10 Pets That Inspired Great Songs
Laura Moss, Mother Nature Network

From the Rolling Stones to Queen to Norah Jones, they all wrote or sang songs about the important animals in their lives. Laura Moss has the stories behind the music.

Laura decided to look into animals that inspired songs after she read an article about how 'Martha My Dear' by the Beatles was inspired by Paul McCartney's dog. Most people assumed that it was about a long time love interest of Paul's, but he put those rumors to rest and told everyone that it was actually about his dog and he assured them that the relationship was purely platonic! After that, Laura decided to look in to seeing what other songs she had heard that were inspired by pets.

The Dillards 'Old Blue'
This folk song about a beloved hunting dog is believed to have originated in Mississippi during the 19th century. A variety of artists have recorded the song, including Joan Baez, Pete Seeger and The Dillards.

16th Annual Life Saving Pet Adoption Tour
Susan Sims, Fido Friendly, Get Your Licks On Route 66

It’s that time of year again where FIDO Friendly travels down the Mother Road, stopping at shelters along the way to support adoption events.

The Get Your Licks On Route 66 Tour is sponsored Animal Radio with a special thanks to car wrap sponsor Signs2U. Other sponsors include:

The tour drives down America's Favorite Highway from Los Angeles to Chicago, stopping at shelters along the way to support adoption events.

Even if you are not looking to add a forever family member you can still join the fun by visiting one of their partner shelters and donate $2 to spin and win, with proceeds going to the shelter at the end of the day!

Can't stop by one of their tour locations but would love to support this life saving tour? Go online to FIDOFriendly.com and donate to the life saving pet adoption tour, Get Your Licks on Route 66®.

How To Build The Perfect Litter Box - Dr. Debbie

Elimination issues are a main reason for veterinary visits and a primary reason for relinquishment of cats at shelters. House soiling problems can be multi-factorial, with an overlap of behavioral, environmental and medical causes. Feline house soiling can be managed however with sleuth work and patience. The challenge is to think like a cat.

First and foremost, say this and repeat it…"My cat does not eliminate out of the litter box to get even with me." Cats do use urine and fecal scent marks to communicate territory, but this isn’t done with spite or in effort to "get even" with you. Inappropriate elimination is a cat’s way stating that something isn’t right in their world. Understanding this is key before tackling feline house soiling. Focus on what’s wrong in Simba’s toilet area, not on how the house soiling makes you feel.

Start With a Vet Check
Cat owners often struggle with house soiling mishaps for months or years before enlisting help from their veterinarian. But seeing the veterinarian should be the first step, since health disorders may be at the root of some house soiling issues. Your efforts in restoring litter box usage will be doomed if an underlying medical cause is not addressed at the same time.

Size Does Matter
Make sure your cat’s litter box is of adequate size to allow maneuvering. Litter box size should be one and a half times the length of cat’s body length. Height of the edge also matters. For older kitties, try lower profile litter boxes or plastic under bed storage boxes. An arthritic older cat won’t complain or cry in pain with arthritis, she’ll just chose to eliminate elsewhere.

Consider the View
Cats don’t want to be startled while in the loo. Don’t place the litter box in a high traffic area where people and pets are always a-coming and going. Cats prefer a low traffic area where they can have an eye out on things.

Don’t place the litter box near appliances which give off noise, vibration and heat, all which disturb your cat while eliminating. Once a negative aversion is created, your cat may not return to use that box in the future.

Ditch the Litter Box Cover
While some nervous kitties prefer the privacy of litter box covers, the majority of cats dislike the tight quarters and limited ventilation litter box covers provide. Consider how you feel in a public porta-potty... do you like to touch the walls when inside? Sure, people like the way the lid contains odors, but does it really matter how little odor comes from the litter box when your cat is pooping on your oriental rug?

Provide More Than One Box
A common error is assuming that one litter box is all your cat needs. What cat owner loves the litter box, and relishes seeing more of them in the home? But the more the better when it comes to faithful litter box usage, especially with multiple cats. The general rule is to provide one more box than the number of cats. Some cats share litter boxes, others will not. Unless you provide alternate sites you may have elimination issues in multiple cat homes.

Another special consideration is differences in cat’s personalities- timid cats may avoid crossing paths with other more assertive pets in home. Be sure to provide litter box sites that won’t be blocked by other animal’s movements.

