Many of us already know the importance of Crate Training our dogs. Much of the other training and obedience lessons will revolve around the "crate" or "kennel." But the important thing to remember is that the crate is not a punishment, but a safe warm place for your dog to hang out. We can compare it to our bedroom.

Here are a few reasons to Crate Train:

-Easier to go to the Vet
-Pivotal in housebreaking your dog
-Required for air-travel
-Keeps them safe when you're not able to be around
-Keeps them off your bed at night

Here are some tips to help you Crate Train your furry-friend:

You must pick the right size crate!!! Your dog should be able to stand up, turn around and lie comfortably in the kennel.

Positive training will help your pet to accept their new crate as a desirable place to rest. Introduce your dog to its kennel while supervising. Start with the door open and leave familiar items or treats in kennel. Make it his new bedroom (if you've ever had teens, or have been one, you'll understand this).

Once your furry-friend enters on its own, close the door, observing and soothing your dog as needed. NEVER use this product for punishment!

Put the crate somewhere that your dog has a good line of site with you. That will increase his stay inside. NEVER leave your pet alone and confined for extended periods. The crate is not a pet-sitter.

Good luck and enjoy this new facet to being a doggy-dad or mom that will make life easier for everyone.

Don't miss our Pet Containment & Enclosure Special this weekend on Animal Radio®

The Infamous Annual Animal Radio® SUMMER GIVEAWAY is HERE!! The list of prizes is growing - bigger and better than last year! Watch the Grand Prize Package GROW. Anyone can ENTER and WIN.

So far, prizes from Petmate, Drinkwell and Get Serious! More to come. Details coming at http://AnimalRadio.com.

Anyone can qualify to win by sending us your used ink cartridges. Call us toll-free at 1-866-405-8405 and ask for your FREE postage-paid envelope to send us your spent cartridges - and get qualified to WIN!

Animal Radio® Angel - starts July 8th
Animal Radio® receives hundreds of emails and snail mail from pet guardians regarding their ill pets. Often times these folks don't have the funds available to pay for doctors and medical expenses. Animal Radio Angels will help cover the expenses necessary to get your pet better. If you or someone you know is facing astronomical vet bills for a pet's life-saving surgery and need financial assistance, please contact us.

On July 8th, the story of "Lucky," the cat hit by a car, kicks off the Animal Radio® Angel programming. With a little help, Lucky gets hip surgery.

If your company would like to become an Animal Radio® "Angel," please contact Animal Radio Network® at 435.644.5992.

Pocket Pets - July 22nd
Animal Radio® will explore the multi-million dollar Pocket Pet Industry. From Guinea Pigs to Ferrets, guardians are turning to the "easier to care for" small pet. What are these animals? How are the Pet Pocket Manufacturers catering to this niche? Smaller pets make great starter animals for children. TV Pet Expert Marc Marrone guests.

Preventative Health - July 29th
Animal Radio® covers all aspects of the Animal Health Niche, and the products or services available to keep our pets in tip top shape ­ and what to do if your pet falls ill. From Pet Insurance to Vitamin Supplements, guardians spend millions to keep their extended family members happy and healthy.

Think your company should be a part of an upcoming feature? Call 435.644.5992 or submit your contribution ideas to root@AnimalRadio.com.

Animal Radio® is coming to Seattle, Phoenix, and Orlando. We are seeking local sponsorship in these markets. If you own a business in one of these cities, we need to talk. Have you thought about sponsoring Animal Radio® in your market? Get local and/or national advertising and make Animal Radio® possible in your town.

Animal Radio® Alfie Awards
If you know someone special that has devoted boundless energy to the animal welfare movement, please nominate them for Animal Radio's Alfie Awards. Send us your nomination plus 80-100 words why they should win an Alfie. More details coming soon.

RECENT PODCASTS:
Podcast of KRISSI NEWMAN NASCAR wife (1/2 hour abridged version)
Podcast of Horse Whisperer MONTY ROBERTS. (1/2 hour abridged version)
Podcast of BETTY WHITE Live from the San Diego Humane Adoptathon (1/2 hour abridged version)

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

Summer Sun Shines for the Animals

The season of summer begins on June 21, when our closest star, the sun, attains its zenith at the highest point in the heavens. We celebrate this longest and most brilliant day of the year as the Summer Solstice, a time of light, joy, and happiness. This year, during the week of Solstice, our biggest star aligned in favor of animals, as a fashion designer, a grocer, and a president made decisions that will dramatically influence and affect the lives of animals all over the world.

The fashion designer is Ralph Lauren, and his decision to eliminate the use of fur in his clothing and home collections means thousands and thousands of animals; rabbits, raccoons, foxes, minks- and if the fur comes from China, cats and dogs- will be spared an unspeakably cruel and violent fate. Lauren joins other fashion designers and retail stores, including Ann Taylor, J. Crew, Victoria's Secret, and the Limited, in not using fur in their designs and products. Bravo to you Mr. Lauren, and to all of those designers and retailers who choose not to clothe their customers with cruelty. May the sun shine ever brightly on all you do.

