Kenny Lee Lewis, STEVE MILLER BAND

Kenny Lee Lewis, Guitarist and Bassist for the Steve Miller Band, joins us. Besides touring with the Steve Miller Band, Kenny is also the lead singer of several other bands including The Hang Dynasty, a "who's who" of famous rock star sidemen, who do corporate events nationwide. Kenny has always been into music and was twelve when he first picked up an acoustic guitar, which was his brother's Sears $40 Silvertone Guitar, which he still has to this day.

Along with music, Kenny also loves animals and has a Papillon Phalene named Sophie. Kenny promised his daughter that if she got her grade point average up, she could have a dog. She selected Sophie, who became a member of the family. Kenny tells us that with the breed, the Papillon loves people and is not that much interested in other dogs. He also explains what makes a Papillon a "Phalene." This is a variant, which has the drop-ears, instead of the perky butterfly-like ears.

While Kenny's family likes to spoil Sophie, she actually sleeps in a dog bed at the foot of his bed. They live on an acre of land where Sophie can roam free, but this means that she also comes back in the house with all sorts of things on her fur. So to keep things a little more sanitary, the dog bed was put in place. However, she does sleep with Kenny's daughter who doesn't care!

Sophie, of course, also gets plenty of treats. Kenny's wife, Diane Steinberg, is a singer writer and artist. She is also a great piano player. One day, Sophie was trying get attention, so she went over and played the piano. She was originally given treats for her piano playing, but now they just applaud. But if Sophie plays something really hot, she will get a treat.

Kenny has taken plenty of videos of Sophie playing the piano, but keeps them to himself. He thought about posting some on Facebook, but he doesn't want to be "One of those!"

Checkout out SteveMillerBand.com to see where the band will be next.

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Handicapped Pig Gets Wheelchair
Dr. Len Lucero, Chris P. Bacon

Dr. Len Lucero is a veterinarian who practices in Florida. One day, a young lady brought in a day-old-pig whose two back legs were deformed, and whom she wanted to save. Unfortunately, she was a college student without the funds and time necessary to devote to learning everything necessary to help this young pig thrive. She decided it wasn't fair to the animal or to herself, and felt that euthanasia was the most humane thing to do.

When this little pug was placed on the examination table, he was full of life. As a result, there was no way that Dr. Lucero could bring himself to euthanize this little guy. While he was born with congenital defects, Dr. Lucero didn't feel that was any reason to euthanize him. This little piglet was a pot-bellied pig and Dr. Lucero felt that he would always remain at a manageable weight.

Dr. Lucero decided to take the little pig home to his farm, give him a fighting chance, and named him Chris P. Bacon.

Dr. Lucero was deciding how to help Chris P. Bacon get around, when he came up with the bright idea to use K'nex Toys. These toys were a fun little building block set that he and his son used to mess around with when he was young. They made cars and really cool roller coasters, which consisted of wheels and other pieces that snap together.

While wheelchairs for dogs and other animals have been around for quite a while, Chris weighed less than a pound so Dr. Lucero had to get creative. Fortunately, Chris wanted to be on the move, so he took to this contraption very well.

Chris P. Bacon unfortunately passed away due to smoke damaging the lungs during a barn fire in Purpose Farm. Donations were given and the veterinarians at Cornell did everything they could to revive him but to no avail.

Chris was an inspiration for many people.

Vegas Bats Positive for Rabies - What's the Risk? - Dr. Debbie

Think your pet doesn't need a rabies vaccine because it lives indoors? Think again. Bats have been known to fly through open windows or chimneys. Dogs and cats that go outdoors are at risk for rabies exposure through wildlife. Felines that hunt and bring "presents" have added rabies risk.

What is Rabies?
Rabies is a viral disease causing encephalitis (brain inflammation) that affects all mammals including humans. The disease is almost always fatal. Over 70,000 people worldwide die of rabies every year, but fortunately U.S. human deaths are fewer than 10 per year. Pet and farm animal rabies cases do occur in the U.S. though, usually after tangling with wildlife.

How is Rabies Passed?
Rabies is passed in saliva through the bite of a rabid animal. Less common exposures to rabies include aerosol transmission, mucous membrane contact, or rare cases of organ transplant in humans.

What Are Symptoms of Rabies?
Excessive drooling, aggression, staggering and seizures are symptoms of rabies in animals. Wild carnivores, like coyotes, that avoid people are suspect if lacking fear and approaching humans. Nocturnal species like bats that are found out during daylight are also suspect for rabies.

What Kind of Animals Carry Rabies?
Although pet and human rabies cases in the U.S. are rare, the infection still abounds in wildlife reservoirs. In the Las Vegas area, bats are most commonly carriers, but other wildlife carriers include raccoons, skunks and foxes.

What Do You Do If You See a Sick or Dying Bat?
Avoid contact with sick or dying bats. Do not take sick bats to the veterinarian. Call Animal Control if any human or pet exposure to sick bat.

Despite the rabies concern, bats do have an important role in our ecosystem by consuming insects and pollinating plants. Not every bat has rabies, and there are other reasons bats die.

What Do I Do If a Person or Pet is Scratched or Bitten By a Bat or Other Wildlife?
If your pet gets into a fight with a skunk or raccoon, or plays with a dying or dead bat, there is potential for rabies exposure and a report should be made. Call animal control to have the bat or other wildlife picked up.

