
    http://www.FidoFriendly.com

    Don't miss Fido Friendly Travel Talk exclusively on Animal Radio®

     
     
     
     
     

     

     

     

     




     

     

     



     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     


     

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    Animal Radio® made possible by:
    American Anti-Vivisection Society
    The FDA has moved biotech companies one step closer to being able to put milk and meat from cloned animals on your grocery store shelves-without labels. Cloning seriously threatens animal welfare, and you should have the choice to avoid these products! You can help by calling on the FDA to keep cloned foods off of grocery store shelves. Learn more at http://www.EndAnimalCloning.org

    Just because we can clone animals for food, doesn't mean we should!

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

    Animal Radio® made possible by:
    URINE OFF
    Did you know that Urine Off is the #1 Vet recommended Urine Odor and Stain Remover. In fact, for the last 3 years THOUSANDS of Vets nationwide have recommended Urine Off to their clients, solving their #1 Household problem, unsightly urine odors and stains. Urine Off's professional strength formula is designed to remove odors and stains ­ even old ones, by getting down to the source of the problem and removing it permanently. Endorsed by many of the leading animal organizations, and sworn on by our thousands of loyal customers, who after using it always say the same thing: "Thanks Urine Off, finally something that works." http://www.UrineOff.com

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     
    Having trouble sleeping? Over 25,000 doctors, chiropractor and sleep clinics worldwide recommend the biggest breakthrough in better sleep -- the Tempur-Pedic Swedish Mattress. Call now for your FREE MATRESS SAMPLE. 1-877-215-9200
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     
     
     
     
    Note to Real Audio Listeners: As of Jan. 1st. Animal Radio® no longer supports Real Audio. Go to AnimalRadio.com to find other ways to hear Animal Radio®
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    DETECTING A PET'S HIDDEN PAIN - Is your pet keeping something from you?
    DEADLY DISEASES TRANSMITTED BY PETS - Can "Fluffy" put us in danger?
    FIRST AID - 9 things to know that may save your pet's life
    A DIFFERENT KIND OF PET THERAPY - Meet Elliott, a kangaroo!
    WHEN CHILDREN TURN INTO CATS - Children are dogs but teenagers are cats!
    FREE TO A GOOD HOME - So, what's the big deal?
    PAPER-SHREDDERS & DOG TONGUES - Yes, it's probably what you're thinking...
    2007 ASPCA "VICTORY LIST" - A year for the animals, despite Michael Vick, Ellen, the pet-food recall....

    Also in this issue:

    Sheena Easton's children have labeled her a "crazy cat lady," because she spoils her cats and lives with plastic on her furniture.

    Ed Sayres, President of the ASPCA explains the origins of cats and dogs. Just where do pets come from?

    LISTEN TO ANIMAL RADIO NETWORK NOW
    Listen to a LIVE STREAM of
    Animal Radio® Network's full-time animal channel while you read this newsletter. This link will launch player. More listening options here.

    Animal Radio® with Hal & Judy
    Check Schedule for Airtimes

    New Year's Resolutions for Pets

    15. I will not eat other animals' poop.

    14. I will not lick my human's face after eating animal poop.

    13. I do not need to suddenly stand straight up when I'm lying under the coffee table.

    12. My head does not belong in the refrigerator.

    11. I will no longer be beholden to the sound of the can opener.

    10. Cats: Circulate a petition that "sleeping" become a juried competition in major animal shows.

    9. Come to understand that cats are from Venus; dogs are from Mars.

    8. Take time from busy schedule to stop and smell the behinds.

    7. Hamster: Don't let them figure out I'm just a rat on steroids, or they'll flush me!

    6. Get a bite in on that freak who gives me that shot every year.

    5. Grow opposable thumb; break into pantry; decide for myself how much food is 'too' much.

    4. Cats: Use new living room sofa as scratching post.

    3. January 1st: Kill the sock! Must kill the sock! January 2nd - December 31: Re-live victory over the sock.

    2. The garbage collector is not stealing our stuff.

    1. I will not chase the stick until I see it leave the human's hand

    thanks for everybody's contribution!


    This weekend on
    Animal Radio®


    69% of us let our pets sleep in bed with us. 65% of us bought our pets Christmas presents. 23% of us cook especially for our pet. 18% of us have dressed our pets and 10% of us have taken their pets to work. Do you let you pets in bed? Find out what animal lovers nationwide have to say. Also this weekend: Who will take care of "Baby" when Mama is gone? More and more pet guardians are leaving wills for their pets. Join Animal Radio's Hal & Judy live and beachside from Ventura California with Aussie-counterparts Pet Talk Radio's Brian and Kaye. Special guests include Dr. Joyce Brothers and Animal Planet's Emergency Vets Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald on botched-spays.

     

    Canine Rabies Vaccine Challenge Studies Begin
    One of the most important vaccine research studies in veterinary medicine is underway at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in Madison.

    Dr. Ronald Schultz, a leading authority on veterinary vaccines and Chair of the Department of Pathobiological Sciences, has begun concurrent 5 and 7-year challenge studies to determine the long-term duration of immunity of the canine rabies vaccine, with the goal of extending the state-mandated interval for boosters. These will be the first long-term challenge studies on the canine rabies vaccine to be published in the United States.

    Dr. Schultz comments that: "We are all very excited to start this study that will hopefully demonstrate that rabies vaccines can provide a minimum of 7 years of immunity." This research is being financed by The Rabies Challenge Fund, a charitable trust founded by pet vaccine disclosure advocate Kris L. Christine of Maine, who serves as Co-Trustee with world-renowned veterinary research scientist and practicing clinician, Dr. W. Jean Dodds of Hemopet in California.

    The Rabies Challenge Fund recently met its goal of $177,000 to fund the studies, first year budget with contributions from dog owners, canine groups, trainers, veterinarians, and small businesses. Annual budget goals of $150,000 for the studies must be met in the future.

    Dr. Jean Dodds, DVM states: "This is the first time in my 43 years of involvement in veterinary issues that what started as a grass-roots effort to change an outmoded regulation affecting animals will be addressed scientifically by an acknowledged expert to benefit all canines in the future."

    Scientific data published in 1992 by Michel Aubert and his research team demonstrated that dogs were immune to a rabies challenge 5 years after vaccination, while Dr. Schultz,s serological studies documented antibody titer counts at levels known to confer immunity to rabies 7 years post-vaccination. This data strongly suggests that state laws requiring annual or triennial rabies boosters for dogs are redundant. Because the rabies vaccine is the most potent of the veterinary vaccines and associated with significant adverse reactions, it should not be given more often than is necessary to maintain immunity. Adverse reactions such autoimmune diseases affecting the thyroid, joints, blood, eyes, skin, kidney, liver, bowel and central nervous system; anaphylactic shock; aggression; seizures; epilepsy; and fibrosarcomas at injection sites are linked to rabies vaccinations.

    Study co-trustee Kris Christine adds: "Because the USDA does not require vaccine manufacturers to provide long-term duration of immunity studies documenting maximum effectiveness when licensing their products, concerned dog owners have contributed the money to fund this research themselves. We want to ensure that rabies immunization laws are based upon independent, long-term scientific data."
    http://www.rabieschallengefund.org

    Hear breaking news as it happens - Animal Radio® is streaming online 24/7  Listen LIVE Now!


    Best of Animal Radio® 2007

    Pop Diva Sheena Easton
    Sheena currently lives in Las Vegas with her two-legged family, as well as her four-legged family of six cats and two dogs. Her kids say she is headed for the title of "Crazy Cat Lady." If you think you spoil your pets, listen in to see how Sheena copes with hers!
    http://www.SheenaEaston.com

    Hear Sheena on Animal Radio®

    Therapy Kangaroo
    Noralynn Snow, Silverado Senior Living Community
    You've probably heard of therapy dogs and cats, and even perhaps horses and pigs. But what about a Kangaroo? Well, residents of the Silverado Senior Living Community have the pleasure of visits from Elliott, a six-month old baby Kangaroo.

    Elliot visit the 120 citizens of the center, who suffer from everything from Alzheimer's disease to Parkinson's disease, and will even sit on their laps for hours at a time.

    When Elliot is not at the hospital, he goes home with a staff member, Noralynn Snow, and actually sleeps in bed with her.
    Hear Noralynn Snow on Animal Radio®


    Dom DeLuise
    Dom DeLuise's first paying acting job was the role of "Bernie the Dog" in "Bernie's Christmas Wish." Since then, his voice-roles continue both in children's animation and on the big screen. Dom is also a best-selling author of both cookbooks and children's books. He currently hosts his own radio-cooking segment on "On The House." Dom is a big bird lover and is owned by several birds. He currently takes his bird Charlie to local schools to teach children compassion about animals.
    Hear Dom on Animal Radio®


    The Origin of Cats and Dogs
    Ed Sayres, ASPCA President
    It is reported that the following edition of the Book of Genesis was discovered in the Dead Seal Scrolls. If authentic, it would shed light on the question, "Where do pets come from?"

