HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE ANIMAL RADIO ZOO CREW

We here at Animal Radio wish everyone, including their furry, two-legged and four-legged, feathered and fishy friends, a Happy New Year. Every year we see great strides towards making a better life for our animals. Let's hope that the trend continues in 2022!

Ralph Nader

Named by Time, Life and Atlantic Magazines as one of the hundred most influential Americans, former U.S. Presidential candidate Ralph Nader is our guest. Now, he's speaking out for the animals in his book called "Animal Envy."

Ralph explains, he, like millions of other people, has often wondered what would the animal kingdom say to us if we had a common language? What would they want to tell us?

In Animal Envy, mammals, reptiles, birds fish and insects all speak to humans. Ralph states it is a fascinating mixture of the way they get together and the way they strategize. They think humans are unintelligent and pumped up by their DNA and that they don't understand if the animals become extinct and their habitats are destroyed, that is going to severely harm humans as well.

Ralph tried to make every page a gripping one that astonishes the reader with things like the way sharks can recreate without a male. He also wanted to get people to imagine the plight of these animals.

The books revolves around a human genius that develops an app allowing all animals and insects to talk to human beings and to probe all of the knowledge of the natural world assembled by human beings.

An elephant, owl and a dolphin take charge and the human genius opens up 100 hours of global television. The human states to these three animals that they need to program what all of them in the animal kingdom have been wondering and wishing they could say to human beings.

Ralph was inspired to write the book because of his own curiosity. He states we all grow up as kids reading fairy tales and watching cartoons where animals speak English.

Ralph used to watch squirrels as a child and once saw a squirrel leap from one limb in a tree to another, forty feet off the ground and it didn't slip. It then occurred to Ralph that he never saw a squirrel make that leap and fall. Humans consider squirrels as dumb animals, but Ralph states just think of the calculations in the squirrel's brains allowing for wind, moisture and the flexibility of the branch they are going to land on. They know if they fall it is curtains, whether it comes from the fall itself or perhaps even a cat. Ralph tells us he sees humans all the time just walking down the street and they fall on a flat sidewalk.

Ralph has read scientific information from naturalists, biologists and ecologists about the intelligence of dogs and cats as well as chickens and they way they communicate. We have already learned about the knowledge and intelligence of primates. We have now learned and how elephant herds take care of their injured babies and how they can experience sorrow, grief and empathy and how crows can figure things out and actually use primitive tools.

Because of all of this knowledge, Ralph felt his book would challenge and delight the imagination of anyone who reads it. It is for people of all ages and backgrounds, as well as for all cultures all over the world. Just as he did when he wrote Only the Super-Rich Can Save Us, Nader shows here that his visionary genius knows no limits.

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Kids Design Collar For Blind Dog
Josh & Zack Armstrong, Timberwolves

Josh and Zach Armstrong are teenage brothers who have been home-schooled. But don't let that fool you. They've invented an electronic circuit that a blind dog can wear on his collar to alert him of impending obstacles.

They describe their invention as a circuit box that attaches to a blind dog's collar. While the dog is wearing the collar, it sends out a burst of infrared light. When the dog approaches an object, the light bounces back and sends out a small beep. The beep lets the dog knows he needs to either stop or turn away. Humans can't see the infrared light and it is believed that dogs aren't able to see it either.

Josh, Zach, their sisters Mariah and Rachael, as well as their friend, Matthew Lewis, all worked on the device.

Everyone knows the pet business is a $60 billion dollar market and the tech sector is rapidly growing. I expect we will hear more from these guys in the future - remember their names!

The Pit Bull Life
Deirdre Franklin, The Pit Bull Life: A Dog Lover's Companion

Author and pit bull advocate Deirdre Franklin wants you to know that the breed gets a bad-rap. She'll tell us why Pit Bulls are misunderstood. If you're thinking of adopting this adorable breed, you'll need to know what hurdles lay ahead.

All dogs are special, but living with a Pit Bull really is different. You know how loyal and lovable your dog is, but your life can be affected by the breed's undeserved reputation. Deirdre Franklin, author of The Pit Bull Life, has dedicated her life to these dogs who have an undeservedly bad reputation.

Deirdre wrote her book because she wanted people to understand the laws affecting these dogs; what it's like to own this dog, especially as it pertains to peoples' perceptions; and to give people a sort of map to survive these challenges and enjoy their dogs a the same time.

Some of the laws banning Pit Bulls in some cities were set up long ago and in different times than we are living in now, according to Deirdre. For example, the ban of Pit Bulls in Denver was started back in the 80's. This is when the city was worried about gang situations and drugs. The city felt that if they banned dogs associated with these types of people, it would keep these dogs out of the population. However, it had the opposite affect. It made the breed more popular with the people they were trying to affect.

