Animal Radio®: Recent Episodes
Animal Radio®
Animal Radio® is America's "most-listened-to" animal programming; created to educate, reduce surrenders and to help animals live long, healthy and happier lives.
Pet-Friendly Housing
Standard Pacific Homes knows the 60-billion-dollar pet industry has a place for homebuilding. 27 of their developments now include pet accouterments, including a pet spa and TV exclusively for Fido. Standard Pacific's Danielle Tocco explains what they're doing to cater to pet owners.
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Heartworm Medication Causes Deaths
There are more worries about the dog heartworm medication Trifexis. So far, 965 complaints about dogs dying after taking Trifexis have been filed with the FSA over the last three and a half years. The drug's maker, Elanco, says it's sold 70 million doses and has found no link between the pill and any dog deaths.
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No More Pet Piercing
Assemblyman Carmela Garcia (Dem. N.J.) has written legislation that would outlaw piercings and tattoos on cats and dogs. Inspired by a lady who pierced her "gothic kittens," Garcia feels this ban would stop a burgeoning fad.
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Pet Oxygen Masks
Does one size fit all? The Animal Radio Hero Person, Debra Jo Chiapuzio helps supply fire departments with life-saving oxygen masks for dogs and cats. She loves her job and has a great passion to teach others pet first aid.
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Moving With Pets Can Be Pricey!
Apartments.com did the math in its Pet-Friendly Renting Trends Survey. It found that close to 80% of renters had to pay a deposit to have a pet, and it was more than $200 per year in more than half the cases. About 64% of the people asked said they had a hard time finding an apartment that allowed pets, even with a deposit.
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Read more about this week's show.
The Dog Park Phenomenon
Boston Globe TV Critic (a great gig if you can get it), Matthew Gilbert, investigates the dynamics of dog parks. He didn't like dogs. In fact, he was afraid of them until his spouse introduced him to a dog that would forever change his view. Matt shares stories about the nutty fellow canine-lovers at his dog park.
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Flea Wars
Animal Radio Vets Dr. Marty Becker and Dr. Debbie are armed with flea-ridding tactics. Did you know that there are over a dozen different kinds of fleas? There's a difference between "cat" fleas and "dog" fleas. Most importantly, how do we get rid of them for good? We've got answers.
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Muffin's Halo
Our Hero Person this week invented a bumper, or better described as a 'halo,' that protects blind dogs from bumping into furniture and other obstacles. Sylvie Bordeaux was tired of seeing her blind dog bash into stuff. With needle and thread in hand, she created a genius product that is helping vision-impaired pups from being discarded at shelters.
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New Uses For Unwanted Fur
Now, a national organization called Born Free USA has come up with a fantastic idea. It collected unwanted furs and sent them to wildlife rehab centers in Texas. California and Missouri, where they were cut into small pieces and used for orphaned babies and injured animals to snuggle in.
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Declawing Is Major Surgery
The American Veterinary Medical Association has amended its policy to clarify that declawing is a major surgery that should only be performed as a last resort to prevent destructive clawing, but it stopped short of suggesting a ban on it. The new policy stresses the importance of educating cat guardians about normal feline scratching behavior, alternatives to declawing, and that declawing is actually the amputation of the first digit of the cat's toes.
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Read more about this week's show.
Pets In Space
Celestis Pet will shoot your pet's cremains into deep space, or to the moon, or even into orbit around the earth. The rocket and space technology company has been launching satellites and human remains for over a decade. Now, they want a piece of the 58-BILLION-dollar pet industry. Top Dog Stephen Eisele explains what you get for your $1,000. It's pretty impressive!
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The Language of Dogs
TV Dog Trainer Justin Silver is back with his really funny friend, Dave Donnenfeld. Together they're 'righting' canine 'wrongs' wherever bad dogs and bad guardians need them. "Their book is the Rosetta Stone of Doglish," says Animal Radio host Hal Abrams.
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Woman Does CPR on Bearded Dragon
When you love your pet, you love your pet, no matter what breed or species he or she is. That explains the actions of a woman in Oregon. Sherrie Dolezal runs a bearded dragon rescue and came home the other day to see one of the lizards, named Del Sol, floating unconscious in the pool. She got him out, started pounding on her back, and doing chest compressions. She finally started CPR, and he started breathing again. Del Sol and Sherrie are now doing just fine.
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Big Choices For This Week's Hero
When his agent asked, " Do you want to act or do you want to save animals?" after he kept missing auditions, he chose to dedicate his life to the creatures. That makes Leo Grillo, the founder of DELTA rescue, our 'Hero Person.' He has over 1500 animals on 115 acres. He doesn't adopt out any of these animals because his statistics say owners keep their animals only 2.5 years on average.
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Read more about this week's show.
An Emasculating Rooster
When Brian McGrory moved in with his girlfriend, he also moved in with a Rooster that did not like him. If Brian were to "make it work," he would have to learn a lot about how to befriend a foul with ruffled feathers. He joins us and we have copies of his best-selling book, "Buddy, How A Rooster Made Me A Family Man."
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Does Your Dog Know You? I Mean, Really Know You?
A certain bark, a certain posture, a certain look. Your dog can tell a lot about you. They know when you're being unfair-to some extent. Researchers found that when dogs saw other dogs getting treats for a trick they'd been performing unrewarded, the uncompensated dogs became visibly distressed. It can even lead to depression.
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I Don't Brush, Why Should Fluffy?
Home dental care is one of the best ways to help keep your pet's teeth and gums healthy. And unlike us, not brushing could be fatal for your pet. Start as early as possible in your furry friend's life so he or she will become accustomed to having the mouth handled. Use a moistened, soft, pet or child's toothbrush, finger toothbrush, gauze around a finger, or even a cotton swab. Stay away from human toothpaste....unless your pet has learned to spit afterwards.
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Read more about this week's show.
Trainer Teaches Dogs To Drive
You may have seen the viral video of the rescue dogs that were taught to drive a retrofitted Mini-Cooper. Their trainer, Mike Vette of New Zealand, is our special guest with tips on how you can train your dog to do cool tricks.
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Dog Tarot Cards
Whether you take it seriously or as a novelty, there is no denying the best-selling success of the Dog Tarot Cards. Creator Heidi Schulman shares her inspiration and helps you understand why Fido insists on rolling in dead stuff.
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Low-Income Pet Food
Elizabeth DeMasellis' family is like many living paycheck to paycheck. Sometimes, when money gets tight, food for the family's furry friend is stretched a little, or she gets a hot dog. That is, until three months ago, when the 30-year-old Milford mother of three learned she could get dog food at Community Sharing Outreach Center. "I wouldn't get rid of her just because we couldn't afford to feed her. It's like getting rid of one of your kids," says DeMasellis.
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Katherine Heigl Tucks Her Pets In At Night
Bedtime at Katherine Heigl's house can take a while. As a mom of two daughters and seven other kids of the four-legged variety, she likes to give each one special attention. The Emmy Award winner says first she tucks in her girls, then she takes her seven dogs through their own nighttime ritual.
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Parrots Have Personal Taste In Music
It turns out that parrots are choosy about their music. Scientists have discovered that parrots have personal tastes in music. Dr. Franck Peron of the University of Lincoln, who headed the study, says that both birds enjoyed rock and folk music from such artists as U2, UB40, and Joan Baez. They even got into the music, bobbing their heads and squawking as if they were singing along.
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Read more about this week's show.
Staying Together For The Pets
Many pet owners treat their pets as if they were their own children, whether it be a dog, cat, turtle, or gerbil. For these owners, the pet is an integral part of the family. But owner beware, the pet that you love and cherish can easily be taken away from you in an instant if you are involved in a nasty divorce. Divorce Attorney Silvana Roso has the information you should know.
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How Many Cats Do You Own?
Residents in Wellington, Kansas, now have a limit on the number of their feline friends. As of January 1st, households in Wellington can only have a total of four cats. In order to cut down on the number of homeless cats, the town has also required that newly adopted cats be spayed or neutered.
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Taking Great Pictures of Your Pet
The Pawtographer Robert Semrow has a thing for taking cool pics with pets. In fact, he makes a living dressing up dogs (and cats) for photo shoots. He has tips to make it easier to photograph your furry-friend.
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Read more about this week's show.
A Plan To Get Rid Of All The Cats
Dr. Gareth Morgan wants to rid New Zealand of all the cats. He says they're damaging the bird population. Is he crazy, or does he have a point? We'll speak with him and find out what he's thinking and the adversity he's facing with his plan.
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The Hard To Train Dog
Peggy Swager has dedicated her life to the "hard-to-train" dog. She will tell us about her toughest cases and how to manage a dog that just won't behave properly. We'll have tips for overcoming problem behaviors and giveaways of her book.
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Poison In Your House
Dr. Justine Lee works at the Pet Poison Helpline. She says the top 5 pet toxins are probably in your house and accessible to your furry-friend. Dr. Lee will tell you what to watch out for and how to treat a pet that has eaten something poisonous.
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Bully Sticks Condemned
Turns out there's a lot more inside a popular dog treat than most pet owners probably imagine. They're called "pizzle" sticks or "bully" sticks, and a new study out of Canada says they're loaded with calories and bacteria. The treat is made from uncooked, dried bull penis, and researchers say it can contain things like E. coli and MRSA.
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Iran Launches Monkey Into Space
Iran said it launched a live monkey into space, seeking to show off its missile systems. "This shipment returned safely to Earth with the anticipated speed along with the live organism," Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi told the semi-official Fars news agency. However, comparative pictures of the monkey don't match.
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Read more about this week's show.
America's Pet Obesity Problem
Obesity is troubling about 3 out of every 5 pets. This week, we're tackling this problem with stories, tips, and tricks to keep your pet healthy and happy. You'll hear about the kitty that ate McDonald's every day, an inventor that created a cat-treadmill, and a 77 lb. Dachshund.
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Top Behavioral Problem
Separation Anxiety not only tops the list of dog behavior problems, but it's most often brought on by the dog's owner or guardian without knowing it. Alan Kabel has sure-fire ways to teach an old dog new tricks.
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Dogs Going Postal
Dogs go postal in Los Angeles more than any other U.S. city. The U.S. Postal Service released its rankings of the best and worst cities for dog attacks on mail carriers. Los Angeles recorded 69 incidents last year. San Antonio and Seattle round out the top three worst cities. Wichita, Kansas, is the safest city with just 20 attacks. Almost six thousand postal workers were attacked by dogs.
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Worm Season
With Mosquito season comes an increase in parasitic worms that could ultimately be fatal. Joey Villani tells you how to keep the skeeters away, and Dr. Joel Ehrenzweig tells listeners about over-the-counter products that are safe for your pets, but put a damper in any worm's day.
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Dogs Good For Our Hearts
The American Heart Association (AHA) has declared that pets, especially dogs, are good for a person's heart. Further proof that dogs are among the best friends a person could have. Dr. Glenn N. Levine, director of Baylor University's cardiac care unit, says, "Pet ownership, particularly dog ownership, is probably associated with a decreased risk of heart disease."
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Plus, the Animal Radio Dream Team answers questions about your pet.
Read more about this week's show.
Live From SuperZoo
It's time again for our New Pet Product Special from the pet industry's largest trade show in Las Vegas. We'll be giving you great gifts for your pet before they're on the shelves in your pet store.
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See our New Pet Product Gallery of Honorable Mentions.
Flea Facts
There is no doubt that this flea season has been one of the worst in recorded history. Now it takes a multi-modal approach to get rid of these little suckers for good. Dr. Debbie steps up to the plate with several great ideas.
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Pet Insurance
When is the best time to get pet insurance so you won't be caught with the ever-increasing cost of veterinary care? Is it better to just start an interest-bearing savings account for your pet? Is it possible that your insurance claim will be rejected? Animal Radio uncovers the truths and fallacies behind the booming insurance trade for pets.
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Horse Rider Turned Away At Drive-Thru - So She Brings Horse Into Restaurant Instead
A woman has been saddled with a fine after bringing her horse into a McDonald's restaurant. Police say the woman initially tried to ride the animal through the drive-thru on Saturday, but was turned away. She then brought the horse inside the fast food joint, where it promptly did its "business" on the floor.
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Energy Bar Contains Crickets
A Salt Lake City-based energy bar maker is turning to crickets as a source of nutrients. The makers of Chapul Bars use cricket flour to give their bars a boost of protein. Chapul's founder, Patrick Crowley, says the six-legged critters are a "rich source of edible protein" that is more environmentally friendly than protein from livestock.
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Read more about this week's show.
Is Yawning Contagious
Richard Christian reports on a study that says you can get your dog to yawn by yawning yourself. But Fido knows when you're faking it. He won't fall for the faux yawn. What does it all mean? What is our dog thinking when they yawn? Don't get paranoid. He's not necessarily bored.
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Man Tries To Smuggle Fish In Pants
An embarrassing leak foiled one man's recent smuggling attempt in New Zealand. The Vietnamese national attempted to smuggle live tropical fish from Australia to Auckland, hiding them in plastic bags and stuffing them into his pockets. However, airport officials grew suspicious when they noticed water seeping from his pants.
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Missing Diamonds Found But Can't Be Retrieved For 8 Years
Claire Lennon says her pet chicken Sarah snatched the $450 piece of jewelry while she was perched on her shoulder. Veterinarians determined the earring was trapped in the chicken's stomach. And while they said they could remove it with a risky surgery, Lennon quickly ruled that out and intends to wait until Sarah grows old and passes away from natural causes.
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Cat Friendly Practices
Animal Radio® Veterinary Correspondent Dr. Marty Becker reports on veterinary practices that go out of their way to be extra cat-friendly. He'll also have tips for taking your cat to the vet without all the stress and strain.
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Rent-A-Chicken
A couple in Freeport, Pennsylvania, is giving aspiring chicken farmers a chance to take a test run with the animals. Phil Thompkins and his wife, Jenn, have recently started a business called "Rent The Chicken," which allows people to care for chickens. For $350, a renter gets two hens, a wheeled coop, feed, and a water dish.
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Read more about this week's show.
No Sad Dogs in Heaven
World-renowned communicator Sonya Fitzpatrick is our guest. She'll be answering the questions pet owners have after their pets have passed on. Alan is skeptical, but that may change before the end of the show.
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"Where's the iPad, Honey?"
Anna Jane Grossman, who runs School for the Dogs with dog training partner Kate Senisi, trained her own dog, Amos, on her iPad, and has since segued into teaching budding canine techies how to use the popular Apple device.
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What Doggy DNA Says About Your Furry Friend
The "Who's Your Daddy" Doggy DNA Test Contest continues as we reveal results about "Pixel," the Animal Radio Studio Stunt Dog. Animal Radio is giving away a Doggy DNA test to listeners eager to learn their dog's breed. Not only will you uncover your dog's heritage, but you'll also learn about their health predispositions and the identities of their siblings.
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Smelly Dog Ears
One of the first signs of ear problems is the unpleasant, yeasty smell Dogfather Joey Villani knows this is common among certain breeds, and he has a solution using products you likely already have in your kitchen.
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Who's Your Daddy?
Have you ever wondered what kind of breed your dog is? We wondered what breed "Pixel" the Animal Radio Studio Stunt Dog, is. Vet Geneticist Dr. Jenna Dockweiller explains how Doggy DNA tests work, and why some litters have multiple dads. And with her help, we're doing an Embark DNA Breed and Health Test to learn more about Pixel's heritage and health flags. Animal Radio is giving away a free Embark DNA Breed Test. Just email yourvoice@animalradio.com and tell us why you should win the free test, valued at $199.
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Dogtripping
Tune in for mystery author David Rosenfelt's hilarious account of a cross-country move from California to Maine with twenty-five dogs. It turned out to be a bigger ordeal than he anticipated, despite the 3 RVs, the extra kibble, volunteers (including a few readers), and camping equipment.
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Dancing with Raccoons
Mark "Coonrippy" Brown's YouTube videos have gone viral. He gained fame for a video that featured him and his pet raccoon, Gunshow, dancing to Aretha Franklin. But the increased scrutiny on his lifestyle caused the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to step in and confiscate his newest pet 'coon, Rebekah.
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Cat Burglar Is A Cat
The owners of an actual cat burglar are trying to bring an end to their feline companion's "life of petty crime." Richard Windsor and his wife Sophie say their two-year-old tabby Norris has been building quite the collection of stolen goods from their neighbors' homes. Norris supposedly started small by nabbing the occasional dishcloth, but now he's begun swiping bras.
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Kangaroo Censorship
An act of Kangaroo censorship has left some people hopping mad. The Mirror says Tourism Australia posted a photo of a Kangaroo named Big Baz on their Facebook page. But since Big Baz was sprawled out on his back in the pic, they chose to keep it PG by pixelating the animal's private parts. The folks at Tourism Australia explained that they were only having a bit of fun, but not everyone thought it was very funny.
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Anti-bullying Dog Therapy
Fido is now being used to stop bullying. Rachel McPherson is introducing canines to both the bully victim as well as the bully-er. The transformation is astonishing. Find out what the Good Dog Foundation has planned.
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Allergy Season
Animal Radio is getting more and more calls from pet guardians whose furry friends are suffering from Summer allergies. It's essential to identify the type of allergy, whether it's food-related, environmental, or caused by a pest. For some pets, it may be a Miliary Flea Dermatitis - an acute reaction to fleas, pollen in the air, or simply a food allergy. Your vet has the tools to decipher and treat.
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Courthouse Dogs
Former Prosecutor Ellen O'Neill-Stephens thinks dogs can be extremely helpful to those testifying in a courtroom. And, in fact, she may be right. Over 30 dogs are currently tucked away next to the defendant as they deliver their sworn statements. It's all part of a program of the Courthouse Dogs Foundation. And while most people think this is a fine idea, it does have its detractors.
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Seeing-Eye Dogs Bring Blind Couple Together
A pair of seeing-eye dogs is getting credit for leading their owners to love. Claire Johnson and Mark Gaffey first met at a course for their guide dogs, Rodd and Venice, last year in Shrewsbury, England. Apparently, the guide dogs were inseparable and seemed to be falling in love. Their visually impaired owners soon followed suit.
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It's A Zoo!
Dr. Debbie is prepared to answer all of your questions about almost every kind of animal. That's why she's at the top of her game. Today, it's all about Chinchillas. And that's because more and more pet guardians are choosing this furry critter over a cat or dog.
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Cow Spa Produces More Milk
We found a dairy farmer who's pampering his cows in order to produce more milk. Farmer Smith is using waterbeds for his cows to lounge in while they watch a giant flat-screen TV. And believe it or not, the cows seem to be reacting by making more milk than those moo-cows without TV privileges.
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Read more about this week's show.
Saving $$ Without Short-Changing Your Pet
Animal Radio Veterinary Correspondent Dr. Marty Becker has solutions to beat the high costs associated with being a pet parent. New veterinary procedures can be expensive. But the simplest way to avoid costs is to keep your pet at its ideal weight.
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Is Pet Insurance Worth It?
While the Animal Radio Dream Team has conflicting opinions on pet insurance, the facts stand strong. Yes, you may need to come up with $30,000 for some of today's procedures. But if you're covered, you won't be up the creek without the proverbial paddle.
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Ever Suspected Your Husband Secretly Loves The DOG More Than You?
Graham Anley and his wife Cheryl were on a sailing trip. It was just the two of them and their nine-year-old Jack Russell terrier Rosie for three months. But they hit rough water and their yacht capsized. And as Graham swam to shore, he decided to rescue the dog before his wife.
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If You Want To Be Trampled By A Bull - Go To Virginia!
If you've ever wanted to run the risk of being trampled by a bull but can't afford the trip to Spain, you could always go to Virginia. More than 5000 people have already signed up for the Great Bull Run, a Pamplona-inspired event to be held at a Richmond drag strip.
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Lindbergh Field Installs Country's First "Pooch Potties"
Lindbergh Field in San Diego has installed what could be called the country's first airport "pooch potties." Officials included four fancy "Pet Relief" stations as part of their billion-dollar expansion. The 75-foot square spaces feature fake grass, a fire hydrant, deodorizers, a hand-washing station, and complimentary bags for cleanup.
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The Secret Of Lost Cats
You've seen them. Hanging on telephone poles and posted on supermarket bulletin boards. It says "Lost Cat" with a picture of someone's furry friend. Dr. Nancy Davidson interviewed the people behind the signs and tells their stories.
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Another Great Invention
John Polimeno gave up his job as a construction worker to engineer a face-recognition, or should we say "muzzle" recognition app, to help find lost animals across the country. So far, his company and app have reunited 7 pets with their owners. John explains the technology and how we can add it to the arsenal of tools.
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Pillow of Your Pet
Shannon Broder had an idea you wish you thought of. She takes pictures of your pet and makes a pillow. She's even had a few strange requests. Find out how this "happy-hour" idea became big business. We'll have giveaways.
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Diet Tricks
A listener needs to know about FurFast, a diet aid for your pet. Is it healthy? Does it work? Dr. Debbie has the low-down on tackling pet obesity...and sometimes it calls for supplements.
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...and of course, the Animal Radio Dream Team is answering your pet questions.
Read more about this week's show.
Beth Stern Guests
Yes, she is the wife of Howard Stern. But more importantly, Beth Ostrosky-Stern is an avid animal advocate. She's fostering a bunch of animals at home. She says Howard is really into her pets, and sometimes he gets very emotional when the animals find homes.
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Cats Actually Have A Language
Con Slobodchikoff is studying animal linguistics. He's noticing patterns that indicate language among cats and even prairie dogs. He even says that someday we may have an App that will translate our conversations with animals.
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Pet Restraints FAIL
New research from the Center for Pet Safety reveals that the pet restraints tested have a 100% failure rate. Does this mean you shouldn't use them when traveling with your pet? Absolutely not. However, Lindsey Wolko has the lowdown on what works and what doesn't when it comes to keeping your pets safe in the car.
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Don't Worry About Bugs In Your Food - They Were Intentionally Added
Acclaimed European chef David Faure isn't worried about his diners finding a bug in their meals. In fact, he's started intentionally adding a variety of creepy crawlies to the dishes he serves at his restaurant. He says the biggest obstacle in his quest is finding a reliable local supplier of edible insects.
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Eating Poop - Don't Knock It
Not a week goes by without a listener calling to ask why their dog is eating other dogs' feces. While there are many theories as to why this happens, Dr. Debbie gets to the bottom of it and sheds light on the very common problem.
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Read more about this week's show.
Flight Attendant Accused of Smuggling Animals
An American Airlines flight attendant is taking legal action to clear her name after being accused of hiding rats in her underwear and sneaking them onto a plane. Louann Giambattista has filed a lawsuit seeking unspecified damages, claiming the accusations have left her with "debilitating anxiety." Giambattista's problems began last year when one of her American Airlines co-workers allegedly noticed an unusual bulge in the admitted animal lover's pocket.
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Don't Kiss The Lions!
That's the lesson for a Canadian teenager who was mauled by a lion in South Africa. Lauren Fagen was attempting to kiss the fur of a caged male lion at a wildlife rehabilitation center. Fagen says she's lucky to be alive. She'll be out of the hospital next week.
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Dog Owners Are In The Majority In The U.S.
According to the latest American Pets Poll, 52% prefer pups as pets, while just 21% would rather have a cat. But few people believe in the stereotypical "crazy cat" lady or man. Just 23% think "cat owners are weirder than dog owners."
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When Is "Too Many" A Problem?
Dr. Debbie becomes concerned when a listener calls in with 11 dogs. By all outward appearances, this pet lover is out-of-control and unable to care for so many animals. For some, this crosses the line from animal care to animal abuse and into the world of mental and psychiatric problems.
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Taming Aggressiveness
After many dog maulings and attacks, the owner always says they never expected their dog to be so aggressive. "He's the nicest, friendliest dog I've ever known - I don't understand what happened." Alan Kabel understands a dog's mind, and he'll tell you why Fido gets mad.
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Read more about this week's show.
Vet Locks Himself In Hot Car
Dr. Ernie Ward aimed to raise awareness about the extreme heat a car can reach and the potential dangers it poses to dogs. So he "shvitzed it out" inside his Coupe, all the while videotaping it for posterity. He shares his experience with us.
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Plastic Surgery For Pets
Pets and their owners do tend to look alike after a while, but are some pet owners going to extremes to prove the point? Animal expert Kim Baker says we're seeing more and more pet owners taking their pets in for cosmetic surgery.
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Pets Earn Frequent Flyer Miles
Pets are being rewarded for loyalty not just by their owners, but by airlines, as part of a growing number of pet frequent flier programs. Dogs and cats that travel on a Virgin Australia domestic flight can now collect points for their owners that can then be used to obtain discounts on future flights.
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Overtime for the Dream Team
Can you give your pet Aspirin? Do our pets have the same blood as humans? How does Clicker Training work? Should there be a Cat Leash Law? Dr. Debbie, dog trainer Alan Kabel, and Britt Savage tackle these curiosities. Where else will you learn this stuff?
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Going the Distance
What are you willing to do or pay to keep your pet healthy? More and more of us are pawning our wedding rings just to afford the more expensive surgeries to heal our pets. Is $3000 too much to pay to fix Fido's torn ACL?
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World's Most Luxurious Cat Food At $40 A Can
British celebrity chef Simon Rimmer believes he's come up with the world's most luxurious cat food. He worked closely with animal experts to create a "once-in-nine-lifetimes" food experience featuring roasted duck, lobster sushi rolls, and Beluga caviar.
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Read more about this week's show.
Pets Cause 3-Billion-Dollars Damage
A new study reveals that American pets have bitten, chewed, licked, drooled on, and otherwise damaged more than eight million devices, resulting in repair and replacement costs exceeding $3 billion. The most commonly damaged device is the smartphone. Sandy Robbins shares the study's amazing results.
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Poison Ivy
Leaves of three, let it be. A good tip to avoid Poison Ivy, unless your dog gets it and gives it to you when you pet him. It's more common than you think. Joey Villani, the Dogfather, has Poison Ivy this week. He got it while grooming a dog. He has tips and cures for the itches.
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Cat Ruins Intimate Moment
What happens when an Animal Radio® listener's boyfriend is bothered by a cat when he's in the mood for love? Bottom line, your pet should not be in the same room when you're making love. Not only is it a "mood-spoiler," but according to Dr. Debbie, somebody could get hurt.
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Pampered Pet Resort Costs $72,000 for Two Weeks
Man's best friend now has a place to go if they need a couple of days away from their two-legged companions. The new Paw Seasons canine holiday resort in Long Ashton, England, offers dogs a luxurious vacation that comes complete with spa and grooming sessions. The actual owners, however, are not allowed to stay at the resort. The two-week package costs more than $72,000.
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Read more about this week's show.
Kenny Lee Lewis Guests
Guitarist for the Steve Miller Band, Kenny Lee Lewis, kicks off their Summer tour with a stop at Animal Radio. Kenny shares his Central California home with Sophie, a dog he fell in love with after he promised his daughter a pup if she got good grades.
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Preventing Cancer
Dr. Gerald Post is back with basic things you can do to reduce the odds against your pet. If Cancer is detected and treated early, many of our pets have a great chance at a healthy outcome. Dr. Post has the lowdown on pesticides and your pet.
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Handicapped Pig Gets Wheelchair
When a patient brought a deformed pig into Dr. Len Lucero to be euthanized, the doctor couldn't do it. He ended up adopting Chris P. Bacon and creating a wheelchair out of a child's Erector toys. Now the pig is styling with his new wheels and inspiring Facebook followers worldwide.
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Tick Season Explodes
There is no doubt that this tick season is more populated than ever. With typical spot-on chemical treatments losing their efficacy, we're turning to alternatives for fighting those little buggers. WAHL's Pat Kopischkie has great ideas when it comes to tick control.
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Leash Aggression
Without even knowing it, we can be training our dog to be aggressive. The tool that we rely on to restrain our dog may actually be at the root of problems. Dr. Debbie has a cure for pulling and growling issues. "It's all about thinking like a dog."
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Read more about this week's show.
Be Fearful if Fido is Flying in Cargo
Bay Area NBC Investigative Journalist Elyce Kirchner reports on why the airlines are getting away with murder, literally. There is an incredibly high number of pets that don't come out alive after flying in the cargo compartment. We'll have the list of the top airlines and the worst.
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"Pet" Dreams
Puppy lovers have 'fessed up, they have "pet dreams" when they leave their four-legged friends behind on holidays. A new survey shows that eighty per cent of pet owners would cancel or change their travel plans if they could not trust someone to mind their pet. One in six pet owners would chat to their pet on Zoom while away on holidays. And one in seven confessed to having "pet dreams'' about their animal companions.
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World's Ugliest Dog Contest Chronicled
They're sooo ugly, they're cute. Vicki DeArmon has been the brainchild behind the wildly-popular Ugliest Dog Contest at the Sonoma-Marin Fair. Now she's taken the photos from these contests and printed them into a coffee-table book perfect for ogling.
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Database Links Puppy Mills To Pet Stores
The ASPCA announced the launch of a new Internet tool that allows consumers to link pet stores that sell puppies with USDA licensed commercial dog breeders. Consumers are able to search the database by pet store name, USDA license number, name of the breeding facility, or by zip code and specific breeds. They are hoping that this new tool will allow consumers to make informed decisions and refrain from buying puppies at pet stores.