    And Adam said, "Lord, when I was in the garden, you walked with me everyday. Now I do not see you anymore. I am lonesome here and it is difficult for me to remember how much you love me." And God said, "No problem! I will create a companion for you that will be with you forever and who will be a reflection of my love for you, so that you will know I love you, even when you cannot see me. Regardless of how selfish and childish and unlovable you may be, this new companion will accept you as you are and will love you as I do, in spite of yourself."

    And God created a new animal to be a companion for Adam. And it was a good animal. And God was pleased. And the new animal was pleased to be with Adam and he wagged his tail. And Adam said, "But Lord, I have already named all the animals in the Kingdom and all the good names are taken and I cannot think of a name for this new animal." And God said, "No problem! Because I have created this new animal to be a reflection of my love for you, his name will be a reflection of my own name, and you will call him DOG."

    And Dog lived with Adam and was a companion to him and loved him. And Adam was comforted. And God was pleased. And Dog was content and wagged his tail.

    After a while, it came to pass that Adam's guardian angel came to the Lord and said, "Lord, Adam has become filled with pride. He struts and preens like a peacock and he believes he is worthy of adoration. Dog has indeed taught him that he is loved, but no one has taught him humility." And the Lord said, "No problem! I will create for him a companion who will be with him forever and who will see him as he is." The companion will remind him of his limitations, so he will know that he is not worthy of adoration."

    And God created CAT to be a companion to Adam. And Cat would not obey Adam. And when Adam gazed into Cat's eyes, he was reminded that he was not the supreme being. And Adam learned humility. And God was pleased. And Adam was greatly improved.

    And Cat did not give a **** one way or the other.
    http://www.ASPCA.org

    Hear Ed Sayres on Animal Radio®


    Cesar Millan, Be the Pack Leader
    Cesar Millan returns for a fourth season of National Geographic's hit series the Dog Whisperer and his fourth time on Animal Radio®. This time he talks about "almost" failures and breed bans.
    Hear Cesar Millan on Animal Radio®


    Special Tribute to Buddy Hackett

    Leonard Hacker, a.k.a. "Buddy" Hackett, was a class clown who grew up to become one of Hollywood's most famous comedians.

    Buddy loved animals and even created a sanctuary.

    Buddy Hackett passed away on June 30, 2003 in Malibu, California. We only hope that he finally met up with his beloved dog, Cupie, at the Rainbow Bridge.
    Hear Buddy Hackett Tribute on Animal Radio®


    Animal Radio® 2007 Newsbreakers:


    Michael Vick Asks for Forgiveness
    Atlanta Falcons football quarterback Michael Vick bows his head as he makes a statement after pleading guilty to a federal dog fighting charge.

     


    ASPCA Applauds Vick Suspension
    The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) today applauded NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell's strong and decisive action in suspending Michael Vick without pay.

     

    Ellen Degeneres In the Doghouse: Poochgate
    If you didn't see the original airing of Ellen's show when she broke down telling the story of Iggy, a dog she and partner Portia de Rossi adopted from Mutts & Moms, chances are you have seen it replayed dozens of times on the news.But what you may not have heard was the other side of the story.

    We asked listeners what they wanted to say to Ellen. "Ellen vs. Moms and Mutts is like using a nuclear bomb for a fist-fight," said one caller to Animal Radio®, "she should win an Oscar for that performance." Another said, "if this is what shuts Ellen down so she can't do her show, then she's not as in-touch as we once thought. She needs to turn on the TV news and see all the death and destruction. Maybe she should have called in sick that day."
    Hear Newsbreakers of 2007 on Animal Radio®

     

    Guideline to Detecting Pet's Hidden Pain
    Dr. Tom Carpenter, AAHA
    To protect themselves from predators, animals naturally hide their pain. Your pet may be suffering even though he isn't showing obvious signs. Advancements in veterinary science have decoded subtle telltale signs of animal distress. Observing your pet's behavior is vital to managing his or her pain. How well do you know your pet? Use these five clues from the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) to help you understand your pet's body language.

    Clue 1- Abnormal chewing habits
    If your pet is showing abnormal chewing habits, such as dropping its food or chewing on one side of the mouth, it may have a dental disorder or a mouth tumor. Additional signs may include weight loss, bad breath or excessive face rubbing. Routine dental checkups are important to prevent and treat dental disorders and related pain.

    Clue 2- Drastic weight gain or loss
    Pain directly influences your pet's weight and eating habits. Animals carrying excess weight have an increased chance of tearing ligaments and damaging joints. Pets with arthritis or muscle soreness may not want to access their food because bending over is uncomfortable. Arthritis pain may also cause pets to gain weight while their eating habits remain the same due to lack of exercise.

    Clue 3- Avoids affection or handling
    Did Fluffy used to be active and energetic, but now sits quietly around the house? Avoiding affection or handling may be a sign of a progressive disease such as osteoarthritis or intervertebral disc disease. Although your pet may appear to be normal before petting or handling it, the added pressure applied to its body may expose sensitive and painful areas.

    Clue 4- Decreased movement and exercise
    Arthritis or degenerative joint diseases (DJD) is the most common cause of pain. Pets that limp may be reluctant to go up or down stairs, exercise, or play. Weight and joint injuries can also go hand-in-hand. Losing unnecessary pounds will help overweight pets decrease pressure on sore joints and reduce pain. Consult your veterinarian about exercises; diets and pain medications that can help improve your pet's health.

    Clue 5 - Excessively licking or biting itself
    It is normal for a pet to groom itself by licking, but you should know your pet and know if they are doing this excessively.

    Clue 6- Uncharacteristic "Accidents"

    Pet owners often believe that "accidents" are a result of behavioral issues. Although behavioral issues may cause unwanted surprises, going to the bathroom in inappropriate places may be caused by pain. Pets with sore joints or arthritis may not make it to a convenient location due to painful obstacles like stairs.

    Urinary tract infections also may cause a messy situation. In addition to having "accidents," symptoms of a urinary tract infection may include, lethargy, fever, tender lower abdomen and difficulty urinating.

    The lack of verbal expression does not mean that your pet is not experiencing pain. Minor behavioral change can be cause for alarm. Being aware of your pet's habits can help you and your veterinarian assess and treat your pet's pain. Diagnosing and managing pain is among the 900 standards an animal hospital is evaluated on in order to become accredited through AAHA. For more information or to locate an AAHA-accredited hospital, visit http://www.healthypet.com
    Hear Dr. Tom Carpenter on Animal Radio®

     

    Coming Up on Animal Radio®:

    The Monks of New Skete - Divine Canine will help to bring out the divine in your canine! Obedient, devoted, and happy -- that's what we all want our dogs to be. Brother Christopher explains how to get there through the stories of sixteen unruly dogs who came to them with more than a few lessons to learn. He will explain the tried and true techniques for influencing animal behavior, showing how a caring attitude and honest communication can turn any dog into a divine canine.

    New Skete is a contemplative monastic community of men and women dedicated to living the monastic life together within the tradition of the Eastern Orthodox Church. They are a stavropegial monastery under Metropolitan Herman of the Orthodox Church in America. We consist of the Monks of New Skete, the Nuns of New Skete, and the Companions of New Skete. Each of the three communities lives in separate houses within three miles of each other outside the small village of Cambridge in rural upstate New York.
    http://www.newsketemonks.com


    Perhaps you didn't get that cat or dog you child wanted for Christmas because you felt your child wasn't ready for such an animal.

    Marc Morrone returns to
    Animal Radio® to talk about Pocket Pets as starter pets for children. They provide the perfect balance of a concealed cage environment with an easy schedule of letting them out for exercise and play when it is convenient for the family. Marc convinces even the most die-hard skeptic that the differences between pet mice and sewer rats are vastly different and pocket rodents may be easier to care for than many parents may think!
    http://www.ParrotsOfTheWorld.com
    T

    ANIMAL RADIO® PRODUCT REVIEWS for January


    Pawsitive I.D. DNA Test

    (rated 4 out of 5 paws)

    You may have one of those Heinz 57 dogs and are not sure of their genetic makeup but have always wondered. This home test is not only a great way to find out, but it will also screen for dozens of inherent genetic diseases. And, if your dog gets lost, this is a great fingerprinting and identification tool.

    It so easy to use. All you have to do is complete a form, swab your pet's gums and then mail the form and swab in. In about two weeks you will receive all of your pet's information. They will even store your pet's information for up to 15 years - all for $49.95 - what a deal!
    http://www.pawsitiveid.net


    (rated 5 out of 5 paws)

    Latka's Lap Dog Biscuits
    featuring wheat-free mini bones in 5 oz. bags
    peanut butter, low fat chicken liver and low fat parmesan cheese
    ideal for small dogs and training treats


    We like them because the treats contain no wheat, corn, soy, sugar, salt, coloring, preservatives or additives, by-products or fillers.

    Even before the pet food recall, I wanted to make sure that any treats I gave to my pets were healthy treats.

    Latka's treats, which are wheat-free and healthy, mean I don't have to worry about my pets eating them. They are bone-shaped and come in flavors such as peanut butter, veggie delight and bacon cheddar, and the dogs love them.