The grocer is John Mackey, founder and CEO of Whole Foods, who made the decision to stop selling live lobsters in his chain of 183 Whole Food stores. Mackey is a vegan, and although Whole Foods does sell meat and seafood, he stands on the front lines of the food industry in advancing standards for compassionate animal welfare. Thanks to Mr. Mackey's decision, lobsters will no longer haunt the seafood aisle in tanks, as poet laureate Billy Collins describes, "filled to the brim with their copious tears." Since the lobster in Chinese myth is the symbol of mirth, Mr. Mackey's decision has given both lobsters and animal advocates everywhere something to smile about.

The president is George W. Bush. Although his administration is not known for its support of environmental or animal advocacy legislation, on June 15, the President's signature created the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, the 75th national monument in the United States. This new monument, bigger than all other national monuments combined, is located due west of Kauai. Now the largest protected marine area in the world, it is the size of 46 out of the 50 states, and is home to over 7000 species of birds, fish, and marine mammals, including the endangered Hawaiian monk seal and spectacular reef corals. With one stroke of his pen, the president created the largest act of ocean conservation in history! That means a big aloha for the future of finned families. Thank you Mr. President ­may the power of your pen continue to write a brighter future on behalf of animals everywhere.

And let us not let the sun eclipse the stellar companions who serve to make these wonderful events happen. The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals act as advocates for all animals, working tirelessly with designers and retailers, educating them about the effects of their business decisions on animals. And, it was First Lady Laura Bush who invited Jean- Michel Cousteau, son of Jacques, to the White House to screen his pivotal, and obviously very influential, film on the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

For animals and animal lovers everywhere, let us hope more great news for our four-legged, winged, and finned friends is in the stars!

Copyright 2006 - Voice of the Animal

Visit us at http://www.VoiceOfTheAnimal.org to order a Volume One- Voice of the Animal CD for yourself or a friend.
Hear Voice of the Animal every week on Animal Radio®, or anytime at Animal Radio's Full-time channel.

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Veterinary Minute with Dr. Jim Humphries

Breed Bans? Do They Work?

The stories are terrible children mauled, adults attacked, other pets killed. Aggressive dogs make headlines across the nation and so do the efforts to control them. The problem? The laws don't work!

Since the 1980s, breed specific legislation (BSLs) or aggressive dog laws have been working their way across this country and Canada. Touted by many to be the answer to vicious dog attacks, BSLs have shown up in state legislatures, city council meetings, and small town agendas.

A breed specific legislation is defined as a statute or regulation that is directed toward one or more specific breeds of dogs. According to the website, www.animal law.info, the majority of BSLs focus on dogs traditionally known as "dangerous" breeds. These include pit bulls, German Shepherd Dogs, Chow Chows, Rottweilers, and Doberman Pinschers. The list, however, is growing and often includes mixed breed dogs that show characteristics of these breeds. Additionally, 37 states have already enacted laws or have legislation pending at some level of government.

The current trend for enacting breed specific legislation began in the 1980s after a series of attacks left several people dead and many more injured. As examples, in 1980, the city commission of Hollywood, Florida passed an ordinance requiring that persons owning pit bulls must file special registration papers and maintain $25,000 public liability insurance. In New Mexico, a 1984 town ordinance allowed animal control officials to confiscate and euthanize pit bulls due to a newly enacted ban on the breed.

Opponents of breed specific laws will often use the definition of the law as one of their main arguments against the laws. The BSLs are aimed more at restricting certain breeds than addressing the specific behavior of individual animals. Other issues opponents will bring forth include the difficulty and often arbitrary nature of enforcement, overload of court systems and the mis-identification of animals. The American Kennel Club's Position Statement on BSLs says that the AKC will support dangerous dog control that is non-discriminatory and is enforceable (www.akc.org). Additionally, the AKC is encouraging all types of dog lovers to become active in or start animal control advisory boards locally.

Besides nationally known groups, many smaller local groups have been voicing their concerns as well. Entire organizations have been created to help defeat these bills. The Ohio Valley Dog Owners says that BSLs are not likely to work because "irresponsible owners and the criminals who use dogs for illegal purposes simply switch to another breed."

The city of North Chicago just recently passed a BSL restricting the ownership of pit bulls. The restrictions include annual license fees of $500-$1000, requirements that the dogs be kept on 4 foot leads and muzzled whenever on the streets, registration and notification of all births of pit bulls and photo identification to be supplied to the city. North Little Rock, Arkansas has a similar ordinance but includes Rottweilers as well.

Even with some local municipalities taking the plunge to prohibit certain breeds, some states are putting their foot down to stop any reactionary legislation. According to Colorado's state laws, no municipality may enact a law that is restrictive based on breed alone. In the first two months of 2006, 4 BSLs were stopped due to public outcry or cost ineffectiveness in Colorado, Massachusetts and Oklahoma. However, California just (Jan 2006) repealed a ban on BSLs, allowing cities to adopt ordinances banning or restricting certain breeds.

