This Week on Animal Radio®:

BREAKING NEWS:

New Chemical Found in Pet Food
Dry Pet Food Added to Recall List

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) cautioned that aminopterin was an unlikely suspect in the illnesses and deaths of animals that ingested the recently-recalled contaminated foods-a suspicion that was confirmed by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The FDA announced that further laboratory testing identified the presence of melamine in food samples from the recalled lots. Melamine, which is not highly toxic in general, is used to make durable plastic household products; cleaning products; hard, stain-resistant laminates; flame-retardant foam and in soundproofing.
 
"Melamine at high doses causes a pronounced diuretic affect in dogs and rats, as well as the development of crystals in their urine," said Dr. Steven Hansen, veterinary toxicologist and senior vice president with the ASPCA, who manages the ASPCA's Midwest Office, including its Animal Poison Control Center (APCC). "The twist in the tale is that melamine itself has a very high safety margin, especially when compared with a toxin such as aminopterin.
 
"Cats, however, are a very sensitive species, and can react adversely to many chemicals and drugs," continued Dr. Hansen. "Because of their unique physiology, we suspect that they may also be more sensitive to the adverse effects of melamine.

It is now known that some dry pet food may also contains the infected wheat gluten. The ASPCA recommends that as a precautionary measure, pet parents should immediately discontinue the use of the possibly-contaminated dry food, if they have not already done so. Further, the use of aggressive fluid therapy to treat pets for kidney failure, which has been directly linked to ingestion of the contaminated food, should continue. Any change in treatment should only be done under the direction of your veterinarian.

Further, if your pet is used to eating a particular type of food, a sudden change in diet or diet type may upset its stomach. This may be especially problematic for pets with pre-existing illnesses."

Salmonella Poisoning

A pet food company announced Monday a nationwide recall of dog, cat and ferret treats that could be contaminated with salmonella. The bacteria could infect both animals and people handling the food.

The announcement is unrelated to the more extensive recall of melamine-tainted dog and cat food that led to kidney failure in pets around the country.

Eight in One Inc., a division of United Pet Group Inc., is recalling all packages of Dingo Chick'N Jerky, Dingo Kitty Chicken Jerky and Dingo Ferret Chicken Jerky.

Salmonella can cause serious infections in pets and children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. In pets, salmonella can cause diarrhea, fevers, vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy and abdominal pain. Animals that do not get sick can infect other pets or humans.

The bacteria could also infect people handling the pet treats. Humans infected with the salmonella can experience fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. It could also cause more serious problems such as arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract problems.

Eight in One has received a report of a dog infected by salmonella, which lead to further testing of this product. Some, but not all, of the samples tested were contaminated.

The treats were sold around the country at Target, PetSmart and other stores.

The company asks consumers to throw away unused portions of the jerky treats. To obtain a refund, call (888) 232-9889.

Iams, Eukanuba Brands Seek To Reassure Pet Owners
April 03, 200 By Sonia Reyes NEW YORK

Iams and Eukanuba employees placed ads explaining that their products were safe for pets.
P&G Pet Care went into damage control mode today with the launch of print ads behind the Iams and Eukanuba brands of pet food to reassure consumers in the wake of Menu Food's recent recall of wet-style foods.

Iams and Eukanuba were among 90 brands involved in Menu Foods' recall last month that included Nutro, Science Diet and several private label brands like Wal-Mart's Ol' Roy. The Ontario, Canada, co-packer voluntarily recalled all "Cuts & Gravy" style wet canned and pouched foods. Hundreds of dogs and cats have been hospitalized and 14 have died since the contamination was uncovered, per the FDA.

P&G launched the first leg of a marketing plan to reinstate consumer confidence behind its two premium pet food brands with full-page ads in 59 major newspapers running today and tomorrow. Saatchi & Saatchi, New York, handles.

The ad is an open letter from Iams and Eukanuba employees that details steps P&G is taking to address the issue, including working more closely with retailers and the FDA and setting up a task force of veterinarians and healthcare professionals.

"We share the concerns and sorrow that the Menu Foods recall has caused pet owners," said Dan Rajczak, general manager for Iams and Eukanuba, in a statement. "We want to assure our customers that they can feel completely safe feeding any of the Iams and Eukanuba products now on store shelves."

Iams and Eukanuba dry foods were not part of the recall.

In 2006, Iams spent $76 million on advertising, and Eukanuba spent $8 million, per Nielsen Monitor-Plus.

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

Joanne Carson
Joanne Carson, Ph.D., second wife of the late Johnny Carson, is donating a portion of the proceeds from the recently released "The Johnny Carson Show" 2-DVD box set to Hemopet's Animal Restore Health Center.

The Center is a component of the Hemopet Center for Greyhound Rescude and Pet Animal Receovery, a planned $10 million nonprofit facility for the nation's first accomodation focused on restoring health for dogs, cats and other pets with special needs and during recovery.

