This Week on Animal Radio®:

Rocker Eddie Money
Having come from a long line of police officers, a very young Eddie joined the police force back home in Long Island, New York. But, it wasn't long before Eddie decided that police work was not for him (his hair was looking too good for the Uniform), and he moved to California. There, he was discovered by rock impresario Bill Graham, and it was rock and roll forever!

Eddie's tours keep him on the road most of the time, and he leaves behind his 5 children and his beloved Bassett Hound- Dudley Do Right. Eddie's children have many animals, including snakes and scorpions (which he tries to avoid). Eddie is and always has been a big animal lover and works quite often with Tony La Russa and his Animal Rescue Foundation.

Visit www.EddieMoney.com to see his tour dates and find out if he will be coming to your city!


The World's Only Bi-Pedal Dog
Faith Stringfellow is an amazing little dog, with an even more amazing story. Faith suffers from birth defects that have left her with only her two back legs. However, her guardian, Jude Stringfellow, would not give up on Faith. She taught her how to stand, hop, and eventually walk on her two back legs, like a human. Faith's story is one of courage, faith and miracles. http://www.FaithTheDog.net

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

Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan
From his appearances on Oprah Winfrey to his roster of celebrity clients to his reality television series, Cesar Millan is America's most sought after dog-behavior expert. But Cesar is not a trainer in the traditional sense ­ his expertise lies in his unique ability to comprehend dog psychology. Tracing his own amazing journey, Cesar recounts how he learned what makes dog tick. In Cesar's Way, he shares this wisdom, laying the groundwork for you to have stronger, more satisfying relationships with your canine companions.

Cesar's formula for a contented and balanced dog seems impossibly simple, and whether you're having issues with your dog or just want to make a good bond even stronger, his book will give you a deeper appreciation of how your dog sees the world, and it will help make your relationship with your beloved pet a richer and more rewarding one.
http://www.DogPsychologyCenter.com

Pocket Pets
Marc Marrone, celebrated animal and pet expert, discusses mice, hamsters, and other small rodents that actually make great pets for children. They provide the perfect balance of a concealed cage environment with an easy schedule of letting them out for exercise and play when it is convenient for the family. Marc convinces even the most die-hard skeptic that the differences between pet mice and sewer rats are vastly different and pocket rodents may be easier to care for than many parents may think!

Mag Rack, the premier on-demand television network, has launched an original 25-Part On-Demand series by Marc, bringing him into the living rooms of America to help the nation's 170 million pet owners care for their furry friends with his new series The Pet Shop. The service offers special interest programming not widely found on other channels with advanced ability to fast-forward, rewind or pause the program.
http://www.MagRack.com
http://www.ParrotsOfTheWorld.com

Next Week on Animal Radio®:

The Cat That "Plays Dead"
Sylvester's foray into showbiz began one day when his guardian, David, asked him if he wanted a treat, and of course, Sylvester meowed back. David then decided to see if Sylvester could do other tricks.

Sylvester has now been taught to do many tricks, but his most famous stunt is playing dead. When David points his finger at Sylvester and "shoots," Sylvester falls down, rolls over on his back and "plays dead." View the video.

Dog Trainer to the Stars
Tyson Kilmer is a dog trainer to the stars, training pets for a variety of celebrities including Sheryl Crow and Rob Lowe.

Kilmer decided to become a dog trainer after he began modeling for desingers like Hugo Boss and Dolce & Gabanna. After 10 years on the runway, Kilmer lost interest in the modeling world and went into dog training.

Find out what types of dogs the celebrities own and what he does to train them.

RECENT Animal Radio® PODCASTS:

Podcast Rocker EDDIE MONEY & Dog Whisperer CESAR MILLAN(1 hour abridged version)
Podcast NASCAR'S GREG BIFFLE& PATRICK McDONNELL - Mutts comic strip creator (1 hour abridged version)
Podcast CLICKER TRAINING A CAT (1 hour abridged version)
Podcast Actor BOB BARKER makes a $300,000 pledge for an elephant (1 hour abridged version)

Animal Radio® TV

Expert Instruction:
	High Blood Pressure in our Dogs Without such terrible vices as smoking and fast food, we might think that our pets won't get high blood pressure. Animal Radio's Dr. Jim Humphries reports. LEARN MORE | VIEW VIDEO
Amateur Video:
	Sylvester The cat that "plays-dead." As heard on Animal Radio® LEARN MORE | VIEW VIDEO

If you have produced video you would like to share with Animal Radio listeners, email us for more details on submitting content.