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Doc Halligan Fills-In
TV Vet Dr. Karen Halligan fills in for the vacationing Dr. Debbie. She'll be answering your questions alongside Groomer Joey "Dogfather" Villani, Trainer Alan Kabel, and Communicator Joy Turner.
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Jo Anne Worley Guests
Not only is she an outstanding comedian, Jo Anne Worley (Laugh-In) spends much of her time caring for the animals. She's the sitting President of Actors and Others for Animals. This is her second time visiting the Animal Radio® Dream Team.
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The Truth About Vaccinations
Dr. Debbie finally puts an end to the vaccination confusion. How often do your pets really need Distemper, FLV, and Rabies shots and boosters? Diseases like Parvo can be fatal and avoided with a simple shot.
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A Real Life Pet Entertainer
Lee Day's business card says "Pet Entertainer." We had no idea what this really meant. So we decided to get her on the show to entertain your pets. Grab Fluffy and Fido and bring them around the radio for today's show. They may be quite entertained.
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Chanel Designer Wants To Marry His Cat
Chanel designer Karl Lagerfeld says he'd marry his cat if it were legal. Lagerfeld recently announced he's "fallen in love" with his pampered feline named Choupette. In the past, he's been known to buy her an iPad and a silken pillow to sleep on. In an interview on CNN, he said he never thought he'd fall in love like this with a cat.
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Is Your Dog Left or Right-Pawed?
If your otherwise well-behaved dog barks at the postman, the reason could well be in its feet. Scientists have found that 'left-pawed' canines are more aggressive towards strangers than their 'right-pawed' counterparts. They tested dozens of pets with a special toy to find out which side they favored and then analyzed their behavior.
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...and our Dream Team is answering your pet-related questions.
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NASCAR's Cory Joyce Returns
He's using his star power to create a better life for animals. Cory Joyce is working closely with the Humane Society of The United States as well as a local shelter in his North Carolina hometown.
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Naming Your Pet
Vinnie Penn believes that naming your pet is the single most important thing you will do. He has tips for avoiding embarrassing naming mistakes. And please, don't name your Chihuahua "Thor."
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77 lb Dachshund Sheds 40+ Pounds
Obie, a Dachshund, has lost so much weight that he had to have skin removed so it wouldn't drag on the ground. His guardian, Nora Vanatta tells us the entire story, including the bitter custody battles with Obie's former owners.
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Police Dog Wears Camera
A technology used by the military is now available to civilian police departments. The Massachusetts Plymouth County Sheriff is using a camera mounted on a dog wearing a bullet-proof vest. While the camera may be helpful, who is going to go through hours of video featuring butt-smelling?
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Salmon & Beef Flavored Yogurt For Dogs!
Frozen yogurt makers in Germany are hoping their salmon and beef-flavored concoctions will be a hit. Twin brothers Roman and Raoul Krohn say they first got the idea when they were kids. Their grandma told them that feeding dogs regular ice cream could be deadly, so they eventually came up with a lactose-free formula that is perfect for pooches.
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Basketball-Sized Hairball
Veterinarians are optimistic that a 17-year-old tiger will fully recover after having surgery to remove a gigantic hairball. The tiger named Ty hadn't eaten for two weeks, and that's when owner Vernon Yates got concerned. Vets examined the 400-pound feline and realized it had a hairball the size of a basketball in its body. The hairball weighed four pounds.
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If Your Dog Is Fat - You Might Be Too
Obesity troublingly affects about three out of five pets. This week, we're conquering this problem with stories, tips, and tricks to ensure your pet's health and happiness. You'll hear about the kitty that ate McDonald's every day, an inventor who created a cat treadmill, and a 77-lb. Dachshund.
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Top Behavioral Problem
Separation Anxiety not only tops the list of dog behavior problems, but the dog's owner or guardian most often brings it on without knowing it. Alan Kabel has sure-fire ways to teach an old dog new tricks.
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Dogs Going Postal
Dogs go postal in Los Angeles more than any other U.S. city. The U.S. Postal Service released rankings of the best and worst cities for dog attacks on mail carriers. Los Angeles recorded 69 incidents last year. San Antonio and Seattle round out the top three worst cities. Wichita, Kansas, is the safest city with just 20 attacks. Almost six thousand postal workers were attacked by dogs in 2012.
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Worm Season
With Mosquito season comes an increase in parasitic worms that could ultimately be fatal. Joey Villani tells you how to keep the skeeters away, and Dr. Joel Ehrenzweig tells listeners about over-the-counter products that are safe for your pets, but put a damper on any worm's day.
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Dogs Are Good For Our Hearts
The American Heart Association (AHA) has declared that pets, especially dogs, are good for a person's heart. Further proof that dogs are among the best friends a person could have. Dr. Glenn N. Levine, director of Baylor University's cardiac care unit, says, "Pet ownership, particularly dog ownership, is probably associated with a decreased risk of heart disease."
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Plus, the Animal Radio Dream Team answers questions about your pet.
Read more about this week's show.
A Dog and a Comic Walk Into A Bar
Comedian Brian Donnelly has taken on a new job- as a dog owner. His MSPCA rescue pet named BT will soon be showing off his acting chops on the comedian's new web series called "StepFriendz."
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Current Day Noah's Ark
Rodolfo Almira and three friends have begun to build a replica of Noah's Ark. Apparently, Almira was inspired by the images of animals in need following Hurricane season. Following measurements laid out in the Bible, Almira and his three buddies set out to make the ark a reality. But the project hasn't been without its setbacks. Almira has been slapped with building code violations.
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Pups at LAX
Los Angeles International Airport launched the PUP program (Pets Un-stressing Passengers) a new customer service initiative designed to un-stress passengers. Spokesperson Heidi Huebner says the program revolves around passenger encounters with one of several dogs throughout LAX boarding gates, baggage claim, and ticketing lobbies.
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Legal Marijuana A Problem For Dogs In Colorado
Veterinarians are warning Colorado dog owners about the possibility of their animals overdosing on marijuana edibles. Health officials say they've seen a steady rise in marijuana toxicity cases as the drug becomes more readily available.
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Once Upon A Flock
Do Chickens make good pets? Lauren Scheuer thinks so. She got several chickens with plans of eventually eating them....until she named them. Now they're her pets, and she shares her house with them and a dog.
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Man Retrieves Son's Finger From Dog's Stomach
A Florida man gets criticized for his quick thinking after a caged dog bit his eleven-year-old's finger off. According to police, the boy stuck his left hand through slots in the cage, trying to pet the dog. The animal bit him, completely severing his pinky finger. The boy's father immediately pulled the dog from the cage and shot it, then cut into the dog's stomach, retrieving the finger.
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Dog Hits Pedestrian With Car
Police in Pennsylvania say a dog that was left in an unattended vehicle knocked it into gear, and the car struck a pedestrian. The pedestrian was found lying in the street. Police say the vehicle had been left running when the dog inside pushed it into drive, causing it to start moving slowly.
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Pet Speed Dating
These days, dating has gone to the dogs. At least, it did one night at the Cumberland County SPCA's first-ever Pet Speed Dating event. The shelter created the event to provide the pet-loving public an easy way to get up close and personal with many dogs and cats available for adoption.
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Read more about this week's show.
It's Me Or The Dog
Dog Behaviorist Victoria Stilwell is back and debating the two schools of dog training. Do you really have to be mean to your pup to get him to do what you want? There's a change in the way we're getting our dogs to behave.
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Ferrets Passed Off As Toy Poodles
Shoppers may not be getting what they bargained for. Vendors at a market are trying to pass off bulked-up ferrets as toy poodles. The move has reportedly tricked several people into shelling out $150 for the rodents.
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Fearful Fido
What do you do with a dog that's afraid of everything from lawn sprinklers to rain showers? Alan Kabel explains the process of de-sensitizing your dog and re-training him to be a more confident animal.
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Internet Vet Shut Down
Dr. Ron Hines used to answer medical questions at his website. That is, until the state of Texas shut him down. Now, he's part of a lawsuit to restore his First Amendment rights. This litigation will set the tone for those that give advice, from Dr. Oz to Dr. Debbie.
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Groomers Aren't Just for the Rich
Dogfather Joey Villani has five great reasons why you should bring your dog to the groomer regularly....even if your dog doesn't need a haircut.
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...and our Dream Team is answering your questions.
Read more about this week's show.
Cat Whisperer
Self-proclaimed Cat Whisperer Mieshelle Nagelschneider shares her secrets to training cats. Yes, training cats! Believe it or not, Mieshelle says you can get a cat to do what you want.
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Cancer Odds
Did you know some breeds of dogs are predisposed to getting cancer? Dr. Gerald Post, founder of the Veterinary Cancer Center, is back on the air with a list of breeds with a better chance of getting certain cancers.
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American Pets Are Obese
Obesity isn't just a problem for Americans; it's a problem for American pets. According to the latest National Pet Obesity Awareness Day Survey conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, over half of dogs and cats in the U.S. are overweight.
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Dog Makes Unplanned Trip To Ireland
A New York woman says she was beyond upset after she found out that her dog made an unplanned trip to Ireland. It happened as Edith Lombardo-Albach was moving to Phoenix. She put "Hendrix," the six-year-old English Springer Spaniel, on a United Airlines flight. But just seven minutes before Hendrix's flight was scheduled to land, Lombardo-Albach got a call saying the dog had accidentally been sent to Ireland instead.
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Read more about this week's show.
Freeze Dried Pets
Don't want to honor your dearly departed pet by burying him in the backyard or putting her into an urn? How about freeze-drying your furry friend in their favorite position? That's the job of Anthony Eddy. He'll tell us how he got into the business of preserving pets.
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Training iPad App
Yes, there's an App for that! Train your dog to stop barking using Phillip Angert's new iPad application. When your dog barks, the iPad reacts with your pre-recorded video scolding him. If Fido is good, the app will reward him with a treat.
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Happy Pee
Animal Radio® Dog Trainer Alan Kabel shares the truth behind submissive urination. How can a listener stop their dog from rolling over and peeing whenever they come home from work? Re-training your dog can be a long process, especially if you're not training them correctly.
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Small Dog Spinal Issues
Some smaller dogs are predisposed to spinal nerve problems that could cause your dog to limp or lift his leg. In this case, a listener's Dachshund hops around for no apparent reason. Dr. Debbie explains how a small injury could have big results.
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It's That Time Again for Shedding
As Spring is Springing, we may notice our cats and dogs are starting to shed more. This is a natural process. However, Joey Villani details how you can make this year's shedding not so hairy.
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What's The Safest Car For You And Your Dog?
The Dodge Journey is at the top of a list of the best pet-safe vehicles for under $45,000. The car-shopping website Edmunds.com says the Journey features an in-dash cooler to store Fido's food and water. The Jeep Liberty is in the top five due to specialized pet travel gear such as crates and carriers.
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The Very Entertaining Subject of Tick Removal
It may not be the topic around the water-cooler, but tick removal can be a very important subject when your own pet gets one. Simply yanking them out could leave saliva with Lyme disease in your furry friend. Dogfather Joey Villani says put that cigarette down and listen to his tip.
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More Wag, Less Bark
If your pup barks at everything from the mailman to a butterfly, then listen up. Dog Trainer Alan Kabel has quick and successful techniques for curbing the woof. Forget the bark collars. Alan helps you think like your dog.
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Dog Shoots Man
A Florida man is recovering after his dog shot him in the leg. Greg Lanier was in his truck with his dog when his four-legged friend kicked a loaded gun to the floor. The 380-pistol went off, shooting the 35-year-old in the leg.
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Don't Mess With Her Cat!
A woman has been accused of murdering her husband over a pet cat. The 56-year-old woman was allegedly protecting her cat when she stabbed her husband to death. This is not the first time that a woman has been accused of attacking her husband over a pet cat. In September, Texas resident Audrey Deen Miller was arrested after she allegedly shot her husband in the stomach when he threatened to shoot her cat with a pellet gun.
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No Standards For Pet Travel Products
New Jersey is the first state to consider requiring pets be restrained in vehicles. The Center for Pet Safety conducted a pilot study that showed that "the majority of pet safety restraints currently on the market do not provide acceptable protection in a crash situation," said Michael McHale, Subaru's director of corporate communications.
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Foul Play At Westminster
There are allegations that a dog was poisoned at the world's most famous dog show. PETA is even being questioned, as they have pronounced their hatred for breed shows like Westminster. We'll find out what's going on behind the scenes.
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Animalwise
Just how smart is your dog or cat? It turns out that scientific research says we've been underestimating the intelligence of a lot of animals. Take the earthworm for instance. Not only considered an animal, but able to make decisions. Virginia Morell explains why rat owners should tickle their rats.
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Problem Chewing
What can you do for the dog that chews on everything? This is one of the most common calls we get. It's actually a pretty simple problem to solve. Alan Kabel helps uncover the reasons dogs chew and how to re-direct their attention to more positive behaviors.
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Charlie Sheen Buys Therapy Dog
There's a 15-year-old Florida girl who didn't really know much about Charlie Sheen before this, but does now. The actor wired $10,000 to Teagan Marti and her family for a therapy dog to help rehabilitate from injuries sustained when she plummeted 100 feet from a Wisconsin amusement park ride. "I think they should name the dog Charlie," Sheen joked.
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Bullet-Proof Vests For Dogs
As our canine friends have become integral members of many police forces, it is becoming more apparent for the need to suit them properly for the dangerous job. That's where Sandy Marcal comes in. She's raising funds to help afford the $1000 a-piece vests that protect our working dogs.
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Pet Food Stamps
In these rough economic times, many pet owners are forced to abandon their beloved pets due to the inability to pay for their basic food supply and care. That's why Marc Okon formed a program to ship pet food to those who cannot afford it. He has all the details and how to apply for help.
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"Bad Dog" Statute Leaves Yellow Stain on Building
A giant statue known as "Bad Dog" is turning out to be good publicity for the Orange County Museum of Art. The 28-foot-tall piece of art by Richard Jackson depicts a dog lifting one leg and leaving a yellow paint stain on the side of the building. Museum spokeswoman Kirsten Schmidt tells the Orange County Register almost all of the reactions to the dog have been positive. However, some people do wish the pooch wasn't quite so anatomically correct.
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The Cat's Peeing In The Dog Bed
What happens when your pet relieves themselves in the wrong place? This is the most common behavioral problem we hear about. There is not always one standard solution. Dr. Debbie examines the different reasons cats and dogs do this. She'll help with a tough case of kitty revenge on the dog.
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Cooking For Your Dog
Why not cook something you and your dog can eat together? Nutritionist Gayle Pruitt joins us to discuss her book "The Dog Gone Good Cookbook" and share some of her favorite recipes.
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Guppy Wingman
Did you know guppies try to hang around uglier fish to improve their mating odds? And would you believe that someone actually got grant dollars to research and prove that, just like humans, fish have a "wingman" - or should we say "wing-fish?"
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Talking Baby Talk
Why are so many people inclined to talk "baby talk" to their pets? Certainly, our pets must think we're crazy. Admit it, you may have, at one time, maybe a long time ago, talked to your pet in this silly tone.
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Luck Of The Dog
A Utah man has his dog to thank for leading him to a winning lottery ticket. Steve Hughes stopped at a gas station in Boise, Idaho, to fill up, but his dog Stella locked him out of his truck. During his 45-minute wait to get back in his vehicle, Hughes decided to buy winning lotto tickets.
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Dog Ownership Up - Vet Visits Down
More Americans think of their pets as members of the family. But that doesn't mean the animals are getting better care. Two-thirds of the dog owners surveyed for the latest "U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook" say they haven't taken their pup to the vet even once.
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Sleeping With Your Cat
While we all love to sleep with our animals - few of us actually get a restful night. Mikkel Becker (Dr. Marty Becker's daughter) has some tips on getting a good night's sleep again.
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Pet Career Boom
Many of those who lost their jobs during the recession are re-inventing themselves in the pet industry. After all, it is the second fastest-growing sector. Mary Collister and her daughter started a business that sends pet goodies to your doorstep every month.
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Find Out How Smart Or Dumb Your Dog Is
A new online test uses the latest scientific research to tell you EXACTLY how smart or dumb your dog is. It costs $60. The test uses games to test your dog, then gives you a full breakdown of their intelligence and personality.
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Public Restrooms For Pets
Public restrooms in China will no longer be limited to just pedestrians. According to the Chinese-language news site Shenzhen Special Zone Daily, China plans to build bathrooms just for pets as part of new civility laws to keep city streets clean. Launched as a trial in the Luohu District of Shenzhen, the open-air pet restrooms are filled with sand and measure about 10 square feet in size.
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Python Is Their Choice Babysitter
A family in China is turning heads with their choice of babysitter. 13-year-old Azhe Liu is often watched after by the family's pet python, who measures 15 feet long and weighs 220 pounds. Dad Chan Liu explains that they've had the snake since Azhe was born, and the two have become inseparable over the years.
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Fund A Pet Miracle
Stacey Nutini has taken crowd-funding to a new high! Her one-person organization directs funds to those who need urgent veterinary care. She describes the kind of people who give dollars to help other pet owners and the vetting process.
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Cleaning Up After Westminster
Jerry Grymeck has the unfortunate duty of cleaning up after a bunch of dogs. Where do the dogs in Westminster stay? Hotel Penn, of course. Jerry is the certified Doggy Concierge. He spills the beans and behind the show gossip.
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Stolen Cat Food Results In Grand Theft
James Lawlor of Clearwater, Florida, was charged with Grand Theft after attempting to steal over $300 worth of cat food from a local Walmart. Loss prevention staff had detained James Lawlor for loading up a shopping cart full of cat food and then walking to his car without paying. Lawlor explained to officers that he had previously done this and stole the cat food to sell in what he calls "hustling."
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Less Vet Visits = More Sick Pets
New studies show that pet guardians are visiting the vet less and usually with sicker pets. Why this down-turn? The costs associated with vet visits, vaccines, and medications. Dr. Joel Ehrenzweig explains how you can protect your pet on the cheap.
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Deer Droppings Send Message
An angry artist in Canada is expressing his or her displeasure with the city's deer population with a deer statue covered in deer droppings. The Penticton, British Columbia mayor called it a "very effective way" of letting them know that there was a problem that needed to be resolved.
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...and of course, the Animal Radio Dream Team is answering your pet questions.
Read more about this week's show.
Behind The Scenes At Westminster
Quite possibly the largest dog show in the world, Westminster takes place Monday and Tuesday. Connie Newcomb takes us backstage and tells us what the public doesn't see. What are some people willing to do to win?
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Westminster Hospitality
The yearly tradition continues as Jerry Grymeck, the concierge at Hotel Penn in New York, tells us what strange requests he's getting from the Westminster show dogs and their owners. The Hotel Penn is where many of the primped pooches stay for world-famous dog shows.
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Cancer, Not A Death Sentence
As many as 70% of our pets will get cancer. But with medical technology advances, we can now treat our pets like we treat humans. And dogs can withstand chemotherapy better than humans. The founder of the Animal Cancer Foundation, Dr. Gerald Post, reminds us that information is the best weapon against this ugly disease.
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Apps for Apes
Workers in the Great Ape House at the Smithsonian's National Zoo have found a new, socially engaging outlet for their six orangutans: an iPad. Animal Keeper Becky Malinsky says the idea comes from a non-profit called Apps for Apes, which uses the program in 13 other zoos worldwide. Malinsky says the National Zoo started last year with a donated iPad, and their orangutans' repertoire has now grown to more than ten apps, including musical instruments and cognitive games.
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Your Pet's Poop Is Guide To Health
Your dog or cat's poop is a kind of Google on your pet's health. Picking it up isn't only is the neighborly thing to do; it's for the best interest of all pets in the community. According to Veterinary Parasitologist Dr, there are some potential health issues for people. Dwight Bowman, including roundworm, salmonella, and whipworm, which can be spread to other dogs, even the parvovirus, to those not vaccinated.
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Foster Failure
Even with the best intentions, sometimes we open our homes to a foster pet only to realize the cat or dog has found its way into our hearts and homes forever. Viveca Stone Berry is the "Foster Queen," whose mission is to promote fostering. Are you ready to help reduce the amount of animals that are euthanized simply because they're homeless?
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Can A Pet Have Sentimental Value?
A case that may reflect a pet owner's worst nightmare has made its way to the Texas Supreme Court, which must decide if a family can place sentimental value on a pet that was accidentally euthanized. In 1963, Texas adopted a "sentimental value rule," which provided that the parties involved could sue if the property was wrongfully destroyed and had no market value.
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Are Your Pets Making You Tired?
Many people can't seem to get a good night's sleep and already have stress, caffeine, or snoring spouses to blame. But researchers at Mayo Clinic's Center for Sleep Medicine find another surprising reason behind those tired eyes: dogs and cats. There's a solution to the problem without kicking your furry friend out of bed.
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The Truth About Heartworm
You don't have to go far to find different theories on Heartworm and preventative medicine. While some people think it is a waste of money, most professionals will agree that it just makes good sense. Animal Radio's Dr. Debbie tackles the myths and lays down the cold, hard truth.
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A Dog Saved My Life
What makes a cop quit his job to become a writer about animals? Seems like quite a transition. Author and Animal Radio friend Allen Anderson is back to share his story and tell us what he's been up to since a brain aneurysm changed his journey.
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Are Your Pets Making You Single
Boston Globe reporter Stephanie St. Martin may have identified a correlation between animal ownership and being single. She says it's time to stop freaking out your dates by showing them all the pictures of your "children" on the first date.
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There's A Card For That
Hallmark created a Valentine's Day card for your dog. Vinnie Penn Doesn't get it. Why would you send a card to your dog? Do you also open it and read it to them? Wouldn't that Valentine-themed dog treat be a better choice?
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Finding The Right Pet Sitter
With so many pet businesses and services dotting the landscape these days, it's hard to know which one is the right one for you and your pet. Stacey Cohen has tips to help you choose pet sitters.
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Cat Carries Contraband Into Prison
A cat in Brazil was locked up after it was found carrying contraband into a prison. Attached to it were drills, a mobile phone, an earphone, a memory card, batteries, and a phone charger. A spokesperson for the prison says they are investigating the matter. However, they say, "It's tough to find out who's responsible" since the cat obviously cannot speak. The cat was taken to a local animal shelter, where it received medical care.
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Read more about this week's show.
Westminster Opens Door To Mixed Breeds
No longer is a dog required to be a purebred to compete in some of the Westminster events. David Frei explains that mixed-breed dogs still won't be eligible to compete for "Best In Show."
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Spring Brings Nasty Parasites
Did you know fleas can transmit tapeworms to your pet, robbing your furry friend of 25% of its daily nutrition? Dr. Joel Ehrenzweig has the low-down on tapeworm and how to avoid being a statistic.
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War Yorkie
Smoky was a 4 lb. Yorkie found in New Guinea during Bill Wynne's WWII tour of duty. The little dog flew 150 reconnaissance missions and holds the title of the First Therapy Dog. Bill recounts his stories about Smoky quite lucidly as if they were yesterday.
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Puppy Bites Deodorant Can - Causing Huge Explosion
An explosion that caused thousands of dollars in damage to a house is being blamed on a puppy and a can of deodorant. It turns out Zeus bit a hole in a can of spray deodorant and then rolled it near the gas fireplace. The can blew up when the boiler came on and caused more than $3,000 in damage.
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Dependence on Technology Goes To New Heights
A survey has found that about a fifth of the country may be taking their dependence on technology to new heights. The poll asked a group of pet owners to imagine a scenario in which they would either give up their pet for a month or their smartphone for a month. 20% of the respondents admitted they would rather hold on to their gadget and go without seeing their animal.
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Tailless and Troubled
The Manx is a special breed of feline that has no tail. You may have known that...but did you know the Manx comes with its own set of medical problems and predispositions? Dr. Debbie helps a listener treat a Manx with incontinence issues.
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The Secret Service Dogs
Did you know that the Secret Service has many dogs that have jobs protecting the President and other dignitaries? Maria Goodavage went on assignment to learn about the agency's furry employees.
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Pets May Benefit The Mentally Ill
An ever-growing body of evidence reinforces the health benefits of animals and pets. A new study published by BMC Psychiatry explores the role pets had in support, self-management, and personal networks of those suffering from long-term significant mental illness (e.g., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia). Their research concludes, "Pets should be considered a main rather than a marginal source of support in managing long-term mental health problems."
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National Answer Your Cat Day…Really?
Pet World Insider Robert Semrow really loves his pet holidays. No holds barred; he's going all-out for National Answer Your Cat Day. The only thing crazier than that is his answers. "Someone get Bellevue on the phone!"
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Campaign Funds Used For Traveling Bunny
We've heard of all kinds of campaign spending abuses, but this is new. During an investigation of California Representative campaign expenses, the House Office of Congressional Ethics uncovered that the lawmaker had used $600 in campaign funds to cover airfare expenses for his family's rabbit.
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Doggie Drive-Thru
Amanda Brown opened a drive-thru fast food restaurant for dogs ONLY. Your dog can get the popular Bow Wow Bowl with their choice of protein, vegetables, or grains in an edible bowl. Bane and Vader's opened their flagship store in Easton, Pennsylvania. Amanda plans to franchise this idea, which came to her when she saw research showing that humans often ordered food for their dogs when going through a fast food drive-thru.
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Microchips and Misconceptions
While microchips are an essential part of pet identification, they will not help you find your missing pet unless it's picked up and scanned by a veterinarian or shelter. That's why Dr. Debbie recommends a visible tag and perhaps a GPS collar. Only a GPS collar will allow you to track your pet's location using your smart device or computer.
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Shop Cats
Do you know of a business that has a token cat? You'll certainly appreciate the "Shop Cats" in Tamar Arslanian's new book. She features the most notable shop cats in New York stores in pictures and written words. For instance, the wine store cat with his own chiropractor, the cat that is a mascot at a dog boutique, or the occult shop cat that totes a magic wand in her mouth.
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Will There Be an Animal in the Whitehouse?
A philanthropist wants to do something to make the Trump White House more like those in the past: She wants Donald Trump to have a presidential pet. The very wealthy Lois Pope, who is also the widow of National Enquirer founder Generoso Pope, announced that she was giving a ten-week-old golden retriever/poodle mix puppy to the Trumps.
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Clothes Wearing Alligator Gets Pardoned
Following months of negotiations with Florida state officials, Mary Thorn has been given a permit that will allow her to keep her pet alligator, Rambo, who she says is fully trained and not a "normal" gator. Mary dresses Rambo in human clothing to protect his sensitive skin.
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Stealing Your Pet's Pain Killers
Stealing from a sick animal may seem a low way to get a drug fix, but it happens frequently. Opioid abuse is rampant, and a survey from Baylor College of Medicine reveals a surprising number of pet owners steal their pets' medications, especially painkillers, namely the drug Tramadol.
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App Replaces Trump Pictures with Kittens
If you love animals, you should find this pretty amusing. Google now offers an extension for its Chrome browser called Make America Kittens Again. It replaces pictures of President-elect Donald Trump with adorable kittens.
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Comedian Seth Herzog Guests
NatGeo's science/comedy "Duck Quacks Don't Echo" will put to the test everyday common misconceptions. Host Seth Herzog joins us and shares some of the experiments he's doing with animals.
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Pet Food Recalls On The Rise
Nothing is certain in life except death and taxes and, increasingly, pet food and treat recalls. On average, there is one every 11 days. The Food and Drug Administration received over 2,500 consumer complaints regarding pet food and livestock feed.
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Training Therapy Animals
Paula Scott trains and certifies therapy dogs, cats, miniature horses, and plenty of animals you wouldn't necessarily think of as therapy pets. Science proves that even purring a cat can make you feel better and promote healing.
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Grave Contains Remains of Animals Who Were To Be Cremated
The lead lawyer in Morgan County, Tennessee, says he is looking to press charges against the owner of a pet crematory after investigators found a mass grave with dozens of dead cats and dogs. But he's still waiting on the results of the investigation.
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Two Heads Are Better Than One - Ask This Cow!
Sana Saida, whose name translates into "Happy New Year" in Arabic, was born in Morocco. The bovine has a condition called Polycephaly, which means having two heads, and is more common among turtles and snakes, but Sana Saida is said to be healthy.
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NY Mayor Wants to Replace Horse Carriages With Electric Cars
New York City's mayor wants to change how tourists get around Central Park. At a news conference, he said he wanted to replace Central Park's iconic horse-drawn carriages with electric cars.
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Picking Up After Your Dog Becomes Law
A company called Poo Prints claims Dallas and other cities can cash in on dog waste through DNA tracking. Dallas City Council members chuckled Wednesday when they heard about the plan, but the company is dead serious about the opportunity to find irresponsible dog owners by lab testing turds. Eric Mayer describes to listeners how his plan works to clean up your city.
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Dogs Shot By Police on The Rise
In response to an alleged increase in dog shootings by police officers, several people, including owners of murdered pets, are using Facebook as a tool to increase awareness of the problem and seek change to police policies toward dogs. Videos of dog shootings are all over the Internet, and it seems like there's a new one every week.
