A Hollywood Studio Where Dogs Learn To Fly
Megan Blake, Air Hollywood

Actress and animal advocate Megan Blake taught dogs to fly on airplanes using a Hollywood studio set and aircraft simulator. For a fee, you could desensitize your pup from all the noise and vibrations that happen on a real plane.

Security checks and bumpy air were all in a day's training at a Hollywood film studio to prepare your dog for a safe and calm flight.

The Air Hollywood class was billed as the first in a real fuselage on a sound stage with a simulator that mimics takeoff, turbulence and landing. Hollywood extras created crowds and chaos that come with terminals, luggage carts and the blare announcing arrivals, delays and departures.

The idea was the brainchild of Talaat Captan, president and CEO of Air Hollywood, the world's largest aviation-themed film studio, who noticed a dog owner having a rough go getting a pooch through airport security. He thought this would a great idea to help people as a service.

Former actress, Megan Blake, developed the program and taught the class with three other instructors. An animal trainer and lifestyle coach, Blake also has a psychology degree from Georgia State University.

Air Hollywood was a working Hollywood studio where most of the airplane and airport scene for movies and television are shot. The class used the same studio where parts of "Lost," "Bridesmaids," "Kill Bill" and 500 other movies were made. Television scenes from "NCIS," "Modern Family" and "The Newsroom" have also been filmed there.

A lot of people are traveling with their pets as well as their service dogs, so Air Hollywood even conducted a test class with 60 puppies from Guide Dogs for the Blind.

The classes helped you to know what to expect when traveling with your pooch. They started out by a person and their dog going through the chaotic experience of simply being in the terminal. Next, they boarded the plane. In the plane, they experienced turbulence, as the plane tilted up and down. There was also plane noises as well as the announcer on the speaker. This way, both the people and the dogs could be de-sensitized to all of the stress that could occur when you travel.

Animal Superstitions
Kim Campbell Thornton, MSNBC.com

As Halloween approaches, we're examining all the strange superstitions from Black Cats to Fat Rats. Self-proclaimed expert Kim Campbell Thornton shares the stories behind the myths and legends.

Do people still view black cats with suspicion? Beliefs about dogs and cats have shaped language, culture and actions.

It's that time of year when leaves change color and begin to fall (at least in other parts of the country), the days grow shorter, and black cats take on a more ominous significance than at other times of the year.

You might think that old superstition that a black cat crossing a person's path brings bad luck has fallen by the wayside in the 21st century, but shelters and rescue groups report that black cats and dogs are often the last to be adopted.

Over the millennia, people have invested cats and dogs with all kinds of beliefs or notions, both positive and negative. Often, the belief is associated with the animal's color or markings.

In some regions of the world, it is believed that when a black cat crosses your path, you will have bad luck. But in other parts of the world, it is a good thing and will bring good luck, by taking away the bad luck. If a bride and groom see a black cat on their wedding day, they are going to have a great marriage.

Other superstitions associated with black cats are that an unknown black cat sitting on the porch brings prosperity and that if a black cat walks toward you, he brings good luck.

Like black cats, black dogs are often burdened with superstitious beliefs. Phantom black dogs abound in folklore and fiction, including Arthur Conan Doyle's fearsome Baskerville hound. Seeing the dog usually portends a death in the family or some other disaster.

Dogs and sometimes cats are also associated with the afterlife. In cultures around the world, they played a role in death rituals or were viewed as guides to the underworld.

Zoroastrians brought dogs to view corpses. The dog's job was to determine that there was no sign of life and to scare away any lurking demons. The Zoroastrians also believed dogs could slay demons in the night.

Happily, lots of good beliefs are also associated with cats and dogs. In ancient India, cats symbolized wealth and status. In more recent times, the image of a cat on a fencepost was a signal from one hobo to another that a good-hearted woman lived in the home.

Hearing a cat sneeze is thought to bring good luck. A bride who hears a cat sneeze on the morning of her wedding will lead a happy life.

It was once believed that the lick of a dog had healing power. Saint Roch, the patron saint of dogs, was reportedly licked back to health by a dog after he contracted the plague. Today, we know that while a dog's lick might not be curative of disease, petting a dog can help to lower our blood pressure and reduce our stress levels.

Doing harm to an animal has its own superstition. Killing a cat brings 17 years of bad luck. That's even worse than breaking a mirror.

Dizzy Old Dogs - Diagnosing Idiopathic Vestibular Disease -Dr. Debbie

What is Idiopathic Vestibular Disease?
Idiopathic Vestibular Disease, also known as Old Dog Vestibular Disease, is a condition commonly diagnosed in senior dogs, but also seen in cats. The term idiopathic basically means the cause is unknown. This condition affects the vestibular system and the pet's sense of balance, typically with a rapid onset of symptoms. In Magnum's case he literally was fine at the start of a television program, and was wobbly just one hour later.

Symptoms of Old Dog Vestibular Syndrome include a wobbly gait, head tilt, anxiety, panting, and an abnormal eye movement called nystagmus, a condition in which the eyes dart rapidly back-and-forth or up-and-down. In addition to mobility problems, the topsy-turvy sensation leads to nausea, vomiting, and an inability to eat or drink. Thankfully my sturdy stomached Labrador barely missed a meal during his bout.