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

G'day from Downunder...

Do we love our pets too much?... We'll find out in just a moment.

But first - Guess what!... We just installed a water tank!... 'BIG DEAL' I
hear you say... But here in Australia about 95% of the country is offically 'in drought'.And that means level 4 water restrictions for many parts of the country - no watering gardens at all - no washing cars, homes, windows or pathways...

Bottom line though is, it's raining and our 2,500 litre tank is now 3/4 full after just one day!... :-))

Despite all the doom and gloom regarding 'global warming' and officially the worst drought in 100 years - in fact here in Australia we're just having a 'dry spell'.. Our own personal water tank is a hedge against restrictions so we don't lose our small but pretty garden.

So what has this got to do with pets - or animals of any kind???

Lots! - Our dry spell has encouraged native animals of all kinds to migrate towards our cities... We have pools, rivers and (in our case) a 'swamp' in the backyard created when we emptied (re-cycled) our 50,000 litre swimming pool last year! (of course rainwater pools in the bottom and voila - instant swamp!)

The skinks, lizards and other creepy crawlies are thriving in this 'natural environment' we have accidentally created in our own backyard.

We call it our 'Backyard Safari' and have been telling our listeners about it for several months now. And the best thing about it is that we are starting to notice all kinds of other things in the animal world - such a variety of birds, insects and flora that we wonder how we actually missed
all this stuff over the last few years... And it's RIGHT HERE... In our own backyard!

Best thing about it though is that this 're-newed' wild-life at home has reminded us how adaptable animals of all kinds are.

They move from place to place to find food, shelter and water... And if it's not 'there'... They'll find it somewhere else... Like here in our own backyard (or yours!) and you can see it yourself if you choose to look.

Our pets are just as adaptable too... If we move house - they will survive... if we ignore them while 'human concerns' are top of mind - they will survive... If we get a new job that takes up more of our time - they will also survive...

And you know what?... While we all love and cherish our pets, we're starting to realise that our pets are much stronger than we often think - and have a much tougher 'will to survive' than we often give them credit for.

So next time you cuddle your little 'coogee woogee baby waby' dog or cat or whatever, remember they are superbly adaptable. And you've just been conned! Their way of surviving is to fit right in to your soft, 'I'll take care of everything' lifestyle and oh boy... Don't they love it? (and so do we!)..

But seriously... Go easy on the love meter... We all need to know we can be independent and that means our pets too. They'll be better for it in the long run if we keep the love meter down a notch or two...

That said 'hugs for your pets' from Brian & Kaye

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

Animal Radio® made possible by:  SCOOP FREE AUTOMATIC LITTER BOX The ScoopFree Shelter Program provides financial assistance and free products to animal rescue shelters, fostering homes and adoption agencies to help promote animal welfare and enhance the care they provide cats. The ScoopFree Shelter Program donates all products and materials free of charge to not-for-profit animal organizations. No investment is required to enjoy the benefits of the ScoopFree Shelter Program, which is designed to require minimal effort by shelter staff and volunteers. To learn more and apply to the program, visit www.ScoopFreeShelters.com.

Veterinary Minute with Dr. Jim Humphries

New Advances in Pet Vaccine Technology
Everything used to be so easy. The post card came in the mail every year and we knew it was time to take Fido or Rover into the family veterinarian and get his annual vaccines. But suddenly, Rover's yearly visit seems to have gotten a bit more complex.

Mrs. Catterson sat in the exam room with her Beagle, Maxine, and waited for Dr. Kirch to arrive. She was confused about all the choices the technician had given her. When she received her reminder card from the animal hospital, she made an appointment right away, just like she always did. Now, instead of telling her what they were going to do, the staff of the animal hospital were asking her what she wanted for Maxine. What was going on here?