Even as the debates on BSLs heat up, dog attacks continue to make news. In Grant County, Indiana, a story originally surfaced about a Rottweiler type dog and a potential pit bull entering the home of an 88 year old woman on oxygen and attacking her. After two days of frantic reports of stray dog sightings and the canceling of recess at a local elementary school, the real culprits were found to be the dachshund and Labrador owned by the woman's daughter. Because of breed misconceptions and stereotypes, some pets are considered to be less dangerous than others simply due to their breed makeup. This story illustrates how wrong that assumption can be.

Searching the Internet for Breed Specific Legislation, more than a quarter of a million sites appear on MSN alone. All of the national dog clubs and even the American Veterinary Medical Association have position statements denouncing the need or wisdom of breed specific laws. It is important that dog owners of any breed, or any mixed breed, pay attention to laws that may affect their right and ability to keep their dog. As always, visit your veterinarian if you are concerned about your dog's behavior and have questions about the breed.

For more information, visit www.MyVNN.com and watch the video detailing these laws.

Dr. Jim Humphries is President and News Director of Veterinary News Network. Hear the Veterinary Minute on Animal Radio®.

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Dog, Family Reunited After Nearly 5 Years

Back in 2001 when Holy and Troy Webb's dog Gidget, a Lhasa Apso, ran away they never thought they would see her again. Fearing the worst, they felt that maybe she was hurt, even though they never received any communication about her.

So when they recently received a call from animal control officers saying that they had their dog, they were very surprised. Gidget still had the same collar and tags she was wearing when she was lost five years ago.

Gidget was covered with matts but appears to have been fed. The Webbs believe that someone might have had their dog all of this time, but are just glad to have her back home.

Hear Britt and the Animal Minute at AnimalRadio.com

ASK THE CAT COACH - Marilyn Krieger
Feline Behaviorist, IAABC, CWA

Help - My Cat has Started Spraying!

Dear Cat Coach,

Leo, my male neutered Maine Coon cat started to spray a couple of months ago. I had him for four years and he's never sprayed until recently. His favorite spots to spray are around our windows and doors. I don't understand why he's doing this. He's always liked other cats. The neighbors cats that come around the house have never bothered him before. I've done everything I can think of to stop his spraying, including scolding him and rubbing his nose in it. Instead of improving the situation, he's spraying more and now he won't let me approach him. I'm at the end of my rope.
Signed,
Leo's Dad

Dear Leo's Dad,

The most common reason a cat will spray windows and doors is because of unaltered transient cats outside the house. You may have a whole male in the neighborhood or a queen in heat that prefers to hang out in your back yard. Most likely this is what is motivating Leo to spray.

The good news is that with a little work and patience, this behavior can be changed. My suggestions will tackle this challenge from several angles. All of these suggestions will be important to implement in order to meet the spraying challenge.

The first task will be to address the cause of the problem. If you have feral cats visiting your yard, I recommend you trap the cats, get them fixed and then release them. Your local humane society should be able to provide you with a Have-a-Heart (Havahart) trap. Another option is to call a local cat rescue group for help. If the trespassers belong to a neighbor, try having a conversation with the neighbor about their errant cats. Realistically, I know that some neighbors are not open to conversations about their cats or suggestions that the cats should be kept indoors. If you find that's the case, we can still modify Leo's behavior.

It is very important to only use positive reinforcement when influencing Leo to cease his spraying activities. Punishing a cat by scolding or rubbing his nose in the urine will not change a cat's behavior. The cat does not make the association with why his nose is being rubbed in the urine. Instead of stopping the behavior, it usually results in the cat not feeling safe around his owner and then avoiding his owner, as in Leo's case, or it can result in the cat acting out more by either increasing the spraying or developing another behavior issue. I do know how frustrating it can be to have a cat spray, but you will get quicker and better results by not punishing Leo.

Leo will need to have his own room for awhile. If possible, the location of the room should be away from the areas he's spraying. The room should be comfortable, with food, water, a place to sleep and at least two uncovered cat boxes. Locate the boxes on opposite sides of the room, away from the feeding and water station. Plug a Comfort Zone* diffuser into an electrical outlet. Comfort Zone can take the edge off stress and help calm Leo. Spend lots of time interacting with Leo in this room. Monitor his litter box habits. You will probably find that he is a perfect gentleman in this room. After a week or so of not spraying, you can slowly integrate him back into the rest of the house by gradually expanding his territory.

While Leo is in his room, identify and clean the areas both inside and outside the house that have been targeted by him and the unwanted outside visitors. A black light, used in the dark, will help to identify all of the areas that have been targeted by causing the sprayed areas to fluoresce. After identifying the areas, clean the horizontal areas thoroughly, using an enzyme cleaner such as Anti-Icky-Poo. It is important to let the enzyme cleaner sit, soak in and dry on it's own in order for it to be the most effective. The vertical, sprayed areas should be treated in the following way: clean each vertical area that has been marked using soap and water. After rinsing and thoroughly drying, spray Feliway** on the target areas. The Feliway spray will help Leo change his association with the area. It is important to spray those areas with Feliway twice a day. The reason we won't be using the enzyme cleaner on the vertical areas is because enzyme cleaners can neutralize the effect of the Feliway spray.