Joanne, who has a Ph.D. in physiology, devotes most of her energy to a website she founded to educate owners of dogs with canine epilepsy. Their goal is to provide information on canine epilepsy and other diseases that cause seizures in dogs including canine hypothyroidism.
http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/HEMOPET.HTM
http://www.Canine-Epilepsy-Guardian-Angels.com

Why Do the Emotional Lives of Animals Matter?
Marc Bekoff is Professor of Biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and is a Fellow of the Animal Behavior Society and a former Guggenheim Fellow. In 2000 he was awarded the Exemplar Award from the Animal Behavior Society for major long-term contributions to the field of animal behavior. Marc is also regional coordinator for Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots program, in which he works with students of all ages, senior citizens and prisoners, and also is a member of the Ethics Committee of the Jane Goodall Institute. He and Jane co-founded the organization Ethologists for the Ethical Treatment of Animals: Citizens for Responsible Animal Behavior Studies in 2000.

Marc returns to discuss scientific evidence that proves that animals have rich emotional lives and feel such emotions as grief, joy, embarrassment, anger and love.
http://literati.net/Bekoff

First Rehabilitation Center for Pets
W. Jean Dodds, DVM, president of Hemopet, is spearheading a fundraising drive to raise $10 million for the nation's first center focused on restoring health for dogs, cats and other pets with special needs and during recovery. This capital and endowment campaign is for a permanent two-acre, environmentally friendly, short-term rehabilitation facility in Garden Grove.

The Center, with its fully trained faculty and staff, will set the standard for the next generation of animal facilities. The facility will feature a unique group of apartment-style units, with support rooms, outdoor exercise yards and playgrounds, for 200 rescued greyhounds. The Restore Health Center will provide short-term transitional and emergency care for dogs, cats and other pets, and it will offer a pick-up service by a pet ambulance. The care includes alternative therapies such as acupuncture, physiotherapy, chiropractic and herbal medicine. A veterinary nursing service will be available to make home visits to pets that need ongoing care once they've returned home. Community rooms will be for educating veterinarians and the public about companion animal health, nutritional testing, vaccines, holistic care, first-aid and other pet-friendly topics. The Center will also house a diagnostic and related clinical research laboratory.
http://www.Hemopet.org


Next Week on Animal Radio®:

Dogs to Exchange Bow-Wow Vows in Mock Ceremony
A first-of-its kind mass doggy wedding will take place on May 19, 2007 at the Aspen Grove Lifestyle Center in Littleton, Colorado. The event is a fundraiser for the Denver Dumb Friends League.

Betrothed pooches of all shapes and sizes are expected at the service, which is hoping to draw about 300 canines. A solid turnout and a new record in the Guinness Book of World Records could be set.

Lawyers will not be on hand to pen poochie pre-nups, but dogs that don't have a partner can participate in a round of speed dating before the ceremony to find the perfect mate.
http://www.shopaspengrove.com

Ninja Turtles In - Pet Turtles Out!
Anticipating the return of "turtlemania" with the recent release of "TMNT," the latest in the series of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies, The Humane Society of the United States is urging moviegoers not to buy live turtles.
 
The HSUS is trying to prevent a repeat of 1990, when the release of the first Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie resulted in increased sales of pet turtles. Sales of small turtles, which are defined by law as animals with shells less than four inches long, are illegal in the United States. The prohibition has been in effect since 1975 to help prevent the spread of Salmonella. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates the ban has prevented 100,000 children from getting Salmonella infections each year.
 
Because of the disease risk, the CDC recommends that turtles be kept out of homes with children under five years old, pregnant women, senior citizens and people with weakened immune systems. Even indirect contact can spread the disease because Salmonella can live on surfaces for days.
 
Despite the danger of Salmonella, illegal turtle sales may be on the rise. In recent months, The HSUS has seen small turtles illegally for sale at malls, a flea market and over the Internet.
 
"Sales of pet turtles are dangerous for human health, animal welfare, and the environment," says Beth Preiss, director of the exotic pets campaign for The HSUS. "Turtles won't survive in a plastic dish with a palm tree, but with decent care they can live for decades, outgrowing their tanks and outlasting childhood interest."
 
Although they may be marketed as low-maintenance pets, turtles have complex needs that are difficult to meet in captivity. Many turtles die due to rough handling during transport or inadequate care afterwards. Unwanted turtles released outdoors may die; if they survive they can spread disease to native species and out-compete them for resources.
 
"In general pets should not be impulse purchases," adds Preiss. "Moviegoers should enjoy the Ninja Turtles on the screen, but in the real world we hope they will avoid buying turtles as pets."
 
Consumers who see illegal turtle sales can report them to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which enforces the law. Contact information can be found at:  http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html .

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Pet Talk Radio! with Brian and Kaye Pickering Check Schedule for Airtimes

G'day from Downunder...

How well do you know your pets? How much do you trust them? How good are YOUR kids with other pets - in this case, dogs!

The reason for these rather direct, and pointed questions is that we went on a picnic with friends today. The wife - we'll call her Rene - thinks her dog, a Cocker Spaniel is a 'pussycat' around kids... And when we visit their home, this seems to be the case. The dog plays happily with all the kids - albeit quite boisterously, but everyone seems to have a lot of fun.