    To take the guesswork out of buying treats just think of Latkas!
    http://www.delicioustreats.com


    See other reviews at AnimalRadio.com. Send products for review on-air and in this newsletter to: Animal Radio Network™ Product Reviews, 233 East 330 North, Kanab, Utah 84741. Product may not be returned. Allow 5 weeks for review.


    Animal Minute on Animal Radio®
    with Britt Savage

    Puppy Peg Gets a Leg Up With a Prosthetic
    Peg the three-legged dog might not be as famous as Lassie, but she quickly became a world-renowned pup. The 4-month-old retriever has become a canine celebrity, making appearances on The Discovery Channel Canada, "The Tucker Carlson Show" on MSNBC, and likely will be featured on "Inside Edition."

    Peg also was also interviewed by Rex Miller, owner of The Greater Flint Prosthetic Center. Miller lost his right leg when he was 15 and made Peg's prosthetic. Peg was born without the equivalent of a human ankle, plus her right paw. Peg's owner, Carol Beavnier of Macomb Township, who trains leader dogs for the blind, looked on a Web site for handicapped pets, and after a few phone calls found Miller. Miller had never created a prosthetic for a dog before, and he's donating his services and equipment, which normally would have cost several thousand dollars.

    Peg's new leg will be made out of material similar to that used in bulletproof vests so she can't chew through her leg. When Peg is done being a celebrity, she will be a therapy dog, visiting people in nursing homes.

    What shreds paper, credit cards and dog tongues?
    It is the feared paper shredder!

    No one knows why Cross, a boxer dog from North Carolina, decided to lick the paper shredder in his family's home. When he got stuck, he started screaming for about 10 to 15 minutes, attracting the attention of his family, who finally figured out to put the shredder into reverse.

    While Cross lost small chunks of his tongue, he has made a complete recovery, and will have no problems eating, drinking-and licking. And his family doesn't have to worry about it happening again, because Cross now trembles whenever he hears the paper shredder.

    Britt Savage is a regular Animal Radio® correspondent as well as an incredibly talented musician! She can be heard daily on Animal Radio Network.LISTEN TO ANIMAL RADIO NETWORK NOW


    Veterinary Minute on Animal Radio®
    with Dr. Jim Humphries


    Deadly Diseases Might Come From Our Pets!
    We expect our pets to give us unconditional love and affection. But, can pets also put us in danger? From super bacteria to deadly viruses, it may seem that our pets are out to get us. The good news is that most of these diseases are completely preventable!

    Recent reports of dogs harboring deadly staph bacteria as well as misconceptions about germs that can be spread by pets may prevent some families from keeping them. But how much of this is truth and how much is hype?

    Any disease that can be transmitted from animals to people is considered to be a zoonotic disease. Literally, thousands of these diseases exist with several new ones found each year. But only a few are actually associated with our domestic pets. If you remove diseases that are spread by vectors, such as mosquitoes and ticks, the list you are left with would look like this:

    • Rabies
    • Leptospirosis
    • Salmonella poisoning
    • Methicillin-resistant staph (MRSA)
    • Roundworms and Hookworms
    • Protozoan parasites, such as Giardia
    • Fungal diseases, such as ringworm

    This list may appear to be small, but among the members are some pretty serious diseases. Rabies, as is well known, is an invariably fatal disease. Vaccination protocols for our pets have reduced human rabies in the Western world, but more than 40,000 people die from rabies worldwide each year. Millions more are treated due to unknown animal bites and potential exposure. Leptospirosis, Salmonella, and the "super-bug", MRSA, are all bacterial diseases that can cause symptoms ranging from mild vomiting to kidney failure and even, rarely, death. At present, there has been no confirmed transmission of MRSA from pets to people.

    More widespread are diseases caused by parasites, such as the common roundworms found in our puppies and kittens. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimate that more than 10,000 people in the US test positive for roundworms annually and more than 750 will partially lose their vision. Worse yet, the raccoon roundworm is becoming more common. As humans move into formerly wooded areas and raccoons adapt to tolerate an urban lifestyle, infection with this parasite may become more likely. Unlike the more ordinary canine roundworms, raccoon roundworms have been known to cause death in humans.

    But, even combined, the numbers of people in the US and Canada affected by these diseases is a small fraction compared with the number of people who are injured by their pets. Dog bites, cat scratches, and horse-related injuries are far more common. According to the CDC, more than 4 million people are bitten by dogs annually and tens of thousands of people seek medical attention because of an injury associated with riding or working with horses.

    So, what can be done to minimize the chances for illness or injuries that come about from owning pets? The simplest action is to simply follow a rule common to restaurants, schools, and your mother; always wash your hands. Routine, thorough hand-washing has been shown to reduce incidence of many bacterial diseases, including the dreaded MRSA. In a similar fashion, teaching your children to wash after playing with the family dog or roaming the backyard will greatly diminish any possibility of picking up a nasty parasite, like roundworms.

    Spend time with and ask questions of your veterinarian. She is your best resource for understanding zoonotic diseases and how best to avoid them. Vaccine protocols have greatly decreased many zoonotic diseases and similar strategic de-worming plans may help to stop zoonotic parasites as well. She may even be able to help you and your family understand the common warning signs that often precede dog and cat bites.

    Don't allow unfounded fears to dictate your happiness with your four-legged friend. Educate yourself and learn from the source who knows you and your pet best - your family veterinarian! Visit www.MyVNN.com to watch a video giving you more tips on how to keep you and your whole family safe from disease.

    Dr. Humphries is a veterinarian in Colorado Springs and the National News Director for Veterinary News Network. Hear the Veterinary Minute exclusively on Animal Radio®-LISTEN TO ANIMAL RADIO NETWORK NOW

    Ask the Cat Coach with Marilyn Krieger

    Are My Cat Toys Safe?
    Dear Cat Coach,
    My cat got all sorts of toys for Christmas, including fishing pole toys, balls with crinkly stuff on them as well as other cute little toys with pieces that look like they can be chewed off. Even though these toys are labeled for cats, they look dangerous to me. I'm worried my cats will chew off the eyes and ears or chew the silver crinkly stuff and swallow them. These do not look like safe cat toys to me. What do you think?
    Perplexed and challenged

    Dear Perplexed,
    You are very perceptive! These toys can be very dangerous for cats. They are marketed for cuteness so that people will buy them. Unfortunately some of them have glued on eyes and ears that are easily dismembered, chewed and swallowed. The pretty little crinkly balls that look a little like tinsel can also be a danger for some cats. If the shiny tinsel-like material is chewed it may cut a cat's lip, if swallowed it can cut a cat's intestines.

    Fishing pole toys and the Cat Dancer are wonderful toys, but they should be available for your cat only when you are there to supervise the play. Fishing pole toys, as well as other toys with strings, can wrap around a cat and accidentally strangle them. These are really great toys for cats, but only when someone is there to monitor and participate in the play.

    There are plenty of safe toys to choose from. Look for toys that don't have parts that can be chewed off and possibly swallowed. Toys that can disintegrate when being mauled and mouthed need to be avoided, as well as toys with paint that can be chewed or licked off. Check the size of the toys. They need to be big enough so that they aren't accidentally swallowed.

    When choosing toys for cats, it's important to visualize how your cat might play with the toy and buy the toy based on safety first.

    Marilyn Krieger, CCBC is a Certified Cat Behavior Consultant certified through, and a member of the Board of Directors of, The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants. She can be reached for phone and on-site consultations to help solve cat behavior problems either by e-mail marilyn@thecatcoach.com or by phone: 650 780 9485. Marilyn is the Cat Behaviorist for the Cat Channel, Cat Fancy Magazine's web presence. Additionally, Marilyn teaches cat behavior classes and is available for speaking engagements. You can find out more about The Cat Coach at www.thecatcoach.com. Copyright 2008 Marilyn Krieger, CCBC All Rights Reserved.

    First Aid - Things to Know That May Save Your Pets' Life
    There are three keys to managing any emergency: don't panic, protect yourself from injury, and prepare in advance.

    When faced with an injured or severely ill pet, it is important that you spend a moment to assess the situation. Determine if the pet needs to be moved immediately. Decide if there is a danger of further injury to the pet or to first aid givers. For example, great care must be used before assisting a pet injured on a busy roadway. It may be safest to call for help so that traffic can be diverted before anyone provides first aid. You must insure that you won't be injured yourself - either by the surroundings or by the injured animal. Prepare in advance by knowing the location and numbers of emergency animal care facilities. These guidelines should help.

    1. Behavior Knowledge. Understanding how to approach an injured pet safely is critical. Animals may respond to fear and pain instinctively, even if they know you well. You cannot assume that your own pet won't bite you, because pain or fear may provoke even a docile animal to aggression. Preventing a bite to yourself or other assistants must be your first goal.

    How to Approach an Injured Pet Safely

    If you encounter a dog in need or injured in some way, your first reaction may be to run to help. That's a common reaction - most people don't want to see an animal in pain. But without taking the proper precautions, you could get injured. And being injured along with the animal won't help the situation.