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Underwater Dogs
Award-winning photographer Seth Casteel, also known as "The Underwater Dog Guy," has been featured in National Geographic, The New York Times, Time Magazine, Good Morning America, The Today Show, and now he's giving listeners his best-selling book on Animal Radio.
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Millionaires Have Gone To The Dogs
Dogs and Millionaires have a lot in common. They are relentless opportunists (especially when it comes to rewards). They come in all shapes, sizes and colors. They defend their turf. And in general, they don't like cats. Perhaps that explains a new survey that shows that millionaires are far more dog-friendly than the rest of Americans. According to a Spectrem Group study, 58% of millionaire pet owners have a dog.
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Rent-A-Puppy
Business is booming for a Brigham Young University student who recently started a puppy rental service. Jenna Miller says she's had more than 100 rentals since August. The business has stirred some controversy, with the Utah Humane Society concerned about the dogs' health.
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Best Dog Tricks On The Planet
Babette Haggerty has trained Jack Nicklaus' Golden Retriever to bark the number of his major tournament wins on command, Curt Gowdy's Rottweiler to say, "Go Reds," and Jimmy Buffett's Maltese to dance on cue to "Margaritaville." Now, she's sharing her best on Animal Radio.
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There's An App For That
Steve Pelletier is a techie, a dog lover, and a fitness fanatic. Once an Economist at the Reagan White House, he's now focusing his attention on the pet obesity problem in the U.S. He's invented a smartphone app that can help your dog stay in shape.
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Designer Breeds
Darlene Arden busts the myths surrounding the Cava-Poo-Chon breed. This toy dog is supposed to look forever young and live to 20. These designer breeds are actually a waste of your hard-earned money and can be racked with health issues. Listen to what Darlene has to say before you run out and get the latest fad-dog.
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Does My Dog Understand Time?
How much does our dog know? Can they tell time? Alan Kabel schools us on separation anxiety and what is believed to be the canine perception of time. When you leave the pack, your dog may think you're never coming back.
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Trained Dogs Prevent School Violence
While some say school safety hinges on guns, cameras or alarms in classrooms, Mark Gomer and Kristi Schiller think specially trained dogs should take point in preventing violence in schools.
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Jobs That Bite
Jeremy Brandt has a strange and scary job. One minute, he'll be doing dental work on a lion. Next, he'll be tattooing a bear. It's all part of a day's work as a Nat Geo WILD television host.
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Does Your Cat Have A Smart Phone?
Yes, there's an "app" for that. Just released, the Human-to-Cat Translator. This intriguing app says it can translate human words into cat language. Speak a word or phrase into your phone, and the app plays back a collection of meows, supposedly translating your English into Catlish. When we tried a translation for "come here," our cat tester showed a little curiosity but not enough to actually get off the couch. Of course, even if the app does work accurately, there's a good chance your cat will ignore you, anyway.
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St. Francis of Bloomberg
Ex-Mayor Bloomberg's daughter makes a pretty decent living riding horses. Georgina Bloomberg continually wins big stakes in riding competitions. But now she's taking time off to have a baby with her boyfriend. She has more info on the big Tinsel & Tails event.
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Medicines Safe For Humans May Not Be Safe For Pets
When people feel pain, they often reach for common medicines such as aspirin or Motrin. However, NSAID use in pets carries risks as well as benefits. Pet owners must be informed about possible side effects, including those that could signal danger.
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Ahhh, The Holidaze Are Here.
It's time to endure another year with drunk old Uncle Ned. This year, Vinnie Penn defends the right of the family dog to have a sock hanging from the fireplace mantle. This doesn't end well.
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120 lb. Rodent as a Pet
When Jackie Coleman Wren wanted a pet, she preferred something a little more exotic. That's why she got a Capybara. This strange animal looks like an oversized Guinea Pig or Gopher and apparently has an affinity for chewing everything.
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Dogs and Their People
Stacie Grissom started a subscription business that delivers a box full of toys and treats to your dog every month. The business morphed into a wildly successful celebration of dogs and a new book featuring charming stories about the connections with our furry friends.
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Mutts Rock
Pet World Insider Robert Semrow loves mutts! He's counting down the five reasons mutts make better pets. Did you know that a mixed-breed dog is healthier than a purebred?
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Dark Personality Traits of Pet Owners
A research team at Oakland University wanted to know how two traits, narcissism, and borderline personality characteristics, are related to levels of attachment to both traditional pets and unusual or exotic pets. The results did not turn out the way the researchers thought they would. Lori Brooks reports on the results.
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Nice Kitty Kitty
A 34-year-old Houston, Texas, woman who had a fully grown male tiger and three tiger cubs roaming free in her home was charged with child endangerment. Apparently, Trisha Meyer allowed the four tigers, a fox, a cougar, a skunk, and several monkeys to roam freely in her house around her home-schooled 14-year-old daughter. The landlord kicked the woman out of the home after police notified him of what was going on. He said she had only lived there for three weeks, but he had no clue that someone could do that amount of damage to a home in that short amount of time.
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Eric Lost 140 lbs. Thanks to His Dog
Are you one of the 50 million people who have seen the viral video of Eric O'Grey and his dog Peety? Eric used to weigh 320 lbs. But his doctor prescribed a dog that saved his life and helped him lose 140 lbs. Eric's on this week's show to tell his story.
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Pig or Service Pig?
A Winnipeg, Canada, woman's fight to keep her pot-bellied pig as a service animal isn't over yet. The City Council is holding off voting until early December on Emily Hydor's appeal to keep her pig named Podgy. The delay will allow the city more time to gauge whether the pig qualifies for an exemption to the responsible pet ownership bylaw as a service animal.
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Unlikely Companions
Dr. Laurie Hess is back. This time, she has some wacky stories about strange animals that people call pets. From monkeys to wallabies, you'll be thankful you chose a normal pet.
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Finding the Right Petsitter
More and more pet owners are taking their pets with them when they travel, but not every destination is pet-friendly, and your time away from home may require you to enlist the services of a professional pet sitter. If you have ever had to find a pet sitter, you know putting someone else in complete charge of your furry family members is not easy. Animal Radio News Director Lori Brooks has a checklist for finding the perfect caregiver.
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Fear Free Vet Visits
Steve Dale is back on Animal Radio to talk about creating painless and fun visits to the veterinarian. Follow his tips, and your pet will enjoy visiting the vet, and you won't dread it.
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Every Dog Deserves A Second Chance
Bestselling author Jon Katz is back on Animal Radio. A few years ago, he was on top of the world. Then came the end of his 35-year marriage, and he went broke. He needed a second chance. Along came Frieda, a Rottweiler-shepherd mix that also needed a second chance.
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Suffering in Silence
Often, when an animal is sick, it goes unnoticed. Some believe that's because they can't show weakness in the wild. Animal Radio Veterinary Correspondent Dr. Marty Becker will tell you what signs to look for that indicate your furr-kid is sick.
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Pot Plant Pesticides Killing Animals
Half a million marijuana plants have been recovered on US Forest Service land so far this year. However, it's not what they're growing but how they're growing that's killing wildlife, tainting water supplies, and endangering hikers. NBC affiliate Elyce Kirchner reports.
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Tinsel and Tails
Celebrity Photographer Mike Ruiz is here to talk about the Celebrity Catwalk event and what some well-known "A-list" celebs are doing to help companion animals nationwide.
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FDA To Regulate Pet Food
The Food and Drug Administration proposed rules that would govern pet food production and farm animal feed for the first time. The proposal comes years after the biggest pet food recall in history.
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This Dog Knows A Thousand Words
You may have heard about Chaser, the Border Collie that not only knows 1000 words but can understand sentences. John Pilley got Chaser when he was 72, and has chronicled this amazing story. Your dog may be just as brilliant!
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What Does "Made In The USA" Really Mean?
Meat or plant-based "jerky" pet treats have been tied to mysterious illnesses in thousands of dogs, according to the FDA. Bernadette Dunham, director of the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine, said, "This is one of the most elusive and mysterious outbreaks we've encountered."
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Unlikely Loves
Jennifer Holland has released another book highlighting strange and unusual animal relationships. You'll hear about the unique pairing of an Elephant and a Sea Lion. But that's not the weirdest. You'll have to listen to believe it.
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Jet Set Vets
Dr. Cindy Bressler has a unique job. She's a vet for the other side of the tracks. This entrepreneur started the country's only private jet, ride-along-vet concierge pet service. For a small fortune, between $1,200 and $15,000 an hour, she and her team wild administer IVs, drips, and handle any other medical issues.
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...and the Animal Radio Dream Team will be answering questions about your pets.
Read more about this week's show.
Does This Collar Make My Butt Look Big?
The very amusing Dena Harris joins us as she parodies all the self-help diet books with tips to reduce the fat in your cat. You'll hear purr-actical tips like, eat whatever you want, throw it up at 3am right in the middle of the bedroom floor.
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What The Dog Knows
Cat Warren trains cadaver dogs to look for dead bodies. How does she do it? And just how good is your dog's nose? So good they can sniff a corpse at the bottom of a lake for 100 years. Would "Ladybug" the Animal Radio Stunt Dog be good as a cadaver dog? She likes rolling in dead stuff.
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Anal Glands
It's all fun and games until someone gets squirted in the eye. Dogfather Joey Villani suggests you go to your veterinarian if your dog's glands need to be expressed. But just in case you want to do it on your own, he'll tell you what you need to know first.
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Smelly Cat, It's Not Your Fault
It's not just a Friends song. It's a real problem that can be solved using stuff you probably already have in your pantry. We'll have the reasons and the cures for your smelly cat.
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Pet Insurance Now Offers Hereditary and Congenital Coverage
Cats and dogs in nearly 30 states are now eligible for full hereditary and congenital coverage from several insurance carriers. Hereditary and congenital coverage is a relative newcomer to the insurance field.
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Wine For Cats
Wine drinkers in Japan can now share a glass with their feline friends. B&H Lifes is releasing a wine for cats. While the wine doesn't actually contain any alcohol, it is made from Cabernet grapes. It is also blended with vitamin C and catnip for a mixture that supposedly tastes similar to red wine.
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Air Hollywood
Actress and animal advocate Megan Blake is teaching dogs to fly on airplanes using a Hollywood studio set and aircraft simulator. For $300, you can desensitize your pup from all the noise and vibrations that happen on a real plane.
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One Cool Black Cat
As Halloween approaches, we examine all the strange superstitions, from Black Cats to Fat Rats. Self-proclaimed expert Kim Campbell Thornton shares the stories behind the myths and legends.
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Condoms For Cats & Dogs
A new website is supposedly offering an unusual way to control the pet population - condoms for cats and dogs. It claims to offer a special brand of protection dubbed Animal Instincts. But anyone trying to purchase a pack of the condoms will quickly realize they're out of luck. As soon as they click on one of the links, a message pops up telling potential customers: "C'mon, there's only one real fix, spay or neuter your pet."
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Cat Competes For National Pet Insurance Award
A Northern California family cat is in the running for a national pet insurance award. After racking up a $1,200 vet bill being squashed in a garage door incident, Ariel, the Carter family cat, is now in the running for the "Most Unusual Claim of the Year."
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Skunk Haven
An Ohio woman is trying to prove that skunks aren't the "smelly little creatures" people may think they are. Deborah Cipriani has converted her home into the country's only rescue center for domestic skunks. She has 50 skunks that have free reign of her five-bedroom house - dubbed Skunk Haven - and some of them even sleep in her bed. She also hosts an annual animal lovers event known as Skunk Fest.
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Date Me, Date My Dog
70% of female respondents would marry their dog, according to comedian Leigh Anne Jasheway. Leigh Anne barks up all the major problem issues single women with dogs face when trying to mate and relate with a human male - and how to successfully have sex in front of the dog without causing dogus-interruptus.
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More Ha Ha
What's better than one animal-loving comedian? Two, of course. Joey Camen and his multiple personalities visit with Animal Radio. He shares an exciting, tail-wagging story about the relationship he had with Snoopy, his shelter dog.
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Mice Sing To Protect Themselves
We all know that birds sing, but did you know mice do as well? And the songs vary, so mice that live in the jungle of the Amazon may sound one way. Mice in Detroit have also been studied, and they sound another way. I'm not sure how mice in LA might sound.
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Where Is Your Hard Earned Money Going?
Vinnie Penn takes a look at the Watchdog Report. It details exactly how much money animal-related non-profits make and how they spend it. Once you hear the truth, you may think twice before making a donation to your favorite charity.
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Cat Uses The Toilet
A cat-lover has amazed animal experts by teaching his furr-ball "Salem" to use a human toilet. 29-year-old Luke Evans became fed up with the puss using a smelly litter tray in his second-floor flat. So he trained a nine-month-old cat to go to the toilet in his bathroom by offering cheese-flavored treats as a reward.
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Cheap Guy Finishes First
Joey Villani has been grooming dogs since he was a toddler (FDR was president…we think). He's sharing more secrets to grooming your pet with stuff you have around your house....like Downy fabric softener, Gold Bond medicated powder, Vinegar, Bounce dryer sheets, and corn starch.
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Barking Blondes
Anna Webb and Jo Good are perhaps the two funniest ladies you've ever heard. They have an affinity for our "fur-kids" - and they'll tell you how two bitches taught two bitches to survive without men.
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Flea Fodder
Once again, we are having a record year for fleas. And this has, quite by accident, become the thrust of today's show. Dr. Cristiano Von Simpson and "Dogfather" Joey Villani offer up great advice for ridding your pet of fleas once and for all. Can you use Listerine or Vinegar as effective protection? Dr. Debbie busts the myths.
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Rent-The-Chicken.com
Phil Thompkins and his wife Jenn are quite the entrepreneurs. They've successfully launched a chicken rental business just in time for a renewed interest in the feathered fowl. "Chickens are the new dogs," and many simply like having the egg supply.
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Zero-Tolerance For People Wearing Animal Prints
A wildlife park in the U.K. has started banning animal print clothing after zookeepers noticed the fashion choice was confusing the animals. The Chessington World of Adventures has even brought in "Animal Print Bouncers" to make sure visitors don't get in wearing anything patterned after zebras, giraffes, leopards, tigers, or other wild animals.
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What's "Stud Tail?"
Did you know it's pretty common for unaltered male dogs (and cats) to be missing hair on the base of their tail? It's just another one of the problems when you fail to neuter your dog. You can even avoid some cancers by snip-snip-snipping.
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Purr Therapy
A new cafe in Paris offers patrons a dose of stress relief with their coffee. The Cat Cafe has a dozen resident cats to provide "purr therapy." The manager there says a cat's purring has been shown to help relieve arthritis or rheumatism and to lower blood pressure and heart rate. It seems the whole concept is a hit. So many people showed up for the cafe's recent opening that about 300 had to be turned away.
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10 Pets That Inspired Great Songs
From the Rolling Stones to Queen to Norah Jones, they all wrote or sang songs about the important animals in their lives. MNN.com's Laura Moss has the stories behind the music.
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Fatal Canine Disease Spreads from Ohio
Veterinarians across the country are stumped about a new disease, similar to Parvo, that seems to have originated from a service dog in Ohio. So far, 10 cases of Circovirus have been reported. Animal Radio Veterinary Correspondent Dr. Marty Becker reports on the latest findings and how to prevent exposure.
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Blind Man Washed Into Culvert, Dog Jumps In After Him
A blind man was walking his dog along a Denver street when epic floodwaters surged and knocked him over. Ronnie Webb was washed into a deep culvert as his guide dog frantically paced the edge. As Webb called for help, his dog jumped in after him.
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Are Monkeys Smarter Than College Students?
Britt Savage reports a study showing our primate friends may be sharper than college students. Researchers tested Duke University students and monkeys. Guess who scored higher on the exams? Let's just say the results didn't boost morale at Duke.
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Spend Eternity With Your Pet
New regulations will allow New York animal lovers to spend eternity with their pets. Officials have finalized rules allowing pet cemeteries to accept the cremated remains of humans. The cemeteries can bury pet owners' ashes as long as they don't charge a fee for it and don't advertise human burial services.
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Dog Shoots Owner
Dogs are supposed to be man's best friend, but one pooch in Fort Worth, Texas, is being blamed for shooting its owner. The accident occurred when a 78-year-old woman was watching television. Apparently, her dog walked by a shotgun that was at her side, knocking it over. When it hit the floor, the gun discharged and struck the woman in her left foot.
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Get Your Licks on Route 66
We're checking in with Susan Sims and actress Ashely Bell as they trek across America on the annual adoption tour. Ashley shares the stories behind her pets at home.
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My Dog Eats Drywall
We hear it all at Animal Radio. This week, we'll be helping a listener's dog to stop eating the sheetrock walls. And we'll uncover the reasons our dogs have chewing fetishes and give you solutions to stop this kind of bizarre behavior.
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Dare to Look
Ripley's Believe It Or Not is back and Edward Meyer shares the most unusual and unique animal oddities. From the skateboarding cats to the man who married a donkey, you'll hear the strange but true stories.
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Bone Trick
How did this dog get one of those bones stuck on its lower jaw? Animal Radio's Dr. Debbie had the pleasure of removing it. She'll explain what happened. Let this serve as a lesson about the safety of bones.
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For $349 Your Dog Can Learn To Fly
Security checks and bumpy air are all in a day's training at a Hollywood film studio to prepare your dog for a safe and calm flight. The Air Hollywood class is billed as the first in a real fuselage on a sound stage with a simulator that mimics takeoff, turbulence, and landing.
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Can You Train a Cat?
Mikkel Becker may be the daughter of Dr. Marty Becker, but she stands on her own, especially when it comes to Positive Reinforcement. Mikkel utilizes this technique to train dogs AND cats. She'll share ways we can use Positive Reinforcement with our pets and husbands.
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Bogus Service Certificates & Vests
A service dog is highly trained to perform a specific task for its disabled owner. For people wanting to take their pets wherever they go, a brisk business has developed in the sale of bogus service animal certificates and vests.
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Dog To English Translator
Leave it to the Swedes and Tomas Mazzetti, Project Manager of "No More Woof," a device that straps onto your dog's head and translates their thoughts into one of eight different voices. While Tomas admits the technology is far from perfect, he has been able to raise over $10,000 on a crowd-funding website.
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Choosing Pets Over Kids
It may come as a surprise, but young couples opt to have furry kids instead of human children. While the causes are still unknown, Ron Reich's research suggests income and social media may play a role.
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A Vet's Home
Life with a vet is never dull, according to Scott Reeder. His wife is like most veterinarians. She ends up bringing home animals that otherwise couldn't be adopted. If you walk into a veterinarian's house, you're likely to see animals that may be missing limbs, can't see, or can't walk.
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Pampered Pets Get Private Club in Las Vegas
VIP lounges and entrance fees are commonplace in Las Vegas, but now there is a social club downtown just for pampered pets and their owners. The view from the outside is what most of us are likely to see. You need a special key card to get inside the Hydrant Club private park.
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My Dog Can't Sleep
Yes, just like humans, dogs can also suffer from REM sleep disorders. Since they can't tell you, this disorder can go unnoticed, taking years off your pup's life. Dr. Debbie tackles one such case this week. And of course, the entire Dream Team is here to answer your pet questions.
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Our Pets Can Get Dementia
Dr. Jennifer Bolser confirms that our dogs and cats do indeed suffer from the same mental disabilities that humans do. From depression to OCD, some of the same medicines we use are also valid for our companion animals.
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Connecting With Your Pet
Technology changes the way we live, usually for the better. Dave Clark created a device that allows you to connect with your pet while you're away using a smartphone. This new gadget has raised nearly $80,000 on IndieGoGo, partly because of its ability to dispense treats to your dog with a press of a button on your phone.
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Didn't See That Bite Coming
A new dangerous Internet video fad is becoming more popular. The scenario is often a baby or child playing with a dangerous or aggressive dog. Dogtime's Nina Stively explains how the urge to create a viral video can put our children in harm's way.
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Possible Jail Time for Stealing A Cat
A New York woman is potentially facing jail time after refusing a plea deal for stealing a cat. Nancy Glassman admits to taking a cat named Cosmo from a bagel shop and driving it to a local animal shelter. She believed the resident cat was being abused because of sores on its ears and its scruffy-looking fur. She was later arrested and charged with burglary.
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Recalled Treats Back On Shelves
Dog treats linked to hundreds of animal deaths and thousands of illnesses are returning to store shelves soon. The treats will be sold again despite having no firm evidence of what caused the deaths and sicknesses.
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Lost Cat Pet Detective
How does someone become a certified cat detective? Kim Freeman became certified, and now she helps cat owners find their lost furr-balls. She's even authored "How to Find Your Lost Cat." Kim will share her story and even give us tips on finding the lost kitty.
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What Are The Odds?
Amram Shapiro spent the better half of a decade compiling "odds" for his book. He has a fascinating peek at the probabilities that govern every aspect of human and animal life. Odds are 5 to 1 you'll be hit by lightning before you're stung by a bee, wasp, or hornet.
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Pets Create Stronger Relationships and Bonds to Communities
A new study from a developmental psychologist at Tufts University found that young people caring for a pet tend to have stronger social relationships and bonds to their communities.
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Many Ways To De-Stress Your Pets
Pets get stressed out just like humans do. Whether your dog or cat suffers from separation anxiety, fear of going to the vet, or general stress due to a hectic home environment, calming your companion is integral to maintaining her health. Thankfully, there are many natural ways that you can help your pet unwind before the stress takes its toll.
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Open Wide
Dr. Peter Emily is a human dentist AND a wild animal dentist. One day, you'll find him putting a crown in a person's mouth; the next, he might do a root canal on a polar bear. What happens when the anesthesia wears off one of his four-legged patients? You'll have to tune in to find out.
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Dogs Good For Our Hearts
The American Heart Association (AHA) has declared that pets, especially dogs, are good for a person's heart. Dr. Glenn N. Levine, director of Baylor University's cardiac care unit, said, "pet ownership, particularly dog ownership, is probably associated with a decreased risk of heart disease." The AHA writes that owning a dog "may help reduce cardiovascular risk," perhaps due to regular walks and activity.
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Strange Pets
Occasionally, we run into listeners with bizarre pets. This week, Nancy King tells us about her life with an Octopus. That's right. Not as cuddly as a dog, but perhaps as smart. Why would anyone want an Octopus for a pet? You'll find out this week on Animal Radio.
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Going Postal
Dogs go postal in Los Angeles more than any other U.S. city. The U.S. Postal Service released rankings of the best and worst cities for dog attacks on mail carriers. Los Angeles recorded 69 incidents last year. San Antonio and Seattle round out the top three worst cities. Wichita, Kansas, is the safest city, with just 20 attacks. Almost 6000 postal workers were attacked by dogs last year.
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....and of course, the Animal Radio® Dream Team, Dr. Debbie, trainer Alan Kabel and groomer Joey Villani are answering your pet questions.
Read more about this week's show.
Whose Poop?
Advances in forensic science have created a worldwide effort to catch up with people who don't clean up after their dogs. Many apartment owners are now requiring in their leases that dogs of tenants submit to DNA testing. There's actually a company to do the dirty work. PooPrints offers special leak-proof containers and spatulas to make the job easier. A thumbnail-sized sample of the suspect poop is sent to the lab ... and that leads back to the dog and owner.
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Setting A Fine Example
What happens when a father/daughter trip to Chuck E. Cheese turns into a high-speed chase after dad steals a puppy? Britt Savage reports.
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Pet Spending At All-Time High
The American Pet Products Association reports we're shelling out nearly 60 billion bucks a year on our animals. Research shows empty-nesters are now spending more on their four-legged children.
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That Chicken Bit Back
Farmers in Georgia have found a chicken with teeth. Researchers say a recessed gene may be responsible. It is possible that this isn't the only case of toothed fowl.
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Tapeworm Talk
It's not a pretty topic, but it's a conversation we need to have. Tapeworms. It's not Dr. Debbie's favorite parasite (listen to find out what her favorite is), but a nuisance nonetheless. Dr. Joel Ehrenzweig tells you how to identify and treat tapeworms. Did you know you can get'em?
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Mother Nature Is Trying To Kill You
Animal Planet's "Monsters Inside Me" host Dr. Dan Riskin is stirring up the airwaves with the truths about nature's ugly side. No wonder he is so entertaining. Maggot eggs got into his brain, and he lives to tell you why parasites really rule the world.
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Animals In Vineyards
Sara Bennett's family business, Navarro Vineyards, uses tiny sheep to keep the weeds under control. But that's not the only thing they do. Hal asks hard-hitting questions like, "What sound does a sheep make … and isn't that the same sound as a goat?"
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No More Sniffles
The second phase of clinical trials for a new vaccine is done, and the results are very promising. If it's successful, you'll take just four doses over 12 weeks to keep your cat allergies at bay for as long as two years.
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Dogs Detect Cancer Before Medical Testing
A dog's sense of smell is said to be 200,000 times better than humans. That's why dogs work detecting bombs and drugs, and now they're being trained to use those fantastic noses to detect certain health issues, like the moment a person with diabetes starts to have a hyperglycemic incident. Now, researchers at a UK charity, Medical Detection Dogs, are working on training dogs to detect the odor of cancer.
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Hero People
We kick off this week's Hero People series by showcasing humans going above and beyond the call of duty to improve our animals' lives. Greg Mahle spends much of his time on the road delivering death row animals to adoptable homes.
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Performance Standards for Pet Travel Safety Products
Nearly all of us drive with our dogs in the car. And now there are car seats to ensure safety in case of a sudden stop or an accident. The Center for Pet Studies has teamed up with Subaru of America to test car harnesses. They looked at seven harnesses using a specially designed crash test dog.
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Who's the Smartest
While Dr. Diana Reiss doesn't like to compare animal smarts; she is quick to explain just how intelligent dolphins and elephants are and their ability to recognize themselves in the mirror.
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Carrot Dating
Another genius idea or just a dud? The jury is still out on Carrot Dating. The premise is meeting singles online while bribing them with a cute little puppy. What if your date showed up holding a cuddly puppy instead of flowers?
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They Get A Bad Rap
Pit bulls get a bad rap. They're not necessarily vicious dogs unless trained to be… or simply untrained. Every decade has its poster dog. It used to be the German Shepherd and the Rottweiler. Let's break the myth today and save these dogs from their owners and bad press.
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Separation Anxiety
Alan Kabel has proven ways to treat and cure separation anxiety. It all starts with desensitizing your dog to the subtle cues you give them when you're about to leave the house.
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Pet Bucket List
Our Hero Person this week is Riina Cooke. When she discovered her dog had a terminal illness and only months to live, she created a bucket list of stuff to do with "Romeo" before he passed. She shares how the idea originated and some fun things she did with her dog in his last moments.
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Where Animals Go To Retire
Ellie Laks spends her days caring for a menagerie of abandoned or neglected animals. From cows to kitties, her property is home to over a hundred animals that will live their life out at the Gentle Barn.
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Loss Prevention
While microchips are a great form of identification, Ulvid Osis created a pet registration system that works in tandem with microchips to help owners find missing animals using a Google search. He'll explain how Fetch ID is peace of mind.
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Titanic Pets
While many documentaries and films have been made about the Titanic, none really focused on the many animals aboard the doomed crossing. Tammy Trujillo suggests you have tissue handy when you hear about one owner who wouldn't leave her dog's side.
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Mexico Is Going To The Dogs
Over the past decade, Mexico's middle class has been growing, creating a new market for all things dog. This includes everything from clothing and accessory boutiques to spas and restaurants that feature doggie snacks. Sales of pet-related products in Mexico have grown an average of 13 percent a year, to $2.2 billion last year.
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Colorado Is The 39th State To Ban Greyhound Racing
The governor of that state has signed it into law. Yes, on marijuana, no on pit bulls, and now the end of Greyhound racing with a new ban. At least seven states still allow greyhound racing.
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Preventing And Treating Cancer In Your Pet
Cancer is no longer a death sentence for dogs or cats. Amazing technological breakthroughs allow vets to treat cancer fairly effectively. Dr. Gerald Post from The Veterinary Cancer Center is back to answer questions.
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Traveling With Your Dog
Kelly Carter has traveled the world with her Chihuahua, Lucy. Now she's telling us the best places to take your pet. She even has tips for making the journey more pet-friendly and comfortable.
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Bad Vet
Imagine taking your dog to the vet and he falsely tells you that your furry-companion needs to be euthanized. Then imagine the vet didn't euthanize the dog but used it for transfusions without your knowledge. This allegedly happened in Fort Worth, Texas. Listen to this horrendous case as the details develop.
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First Ever One Million Pibble March
There's been a Million Man March and Million Mom March, and a few weeks ago, there was the first-ever One Million Pibble March on Washington. What's a Pibble? It's one name for Pit Bulls. Thousands of pit bull advocates convened on the West Lawn of the U-S Capitol. The message was to create stronger laws against dogfights and stop legislation restricting ownership of certain dog breeds.
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Creating Memories and Keepsakes
Amy Cecil is bringing back the fun of paint-by-numbers to the pet world. You can easily create a masterpiece painting of your pet with Amy's "Easy 1-2-3 Art" system. You'll start by uploading a picture to her website.