Just as with our children, the advent of vaccines in veterinary medicine has helped to prevent many deadly diseases and has also helped to allow our pets to have a longer, higher quality of life. Just think of how vaccinations have controlled the deadly diseases of rabies and parvovirus. Historically, few people had questioned the timetable or need for any one of the numerous dog and cat vaccines available. But, starting in the 1990s, several significant events occurred that began a revolution in both the practice of re-vaccination and how the vaccines themselves were produced. The most significant event was likely the correlation between the administration of some vaccines and an increased risk of certain kinds of adverse reactions in cats.

These adverse incidents included chronic inflammation and the formation of small firm nodules known as granulomas. Previously dismissed as non-threatening, new information about these growths sparked intense debates and caused many veterinarians to re-think their vaccine protocols. Numerous studies were initiated not only to determine how the vaccine might initiate the inflammatory process, but also how to best protect our pets from disease without adverse side effects.

Vaccines are designed to produce antibodies in our pets that, in turn, help to defeat disease-causing organisms such as viruses and bacteria. Some of these vaccines use live viral particles that have been modified to reproduce in the body and cause immunity, but not cause disease. Safely used in both humans and pets, modified live vaccines have had rare occurrences of reversion, meaning that the vaccine changed back to the original disease causing entity. Other vaccines used "killed" or inactivated viruses. These vaccines are generally very safe in that they cannot revert to a virulent form, but can generally only stimulate part of the immune system since they cannot reproduce in the body. The newly initiated studies implicated killed vaccines, such as rabies and feline leukemia virus, as having a higher risk for some vaccine associated adverse events. Specifically, a chemical additive known as an adjuvant was tied to the increased risk of many of the vaccine reactions. These include inflammation and formation of the granulomas at the injection site. Adjuvants are an important component in improving the immune response to killed vaccines. Ironically, the adjuvants may be responsible for some of the adverse reactions seen in pets.

After learning of the potential effects of adjuvants, veterinary scientists began a search for an effective vaccine that would protect the pet, but avoid the use of adjuvants. At Merial, a leading manufacturer of veterinary products, researchers were able to take small pieces of DNA from rabies virus and feline leukemia virus and insert the DNA into a canarypox virus which is a separate virus that does not cause disease in cats. Known as a recombinant vaccine, this vector generates a strong immune response without the use of adjuvants. Since recombinant vaccines are not made with the disease-causing organism itself, there is no chance of causing the disease we are trying to prevent. However, the DNA of the original virus still results in excellent protection from disease.

An additional benefit to the canarypox vector vaccines is that shedding of live viral particles is eliminated, making the vaccine especially attractive to humane organizations and shelter situations. These vaccines are also very good at over-riding the natural antibody protection that puppies and kittens receive from their mom, increasing the likelihood that they will generate a strong immune response on their own. This response is very helpful in preventing disease transmission in the high-density shelter populations.

What does all this mean to you? Science improves our lives but can be confusing and complex. Your best decision is to remember that your family veterinarian is the best resource that you have if you are concerned or confused about vaccines, intervals, or types of vaccines being used. He or she knows you and your pet better than any online referral source or animal expert that you might find.

To learn more about new vaccines and the newer vaccine guidelines, visit Veterinary News Network to watch a video.

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

Animal Radio® made possible by: Spay Day U*S*A Spay Day USA is a day to shine a national spotlight on spay/neuter as the simple, humane solution to the tragedy of pet overpopulation. During Spay Day USA, concerned community members-including veterinarians, animal welfare professionals and animal guardians-join forces to spay or neuter as many animals as possible, to educate the public about the importance of spay/neuter and to raise needed funds for spay/neuter. Since Spay Day USA's inception in 1995, event participants-people just like you-have spayed or neutered an estimated 1,366,000 companion animals and feral cats, saving potentially millions of animal lives and taxpayer dollars. To better serve animals, the Doris Day Animal League combined with The HSUS in August 2006, making Spay Day USA a program of The HSUS. http://www.SpayDayUSA.com DON'T MISS THE SPAY DAY USA SPECIAL on Animal Radio®

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

My Cat Won't Eat Unless Hand Fed!