If you live in a multilevel home- you must provide litter box sites on each level. This is especially important in multi-cat homes, those with senior cats or those with health conditions.

The Pick of Litters
Litter texture preferences vary and there are many choices from scoopable, clay, crystals, or natural litters. However in one research study of cat’s litter box habits, it demonstrated that the majority of cats prefer fine grained scoopable clay based litters that have carbon as their odor absorbing ingredient. Every cat is different though, so try other litter varieties until you find your cat’s preference.

Skip the Scents
The verdict is still out on what odors cats prefer, but avoid heavily scented litters or deodorizers if your cat is missing the box. Interestingly enough, one study showed cats preferred cedar and fish odors, while avoiding citrus and floral scents, while another study concluded cats preferred fish or bleach smells to other scents.

Kitty Litter Depth
Ideal litter depth is 2 inches- more isn’t always better. Some cats thrive on scratching the bottom of the pan, which is obscured by excessive amounts of litter.

Keep It Clean
Cats are fastidious by nature and will avoid using a soiled or smelly box. The overall cleaning frequency depends on the number of cats in the home. General advice is to scoop twice a day and deep clean the litter pan weekly. Change out clumping litter every 2-3 weeks.

Build It and Kitty Will Use It
By building your cat's dream litter box, your cat will find litter box nirvana. And you’ll come to enjoy a better relationship with your kitty family members without those unwanted "presents" in the foyer.

Animal Radio News with Stacey Cohen

Baby Elephant Cried Inconsolably For Mother
A newborn calf reportedly cried for five hours, inconsolably, after being separated for a second time from his mother, who tried to kill him, twice. Keepers at a wildlife park in eastern China removed the calf from his mother after she rejected him, stomping on him. Hopeful that the injury had been accidental, they treated the calf and returned him to his mother's side. She turned on him again, so they again removed him. The calf wept under a blanket for five straight hours before keepers were able to console him. "He couldn't bear to be parted from his mother and it was his mother who was trying to kill him," a keeper said, according to reports. All was not lost for the little calf, however. He was taken in by the keeper who rescued him and they formed a strong bond.

Blind Man Washed Into Culvert, Dog Jumps In After Him
A blind man was walking his dog along a Denver street, when epic floodwaters surged and knocked him over. The man was washed into a deep culvert, as his guide dog frantically paced the edge. A Denver police officer on patrol saw the dog, and upon coming closer, he also spotted the man in the water. When the man called for help, his dog jumped in after him, and suddenly they were both were sucked into the tunnel under the street. "He and the dog were in the tunnel for 17 minutes," said the officer, who called paramedics to the other end of the tunnel, where the man and his dog emerged unharmed, to everyone's relief. The dog was the hero, and both man and dog were fine.

Hunters Cower After Mistaking Cows For Bears
A small group of runaway cows left a team of Swedish hunters cowering in fear after they mistook the bovines' shadows for bears. The hunters radioed for help shortly after they were dropped off by a helicopter in the woods in northern Sweden. They told the pilot their tiny shelter was surrounded by some of the brown bears that are known to live in the area and they needed to be flown out. But the pilot said he wouldn't be able to rescue them until the morning, so the hunters spent the night awaiting the bear attack they were sure would come at any minute. However, when they finally poked their heads out of the shelter in the morning, they discovered they were surrounded by a few lost cows who had wandered away from a nearby farm.

Dog Shoots Owner
Dogs are supposed to be man's best friend, but one pooch in Fort Worth, Texas was blamed for shooting its owner. The accident occurred when a 78-year old woman was watching television. Apparently, her dog walked by a shotgun that was at her side, knocking it over. When it hit the floor, the gun discharged and struck the woman in her left foot. A police spokeswoman said the woman didn't seek medical attention until the next morning, when her foot was swollen and in worse condition. The woman chalked the whole incident up to an accident and that the "dog was not to blame." The dog's name or breed wasn't released, as had the "right to remain silent."

Missing Cow Had Twitter Account
A cow that had been missing for six months was captured. According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the fugitive cow had been wandering the woods around major highways near Georgia's Henry and Clayton counties. In that time, the cow had even found its way onto the road, causing temporary traffic jams. Georgia's Department of Transportation said they were able to corral the beast, and then tranquilize it. While it was missing, the wayward cow even had its own Twitter account.

Listen to the entire Podcast of this show (#1296)