So Rene thinks her kids (aged 6 & 9) are 'dog-proof' - she believes she's done well. And maybe she has. She is confident her kids love and understand ALL dogs and are not scared of them so that's pretty well it as far as she is concerned.

But we noticed something very strange... We took our smallest dog Kismet on a picnic with our friends. She's a very small 12-year-old Apricot Miniature Poodle.

We often take her out by herself (rather than our 3 others) mainly because she is a sweetie - has NEVER bitten anyone, let alone kids, and is a real softie, enjoys attention, lots of pats and of course treats! (the word spoiled also comes to mind!)

But guess what? Our friend's kids - the one with the Cocker Spaniel? They all seemed to be quite scared of our little Kismet. And we wondered why...

There were some very interesting moments on this picnic in watching body language from the kids as they moved around the picnic table occasionally followed by our inquisitive little Kismet. Bodies turned sideways, legs gingerly lifted 'out of her way'. Not one of them called her over for a pat and not one of them showed any interest in her whatsoever.

As it happens, nothing came of all this and we never mentioned it - but it made us think... 'How dog proof are our kids really?'

In America every year, an estimated 4.7 million people are bitten by dogs, ranging from minor nips to major attacks. (Source HSUS)

Here in Australia the figures are smaller due to our smaller population with an estimated 13,000 dog bites each year which require medical attention in hospital, and of those around about 1,400 actually require reconstructive surgery of some sort, and about 60% of those occur in children under ten years of age. (Source: Radio National-Health Report)

However one state - New South Wales - has started an education program called S.P.O.T - or Safe Pets Out There.

It's aimed at every primary school kid in the state over the next 3 years.
The program has several partners - Delta Society, RSPCA etc. and while we don't think the allocated money - equal to about $7.00 per child is enough, it's a step in the right direction.

We all know far too many young children get bitten by dogs. Sadly most of these attacks are from the family dog, so 'dog-proofing' - or trying to teach kids how to act and react around dogs is essential if we are to stop the number of dog bites.

ALL DOGS BITE - but with the right education from a very early age, adults and kids alike can live the 'dream' that we all have of a safe and happy family with our pets.

Don't forget - in the US, the third week of May is National Dog Bite
Prevention Week.

Writing this little story has prompted us to see if we can get something similar rolling here too. After all, we love our pets that's for sure... But kids are our future and it's up to us to protect them too.

Hugs for your pets

Brian & Kaye
Pet Talk Radio!

Hear Pet Talk Radio! on Animal Radio Network - Check schedule for showtimes.

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Veterinary Minute with Dr. Jim Humphries

April is Lyme Disease Prevention Month...For Pets!
For more than 30 years, Lyme Disease has been a fear for people living in close proximity with ticks. In addition, ticks can transmit this disease to our pets. The month of April will kick off a national awareness of how to prevent this debilitating infection.

For most people, the fear and threat of Lyme disease came to national attention in the latter part of the 20th century when the bacteria causing the illness was first identified and associated with ticks. This bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi, is found in many species of wildlife and has found humans and pets to be suitable alternative hosts. Named for the city in which the first clustering of the disease occurred, Lyme disease in humans has been diagnosed in every state but Montana. It is the most common tick borne disease reported in humans in the United States.

But perhaps an equal concern for many is how this infection can affect our dogs and even horses. According to recent surveys, dogs testing positive for Lyme disease have been found in every single one of the 48 contiguous United States. For many pet owners, it's a danger for which they just aren't prepared.

Although ticks can transmit many debilitating diseases to our pets and us, Lyme disease is the most common and the best known of all these terrible illnesses. For people, Lyme is often characterized by a unique, enlarging rash, potentially followed by more serious symptoms, such as fatigue, severe headaches, joint problems and possibly even blindness. In our dogs, intermittent lameness is the most common manifestation of this sickness. However, kidney failure, neurological problems and even heart disorders can occur as well.

For many people and pets, antibiotics can help to kill off the bacteria that cause Lyme disease, but for many others, treatment failures occur, leading to longer treatments, potentially more health problems and definitely higher financial costs. As an added worry, neither people nor pets develop any long-lasting immunity after the illness, opening the door to becoming re-infected again and again.

Fortunately, veterinary scientists and industry leaders have found ways to help minimize the risks to our dogs and help them avoid the nasty effects of this disease. One of the first steps is to create additional understanding about how this disease is contracted and how it can be prevented. The Lyme Disease Foundation, in conjunction with Merial, has recently named April as National Prevent Lyme in Dogs Month. By kicking off an awareness movement early in the spring, pet owners can become aware of tick-related problems before the heavier tick seasons of summer and fall.

A comprehensive prevention plan can also help pet owners avoid the potential heartaches and pitfalls of Lyme disease. Helping their pets to avoid ticks and even vaccinating dogs against the illness itself are just two of the ways that we can help.

Many of the topical flea products provide protection against ticks as well, and highly effective tick collars are available through your family veterinarian. These products are especially helpful for nature-loving owners who enjoy having their faithful canine companion along with them on hikes, camping trips, or any outdoor activity.