After all of the targeted areas are cleaned and treated, tape butcher paper on the windows blocking Leo's view to the outside. One of my clients got creative and used colored paper which she then had her little girl draw on. Don't worry; the paper won't be there forever!

As you slowly expand Leo's territory into the whole house, you will need to change his association with the targeted areas. Feed him treats in the areas he's sprayed. Use a fishing pole toy to play with him in the areas that were his favorite places to spray. Before feeding or playing with him in the target areas, spray the vertical areas with the Feliway spray. Monitor him and make sure to praise him when he's behaving.

It may take a month or two until Leo stops spraying completely. Be patient, he may have a set back, but if that happens don't panic. Put him back in his room, clean the sprayed areas with the enzyme cleaner and then gradually introduce him back into the rest of the house.

*Comfort Zone diffuses a synthetic pheromone into the air that mimics cat's facial pheromones. It can have a calming effect on cats.
**Feliway is a synthetic pheromone that is sprayed on surfaces and into the air. Like Comfort Zone, the synthetic pheromone mimics cat's facial pheromones.

Do you have cat-behavior questions? Ask the Cat Coach. marilyn@thecatcoach.com You can find out more about The Cat Coach at http://thecatcoach.com Marilyn can be reached for consultation to solve feline behavior issues either by e-mail marilyn@thecatcoach.com or by phone: 650 780 9485.
© 2006 by Marilyn Krieger, All Rights Reserved

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PRODUCT REVIEW for July

(rated 4 paws) Reviewed by: Animal Radio Network's B.Relli, H.Abrams and J. Francis VARI-KENNEL ULTRA PORTABLE KENNEL Kennels have come a long way, and Petmate has been at the forefront of the new developments. This kennel was designed for the safety of its occupants, built from high-impact material, which seemingly lasts longer than some of the older plastics that crack and break under duress. It's offered in lots of sizes:The Vari Kennel Ultra is available in Medium (28x20.5x21.5), Intermediate (32x22.5x24), Large (36x25x27) and Extra Large (40x27x30). Please note that the dimensions are in inches (LxWxH). Colors to match your house: Clay, Denim, Brushed Nickel and Black. We tested the Medium Denim. It's 28x21x22 and perfect for the Fox Terrier, Boston Terrier, Cocker Spaniel or similar sized pet. It includes features like tie-down strap holes that allow the kennel to be secured to a vehicle for added pet safety and a built-in "moat" to divert fluids away from pets keeping them dry and comfortable. The Ultra's improved design also includes "Fast Nut" wing nuts that make assembly and disassembly quick and easy without any tools other than opposable thumbs. The door is equipped with a secure spring latch and covered posts. It's important that you Crate Train your friend, and the Vari-Kennel is just right for all the places you two will travel together. http://www.petmate.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.

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

{Editors Note: We are absolutely thrilled to have Australia's top animal show on Animal Radio Network® We've brought together the world's best pet programs under one roof. If you haven't heard our full-time animal channel - check it out now }

G'day from chilly Australia!....

Yep it's winter here.... and there's a drought.... (worst in our history!) and just as our southern pets are rugged up or lying in front of warm fires, we had an e-mail from a listener in Darwin... that's about as far north as we go here in an area called the Northern Territory... (Uluru, Kakadu etc)

The writer was worried about her two Alaskan Malamutes getting too hot!! - CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? - In our southern states which are the coldest areas here, some people run Huskies and Malamutes in the forest when the temperature dips below 15degs Celsius (59 F) but Darwin??... IT'S ALWAYS HOT UP THERE!

It hardly ever drops below 20degrees Celsius (68F) and that's overnight - daily temps during winter are around 30degrees!.....(86F) with summer reaching up to 50Celsius (122F) - so we asked ourselves "why do people have pets - dogs in particular - in inappropriate climates?"... and is Darwin or any perennially warm location an appropriate place to have Huskies and Malamutes and the like? The writer's other dog is a Spitz - another 'cool country' dog.

We offered some advice including those new 'cooling vests' you can buy and of course reminded her that dogs really require a LOT of hydration before, during and after exercise - or even when temperatures are warmer than normal - for these particular dogs we imagine that must be most of the time!

We happen to know this person loves her dogs 100% but gets moved around with her work quite a bit so maybe she has very little say where she goes - so the next point of all this of course is 'if we had a child with asthma, could we ask never to be moved to Sydney for instance - the asthma capital of the country?'

And if we can do it for our kids and ourselves, why can't we do it for our pets?

These days a whole new set of challenges await pet owners and lawmakers alike. If animals now effectively have 'rights', then surely we should be able to say on their behalf "I have a certain breed of dog (or cat or bird etc) and don't want to be moved anywhere that's too warm (or cold or whatever)."

Sadly there are people 'out there' who don't want us to have pets at all. Despite all the medical evidence that pets are good for our health, some cities, towns and their respective lawmakers, don't even like animals and try and bring in laws to limit or stop completely our freedom to enjoy being with our animals almost anywhere - anytime.