    It is important to remember that even the sweetest dog may bite if she is frightened or in pain. Here are some guidelines for approaching an injured pet.

    Assess the Situation

    Use common sense: Remember that your safety comes first.

    If the animal is in the middle of the road, watch for traffic before going to assist.

    If there is a house fire, do not enter the house until the fire department has eliminated the danger - very likely firefighters will rescue the pet.

    If your pet has fallen, make sure no more items are ready to fall on you.

    If your pet is covered in a toxic substance, do not touch the animal unless you are wearing protective gloves or can cover him with plastic (or some other protective material).

    If your pet is covered in blood, do not touch the animal without protective gloves. Even though there are few diseases you can get from animal blood, there is no guarantee that human blood is not mixed in from someone else. That person's blood may have spilled onto the animal, and with the threat of HIV, hepatitis or other illnesses, exposure to any blood is not recommended.

    Determine if the Dog is Aggressive

    If the animal shows signs of fear or aggression, muzzling him is essential before helping. As you approach the animal, pay attention to his body language and any sounds he is making. Use a soft, gentle, calming voice. Avoid direct eye contact with an injured pet since some will perceive this as a confrontation or threat. A wagging tail is irrelevant. Some dogs with wag their tails throughout an attack.

    Here are some body language signals to look out for:

    Growling
    Snarling with teeth exposed
    Hair along back standing on end
    Ears straight back and flat against head
    Tail tucked between legs
    Lunging toward you with snapping jaws
    Intense staring

    Submissive behavior such as lying on ground with belly exposed (these dogs can quickly become fear-biters). Remember, keeping yourself safe and uninjured is just as important as helping the injured animal. You cannot be much help if you also need medical assistance. If the animal you are trying to help is aggressive and there is a risk that you may get injured, do not try to administer treatment. Call a local animal shelter, humane society, veterinary clinic, animal control officer or police department. Try to stay nearby to watch where the animal goes and to assist when help arrives. If necessary, direct traffic away from the injured animal until further help arrives.

    How to Make and Place a Muzzle

    Injured animals are usually in pain, and an animal in pain may lash out. One of the most important things you need to do before helping an injured animal is to place a muzzle on the mouth. Even your own sweet dog may bite if frightened or in severe pain. There are several methods to muzzle an animal but never muzzle one that is vomiting, has difficulty breathing or is coughing.

    Muzzles can be purchased from pet stores or veterinary clinics. These muzzles come in a variety of sizes. Having a muzzle to fit your own pet should be included in your pet's first-aid kit.

    If you do not have a manufactured muzzle, you can make a temporary muzzle out of tape, nylon stocking, neckties, thick string, belts or strips of fabric.

    Tie a knot in the middle of the material. If you're using tape, fold the tape lengthwise, so there are no sticky edges.

    Make a large loop in the material.

    While standing behind or alongside the animal, slip the loop over the animal's nose.

    Once the loop is over the nose, quickly and snugly tie the loop on top of the nose.

    Take the 2 material ends alongside the nose and twist one time underneath the nose.

    Take the 2 ends and pass each behind an ear and tie behind the head.

    For breeds with short noses, you may need to take an extra piece of material and tie a connection between the loop over the nose and the tie behind the head. Make sure the muzzle is snug. Be prepared for the animal to struggle against the muzzle. Some animals will even be able to get out of the muzzle. If the animal develops breathing problems or appears to be trying to vomit, remove the muzzle immediately.

    2. Veterinary Telephone Number and Address. Keep the name and phone number of your family veterinarian and local veterinary emergency facility handy. This simple guideline can help save the life of your pet. Most veterinarians are open during normal business hours - 8 am to 5 pm. Determine how your veterinarian handles emergency calls. Some have emergency pagers, and in larger metropolitan cities, many contribute to or use an emergency facility for after-hour emergency calls. Calling first can often answer simple questions or prevent a trip in the wrong direction. Even in situations that are not apparently life-threatening, your questions or concerns may be best considered by a professional who can advise you whether or not to come in.

    3. Names and Telephone Number of a Friend. If possible, have a friend assist you, especially if your pet needs to be hospitalized. In the car, it is best to have one person keep the pet calm or settled while the other drives to the emergency clinic or veterinary hospital.

    4. Heimlich Maneuver. Though not a commonly used or needed skill, knowing how to perform the Heimlich maneuver for your dog can be a life-saving skill. Only perform the Heimlich if you are absolutely certain your pet is choking on a solid object (such as a toy), and you have been properly trained in the technique. Improperly used, the Heimlich can cause injury to your pet.

    Many people confuse difficulty breathing with choking. If you witness your pet ingesting an item and then immediately begin pawing at the face, the throat, acting frantic, trying to cough and having difficulty breathing, only then should the Heimlich maneuver be considered. If your pet is not really choking, the Heimlich can cause serious injury.

    After determining that your pet is choking, remove any item that may be constricting the neck. Examine inside the mouth and remove any foreign object you see. Do not blindly place your hand down your pet's throat and pull any object you feel. Dogs have small bones that support the base of their tongues. Owners probing the throat for a foreign object have mistaken these for chicken bones. Do not attempt to remove an object unless you can see and identify it.

    If your pet is small and you cannot easily remove the object, lift and suspend him with the head pointed down. For larger animals, lift the rear legs so the head is tilted down. This can help dislodge an item stuck in the throat.

    Another method is to administer a sharp blow with the palm of your hand between the shoulder blades. This can sometimes dislodge an object. If this does not work, a modified Heimlich maneuver can be attempted.

    Grasp the animal around the waist so that the rear is nearest to you, similar to a bear hug.

    Place a fist just behind the ribs.

    Compress the abdomen several times (usually 3-5 times) with quick pushes.

    Check the mouth to see if the foreign object has been removed.

    This maneuver can be repeated one to two times but if not successful on the first attempt, make arrangements to immediately take your pet to the nearest veterinary hospital.

    Even if you are successful in removing a foreign object, veterinary examination is recommended. Internal injury could have occurred that you may not realize.

    5. Bandaging. A bandage helps to cover or apply pressure to a wound to protect or control hemorrhage. Bandages can be fabricated from towels, washcloths, paper towels, or just about any piece of fabric.

    You and your pet are far from help (perhaps camping or hiking), and your pet hurts himself. Would you know how to stabilize him until you could reach a veterinarian? This article provides some guidance in case of such an emergency, but it does not replace the skill and expertise of your veterinarian. If possible, it is better to let a trained expert treat your pet than yourself.

    6. Stopping Bleeding. If there is an obvious source of bleeding, apply pressure to control the hemorrhage. Pressure is best applied with a clean cloth or towel applied directly to the wound.

    7. Towels or Blankets. Blankets and towels can aid in picking up an injured pet or to control bleeding. You can use a towel to wrap a frightened pet or cover a wound. Frightened pets are often relieved by the dark calm enclosure of a blanket.

    8. Board, Stretcher or Strong Blanket. Strong sturdy instruments are important to help move or transport severely injured pets that are unable to walk. A small board, a sturdy wool blanket, a piece of canvas or a hammock can be used. Gently roll or move the pet onto the device. Typically, two people are needed to pick up and move the pet when using a stretcher. Be careful as this procedure may cause pain to an injured pet, and exposes the helpers to the risk of bite injury.

    9. Finances. Probably the last thing people think about during an emergency is how to pay the bill. Emergency clinics and veterinary practices are no different than other small businesses, and they need to pay their own bills to survive. Expect to leave a deposit when admitting a pet and be prepared to pay for services rendered. Veterinary insurance can be most beneficial in these situations; however, often the veterinary clinic will require that you pay the bill and the insurance company will reimburse you after the invoice is submitted. Most veterinary clinics do accept major credit cards, and there are some veterinary clinics that offer other financial alternatives through banks.

    For Pet's Sake with Karen Lee Stevens

    New Year's "Mews"ings
    By the time you read this, it will be January 2, 2008. I'm fervently composing this column the week before Christmas in anticipation of taking my annual two-week "cat nap" (translation: vacation) over the holidays.

    Like many of you, I usher in the new year by penning a lengthy list of resolutions ­ some I keep and some that eventually fall by the wayside. For me, my goals usually include activities that will benefit my health and further my writing career. For instance, I have set an intention of boosting my immune system by eating healthier foods and drinking soothing teas, rather than slurping my much-loved, adrenaline-inducing lattes. Perhaps more imperative than ingesting tofu and tea, however, I have vowed to continue my crusade of raising awareness about the importance of compassion and respect for all the animals with whom we share the planet. I have recommitted myself to my work with All for Animals, Inc. (www.allforanimals.com), the non-profit organization I founded eleven years ago today. AFA has afforded me a voice ­ through television, radio, newspapers, and the Internet ­ to speak on behalf of abused and neglected animals who cannot speak for themselves.

    As an ardent animal lover, I am surprised when people pose an all-too-common question to me: "Why are you always helping animals when there are so many people who need assistance?" I respond by sharing my belief that all beings are interconnected with one another. Wouldn't it make sense then, I ask, that we would choose to protect, respect, and honor ALL life, whether it is human or animal?