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I Could Pee On This
Our special guest is Francesco Marciuliano. He's the author of the Sally Forth comic strip that runs in over 700 newspapers and, most recently, a series of pet poetry that he says he transcribed from his cat. Not bad for a kid with a "Bucket List" at ten years old. You'll laugh until you hurt!
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$1 Million Lawsuit Over Dog That Was Supposed to Euthanized
The story of the vet in Fort Worth, Texas, who is charged with keeping several dogs alive who were supposed to be euthanized so they could be used as blood donors, keeps getting more unbelievable. The clinic has been shut down while it is being investigated for animal cruelty and faces a $1 million lawsuit.
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Stuffed Pet Look-a-likes
Jennifer Graham has a pretty cool business. She makes customized stuffed animals that look just like your pet. You'll submit front and side-view pictures of your furry companion. Eight weeks later, the UPS man will deliver a stuffed version of the family pet.
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There's Panda-Monium in China
There is panda-monium going on in pet shops all over China. Dogs that look like the country's prized pandas are all the rage. It takes about two hours to turn a dog into a panda, and the look will last for about six weeks before it is time for a touch-up.
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IKEA Helps Homeless Animals In Showrooms
The showrooms of two IKEA stores currently feature life-sized cardboard cutouts of shelter dogs available for adoption. Shoppers interested in the dogs can scan their unique QR codes to learn more about them.
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Being A Vet Saved Her Life
When Veterinarian Dr. Sarah Boston noticed a lump on her body, she insisted that it was cancerous, even though other doctors said no. She did an ultrasound at her office and validated her worst fear. The lump was removed, and she is now cancer-free.
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What Would You Do For Your Dog?
When this week's Hero Person found out his pup had Ventricular Tachycardia, a rare condition where a dog has a rapidly fast and sometimes irregular heartbeat, Scott Clare drove almost 5,000 miles and spent over $10,000 to treat Buck-O.
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Bit 100,000 Times
Brian Barczyk had 30,000 snakes at home. Yes, he was bitten 100,000 times. And yes, the ladies dig it! While Brian told people he breeds snakes, he actually said he cleaned snake poop for a living! He ran one of the world's largest snake breeding facilities and hatched over 30,000 baby snakes a year! They sold to beginner hobbyists and advanced collectors. They had snakes as cheap as $25 all the way up to $125,000 a piece.
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Removing Sap
Animal Radio Dogfather Joey Villani has several foolproof ways to get tree sap out of your dog's hair and that hard-to-get-to spot between their pads. No need to cut out the hair if you use the right stuff.
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Skunk Explosion
Skunk researcher Christopher Kemp joins us. He's from England, and they don't have skunks in Europe. Ironically, Pepe' le pew is from the Americas. But the most important thing you'll learn is that tomato Juice doesn't remove the smell. Christopher will unlock the true secret to remove the stink and some other interesting facts about the mostly misunderstood critter.
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Small Town Hero
This week's Hero Person is making a big difference in a small town. Businessman Barry Kives is paying the adoption fees on 60 pets in his local shelter. Thinking Globally. Acting Locally. Do you know someone that should be nominated for our Hero Person of the Week? Send us an email to: YourVoice@AnimalRadio.com.
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Trouble For Tear Stain Removers
The top makers of tear-stain removers are being called to the carpet by the FDA. The administration says these products are not FDA-approved and may have harmful side effects on your pets. Animal Radio News Director Tammy Trujillo reports on the investigation.
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Panda Faking It?
A Panda in China was about to give birth on live TV until handlers found out she wasn't pregnant. Researchers suspect the Panda may have faked her pregnancy to get some of the lush accommodations and plentiful food offered to the expecting Pandas.
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Also this week, Tail Docking - Nail Trimming - Dressing Up Your Dog
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Dean Koontz is Back
Award-winning, best-selling author Dean Koontz returns to Animal Radio airwaves to tell us the story about his dog, Anna. According to Dean, Anna purchased a computer and started answering advice emails. Tune in to hear the rest of the story.
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Dog Food Advisor
Dr. Mike Sagman was a dentist until he gave that up to create an unbiased website that reviews every pet food on the market. Nobody is in his pockets...although they try. He's here to tell us how pet food manufacturers deceptively use loopholes to make their labels read better. Find out how your food stacks up.
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Cat Sense
John Bradshaw is arguably the top expert on cats. He's back to dispel myths and tell us what happens inside our kitties' heads. For instance, did you know cats can hear very low and very high frequencies? While cats can't see in the dark, they can see only a few colors well in dimly lit areas.
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AVMA-CDC on Ebola and Our Pets
Dr. Doug Aspros from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) have teamed up to bring you the latest information on the Ebola virus and your pet. Is your pet vulnerable? Probably not. There are real risks you should worry about. Many thousands of people died last year from Rabies alone.
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Pet Crowd-funding
This week's Hero Person created a crowd-funding website similar to Kickstarter to help pay for much-needed pet projects. Whether funding surgery or feeding homeless animals, Sarah Timms wants to use modern fundraising techniques to help pets live happy and healthy lives.
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Eastwood Is Back
The daughter of Clint Eastwood, Alison Eastwood is back for more fun! She's crowd-funding to raise money for Chimp Haven, the home of 110 research chimps purposely infected with HIV and Hep C.
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Financial Help For Procedures
Our Hero Person this week created the Brown Dog Foundation to help pet owners afford life-saving surgeries and procedures for their pets.
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Bringing Pets Into The Classroom
The 501c3 APPA (American Pet Products Association) is riding high on its viral Pets Add Life campaign. APPA President Bob Vetere says teaching compassion for animals in the classroom creates adults who respect and love pets and people.
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Hawaiian Quarantine
If you plan to take your pet to Hawaii, you might want to rethink your strategy. A dog that was put in the mandatory 120-day quarantine suffered heat stroke. Now, the owner is demanding an investigation of the quarantine center.
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Would You Use A Shock Collar On Your Dog?
That question is getting lots of interest lately. Researchers suggest that collars can cause physical and emotional harm to dogs.
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Mike Arms Talks About How A Near-Death Experience Changed Everything.
Our Hero Person this week has been serving animals for decades since a near-death experience changed how he viewed our furry friends. Mike Arms is the Top Dog at the Helen Woodward Center in San Diego and he's no stranger to Animal Radio® airwaves.
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Is Your Pup An Optimist Or A Pessimist?
Researchers say that dogs, like people, can be optimistic or pessimistic. This information could dictate whether certain dogs are cut out for certain jobs. A pessimistic dog that avoids risks would be better as a guide dog, while an optimistic, persistent dog would be more suited to detecting drugs or explosives.
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Free Animal With Purchase of Pizza
A Pizza Hut in Australia has apologized for offering a 'free small animal' with the purchase of 10 large pizzas. The deal was offered in connection with a local pet store. The corporate office at Pizza Hut says the promotion was not approved, and no animals were given away.
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GPS Microchip
Karen Zaxton's mom has no technical skills, but she devised a great idea to combine the microchip with a GPS locator. Not until now has the battery technology been available for powering a rice-sized chip.
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Building The Perfect Litter Box
Dr. Debbie tackles litter-box problems every day. She has a winning record! She'll explain why cats don't use them and how to solve inappropriate elimination issues.
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Groomer Certification
Several high-profile recent pet deaths highlight the possible need for government regulation of the over $6 billion pet grooming industry. Our very own "Dogfather," Joey Villani is spearheading the move towards regulation for the pet grooming industry.
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The Cost of Pet Ownership
The first year of being a pet parent to a cat will cost about $1,035, and for a dog, that number is $1,843, as estimated by the ASPCA. The estimates seem somewhat conservative by Animal Radio's standards.
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The Wealthiest Pets In The World
Just like people, there are some really wealthy pets in the world! The richest of them is probably not a shock to you – it's the long-deceased "Grumpy Cat!" Grumpy's owner has made over 100 million dollars for appearances, modeling, book deals, and ads. That's a larger net worth than Cameron Diaz or Jamie Foxx. Also on the list is "Moose" the Jack Russell who starred as "Eddie" on Frasier, "Keiko" the killer whale, "Rin Tin Tin," the dogs who starred as "Lassie" and Virgin America spokes-dog "Boo."
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Smart Pigs
According to Dr. Lori Marino, new research shows that pigs are smart as, if not smarter than, chimpanzees and dogs. The often lowly regarded swine may even have self-awareness, something our companion animals don't understand.
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What Vaccines Does My Pet Really Need?
Doc Halligan has the 411 on pet vaccines. Can they cause cancer? Are they really necessary? Is there a way to tell if your pet needs them or can skip them? Why are the pharmaceuticals only testing for one year?
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Elaine Hendrix Guests
From the FX television show, Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll, we are thrilled to have the passionate animal advocate, Elaine Hendrix, is Animal Radio's special guest this week. During the day, she's an actress; during the evenings, she's dedicated to raising awareness for animal welfare, a cause close to her heart.
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Learning CPR for Your Pet
Melanie Monteiro just released an incredible 3-hour online course to educate pet guardians about CPR and other emergency care. Covering everything from bloat to car accidents, she'll teach you what you need to know to save your pet's life!
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Vetting Your Groomer
Animal Radio's "Dogfather" Joey Villani is on the cutting edge of legislation to regulate the pet-grooming industry. Until laws are in effect, he wants you to know how to tell a good groomer from bad. He'll tell you what red flags to look out for.
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Scammer Offers to Find Lost Pets for a Fee
Pets FBI Ohio and its 50 volunteers, which reunite lost pets with their owners, are having trouble solving a case where a scammer is taking advantage of worried pet parents. Be warned that his individual calls people who have lost a pet and says he will help find the pet. He claims he's with Pet FBI Ohio.
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Canine Carry-Outs Falls Prey To Hoax
Viral Internet stories claiming that the pet food treat "Canine Carry-Outs" has the same ingredients as anti-freeze are simply erroneous. Dr. Debbie explains the hoax to curious listeners.
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Bikers Against Animal Cruelty
This week's Hero Person is a whole bunch of people. We applaud the motorcycle riders who came together to fight animal abuse wherever it rears its ugly head. Greg Belcher tells us the story behind the biker club.
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How Serious is the Canine Flu?
It appears this year will be one of the biggest for canine flu. Many Chicago pet events, including the Annual Bark in the Park, have been canceled because this is ground zero. Some dog parks have posted signs warning dog guardians that they are entering at their own risk if their dogs have not been vaccinated. According to reports, more than 1,300 dogs have been affected by the disease in Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. At least six of the dogs have died. AVMA (American Veterinary Medical Association) spokesperson Dr. Douglas Aspros has the information you need to keep your pet safe and healthy.
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Fun Pictures Find Pets Homes
The Humane Society of Utah has teamed up with photographer Guinnevere Shuster to come up with a better way and it worked. She put dogs in a photo booth and let the shutter fly. The pictures turned out to be amazing and really showed off the individual dog's personalities. In fact, all the dogs in the shoot were almost immediately adopted.
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New Pet Product Special
Animal Radio's New Pet Product Special concludes this week. We're giving away our #1 pick, an Arlo Wireless Pet Monitor Camera to help you keep an eye on your critter from your phone or any computer. Phil Pyo shows off this amazing new technology.
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Gone Hollywood
Second-generation Hollywood dog trainer Teresa Ann Miller has trained the dogs and other animals you see in movies and TV. She was brought up on-the-set while her dad worked on such notables as The Beverly Hillbillies and Petticoat Junction. She shares her captivating stories about the animal stars of the stage and screen.
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Teaching Police How To Deal With Dogs
Utah's police department is the latest to add a program to its police academy to teach cadets how to deal with pet dogs. The program was championed by Sean Kendall, whose Weimaraner Geist was shot and killed by a police officer after coming into the dog's backyard looking for a lost child.
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Secret Menus For Pooches
It turns out that many well-known restaurants have secret menus that cater to your pooch. You do need to make sure that your pet can handle some human-ish food before you order. For example, Starbucks will serve up a Puppuccinno. It's a small cup filled with whipped cream. Dairy Queen's Pup Cup is a little bit of vanilla soft serve, topped with a dog treat. If you're on the West Coast, there's In-N-Out where you can order a Pup Patty.
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New Pet Product Special Week 2
Animal Radio's New Pet Product Special is underway. We're featuring the latest in cutting-edge technology for your pets. We have giveaways for you! Dr. Roger Mugford is back to claim our number-two pick for this year, the Green Interactive Feeder. This gadget will slow your dog down during dinnertime, preventing upset and bloat.
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Pet Sector Exceeds 60 Billion
Top Dog at the American Pet Products Association, Bob Vetere is back to explain why the pet industry is exploding and how we spent $60 Billion. It should come as no surprise that pet-food comprises one-third.
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Pet CSI
Christina Lindquist is a forensic investigator. She uses evidence from animals, usually dogs and cats, to nab the bad guy. You'll hear about a murderer that was busted when he stepped in dog-poop and a rapist that was tied to the crime when a dog urinated on his car tires.
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Kissing Your Dog Could Be Healthy For You.
After several studies saying that kissing your dog could expose you to some unhealthy things comes a study that says "Go ahead and kiss that dog!" Researchers think that the microbes contained in a dog's gut could have a probiotic effect on the human body, encouraging the growth of positive microorganisms.
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Animal Homes
Imagine if you cross HGTV with Animal Planet. You'll get the PBS special Animal Homes. Host Chris Morgan joins us and explains how some animals build their homes bigger and better and shinier to attract the opposite sex.
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Would You Adopt Justin Bieber or Kim Kardashian?
Dallas Pets Alive has started naming their adoptable animals with popular online search terms to increase their exposure by having them pop up more often in trending news feeds.
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Is Dog Renting A Good Idea?
In Tokyo, they've come up with a pretty cool idea. It's called Dog Heart and you can actually rent a dog for a few hours. You can just hang out at their facility or take the dog out for a walk around the neighborhood or maybe to the park. A half-hour of playtime costs about $8 US and taking the dog for a walk for an hour runs about $30. It's becoming very popular. But the Japanese Coalition for Animal Welfare has some valid worries.
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What Happens When You Leave?
Most of us wonder what our dog does when we leave the house. Most imagine that they'll curl up and sleep until we return. Mike the Intern put a GoPro Video Camera on his dog, "Guinness." What he saw when he reviewed the video went viral on YouTube. He's our guest and he'll explain the inspiration behind his experiment.
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Gentle Giants
This week's Hero Person rescues large breed dogs. These are often the last at the shelter and have nowhere to go. Candace Bright devotes a lot of time and her paycheck from waitressing to make sure these big dogs are taken care of.
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Practical Uses For Muzzles
Company of Animals' Dr. Roger Mugford joins us from "across the pond" to explain why Europeans embrace the muzzle more than U.S. pet owners. Perhaps it's time to change the way we think about these tools.
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Bad Breath
Did you know your dog's stinky breath could be because of dental disease? And did you know dental disease could affect your pet's organs and be fatal? Find out why your friend's breath makes you tear.
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Canine Motion Sickness
It's a more common question than you might think. Can our pets get car-sickness? Just like us, our dogs can get dizzy and throw-up. But determining whether it's a genuine sickness or just a phobia of traveling can be difficult. Dr. Debbie has answers.
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Freeway Kitten
Our Hero Person segment features the heartwarming story about a kitten that was abandoned on a highway and rescued by Keri Lamar. She was driving when all of a sudden a kitten flew by hear windshield. Keri tells the rest of the story.
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Basic Training Tools
Every dog owner should have several basic training tools. Founder of the Animal Behavior Centre and inventor of the Halti, Dr. Roger Mugford will be explaining what you need to train your dog to sit, stay and come.
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Bathe To Save
Australian Anthony Amos has loaded his large family in an RV. He's towing a giant fiberglass blue dog. Inside the eye-catching vehicle is a shampoo and grooming facility. He's setting course to cross the U.S. washing 25,000 dogs with 100% of the proceeds going to local shelters.
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How to Choose A Couch with Your Pet In Mind
As an animal lover you've probably spent hours contemplating the fabric of your next sofa. Consider how their hair shows up on the upholstery as well as whether it will embed itself in the weave and be difficult to clean. Consider how the fabric will react to their nails, and, you'll want to make sure you choose a fabric that is fairly easy to clean off the drool marks and paw prints.
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Lady Gaga Working on Line Of Pet Products
Lady Gaga showed us her talents clearly go beyond music and outlandish outfits. Animal Radio hears she is working on a line of pet products inspired by her dog Asia. Gaga will be the artistic director for the canine collection, which will feature pet clothing and accessories, toys and food bowls. Perhaps she'll create an outfit of meat that will double as a treat? Probably not.
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Tips for Selling Your Pet-Friendly Home
Chicago Realtor Jason Feldman specializes in selling homes to and for pet-owners. If you're trying to sell your home after many years of "pet-life," he'll have tips for making it more appealing to the buyer. He says sometimes pet-owners become immune to the smell, so it's advisable to bring in a third party to assess the situation.
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Accessorizing Your Pet
Joey Villani (The Dogfather) reviews the last grooming trade show and the strange accessories including fake eyelashes for your dog, fingernail polish and wigs. Some might think this is for the hardened pet lover who may be just a little nutty for their pet. And they're probably right.
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Couple Makes Extra Large Bed for Themselves AND Their Pets
Have you ever known an animal that didn't want to sleep in the bed with you? Neither do we. So how lucky are this couple's five cats and two dogs? They made a gigantic 11-foot wide bed that takes up most of their bedroom, but is big enough to share with all of their pets!
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Another County Bans Puppy Mill Sales at Pet Stores
Camden County, New Jersey has voted unanimously to prohibit pet stores from selling animals from puppy mills. The representatives say they are standing up for animals of their county and want to ensure no one is profiting off the inhumane treatment of puppy mills. Several other counties and towns have inquired about the legislation and enacting it in their areas.
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Infants Exposed To Pets Have Less Allergies
A study has found that, infants who share a home with furry pets were found to share some of the animals' gut bacteria - which might possibly explain why exposing children to animals early in life may protect kids against some allergies.
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Crimes and Lies Against You
Every time you enter the pet food aisle, manufacturers are vying for your patronage and their share of the 21 BILLION dollar pet-food sector. They will do just about anything to get your business, except make a truly human edible food. No wonder, only four companies account for 67% of the marketplace. Susan Thixton will tell you the lies the pet-food companies want you to believe.
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Pets Make Us Happier, Richer & Healthier
Blue Cross pet charity conducted a survey of pet owners and found that they tend to earn nearly $5,000 a year more than those without an animal and are more likely to work full time. They are also happier in general, spend more time with their families and have jobs they enjoy. Lori Brooks reports on this new research and has some illuminating results.
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Cat Survives 2-Month Move In Mattress
Moosie a 2-year-old gray tabby cat has been reunited with his family after he miraculously survived a two-month journey trapped inside a mattress when his owners moved from Texas to Alaska. A moving company left with the military families belongings while the family stayed behind and spent three more days in Texas searching for Moosie. Turns out, Moosie was already en route to Alaska— inside a futon mattress.
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Pet FBI
Harnessing the power of the Internet for good, Maresa Fanelli pioneered the pet lost and found database for Columbus, Ohio in 1998. Today she's the driving force behind Pets Found By Internet, reuniting lost animals all across America. She explains how it works and families she's reunited.
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Steve Garvey Guests
Legendary first baseman Steve Garvey is back for his third time to explain his relationship with his 140 pound Rottweiler, among other things. Steve is now working closely to help the Lucy Pet Foundation score a home run. He won't be talking politics!
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Using Cats to Fight Cancer
Everybody loves cat videos. Rachel Gitlin figures that her creation, Cats vs. Cancer, will use the power of cat videos to raise money, through advertising, to help assist in the fight against human cancer. She'll explain the model and tell you how you can help too.
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Pet Law
Attorney Debra Hamilton gave up practicing litigation law to focus on the animals. As a mediator, she negotiates peaceful resolutions to pet-related discourse. Besides the obvious, divorce and pet-custody issues, she also deals with bad breeders and pet trusts.
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Links Between Cats and Human Schizophrenia
Looking for a link to help explain mental illness, new research shows that growing up with a family cat is a commonality among people who develop schizophrenia.
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Germans Allows Adjoining Cemetery Plots and Urns
The German Cemetery Association is offering pets and people adjoining urn spaces. The cost is between $1,100-1,600. Although the ashes of pet owners and their animals will now have the chance to sit side by side, cremations are still legally required to be carried out separately.
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Dogs Help Mourners At Funeral Homes
Dogs are used in all kinds of ways to help humans feel better, emotionally. Funeral directors say dogs, especially trained therapy animals, can lighten the often awkward, tense atmosphere at a wake or funeral service and sometimes seem to know exactly who needs their help.
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Our Hero Saved 400 lb. Drowning Bear
What would drive Adam Warwick to jump in alligator filled waters to save a bear that was drowning? Adam is our special guest this week and he tells an adrenaline filled rescue story. When he's done telling you what he did for this bear, you'll ask yourself if you would've done the same thing.
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5 Must Know Things About Your Dog
Pet World Insider Robert Semrow has done the research. He's come up with the 5 things you should definitely know about your dog. Before you embark on training your favorite pooch, check out theses tips for training the untrained.
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What to Do With The Poo
Rose Seemann is the author of "The Pet Poo Pocket Guide" and our guest. She has some shocking realities about our pet's waste. There's more poo than we think accumulating in landfills and polluting our environment. She'll be using the gold standard of monumental measurement, the football field. And you'll need a lot of them to house all our pet's poo.
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Building A Dog Treat Business
Bri Bradley is co-owner of a brand new dog treat business. What makes her business so different than the hundreds of other dog treats? She customizes the treats for your dog. You tell her what flavors, carbs, proteins and vegetables to put in and she'll bake them and deliver them right to your door.
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No Jerky Is Safe
It was thought that China was the source of the jerky that's making dogs sick across America. But new research shows that even US sourced jerky is a problem. The FDA is scratching their head. Nobody seems to exactly understand what part of the jerky is making animals sick. At this time, the best advice is to stay away from all jerky treats.
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Allergies for You and Your Pet
Did you know your pet can have a host of allergies this time of year? That might explain the itching, hair loss, and eye issues. Dr. Debbie will try to help you determine the source of your pet's allergies and how to resolve them.
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A Flight Attendant's View of Service Animals
Since there is no real certification for service or emotional support animals, anything goes. Flight attendant Heather Poole is fed up with trying to make everybody happy. She questions the credibility of "emotional support" pigs, horses and monkeys. Yes, these are animals she's had the pleasure of accommodating on her LA-NY route.
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Airline Apologizes to PTSD Sufferer
Former U.S. Marine Eric Calley suffers from (PTSD) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. He is quite thankful for his service dog, "Sun." Calley had a run-in with a US airline when they denied proper seating for his service dog and berated him with insults.
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Homeopathic Drugs Need Regulation
No matter how hyper your dog is, you would never give it an alcoholic drink to help it relax? You might have been doing just that if you used the product Good Dog made by Pet Organics. It turns out that among those 'natural ingredients' is 13% alcohol, about the same amount that is wine.
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Disabled Vet Evicted Over Unpaid Pet Fee
We've been seeing more and more stories about the fees landlords charge people who move in with pets. Now, an unpaid pet fee has resulted in a disabled Army Veteran and his service dog being evicted from a mobile home in Bandera, Texas. David Palasek refused to pay the pet fee, citing Section 504 of the Fair Housing Act that states service animals are not pets, so are not subject to a pet fee.
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Dogs With PTSD
Former Navy Seal Michael Ritland created a non-profit to help military dogs transition to civilian life. Just like our human soldiers, dogs need help acclimating back into a normal environment. Small noises can cause extreme emotional distress in our enlisted canines.
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Unique Adoption Ideas
The Aloft Hotel in Asheville, North Carolina is helping the local shelter find homes for adoptable dogs with their unique program. So far they've found homes for almost two-dozen dogs. Wait until you hear how they're doing it.
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Police Dog Removed From Force
A Florida Police Dog is being kicked off the for for biting a Dunkin' Donuts worker in the calf. "Renzo" had been a police dog for about a year. This is his second bite incident.
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Jerky Treats Update
Most stores are no longer selling jerky pet treats made in China. The treats were connected to thousands of dogs getting sick and at more than one thousand deaths. But the FDA could never determine WHAT it was in the treats that were causing the issues. With the treats off the shelves, for the most part, the number of complaints to the FDA has gone down dramatically, but the agency says it still plans to continue it's investigation.
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Flea Facts and Tick Talk
Animal Radio Veterinary Correspondent Dr. Marty Becker is back to help you keep your pets flea-less and tick-less. The good doctor has the ugly truth about how ticks infect you and your pet with a multitude of nasty viruses. And are fleas becoming resistant to spot-on preventatives?
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APPA Releases Pet Spending Figures
The American Pet Products Association (APPA) released the yearly numbers of dollars spent within the pet industry. APPA says we spent 58 BILLION in last year on 397 million pets, including everything from freshwater fish and reptiles to cats and dogs. We spend over 20 billion on pet-food alone. No wonder the business is so cutthroat as many compete for our dollars.
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8 1/2 Year Old Hero
Our Hero Person this week lives in Johannesburg, South Africa and she's 8-and-a-half years old. Alyssa Carter parlayed her love for Rhinos into fundraising to keep them from being poached. So far, she has been able to raise $23,000 by selling candy and trinkets to schoolmates and family.
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To Vaccinate Or Not To Vaccinate
Dr. Debbie teaches us all about the Titer test. The test determines the amount of antibodies in your pet, and ultimately if it is really necessary to vaccinate. She'll tell you why you should vaccinate and what types of animals should avoid vaccination altogether.
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Amtrak On Track To Become Pet Friendly
Amtrak is one step closer to becoming pet friendly. The House of Representatives has approved 8 billion in funding for a pilot program for people traveling with pets. At least one car per train would allow pets in kennels as long as they meet size requirements. The bill now goes to the Senate and then to the White House, where it reportedly is being supported.
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Quit Your Crappy Job
If you've ever thought of quitting your job to work in the pet industry, you'll should hear this week's guest. Jamie Migdal created a website to match you with the perfect pet-related job. From Dog-walking to Marketing, the jobs pay quite well.
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Sewer Trolling Hero
This week's Hero Person definitely goes above and beyond for animals. His latest rescue was a small Chihuahua dumped into a sewer. Dusty Showers probably needed a few showers after crawling through raw sewage to find this pup that everyone else had given up on. This isn't his first heroic stunt. Besides the long list of animals he has rescued, Dusty also rode his bike across the country to raise funds for Cancer research.
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Owner and Dog Receive Similar Pacemakers
Catherine Pipon was diagnosed with a condition known as heart block. Doctors inserted a pacemaker. Recently, her five-year-old Cairn Terrier Molly was diagnosed with the same condition. Catherine spent over $5,000 to get a pacemaker for the dog. The pacemakers are nearly identical and their conditions are so similar that Catherine and Molly share the same doctor Jersey General Hospital. Molly goes in after hours, so other patients don't get upset that a dog is being seen at a people hospital.
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Better Living Through Pheromones
Animal Radio Veterinary Correspondent Dr. Marty Becker is back with the scoop on pheromones. Can the synthetically produced smell be helpful in calming cats and dogs, or is it a waste of money?
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Pedigree vs. Mutt
It's long been thought that mutts are much healthier, both mentally and physically, than those pure bred for pedigree. While there may be some truth to this, it is not always the case. Author Michael Brandow describes how the quest for status has harmed man's best friend.
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Man Finds Dog 18 Months Later
Richard Brower's German Shepherd, Dozer, was stolen 18 months ago. He looked everywhere. After a year-a-half, Richard decided to share his home with a new dog. He did an online search for 'German Shepherds for sale,' which led him to the local animal rescue and right there was Dozer on the front page.
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Therapy Ducks?
Former Ohio National Guardsman Darin Welker uses ducks to treat his PTSD. The town council says he hasn't presented enough evidence that the ducks serve a medical need and that he would face imminent harm without them.
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Zombie Cat in Custody Battle
Last week, we had the story of Bart the cat that was hit by a car and buried but was actually still alive. Bart dug his way out and made it to his neighbors yard. Bart is now officially, and fondly known, as the Zombie Cat. If you think his story couldn't get stranger, think again.
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Just Say No To Big Cats
Actress Tippi Hedren (The Birds) is back to talk about the big cats at her sanctuary and legislation to stop the breeding of lions and tigers. She comes clean about her daughter's (actress Melanie Griffith) relationship with "Neil" the lion.
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Pets Can Give You A Tax Break
If you foster an animal, you can deduct some of the associated costs. Things like vet bills, food, grooming; they qualify as charitable donations, which are deductible up to 50% of your adjusted gross income. But once, you officially adopt the animal, that animal is no longer considered a foster, so you will lose the deductions.
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Saving Elephants
This week's Hero Person is rescuing elephants from circuses and zoos. Often mistreated, the gentle giants are exploited for our entertainment. Scott Blais, co-founder of an elephant sanctuary in Tennessee, Skypes with us from Brazil, where he is currently rescuing 50 elephants.