Dear Cat Coach,
My situation is probably different then other cases you are used to working on. It may seem a little frivolous and strange, but I'm quite concerned and am hoping you can help me.

My cat won't eat unless I feed her by hand. She will only eat if I feed her by placing the canned food in her mouth with my fingers. Twice a day she will curl up in the sink in the bathroom, waiting for me to feed her canned food by hand piece by piece. If I don't feed her, she'll mournfully cry, tugging at my heart strings. I admit, it's probably my fault she's like this. A few months ago she was very sick, having a very severe URI with complications. She was sick for about a month, and during that time did not want to eat. The only way I could get her to eat was by first putting baby food in a syringe and syringe feeding her. After about a week or so of that, she let me put the food in her mouth with my finger. She's perfectly healthy now and is very capable of eating from the dish, but won't. Instead I have to feed her with my fingers twice a day. I'm worried about this since I will be going out of town for a few days and the pet sitter refuses to hand feed her twice a day.

Cute as this is, intuitively I don't think I should be allowing her to manipulate me into hand feeding her every meal time.

Sidney in Sydney

Dear Sydney,

Your intuition is right. It would be best if your kitty was able to get back on her own four feet and eat unaided by human fingers.

In order to accomplish this, you will have to harden yourself to her plaintive, heart-wrenching cries. As you know, your actions are encouraging her to eat only when you hand feed her. It's time for both of you to be weaned out of this behavior.

There are a couple of ways to accomplish this. One way is to put the bowl of canned food next to the sink. Mix smelly, irresistible food in with her regular food. Coax her out gradually by loading your fingers with the food, rubbing a little on her nose and then gradually leading her out of the sink. If she won't take the bait, then put a little in her mouth. Instead of putting the next morsel directly in her mouth, move your hand a little towards the dish and then put some in her mouth. Gradually lead her to the dish, dipping your fingers frequently into the food to encourage her to feed herself.

The other option is to go cold turkey. Going cold turkey will be more of a challenge for you then her. Going cold turkey means you have to stop hand feeding her. If you do decide to go the cold turkey route, mix a highly desirable food in with her regular food and then place the food bowl next to the sink she likes to curl up in. Make sure she does munch down, since not eating can jeopardize her health. If she does go on a hunger strike, please make sure to check in with your vet.

Whatever method you choose, be prepared for the sad little cries. With a little perseverance from you, in no time at all she should be eating her food like any other self-respecting cat.

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.

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Recently on Animal Radio®

Testicular Implants for Pets- Hear the interview
The neutering procedure used today on family pets was developed in the early 1800's.

Neuticles are providing a solid solution to the pet overpopulation crisis by encouraging thousands of caring pet owners to neuter that simply would not before.

The texture and firmness of NeuticleNaturals were crafted based on the firmness of actual animal testicles. Neuticles replicate the testicle in actual size, shape and weight and feel.

Loving pet owners are less 'neuter-hesitant' and their pet is unaware that he has, in fact, been altered. With Neuticles- its like nothing ever changed.
http://www.Neuticles.com

ANIMAL RADIO BOOK REVIEW for March

Animal Radio® Book Club (rated 4 and 1/2 paws out of 5) Help For Your Fearful Dog by Nicole Wilde Paperback: 432 pages Publisher: Phantom Publishing (August 2006) ISBN-10: 0966772695 ISBN-13: 978-0966772692 While there are many books availalbe on dogs that include chapters on fear, there are few books that are dedicated to the fearful dog. So, when we came across this book, we were very excited. And, I have to say that we were not disappointed! Regardless of what your dog fears, you will find information in this book on how you can help him. The author has also included great pictures to accompany different fears. And you will not be bored by clinical answers, as it is often humorous while being incredibly helpful! If you have one of these fearful dogs, your dog will appreciate you picking up a copy of this book! 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.

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

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

Q: A friend said that I should be brushing my dog's teeth. Is she kidding?! Why would I do that?