    To illustrate my point, let me tell you about my recent foster kitten experience. For two months this summer, I spent a good deal of time and energy caring for a stray cat and her five adorable offspring. The experience was extremely gratifying for me and one I hope to repeat in the near future. When it was time for the kittens to begin new lives in their forever homes, I interviewed Ruth, an 84-year-old lady who expressed an interest in adopting little Romeo and Serena. Ruth had lost her husband just six months prior and felt the kittens would help ease her loneliness and despair. I admit that I was a little worried about the elderly woman's ability to care for two rambunctious kittens, but Ruth assured me that her son and granddaughter would be stopping by often to check on them. Now, several months later, Ruth says there isn't a day that goes by that she doesn't feel an immense love and appreciation for her feline family.

    Success stories such as these inspire me to continue speaking and writing about the power of the human/animal bond. It is my hope that one day we will realize animals are an integral part of our own health and happiness. No longer will we find it necessary to choose between helping a person and helping an animal in need, for they are both worthy of our time and financial resources.

    It is a new day..a new year. and with it comes endless possibilities. May 2008 bring forth a profoundly deeper connection among ALL creatures.

    What are your New Year's resolutions? Email them to Karen (Founder and President of All For Animals, Inc.) at karenleestevens@cox.net

     

    Talk With Your Animals on Animal Radio Network™
    hosted by Joy Turner Check Schedule for Airtimes

    How Will You Know?
    There is a line where your intellect takes over and negates what heart says is the appropriate thing to do. Listen to your intellect and you will let a blessing pass through your fingertips. Because we are raised in a very intellectually based society with everything being learned directed toward the intellect, we tend to over look what our hearts are saying and go with what our logic, rational, analytical thinking and the like tell us is the "right" thing. And, interestingly, the intellects "right" thing is very often the "wrong" thing according to the heart.

    Our Hearts, because they make choices based on love, always take us to the most appropriate place for our highest and best. Intellect usually makes choices based on fear (of something). So it's easy to see why the choices can be so opposite. Intellect usually is always looking to be safe (meaning we aren't) and looks for the reasons we might not be safe. Heart always looks for the most loving thing that is aligned with the Soul, which translates into blessings. Since we are starting a new year, why not start looking for the blessings around you.

    Following are some examples of how heart connects us to greater things, things we may not be aware of in our intellect, things that take us to higher places and helps us become better human beings with greater understanding. This works in every area of life including with those wonderful animals who grace our lives.

    Each of the animal kids I live with has come to me due to some circumstance where listening to my heart has led me to the appropriate dog, cat, horse, bird. When things happen, I don't question them, I just say yes because I've learned following your heart is the most wonderful experience. Braveheart came when I sat in front of a litter of puppies and saw the tip of his tail. Amira came when I found her wandering toward the door (out of her whelping box - the only out of the box) when I arrived at her breeder's. Mercury and Venus came when Mercury wrapped his legs around my legs as a kitten in a pet store and Venus jumped into the bag, which held the bird food I had just purchased. Ala came when the floor director of the TV show I was doing at the time said she had a horse she needed to sell. DreamWeaver came to me through a vision. Deleite and Diego came when I opened an email from a friend asking if I knew someone who would like these baby horses. Sing came when I heard his lovely song, the softest I had ever heard. Song when she jumped up and down at the store in her cage. None of these choices were made through an intellectual process.

    Sometimes we just need to be somewhere at a specific time like getting on a ferry (or at least we think we do). There might be a store conveniently located for you to stop and purchase vitamins you know you need for your animal kid. Instead of stopping for the vitamins, you drive by it because you want to make sure you get to the ferry on time. Of course, you make the ferry in plenty of time. (Your heart would have stopped for the vitamins, trusting you would be at the ferry in plenty of time.) Then the noise starts in your head. Your intellect lets you know that you would have had time to stop and now you will be even later getting home if you stop at the out of the way store. Those thoughts just start running through your head over and over and over. (By the way, there is really no satisfying the intellect. It will think of everything else that it doesn't like about whatever choice you might make.) When you drive off the ferry, you go to the vitamin store that is way out of your way. Now more out of necessity than choice. And something interesting happens. As you are purchasing your vitamins, you talk with the clerk and, it just so happens he needs your service. So, you give him your business card. As you leave, it dawns on you that there would have been no wrong answer for which store to stop at. The first one would have spoken of trust and, as for the second store; you were actually at the appropriate store because you helped the clerk regarding his animal kid. Your heart feels so wonderful with either of your choice and especially because you have been of service.

    During one of Washington's recent floods, a mom, several human children and four dogs were trying to escape when a wall of water from a broken dam came toward their house. The mom had everyone in the car and realized she couldn't escape that way so moved the human children to high ground. When she went to save the dogs in the car, the water would not let the door of the car open. Her screams brought a man to help. She asked him to break the window to let the dogs out. His intellect told him that since the car was new, he did not want to break the window. As a result of listening to his intellect instead of his heart, the dogs drowned.

    My friend and coordinator, Martha was visiting one of her dear friends who had a rocking chair that had been left out in the weather and was falling apart. The chair had been her grandmother's. This rocking chair caught Martha's attention. Because Martha's heart wanted the chair, and in spite of Martha's husband getting his dander up, she took it home. If she heard one word from her husband about how we don't need the rocking chair, her message to him was, "How do you know that maybe we are to save and repair the chair to give her friend's unborn granddaughter?" A lesson for Martha to stand up for herself no matter what was happening around her when her heart spoke.

    Then, I was in a store buying my groceries when I walked by a display. I was energetically yanked by my collar to come back to buy the container of chocolate covered fruit for my friend. Since I had never seen her eating anything like this, my intellect would have dismissed the message. Knowing better than to do that, I bought the item and gave it to her. All the while thinking this was a very strange gift and knowing that for some reason it must have been perfect. As with all heart choices, it was perfect. She was so excited to receive it! She does not usually eat sweets because they give her a headache. However, these were different and she had actually seen them and decided not to buy them for herself even though she wanted them. My friend was thankful I listened. How do you know this is a sweet that she could eat without getting a headache? You don't. But, someone does and sends the message to your heart to listen to.

    How will you know whether your intellect or your heart is telling you an answer? Intellect always involves thinking and rationalizing - coming up with reasons why. Heart very often goes against everything that seems reasonable and very often there are no reasons why other than it feels like the right thing to do. We can let our ego dictate what is the right thing to do or we can let our hearts show us what is the appropriate course of action. No matter what is happening in our lives whether it is large or small, we have two ways of interpreting. We can look at how bad things are (the typical course of the intellect) or we can look for the blessings (the normal course of the heart). If all we see is the negative, then all there will be is negative. Yes, at first you have every right to say, "Oh blaa, blaa." It is what you do next that sets the wheels in motion. Step back and start listening for the blessing in the midst of the chaos, blessings whether great or small will show up. That is how you will know. Heart is a great way to go and it is the way animals run their lives. Let's follow their lead.

    Until next time, I'm Joy reminding you, you can never love your animal companions too much. You can only love them, hopefully, enough.

    If you would like to schedule a private session with Joy, call 425-867-1779 or go to www.TalkWithYourAnimals.com. If you are interested in being a caller on Talk with your Animals, please email Martha@AnimalRadio.com to make arrangements. Joy Turner is a regular Animal Radio® correspondent. She can be heard daily on Animal Radio Network. LISTEN TO ANIMAL RADIO NETWORK NOW

    Public Events:

    Email your events to: root@AnimalRadio.com

    Clicker Expo 2008
    Los Angeles, CA
    February 1-3, 2008
    Lexington, KY
    March 28-30, 2008

    What's new at ClickerExpo 2008? Just about every course-80% of the 2008 program is brand-new! With new faculty bringing new perspectives, ClickerExpo is a must-attend event in 2008.

    ClickerExpo has developed a unique culture of mutual discovery. Teachers and attendees listen, practice, and learn from each other. Maybe that's why just about every attendee who turned in a survey said that previous ClickerExpos met their expectations, exceeded their expectations, or gave them a "Wow" experience.

    ClickerExpo 2007 was sold out. Don't miss 2008 and a chance at your own "Wow" experience!
    ClickerExpo 2008 Highlights

    * Amazing new courses
    * Watch the Faculty Train
    * Find Your Niche
    * Love Those (smaller) Learning Labs!
    * Nighttime and Lunchtime Are the Right Times
    * Our 2008 Faculty

    Whether you've been to ClickerExpo many times before or this is your first time, you are in for a treat. In 2008 we have 50 courses and 80% of them are brand new! These 39 new courses include 23 new Learning Sessions and 16 new hands-on Learning Labs.

    Have a look at the full schedule, and you'll find 26 courses for trainers with advanced and intermediate training skills, 17 new courses for all skill levels, and 7 foundation courses for new clicker trainers.