But while a lot of that activity goes un-noticed on a daily basis (we'll watch it for you!) - something that does happen daily is the smile on a child's face seeing their first puppy or kitten.

Brian's young granddaughter Lisa-Maree just got two rescue Papillion's. TWO!!! - She lives in another state so we hurriedly joined her up to our national tag and photo ID service Dog-E-Data. I also sent her some information on microchipping, spaying and neutering, diet etc plus, we also sent her a DVD of Clicker Puppy, produced by Doggone Crazy in Canada and endorsed by well known trainer Karen Pryor, just to kick start her on the basics of training.

We figure anyone who gets two rescue dogs from the pound who has never had any experience is gonna need all the help they can get!... and the last thing we want is to see those dogs back in the shelter.... Darn, we really wish their mom had asked us first.... we would have suggested a Guinea Pig, a mouse or even goldfish to start with!

So remember - if the kids are hankering at you to get a pet, please... "DO YOUR RESEARCH FIRST!" - then we might have a few less abandoned and surrendered animals in our animal shelters next year after the novelty wears off.

Meantime - we'll keep you posted with young Lisa-Maree's progress.
Hugs for your pets whatever they may be and hope you continue to enjoy the Animal Radio Network...

Take care & hugs for your pets ­ Brian & Kaye

This week on Pet Talk Radio!

Is this our most embarrassing moment as pet owners?
You're having the boss and his wife over for dinner... the doorbell rings... you welcome your guests with a smile and polite handshake, then out of the blue 40kilos of slobbering Labrador (or even 5kgs of Chihuahua - it's just as bad) lunges at the bosses wife and  starts making the kind of gyrating motions that would put a smile on Elvis's face!
OMG!!.. the dog looks like it's humping the bosses wife - how embarrassing... but is this 'love' or is this domination or is it both? Dr Harry answers this listener question

Also this week:
+ What To Do With Animals That Scratch At The Door - Dr Harry answers listener questions
+ Can Water Really Calm The Savage Beast? - discover a great new Aussie product CALM Water
+ Vale Harriet, She 'Tortoise' Plenty - Mark Richmond say's goodbye to the world's oldest living creature.
+ Clickers, Cats and Bad Behaviour - just some of the questions answered by Australia's top animal trainer Steve Austin

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

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Dog Talk The Radio Show with Tracie Hotchner & Judy Charmichael Check Schedule for Airtimes

ASK "THE DOG BIBLE" ­ Based on THE DOG BIBLE: Everything Your Dog Wants You To Know by Tracie Hotchner

What Causes Heatstroke in Dogs?

Dogs can suffer from heatstroke easily: temperature conditions that may not even seem all that uncomfortable for you may be life-threatening to your pooch. For example, jogging with an owner on a hot day is definitely dangerous: even going for a walk when it's very hot can cause heatstroke in a dog. There are times when exposing a dog to direct sun through the window of a moving car - even an air-conditioned one - can be risky. There have been cases of small dogs actually dying in a car being driven by their owners in very hot, sunny conditions. You may be comfortable in the air-conditioning but if the sun is streaming in the window right on your small dog, it may be enough to cause heatstroke.

Dogs are susceptible to the effects of heat because their skin works differently than ours. We have many sweat glands and tiny capillaries in our skin, and the sweat we produce when we get overheated evaporates, which cools the blood in those capillaries. Dog skin has neither sweat glands nor blood-cooling capillaries. Dogs cool themselves by panting, which allows cooler air into their lungs to dissipate their body heat. Blood vessels in the tongue and mouth are cooled as the saliva evaporates. Panting is not an efficient cooling system, and a dog can easily enter the danger zone: the point at which he cannot cool himself down. Dogs also dissipate some heat through the pads of their feet.

TIPS ON KEEPING YOUR DOG COOL IN THE HEAT

* If your dog is outside during the day, make sure there is lots of shade for him.
* Walk the dog in the cool of the day, preferably early in the morning. By the end of the day, even though the sun has gone down, the ground and pavement can still be really hot. As a test, put your palm flat on the ground ­ if your hand can't comfortably maintain contact, it will be hot for the dog's paws, too. At the very least, keep the walk brief.
* After a walk on hot pavement, get your dog to stand in water ­ if there is no outside source, a low dishpan is fine or fill the bathtub with a few inches of cool water. It will soothe his paws and also help cool him off.
* Stand on grass or shaded surfaces when outdoors with your dog; asphalt and concrete absorb heat and can burn footpads.
* Always take along water and a bowl anytime you're out and about with your dog, but especially in hot weather. Offer him a drink frequently.
* Don't shave off all the dog's hair. You may think that fur is hotter, but a pet's fur actually helps insulate him from the heat (and can help prevent sunburn). Try a "puppy cut" instead.
* If you have a garden or yard, fill a hard-sided plastic kiddie-pool with water: your dog(s) can use it to drink from and to walk or lie down in to cool off, especially after a walk or playing (you'll need to empty it frequently or mosquitoes will come to play).
* Leave your dog at home when you run errands - your car turns into an oven in minutes, even parked in the shade.
* Do not leave your dog in a car - not even for a minute. If you must take him along when you go out, then he has to exit the car when you do. Even being tied up in the shade is preferable to being in that car, even with the windows open. If you doubt this is serious, do the following: put on a heavy coat and hat and sit in that car yourself for five minutes. See what I mean?