Possible rabies exposure is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Because rabies is fatal, any humans with suspect rabies exposure should make a report to the local health department. Fortunately post exposure treatment for people is very effective in preventing disease, and doesn't involve painful stomach injections reported of long ago.

What Happens to Pets After Exposure to Suspected or Known Rabies?
Ultimately local rabies ordinances dictate how each case is handled. Pets with current or late rabies vaccinations may be quarantined for 10 days. A pet that never has had a rabies vaccine may be promptly euthanized and tested for rabies. In other cases of unvaccinated pets, extended quarantine periods up to 6 months may arise.

What Can I Do to Protect My Pets and Family From Rabies?
- Vaccinate animals for rabies - this includes dogs, cats, ferrets and select farm animals.
- Teach children never to handle bats.
- Do not keep wild animals as pets.
- Spay and neuter your pets to decrease the desire to roam.
- Maintain control of your pets when outdoors or hiking to avoid accidental exposure to wildlife.
- Bat-proof your home and garage to avoid nesting sites and close encounters with bats.
- Report human bites from pets or wildlife to public health and animal control authorities.

Vaccination is key to protecting pets from rabies and offers peace of mind to pet owners. Rabies vaccine is typically inexpensive.

Rabies vaccination…Just do it!

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.

The Dogfather's Grooming Tip with Joey Villani

Top 3 Essential Products You Should Always Have
There are three top essential products you should always have on hand, which are all powder-based.

The first thing you should have is medicated powder, like Gold Bond. Gold Bond is good for any type of skin allergy, skin rash or if your dog seems itchy. It is also good for a razor burn after being groomed. You can sprinkle a little directly on your dog and you should see immediate relief as it helps them heal.

The next item is cornstarch. Cornstarch is a great, quick-cleaning tool, which absorbs dirt, oil and grease. Unlike Gold Bond, you can sprinkle cornstarch on your cat as well. Just sprinkle it on their coat, work it through and then brush it out. You should place your dog or cat on a towel when doing this so you don't make a mess. You will be surprised at how much cleaner your pet will look after this.

Oxi-Clean is also one of the best skunk odors removers. When using it on skunk odors, just add one drop of dish detergent to the mix and shake it up. The soap will help the mixture stay on your pet longer. While it dries, the smell will probably get stronger, but when it dries, you will be surprised at how much better your dog will smell. The trick to this is to NOT wet your pet first, as this will build a bond with the skunk spray and water. So, apply this mixture directly on your pet when they have been sprayed by a skunk and DON'T rinse it off. Just let it dry. This is non-toxic, safe and can be used on puppies and kittens, but still be careful to keep it out of their eyes.

So if you don't have these items on hand, go out and get them!

Mother And Son Steel Furry Feet
A mother and her son faced the long arm of the law after allegedly stealing some furry feet. The woman and her 18-year-old son were accused of stealing bags of gopher feet. A local gopher trapper contacted the County Sheriff's Department, claiming that several bags of gopher feet had been stolen from his freezer. Police were able to track down the woman and her son after contacting local townships that give cash rewards for gophers in order to control their populations. They found that the woman turned in nearly $4,000 worth of gopher feet, while her son collected an additional $1,000. The son denied stealing the feet, saying someone likely used his name when they turned in the feet. The pair were charged with both felony and misdemeanor counts of receiving stolen property and theft.

New Meaning To The Phrase Pigging Out
A pig farmer in Washington State says the secret to better bacon may be marijuana. The farmer started using the leftover stems, stalks, and leaves from the state's now-legal dispensaries to feed his animals. The farmer said he doesn't smoke any pot himself, and said that the pigs that eat the weed usually just lie around, ultimately gaining weight 20-percent faster than those that don't. Those extra pounds lead to pork with a marbled, fattier texture, and many people taking part in so-called "blind bacon tests" say the weed-infused meat is "more savory." This special pork is constantly selling out, but it's not necessarily because the customers have the munchies. He says no one has reported getting high while eating or cooking the meat.

Man Offers Bear Barbecue Meat And Gets Mauled
An Alaska man faced criminal charges after he goaded a bear with barbecue and ended up getting mauled. The man was attending a picnic at a campground when he decided to take his barbecue on a bike ride. When he ran across a black bear, he tossed some meat at it. The bear ate the meat, but attacked the man when he offered it more. The man who suffered puncture and scratch wounds was treated at a nearby hospital. Officers believe he had a bit too much to drink during the picnic.

Puppy Chews Off Man's Toes
A man recovered after his puppy gnawed off two of his toes. The man was hospitalized when he woke up with a blood soaked left foot, which had been chewed on by his six-month old dog. The pooch was able to chew off his both his pinky and big toe, as well as taking a significant chunk out of his actual foot. The dog owner blamed himself for the incident. Apparently, he's disabled and diabetic and had a wound on his foot, which was caused by his diabetes. He had been treating the wound and wrapping it tightly before going to bed. However, he said on the night of this strange incident he hadn't been as careful as he should have been. Even though the dog left him permanently disfigured, he decided not to euthanize the dog, but to continue raising and caring for the puppy.

Listen to the entire Podcast of this show (#1330)