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Body Art Is Not For Animals
It will soon be a crime throughout New York State to pierce or tattoo a companion animal. There is an exception for markings one under a veterinarian's supervision. The laws were prompted by people showing off what they did to their animals on the Internet, including a woman who was piercing kittens and selling them as 'gothic.'
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Pet Owners Get Emotional Distress Award in Death of Pet
The Maryland Court of Appeals has ruled that a jury can award damages to pet owners for the emotional distress they suffer following the injury or death of a beloved animal due to gross negligence. The Court let stand a $200,000 award to Roger and Sandra Jenkins. Their Labrador retriever was shot and killed by a Frederick County sheriff's deputy.
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Genius Idea For Shelter Pets
Actress Kim Sill is back to tell us about her latest project. She's putting adoption stores inside malls. Kim is saving hundreds of death row cats, dogs and bunnies by changing their adoption venue to the more appealing atmosphere.
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Valentine Dangers
While you may not associate Valentine's Day with pet dangers, Doc Halligan from the Lucy Pet Foundation thinks you should be extra cautious. She see more animals the day after Valentines (only third after Christmas and Halloween), usually because pets swallow something they shouldn't have.
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Using Dogs To Treat Cancer
Author Arlene Weintraub explains how vital the roles of dogs are in the search for a cure for cancer. Veterinarians and Oncologists are working together to discover new treatments for Cancer.
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Few Pet Friendly Rentals in Los Angeles
Have you ever searched for a home or apartment to rent that allowed you to have pets? Yes, it's nearly impossible to find in Los Angeles where 62% of the rental units do not accept pets. Now, the LA City Council has voted to make some changes in hopes of making landlords more open to accepting pets at their properties.
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15-Year-Old, 3-Legged Dog Saves Family - Twice
A small, 15-year-old, three-legged dog might not seem like much of a threat, but this dog took a bullet for his family in Wisconsin and saved them from a man who had broken into their home and attempted to rob them. A bullet grazed the top of the dog's head and became lodged in his neck.
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Road-kill Clothing
Pamela Paquin is an "ethical designer." She collects road-kill to turn into "Petite Mort," or stoles, collars and coats. The average price is $1000 for one of her creations. Many of her clients are upscale and affluent. Pamela says this is a tribute to the animals.
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Petco Stops Selling Treats From China
Petco has kept it promise and removed all dog and cat threats made in China from the shelves of it stores nationwide. Last May, the chain became the first national pet retailer to say it would stop selling the treats after reports began showing up Chinese-made treats were making animals sick, and worse. The move includes pet treats made for the Petco Brand 'unleashed' and those sold online.
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Top Dog Names
Next time you go to the Dog Park, you're likely going to hear someone calling for Max or Bella. Those are the top two names bestowed on puppies in 2023. Vetstreet.com says other popular names for boy dogs after Max were Charlie, Rocky, Buddy and Cooper. Rover.com says there was a 37% increase in food-themed names like Coconut, Ginger, Kale, Peanut, Guinness, Vino, Mochi and Whiskey.
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Young Heroes
This week's Hero Person is 9-year-old Orly Sedransk. After a visit to her local shelter, she was moved to do something to make a difference. Through a 50/50 raffle, she was able to raise enough money to help the municipal shelter purchase cages to hold cats.
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Pet Food Stamps Program Shuts Down
When Pet Food Stamps, Inc. was formed, it got attention from all over, including being featured on CNN, CBS, ABC and Animal Radio. Founder Marc Okon raised $65,000, enough to handle the nearly 200,000 people who'd asked for help. He resigned last April, saying he was overwhelmed with applications and closed the program.
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Emotional Support Animals
Often confused, there is a major difference between Emotional Support Animals and Service Animals. Lori Brooks has the lowdown on what this means for you and your Emotional Support Tarantula. Yes, he'll be able to get on a plane, but he may be legally turned away from your favorite restaurant.
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Dog-napped!
Stolen pets are on the rise. It doesn't matter what breed you have. An estimated two million pets were stolen last year in the United States. That's up 32% according to the American Kennel Club. And the number of actual dogs stolen could be potentially much greater. You need to be extra careful with your furry-family or they might end up in the ugly under-belly of human nature.
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Welcome the Pets in Bed
Many experts say "keep the pets out of the bed." But a recent study from the Center for Sleep Medicine at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona could change some minds. Researchers surveyed 150 sleep center patients and found that more than half of pet owners allowed their pets to sleep in the bedroom. One out of five described their pets as disruptive, but 41% said their pets were quiet and even beneficial to their nightly sleep.
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Zika Virus and Animals
The big question this week is about the Zika Virus - and if our pets can be affected. While there is no evidence yet that they can carry it or transmit it, the relevant question is if they can be sickened by it.
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Can Pets Commit Suicide?
Dr. Nicholas Dodman (Program Director for the Animal Behavior Department at Tufts) researched several alleged cases of pet suicide to see if it's possible. He's here to report on his findings and to answer the provocative question.
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Laws to Protect Pets Left Out in the Cold
While many states mandate that pets are not allowed to be kept outdoors in extreme weather for extended periods of time without insulated housing, others barely consider hypothermia deaths to be animal cruelty. Fortunately, some states and local governments are now enforcing harsher punishments for people who allow their pets to perish in weather extremes like the recent blizzard on the east coast.
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Get the Smell of Fresh Cat Head in a Bottle
Do you think the back of your cat's heads smells wonderful? A Japanese company has researched that scent, recreated it, and is now bottling it. The head of Yamamoto Perfumery spent four months doing research, sniffing many cat's heads to replicate the smell. The result? Fluffy Brow Scented Fabric Water. It can be sprayed on fabrics or anything to give them a lovely cat-head smell. A bottle sells for 1,200 yen or about $10 each.
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Cold Weather Tips
Doc Halligan and Dogfather Joey Villani have incredible tips for helping your furry-friends through the winter. Everything from their coat to their diet change when the weather gets frigid.
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Woman Has 1000 Cats
A woman in California has 1,000 cats. But she's no hoarder. Lattanzi runs Cat House on the Kings, the largest cat sanctuary in the country. It all started when she volunteered to bottle feed kittens for a rescue back 25 years ago. Today Cat House on the Kings has 45 paid personnel who help to care for the cats and maintain the property including a veterinarian and seven vet techs are also part of the team.
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Share Your Food With Your Dog
The "Dog Food Dude," Rick Woodford is back. He says you should share your food with your dog. But doesn't that go against everything we've been taught about proper nutrition? No, not if you're doing it right.
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New York May Be First State to Ban De-clawing
If Linda Rosenthal has her way; New York will be the first state to make it illegal to declaw a cat. The Manhattan assemblywoman has introduced a bill to ban the controversial procedure sometimes called de-knuckling because it's actually the entire knuckle, which is the last bone in the cat's toe that is removed. Declawing of cats is already banned in many countries, including Australia, India, Spain and the United Kingdom, as well as seven cities in California, including Los Angeles and San Francisco.
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The Comeback of the Doghouse
Ask most pet owners and they'll tell you their dog sleeps in bed with them. The days of the doghouse seem to have all but disappeared. But Larry Hobbs has a booming business making high-end Eco-friendly doghouses. He'll explain why.
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UK's Dogs Must Be Microchipped
Beginning in April, all dogs in England, Scotland & Wales will have to be microchipped with their owners' details registered and kept up to date in huge database to encourage "responsible pet ownership." To help people get it done, Dogs Trust, the UK's largest dog welfare charity, is offering free microchipping. It's hoped that "Compulsory microchipping will help reduce the number of lost and abandoned dogs and it will allow authorities to directly identify dog owners and hold them accountable for their dogs' behavior and welfare.
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Dog Loses 100-pounds
At the beginning of a new year, everyone makes a resolution to lose weight. Well, Buddy the dog has a jump on all of us after losing more than 100 pounds. Buddy the 180-pound, 6-year-old, morbidly obese Australian Shepherd spent the last 9 months dieting and now weighs 71 lbs. He lost so much weight that he underwent skin removal surgery.
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Pet Blood Banks
Nicole Humphries runs a blood bank for companion animals. She'll answer the itching question, is dog's blood different than cat's, or is a German Shepard's blood different than a Pug's? And where does all this blood come from? You never see a pet blood-mobile in the neighborhood.
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Cat Escapes Carrier on Delta Flight
A mischievous cat escaped its carrier on board a Delta flight last week and to the horror of a cat fearing flight attendant, the cat roamed free in the cabin. Of course, someone caught the incident on video and it had some comical moments. The poor cat's owner fell asleep with headphones on and somehow it managed to get out of the carrier.
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The Rising Cost of Cancer Treatment
For owners of dogs and cats stricken with cancer, expensive treatments only adds to the emotional difficulties. Just the initial cancer diagnosis can cost $2,000. A standard course of chemotherapy costs between $3,000 and $5,000. A bone marrow transplant costs between $16,000 and $25,000 and the cure rate is only about 33%. These aren't just wealthy people. Some used their life savings, and even refinanced their houses to pay for the treatments.
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It's a Crime To Insult The King's Dog
Some really strict new laws there now make it a crime to insult the Thailand monarchy and now a factory worker could go to jail for 37 years for making disparaging posts on Facebook about the king's dog. Turns out that the man was charged after making a "sarcastic" Facebook post about the dog. The 88-year-old ailing King rescued Copper from an alley and in 2002 he wrote a best selling book about her. She is so revered there that the media must address the dog as ma'am.
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Bringing Pets Into Hospitals
Donna Jenkins is pioneering a movement to allow visitation of patient's personal pets during long-term treatment. She formed Zachary's Paw For Healing after her son passed from a terminal disease. During his final hours he requested a visit from the family pet but didn't want to sneak the dog into the cancer treatment facility.
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Becker is Back
Did you get a pet for the holiday? Dr. Marty Becker is back with tips that every new puppy or kitten owner should know. These tips could save you a lot of grief.
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Michael Vick Lobbies for Bill to Protect Pets
Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick got the celebrity treatment as he visited the Pennsylvania state Capitol last week to lobby for a bill to help protect cats and dogs from being left in unattended vehicles. Vick was a star quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons when he plead guilty to federal conspiracy charges in 2007 for his role in a dog fighting ring and served nearly two years in prison. He claims to have been reformed and spoke on behalf of animals saying, "The bottom line is that all animals thrive (on) kindness and respect. They depend on us like our children depend on us."
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Tests Show No Safe Travel Seats
Two years ago, in a first of its kind crash test, the leading pet harnesses, which were trusted by owners, failed again and again. Now, the Center for Pet Safety is testing pet travel seats. So are there any safe pet seats? Really, the answer is No. The Director at the Center for Pet Safety says they "do not recommend pet seats at this time for pet owners" to use for their pets in cars.
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The Secret Language of Dogs
Accomplished dog trainer Victoria Stilwell returns to Animal Radio airwaves to help us decode our dog's behavior. She'll tell us what some common dog gestures mean. New studies show our dogs are much smarter than we give them credit for. Do dogs feel guilt? They sure look guilty when you catch them doing something bad.
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Holiday Dangers for Pets
Pet World Insider Robert Semrow has his list of the Top 5 Holiday Traditions That Can Land Your Pet on the Naughty List. Make sure you listen carefully so that you won't end up at the Vet Clinic.
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Pet Gift Guide
Judy-Claus continues her countdown of the greatest pet and pet lover gifts for the holidays. These are inexpensive and invaluable toys and gadgets that have been tested by the Animal Radio pets. We'll have giveaways of every single item to help you fill-out your gift giving. This week we're featuring a new tool for fast-eating dogs that will slow them down and improve on their foraging skills. We'll also give away a toy that combines a ball with Emojis.
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Ripley's Weird Animals
Edward Meyers is back for his yearly visit. He collects oddities for Ripley's and he'll be sharing his strange picks for animals that are a bit out of the ordinary, like the cat with BIG eyes and the dog that ate a round of gun ammunition.
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InsPurrational Posters for Cats
Mo Golden and Ross Cowman created a business of making motivational posters for cats. At first it was a novelty idea, but it turned into something truly beneficial for both cats and humans explains Ross.
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Looking for Holiday Gift Ideas for your pet?
High-Speed Rescue
Mario Chiozza is this week's Hero Person. He couldn't believe his eyes when he saw a dog tossed out of the car in front of him on Interstate 40. Despite the 55 mph. rush-hour traffic, he managed to capture the dog and save her. "Savior" is the catalyst for Mario's mission.
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Licensing Groomers
Animal Radio's very own Joey "Dogfather" Villani is behind legislation to protect your pet while they're at the groomer. Currently, anyone with a scissors can groom your pet. This bill would mandate certification and a license, just like your barber.
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Holiday Pet Tips
Dr. Kathy Hillestad is here to help make your holiday safe and fun for your pets. She has the details about good and bad foods and plants. This year, as Lithium batteries become more prevalent in devices, more animals are swallowing them.
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Do You Sleep With Your Pets?
Research presented at the Sleep conference showed that 54% of pet guardians sleep with their pets and that 30% of those said they wake up at least once a night because of them. 63% said they have poor sleep quality. Some people though say they sleep better WITH their pets.
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Santa Sent Packing after Pit Bull Incident
An autistic 7-year-old girl and her service dog waited in line to see Santa at a SoCal Mall. Santa's elf told them they would not be allowed near Santa because the jolly man was afraid of Pit Bulls. The family complained and Santa was sent packing.
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GOD Spelled Backwards
Actress Sylva Kelegian not only guests this week, but she is also our Hero Person. Changing focus from acting to animals, she's on a mission to reduce the homeless population in LA. She wrote a book about her journey.
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College Pet Therapy
There is not much out there to make taking college finals fun, but Iowa State University found a way to make them a bit less stressful. Pet therapy. ISU set up a room at the library where stressed out students could come in and spend some time playing and petting a group of dogs.
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Fat Pets - Fat Pet Parents
Chances are your New Years resolution has something to do with weight-loss. We should also be thinking about our pets too. They become very sedentary during the winter and putting on the pounds is not uncommon. Animal Radio Veterinary Correspondent Dr. Marty Becker has a plan for you and your poochy-pet.
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Movers Packed The Cat
The Barths, were moving from Virginia to Hawaii. Just before they were ready to go their cat "Mee Mowe" disappeared. They postponed their move for three days hoping that she would show up. They finally had to go. They got to Hawaii and 36 days later their belongings arrived. They heard a very faint meow coming from one of the boxes. Yup, there was Mee Mowe.
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English to Doglish
Britt Savage has tips on naming and teaching your dog their name. Many dogs think their name is "Max get out of the trash" because we don't use it properly.
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Looking for Holiday Gift Ideas for your pet?
After selling her successful Pet-sitting business, Lindsey Grant wrote a book about the strange and curious relationships we have with our pets. Some of her client's requests make for a noteworthy book. She'll also be talking about how Switzerland, her new home, treats animals.
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Must-Hear Hero
You'll love this week's Hero Person. She's 84-year-old Dolly Jefferson. And she had no qualms about intercepting angry coyotes to save a neighbor's dog. Now she's making news nationwide.
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Sidecar Dogs
Movie Producer Eric Ristau released his latest masterpiece about the many dogs that travel alongside their owner in a motorcycle sidecar. Sit Stay Ride: The Story of America's Sidecar Dogs is the full-length movie that launched with a Kickstarter campaign, and now proceeds benefit animal welfare.
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Banned Pit-Bull Service Dog Can Stay
Authorities in Louisiana have backed off on its demand that Zeus be gotten rid of or be destroyed. In October, Moreauville passed a law banning Pit Bulls or Rottweilers. When they targeted Zeus, the whole thing blew up on national television and on the Internet. Zeus helps the Owen's daughter O'Hara who uses a wheelchair and has spasms, which Zeus monitors and gets her help when she needs it.
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Looking for Holiday Gift Ideas for your pet?
TV Host Helps Pet Product Entrepreneurs
QVC's Carolyn Gracie loves her animals. Besides a house full of rescues, she also is quick to bring a pet into the QVC fold. "If you want to sell-out a product, bring a pet on TV with you," Carolyn advises. She regularly pitches products from small up-and-coming pet product entrepreneurs.
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The Pet Chef
Lisa Hennessy decided she was done with commercial dog food for her Collie. She started creating healthy, fresh dishes that her dog could share with her. Lisa tested dozens of recipes and compiled them into several cookbooks. She's here to share some of her recipes with you.
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Woman Spends $35,000 For Lost Dog
How much would you spend to try and find your dog if he got lost? The sky is the limit it seems for Janet Mihalyfi of Georgetown. Her 5-year-old, Rottweiler mix, Havoc, has been missing for a year this month. So far she's spent $35,000 dollars trying to find him.
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Sneezy Squirrel Goes Viral
When Mary Krupa befriended a wild squirrel, she learned that she could easily dress "Sneezy" up and take photos of the rodent in hats and clothing. Now, she regularly meets up with the squirrel for photo sessions.
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Could Testing Cosmetics on Animals Be Banned In US?
Testing cosmetics on animals has recently been banned in Europe and India and a similar ban here in the United States will be on the front burner when the new Congress convenes in January. Virginia Democrat Don Beyer is expected to take the lead on the issue. Their state, Virginia, is home to several big cosmetic companies.
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Guardian Sues Over Dog Killed Because of Ebola Exposure
The nurse in Spain who recovered from Ebola, but whose dog Excalibur was killed by Spanish Health authorities, is suing. Teresa Romero's lawsuit seeks the equivalent of $186,000 for the loss of her dog and another $186,000 for damage done to her name.
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Looking for Holiday Gift Ideas for your pet?
John O'Hurley Yaps About The Thanksgiving Dog Show
You might remember him from Seinfeld. He was the first winner on Dancing With The Stars and People's Sexiest Man of the Year. John O'Hurley, host of the National Dog Show on NBC, is back to spread Thanksgiving cheer and Holiday warm-fuzzies all over Animal Radio® airwaves.
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Pet Ownership On The Rise
More than half of the people in the nation have at least one pet according to a new Rasmussen survey. 49% have a dog and 23% have a cat. 24% have more than one kind of pet. Only 3% have a fish, bird or some other sort of animal. An overwhelming majority of pet guardians, 92% say they talk to their pet.
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Microchipped Dog Returned After Eight Years
A couple in Atlanta has their Shih Tzu, Jordan, back after eight years. The last time Mike Nuanes saw Jordan he was just a puppy. He's sure someone snatched Jordan out of their backyard. They did everything to find him, but no luck until a few weeks ago, when the Fulton County Animal Services called to say Jordan had been turned in as a stray. Luckily, Jordan was microchipped, the key to his finally getting home.
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Looking for Holiday Gift Ideas for your pet?
Catification
Cat expert Jackson Galaxy is back. This time he has great ideas for turning your house into a cat-friendly playground without losing its aesthetic appeal. It's not enough to just have a feeding bowl and litter anymore. Cats need stimulation. Jackson has a plan, even if you're a renter. Oh, did we mention we have giveaways of Jackson's book?
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Human Separation Anxiety
Forget about canine separation anxiety. Let's talk about how much we miss our pets when we go out of town. 10% of us call our pets to say hi. 4% of us send postcards to our pets. And a whopping 23% of us buy souvenirs for our critters. Tammy Trujillo has all the details about our obsession with our pets.
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Char Char
Actress Charlotte Ross guests this weekend. This charismatic fireball loves the animals. You've seen her on Glee, NYPD Blue, Nashville and Arrow. But her biggest role is being a voice for the voiceless.
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Myths About Fleas Treatment
There are lots of home-remedies for fleas that simply don't work or can be dangerous for your pet. No, Motor Oil doesn't work, and is obviously very dangerous. Lemon juice doesn't kill fleas either. Nor does Dawn dish detergent. Dr. Debbie & Dogfather Joey Villani have what you need-to-know to effectively and safely rid your pet and house of fleas.
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Let's Pass On Gas
Our Hero Person this week is trying to put an end to an archaic method of euthanization. 22 states still use the gas chamber to get rid of unwanted animals. Joe Dwyer adopted a dog that survived a gassing. Now the lucky dog, "Daniel," is the poster-dog for anti-gas chamber legislation.
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Looking for Holiday Gift Ideas for your pet?
Pet-Prenup
When a marriage breaks up, it's the children who often get caught in the middle, but pets can end up becoming the subjects of custody battles too. Now the British animal charity Blue Cross has come up with what it calls a 'Pet-Nup' that spells out who will get the family pet if a couple splits up.
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Goldfish Undergoes Life Threatening Surgery
You don't hear very often, maybe never, about a goldfish having an operation. But you don't often hear about a goldfish having a life-threatening tumor growing from its head. Little George of Melbourne, Australia had both.
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Our Hero Needs a Hero!
This week's Hero Person has her hands full with paraplegic and quadriplegic dogs. Elizabeth Forsberg has adopted animals that normally would be put-down because of their handicap.
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Beagle Returns Lost Airport Items
If you leave something behind when you get off a plane, getting it back can be a real pain. Not so anymore if that plane lands at Amsterdam Airport Schipole. Sherlock will get it back to you, no problem. Sherlock is a beagle specifically trained to return lost items to passengers.
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Makeovers For Dogs & Cats
One pet groomer in Yekaterinburg, Russia is doing more than just baths and hair cuts, she's giving dogs and cats makeovers into creatures like mythical green dragons or yellow and black striped bumblebees. Daria Gotz says she only uses dyes made from botanical extracts that wear off once the animal's coat grows out. See the Video
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…and, of course, Dr. Debbie and Dogfather Joey Villani are answering your pet questions about jumping dogs, TPLO surgery, doggy A.D.D., teaching your bird to talk, fleas, eating poop, ear-mites, hairballs, motion sickness, allergies and aggressive behavior. Call from the free Animal Radio iPhone/Android App.
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Should Homeless People Have Pets?
Dr. Gillian Squirrell has developed a nonprofit program, Working Dog LLC, for vulnerable adults and young people working with dogs as a way to develop interpersonal and workplace skills. Dr. Squirrell tells us that Working Dog LLC has a small fund for the development of ideas about how to improve support for homeless people and their animal companions. As we know, these clients and their animals can fall through gaps in service provision. Should homeless people have pets? Dr. Gillian states that that is an interesting conversation starter. This is a very under-researched and little understood area. There is a lot of judgment attached to homelessness as well as a lot of fear. People range on a continuum from "Absolutely they shouldn't, they can't look after themselves, to thinking it's a really cute thing," states Dr. Gillian.
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Cats With Jobs
Author Lisa Rogek has found 50 cats that have jobs. This isn't easy. Cats are notoriously not workers, unlike dogs. From Grumpy Cat to Kitty Models, Lisa will share the stories behind these frolicking felines.
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Having A Safe Halloween
Halloween can be a fun time for your pets. But some animals just aren't cut out for the holiday and would be safer cuddled inside on the night of trickery.
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Rodent Traps a Pet Hazard
There's a warning for pet owners after a cat was found with its head stuck in a rodent trap. The cat, which was seriously injured, was caught in a Fenn Trap, meant for squirrels and rats. Luckily the cat was found and rescued by a Good Samaritan. Since the incident last month, the SPCA is now calling on people to be aware that setting these traps could be breaking the law.
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Pets In The Classroom Have A Profound Impact
A new study reveals having a pet in the classroom may provide real educational value through leadership skills and character building. Despite some of the challenges to having classroom pet, such as coping with loss and teachers spending their own money to care for the pet, the study found six objectives proving the benefit of caring for a classroom pet, like teaching children responsibility compassion, empathy, respect and leadership through animal care and providing relaxation when children are stressed.
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Cat Thwarts Suicide Attempt
San Francisco Police spent hours trying to convince a jumper not to jump. It wasn't until the officers brought in the jumper's tabby cat that the standoff ended. Never underestimate the bond between people and their pets.
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Pet Obesity Continues To GROW
Being overweight can seriously impact our health and that of our pets. The Association for Pet Obesity estimates that nearly 54% of cats and dogs in the US are overweight or obese. Lori Brooks has tips to tell if your pet is a healthy weight. We'll also discuss the safest methods for lowering your pets caloric intake and increasing exercise.
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Anonymous Hero Saves Dog
An anonymous real life hero saved the life of a dog that was trapped inside a burning home this week in Tennessee. As someone who witnessed it describes it said, "This guy in a gray mustang pulls up says, 'I do this for a living,' and he runs in and he comes out about two minutes later with this beautiful dog in his arms." Less than a minute later the roof of the home caved in.
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Halloween Pet Hazards
Pets often find it truly scary during this time of year. The things that make Halloween a treat for people can overwhelm many pets. Some parts of Halloween can even be dangerous. On the other hand, some pets absolutely love the holiday. There's no shortage of dogs and cats that love the attention and adulation they receive in their costume. We'll help you determine which side of the scale your pets find most comfortable. Dr. Debbie sees more patients the day after Halloween. She'll explain why and what you can do to avoid the vet.
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Download the Chihuahua Pumpkin Stencil
Doug Gray Guests
Animal Radio's Season of Stars continues with the lead singer for The Marshall Tucker Band, Doug Gray. He shares his life with animals, including anecdotes about his Persian kitties, "Cheech & Chong."
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Overprotective Owners
Are you fearful that your dog will catch a disease if you let him out of the yard. You're not alone. Numbers of "backyard prisoners" are growing and causing more behavioral problems in the long run. Both Vladae and Dr. Debbie have answers to battle this epidemic.
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Dog Dials for Help
Emergency responders in the U.K. say a 2 year-old Basset Hound dialed 9-9-9, the British version of 9-1-1, while he was choking on the phone's cord. The dog reportedly knocked over the phone and became tangled in the cord, and somehow managed to dial for help.
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Luggage-Inspecting Beagles
Izzy is among a small number of Beagles employed by TSA that lives and works at an airport. His job is to smell luggage for fruit, meat, plants, seeds and vegetables. Federal officials won't disclose how many canines are employed as "passive response dogs."
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Charleston Airport's Newest Employee
Russ Kennedy holds down security at Charleston's Yeager Airport. He's also the handler for Greg, a border collie that clears runways from geese and other wildlife that could cause a fatal aircraft accident.
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The Truth About Dog-Lick Bacteria
A Wisconsin man made headlines after a dog lick led to a rare infection resulting in the amputation of part of his legs and arms. This has set off unwarranted alarm. While the bacterium is extremely common in dogs and cats, the risk posed by being licked is infinitesimally low.
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Counting Cats
A coalition of animal groups in Washington, D.C., have started the D.C. Cat Count, which will try to create a more accurate estimate of the city's entire cat population, including both feral cats and pet cats. The project is expected to take three years and cost $1.5 million. The groups hope the information will help improve efforts to manage the cat population. The project will use many different strategies to arrive at a total population count, including an app allowing residents to snap their own images of cats they encounter.
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Is It A Dog Or Ball
A dog groomer in Japan is literally turning dogs into fluff balls. Yoriko Hamachiyo is clipping usually small dogs into a ball. He does this by cutting their hair so they look like a soft, fluffy round ball, a ball with legs.
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Dog Fraud
Dogs can communicate through scent, leaving their mark everywhere. New research finds that smaller dogs "cheat" by using higher raised-leg angles to leave higher urine marks, thus exaggerating their size to other dogs that would come along and sniff later.
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Bart's Voice Loves Animals
The voice of Bart Simpson is our flashback guest. Nancy Cartwright really loves animals. She has an entire menagerie at her L.A. ranch. Her prized pet is a fiberglass cow. Nancy felt that because she's always saying, "don't have a cow man," that she should have one. She also has seahorses.
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Should You Trust Pet DNA Tests?
Dr. Lisa Moses says there is a place for DNA tests, but only as a novelty. While these tests may show a predisposition towards breed specific diseases, she warns against making medical decisions based on a DNA swab or blood tests.
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What We Know About Our Cat Food
A study of 2,000 cat owners reveals many of them are oblivious about what foods could be harmful to their cat's health. More than 50% of those questioned did not know that milk, grapes, raisins, garlic and onions are hazardous to a cat's health. A fifth of owners don't even know their cats are carnivores, with one in 10 feeding them raw vegetables and another one in 20 serving up salad leaves.
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Pets Cause 1000 Fires Per Year
"Unattended pets often set their homes on fire and pets can't call 911," according to Zsolt Sapy, the COO of Smoke Alarm Monitoring. Just how does this happen? What can you do to stack the odds in your pet's favor?
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Kids Prefer Rats Over Cats Or Dogs
Right Pet has announced the findings of its 8-year pet ownership study that used the data of nearly 17,000 pet owners across 113 countries. The biggest revelation is that children between the ages of 10 and 17 years old say they get more satisfaction owning pet rats rather than cats or dogs.
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Cat Lovers Dream Job
If you've ever thought of quitting your job and living out your life saving cats on a picturesque Greek island, here's some great news. A cat rescue in Greece, called God's Little People Cat Rescue, is looking for a new caretaker. They're looking for a part-time caretaker to look after 55 cats with free lodging in the form of the sanctuary manager's house that overlooks the Aegean Sea.
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Ed Asner Loved Himself Some Kitty!