{"Ask THE DOG BIBLE..." is a regular column by Tracie Hotchner - Featuring excerpts from her new 700 page encyclopedic book that has been called "a Dr. Spock for dogs." Further information may also be on her website, http://www.thedogbible.com, where you can email questions.} Copyright 2006 by Tracie Hotchner, All Rights Reserved

Hear Tracie Hotchner as she hosts Dog Talk The Radio Show on Animal Radio Network® Consult schedule for showtimes.

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ANIMAL RADIO BOOK REVIEW for July

(rated 4 1/2 paws) Pleasurable Kingdom : Animals and the Nature of Feeling Good by Jonathan Balcombe ·Hardcover: 256 pages ·Publisher: Macmillan (May 2, 2006) ·Language: English ·ISBN: 1403986010 If you're like me, you already know that animals have feelings, emotions, and frequently display sentient behavior. Pleasurable Kingdom verifies my beliefs with scientific anecdotes in laymans terms. Dr. Jonathan Balcombe, a frequent guest on Animal Radio®, has a special way of relating to our furry, and not-so-furry, friends. All of us at the network simply enjoyed this read, and if you wonder about your cat or dogs' cognizance, you'll love it too. 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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My Summer As A Substitute Bat Mother - Mike Fry

Many experiences early in my life taught me to question the beliefs that people have about animals. So, when I had the opportunity to work with bats for the first time, I was more than willing to question existing scientific assumptions.

I was working at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic at the University of Minnesota. Someone brought a bat to us they thought had been injured because it couldn't fly. The bat in question turned out to be a little, female red bat, with a face as cute as a little hamster and with these delicate membrane structures that could unfurl into wings. She was really spectacular! And more than a bit feisty!

The veterinarian at the clinic and I donned thin leather gloves to examine her. And what a fuss she made while we did so! She used her wing membranes to try to make herself look larger and more ferocious than she actually was.

As we tried to handle her, she would stretch out one wing while using the other to cover her underside. Like a show girl performing a fan dance, she kept one wing covering her belly at all times. It was a spectacular display. It took us a while to figure out what was actually going on . . .

Clinging to her chest were three infant Red Bat pups, each slightly larger than your thumbnail. Collectively, their weight was large enough to prevent her from flying, though. They were weighing her down. Unable to fly with the pups, she was also unable to eat or drink.

Red Bats usually only give birth to one or two pups at the most. Three were just too many for her to carry.

At the time, we assumed all three were hers. However, in retrospect, it is hard to say. I later observed mother bats tending to the offspring of other bats with the same tenderness and care shown to their own children.

In any case, this female was doing everything should could to protect these three pups. With one wing, she tried to scare us away, while using the other wing to protect the babies. To finish examining her, we needed to remove the bat pups.

Once we tucked the children inside a folded hand towel, she stopped fighting us. Only then could we see how very sick she was. She was emaciated and dehydrated - so much so the vet didn't think she would survive. She was skin and bones.

Surprisingly, though, the pups were in pretty good shape. The mother bat had given all of her body's reserves to help them survive. We administered subcutaneous fluids to the mother and offered her some emergency formula.

Then there was the problem of what to do with the babies.

Back then, infant bats had a very poor survival rate when people tried to raise them. Being lactose intolerant, most of the milk formulas people try to feed them caused serious problems.

I decided to try something different. Using a lactose-free animal milk replacer as the base, I added other things to increase the fat and protein levels.

Using a special syringe tip to deliver a single droplet of formula at a time, I began to feed the pups. They gobbled up the formula.

Later that evening the mother bat died, leaving us with an even greater problem. The common belief at the time was that infant bats could not be raised in captivity and then successfully released to the wild.

The thinking was that infant bats needed their mothers to teach them all sorts of things, like how to hunt and catch insects while flying, where to find shelter, and what migration routes to follow in the fall.

It is sort of hard to explain. But when I removed the babies from the mother, in my mind and to her, I promised to take good care of them. I couldn't just give up on them, after she gave her life for them. The least I could do was ask some simple questions.

Most specifically, I wanted to know why bats couldn't be raised in captivity and released to the wild, when so many other species of animals could. That turned out to be a question no one could really answer. Not even some of the foremost authorities on bats.

Little did I know it, but by asking that simple question, I was well on my way to becoming a full-time substitute bat mother.

Over the next several weeks, my goals were simple:

1) Keep the pups alive
2) Teach them to hunt wild food
3) Do so without letting them get tame and accustomed to people. Young bats that liked people would probably have little chance of surviving in the wild.

The first phase of the effort was simply to keep them alive -- feeding the infants every two hours for the first weeks of their care. They thrived and quickly grew into fluffy, rust-colored miniatures of their mother. I took care to never speak to them, and to never handle them but with a special pair of "bat gloves" that help hide my scent.