A: No, she's not kidding and you should be doing that. The best time to start, of course, is when your canine companion is a puppy. He should get used to having you put your finger in his mouth. Put a wash cloth over your finger and let the puppy get accustomed to having you lightly run the washcloth over her teeth. You can let her lick a little doggy flavored toothpaste off your finger (never use toothpaste made for humans) and one she has the idea that it tastes good, you can put it on the washcloth. Then, gradually introduce a toothbrush made especially for dogs. There is one type that slips over the tip of your finger but some people will use a child's toothbrush. Dirty teeth can cause all sorts of health problems for your dog. Bacteria around diseased teeth and gums can leech into your dog's bloodstream. That can set off health problems affecting your dog's kidneys, heart or liver. Daily brushing is ideal but even once or twice a week is better than not at all! And remember that annual professional cleaning at your veterinarian's office!

"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.

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PAWS UP FOR PETS with ARDEN MOORE

Cats Get Heartworm Disease, Too!
Like many who share their homes with dogs and cats, I take pride in knowing what preventive medicine to give each species. I know that certain foods dogs tolerate much better than cats (such as carrots) and that felines will take a pass on an invitation for a car ride far more often than their canine pals.

In my role as editor of Catnip, the national monthly published in affiliation with Tufts University's School of Veterinary Medicine, I also pay heed to learning about the latest advances in feline medicine and behavior techniques to share with our readers. But I must confess that I was surprised to receive an invitation to attend a press conference at the recent North American Veterinary Conference (NAVC) in Orlando. The topic: feline heartworm disease.

"The danger of heartworm is much more significant in cats than previously believed," says James Richard, DVM, director of the Cornell Feline Health Center in Ithaca, New York and past president of the American Association of Feline Practitioners. "The intestinal parasite that brings more cat owners to veterinarians is the tapeworm, yet heartworm is a hidden, more significantly dangerous threat to the health of cats."

You read right: heartworms.

The threat is so serious that the American Heartworm Society recently announced updated feline heartworm guidelines at the NAVC.

"I didn't believe heartworm disease occurs in cats, but I very quickly found out that I was wrong," notes Tom Nelson, DVM, president of the American Heartworm Society. "Each year, cats die needlessly from complications related to this very preventable disease. Now, I'm one of the biggest supporters of heartworm prevention in cats.

Dr. Nelson wasn't the only veterinarian fooled. In fact, the early signs of heartworm disease in cats are often misdiagnosed as asthma or allergic bronchitis at veterinary clinics. The second stage often leads to acute lung damage or death.

The two groups ­ the American Heartworm Society and the American Association of Feline Practitioners are teaming up this year to conduct a national awareness campaign in an attempt to save the lives of cats. The campaign is funded by an educational grant from Pfizer Animal Health.

For starters, these experts debunk the following five common myths and misunderstandings:

1. Only dogs are at risk of developing heartworm disease. Fact: Heartworm affects cats differently than dogs. Cats typically have fewer worms than dogs, and the life span of the worm is shorter in cats.

2. Since heartworm disease is mosquito-borne, than indoor cats are not at risk. Fact: Indoor cats are just as susceptible. A recent study conducted in North Carolina revealed that 28 percent of cats diagnosed with heartworms never ventured outdoors. A cat contracts heartworm disease when a mosquito carrying the larvae bites a cat. The heartworm larvae then enter into the cat's tissues through the bite wound.

3. The name implies it is a disease of the heart. Fact: Heartworm mostly affects the lungs, not just the heart.

4. Only adult heartworms can cause damage. Fact: new research indicates that heartworm larvae at all stages can trigger serious health problems in cats.

5. It's easy to diagnosis heartworm disease. Fact: Accurate diagnosis can be tricky because negative antigen and antibody tests don't always rule out the presence of heartworms.

Texas and California rank as the top states with the highest incidents of
heartworm disease in dogs and cats. However, this disease can strike any dog or cat in any locale. Feline heartworm disease is caused by the parasite Dirofilaria immitis.

Sadly, less than 5 percent of cats in American households receive regular heartworm prevention medicine ­ compared to 59 percent of dogs.

So, with the warmer weather approaching, please keep your cat safe. Book an appointment with your veterinarian to give your cat a complete physical and pick up some heartworm prevention medicine.