The late iconic actor Ed Asner is our flashback to 2010. Bet you didn't know Ed was a "cat" guy? His satirist banter and love for his personal kitties makes this one of most memorable moments of Animal Radio.
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Turning Your Pet Into A Viral Sensation
Kelly Lund and Loki, his Husky - Wolf mix, didn't intentionally become a viral Internet sensation. Kelly casually posted a picture on Instagram that was picked up by Reddit, Bored Panda and Buzzfeed. Now Loki has a half-million followers and a new book. Kelly will give us tips on making your pet a star.
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Pit Bulls Aren't Getting A Fair Shake
Fiona Gilbert has Multiple Sclerosis. a degenerative neurological condition that affected her ability to walk. Without her service dog, she cannot function or work. The only problem is that Koda, her service animal is a pit-bull mix. As a frequent flyer on Delta Airlines, she is no longer welcome because her service dog is banned on the carrier.
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Social Media's Top 10 Pet Influencers
Forbes came out with multiple lists on social media influencers. On the list of Pet Influencers, probably the best-known Internet pet that still commands the most eyeballs and makes money to match her fame, is the long-deceased 'Grumpy Cat.' Why are these animals so engaging and why are they so valuable to advertisers? Collectively, the top 10 Pet Influencers have 50 million followers.
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Parrots Change Traffic Pattern
Kea parrots are big and about 18 inches long. They're native to New Zealand where they can be a pest, but they do attract the tourists. These big parrots have been caught on camera shifting traffic cones into active traffic lanes. Why? The New Zealand Transportation Agency thinks they know why.
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Pentobarbital Horse Meat Used In Pet Food
Through the freedom of information act, some new information has come to light in the case of a pet food company having pentobarbital tainted horse meat in some of its canned food. The manufacturer was in compliance and had a license to use horse-meat at that time. However, it turns out they had been processing horse-meat as early as 2015 without a license. Records show an inspector found it on the premises of the processing plant during an inspection that was made as a result of complaints over health concerns and unsanitary conditions at the facility.
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Cocktails for Pets
Taryn Nahm wants you to kick back a few cocktails with your pet. She says you can bond with your pet while you relax with a beverage. Taryn created pet cocktails that look just like the human adult versions, except without alcohol.
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Fear Free Tips You Can Use
Do you have trouble getting your pet to the vet? You're not alone. Certified Trainer Mikkel Becker has some great ideas for making a vet visits easy and enjoyable. Check out our Fear Free Expert Series.
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Antibiotic Resistant Virus Outbreak
There has been a Campylobacter outbreak associated with puppies sold at Petland stores and it's the humans that have handled these puppies that are getting sick. So far, more than 55 people in 12 states have now been diagnosed in this outbreak, which is so serious that at least a fourth of the patients have been hospitalized.
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Millenials Choosing Pets Instead
Millennials, or Generation Y, are those born between 1982 and 2004 and they are quickly changing the world of pets. According to the American Pet Products Association, Millennials are now the largest segment of pet owners. They found Millennials invest more time in their pets, evaluating their needs more thoroughly and spending more money.
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If Your Pet Is Unwell - You Might Be Unwell Too
New research shows that if your pet is unwell, it can make you unwell, leading to depression, anxiety and a poorer quality of life. It's the same problem that was previously found in the human world.
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Diva Duck
Shellie Powell has an unusual pet. She is the proud guardian of "Diva," a pet duck that wears a diaper and shoes. Diva goes with Shellie everywhere, including Walmart, Target and PetSmart. Shellie is training Diva the Duck to be a Therapy Pet.
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Taking The Fear Free Movement Home
Many veterinarians are practicing "Fear Free." Pets that like going to the veterinarian are generally healthier. Now, the Fear Free movement is coming to your home with ideas for enriching your pet's life everyday. Dr. Marty Becker is back to explain how your pets can live an improved lifestyle.
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Can Kissing Your Pet Make You Fat?
Researchers are looking into the connection between having a pet and obesity. They are interested in gut health and trying to find out if certain microbial swaps (such as a kiss or a lick with your pet) might help or hurt when it comes to weight problems in both pets and people. Current evidence actually suggests heavier people have heavier pets, which some scientists believe could be due to microbial swaps from a human to a dog.
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How Hot is Too Hot?
Your dog doesn't need to be in a hot car to suffer from heat exhaustion. Temperatures above 82 degrees are enough to cause a fatal reaction. Steve Burdo from Contra Costa Animal Services sat inside his Acura as temperatures soared about 115 degrees. He did this to bring attention to the new California law that allows people to break into cars to rescue hot animals.
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Scammer Targets Lost Pets
The number of pet related fraud cases are on the rise. The latest is Texas where a woman's cat mysteriously disappeared from the front porch where he would take his afternoon nap every day. The day after he vanished, she put up fliers all over her neighborhood. Less than a week later, she received a call from a man who asked if there was a reward for the cats return. He then said she could get Romeo back for $300 and offered to finance the payments for 8 months!
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Nude Birding
Olaf Danielson has made a hobby out of birding without any clothes. Olaf is an author, religious scholar, storyteller and adventurer. He will share some of his favorite stories of seeking out rare and exotic avian wildlife... while naked as a jaybird.
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Who is Tracking Your Pet Purchases?
With the pet industry growing so fast, any information that can be gained from your purchases for your pets is going to be extrapolated every way possible for those companies which profit from your spending habits. Search data pulled by Hitwise from major pet supply websites in June shows the majority of both cat and dog owners, or at least those doing the buying for their pets, are women and that the women who own dogs make nearly twice as much as those who have cats.
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Training Pit Bulls for Good
Jeff Jenkins is the ringleader for the Midnight Circus, a pit-bull agility performance that shows the often-misunderstood dogs in a positive light. He's helping youngsters train their pit-bulls to do tricks instead of fighting.
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Pet Crematory Intentionally Gives Back Wrong Ashes
A pet cemetery and crematory in Illinois is accused of deceiving clients by giving them ashes that were not be from their deceased pets. Police found three deceased animals inside an old freezer at the facility and fortunately one of the animals had been micro chipped. Authorities contacted the owner who said they had already received their cat's ashes. But the only thing illegal in this case was misrepresenting ashes of an animal because pet crematories in Illinois are not regulated.
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Are Kittens and Puppies The Key to a Successful Marriage?
You're thinking love, communication, trust, common interests and that kind of stuff, right? But, a new study from the University of Florida says it could also be cute, cuddly puppies, kittens and bunnies. The team of psychological scientists found that to break the 'familiarity breeds contempt syndrome' or boredom that can happen in long-term relationships, couples can make better associations with their spouse through a positive stimulus like puppies and bunnies.
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Lost Pet Recovery
Donna Lewis is a Lost Pet Recovery Expert for LostMyDoggie.com & LostMyKitty.com. This nationwide service will automatically dial all the phones within the radius of the lost pet alerting neighbors. Does this work? The service claims an 85% success rate. If you've lost your pet and have the cash, then this might be a good solution.
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Your Cat Probably Doesn't Miss You When You're Away
According to a study that observed the relationships between a number of cats and their owners, domestic cats do not generally see their owners as a focus of safety and security in the same way that dogs do.
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5 Signs You Need To Get To The Vet ASAP!
Animal Radio Veterinary Correspondent Dr. Marty Becker counts down the top 5 things to look out for that indicate a health emergency for your pet.
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Patient Compliance
More than half of pet owners disregard instruction for medicating their pets as prescribed by their vet. This can have horrific results, especially where antibiotics are concerned. Doc Halligan has tips on easily pilling your pet.
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Guy Adds Two-Headed Snake to His Two-Headed Collection
A west coast freak show owner who paid $50,000 for "Medusa", a three-foot-long, 4-year-old two-headed Honduran Milk snake born in Florida, recently purchased a rare two-headed albino snake. The proud new owner says he's wanted the snake since the day it was born four years ago, but price just kept getting higher." By the way, this guy currently holds a Guinness World Record for having the biggest collection of two-headed animals.
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Black Dog Syndrome
While there is no hard evidence to back Black Dog Syndrome, it is largely felt that black animals take a back seat when it comes to adoption. Pet Photographer Fred Levy believes it's because they are hard to photograph and don't look desirable online photos. He'll have tips for photographing your black dog or cat.
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Selecting A New Car With Your Pet In Mind
So who influences you when you need to buy a car? According to Auto-trader, more than half of America's 54 million dog owners consider buying a vehicle based on its ability to accommodate their best friend, which is their dog. The list includes cars with features pet owners need, like fold-flat rear seats, rear lift gate, under-floor storage and rear climate control. There are 9 cars on the list and we'll tell you what they are.
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Using Pets To Teach Anti-Bullying
Allison Basinger from the Kansas City based "Wayside Waifs" animal welfare organization is on the cutting edge of the anti-bullying education movement. She's using her dogs, Justice and Paxton to help 3 through 5 graders learn a more compassionate lifestyle.
Get Your Licks
Former host of CBS's Lucky Dog, Brandon McMillan, the cast of The Young and The Restless and Susan Sims are in Los Angeles to kick-off the 7th Annual "Get Your Licks On Route 66" Adoption Tour. There's no better time than now to find your forever friend.
Pamela Anderson Says Company is Not Cruelty-Free
Actress and animal-rights actress Pamela Anderson has written a letter to MAC Cosmetics owner and friend John Demsey expressing disappointment in the brand for testing on animals. Anderson used to be a spokesperson for the brand, but recently learned that the supposedly cruelty-free brand admittedly tests on animals where it is "required by law," like in China.
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Things Your Vet Wished You Worried About More
Animal Radio Veterinary Correspondent Dr. Marty Becker has a list of things he wishes his clients would pay more attention to than they do. He'll also tell you what you unnecessarily worry too much about.
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Healthiest Breeds
Pet Breeds compiled a list of 33 dog breeds that either have a clean health record, or are associated with only one, two or three health problems at most. And, the top seven have NO major or minor health concerns at all. They are…(drum roll please).
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How To Pick A Pet Food
Lucy Pet Foundation's Doc Halligan has what you need to know in order to pick the best food for your pet and your budget. Just because it's expensive doesn't mean it's good. You'll learn how to read the label.
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Pets May Be Breeding Ground For MRSA
Research suggests family pets might actually be reservoirs for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, or MRSA. Researchers believe pets might be an important factor behind the increase of MRSA outbreaks.
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Pets Destroy Eight Million Electronic Devices
A study says American pets have bitten, chewed or damaged at least 8-million electronic devices! All that damage caused an estimated $3 billion in repair and replacement costs! Researchers found 1/3rd of the damaged devices were smart-phones; 2/3rds of the incidents happened when the pet was not being supervised. And interestingly, male pets are 50% more likely than female pets to damage electronic devices.
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The Chicken Chick
Chickens are more popular than ever in urban settings and as pets. By popular demand, we're having the Chicken Chick on the show to share her vast chicken knowledge. Even if you aren't considering a fowl friend, Kathy Mormino will amuse and educate.
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Photographing Your Pet
Amanda Jones is one of the top best pet photographers in the nation. Her last collaboration is a coffee-table book with 30 dogs photographed during their youth and again in their senior years. It's a compelling contrast between puppy-hood and a dog's golden years. Amanda will have tips for photographing your pet.
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Oldest Living Cat
A 26-year-old cat named Corduroy has been named the oldest living cat by Guinness. His owner has had him since he was a kitten and she was only 7. Though Corduroy is now the oldest living cat on record, he is not the oldest domestic cat to have ever lived, that designation belongs to Creme Puff, who lived to the awe-inspiring age of 38 years and 3 days.
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Custody Battle Over Pets
Dr. Debbie has the top things you need to know when battling for custody over a pet. It's best to consider how it will affect your furry friend. The law doesn't always favor the pet in such battles. Some couples even stay together, just for the pet.
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All Pet Store Dogs Must Come From Shelters
Earlier this month a federal judge in Phoenix, Arizona upheld a city law requiring that all dogs sold in pet stores must come from shelters, which will also help to relieve shelter overcrowding. Phoenix is one of about 60 cities in the U.S. that have similar laws designed to put an end to puppy mills by driving potential pet buyers toward homeless animals.
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The Truth About Anesthesia Free Dental
Your local pet store may offer an Anesthesia Free Dental Cleaning. This is NOT an alternative to teeth cleaning. Doc Halligan says a real cleaning will help your pet avoid serious trouble down the line with infection of vital organs.
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Movies Impacting Breed Popularity
After analyzing a number of movies released between 1927 and 2004 featuring dogs and evaluating AKC registration trends, researchers confirmed that movies definitely have an impact on breed popularity. "Lassie Come Home" was associated with a 40% increase in Collie registrations. After the remake of "101 Dalmatians," in 1996 animal shelters reported a 35% increase in the number of Dalmatians surrendered.
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NFL Player Locks Himself In Hot Car
New Orleans Saints' Tyrann Mathieu's video for PETA is still heavily circulating online. If you haven't seen it, Mathieu is the NFL player who locked himself in a car to demonstrate the danger that dogs endure when they're locked inside a car on a hot summer day. After just a few minutes in the heat, Mathieu starts to breathe and sweat heavily.
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Can Dogs Be Autistic?
Bull terriers who compulsively chase their tails may be autistic, at least that's what Dr. Nicholas Dodman, Director of the Behavior Clinic at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, believes. He studied the subject for years and now says that like autistic people, such tail-chasing Bull terriers may be socially maladapted, unpredictably aggressive toward others and/or may stare into space for no apparent reason. Dodman's study is the first to propose that autism may occur in dogs.
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Trump Your Cat
Throughout the course of his time in public life, everyone has been wondering about Donald Trump's hair - or lack of it. Is it a comb-over? Is it a toupee? And with his announcement that he's running for President again, there's a reemerging social media trend called #trumpyourcat. Here's how it works: First, you gather up all of the lint and loose pet hair in your house then you put it on your cat's head … then take a picture of your cat and post.
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Uber for Dog-Walkers
Tobi Skovron has created an App that will summon a vetted dog-walker. He touts his high-end service as the next step in the evolution of pet-based technology.
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Protecting Your Pet From The Sun
Our pets are at a higher risk than we are for sun-related Melanomas. You need to protect them from the sun, even if they're indoor animals. Dogfather Joey Villani and Dr. Debbie share what you need to know for your pet's safety and well being.
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10-Year-Old Hero
This week's Hero Person will charm you! She's just a little girl. But she has a huge heart for the animals. Samantha Frenck created a 501c3 non-profit that brings toys and blankets, among other things, to shelter animals.
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Pet Friendly Cities
Forbes went in search of America's most pet-friendly places to live. The criteria included having the best landlords, lowest pet fees and most pet specialty stores and services. You might be surprised which city topped the list.
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Pet Store Switch
What happens when you switch the pets in a pet store for animals from a shelter? Would the customers notice? A pet store in Brazil partnered with local pet shelters to secretly switch those pricey purebreds for rescues. Then the store went a step further and simply gave the shelter pets away to worthy families.
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Katherine and Maverick
Katherine Schwarzenegger (daughter of Arnold and Maria) is an ASPCA Ambassador and bestselling author. She has a children's book, which will empower young readers to help dogs who find themselves in shelters and animal rescues. She's our guest this week.
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To Kiss Your Dog or Not To Kiss Your Dog
A USA Today article cited lots of research and experts both for and against dogs licking humans on the lips. For example: There are more than 700 different types of bacteria in a healthy dog's mouth. One doctor researching this subject says she's heard many personal stories from people on both sides of the spectrum, including one who claimed their dog's kisses healed them from skin cancer and another who believes dog saliva caused a family member's death.
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Fear, Anxiety and Stress
Dr. Lisa Radosta, owner Florida Veterinary Behavior Service explains what causes fear, anxiety, and stress in our pets? How does this fear, anxiety, and stress affect them? Why is it so important that we address the fear, anxiety, and stress in our pets? What is one simple thing we can do to reduce fear, anxiety, and stress in our pets?
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Millenials Make Pets' Lives Better
Millennials are behind the idea of pets as family members and making animals' lives better. A new survey shows that for Millennials (those between the ages of 18 and 36) pets really are like their children with one-third of them, who purchased their first home, doing so because it had a yard and was a better space for their dog. Only 25% of Millennials bought their first home because they got married and 19% because they had children.
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Buy a Salad - Get a Pet!
A southern California woman has a new pet frog after finding the distressed amphibian in a large container of lettuce mix she bought at a local Target. She had already made her salad, poured on the dressing and was just about halfway through eating it when she saw something in her bowl that was moving. Being a strict vegetarian, the woman says she was so traumatized after finding the frog in her salad and that she has no desire to eat salad ever again. However, she quickly scooped up the little frog and rinsed off the dressing, but she noticed the frog was barely alive so she did chest compressions on it - frog CPR - and it survived. His name is now Lucky.
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Laser Therapy on Pets
Animal Radio Veterinary Correspondent Dr. Marty Becker is excited about his handy gadget. It's only the size of an iPhone Plus but it has multiple applications in the veterinarian's office. Could Laser Therapy be used on your pets?
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Canine Flu Update
This year's strain of Canine Flu is different than past epidemics. There is a vaccine for the previous strain but not for this new one. Veterinarians are looking for new ways to fight the new virus that seems to be affecting felines too.
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911 Dispatcher Hero
When Police Dispatcher Lynn Willett received an emergency call to check on the welfare of an elderly man, she had no idea she would end up adopting his dog. Lynn tells us her heartwarming story about a German Shepard named Sgt. Roscoe.
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Xylitol Toxicity on the Rise
Anyone who has a dog knows they will pretty much chew on anything they can get their paws on, but this story underscored how careful we need to be around them. Luna, a 2-year-old Golden Retriever in Glenwood City, Wisconsin, found the pack of "Ice Breaker" Lemon-flavor gum containing Xylitol. She suffered severe liver damage and had to be euthanized. Xylitol is found in all sorts of things, including sugar-free gum, vitamins, toothpaste, dental floss, nasal sprays and baked goods. Even a couple of pieces of gum can result in life-threatening blood sugar and liver failure.
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Swimming With The Sharks
Brian Skerry has spent more than 10,000 hours underwater photographing sharks. He says they're misunderstood and not the evil beasts portrayed by Hollywood and the media. He'll share stories including some scary (Skerry) moments.
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Rescue Express
Mike McCarthy made his millions in software development. After retiring, he decided to take on a new project transporting thousands of adoptable pets from saturated shelters in Southern California to the Northwest United States where they will be adopted. He's retrofitted 3 buses and makes the trip weekly.
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No More Anxious Pets
With the 4th of July around the corner, Pet Living's Kristen Levine wants your pets to stay calm. The sounds of fireworks can make animals anxious. She launched "Pet Anxiety Awareness Week" to educate owners about fear, anxiety and stress in your companion animals.
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Cones of Shame Turn Into Cones of Fame
Most potential adopters, upon seeing a dog wearing a cone of shame in shelters, think it implies a sick dog chock-full of expensive problems. However, usually at the shelter the cones are used for simple procedures, like spaying or neutering. Unfortunately the coned canines don't have much of a chance next to the pup bouncing around and wagging his tail. So a shelter photographer got an idea. She came up with the idea of 'Cones of Fame.'
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Delta Publishes Lists of Unacceptable Service Animals
Many people try to cheat the airline system by claiming their pet is an Emotional Support Animal because ESA's fly free on most airlines. But all airlines are not the same. Delta has compiled a list of critters it does NOT accept as trained service animals, or even pets allowed to travel in the cabin, saying they post safety and/or public health concerns.
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Mobster Turned Animal Advocate
Special guest James Guiliani was a bad dude. He hung with Gotti and spent time behind bars. He was a drug-addicted ex-con on the verge of suicide when a dog and a dame changed his life for the better. James says "If you think the mafia is bad, try animal rescue."
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Barriers Prohibit Seniors From Pet Ownership
Research published in Activities, Adaption & Aging calls for increased understanding about older adults and the current barriers, which limit older adults' chances to own a pet. Medical, physical and financial barriers keep seniors from enjoying the therapeutic benefits of animal guardianship.
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Employers Offer Pet Health Insurance
Pet health insurance is revealed to be one of fastest growing employee perks in a benefit package. While not all companies allow our four-legged friends in the workplace, one in three Fortune 500 companies now offer pet insurance as a voluntary benefit. As the popularity of pet health insurance expands, some companies are subsidizing a percentage of their employee's cost, with several companies now paying as much as 100% of their employees' pet insurance premiums.
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The Drought and Your Pet
Water shortages across the west have house owners re-thinking their backyard. Many have opted to replace their high-maintenance grass for faux grass without thinking about their pet. Fake grass can be hot and smelly and full of bacterium that's no good for pets or humans.
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Good Dog, Happy Baby
Dog Trainer Michael Wombacher has developed a twelve-step program to introduce your dogs to a new baby or family member. There is no need to get rid of the dog just because you're expecting. If done properly, your dog and child can live harmoniously and thrive together.
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OMG - One More Generation
When Olivia Ries was 7-years-old, she started a non-profit organization to save endangered animals. That was five years ago. Since then, she has spoken to dignitaries and lobbied for the voiceless. You'll melt when you hear our young Hero Person.
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What You Need To Know About Microchips
A microchip is still the best way to identify a lost pet. However, they're not 100% reliable. Dr. Debbie will tell you what you may not know about the little rice-sized technology. She'll also dispel any myths about the microchip being dangerous or causing cancer.
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Dog Walking Pays Well in the UK
Dog walkers in the UK earn a fifth more than the average salary by working just two weeks out of every month. Dog walkers charge an average of almost $18 per hour per dog in the UK and walk 192 dogs per month, which adds up to annual earnings of $41,000, 20% higher than the British national average salary! Does this make you want to re-think your job?
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Human and Dog Bond Dates Back Years
The bond between humans and dogs may be much older than we once thought. A group of researchers discovered an ancient wolf bone and say its DNA suggests dogs diverged from wolves as far back as 40,000 years ago and point to the ancient wolf as possibly the most recent common relative of modern wolves and dogs.
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The Dog Merchants
Driven by her incredible curiosity, Kim Kavin uncovered the world of dog auctions. 11 BILLION dollars exchanges hands during the buying and selling of companion animals. Even the so-called 'rescues' are partaking in the auction process, using donated dollars to buy, rehabilitate and adopt these dogs at considerably high prices. While not necessarily humane, nor ethical, it's all legal simply because pets are viewed as property in the eyes of the law.
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Battling Pet Allergies
It's that time of the year when allergies present a problem for both human and our furry-companions. Animal Radio Veterinary Correspondent Dr. Marty Becker has the 'top 3 things you can do to calm your pet's allergies.'
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World's Oldest Dog?!
Last month, "Maggie the Kelpie," an Australian dog that was possibly the oldest dog in the world, died. Maggie was 30 years old according to her owner. That's over 200 in human years, and a contender for the oldest dog in the world, except for one thing....
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Does Your Dog Have GPS?
You know that you can track your pet dog or cat with your smart-phone, all you need is a GPS locator on their collar. But, there are quite a few pet trackers out there, so we break it down for you.
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Litter Box Etiquette
Yes, there indeed is etiquette for your kitty's litter. Doc Halligan (Lucy Pet Foundation) will help any cat owner solve their litter-box issues. Cat no going inside the box? Maybe you're not following the etiquette.
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Bee Stings, Insect & Snake Bites
Besides the ticks and the fleas, as well as the many other creepy crawlers out there that can get on our pets, we also need to worry about bees, insects and snakes. Doc Halligan tells us what to do if a bee stings your dog or cat? She jokes that people tell her that they let their cats play with spiders. She says you should NEVER let your cat play with spiders.
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Disaster Preparedness
Animal Radio's Pet Word Insider Robert Semrow wants to make sure you're ready in case of a natural disaster. He has a list of the top tips for preparing your pet for earthquakes, inclement weather and any other disaster that could come your way.
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Can Dogs Recognize Faces from Pictures?
A study published in the journal Animal Cognition indicates that dogs may have facial recognition skills similar to humans! Well, of course, your dog recognizes you when you walk in the door, but how about if you were on vacation without him or her, could they see a picture of you and recognize it?
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Inflatable Dog Poop
A town in Spain has installed a giant inflatable dog poop in an attempt to discourage dog owners thinking of walking off and leaving a pile of poo in the streets. The town has about 6,000 dogs and if you do the math, they are capable of producing around 1,100 pounds of excrement every day. And, THAT is more or less what the giant inflatable represents, the amount of poo left on the streets across the town each day, according to a town council member.
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Pet Sitting Business Sues for 1 Million After Poor Yelp Review
A Texas pet-sitting business is going after $1 million in damages from a couple who gave them a one-star review on Yelp and criticized the business' treatment of their tiny blue tropical Betta fish named "Gordy" while the family was away on vacation. Prestigious Pets of Dallas claims the review is defamation.
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Whales Gain 200 Pounds A Day
While the book is titled Sad Animal Facts, it's hardly a sad book. Cartoons drawn by Brooke Barker unleash the unknown and curious truths behind some of our favorite animals. Did you know Turtles breath out their butt, or that Giraffes only sleep 3 hours a day?
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Choosing The Right Bra When Horseback Riding
Women and girls (and some men) who ride horses, but do not wear a sports bra, could be causing undue stress to the horse, according to a study by Portsmouth University. Apparently a lot of women give no regard to what kind of bra they wear while riding. They did a survey of females who ride horses in various disciplines and found that less than one in five regularly wore a sports bra for riding even though it can lead to poor posture and musculoskeletal problems, which are sensed by the horse.
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Pet Friendly Retirement Communities
Watermark Retirement Communities assisted living are perhaps the first in the country to embrace pets. Founded by pet lovers, they encourage residents to bring their pets along to live with them. Staff's companion animals meet those that don't have pets. This has made a big difference in patient's disposition.
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You Can Stroke Me Here, But Not There
Cat Behaviorist Sarah Ellis has a pretty cool job. She does research on how and where cats like to be touched. Sarah found that there are certain parts of the cat's body that are better than others when it comes to petting and stroking. She'll reveal her results and explain why she thinks strangers have better luck petting cats than the cat's owner.
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Tick Talk
Only second to fleas, ticks are a fairly common pest. Some of the diseases that ticks carry can kill both human and pet. Doc Halligan will tell you the proper way to remove them. She says you need to avoid some of the 'old wives-tales' for removing ticks because they may actually do more harm.
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Like A Good Neighbor
State Farm insurance has been sponsoring The Arson Dog Program since 1993! An accelerant detection canine, or arson dog, is a dog that has been trained to sniff out tiny traces of accelerants that may have been used to start a fire. The insurance giant has had a hand in placing over 350 arson dog teams in 44 states and three Canadian Provinces.
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What Your Vet Isn't Telling You
Animal Radio Veterinary Correspondent Dr. Marty Becker will tell you what information your veterinarian may be withholding; and conversely, what he/she shouldn't be telling you. We hope you have an honest and transparent vet for your pets.
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Selling Pets for Research
Buried in a massive government-spending bill is a provision that will shut down shady animal dealers who buy and sell pets for research, all paid for by your tax dollars. But, that could change if Congress does the right thing and cuts off funding to pay for licensing of so-called Class B animal dealers by the USDA. Every year, these licensed dealers work with illegal "bunchers" to round up thousands of dogs and cats that will end up in laboratories.
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Doggie Detox
The Morris Animal Inn in Morristown, New Jersey caters ONLY to our four-legged friends. They just finished a week-long Spa Treatment and Canine Cleanse program. Pups from all over the country enjoyed smoothies, treadmill trots, meditation, nature trail hikes and massages as part of the $260 package. Debora Montgomery reports on how the program went and what you can do at home to pamper your pup.
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My Dog Has Bad Breath
If your dog's breath could melt steel; you need to hear what Dr. Debbie has to say about it. She might even have a simple solution so that those puppy kisses won't be so traumatizing.
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Making Training Your Dog Enjoyable
Zak George is back and he has tips on making training your dog enjoyable for both you and your furry-friend. He believes that if your dog likes to do what your training them to do, you will be more successful. He'll also talk about Service Dog fraud.
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Virtual Chicken Petting
Imagine leaving your dog at home while it turns on the smart TV and chooses a program to watch. Lori Brooks will tell you about the new technology. She'll also tell you about Virtual Chicken Petting that artificially replicates physical interaction between chickens and their farmers.
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Share A Glass Of Wine With Your Pets
So, you love your cat and you love your wine. A Colorado company called Apollo Peak wants to help cat owners enjoy the experience of sharing a glass of wine with their pets, so they've come out with a non-alcoholic, beet-based, catnip infused wine for cats.
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What You Need To Do Before Your Dog Goes Missing
Animal Radio's Pet World Insider, Robert Semrow has a short list of the things you should do so that, if and when your dog or cat disappears, you'll be prepared for a prompt and safe return.
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Sloth Love
Most every social media butterfly has seen at least one cute video of a sloth (if not, check out our Facebook page). These litter critters are so cute, that many people want one as a pet. Photographer Sam Trull says she "went to Costa Rica for the primates but stayed for the sloths." She has the lowdown on sloths, and she says people think they're slow. She says "they can be fast when they want to, and their nails are pretty scary too."