In no time at all it seemed and they were ready to start flying.

With a little creative problem solving, and a ream of netting, an empty, second-floor, abandoned room at the University of Minnesota was converted into a large bat flight cage.

Window screens were removed and the windows covered with netting to allow the room to fill with wild insects every night. A lantern suspended in the middle of the room attracted swarms of bugs.

On evenings when bugs were scarce, I used a sweep net that friends and I drove through cornfields to catch flying insects that I then released into the room. I sat back and watched nature work.

The bat's first flights were awkward and clumsy. But in no time, they were performing spectacular aerial acrobatics.

We used a bat detector, an electronic device which captures bat echolocation sounds and translates them into the range of human hearing, to listen to their ultrasonic navigation.

Like any good bat mother, I gradually weaned them off of formula. As I cut back on their formula, I began picking up "feeding buzzes," on the bat detector. A feeding buzz is a specific kind of echolocation bats use when zeroing in on a moth or other prey.

As many things do, the time with this trio went far too quickly for me. It was late summer. The bats were self-feeding. They were wary of humans. It was time to let them go. They were taken, along with their bat house, to a secluded cabin along a natural migration route for Red Bats.

I don't know for sure if I ever saw them again. But weeks later I did see a trio of Red Bats at the release site.

This experience inspired me to conduct a more complete research project on infant bats the following summer, which concluded that captive-raised insectivorous bats can be successfully rehabilitated and released to the wild, if not habituated to people, and if provided with the proper care and environment. Several follow-up studies by other researchers confirmed my findings.

Questioning assumptions, especially those that don't seem to make sense, can greatly expand our understanding of the world around us while enriching our lives.

To this day, sitting out on my patio on a summer evening, round about dusk, when I see the moth-like flutter of a bat silhouetted against the sky I still think back to that trio, and their mother who gave her life for her children. I know it is silly, but I can never help but wonder if this bat could be one of their offspring.
--
Mike Fry, Executive Director, Animal Ark No-Kill Shelter
Co-Host of Animal Wise Radio
http://www.animalarkshelter.org

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

Options

Whether the format is the radio show, private sessions or at events, a main topic of discussion for most people is their animal companions' health. People are either wanting to know more about the health of their animal companions or need guidance with a health issue. These issues can be emotional or physical. Believe it or not, animals have the same emotional and physical issues as humans. Here are some examples of how communicating with your animal companions can provide valuable information.

The question as stated was ­ My dog, Mickey, a 10-year-old Lab, has had cancerous mast cell tumors removed and also has arthritis. My other dog, Jasmine, recently passed away, leaving Mickey as the only dog in my home. I would like to know how he feels about being the only dog and any information you can provide regarding his health. Thank you.

The answer as stated was ­ Mickey wants you to know that he misses Jasmine and is still not completely over grieving for her. He says she was his best friend and he misses her very much. He also doesn't quite understand exactly why she had to leave. Perhaps you might e-mail me with that happened to her and I could try to explain things to him so he has a better understanding. When I feel him, he feels very sad which is not the most conducive state of healing. He says that he doesn't feel all that terrible ­ just very old since. (I presume the passing of his friend). I might suggest that if you know a homeopathic vet that might help him move through some of these emotional issues. The main thing I feel from him is the sadness about Jasmine. So it would be good to help him release at least some of that so that his body can be supported as well as possible.

The question as stated was ­ Lili sometimes cries out when we pick her up for no obvious reason. Question for Lili: What hurts you when this happens? Thank you.

The answer as stated was ­ Lili is very happy that you want to talk to her like this and is very excited about the opportunity. She wants to let you know through this means ­ she says that she tells you in many other ways ­ how much she loves you. She says that sometimes when you pick her up her back gets really hurt. I don't think that you are doing something that hurts her. The feeling I get from her is that she has something going on in her back that is sometimes tweaked when picked up. You might have a chiropractor check her out. Perhaps she has something not exactly right in her spine.

The question as stated was ­ Dottie is a 13-month-old female Greyhound. I have had her since she was one day old. Her mother and the entire litter came to my house after an emergency C-section. When Dottie was five months old she became totally paralyzed. She has had the best rehab care and is very close to walking again. I'd like to ask Dottie if she is in any pain. I would also like to know what Dottie thinks would be the best treatment for her condition. Is she happy with her condition now, or does she really want to walk again? Dottie should know that she is my heart dog and that our family has loved her since the first day she came to us.

The answer as stated was - Dottie is very grateful that you have gone to all the trouble that you have so far. She says that she knows most people would have just put her down. She also says that her life is more of a struggle than most dogs and that she has come to accept that as part of her life. She is not thinking that at this point there is anything she would call pain. She says she does have sensations - just not what she calls pain. She also has no idea what would be the best treatment for her. She wants to leave that up to you. She thinks you have been doing very well so far and she really does want to see if she can walk again. She says thanks for the love and understanding. She is really grateful and sends love back to you all.