    Rover, Get Off Her Leg! with Darlene Arden

    ASK "THE DOG EXPERT" - by Darlene Arden, Certified Animal Behavior Consultant

    Q. Dear Darlene Arden,
    My dog got a bunch of new toys for the holidays. I'm not sure if all of them are safe. There are squeaky toys and plush toys and tug toys. How can I determine which ones are good for my dog? Thanks!
    Ellie

    A. Dear Ellie,
    I'm glad you asked. Most people give their dogs toys without a second thought. There's no safety council for toys for pets as there is for toys meant for children so you have to be very careful to inspect the toys before you give them to your dog and then supervise all playtime with new toys before leaving your dog alone with his newest acquisition.

    First, look over each toy. If there are parts that can be easily removed, remove them before the dog can. He would be likely to swallow them. If it's a squeaky toy and your dog likes to "kill" the squeaker, either be sure it's one he can't get at or remove it before he can "kill" and swallow it.

    Be sure that the toy is constructed sturdily. Some rubber toys fall apart and bits can be swallowed, plush toys can also come apart or be easily destroyed by an active dog who might decide to eat the stuffing. Always examine your dog's toys for wear and tear and repair or replace any that are starting to fall apart or seams that are opening.

    Dental toys that are made of rope can get very dirty and become a source of germs. And tug toys are best left for dogs to play tug with another dog. Most humans don't know how to properly play the game and can create problems. The dog should not learn that he can be mouthy and take things away from a human. While a correctly played game of tug can build confidence, an incorrectly played game can cause behavior problems.

    Be sure that the toys you give your dog are not so small for him that they can be swallowed. And be careful of the source of the toys. Recently lead paint has been found in toys made in China for children. It's not unreasonable to assume that the same thing has happened with toys made there for pets.

    Have fun with your dog! Remember that you are his favorite playmate!

    "Ask the Dog Expert" is a regular column by Darlene Arden. This month's column features information found in her book, "The Angell Memorial Animal Hospital Book of Wellness and Preventive Care for Dogs," (McGraw-Hill), which helps you, in concert with your veterinarian, design a wellness program based on your dog, your lifestyle and the place where you live, and "Small Dogs, Big Hearts," (Howell Book House), and the newly released, "Rover, Get Off Her Leg!" Further information may also be found on her website: www.darlenearden.com. Copyright 2008 by Darlene Arden. All Rights Reserved.

    ANIMAL RADIO® BOOK REVIEW for January


    \(rated 3 and 1/2 out of 5 paws)

    Salty Dogs by Jean M. Fogle
    Hardcover: 112 pages
    Publisher: Howell Book House (Sept 2007)
    ISBN-10: 0470169044
    ISBN-13: 978-0470169049
    Reviewed by Judy Francis

    The name Salty Dogs might be misleading at first. But when you open the book, you realize that these are dogs who are enjoying a moment at the beach. I am sure you have seen them yourselves. You know, the dog who is running in and out of the surf or the dog who is just frolicking in the sand.

    We can learn a lot from these animals who live in the moment. Ahh, looking at all of the happy dogs at the beach takes me back to the "dog days of summer."


    \(rated 5 out of 5 paws)

    National Geographic Kids Comic Book Creator DVD - Silly Pets
    ASIN: B000V2L74A - PC Windows
    Item model number: 160200501-2

    Silly Pets is an interactive DVD that allows you to create comic books using photos of your own pets. You can easily download your own pet photos to create a personal comic book. This is also a great gift for friends and family using photos of their animals.

    In only minutes I was able to create a great page on my pets. There are many types of text you can use and you can even add clip art to your picture. It is so easy to use, even children can do it.

    Even though I only spent a few minutes working on my comic book, I can easily see spending hours being creative with this program, as you will get hooked. Now, let me get back to my comic book!


    See other reviews at AnimalRadio.com. Send books and literature for review on-air and in this newsletter to: Animal Radio Network™ Book Reviews, 233 East 330 North, Kanab, Utah 84741. Product may not be returned. Allow 5 weeks for review.


    When Children Turn Into Cats
    by Adair Lara
    I JUST REALIZED THAT while children are dogs, loyal and affectionate, teenagers are cats.

    It's so easy to be the owner of a dog. You feed it, train it, boss it around and it puts its head on your knee and gazes at you as if you were a Rembrandt painting. It follows you around, chews the dust covers off the Great Literature series if you stay too long at the party and bounds inside with enthusiasm when you call it in from the yard.

    Then, one day around age 13, your adoring little puppy turns into a big old cat. When you tell it to come inside, it looks amazed, as if wondering who died and made you emperor. Instead of dogging your footsteps, it disappears. You won't see it again until it gets hungry; when it pauses on its sprint through the kitchen long enough to turn its nose up at whatever you're serving. When you reach out to ruffle its head, in that old affectionate gesture, it twists away from you, then gives you a blank stare, as if trying to remember where it has seen you before.

    It sometimes conks out right after breakfast. It might steel itself to the communication necessary to get the back door opened or the car keys handed to it, but even that amount of dependence is disagreeable to it now.

    Stunned, more than a little hurt, you have two choices. The first -- and the one chosen by many parents -- is that you can continue to behave like a dog owner. After all, your heart still swells when you look at your dog, you still want its company, and naturally when you tell it to stop digging up the rose bushes, you still expect it to obey you, pronto.

    IT PAYS NO attention now, of course, being a cat.

    So you toss it onto the back porch, telling it it can stay there and think about things, mister, and it glares at you, not deigning to reply. It wants you to recognize that it has a new nature now, and it must feel independent or it will die.

    You, not realizing that the dog is now a cat, think something must be desperately wrong with it. It seems so anti-social, so distant, so sort of depressed. It won't go on family outings.

    Since you're the one who raised it, taught it to fetch and stay and sit on command, naturally you assume that whatever is wrong with it is something you did, or left undone. Flooded with guilt and fear, you redouble your efforts to make your pet behave.

    Only now, you're dealing with a cat, so everything that worked before now produces exactly the opposite of the desired result. Call it, and it runs away. Tell it to sit, and it jumps on the counter. The more you go toward it, wringing your hands, the more it moves away.

    Your second choice is to do the necessary reading, and learn to behave like a cat owner. Put a dish of food near the door, and let it come to you. If you must issue commands, find out what it wants to do, and command it to do it.

    BUT REMEMBER THAT a cat needs affection, too, and your help. Sit still, and it will come, seeking that warm, comforting lap it has not entirely forgotten. Be there to open the door for it.

    Realize that all dog owners go through this, and few find it easy. My glance used to travel from my cat Mike looking regal and aloof on the fence to a foolish German shepherd on the sidewalk across the street, jumping for joy simply because he was getting to go outside. Now I miss the little boy who insisted I watch "Full House" with him, and who has now sealed him into a bedroom with a stereo and TV. The little girl who wrote me mash notes and is now peeling rubber in the driveway.

    The only consolation is that if you do it right, let them go, be cool as a cat yourself, one day they will walk into the kitchen and give you a big kiss and say, you've been on your feet all day, let me get those dishes for you -- and you'll realize they're dogs again.

    Adair Lara, for 12 years a popular columnist with the San Francisco Chronicle, now writes magazine features and books in addition to teaching writing and working one-on-one with writers. http://www.AdairLara.com

     

    "Free to a Good Home"
    You see it all the time in newspapers and on classified ad web sites like Craigslist:
    "FREE TO A GOOD HOME" - 4 year old Lab - Great with kids
    Moving can't keep - Call 555-555-5555

    Someone calls about the dog and makes arrangements to them. He brings his kid who has always wanted a dog and now seems like a great time for one!

    So, what's the problem?

    The dog's owners may be giving their pet to a wonderful father and his little boy or, they could be turning their dog over to dog fighters or to "bunchers" posing as a father and taking a kid along as a prop. It happens and it happens every day with cats and dogs.

    Dog fighters steal pets or get their pets from unwitting dog owners who post their pets in classified ad sections. Sadly, these dogs are used as bait for fighting dogs. Bait dogs and losing fighters are often just dumped in rivers or unpopulated areas and new ones picked up.

    Class B Dealers are licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to buy animals from "random sources" (meaning animals not bred or raised on the dealers' property) and sell them to animal research facilities for biomedical research, testing, and educational purposes. Such random sources for dogs and cats include auctions, flea markets, or animal shelters. Get a Fact Sheet about Class B Dealers.

    Bunchers are unlicensed but also collect animals from "random sources" such as "Free to a Good Home" ads, shelters, strays, and dog or cat owner's own yards. Bunchers often sell these pets to Class B Dealers or directly to research facilities.

    To limit the risk of having your dog or cat fall into the wrong hands:

    • Never place a "Free to a Good Home Ad" on a web site or in a newspaper.
    • Exhaust every avenue to keep your pet with you. If you are giving your pet to someone you don't know, visit the home (be sure to put your own safety first) or investigate to make sure the new owner is who you think they are. z  
    • Don't let your pet roam free in the neighborhood. Keep your pet on a leash when walking him.
    • Don't let your pet be visible from the street. Put a padlock on your gate to your backyard to further ensure their safety.
    • Never leave pets unattended at any time.
    • Never leave pets outside a store or in the car to wait for you.
    • Keep identification on your pet at all times ­ tags, microchips, and/or tattoos.