Does My Cat Have Heartworm Disease?
Some cats infected with heartworm disease do not show any outwardly sign. However, others do. Here are some acute and chronic symptoms commonly associated with feline heartworm disease:

• Difficulty breathing
• Coughing or gagging
• Diarrhea/vomiting
• Rapid breathing
• Lethargy
• FaintingSeizures
• Weight loss
• Sudden death

Learn More
Discover about the national heartworm prevention campaign and new research into this disease by visiting these two web sites: www.heartwormsociety.org and www.knowheartworms.org.

Animal Radio® special correspondent Arden Moore is the editor of Catnip and managing editor of Fido Friendly. Arden has also authored 17 books on dogs and cats, including her latest, The Dog Behavior Answer Book and The Cat Behavior Answer Book. To order autographed copies 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

The Greatest Gift
Do you ever look back at your life and wish you could have done something different? It can be a very scary ordeal to admit this out loud to someone. If you are willing to do it, coming to terms with the event will set you free. A friend of mine came to me for help with a past event with a departed dog named Ms. Magoo. This friend is a very courageous woman so she decided to have me talk with Ms. Magoo. What she learned didn't necessarily surprise her. But the words were harsh and the issue very deep. Her courage allowed her to deal with the issue. Having come out the other side of this event, she wrote me the following in the hope it would help someone else. So, here it is. I hope you enjoy it and it's message.

"Ms. Magoo, you came into my life during a monstrous snowstorm in 1978. I don't remember why I decided to go outside during the snowstorm. Maybe because my dog would not come in when I called him. He found you huddled up against the house. It was hard to make out what he was looking at because it was very dark and your fur was black. We brought you into the house and got you warm. We were so surprised to find this sweet cocker spaniel in the snow. How did you get to our house in that terrible snowstorm? How long had you been there?

I could not figure out whether to keep you or if someone might be looking for you. Decisions, Decisions, Decisions! At first, you had a trip to the vet who said that you were healthy, but blind. Then to the groomer who dolled you up. Still undecided, you took a trip to the pound because you were not our dog. Perhaps your family would be looking for you. If you were left at the pound, they could find you. And yet, we knew if they didn't come, you would be euthanized because of your blindness. Well, that would not work. I asked around to see if anyone would want to adopt you. No one did. You came home with us.

Months passed! You were such a good girl! I was still undecided about having you as a member of our family. I was not giving you a chance because of a ridiculous thing - you had black fur and I didn't want that. My heart was not open to receive your love because you didn't look the way I wanted you to look.

In the fall, my family and I packed up and moved to Texas. I never thought about it. I discarded you like a pair of old tennis sneakers. You went to the pound where you were euthanized. My friend, Joy, helped me understand you died of a broken heart. You have never reincarnated because you are very angry at humans because of my stupidity, ignorance, and also bigotry (not wanting a black dog).

Over the years thoughts about you quickly ran through my head. It wasn't until recently I found a picture of you and wanted to see how you were doing. I thought why not I checked on every other departed animal. Now it was your turn. Through Joy, I heard and felt the harshness of your words. I'm truly sorry!

Thirty years later I am wiser! My heart is now open to receive. Unfortunately, you were a victim to a very angry young person. I was and still am a very sensitive person living in an insensitive world. I was trying to be someone else rather than who I am. I know what it is like to be cast aside. Because of not knowing where or how to fit in this world, I made parameters. If you didn't fit in a certain way, you or anybody else or thing were gone. My life was ruled by my anger. As this new year starts, my life starts anew with more confidence and conviction.

Hopefully, when you are ready, you will want to come back to me. You can even come back where we left off as an older, blind, black and beautiful Cocker Spaniel, if that is your desire. Otherwise, come any way you choose. I will love you with all my heart. I am truly sorry, Ms. Magoo! Thank you for letting me feel your heart and for this lesson! I know now you would have been no imposition when we had moved to Texas. I love you with all my heart!