Is there really a dog that is a Pit Bull Breed? Deirdre explains that there's no such thing as a true Pit Bull dog. However, there are three different kinds of dogs that are purebred and associated with the Pit Bull name. Part of the problem is that most dogs look like some sort of Pit Bull today, because it is such a motley breed. There are around 57 different Heinz kinds of dogs that are short and stocky with blockheads that people consider to be Pit Bulls.

If you are thinking about adopting one of these dogs, Deirdre explains that you are going to be stigmatized automatically. Thankfully a lot of people are changing their minds about these dogs, but there are still going to be people who might even yell at you when you walk your dog down the street, thinking that your dog is dangerous because of the way they look. You may even receive threatening email, like Deirdre has. While some people cross the street when Deirdre walks her dogs down the street, there are still others who cross the street to come meet them. So, things are getting better for these dogs.

Also know if you get one of these dogs, they need to behave twice as well as other dogs because people are going to be watching.

Remember, all dogs have teeth so they all have the potential to be problematic. You need to train all dogs positively and give them a good structure in order to be great representatives for their breeds.

The Pit Bull Life celebrates the everyday joys of owning a pit bull―from their boundless energy to their love of life―while providing helpful facts and strategies you need to counter unfair laws and policies you may face.

You'll learn the history of how the pit bull got to where it is today and what you can do to help secure its future. You'll also find practical advice about breed characteristics, how to find a good match, and how to communicate with your dog, along with inspiring stories of people who've devoted their lives to this very special dog.

Deirdre Franklin is also the founder, president and soul behind Pinups for Pitbulls, Inc., an education and advocacy group that helps shelters and animal rescues around the country. They do an annual Pin-Up Calendar, using pin-up style hair and makeup and costuming for the people and then include a Put Bull dog in each picture. This is to help people see these dogs as they are - goofy, sweet and loyal.

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The Deadly Spill - Pet Antifreeze Toxicity - Dr. Debbie

Chilly winter weather means pet owner must be on the lookout for special health risks. An unfortunately common cold weather emergency is antifreeze poisoning. Just a small spill of this essential car fluid can be fatal for pets. So whether you have a dog, cat or are currently pet less but own a car - this toxicity is one you need to be aware of to keep animals safe.

Antifreeze Toxicity in Pets
Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, a compound that is used in automobiles to cool engines, and is resistant to freezing temperatures. Ethylene glycol is highly toxic to household pets - just a small quantity causes illness and death. Additionally, antifreeze has a sweet taste that animals find appealing and are apt to drink. Pets that ingest antifreeze rapidly develop neurologic symptoms and kidney failure. Small amounts of antifreeze can prove fatal for pets. Just a teaspoon can prove toxic for a cat or small dog, while several tablespoons are toxic for a larger dog.

Ethylene glycol is also found in some lesser known places but still poses the same toxic risk. It is used in winterizing fluids for toilets in vacation homes and RV's. Ethylene glycol is also found in home solar units, break fluids and within portable basketball goalpost bases.

What Are The Symptoms of Antifreeze Toxicity?
Initial symptoms occur within 30 minutes to 12 hours after ingestion and include increased thirst, increased urination, depression, uncoordination and seizures. Some pet owners describe their pet acting "drunk."

Later symptoms occur 12-72 hours after ingestion and may include severe lethargy, difficulty breathing, mouth ulcers, vomiting and coma.

How is Antifreeze Poisoning Diagnosed and Treated?
Your veterinarian will perform blood work, urine tests and may perform a specific test for the presence of ethylene glycol.

Suspect cases, even if unproven, are aggressively treated with intravenous fluids. Intravenous antidotes are given to bind the toxin, and anti-seizure medication is administered if needed.

Once kidney failure has set in, the prognosis is unfortunately grim for survival.

How to Prevent Accidental Antifreeze Poisoning?
Pet owners should recognize what an antifreeze spill looks like. Look for puddles of this fluid in parking lots, driveways and streets and keep your pets far away. The color of antifreeze may be green, pink, yellow, red, blue or orange. Report antifreeze spills to neighbors and businesses. One time I made a fuss at a pet-friendly coffee bar when I noted an antifreeze puddle smack dab in the path of dogs. Speak up - the life you save could be your own pet.

Don't allow your pets to roam. Outdoor cats and dogs that are permitted to wander are at risk for encountering antifreeze spills. How can you prevent a toxicity when you can't monitor your pet's behavior or whereabouts?

Keep your car and garage safe. Immediately clean up any antifreeze spills and safely secure bottles of antifreeze away from pets and children. Keep up regular automotive maintenance to ensure no antifreeze leaks.