The cause of idiopathic vestibular vestibular syndrome isn't completely known, but fortunately most dogs recovery from symptoms within 2 to 4 weeks. In some cases dogs may suffer from future bouts months to years later. Some dogs may retain a slight head tilt or unsteadiness at times.

What Can Be Done?
A veterinary examination is important to identify suspected cases of vestibular disease. Other possible causes of these symptoms could include an infectious or inflammatory condition, inner ear infection, cancer, or a brain vascular episode - a stroke-like episode. In order to rule out these potential causes, more detailed testing is needed and may include tests like a CT, MRI, and CSF tap.

There isn't a cure for a vestibular episode, and some pets recover without any treatment. But other animals require supportive care including anti-nausea medications, intravenous fluid therapy, hand feeding, and physical assistance to walk and protect from household hazards.

Caring for a frightened, disoriented, wobbly, nauseated dog can be difficult. My 80 pound Labrador needed physical support to get up, walk outside and required hand feeding at times. He couldn't be left home alone without risk of injury. And because of all the hoisting, blocking collisions with furniture, and guiding away from the depths of the pool, I injured my back during his rehab time. The reality is that home care of a small or toy breed with vestibular disease is much easier than the physical demands of a assisting a large or giant breed dog.

Lessons Learned
I have seen many a patient come to my veterinary office for euthanasia after developing similar vestibular symptoms. Some pet owners assume that the severe symptoms and rapid onset mean that there is no hope and euthanasia is the only choice. I'll admit that vestibular symptoms are scary and affected pets are tough to care for at home, but if given the tincture of time, many senior dogs will eventually improve. Perhaps Magnum's story will help other pet owner's opt to pursue treatment or testing, and give time a chance to heal.

Four weeks later and Magnum was back to playing with toys and energetically bounding on walks. He still retained a slight head tilt to the right, his badge of courage as I see it. I'm thankful for his recovery and adore his charming, lovable tilted perspective of the world.

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 with Stacey Cohen

Condoms For Cats & Dogs
A website was supposedly offering an unusual way to control the pet population, condoms for cats and dogs. The website claimed to offer a special brand of protection dubbed Animal Instincts. But anyone trying to purchase a pack of the condoms quickly realized they were out of luck. As soon as they clicked on one of the links, a message popped up telling potential customers: "C'mon, there's only one real fix, spay or neuter your pet." The site was actually part of a campaign by San Francisco's Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and directs visitors to their real website, SFSPCA.org.

Goldilocks & The Siberian Bear
In a twist on the classic Goldilocks story, a Russian couple said a bear broke into their home and started to eat their food. The couple's house in a remote Siberian city was being renovated, so they were spending the night in their sauna. They woke up to several loud crashes coming from the house. When they looked out the window to see what was going on, they saw a bear who had apparently decided the pot of borscht they had left out to cool was just right. The couple told police they sat in the sauna and helplessly watched as the animal feasted. The cops eventually arrived and fired a few shots into the air to scare the bear away, but not before it had finished all of the beet soup.

Skunk Haven
An Ohio woman has been trying to prove that skunks aren't the "smelly little creatures" people may think they are. Deborah Cipriani has converted her home into the country's only rescue center for domestic skunks. She has many skunks that have free reign of her five-bedroom house, dubbed Skunk Haven, and some of them even sleep in her bed. Cipriani says skunks really are beautiful animals, explaining that she bought her first in 2000 to help cope with the death of her mother. She also hosts an annual animal lovers event known as Skunk Fest every year.

Dog Completed Half-Marathon On His Own
An Indiana dog was awarded a medal for completing something many humans shy away from. Boogie the dog was awarded a medal for completing a half marathon. He met up with runners at a race starting line in Evansville and just kept going. When Boogie crossed the finished line, no one knew whom he belonged to. Police sent out an alert and many people began posting about him on Facebook. It was only after his owner noticed he was missing and went looking for him at a local animal shelter, that he found out about Boogie's big accomplishment. Unfortunately, a week later, Boogie passed away from a heart attack.

Rats Go To College
Students at San Jose State University in Northern California were complaining about rats that are running around campus. The rodents were often seen scurrying through classrooms and on school grounds that were near ongoing construction sites. Video of a rat that ran on stage during a guest speech went viral. University officials launched an investigation to see if there was a bigger rat problem and whether the scavengers posed a health or safety hazard.

Cat Competed For National Pet Insurance Award
A Northern California family cat was in the running for a national pet insurance award. After racking up a $1,200 vet bill being squashed in a garage door incident, the cat joined in the running for the "Most Unusual Claim of the Year" award by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company. The winner would receive a trophy, treats and a $10,000 donation made in their honor to the Pet Emergency Center of Marin if they won the public on-line vote.

Pigeon Smuggled Cell Phone Into Prison
A man and woman in Brazil were in police custody after allegedly trying to smuggle a cell phone into a prison using a pigeon. The woman wanted to give the phone to her incarcerated boyfriend, so she strapped it to the back of the bird and sent it flying over the prison wall. The pigeon cleared the ten-foot barrier, but fell to the ground in front of a guard on the other side. Officers immediately ran outside the prison and found her and another man. Her accomplice had a second bird with a package stuck to its wings containing a battery and almost $200. Both suspects were arrested for attempting to smuggle items into prison and animal cruelty.

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