Beyond keeping ticks off your pets, vaccination against Lyme Disease is also available through your veterinarian. State of the art recombinant vaccines for dogs have been created by leading veterinary pharmaceutical companies and can definitely provide an additional level of protection against Lyme disease. Created by isolating a purified protein from the outer surface of the Borrelia bacterium, the recombinant vaccine provides protection by actually blocking the route of migration out of the tick and into your pet.

Although Lyme positive dogs have been found in most states, veterinarians still believe that this disease is fairly regional in nature, and owners should have an open discussion with their family veterinarian prior to requesting the administration of a Lyme vaccine. Regardless of where you live, keeping ticks away from your pets can be a lifesaver. The website, www.lyme.org has important advice for helping owners minimize their pet's exposure to these eight-legged disease vectors.

There is no doubt that ticks cause a creepy reaction in most of us. Keeping your pets tick free is possible and potentially can keep them from contracting a serious illness. Visit www.MyVNN.com to learn more about how these disease carriers can affect your pets and how veterinary science is working to protect our furry, four legged friends.

Dr. Jim Humphries is the News Director for Veterinary News Network and a veterinarian in Colorado. http://www.MyVNN.com

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ASK THE CAT COACH - Marilyn Krieger
Certified Cat Behavior Consultant | CWA, Professional Member

My Cat Won't Come Out from Under the Bed

Dear Cat Coach,

My new little female kitty is hiding under the bed. She only comes out at night to eat the food I leave out for her and to use the cat box. If it wasn't for the reduction in food and the increase of materials in the litter box, I'd never know I had a cat at all. I've decided to name her Shadow since she's spending her life lurking in the shadows under my bed. I got her from a local Feral Rescue group last week. They claimed that she was "rehabilitated". If this is what a rehabilitated cat is, I'd hate to see what an un-rehabilitated cat is like. Since she is still young, about 5 months old, I am holding out hope that she will become an affectionate little cat that may eventually sit on my lap. Am I wishing for too much? Or should I accept the possible reality of having a "shadow" living under the bed?

Perplexed and Saddened

Dear Perplexed,

There is hope! The trick is patience and bribery. Shadow may never be a lap kitty, but chances are she'll eventually decide it's to her benefit to not spend her whole life hiding under a bed.

The first step is to make sure there are no other cats with her in her room. It's important that she bonds to you and not to another cat. Your next task is to convince her that you are the great provider of everything that's important mainly food. The free-feeding has to stop. Instead, provide her with 2-4 meals throughout the day and lots of snacks. Start by placing the food a few feet away from the bed. Talk to her when you put the food down. Spend lots of time in the room with her, talking to her, singing, reading a book or just sitting quietly. Every time you go in the room throw a treat near the bed. Don't ever chase her or try to force her to come out of her hiding place. When she's feeling safe she'll venture out on her own.

Clicker training is a wonderful tool for changing a fraidy cat into a cat with confidence. Go to the local pet store and buy a clicker. If the clicker sound is too harsh and frightens Shadow, then click the end of a ball point pen instead. The first step is to encourage Shadow to associate a treat with the sound of the clicker or ball point pen. Do this by clicking once and then immediately follow the click with a treat. Every time you give Shadow a treat it should be preceded by a click. Soon Shadow will start to associate you and the clicker with something delicious to eat. After Shadow associates the clicker with a treat, encourage her to touch a target. Use a long 3-foot stick to start with. Each time Shadow touches the target stick, click and than treat. As she becomes more comfortable with touching the target stick, gradually shorten it. Eventually you should be able to lead her with it. Clicker training builds from there, shaping behaviors, building confidence and mentally stimulating the cat. I highly recommend Karen Pryor's book "Clicker Training for Cats" for a more complete description on how to clicker train a cat. By the time you start training Shadow to sit or shake hands she will prefer to spend her time on top of the bed instead of under it.

Patience is important. Success does not happen overnight. It's hard to predict how long it will take until she decides you are worthy of her trust and will venture out from the safety of her hiding place. With work, patience and bribery, she will eventually be won over.

Marilyn Krieger, CCBC is a Certified Cat Behavior Consultant. She can be reached for phone or on-site consultations to help solve cat behavior problems either by e-mail marilyn@thecatcoach.com or by phone: 650 780 9485. Additionally, Marilyn teaches cat behavior classes and is available for speaking engagements. You can find out more about The Cat Coach at http://www.thecatcoach.com © Marilyn is certified through The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants

March 2007 by Marilyn Krieger.

ANIMAL RADIO BOOK REVIEW for April

Animal Radio® Book Club (rated 4 paws out of 5) The Ultimate Cat Treat Cookbook: Homemade Goodies for Finicky Cats by Liz Palika Hardcover: 106 pages Publisher: Howell Book House (July 2006) ISBN-10: 0471792551 ISBN-13: 978-0471792550 In the wake of the pet food recall and with treats being added to the list, now is a good time to think about cooking for your pet. With over 50 recipes, you are sure to please even the finickiest cat. And don't worry about strange ingredients, the recipe calls for easy-to-find ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions. Start cooking for your cat and know exactly what they are eating. And, if you have a dog, don't forget The Ultimate Dog Treat Cookbook. 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.