      Humane Society of the United States

    Animal Radio® is a proud partner with Pets911! Hear about the latest Pets911 activities on-air on Animal Radio®

    Pet Talk Radio! on Animal Radio Network
    with Brian and Kaye Pickering Check Schedule for Airtimes
    Brian and Kaye are on-holiday in the U.S. - Hear them this week as they visit with Animal Radio's Hal & Judy.


    "Three Dog Night" - Sleeping With Your Pet

    The term "three dog night" originates with the Inuit tribes of Alaska, who measured nocturnal temperatures based on how many of their sled dogs they needed to bring indoors to serve as bed warmers. And, especially at this time of the year, not only do we want to keep warm, but our pets want to keep warm as well.

    It seems that everyone we speak with has stated that at one time or another their pet has slept in the bed with them. But if they have a spouse, how did that spouse feel about the sleeping arrangement?

    A recent Adweek study revealed, of the 63% of households that own a pet, the majority (88%) viewed that pet as part of the family, and 69% allowed their pet to sleep in bed with them.

    Animal Radio® discussed this problem with world-renown psychiatrist, Dr. Joyce Brothers, who feels that pets can easily come between partners when they don't agree on sleeping arrangements. In fact, she mentions that divorce frequently is the result.

    This is also a worldwide issue. Animal Radio® hosts Hal Abrams and Judy Francis had a chance to meet Brian and Kaye Pickering, their Aussie counterparts on Pet Talk Radio. Since they have four dogs, Judy asked them what their sleeping arrangements were. They state that they "rotate" their dogs, allowing one in bed at a time, as four would be too much at once.

    Animal Radio® listeners speak-out on how they cope with this problem. One couple has actually worked out a compromise. The husband's dog is "technically" not allowed in bed, but when he sneaks in at 4:00 am, the wife turns the other cheek. She states, "Sometimes you just have to pick your battles!"

    If you would like to tell Animal Radio® how you keep the peace in bed, call toll-free 866-405-8405 or email yourvoice@animalradio.com.

    Hear Pets in bed on Animal Radio®


    Voice of the Animal on Animal Radio®
    Rae Ann Kumelos Ph.D.

    Canis Major: Who Let The Dogs Up?
    Look up! Who let all those dogs out into the night sky?

    Actually, it was the Greeks, the Romans, the Egyptians, Helen of Troy, and an American astronomer.

    Step outside this evening and look to the east. There is the brightest star in the heavens and it belongs to humankind's best friend. It's the Dog Star, Sirius. Sirius is part of the constellation Canis Major, the Big Dog. The Greeks named the star Sirius, and it means "sparkling," or "scorching." As Sirius rises in the east it twinkles in a rainbow prism of color, eventually retaining a dazzling blue in the night sky. That's where the sparkle part comes from. The scorching part of Sirius relates to the heat of late summer, for the Dog Star rises just ahead of the sun during the height of summer, that's the reason the dates of July 3rd-August 11th are referred to as the "dog-days of summer." In fact, Sirius is so bright, the ancient writers of Rome thought it was the actual cause of the late-summer heat.

    The Egyptians also honored the light of Sirius, since it rose at the same time as the annual overflowing of the Nile River, which was responsible for bringing life-sustaining irrigation to their crops. That is one reason dogs often appear on ancient Egyptian temples.

    Long ago, Canis Major the Big Dog, was referred to as the Keeper of Hell and watchdog of the lower heavens. For the Egyptians, Canis Major was linked with the dog-headed god, Anubis, who was a companion and guide to those souls passing into death.

    Just up from Canis Major the Big Dog, is Canis Minor, the Little Dog. The Little Dog was believed to have belonged to a Greek woman so beautiful that her face launched a thousand ships, Helen of Troy. Helen's prayers for her little dog's immortality were answered when he was placed in the heavens.

    The most brilliant star in the constellation of the Little Dog is Procyon, which means "Before the Dog," since Procyon rises just before Sirius. And one more dog, The Pup, discovered by American astronomer Alvin Clarke in 1862, also spends his time in the night sky orbiting Sirius.

    Tonight, take your dogs for a walk under this cosmic kennel club, and let them pay homage to their galactic canine counterparts - seriously.


    Moving.
    A move means more than packing, changing my address and ordering new phone service. It also means sating good-bye to the wild animal friends who have shared my life for many years. Discover how a bobcat, bear, rose-breasted grosbeaks and an elderly turkey made it difficult to say good-bye.
    Hear "Moving" on Animal Radio®

    Visit us at http://www.voiceoftheanimal.com to hear more stories and to order CD's of Voice of the Animal programs. Copyright ­ 2008 ­ Voice of the Animal. Rae Ann Kumelos is a regular Animal Radio® correspondent. She can be heard daily on Animal Radio Network. LISTEN TO ANIMAL RADIO NETWORK NOW


    Ask the Bird Folks with Mike O'Connor

    Dear Bird Folks,
    I have a question about the bird, the albatross. A friend told me that it can never land on water because if it does land it won't be able to take off again. Is that true or did my friend have his facts wrong?
    - Peter, Harwich, MA

    I'm glad you were clear, Peter,
    Some people may have thought you were being redundant when you specified "the bird, the albatross." I mean, what else would an albatross be if it's not a bird? Well, there are tons of other things that have borrowed the albatross's name, including a type of plane, boat, hotel, and software program. There's even an Albatross Pub, a place I must visit someday, for research purposes only. What's interesting about naming stuff after the bird, the albatross, is that most people have never seen one. Albatrosses are diehard seabirds that have little use for land. Thus, there isn't much chance of any of us ever seeing one, unless you happen to be a sailor, a fisherman, a pirate, or Gilligan.

    There are roughly two dozen different species of albatrosses throughout the world. Most of these birds are found in the North Pacific and in some crazy new area called the "Southern Ocean." Have you ever heard of that? Me neither, but it sounds like it's someplace in the south. Only a few screwed up albatrosses ever make it to New England, like the one that was found walking through a cow pasture in Cape Neddick, Maine last spring.

    The various albatross species come with a whole assortment of names including the Short-tailed, the Sooty, the Grey-headed, and my favorite, the Shy Albatross. How cute is that? The one most of us are familiar with is the Wandering Albatross. The Wandering Albatross is the bird that was featured in The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, an endlessly long poem that I tried to read last night but stopped after it started to give me a headache. The bird is called "wandering" because it spends years crisscrossing thousands of miles of ocean without ever coming to land. This type of oceanographic wandering should not be confused with the kind of wandering I sometimes experience when I can't find my car in the mall parking lot. That's something different.

    If you are ever lucky enough to see a Wandering Albatross, you would not be likely to soon forget it. The Wandering Albatross has the largest wingspan of any bird in the world. One particular bird's wingspan was close to twelve feet long. To give you an idea how huge that is, stick both of your arms straight out, like you did when you were a kid pretending to be an airplane. Now, invite someone else to do the same thing and stand side-by-side, touching fingertips. The distance from the tip of your outside finger to the tip of your partner's outside finger is about how long a Wandering Albatross's wings are. Doing this will not only give you a good idea how long this bird's wingspan is, but it is also a great pick up move. (You may want to write that down, Peter.)

    The well-adapted Wandering Albatross has a special tendon that locks its super-long wings into place, allowing it to soar, glider-like, for hours on end with little effort. The bird's habit of following oceangoing ships made it a favorite bird of sailors who had grown bored with the vast empty ocean, and each other. The bird appears to follow the ships both day and night giving rise to the notion that albatrosses are able to sleep on the wing. However, that notion is widely considered to be false. Instead, when the bird needs to rest, it simply lands on the water's surface, curls up and goes to sleep. Yes, Peter, the albatross lands on the water, on purpose. After it has a bit of a snooze, the bird wakes up and is airborne in no time.

    An albatross can take off from either land or water, but it is far more comfortable in the air. Its landings and takeoffs are sometimes an adventure. If there is no wind the bird must run and flap for quite a while in order to become airborne. And their terrestrial landings are more like crash landings, often involving a somersault or two and looking like the winning entry in America's Funniest Home Videos.

    The Wandering Albatross is a true seabird. The young birds may remain at sea for seven or eight years before they return to land for the first time to breed. The adult female albatross only lays a single egg and she only nests once every two years. Since she is a large bird her egg is also large, about the size of a Coke can, which may explain why she only does it once every two years.

    The albatross can definitely take off from the water, Peter. When you tell your friend that he was wrong, do it gently. Better yet, take him to the Albatross Pub. After a while he won't care what you tell him.

    Besides being a frequent guest on Animal Radio® - Mike O'Connor is the owner of the Bird Watcher's General Store on Cape Cod, which opened in 1983 as one of the first stores in the United States dedicated solely to birding. His column, Ask the Bird Folks, appears weekly in The Cape Codder, The Register, The Harwich Oracle, and The Upper Cape Codder newspapers, and his writing was included in the Best American Science and Nature Writing 2004. Copyright 2007 by Mike O'Connor. All Rights Reserved. http://www.BirdWatchersGeneralStore.com

    Reader and Listener Comments:

    EMAIL US: YourVoice@AnimalRadio.com

    Michelle Leslie
    Playa del Rey, CA

    I have three dogs -- two yorkies and one silkie mix. One yorkie and the silkie mix were rescues. All three are fixed. I love my dogs (almost) more than anything else in the whole world.