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Doggy DNA Nabs Poop Offenders
A luxury apartment community near Grand Rapids, Michigan says it will use DNA technology as a way to sniff out dog owners who fail to pick up their pets' poop. The Ridges of Cascade complex is asking dog owners to swab their pet's mouth so it can build a DNA database that will allow it to identify residents who ignore its strict cleanup policy. The management company as already contracted with the Tennessee-based company PooPrints to collect DNA samples of each dog in the development. Violators will face a $350 fine.
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Always Know Where Your Dog or Cat Is
Sebastian Langton created the world's smallest GPS pet tracker. A small pod the size of a wine cork is all that's needed to find your pet most anywhere in the world. The Podtracker is also capable of setting boundaries and monitoring activity. You could win one in our giveaway.
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Pet Cemeteries In China
Pet cemeteries are becoming increasingly popular in China with owners paying between $50 and $1,800 to buy their pets a plot. Rows of tombstones at one cemetery bear the names of pets along with flowers, toys, food and even calcium pills and chew bones were seen placed beside them.
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The Cat's Got More Than Your Tongue
A pet feline in New Zealand has been stealing men's underwear and socks from other people's homes! In just 2 months, the 6 year old cat named Brigit, acquired 11 pairs of underwear and more than 50 pairs of socks. Brigit's owner says she has put notes in every mailbox on her street to warn her neighbors.
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Dog Lawyer
Attorney Jeremy Cohen gave up his insurance fraud law practice to focus only on dogs. He is one of the few "dog only" lawyers in the U.S. Jeremy represents dangerous dogs that usually have a death sentence. He tells us that lots of people have threatened him and harass him, but it's worth it if he can save the life of a dog.
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Maybe We're Not Smart Enough To Know
Dr. Frans de Waal asks the poignant question, "Are we smart enough to know how smart animals are?" Many of us suspect that our cats and dogs have a sixth sense. They seem to know things are going to happen before humans do. Is this smarts, or is it hyper-observation of your every move? Maybe a little of both.
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Supreme Court Puts a Value on Pets
The Georgia Supreme Court will soon decide the value of a pet. Currently, the law sees pets as property, like a car or a toaster. The Georgia Supreme Court is set to rule on the value of the dog whose death was allegedly caused by a fancy, high dollar kennel that allegedly gave the dog the wrong medicine that ultimately killed her. The kennel says that Lola the dog was property, and the family should get her "market value" - which, because she was a free rescue dog, is nothing.
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Chicago Gets First Cat Café
Tree House Humane Society has been given approval to launch a coffee shop, which will double as a cat adoption center. It will feature a full coffee bar and a cat lounge where a dozen or more cats will be free to roam about, sleep and play. The $6 million Chicago facility set to open in early fall. Cat cafés are very popular in other countries. Cat Town in Oakland, saw its adoption rate more than double after opening the first stateside cat café not even two years ago.
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Pot for Pets?
Dr. Stephan Katz explains how he is using parts of the marijuana plant to create a therapeutic treat for pets. Do animals respond the same as humans to medical marijuana? What is the legality of pot for pets? These burning questions and more are finally answered.
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To Flush or Not To Flush
It may be hard to believe, but people still flush kitty litter down the toilet. Not only is it bad for the pipes, Doc Halligan says it's bad for marine life. Apparently there is a parasite that is transmitted through cat feces and has been documented as a significant killer of otters and other sea life. Who knew?
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Lessons from a Knucklehead
Doug Green learned a lot of life's lessons from his dog, Shirelle. He even says that the dog was responsible for his career path as a psychotherapist. He also finds that dogs are great intermediaries in his practice. He'll share some of the important epiphanies inspired by Shirelle.
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When is it Time to Let Go?
It can be incredibly difficult to know when it's time to euthanize your furry-friend. Balancing your own selfishness with your pet's health and happiness is no easy task. Dr. Debbie has answers that will help you make the decision when that time comes.
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*ENTER ANIMAL RADIO'S PET PHOTO CONTEST*
Beth Stern Guests
Yes, she is the wife of Howard Stern. But more importantly, Beth Ostrosky - Stern is an avid animal advocate. She's fostering a bunch of animals at home. She says Howard is really into her pets and sometimes he'll get very emotional when the animals find homes.
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Cats Actually Have A Language
Con Slobodchikoff is studying animal linguistics. He's noticing patterns that indicate language among cats and even prairie dogs. He even says that someday we may have an App that will translate our conversations with animals.
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Pet Restraints FAIL
New research from the Center for Pet Safety reveals that the pet restraints tested have a 100% failure rate. Does this mean you shouldn't use them when traveling with your pet? Absolutely not. However, Lindsey Wolko has the lowdown on what works and what doesn't when it comes to keeping your pets safe in the car.
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Don't Worry About Bugs In Your Food - They Were Intentionally Added
Acclaimed European chef David Faure isn't worried about his diners finding a bug in their meals. In fact, he's started intentionally adding a variety of creepy crawlies to the dishes he serves at his restaurant. He says the biggest obstacle in his quest is finding a reliable local supplier of edible insects.
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Eating Poop - Don't Knock It
Not a week goes by without a listener calling to ask why their dog is eating other dog's feces. While there are many theories as to why this happens, Dr. Debbie gets to the bottom of it and sheds light on the very common problem.
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*ENTER THE "EVERY PET IS A WINNER" PET PHOTO CONTEST*
Is Your Dog A Genius?
Nat Geo's Dr. Brian Hare hosts a three-part series devoted to finding the genius in your dog with interactive games you can play. Tapping into your dog's 'smarts' is easy as knowing the activities in which they exceed.
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Smart Inventions For Pets
Scott Harris co-invented a cat feather-toy that can be remotely controlled from a smart-phone. They've installed 21 of these toys at shelters nationwide. With a click of a button, you too can play with the animals up for adoption - from the comfort of your own armchair.
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School Allows Service Pit-Bull
A federal judge in Florida has ruled that a sweet pit bull name Stevie will be allowed to go to school with 7-year-old Anthony Alboniga, who has cerebral palsy. For the past two years though, officials at Anthony's school in Broward County refused to let Stevie come to school with Anthony, unless the company paid for a so-called handler to go with them, which the family could not afford.
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Chimps Get Their Day In Court
Two chimpanzees will have their day in court under a law that up till now has only applied to people. New York Supreme Court Justice Barbara Jaffee has granted Hercules and Leo a writ of habeas corpus. They live in a lab at Stony Brook University of Long Island and have been part of research into how humans evolved to walk on two legs.
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Cats Get To Post Pics To Instagram
Many pets have their own Facebook pages and Twitter accounts. Of course, there's a person behind them doing the work. Not for long. Whiskas Australia have created a wearable camera that goes on your kitty's collar, and it automatically takes pictures while and posts them to Instagram for you and your cat.
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*ENTER THE "EVERY PET IS A WINNER" PET PHOTO CONTEST*
Cat Survives 8-Days Being Shipped in Box By Owner
Cupcake is an incredibly lucky cat. The Siamese survived being stuck inside a small cardboard box for eight days and 260 miles after her owner accidentally mailed her. The owner didn't see Cupcake snoozing inside the package as she packed it with DVDs. Then she dropped the box in the mail. The package's recipients were stunned to open the box and find the cute cat curled up alongside the movies they'd bought. Cupcake was reunited with her tearful owner (who felt horrible) over the weekend. She says, "I knew Cupcake was missing, but not for one second did I think she was in that box."
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Unique Ways To Memorialize Your Pet
The one downfall of cats and dogs is their short life span. This leaves us looking for unique ways to pay tribute to their life. We've found companies that will turn your pet into a diamond gem stone or shoot your pets remains into space. Now comes Pet Perennials, a wild-flower garden composed from your pet's ashes. The startup's founder Remy Bibaud explains.
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Cat Lovers Take More Pictures
The research is in from one "cloud" company that says we upload more pictures of our cats than dogs. What does this actually say about cat guardians? Do we take more cat pictures because we're "cat crazy?" Jackie Stone from MiMedia has her reasons for the trend.
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The Difference Between Dog and Cat Owners
Dog owners are happier, more sociable, earn bigger salaries and have a bigger sexual appetite than cat owners, according to a new study. Animal Radio News Director Lori Brooks says data also suggests that dog owners are more likely to have paid off their mortgage and they will be inclined to describe their job as "stressful." By contrast, cat owners are happier living alone and admit they relish a simpler pace of life. The study also found the average cat owner takes home $34,000 a year, while the typical dog lover can expect to earn $38,000.
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*ENTER THE "EVERY PET IS A WINNER" PET PHOTO CONTEST*
Why Dogs Are Better Than Cats!?!
Research from Manhattanville College confirms what you may suspect... cat owners are more neurotic and less happy than dog owners. Assistant Professor Katherine Bao explains the results of this study and talks about ongoing research.
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Batman Set Made Into Birdhouses
The very "Batty" Rob Mies joins us to explain why they've cut up the Batman vs. Superman movie set and made bat-houses, signed by the actors (even Ben Affleck & Zack Snyder) and auctioned on eBay.
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Bark-n-Borrow
Liam Berkeley came up with an App that matches dogs with those that want "dog-time" but don't have enough time for a full-time pet. The spirit in the service lies in how it enables "borrowers," people who aren't fortunate to have their own dog, but would love to spend time with one whenever they have a chance. Would you trust your dog with someone suggested by a phone app?
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Giant Rabbit Finds Home
Atlas, a giant rabbit about the size of a terrier, has found a new home after being taken in by the SPCA last month. The rabbit's previous owner decided they could no longer care for him and the shelter spent a month searching for a proper home for the abnormally large rabbit. The new pet parent to Atlas says she feels like she won the lottery because there were hundreds of calls and emails from people all over the world who wanted to adopt Atlas. By the way, Atlas' new name is almost as long as he is. The new owner named him Axilla the Bun Binky Master Jazz Paws, but calls him Atty for short!
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Boston Latest to Ban Puppy Mill Sales
More than 90 cities across the country have now banned the sale of commercially-bred dogs in pet stores, while Illinois and Maine have proposed bills to ban the sale of puppies in pet stores statewide! In the latest big win for animal advocates and animals, Boston has become the latest major city to sign legislation banning the sale of commercially bred animals.
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*ENTER THE "EVERY PET IS A WINNER" PET PHOTO CONTEST*
Pigs As Pets
The very charismatic Debra Jo Chiapuzio is back to tell us about life with a pet pig. She says her dog thinks the swine is a yummy-treat. If you've ever considered a pig for a pet, you must hear this interview. Debra, who is responsible for creating the Emma Zen Organization, raised funds to supply local fire departments with pet-oxygen masks. Now she's behind the "Food Train" to help rescued pigs.
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Protective Order Protects Pets of Domestic Abuse
A new federal bill in search of Congressional support could be passed to protect both animals and people. The Pets and Women's Safety (PAWS) Act will make it a crime to cross state lines to commit an act of domestic violence on a pet. The program would also provide support for animal shelters that offer space for the pets of people fleeing domestic violence.
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Living In A Bathtub for 30 Daze
Danielle Daals left her family in New Zealand to sit in a bathtub for 30 days in front of the Miami Seaquarium. Of course she has a good reason. She wants people to know that Lolita the Killer Whale lives in the smallest tank in the United States. We talk to her about halfway through her publicity stunt.
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Cat Trapped In Woman's Body
Nano, as she likes to be called, claims she was born in the wrong species and that she's actually a cat trapped in a human body! She says her personality and psychological features prove that she is more feline that human because she prefers walking around on her hands and knees to standing on two legs, and likes to sleep in sinks and wind mills, despite her adult size. She also claims she possesses a slew of catty characteristics like ultra-sharp hearing, laser night vision and fierce aversions to both dogs and water. The clincher that Nano is really a cat is seen in her You Tube video in which she says, "It's also obvious that I'm a cat when I start purring and meowing . . . Sometimes I hiss when meeting dogs in the street."
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Rocker Marlon Hargis Talks About His Furry Friends
He's still around and touring for the animals. From the band Exile (Kiss You All Over), Marlon Hargis is our guest; and saying he loves our furry friends is an understatement. He even does a benefit concert for a homeless pets and people organization.
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Canned vs. Kibble - Moist vs. Dry
Doc Halligan is here to settle the age-old question, should we be feeding our pets dry food or from a can? The answer may depend on many factors. Is dry kibble responsible for one of the most common problems in older male cats?
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Real Estate for Animal Businesses
You may already know how hard it is to find somewhere to live with your pets. That is especially true if you live in Los Angeles. LA is where Lynsey Polacheck runs her real estate business for animal related businesses like groomers, pet hotels and even a doggy-shrink.
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Canine Flu Now in 28 States
The new strain of canine flu was just confirmed in Missouri and Montana. There is a preventative vaccine for about $50, which is a lot cheaper than treating a dog with this strain of flu. And what about the cats? Can they get it?
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What You Need To Know About Microchips
The biggest misconception about microchips is that they contain the owner's information. Dr. Debbie sets a listener straight (or perhaps the listener sets Dr. Debbie straight) when they ask why veterinarians don't scan for stolen pets. Make sure these microchip pitfalls don't make them useless when your pet goes missing.
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*ENTER THE "EVERY PET IS A WINNER" PET PHOTO CONTEST*
Joyce DeWitt Guests
She played Janet, the brunette on Three's Company. Joyce DeWitt is our special guest this week and she's "talking dogs." She starred in a Hallmark made-for-TV movie about dogs.
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GPS Microchip Fraud?
Karen Hanover was a recent guest on Animal Radio® and discussed a new device she and her mother created called Escape Alert, a GPS microchip that could track your dog if he/she ever got lost. Hanover signed a plea deal in federal court stating that she bilked 48 people out of nearly a million-and-a-half dollars.
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Pet Insurance Reform
California has become the first state in the nation to enact a set of protections for people who buy pet insurance. Assembly bill 2056 requires insurers to explain their policies more clearly and give people a 30-day trial period, during which a person can get a full refund. The pet insurance industry is expected to grow to at least $750 million by next year, while Americans spend more than $15 billion annually on veterinary care.
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E-Cigarettes Causes Trouble for Pets
With the popularity of electronic cigarettes, veterinarians are seeing more and more nicotine poisoning events. The pen-like smoke vaporizer usually is flavored, which makes it even harder to keep away from dogs. Dr. Ahna Brutlag from the Pet Poison Helpline is here to explain.
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Quit Your Stupid Job
Beth Stultz of PetSit.com wants you to quit your dumb job and become a pet-sitter! She says you can make anywhere between 50,000 to a MILLION a year doing what you love. Beth will tell you how to get started.
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Pet Dental Health Month
Sure, everyone is telling you to brush your pet's teeth daily. But are you? Of course not. Not because you don't care, but because it can be a tremendously complex undertaking. Doc Halligan and Joey Villani have the lowdown on brushing compliance and why it's so important for your pet's health.
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Pets and YOUR Happiness
A survey from Manhattan College confirms that people that own pets are generally happier than those that don't. The research also goes on to back up an earlier theory that cat owners tend to be neurotic.
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Goats Celebrates The Broncos Football
A Colorado farmer is celebrating the Denver Bronco's by knitting Broncos sweaters for the 150 baby goats expected to be born on her family's 400-acre goat farm this spring.
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From Caped Crusader to Canine Crusader
Actor Burt Ward was the original 'Robin' on the hit series Batman. Because of security issues during Batman's filming, he had to have two large breed dogs with him all the time. Now he's devoted to giant breed dogs and runs the Gentle Giant Rescue. He tells Animal Radio that as many as 25 Great Danes share his bed with him and his wife Tracy.
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The Secret Life of Mac
Inspired by the viral videos of cats stealing clothes and other items, author Melinda Metz weaved a story about a Klepto-kitty named Mac who will steal your heart. Why is it some cats, left to their own devices, choose to abscond with everything from lingerie to money?
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EMT's Can't Treat Animals… Yet
Police in Boston are praising proposed legislation that would allow emergency medical service workers to treat police dogs injured in the line of duty. Currently, Massachusetts' laws penalize EMT's if they assist an animal in an emergency.
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Can Our Pets Become Addicted To Opioids?
The opioid crisis isn't just impacting people. A new study in Pennsylvania says there's been a big increase in the amount of pain medication being prescribed for pets in the state. The new research shows opioid prescriptions for animals in the state are up 41% over a 10-year period. It's unclear why there's been such a dramatic increase. But, if opioids are so addictive for humans, are they addictive to pets?
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What If Your Pet Could Talk?
There have been some new advances in Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), which suggest the dream of being able to talk with animals could really happen. With the help of A.I., scientists are learning how to translate animals' vocalizations and facial expressions into something we can understand.
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Dog Flu Is Year Round
Canine Influenza, more commonly known as the 'dog flu' is not the same virus as the human flu. For humans, there is a flu season in which the virus is spread, but dog flu is seen year round in pets. You cannot give your dog the flu and you cannot get the flu from your dog. However, dog flu signs and symptoms are much like what people experience such as sneezing, coughing, runny nose and gooey eye discharge. People get flu shots to protect themselves and there IS a flu vaccine for dogs too.
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Most Common Reasons Pets Go To Vets
After treating more than 15,500 animal patients last year, Dove Lewis Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Animal Hospital in Portland has compiled a list of the most common medical issues pets are taken to the vet for, as well as the most common items eaten by pets. The top item pets eat that they shouldn't is chocolate followed by marijuana and human medications.
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Teaching Kids About Spay & Neuter
Lynn Jackson is at the forefront of educating students in Burke County, North Carolina about the acute feral cat and sterilization problems faced by this part of the U.S. She visits with fourth graders and teaches responsible pet ownership.
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Swiffer Hoax Has Been Around - Here It Comes Again.
For some reason, the rumor that the chemicals used in Swiffer Wet Jet cleaner is killing pets is making the rounds again. But don't worry - it's not true! This urban myth has been around for a number of years and seems to get run through the social media grinder every few months.
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The Prince is Back!
Prince Lorenzo Borghese has returned for his second time on Animal Radio. While he never found love on ABC's The Bachelor, he did find a special love for the animals. He helps relocate homeless animals on death row in Georgia to new forever homes in Jersey.
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FBI Tracks Animal Abuse
This year, for the first time, the FBI has begun tracking animal abuse the same way it tracks other major crimes such as murder, arson, and assault, so animal cruelty is now a Class A felony with its own category. Previously, animal cruelty crimes were reported to the FBI as "other." The deputy executive director of the National Sheriffs' Association backed the change when he learned that many serial killers are animal abusers first.
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How Do Dogs Wear Pants?
Julie Korth has been making pants for dogs long before it was cool! As CEO of Mozziepants, she's following her dreams. So many questions. So little time.
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Dog Flu Spreading
There is a dangerous strain of dog flu spreading through the western U.S. Health officials in the Seattle area have confirmed tests showing the virus was found in dogs who stayed at a local doggie daycare facility where at least 80 dogs developed respiratory illness since December. The virus began spreading last spring in the Chicago area and sickened more than 1,000 dogs in the Midwest. Although most dogs recover, a handful of deaths were reported. It has since spread to about 25 states.
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Emotional Support Turkey Flies Delta
Did you see the photo of a turkey that took the Internet by storm after boarding a Delta Airlines passenger flight? It shows the bird sitting opened beaked while being hugged by its owner. Another photo was also shared online of the turkey being transported in a wheelchair. It is believed the turkey was given a seat on the plane as an "emotional support animal."
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Snake-Whisperer Gets The Girls
Brian Barczyk loves reptiles. He has 30,000 snakes. Brian breeds them and sends them all over the globe to his snake-lovin' brethren. He's been bit 100,000 times he estimates and his colorful life is ripe for a TV reality series. Are you listening NatGeo? Oh, and no, he's not single. In fact, the chicks dig it.
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Security K9's For Schools
Following the Sandy Hook tragedy, Mark Gomer got the idea to put Canine Protection Dogs into schools to sniff-out firearms and diffuse violent situations. At $50,000 per dog, Mark is trying to convince schools to purchase one of these full-time K9's to protect their students.
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There's An App For That
Ever wonder where you can take your dog if you are out and about? The Fido Factor app lets people know which places allow dogs, whether it's a department store, restaurant, bar or just about any place else. In addition, the app gives you specific rules for each place, so you'll know things like the leash rules or the fees you'll have to pay.
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When To Say No
Hoarding is a very real problem. Often times, those who collect suffer mental disabilities for which only professional help is the answer. We'll speak to a cat lover that has more cats than she can count, and a dog lover with 16 un-altered pups. Ultimately, the pets suffers from this unrecognized neglect.
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Charm School for Wayward Cats
Shawn Simons said she accidentally started herding and domesticating feral kittens for adoption. What began as a hobby has turned into one of the best rescue stories of the decade. Simons is making a difference for feral and homeless feline across Los Angeles county. She even enlists high-profile celebs to help with her cause.
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Pets Save On Your Medical Bills
Two researchers from George Mason University in Virginia have calculated a savings of more than $11 billion in health care costs in the United States as a result of pet ownership. On average, the 132.8 million pet owners in the country visit a doctor 0.6 times less than the average non-pet owners. With the average cost of a visit to the doctor's office at $139, that calculates to more than $11 billion pet owners did not spend. Not only that, but the dog owners who walked their pet five or more times a week had a lower incidence of obesity and were responsible for saving $419 million in related health care costs, according to the study.
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Secondhand Smoke Bad for Pets
A recent study says that dogs and cats whose humans smoke are at greater risk of cell damage, weight gain and some animal cancers. Researchers in Scotland discovered that, "An examination of the testicles removed from castrated dogs found that a gene, which acts as a marker of cell damage, was higher in dogs living in smoking homes." But if you have cats, the risk is greater because cats groom themselves, which increases the amount of smoke chemicals that enter the body.
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Cat Uses Litter-box as Flotation Device
A very smart cat used its litter box to stay afloat during a devastating flood that had water almost up to the ceiling of his house trailer in Missouri. Two members of the Disaster Response Team from the Humane Society of Missouri pulled up to the trailer in a boat and were able to gently extract the wet cat from the litter box as it floated by a window inside.
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"Boomer The Dog" Guests
Delivered from obscurity by NatGeo's Taboo, Boomer is a dog in a man's body. Some have issues with a grown man dressing up as a dog, eating dog food, and barking out commands. Boomer was inspired by Disney's Shaggy DA movie and hasn't been the same since. Boomer explains his world in this special Animal Radio interview.
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Pet Friendly House
David Beart is building his house especially for his dog. He's teamed up with many manufacturers to stock his pet-friendly dwelling. While this may not seem like a big deal, David may be onto something. The pet industry is the second-fastest growing sector at 58 BILLION dollars this year. It only makes sense that our homes will become more-homier for our furry-friends.
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Online Pet Scams
Scambook's Miranda Perry lists off the top scams directed at the very-delicate and vulnerable pet-lover. These include Craigslist scams for pure-breed puppies to Western Union fraud. She even tells us about a guy who impersonated an animal control officer to bilk money out of noisy neighbors. Be listening so you won't be a victim.
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Ugliest Dog Passes Away
A New Jersey canine that was crowned the World's Ugliest Dog and later became the topic of a children's book preaching acceptance has died. Elwood was 8. His owner, Karen Quigley, says the Chinese crested and Chihuahua mix died unexpectedly. The Sewell resident said Elwood had been dealing with some heath issues in recent months but appeared to be doing well.
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More Vets Offering At-Home Euthanasia
Christi Winter always tried to give her dog Josie the very best in life, so when it was time to say goodbye, Winter didn't want to do anything less. Winter opted to have Josie euthanized at her home, a practice that isn't new, but is becoming a specialized area of veterinary medicine. At least two companies have cropped up in recent years that recruit veterinarians who deal solely with end-of-life care for pets.
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I Just Want To Celebrate
Rare Earth Keyboardist Mike Bruner is our "Hero Person of the Week." He fell into a frozen lake while rescuing a dog that had also fallen in. Mike tells the whole story and even yaps about his menagerie at home.
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There's An App for That
Lauren Drabble is pitching her new smartphone app. The software allows you to easily find rescue and resources for injured wildlife. The next time you run into a wild animal that's hurt, you'll know exactly who to contact to help.
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Making Video Memories
Imagine a short film that highlights your relationship between you and your pet. Franck Tabouring comes to your house and creates a documentary video featuring your pet as the star. A great keepsake!
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Cat Café
You never have to have your tea alone again. The first feline café is now open. Lady Dinah 's Cat Emporium, it's named after Alice's cat in the fairy tale "Alice in Wonderland," has 11 resident kitties. It costs $8.29 cents for two hours of kitty company.
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Performance Standards for Pet Travel Safety Products
Nearly all of us drive with our dogs in the car. And now there are car seats to make sure they're safe in case of a sudden stop or an accident. The Center for Pet Studies has teamed up with Subaru of America in testing car harnesses. They took a look at seven harnesses using a specially designed crash test dog.
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Parsing The Hottest CBD Trend
Topping the list of the biggest pet trends is the use of CBD, a bi-product of marijuana. Dozens of new CBD products have begun popping up. Some might not be so good for your pet and may actually contain arsenic. Dr. Debbie and Lori Brooks explore the pros and cons before you make an informed decision.
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Emotional Support Alligator at New Orleans Airport
It's not uncommon to see dogs or cats being used at major airports as a de-stressor. When you step off a plane in New Orleans, you'll meet an alligator. While these alligators aren't necessarily intended to provide emotional support, they are ready to take a selfie and be petted. Director of Communications at the airport, Erin Burns joins us to explain this unique partnership with the Audubon society.
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Women Sleep Better With Dogs Than Humans
There's a new study out that shows women sleep better next to dogs than their human partners. 55% shared the bed with at least one dog and 31% shared their bed with at least one cat. Researchers found dogs were less likely to wake their owners in the middle of the night than humans, who were equally disruptive to women's sleep and didn't provide the feelings of comfort and security that dogs do.
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Are Kennel Dryers Bad?
If you go to a groomer, you might be very familiar with kennel dryers, used to finish your pet's coat after a grooming. After several tragic accidents, many have become frightened of putting their animal inside the dryer. Dogfather Joey Villani addresses this problem head-on, saying there is nothing inherently wrong with these machines - and instead blaming bad groomers.
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Mayor Takes Terminally Ill Pet On Trip Across America
When someone you love is terminally ill, you may do whatever you can to make the little time left count. Attleboro Massachusetts Mayor Paul Heroux took his dying dog Mura on a cross-country bucket-list trip. He says "Filling up my gas tank: $40. Staying at a sketchy hotel: $60. The look on Mura's face after she just ate a nasty freeway gas station hot dog: Priceless." The animal friendly politician has also gone to far lengths to make his government workplace a pet-friendly environment.
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Troubled Teens Find Help
Research back by the Iams Company is now showing that animal assisted therapy can make a significant difference in the recovery of troubled teens. A New Leash On Life, a program designed to match foster dogs with troubled youth, is having a positive effect on the children's behavior and social interaction. Britt Savage Reports.
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Alligators At The Airport
Many airports around the country are helping to de-stress passengers with teams of therapy animals in the terminals. These mostly include dogs and the occasional therapy pig, which struts around the San Francisco airport, or the therapy cats in Denver. Now, there is a new kind of therapy animal appearing at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in Louisiana, where they have baby alligators at the baggage claim. The program is part of the airport's new partnership with the Audubon Nature Institute. Selfies are encouraged for that souvenir you won't soon forget.
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FDA Reducing Use Of Animals In Research
In keeping with the goals of reducing, replacing and/or refining the use of animals in research, the Food and Drug Administration has released for public comment their proposed research to validate an alternative approach for what they call bioequivalence studies for certain animal drugs. Another proposed change is that for at least two months before a study begins, the FDA's animal care staff will work with the dogs to socialize them and acclimate them to being handled. The dogs will also receive regular veterinary care, including vaccinations and preventive care, so that they remain happy, well socialized and healthy and thus able to be adopted.
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A Loss That's Hard to Explain to the Boss
Losing a furry-companion can be as upsetting (if not more) than losing a human friend. But try explaining that to most bosses and they'll laugh in your face. However, more employers are beginning to include pet bereavement leave in their employment policies. Dr. Sandra Grossman has researched this movement and will explain.
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World's Largest Cloning Factory
The world's largest animal cloning factory is under construction in China, with plans to churn out pets, police dogs, racehorses and beef cattle, to be sold on the open market on an industrial scale.
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Legislation for Retired Military Dogs
It's a great day for military heroes on both ends of the leash. A bill was recently signed including a provision that will allow U.S. military dogs to be returned to the United States upon their retirement and gives their military handlers first chance to adopt them!
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Children with Pets Have Less Anxiety
A new study validates that finding that having a dog to cuddle up to and play with is good for children and are less likely to suffer from anxiety because of it.
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Dog Shoots Wedding Video
On their one-year anniversary, this couple released the most beautiful wedding video to ever be filmed - by a dog. Josh and Addie Burnette strapped a GoPro camera to the collar of their dog Ryder on their wedding day. The result? A two-minute video capturing the most important moments of the day from a "dogs eye view." See The Video
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Traveling with Your Pet
Animal Radio Veterinary Correspondent Dr. Marty Becker has three things you should bring when you travel with your pet. He'll help you curb the anxiety and motion sickness associated with pet travel.