Switch to less toxic antifreeze. While no antifreeze is completely safe, look for antifreeze that contains propylene glycol in place of ethylene glycol. This compound is a safer choice, but still can pose a toxic risk if ingested in larger quantities. Some antifreeze products have a bittering agent included to deter animals and children from ingesting it. But according to the ASPCA, there isn't any published data proving that adding a bittering agent helps to prevent ingestion. Any antifreeze should be considered potentially toxic and handled with appropriate caution.

What to Do if Your Pet Ingests Antifreeze?
Time is of the essence - seek prompt treatment at your veterinarian or emergency hospital for the best chance of survival. Don't wait until serious symptoms arise, because once advanced kidney failure develops, the prognosis is poor.

For more information about pet toxicities visit the ASPCA Animal Poison Control website.

Featured veterinarian known as "Dr. Debbie" on national pet radio program, Animal Radio. Ebook author of "Yorkshire Terriers: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend"; "Pugs: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend"; "Mini Schnauzers: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend"; and "Shih Tzu: How to Be Your Dog's Best Friend." Dr. Debbie's books.

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Animal Radio News - Laurie Roberts

Dogs Can Recall Past Events
A study published in the Journal of Current Biology found strong evidence that dogs have what is called "episodic memory," or the amazing ability to recall events from the past, just like their humans. To test and explore the dogs' memory, researchers took advantage of a trick called "Do as I Do." Dogs trained to "Do as I Do" can watch a person perform an action and then do the same afterwards. For example, if the owner walked two steps forward and then gave the "Do it!" command afterwards, the dog did exactly the same. They tested each of the subject dogs using the said technique after one minute and after one hour. The results showed they were able to recall the demonstrated actions after both short and long time intervals. The researchers said, "From a broad evolutionary perspective, this implies that episodic-like memory is not unique and did not evolve only in primates but is a more widespread skill in the animal kingdom."

Top Dogs Names Nationwide
Rover.com dug into their database of hundreds of thousands of dog names to dish up the top dog names nationwide. Did you know that 28-percent of dog names are basically human names? However, it's much higher as evidenced in the top ten list, which includes 5 male and 5 female dog names. Starting at Number 5 are Jack and Luna. Coming in Fourth are Cooper and Lola. In third place is Buddy for males and Daisy for females. The second most popular dog names are Charlie and Lucy. And the most popular dog names once again are Max and Bella. As for food related names, health food names like Peaches, Mango and Tofu are down, while Kale is up and most popular in Portland. There are also apparently many dogs named Quinoa, which is a popular dog name in Los Angeles. Names that have increased in popularity include those from Game of Thrones, Pokemon, Harry Potter, Stranger Things and X-Files.

Man Slept Outside In Cold For the Animals
An Ohio man went to extremes to encourage pet owners not to leave their animals outside during the extremely cold weather. Luke Westerman is a well-known animal advocate who spent the night in Goodale Park in Columbus. Temperatures at the time were in the teens. He says he wanted people to think about what it is like to be outside in these conditions. Westerman says that domesticated animals are just not equipped to handle frigid conditions and that if it's too cold outside for you, or your children, then it's too cold outside for your pets.

Dog Kisses are "Dirty"
Many of us don't think twice about the saliva that comes out of our dog's mouth when we lean in for a slobbery kiss. Affection between humans and their pets is the norm for most of us. However, what is common is the lack of education surrounding animal saliva, its bacteria and how it impacts both humans and pets. So from PetMD, here are some facts about dog saliva that can change the way you think about your pet and its mouth. Dog saliva helps prevent them from getting cavities. It is much better than human saliva at this, mostly because a dog's saliva is more alkaline than ours. Dog saliva is antibacterial, but licking won't cure all superficial infections in dogs, so vet visits are still necessary. Just because dog saliva has antibacterial properties does not mean that dog "kisses" are clean and humans should let their guard down. One study published in Oral Biology in 2012 found that there could be a transmission of bacteria between dogs and their humans. Dog saliva may also produce allergies in humans. While many people believe that pet fur is the culprit of allergic reactions to dogs, many allergies actually stem from proteins found in dog saliva. According to a study published in the European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, dog saliva contains at least 12 different allergy-causing protein bands. When dogs lick their fur, the saliva dries and these proteins become airborne. Researchers who conducted the study concluded that dog saliva has greater potential as an allergen source than dog dander.

Dog Landed Jobs at Lowes With Guardian
Clay Luthy is an Air Force veteran who can't go anywhere without his 10-year-old service dog Charlotte, even to work. That's why the dynamic duo was especially overjoyed when they landed a job at the Lowe's in Abilene, Texas. Up until Clay's wife gave him the idea to apply at Lowe's, the vet had a hard time finding a business that would be okay with his Charlotte following him around in a work zone. Lowes Human Resources Department said Clay won the job on his own merit, but the company got the benefit of getting Charlotte right along with him.



Listen to the entire Podcast of this show (#1152)