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PAWS UP FOR PETS with ARDEN MOORE

Be Safe ­ Become A Chef for Your Canine
The recent pet food scare is deadly and disturbing. We love our pets. We love to feed them what we perceive to be healthy ­ and safe ­ food. Unfortunately, at this point, we have far more questions than answers.

Like many of you, I carefully read food labels when shopping for my dogs and cats. I stay clear of products listing wheat or corn or meat by-products. In my role as a pet journalist, I also work closely with leading veterinary nutritionists for stories I write that appear in many national pet publications.

For this month's newsletter, I wish to offer two "foods" of thought:

• Please visit the web site: www.petdiets.com. It is operated by some of the top veterinary nutritionists in the world. The site provides clear ­ and accurate ­ information on making smart ­ and safe ­ food choices for your companion animals. Contact them and also work closely with your own veterinarian to ensure the food bowl is filled with healthy ingredients.
• If you find yourself reluctant to use any canned food or gravy-laden pouch food, I suggest you consider making some homemade recipes until the investigation on the pet food contamination can be completed.

If you're ready to don an apron and become a canine chef, let me share with you some veterinarian-analyzed and veterinarian-approved recipes from my book, Real Food for Dogs: 50 Vet-Approved Recipes to Please the Canine Gastronome (Storey Books). Although I wrote that book a few years ago, it remains a popular seller and has been reprinted in five foreign languages. In addition to the recipes, the book also offers insights into food preparation safety, time-saving tips, and advice on preventing your pooches from turning into chubby chowhounds.

News about my book has generated increased media attention in recent weeks, including from the New York Times and a leading news talk radio station in Canada. The New York Times dispatched a photographer to my home in Oceanside, California to snap photos of me serving "Marvelous Mutt Meatballs" from my book to my two dogs, Chipper and Cleo. They seemed only happy to drool for these meaty treats in front of the photographer.

So, grab an apron and treat your tail-wagging pal to these recipes from my book (added bonus ­ the recipes featured here are also fit for people, too!):

MARVELOUS MUTT MEATBALLS
_ pound ground beef (or ground sirloin)
_ cup grated cheddar cheese
1 carrot, finely chopped
_ cup bread crumbs
1 egg, whisked
1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
1 teaspoon tomato paste

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Combine all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl.
3. Scoop out by the spoonful and roll into mini-size meatballs.
4. Place the meatballs on a cookie sheet sprayed with nonfat cooking spray.
5. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
6. Cool and store in the refrigerator in a container with a lid.

CHOWHOUND CHICKEN SOUP

2 chicken breasts and thighs
5 cups water
2 large carrots, peeled and diced
1 celery stalk, chopped
2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 cups rice, uncooked

1. Combine the chicken, water, carrots, celery and potatoes in a large pot.
2. Cover and simmer over low heat for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the rice and continuing simmering over low heat for 30 to 35 minutes, or until most of the liquid has been absorbed.
4. Remove from the stovetop and let the soup cool.
5. Pull the meat off the chicken bones. Put the meat back in the soup and toss the bones in the trash.
6. Stir the soup before serving. Let it cool before serving it to your dog.
7. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

TAIL-WAGGING TURKEY PIZZA

_ cup turkey broth
Premade pizza dough
1 cup diced cooked turkey
_ cup finely chopped spinach
1 cup grated mozzarella cheese
_ cup sesame seeds

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Pour the turkey broth over the pizza dough.
3. Sprinkle the turkey, spinach, cheese and sesame seeds on top.
4. Place on a greased pizza sheet and bake for 12 to 15 minutes.
5. Enjoy your slice while it is warm, but let the slice for your dog cool before serving. Cut your dog's sliced into bite-size pieces.

Animal Radio® special correspondent Arden Moore is the editor of Catnip, the national award-winning monthly published in cooperation with Tufts University's School of Veterinary Medicine and managing editor of Fido Friendly. Arden has also authored 17 books on dogs and cats, including her latest, The Dog Behavior Answer Book, (Storey Books, 2006). To order any of her books or reach Arden, please visit her Web site:
http://www.ArdenMoore.com

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Talk With Your Animals hosted by Joy Turner Check Schedule for Airtimes

Possibilities
When we think of possibilities, what comes to mind for most people is negative possibilities. You know - We're having a picnic tomorrow. I sure hope it doesn't rain. Or, worse yet, it will probably rain. Or something like - You have a pain in your leg and think it is something wrong and something terrible is going to happen. Or something like - your animal kid didn't eat their breakfast and you think they're sick. The reason humans tend to go to negative possibilities is because the first word we learn is no. That sets our energy structure in a negative pattern.

Possibilities can look like - there could be an earthquake. Let's come up with a plan in case there is. The list can go on and on for the "just in case there's (fill in the blank)".