Love, Your Mom"

I hope this helps to understand that animals are not here for us, at our convenience. They are just as important as us and their lives are just as important. They have their own journeys, lessons to learn and teach and their own thoughts about what their lives are supposed to be like. The best we can do as their guardians is to be a wonderful loving base from which they can grow into the best they can be according to their Soul's desires - not ours. When we're really lucky, both of those desires align. Then we share in real magic. Try looking at yourself and the way you see and interact with your animal companions. Are you trying to make them fit into your box for them? Or, are you allowing them to become their desires? If you always do the best you know to do today, there will be no regrets tomorrow. Love them like there is no tomorrow and yosu can't possibly go wrong.

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

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 March

(rated 4 out of 5 paws) Top Tag Pet ID Most dog tags list your name and phone number. However, over time the information may wear off. This new pet tag from Top Tag Pet ID, however, is different. It is a 64MB USB Mini Drive that allows you to plug it into any desktop or laptop computer and input your pet's information. Besides the usual name and number, you can also include food and diet; behavior; medical information and photos. And, it is so easy to change the information with just a click. The tag comes in a waterproof case and easily attaches to your dog's collar. The only downside is that you must have access to a computer with the following operating systems: Windows XP; Windows 2000; and Windows Millennium (ME). http://www.TopTagID.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

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Animal Ark is Turning 30
Remembering 30 Years of Social Change on Behalf of Animals

It was possibly one of the key defining moments in Animal Ark's history. Our fledgling organization had hit a tough spot. We had a large number of animals, were having financial woes, and had no permanent shelter of our own. It was a really tough spot.

Since Animal Ark's formation in 1977, we were unlike most any shelter in the country. We worked to guarantee the life of any pet in our care, unless they became terminally ill. However that policy almost hit a snag early in our organization's history.

How the early members of Animal Ark stepped up to commit to the "no-kill" challenge changed the direction animal sheltering in Minnesota would go for decades to come.

Nearly 10 years after Animal Ark was formed, the organization was in a bad bind. They were low on funds, had no permanent home and had a number of animals to care for. That was a painful combination of problems to have.

About this same time, another animal shelter was forming in the Twin Cities metro area. That shelter wanted Animal Ark to turn its animals and its last remaining resources over to them.

An emergency meeting of the membership of Animal Ark was called and a presentation was given by a representative of this other "humane society". They told those in attendance that Animal Ark's troubles were quite easily solved. Animal Ark, they said, simply needed to kill many or most of their pets.

The organization's financial troubles would be over, according to this "humane society", so long as we maintained a high enough kill rate. After all, if we collected a donation or fee for each animal brought to our doors, and if we spent no money caring for many of the animals, we could have a constant flow of cash to use to care for the lucky pets. Additionally, we could please a lot of people by taking their family pets off their hands.

Surprisingly, some of the members of Animal Ark's then board of directors thought the "humane society" plan sounded like a good one. However, Marlene Foote and some others in attendance were horrified. They were not about to see the animals they had been caring for killed just because it would have been the easiest thing to do.

"I was shocked," Foote said of the meeting. "I could hardly believe what we were being told. And I was not about to go along with a plan like that."

A group of people attending the meeting, led by Marlene, got vocal about their opposition to the plan. The members at large voted out the board that was looking to kill the animals. They voted in a new board, with Marlene as the President.

That meeting was, many feel, a real turning point in Animal Ark's history, and a milestone in Minnesota's animal welfare history. After the meeting, the new board got right to work building a new shelter in Hastings, Minnesota, and establishing Animal Ark as the first, and ultimately the largest, no-kill facility in the state.

Since that humble beginning, Animal Ark has achieved many significant milestones, including the following:

Animal Ark became the first animal shelter in the greater Twin Cities metro area to achieve 100% pre-adoption sterilization (spay/neuter) of their animals.

* Animal Ark was the first animal shelter in the greater Twin Cities metro area to microchip all pets prior to adoption.

* Animal Ark was the first animal shelter in the greater Twin Cities metro area to launch a large-scale spay/neuter program for owned pets.

* Animal Ark was the first organization in Minnesota to launch a high-volume feral cat sterilization and management program.

* Animal Ark developed the area's first strategic plan to end pet overpopulation.

* Nationally, Animal Ark is helping to set new shelter care standards.