Our animal companions are our greatest teachers. They want us to look inside ourselves so we may expand our horizons. If you don't know of a homeopathic vet or chiropractor, ask around or look on the Internet. We need to be our animal companions' advocate. Conventional medicine is just one option of treatment. There are so many options of treatment out there. Finding the one or combination of treatments that resonates with our hearts will be most beneficial for our animal companions.

Until next time, I'm Joy reminding you, you can never love your animal companions too much. You can only love them, hopefully, enough.

Talk With Your Animals airs every weekday on Animal Radio Network's Full-time animal channel. If you would like to talk with your pet via Joy Turner, please call 1-866-405-8405 to make arrangements. http://www.TalkWithYourAnimals.com

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TIP: Introducing a new baby (human) to the household. Prepare your dog AND cats with sounds of screaming babies at http://www.preparingfido.com. This way they won't want to explode when the real thing comes along!!

FINAL THOUGHTS

By Arden Moore

Foiling Feline Houdinis

In Eau Claire, Wisconsin, lives a very relieved cat owner named Jany Chumas. According to news reports, her cat, Mary Poppins, pulled a disappearing act when workers installed drywall to a room in her home. When the work crew departed, Chumas could not find her shy cat. She searched her home and assumed that her cat had somehow slipped out the door and ran away.
Five days later, she and her daughter were down in the basement. They thought they heard something. They stopped and listened.

"I called her ­ 'Here, kitty, kitty' ­ and I could hear this faint, weak, meow coming from behind the walls where they had just dry walled," Chumas told reporters.

The local fire department arrived and cut a small hole in the drywall and in the ceiling. Finally, a very hungry, tired, and dusty Mary Poppins popped out and tumbled into the arms of a grateful Chumas. Fortunately, Mary Poppins was deemed hungry, but healthy.

As a special correspondent for Animal Radio and editor of Catnip, the national monthly published in affiliation with Tufts University's Veterinary School, I share this story to illustrate how easily indoor cats can become Houdinis ­ especially during remodeling projects. Recently, I opted to replace my old carpet with feline-friendly laminate flooring in several rooms of my house. I also decided to finally dispose of the ugly, narrow baseboards and have the work crew install wider and more modern-looking baseboards throughout the house.

As any one of us knows, having workers in our homes for a few days ­ or more (the job always seems to stretch beyond their initial predictions) ­ can be taxing on our nerves and patience. But for me, the biggest concern during this mini-construction phase, was for the safety of my three indoor cats. All it would take is for a worker to accidentally leave a door open and curiosity could lead to a disappearance by one or all of my cats.

My cats, all rescued from the streets years ago, have been pampered for many years now, as indoor cats. My youngest, Murphy, is seven; Callie is 10; and my oldest is Little Guy ­ at age 19.

I took the proper precautions by putting my cats in a spare bedroom before the arrival of the workers. I also brought in their water and food bowls, plus a litter box, and turned on a smooth jazz radio station on low to help mute the construction noise. I shut the door and taped a large sign in bright orange that read: DO NOT OPEN ­ CATS INSIDE!!!

When the crew arrived, I told them about my three cats and let them peek inside the bedroom where the three cats stared back at them. As I shut the door, the workers chuckled at the sight of the sign, but they got the message. When they were ready to install the baseboards in that room, they alerted me so that I could shuffle my tabby trio to a completed room and close that door.

My cats were not thrilled by all the hammering, drilling, and other construction noise, but they had their amenities ­ and each other's company ­ in a safe zone during the three days. They happily prowled the perimeters of my home each night when the crew left.

Losing a cat is very upsetting. It is something that I hope never happens to any of you. But knowledge is a good weapon. Even if your cat is "strictly indoors," the passage to the outside can occur at any time ­ without your control. All it takes is for a curious cat to slip unnoticed out a screen door not quite closed. Or a bird-watching feline to shift his weight against a loose window screen and pop out on the ground.

Some keep collars with identification tags on their cats. But here is a startling fact: more than half of the nine million-plus cats brought to animal shelters throughout the country are classified as strays. The reason: no collar ID or evidence of a microchip. That's the finding by the American Humane Association.

My advice: Make sure your cat packs an ID. You wouldn't drive without your license, right? An ID can keep your wandering or lost cat from ending up in a shelter as a feline version of Jane Doe. Without a way to be reconnected with their owners, many cats end up being euthanized due to space constraints at some shelters.

In microchipping, a computer chip about the size of a grain of rice is implanted in our pet ­ usually around the shoulder area. The procedure is painless, quick, and permanent. If your cat strays from home, the chip's info can be read using a scanner wand found in veterinary clinics, animal shelters, and other rescue places to ensure a happy reunion.

Make sure you complete the ID process. Amazingly, up to 40 percent of people who do microchip their pets, neglect to contact the microchip company to register their information. Without registering, it is nearly impossible to reunite pets with their people.
We love our cats in so many ways. Let's take this step to protect them, too.

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. Arden has also authored more than a dozen books on dogs and cats and can be reached through her Web site: http://www.ArdenMoore.com