There is also the other side of possibilities - positive ones. We're picnicking and the weather will probably be great! Or that leg pain is something letting go so my energy can move to a higher state. Or your animal kid just wasn't hungry this morning. Or something like this - the earth is great and loved in my world and it takes great care of me.

This kind of possibility comes from a more positive energetic pattern. The kind that comes with using the word yes a lot.

Possibilities can also come in the form of being involved with something and not having physical control over something. In this case, when thinking of possibilities, most people love plans. We usually try to come up with as many alternatives as we can think of and decide what we could do in each situation. This can be very useful to mentally prepare the various parts of us. Usually it is the negative outcomes that we gravitate to. We will have plan A, plan B, and plan C. For some of us plan F has been used. And usually, these all will involve negative outcomes.

There is an easy way to change that. It's by looking at the positive outcome possibilities. And the simple way to do that is to ask your heart what it desires. Hold its desire to be the positive outcome or plan A.

From my personal experience I have found this very interesting. After my one dog passed, I set about finding my new puppy. I knew I would recognize him. I found a boy dog I just dearly loved and asked to be put on the list for a puppy from his upcoming litter. The woman told me I was number 35 on her list and there was no possibility I would get a puppy from that litter. I told her I could accept that and would still like to be on her list. Over the next while, she told me quite a number of times that I was too far down the list to get a puppy. Instead of feeling rejected, I allowed my heart's desire to have the puppy who was coming for me and knew he would show up somewhere. As it turned out, I went from 35 to number 1 on the list for boy puppies. So I got to pick the puppy whose Soul wanted to come to me and he came home with me.

My aunt didn't believe in things like animal communication or reincarnation. All she knew was that she greatly missed her boy kitty who had passed. Her heart called out for him. I told her to go to the Humane Society and that her kitty wanted to come back to her. She humored me and went. She completely fell in love with a little girl kitty. This was, of course, her passed kitty. He came back as the type of cat she had always liked the best. She brought the kitty home not believing it was her passed kitty until she kept calling her the name of the passed kitty and seeing her behave in many of the same ways. Just because it does not look like what we think it should be, it can still be our kitty. Because of this she now believes in re-incarnation.

All of this brings me to what is happening currently in my life. My dog, Faith, passed recently. My other dog, Braveheart misses her and would love to have a dog to play with. One day while I was talking with Faith, another puppy jumped in to announce she wanted to come to us and be the love of his life. She was born in January. And, this is where this whole thing gets complex and is where plan A, plan B, plan C come in to play.

After I found this particular puppy, two other puppies revealed themselves to me in the same litter. One is my reincarnated Faith and the other is a boy puppy who was a friend of my dogs. Plan A was to take all three of the puppies home with me. The breeder told me that would be impossible because I could only have one. Knowing the Universe can do wonderful and seemingly impossible things, I moved forward with this being the Plan A.

Plan B came to be to take both girls home because the boy didn't especially care if he was in the current body or if he exchanged it with another Soul and choose another body in a later litter somewhere else. Plan C was that I didn't want to have to choose between the girls. Because my human heart was very connected to Faith and it would naturally choose her reincarnation over the new girl (who hasn't lived with me in this life). And, I didn't think that would be fair no matter what choice I made because I didn't want to have to tell one of my kids I wasn't choosing them to be with. So I wanted the Universe to choose for me.

Unfortunately, the breeder only let me have one and she wouldn't tell me which one until the day before I could go to get her. And, even then she told me that if I didn't agree to her terms of her showing the girl if she wanted to and being co-owner, she would send the dog to someone else.

So, I didn't have to choose. I just had to hold true to my heart's desire for this particular girl to come to me and be willing to do what it took.

So we are onto plan D which is I don't know quite what. I did sign the contract with the stipulations because I couldn't stand to see my girl go to someone else like the other two were supposed to do. The puppies know how hard dealing with this breeder has been for me. Faith and the boy puppy have decided to exchange these bodies with souls who want to do the kind of things the people getting them will want to do. They will find other bodies to inhabit and wait for their turn with another breeder - one who will be easier for me to deal with and understand that you should always follow your heart. This is a good example of how people can get in the way of Souls' plans. And, in this case, possibilities were all over the board. The good thing is that there are always more than one or two possibilities. It can just take some imagination to come up with them.

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 through www.TalkWithYourAnimals.com.

The second Friday of every month at 10 AM PT, a caller is able to ask Joy one question of their animal. This call will then air on Animal Radio. If you are interested in being a caller, please email Martha@AnimalRadio.com to make arrangements.
http://www.TalkWithYourAnimals.com

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!

PRODUCT REVIEW for April

(rated 5 out of 5 paws) Quick Control Collar Face it, most dogs are great escape artists. You know when you open your front door or when you open your car door, your dog has a tendency to make a dash outside. You try to grab him, but he slips through your fingers. With the new Quick Control Collar by Bamboo, you not only have a great collar (with many different sizes and colors to chose from) you also have a built-in leash for that quick grab. So when your dogs makse a dash for it, you can grab him quickly without strangling him. Just a simple tug on the padded handle creates an instant leash for immediate control. Release your grip and the leash retracts into the collar. Don't put just any collar on your dog - get a collar that serves two functions! http://www.BambooPet.com Send products for review on-air and in this newsletter to: Animal Radio® Network Product Reviews, 233 East 330 North, Kanab, Utah 84741. Products may not be returned.