While large-scale "humane societies" in the Twin Cities area have operated with multi-million-dollar annual budgets, Animal Ark has achieved these objectives with a tiny budget and staff. Along the way, Animal Ark has saved the lives of thousands and thousands of homeless pets. We have also added our voice to a growing national chorus that is calling for animal shelters to become more humane places for pets.

"Over the last thirty years, the no-kill movement has become a large, unstoppable force," said Foote. "What is needed to end the killing of healthy dogs and cats in our shelters and impound centers is now known and documented. It is becoming increasingly difficult for large, wealthy animal shelters to cling to old, outdated, outmoded ways of operating that don't address the real problems that face our animals. Nationally, the animal welfare community is really changing. And Animal Ark is proud to have been one of the causes of that change for the last 30 years."

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

Cat Adopts Rottweiler
Charlie the Rottweiler was found on the roadside where her mother gave birth to two puppies. One was stillborn, the other was Charlie, whom his mother rejected.

After bottle-feeding Charlie every two hours, volunteers at the Meriden Humane Society came up with a better idea. Satin, a cat who had recently given birth to four kittens, seemed like a suitable surrogate mother. Satin and her kittens immediately took to Charlie and treat him like one of their own.

Unfortunately, as Charlie grows into an approximate 100 pound dog, things will change.

Volunteers are asking dog owners to volunteer their puppies as Charlie's playmates, so that Charlie can learn to be a well-socialized dog.

So far Charlie has not meowed about his situation.

Hear Britt and the Animal Minute at AnimalRadio.com

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

Year of the Pig
Delphax, babi, porco, gookoosh, varaaha, baboy, vark, schwein, porca, pig: anyway you say it ­ 2007 is the year of the Pig!

2007 is the twelfth year of the Chinese Zodiac lunar calendar; Pig is the twelfth animal in the twelfth year because when the heavenly Jade Emperor summoned all of the world's animals to a race, pig came in last (rat was first). Pigs are a symbol of good luck and prosperity in China, and if you were born in the year of the pig (just take 2007 and subtract 12 to see), then you are sedate, easy going, sincere, tolerant, and honest. This year is especially auspicious as it is the year of the Golden Pig, an event that happens only every sixty years or so, when a pig year coincides with a golden year in the Chinese calendar. Children born in a Golden Pig year are considered doubly blessed ­ and since parents in China are allowed only one child ­ some have been planning years for their child to be born in 2007.

To call someone a pig is not a compliment ­ it means they are slothful, obese, messy. But it was not always this way. For centuries, the pig was considered the sacred animal of the Great Mother goddess. The father-oriented Abrahamic religions would eventually suppress worship of the Mother Earth Goddess and her sacred pig companion, but before the rise of Christian, Hebrew, and Islamic tradition, you could pick a goddess from almost any culture and there by her side was a magical, enchanted, divine pig. Nuut ­ the Egyptian goddess of Night and Mother of Stars, was depicted on lucky amulets as a sow with her piglets. The Greek god Zeus was suckled by no less an animal than the sow (a female pig is called a sow, a male pig a boar), and pigs were sacred to Demeter, the goddess of the earth's fertility, she was even sometimes referred to as Phorcis the Sow. Incidentally, the Romans called the cowrie shell, porcella, or little white sow (which they thought it resembled), from which we get our word, porcelain.

Pigs were especially revered by the ancient Celts. The Celtic Great Mother and lunar deity, Ceridwin, was referred to as The Old White Sow. In fact, to be granted a vision of a white sow was a symbol of divine inspiration, so much so that when the Trojan hero Aeneus saw a sacred white sow in a vision, he determined the City of Rome should be built on the Tiber River just where the pig had appeared­ and so it was - a scene later commemorated in Roman coins. A very ancient Sow goddess is named Phaea, which means the shining one. Charlotte was calling on the rich history of pig when she wove the word Radiant into her web to describe Wilbur.

To invite a pig into your house on May Day brings good luck, and in Ireland, the Hill of Tara was once known as Pig Island. Wheat and barley were believed to have been brought to Wales by Henwen, a white sow known as the White Ancient, renowned for the wisdom she gained from eating nuts from a sacred beech tree.

Copyright ­ 2007 ­ Voice of the Animal
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