    I caught your show this morning for the first time and heard "Ruth"? promoting her dog and cat wigs. Some of them were made out of synthetic hair and others were made out of European hair from ladies who wrapped their heads in towels so that their hair would not be subjected to the elements. And I understood that some of these wigs were very expensive.

    Aside from the thousands of people going through cancer and chemotherapy and radiation therapy who really need wigs and who can't afford wigs and whose lives are being turned around because of all the medication and could certainly use an uplift in their lives by having a wig to cover the loss of their hair, what makes this woman (and whoever buys these wigs) think that the animals like having a wig on them. These are sweet loving animals who will do anything for you because they love you, why would you torture (maybe that's too harsh a word) them by making them wear a wig? They have a natural wig. They have natural clothes. And except for maybe a sweater when it's really cold, I don't dress them up either.

    The people who make these wigs have way too much time on their hands and the people who buy them have way too much money on their hands, too. Perhaps that time and money could be redirected to something really worthwhile and necessary.

    Don't get me wrong -- I love my dogs and I treat them like children. I wouldn't embarrass my two-legged child by making him wear strange things.

    Thank you for listening. It would be nice to make and donate the wigs for people who need them.


     

    Dog Heaven
    As submitted by Frank Di Silvestro
    If your lovable dog passes away,
    And you feel very sad and cry;
    Remember there's a Dog Heaven
    Where dogs go when they die.

    And you can go there anytime
    Close your eyes and count to seven.
    And as you dream of your dog,
    You'll be in Dog Heaven!

    You'll enter through a pearly gate,
    As a heavenly voice will say,
    "Welcome to Dog Heaven,"
    Where Dogs play in a happy way.

    A marvelous sight you will see
    In pretty green fields in the sun;
    Countless, beautiful dogs
    As they merrily bark and run.

    Then your dog will gaily appear,
    And into your arms it will dive;
    Licking your face as you hug it,
    They way you did when it was alive.

    And you'll be greeted by so many dogs,
    They'll snuggle around you as if to say,
    "We'll always be your dog's friend,"
    As they look at you in a loving way.

    Then you dog will run with its friends
    Across the fields with a joy so true;
    Suddenly it will come running back
    With a love only meant for you.

    And you happy heart will tell you
    When you think of your dog and cry;
    The love and joy you both shared
    Is forever and will never die.

    And then as you open your eyes,
    They'll brightly gleam and shine;
    As you happily smile knowing,
    You can visit Dog Heaven anytime.


    EMAIL US: YourVoice@AnimalRadio.com


    ASPCA Compiles "Victory List" of Federal and State Legislation Passed in 2007

    NEW YORK-The ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) recently released a compilation of its 2007 "Victory List," a list of ASPCA-supported, animal-centered federal and state legislation that its state and federal legislative experts worked hard to get passed this year.

    "2007 has been a signature year for legislative victories on behalf of animals," said ASPCA President and CEO Ed Sayres. "Our legislative representatives worked closely with state and federal legislators to implement these bills, and we owe it to our supporters to reflect the good news as it continues to come in."

    Federal legislation includes a major victory with the passage of HR 147/S 261, the "Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act of 2007," which prohibits sponsoring or exhibiting an animal in an animal-fighting venture if any of the animals in the venture have been moved across state lines. The Act raises this crime from a misdemeanor to a felony offense and intends to deter more people from engaging in the brutal "sport" of animal fighting.

    Five states, including Connecticut, Nevada, Oregon, Texas and Virginia, passed bills addressing animals in disasters, which require state and local civil preparedness officials to create strategies to evacuate pets and service animals in the event of a major disaster or emergency. This brings to 13 the total number of states with similar bills passed.

    While three states (Maine, New York and Vermont) already had pet protection laws on their books, states that followed suit in 2007 included California, Connecticut, Illinois, Nevada and Tennessee. The "Protection Orders for Pets" bills permit courts to issue orders of protection for animals owned or kept by victims of family violence. Seven other states introduced similar legislation in 2007. Further, in Indiana, animal cruelty was added to the "Definition of Domestic Violence" with HB 1387, and includes crimes involving animal cruelty used to threaten, intimidate, coerce, harass or terrorize a family or household member.

    After many years of contentious struggle, cockfighting was finally made illegal in New Mexico, and has now been banned in all 50 states, with Louisiana's prohibition going into effect in August 2008. In Illinois, HB 3614 increased the penalty for animal fighting to a felony, regardless of the species of animal made to fight. Texas also increased the penalty for dog fighting from a Class A
    misdemeanor to a state jail felony, and Texas and Tennessee both increased the punishment for attending a dog fighting exhibition from a Class C to a Class A misdemeanor.

    In two states, tethering laws were passed: In Tennessee, dogs can no longer be chained in a manner that is inhumane or prevents access to food, water or shelter; and in Texas, HB 1411 prohibits the tethering of dogs outdoors between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., and during extreme weather conditions.

    Other highlights, by region, include:

    Eastern Region: Connecticut passed HB 7194 (Spay/Neuter and Vaccination Programs), establishing subsidized spay/neuter services and vaccination programs for low-income pet owners, and expanding such services for feral cat rescuers.

    Western Region: Hawaii passed SB 1665 (Felony-Level Penalties for Crimes Against Pets), creating the state's first felony offense for cruelty to animals by adding a new class C felony of 'cruelty to animals in the first degree.' In Nevada, SB 329 (Dogs in Hot Cars) now prohibits a person from allowing a cat or dog to remain unattended in a motor vehicle under certain circumstances. And in Oregon, SB 694 (Animal Cruelty Law) bans the use of gestation crates-metal enclosures that confine breeding sows so severely that the animals cannot even turn around. Texas' HB 2328 (Animal Cruelty Bill) aids the future prosecution of cruelty cases by closing loopholes in the state's Animal Cruelty Statute and protects feral animals, stray dogs and horses from specific abuses.

    Midwest Region: Illinois passed HB 1711 (Ban on Horse Slaughter for Human Consumption) and SR 166, establishing the 'Dog Owners and Homeowner's Insurance Advisory Committee' to study breed discrimination and homeowner's insurance availability. Illinois also banned Internet Hunting. In Indiana, SB 108 (Counseling for Animal Abusers) now requires courts to consider psychological, behavioral or other forms of counseling as part of the sentence imposed on an adult or juvenile who has been found guilty of animal cruelty.

    Northeast Region: In New York, animal welfare program budget cuts were restored during last-minute negotiations to finalize a state budget by the April 1 deadline. New York also passed A1839/S3167, "Companion Animals for Seniors," which provides for the state's Office for the Aging to operate programs to match seniors with companion pets to improve the lives of such seniors, and for the Office for the Aging to work with other entities to provide such programs.

    Southeast Region: In Tennessee, SB 487/HB 953 (Bestiality) creates the crime of sexual abuse of an animal and assesses felony level penalties for violations. Tennessee also passed HJR 99 (Benefits of Spay/Neuter), a joint resolution that details the many benefits of spaying and neutering pets, and encourages all Tennesseans to be responsible pet owners by spaying and neutering their pets.

    A complete list of federal and state legislative victories for animals can be found at http://www.aspca.org

    The ASPCA encourages supporters to join its free Advocacy Brigade, which allows people from all over the country to take an active role in improving the lives of animals. Advocacy Brigade members help promote the passage of legislation, citizen initiatives and the adoption of public policies that recognize animals as living, sentient beings who warrant protection. Visit the www.aspca.org and click on "Lobby for Animals" to learn more.

     

    A final note from Animal Radio Network Operation Manager: Hal Abrams

    2007 was quite the year for the animals. From the pet-food recall to Michael Vick going to jail for dog-fighting - Animal Radio® newsrooms have stayed pretty busy. Statistics are showing that you're interested in knowing what's happening in the animal world. In 2007, we experimented with some great new technologies; expanding our reach and breadth. We will continue to bring you the world of fur, scales, feathers and other animals, straight to you via the distribution method you select.

    Besides getting the latest animal news through our 95+ AM-FM radio stations, you may also hear Animal Radio® on any cell phone (simply text "ANIMAL" to 27627), streaming live 24/7 at AnimalRadio.com, and downloadable from a computer near you. We also offer RSS (Real Simple Syndication) feeds that include audio and up-to the minute news. And even better, now you can get your animal news headlines delivered directly to your e-mailbox everyday.

    We want you to have the latest and best information available so that you can make informative decisions for your pets welfare.

    More than ever, humans are inviting furry friends into their lives, discovering the wonderful connection and lessons these creatures have to impart. We want to be that glue that connects you and your pets together forever! Stay connected with Animal Radio® all through '08 - we've got great things happening. You and your furry family are invited to join us!

    LISTEN TO ANIMAL RADIO NETWORK NOW

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