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

Animal Wise Radio Check Schedule for Airtimes

Pet Food Recall Expands
With the second major pet food recall within 12 months underway, there is a growing controversy around pet foods.

Recently, a major recall of more than 60 million containers of pet foods was announced following reports of kidney failure and death in dogs and cats that had eaten contaminated food. The original recall included major brand names including Eukanuba, Iams and Nutro. It has now been announced that Hills and Purina were also recalling product.

The massive scale helps to prove something that Animal Ark has been saying for years: there are major problems with the pet food industry.

Though pet food companies would like consumers to believe their foods are made with quality, tested ingredients, the truth about what goes into pet foods is far different. Virtually all of the major pet food companies selling pet foods in the United States are now owned by major international conglomerates like P & G and Colgate. These large organizations often sell off the waste products of their human food production to their pet food divisions.

A new trend in this industry has been the centralization of processing. As this recall highlights, many major pet food brands are coming from the same processing plant. Though these brands would like consumers to believe their products are unique and special, in reality, they are all pretty much the same.

In the face of this, however, a new brand of pet food company has been gradually emerging. Smaller, niche products that focus on quality rather than quantity have been gaining notoriety.

Following are some links that will allow you to begin researching the issue more carefully:

Menu Foods Recall
Tests of suspected pet foods kills 7, FDA says
How does your pet food rate?
The Food Pets Die For
Why its important to KNOW your pet food products?

Mike Fry, Executive Director, Animal Ark No-Kill Shelter
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Animal Minute with Britt Savage

Turtle Eaten Alive - Survives!
When it got cold outside, 12-year-old Shelby Terihay of Ithia, Florida decided it was too cold outside for her turtles, so she brought them inside and put them in the bathtub.

Even though Shelby thought it was a good idea, the family's golden retriever thought it was an even better idea. In fact, he decided that they were lunch.

When Shelby noticed one of the turtles missing, she informed her family who then noticed the dog licking his lips. Expecting the worst, they then forced the dog to drink peroxide to induce vomiting.

After about 10 minutes, the little green turtle was expelled and began to move about. Both the turtle and dog are doing fine.

Hear Britt and the Animal Minute at AnimalRadio.com

Voice of the Animal - Rae Ann Kumelos Ph.D.

All the Buzz About Bees
Did you know that a bee helped open up frontier to the pioneers of the American West?

In 1842, John C. Fremont, Pathfinder of the West, and later governor of California, was commissioned to lead an expedition to find a passage over the Rocky Mountains. Part of any government commission is writing the report, but Fremont was an adventurer, not a writer, so he turned to his wife, Jessie Benton Fremont, for help. As John recounted his successful journey to Jessie, she helped the report come alive in a manner that would capture the imagination of the nation. Jessie wrote of how her husband scaled what he mistakenly believed to be the highest point in the Rockies, and as he unfurled a US flag on the icy summit, all of a sudden a bee appeared. As Fremont tells it: "It was a strange place . . . for a lover of warm sunshine and flowers, and we pleased ourselves with the idea that the bee was the first of his species to cross the mountain barrier, a solitary pioneer to foretell the advance of civilization." Fremont then swiftly clapped the bee among the pages of his journal and thus insured its immortality.

When the Fremont report was released to an eager public, the solitary bee captured the wanderlust of the nation, and as we know, that "solitary bee then became a swarm."

It is not surprising that this immortal bee influenced a nation to move West. In ancient myth, the bee was often associated with immortality. Bees were a symbol of the Mother Goddess, with the hive considered the womb of the Great Mother. In a beehive, the Queen Bee is surrounded by virgin female worker bees who gather the pollen from flowers. This is one reason that bees are associated with the Greek Goddess Artemis and her priestesses; several of the ancient statues of Artemis are adorned with bees. The High Priestess that attended to Artemis was called Melissa, which means "bee," and the temples of the goddess were sometimes in the shape of the six-sided hexagonal honeycomb, a form that depicts the sacred geometry of harmony.

The ancient Egyptians were the first to practice beekeeping. They placed the beehives on boats that floated down the Nile, taking advantage of the blossoms all the way down the river. The Egyptians also believed that bees were born from the tears of their Sun-god, Ra, and in honor of the god, bees performed a dance to the sun. Scientific findings have shown that bees actually do. The bees' dance involves movements that show the location of a new source of pollen in regard to the degrees of the sun's position. When a scout bee shares a bit of the new pollen, the rest of the hive can then determine the plant they are looking for, while the scout's dance tells them how to find it

It was honey that was the ambrosia upon which the Gods of Mount Olympus dined, while mead, wine that is created from fermented honey, is thought to give those who imbibe it the powers of prophecy. The Viking giantess, Gonlod, also considered the Mother of Poetry, brewed her famous mead in the Cauldron of Inspiration, while the ancient Greek poets Homer and Sappho were believed to have had their lips touched with honeywhile they were infants, creating their gift for sweet speech.

In Christianity, bees retain their association with the mother goddess as emissaries of the Virgin Mary. Throughout Eastern Europe, Mary is considered the protectress of bees and beekeepers, and consecrated honey is offered to her every year on the Feast of the Assumption, August 15th. It was, and still is, considered unlucky to kill a bee that may come into your home; she is not there to hurt or sting you, but to bring you blessings.

Preserved in amber at the Natural History Museum in New York is a bee believed to be 80 million years old. From ancient bees encased in amber, to the enduring words of honey-tongues poets, to the lone bee John C. Fremont immortalized on that icy Rocky Mountain Peak, it is the buzz of bee that echoes through the ages.

Visit us at http://www.voiceoftheanimal.com to hear more stories and order Voice of the Animals CD's.

Copyright ­ 2007 ­ Voice of the Animal

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Farm Sanctuary's Farm Animal Forum
April 29, 2007
National Constitution Center
525 Arch St.
Philadelphia, PA

Find out how you can become an active participant in national efforts to protect farm animals from abuse at this one-day conference. Designed to raise awareness about current farm animal issues and campaigns, this unique event offers educational opportunities for activists of all experience levels.

Registration information
Call 607-583-2225 ext. 221 to make a reservation or visit www.farmsanctuary.org. Cost is $45 per person by April 6; $50 per person after April 6. Students with valid college identification pay $35. All reservations are required by April 20. Registration fee includes a catered vegan lunch.

Love Your Pet Expo
April 14, 2007
Shasta Fairgrounds
1890 Briggs St at Hwy 273
Anderson, CA

Love Your Pet Expo is a one-day event, open to the public, with pet-friendly activities including a pet parade, photo contest (with cash prizes), and "You Look Like Your Pet" competition. RVs welcome with free parking available.

The purpose of the show is to educate the public while having fun with family and pets. Local area and Internet resources will be offered for pet health and safety, grooming, training, and recreation. Non-profit organizations will offer free literature on animal rights, emergency services, rescue and adoption, and wild animal concerns.

Vendors, sponsors, and advertisers will share their goods and services through exhibits, door prizes, giveaways, literature, and demonstrations.

Demonstrations will be offered throughout the day, including a dog training presentation and a kids' craft workshop for easy-to-make pet toys.

For anyone who can't make it to the event, all exhibits, demonstrations, and workshops will be featured on the permanent website, LoveYourPetExpo.com. Please contact Katie Ball, 530-347-1616 or email LoveYourPetExpo@gmail.com for more info.

Small Dogs, Big Hearts with Darlene Arden Check Schedule for Airtimes

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

Q: When my boyfriend comes near me to touch me, my dog snarls at him. It happens all the time. Why? And what can we do to change this behavior. Tom is a really nice guy!

A: Most dog owners think of Resource Guarding in terms of the dog who won't let anyone near an old sock that he has pilfered or his food or some other object that he considers to be of high value. It is his resource. What owners fail to consider is that they themselves can be a resource for the dog. After all, owners feed, water, walk and play with the dog. All good things come from the owner and that's as it should be. The problem begins when the dog views the owner as his personal resource and doesn't want to share. In other words, your dog views your boyfriend as competition for his best resource: you! In order to help change this behavior, I'd suggest you give your boyfriend some treats to toss in the dog's direction. Also, allow your boyfriend to feed your dog, and tossing extra pieces of food in the dish while the dog eats (just walking past the dog while doing this). Let them develop a relationship of their own so he will no longer view your boyfriend as competition but a friend with whom he can share. Good things should happen for the dog when your boyfriend is in the room. And you can all go for a walk together. If you haven't tried clicker training, then you and your boyfriend can both do this with your dog. It's positive, easy training and you'll all have fun together.

"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). Further information may also be found on her website: www.darlenearden.com. Copyright 2007 by Darlene Arden. All Rights Reserved.

Hear Darlene Arden on Animal Radio® Consult schedule for showtimes.

Recently on Animal Radio®

Lemonade Stand Nets $20,000 for the Animals - Hear the interview
Kyle Orent, an 8-year-old from Northport, New York has raised more than $20,000 for Canine Companions for Independence through sales at his lemonade stand. Orent hopes to raise an additional $10,000 for the non-profit organization, which trains dogs to help people with disabilities.

Last month, he met his idol, Donald Trump, but politely didn't solicit the mogul. "I didn't want him to feel obligated," Kyle said. "I just wanted to thank him for giving me good ideas." Kyle, a fan of Trump's TV show, wrote a letter that won the sympathy of Trump's secretary. He and his mother, Kathy, then showed up at Trump Towers in Manhattan and were invited in for a brief session.

To raise the additional $10,000, he'll organize a golf tournament and an auction of autographed dog collars. Celebrities from George Clooney to former president Bill Clinton previously gave autographs. http://www.CanineCompanions.org