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From Wags To Riches
You've most likely seen his work on film even if you don't recognize him. Bill Berloni is an animal trainer for stage and screen. His reality series on the Discovery Channel follows him around as he trains animals from the shelter for TV and movies.
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Deadly Old Wives Tales
Dr. Debbie says using Chewing Tobacco to worm your pet could kill them. Still, that's one of the more popular Internet home remedies for pets. Please don't rely on Dr. Google to treat your pets for any sickness or disease. It could easily lead you down the wrong treatment path.
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ASPCA Changes Stance On Pets As Gifts
A few years ago, pictures of all kinds of pets in overcrowded animal shelters filled social media as a warning against giving pets as Christmas presents. The ASPCA was just one of several organizations against the idea. However, they've changed their tone. Recently, the ASPCA conducted a survey to learn more about people who acquire pets as gifts. The vast majority of these pets are still in the home.
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Canine Motion Sickness
Just like humans, dogs can also get sick in the car. But the reasons may be different. Dr. Debbie will help you determine the best way to approach this common problem. There are even medicines that are indicated for canine motion sickness.
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Using Pets As "Date Bait"
A recent survey reveals that owning a dog boosts a man's sex appeal and 1 in 5 people admit to using their pets as 'date bait.' The survey conducted by Match.com also found 1/3 of women and 1/4 of men have been attracted to someone because of their pet. Nearly 50% of the women said they judged potential partners on how they responded to their pet. 54% of men said they wouldn't date someone who didn't like pets.
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A Real Animal
Singer/Songwriter Eric Burdon (The Animals/War) guests this weekend on Animal Radio. He'll talk about his affinity for Elephants, and what he's doing about it. Eric will also share his experience living in a zoo.
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Creating a Fear Free World for Your Pets
When two competing radio hosts get together, they must have something really important to talk about. Sure enough, Steve Dale and Hal Abrams team up to talk about the Fear Free movement and how it can benefit your pet.
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What It's Like To Be On Shark Tank
A dozen Animal Radio listeners were the first to get to try out the Brilliant Pad self-cleaning automatic dog potty. Last week, Brilliant Pad creator got his shot on the ABC hit show Shark Tank. With a half-million dollars in shark backing, Alan Cook tells us about the surreal experience of introducing Brilliant Pad to a prime time TV audience.
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Fake Service Dogs on the Rise
19 states have now enacted laws cracking down on people who try to pass off their pets as service animals and Massachusetts is now considering a similar proposal. The toughest of the anti-fake service dog laws already in existence is in California, where the maximum penalty is a $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail.
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Whole-Family Pet Cemeteries
You will be hearing more from the Green Pet-Burial Society as our love of pets continues to grow. The group advocates for "whole-family cemeteries," places where the whole family, pets included, can be buried together. The burial of pet remains in cemeteries designated for humans is illegal in many U.S. states.
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John O'Hurley is Back
Co-host of NBC's Thanksgiving Day National Dog Show; actor John O'Hurley (J. Peterman on Seinfeld) is back for the 14th year to share fun stories about the dogs in his life. He'll also take a stab at pronouncing the new breed names in this year's Thanksgiving Day show. At home, John has two dogs, a Cavalier King Charles named Sadie and a Havanese named Lucy. John says that everything he knows about dogs he learned at the National Dog Show from the breeders and from walking up and down the aisles full of dogs. So when he was looking for new family members, he knew what type of dogs he wanted. John states that dogs are not trials. You should learn about the dog you are interested in and shouldn't get a dog to try it out and see if it will work. The shelters are unfortunately full of too many dogs that were trials.
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Country Star Tanya Tucker Guests
Musician Tanya Tucker joins the Thanksgiving celebration live from Nashville. She has a menagerie of animals and plenty of anecdotes to go around. This is the first time for her on Animal Radio…we'll be gentle. But this ain't her first rodeo. Years ago, Tanya tells us that she lost one of her Chihuahuas in the hills of Malibu, California, for 9 months. He was eventually found about 60 miles away due to a microchip. She was in Nashville when she got the call and they had an incredible reunion, with both of them going crazy!
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Don't Stuff Your Pet With Thanksgiving Leftovers
Thanksgiving is all about enjoying time together - family, friends, and great food. In many households the family pet may also sample a taste from the holiday table; a morsel of turkey breast for Tabby or a side of fixings for Fido. Tuned in to those enticing smells, our pets know how to manipulate us with a flutter of sad puppy dog eyes or incessant meowing. Sharing these Thanksgiving goodies with our pets can put their health in jeopardy, but many of us do it. Over 60-percent of pet owners confess to sharing their holiday meal with their pets, but that doesn't make it wise.
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My Cat from Hell
Animal Planet host, Jackson Galaxy is back to yap about his awesome book. Jackson and Kate (his partner in crime) will show you how to make your house cat-friendly without forsaking aesthetics.
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Banning Shock Collars
The Scottish government is asking residents there for their opinions on electric shock collars, used to train cats and dogs, and if they believe the collars should be banned. Wales, Sweden, Denmark and Germany have already banned shock collars, but supporters of them say they can be used successfully as a last resort - and have compared the pain inflicted to a static shock. Meanwhile, shock-collars are still legal in the United States; the usefulness is still in question. Sometimes a dog will "take the hit" if his/her drive is high.
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CBD for Pets
You've probably heard about CBD, or Cannabidiol, a cannabis compound boasting significant medical benefits. Research on the safety and efficacy in pets is still in its early stages according to Dr. Joe Wakshlag. He'll help us parse out all the claims and navigate the double-talk.
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Selfies Include Pets
Pet owners are being asked if, and why, they include their cat or dog in selfies posted to social media as part of new research into our relationships with our pets. Dr. Lori Kogan, of Colorado State University, said the study indicated 50% of pet owners had their pet as their feature photo on their devices and that behavior offers insights into the close bonds between people and cats and dogs.
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Put Your Phone Down and Stop Ignoring Your Pet
Data from USC's Annenberg Center shows that on average Americans spend nearly 24 hours per week online. Research suggests that pets may get anxious and even depressed when we spend too much time on our smartphones.
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Skunked
"The worst thing you can do when your dog has been sprayed by a skunk is to use tomato juice." That's according to Animal Radio's very own 'Dogfather' Joey Villani. Besides not being effective, it's also pretty messy. But fear not! Joey has the perfect recipe of household products to fix this smelly problem.
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Peace, Love, Goats of Anarchy
Leanne Lauricella gave up her NYC corporate job, traded in her Mercedes for a pickup truck, and decided to care for handicapped goats. She'll never look back! She says it was the best decision ever. She has taken-it-up a level by integrating her love for goats throughout social media. The Goats' online fame landed them on Rachael Ray. Leanne has even published 6 books.
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Chicken-Nugget Eating Alligator Evicted From Home
Authorities in Kansas City, Missouri, discovered an unexpected occupant when they went to evict a man from his grandmother's home. Inside the home, police found a 7-foot, 200-lb. alligator. The grandson said the pet gator was only 15 inches long four years ago and grew bigger over time on a steady diet of chicken nuggets. He added the alligator is afraid of the dark and thunderstorms.
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Your Pet's Carbon Paw-print
Actor Ed Begley Jr. is well-known for being green before green was cool. He'll share ideas for reducing your pet's carbon paw-print and saving money at the same time.
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Canine Fender Bender
A woman recently returned from her shopping trip at the mall to discover her car had been hit by a vehicle driven by three dogs. She later learned the owner had left it running with the animals inside and they somehow managed to put it into gear.
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Top Pet Accident-Prone States
Petplan Pet Insurance compiled a list of states that are more likely to have accident prone pets. California tops the list followed by Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
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Rawhide
What's wrong with a little rawhide treat now and then? A lot! Besides the lacks of nutritional value, it is commonly a choking hazard. Dr. Debbie sees choking cases in her office several times a year caused by splintered rawhide treats. Some are fatal!
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Benefits of Pets at Work
A new study supports the stress reducing benefits of bringing your pooch to work. The study also reveals that workers have an increased level of job satisfaction and work productivity as well as higher staff morale.
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George The Skateboarding Dog
Nadine Singel never tried to train her bulldog to skateboard. When you see him surfing the concrete with such passion and skill, it's hard to believe that he picked up the sport by watching neighborhood kids skateboarding. You'll love George's story.
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Why You Should Adopt A Senior Pet
Senior pets are often the most undesirable pets to adopt. But seniors actually make great pets. So says Kim Skarritt, founder of the Silver Muzzle Cottage, a rescue and hospice for older dogs. She's committed to making the last months of a pet's life comfortable and happy.
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The Lucrative Pet Treat Business
Anyone looking to cash in on the booming pet products business would be smart to investigate making pet treats, which have outpaced both dog and cat food in the last five years in the US. New research shows that pet treat sales increased by 29%, growing to more than 4 billion dollars of the retail pet products industry.
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Most Popular Top Pet Costumes For This Year
If you are one of the many people who just love Halloween, you may already have your pet's costume. But if you don't, we have your list of the top ten costumes for pets this year. It turns out that this year you'll likely be seeing a lot of cats that look like dogs and dogs that look like cats. About 20% of pets will be parading around in costumes this Halloween.
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What You Need To Know About Rabies
Pet World Insider Robert Semrow says many pet parents have heard of, but may not truly understand what Rabies is or how it can affect our pets and us. Rabies is a serious illness that can have fatal consequences. This is one of those illnesses that you can be very proactive with. Have a strategy and understanding of the risks to you and your pets.
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Celebrating Halloween With Your Pet
A mere 16% of us dress our pets for Halloween. This year, there are more choices than ever for unique costumes. Costume maker Allison Albert shares her latest and greatest designs. Dr. Debbie has tips for those pets that just aren't into this scary holiday.
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Common Flea Meds Causing Seizures
The FDA has issued a warning that flea medications in the Isoxazoline class such as Bravecto, Credelio, Nexgard and Simparica may do more than just combat flea or tick infestations. It turns out they all have the potential of causing seizures, muscle tremors or other neurological problems in pets.
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L.A. Bans Sale Of Furs
Los Angeles is the largest city in the U.S. to ban the sale of fur. The city council has voted unanimously to move forward with the ban, which will take effect 24-months after final language is passed. The ban will prohibit the sale of coats, handbags, shoes, hats, jewelry, accessories and other products made in whole or in part of fur.
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Pop Up Pee Pads
Bill Klein (TLC's The Little Couple) invented a pee pad with a pop-up fire hydrant. He says it cured his dog's inappropriate urination and it can help other dogs. Bill's business is enjoying success. He says humor coupled with social media is the best marketing. The Little Couple reality-star says he's proud to be in the "pee-pad" business because his product addresses a grand problem that affects so many dog owners.
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ASPCA Fighting Predatory Lenders
The ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) has filed a lawsuit in New Jersey on behalf of two sisters who unknowingly entered into a pet leasing agreement so they could purchase an 8-week-old Golden Retriever puppy from a pet store. Both the lender and the pet store are targeted in the lawsuit. Pet stores and online puppy sellers offer pet leasing schemes to make high priced puppies appear more affordable. Consumers may think they are opting for a standard payment plan, but many of these arrangements are actually leases where the consumers are required to make inflated monthly payments while the leasing company retains ownership of the dog. At the end of the lease, the consumer is required to make an additional payment if they want to keep the dog. For the sisters in this case, they will have paid a total of $5,300 at the end of the 24-month period to fully own their dog, now named Cooper, whose original purchase price was $3,500.
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Can Dogs Be Gay?
Dogs may exhibit behavior that we, as humans, construe as sexual behavior. The truth of the matter is that it has more to do with dominance and not sexual preference. Alan Kabel unravels the mystery that has many of us scratching our head in confusion.
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Flight of The Butterflies
Dr. Chip Taylor was the advisor of the 3-D hit IMAX movie "Flight of the Butterflies." He explains the intriguing migration of the Monarch from Mexico to Canada. You might be surprised about the life of this casual insect.
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Dogs Get High On Pot
Pooches getting high on pot is an increasing problem in states where medical marijuana is legal. Veterinarians say what used to be a rare problem is becoming alarmingly more common, and the results can be deadly. Dr. Stacy Meola says "Dogs most commonly get stoned by eating their owner's pot-enhanced foods." Our own Dr. Debbie White is upset when owners won't come clean in order to save their pet.
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Who Better To Find A Lost Dog Than Another Dog?
Anne Wills is the founder and executive director of Dogs Finding Dogs, a Baltimore-area nonprofit that uses trained tracking teams to search for lost pets.
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Armed & Dangerous Turtles
If a pet turtle shows up at your home, do not take him in. He is considered armed and dangerous. No joke. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of Salmonella cases linked to tiny breeds of the reptile is on the rise.
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Dog Hitchhikes Under The Hood
A dog survived a 110-mile trip beneath the hood of a Chevy Silverado with the blazing Southern California sun above. Jaime Magana of Chino says he had no idea there was a dog hitching a ride in the engine compartment until he stopped in San Clemente for lunch.
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Funny-lady Nicole Sullivan's Sleeping Arrangements
America's Favorite Dog Walker, actress & comedian Nicole Sullivan (King of Queens - MadTV) is our guest. She wants you to know about the Kitty Bungalow Charm School for Wayward Cats. She's also wants you to know her sleeping arrangements.
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DON'T Give Your Dog a Bone
Vets are now warning people not to give their dog a bone because it could kill them. And, if you're thinking that only applies to cooked bones, which break and splinter much easier, that is not always the case. Surgery is usually needed to remove any blockage and in some cases, the damage caused by bones is so serious that it can be fatal.
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120 Pound Rodent
The word rodent implies ugly unwanted, little creatures that sneak into your home and freak out a lot of us. There is a 120-pound rodent in Texarkana that is genuinely loved, hugged and even given home-cooked meals. His name is Chico and he’s a Capybara, a species National Geographic says is, "The World's Largest Living Rodent."
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Creating a Foster Revolution
The mastermind behind the world's largest pet adoption website, Petfinder, is working to change the way un-adoptable animals find homes. Betsy Saul created the website 911FosterPets.com to unite transitional pets with foster parents.
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He Cloned His Dog!
George Semel cloned his dog after it was mauled by a Rottweiler. Now the Koreans are holding his three cloned puppies for ransom. They want more than the $50,000 he was initially asked to pay. And what proof does he have that these are actually cloned animals? None yet. Join us as TLC's "I Cloned My Pet" films this compelling interview.
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Cemetery Welcomes Man's Best Friend
Families have been known to skirt cemetery rules in trying to reunite Fido or Patches with their owners, slipping a tiny tub of ashes into a casket or sprinkling their remains at a grave site when no one's looking. But come spring, animal lovers won't have to be so sneaky anymore in one state.
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Elayne Boosler Guests
Yes, she's one of America's most outstanding comics, but she's also an animal advocate with her own 501c3 organization created to help the smaller shelters save animals. Find out why she hates the Humane Society of the United States and the ASPCA.
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Should Groomers Be Licensed?
After several news stories about bad groomers giving bad cuts or even cutting off ears and super-gluing them back on, a few legislators want to make licensing groomers mandatory. The crusade continues in California.
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Read more about this week's show.
He Cloned His Dog!
George Semel cloned his dog after it was mauled by a Rottweiler. Now the Koreans are holding his three cloned puppies for ransom. They want more than the $50,000 he was initially asked to pay. And what proof does he have that these are actually cloned animals? None yet. Join us as TLC's "I Cloned My Pet" films this compelling interview.
Listen Now
Cemetery Welcomes Man's Best Friend
Families have been known to skirt cemetery rules in trying to reunite Fido or Patches with their owners, slipping a tiny tub of ashes into a casket or sprinkling their remains at a grave site when no one's looking. But come spring, animal lovers won't have to be so sneaky anymore in one state.
Listen Now
Elayne Boosler Guests
Yes, she's one of America's most outstanding comics, but she's also an animal advocate with her own 501c3 organization created to help the smaller shelters save animals. Find out why she hates the Humane Society of the United States and the ASPCA.
Listen Now
Should Groomers Be Licensed?
After several news stories about bad groomers giving bad cuts or even cutting off ears and super-gluing them back on, a few legislators want to make licensing groomers mandatory. The crusade continues in California.
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Read more about this week's show.
Moving Animals For The Rich And Famous
If your last airplane flight had you sitting next to a baboon, it could've been for a client of Pacific Pet Transport, the latest company to get a Reality TV show. They move animals for the rich and famous. From rhinos to snakes, James Nelligan shares their travels and spills the beans on Alanis Morissette and several other big names.
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Banned Pit Bulls
Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) has many up in arms over these ridiculous laws. What's the real story behind Lennox, the dog put to sleep simply because he was a Pit Bull in a county that outlaws them. Even big cities like Denver are saying "no" to Pit Bulls. Good laws or just plain arrogance? Tammy Crew tells you about an organization that has formed to fight BSL.
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Rogue Turtle
Searching for an escaped turtle requires more thinking than walking. Zeke couldn't have gone far. Driving that shell around town can't be easy, and top-speed is about 300 yards per hour. Still, after much searching, and a blast of publicity that has made him a North Shore celebrity.
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Baby Boomers Giving Up On Pets
While we have heard about people abandoning animals because they couldn't afford them any longer, it's more likely the decline in ownership is due to people choosing not to bring new pets into their households after their old pets have passed away, Stephen Zawistowski, science advisor to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), says that the aging baby boomer population may be part of the reason why fewer pets are in homes.
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No More Fried Green Tomatoes
While you shouldn't be feeding your dog table scraps anyway, now there is a warning to avoid green tomatoes altogether. The chemicals in un-ripe tomatoes and even raw potatoes can easily cause your dog to go into seizures. Dr. Debbie has what you need to know to protect your pup.
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Read more about this week's show.
Moving Animals For The Rich And Famous
If your last airplane flight had you sitting next to a baboon, it could've been for a client of Pacific Pet Transport, the latest company to get a Reality TV show. They move animals for the rich and famous. From rhinos to snakes, James Nelligan shares their travels and spills the beans on Alanis Morissette and several other big names.
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Banned Pit Bulls
Breed Specific Legislation (BSL) has many up in arms over these ridiculous laws. What's the real story behind Lennox, the dog put to sleep simply because he was a Pit Bull in a county that outlaws them. Even big cities like Denver are saying "no" to Pit Bulls. Good laws or just plain arrogance? Tammy Crew tells you about an organization that has formed to fight BSL.
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Rogue Turtle
Searching for an escaped turtle requires more thinking than walking. Zeke couldn't have gone far. Driving that shell around town can't be easy, and top-speed is about 300 yards per hour. Still, after much searching, and a blast of publicity that has made him a North Shore celebrity.
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Baby Boomers Giving Up On Pets
While we have heard about people abandoning animals because they couldn't afford them any longer, it's more likely the decline in ownership is due to people choosing not to bring new pets into their households after their old pets have passed away, Stephen Zawistowski, science advisor to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), says that the aging baby boomer population may be part of the reason why fewer pets are in homes.
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No More Fried Green Tomatoes
While you shouldn't be feeding your dog table scraps anyway, now there is a warning to avoid green tomatoes altogether. The chemicals in un-ripe tomatoes and even raw potatoes can easily cause your dog to go into seizures. Dr. Debbie has what you need to know to protect your pup.
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Ripley's Strangest Animals
Ripley's Believe It Or Not is back for their parade down Animal Radio avenue with the most-bizarre and exceptional dogs, cats, fish, birds and insects. We are proud to have more giveaways of the new coffee-table book.
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Smartphones for Cows
The age-old task of determining when your milk-cow is in heat is over. A French company has designed a cell-gadget that attaches to the cows genitalia and automatically texts you when it detects an increase in temperature and movement; both signs of being in heat.
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Fall at the Vet Clinic
Dr. Debbie is already seeing her usual increase in business this time of year. From candy poisoning to consumed costumes, Autumn always means trouble for thousands of pets across the country. Debbie will tell you what you need to know to stay out of the hospital.
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Pet Pix Boost Productivity
Sarah Kliff reports on a study that proves putting pictures of baby animals on your desk can actually increase the amount of work that you achieve. Find out what makes this so. Then start digging out those photos of kittens and puppies.
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Read more about this week's show.
Ripley's Strangest Animals
Ripley's Believe It Or Not is back for their parade down Animal Radio avenue with the most-bizarre and exceptional dogs, cats, fish, birds and insects. We are proud to have more giveaways of the new coffee-table book.
Listen Now
Smartphones for Cows
The age-old task of determining when your milk-cow is in heat is over. A French company has designed a cell-gadget that attaches to the cows genitalia and automatically texts you when it detects an increase in temperature and movement; both signs of being in heat.
Listen Now
Fall at the Vet Clinic
Dr. Debbie is already seeing her usual increase in business this time of year. From candy poisoning to consumed costumes, Autumn always means trouble for thousands of pets across the country. Debbie will tell you what you need to know to stay out of the hospital.
Listen Now
Pet Pix Boost Productivity
Sarah Kliff reports on a study that proves putting pictures of baby animals on your desk can actually increase the amount of work that you achieve. Find out what makes this so. Then start digging out those photos of kittens and puppies.
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Read more about this week's show.
Blessing of the Animals
He's back to bless your dogs, cats, fish, birds, snakes, and even your iguanas! Dr. James Capers claims to be fluent in "parrot" among other languages. His charismatic personality will put a smile on your face and his blessing will bring your pet years of happiness.
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Rock Eating Kitty
Dr. Debbie takes on some of America's biggest challenges every week. This week it's all about a cat that eats rocks. What would make a kitty do such a thing. How do you stop this behavior before it becomes trouble?
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Craigslist Scam On Lost Pets
Losing a pet is an emotional time for any pet owner and the best possible scenario is for your pet to come home on its own, the next is to receive a call from someone who found your pet, safe and uninjured. The Connecticut Humane Society has issued a warning about a scam, preying on vulnerable pet owners.
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Candy Eating Cows
You know what they say: "If life gives you bulk quantities of defective candy unfit for human consumption, make chocolate-laced cattle feed." Or that's what they say in Kentucky apparently, where an industrious cattleman has responded to skyrocketing corn prices by swapping out the corn in his 1,400 cows' diets for low-grade candy.
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Read more about this week's show.
Blessing of the Animals
He's back to bless your dogs, cats, fish, birds, snakes, and even your iguanas! Dr. James Capers claims to be fluent in "parrot" among other languages. His charismatic personality will put a smile on your face and his blessing will bring your pet years of happiness.
Listen Now
Rock Eating Kitty
Dr. Debbie takes on some of America's biggest challenges every week. This week it's all about a cat that eats rocks. What would make a kitty do such a thing. How do you stop this behavior before it becomes trouble?
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Craigslist Scam On Lost Pets
Losing a pet is an emotional time for any pet owner and the best possible scenario is for your pet to come home on its own, the next is to receive a call from someone who found your pet, safe and uninjured. The Connecticut Humane Society has issued a warning about a scam, preying on vulnerable pet owners.
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Candy Eating Cows
You know what they say: "If life gives you bulk quantities of defective candy unfit for human consumption, make chocolate-laced cattle feed." Or that's what they say in Kentucky apparently, where an industrious cattleman has responded to skyrocketing corn prices by swapping out the corn in his 1,400 cows' diets for low-grade candy.
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Read more about this week's show.
Actress/Comedian Debra Wilson Guests
Debra Wilson has a thing for long, slimy, slithering reptiles. In fact, he shares her life with one. Get all the gooey details and find out why she's Nuts for Mutts.
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Dancing Dogs
Author Jon Katz is back and this time he's sharing short stories about our strange and unique connection to our animals. You're not alone when you spoil your furry family.
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Special Dog Gets Second Leash on Life
Nakio was a prime candidate to be euthanized when rescuers found all four of his paws frozen and useless. That until Christine Pace came into his life and arranged for prosthetics for all four of his feet.
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How About A Kid's Party Where You Swim With The Alligators!
A Florida company has decided to offer children unique pool parties the kids will likely never forget. The folks who run Alligator Attractions in Madeira Beach are offering live alligators that swim with the children at area pool parties.
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Jerseyans Are Split on Dog Seatbelts
A poll says New Jerseyans are split on car seatbelts for dogs. 45% of residents favor the idea, but a solid 40% oppose it. Violators are subject to a $20 ticket.
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Bully Sticks Recalled
Yet again, this popular dog treat is being recalled because of salmonella contamination. While a majority of the recalled product comes from Asia, you might be surprised to know it's packaged as "Made in the USA."
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Clint Eastwood's Daughter Talks Animals
Alison Eastwood talks about her Reality TV show on Nat Geo. "Animal Invaders" focuses on exotic animals that are living in inadequate conditions. Alison talks about life with dad and says Clint is allergic to horses, making much of his early days of film a tough act.
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Living Piggy Bank
A Florida couple doesn't seem to have any need for a piggy bank, since their ten-year-old beagle Arnie appears to be more than willing to fill the role of money-holder. Corey and Hope O'Kelley say their canine companion has twice swallowed hundreds of dollars in cash. The O'Kelleys were able to recover $100 after it passed through the dog's system, but they weren't as lucky when Arnie came back for a second expensive meal last month.
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Sugar Gliders as a Pet
Dr. Laurie Hess is a small exotic pet veterinarian. She says we are woefully uneducated about the husbandry of birds and other small pets. The good doctor tells us about some great alternatives to dogs and cats, like the marsupial Sugar Glider.
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Dogs Banned From Downtown
A western Pennsylvania city working hard to revitalize a key 10-block stretch of its downtown business district is considering banning dogs from the area as part of the plan. Officials in Beaver Falls, population 10,000, believe part of the problem is that larger dogs, including Pit Bulls and Rottweilers, are sometimes left tied to parking meters by their owners.
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Dog Holds Vigil At Grave For Six Years
A faithful dog is refusing to leave his master, even though he's been at his side for six years in a graveyard. An Argentinean newspaper reports the dog ran away from home after his owner died. One week later, the man's family found the German Shepherd wailing by his owner's grave.
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360 Dogs Died From Jerky Treats Made In China
In the past year and a half, at least 360 dogs and one cat have died in the U.S. after eating chicken jerky pet treats made in China, according to a new online summary posted by the FDA. Meanwhile, more than 2,200 reports have come in to the agency from pet owners claiming their animals were sickened or died after eating these products.
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Nat Geo's Incredible Dr. Pol
Not only is he Incredible, but he has quite the sense of humor also. Dr. Pol describes what it's like to have a camera watching your every move, including when his arm is two feet up a cow's ... well ... you know.
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Puppy IN Pants Results In Animal Cruelty
A Colorado woman has been arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty after allegedly shoving her Chihuahua puppy down her pants. The incident occurred during a domestic dispute in which policed found Johna Turner arguing with a man. When police arrived, eyewitnesses told them to search Turner's pants and when they did a Chihuahua fell out.
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DNA Poop Patrol
A homeowners association in Texas is trying to collect samples of dog poop for DNA testing. The HOA says too many dogs are doing their business in common areas, and they want a database of DNA profiles. That way, future messes will be matched to the correct owners in the small condominium complex, who will then be fined.
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Couple's Fight Over Dog
Pet insurance company Esure say dogs cause 156 fights per year per family. The most contentious canine disputes center around who will take the little guy for a walk, whether he's allowed in bed, and where he goes when family vacations. 17% of doggie disputes leave owners sleeping on the couch.
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Foul Mouthed Cockatoo Offends Neighbors
A Rhode Island woman's allegedly foul-mouthed cockatoo is being accused of ruining her neighbors' quality of life. According to the "Boston Herald," Lynne Taylor is scheduled to return to court next week to fight allegations that she violated a city animal noise ordinance. Taylor's neighbors, her ex-husband Craig Fontaine and his girlfriend Kathleen Melker, say Taylor trained her pet bird Willy to yell curse words at them.
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MAS*H's "Klinger", Jamie Farr Guests
Known for his outlandish role on the long-running series MASH, Jamie Farr* started his career cleaning the cages of chinchillas. Animals have always been a part of his life and he's proud to share his story.
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What Are The Chances Your Pet Will Be Lost?
The ASPCA did a survey of pet owners to find out if they ever lost their pets. A Whopping 15% misplaced their furry companion in the last 5 years. What is the best technique for keeping track of your dog or cat, or even iguana? ASPCA's Dr. Emily Weiss explains.
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Man Breaks No Laws Dressing As A Goat
The Utah photographer who spotted a person dressed like a mountain goat on an Ogden hillside is describing his encounter. Coty Creighton says the photos showing a costumed human mingling with real wild goats on Ben Lomond Peak. State officials say mountain goats can become aggressive and inflict serious harm. They also worry the individual dressed as a goat could be mistaken for wild game by hunters.
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Don't Toss The Cat In With The Laundry
A Scottish woman will most likely sort her laundry a little more carefully after she accidentally tossed her cat in the washing machine. Emma Lothian says her family's ten-week-old tortoiseshell, was apparently sleeping in the laundry basket with a pile of dirty clothes, and wound up going through the hot-water wash cycle before she was discovered. Lothian says she first noticed something was wrong when Tinker wasn't running around her legs as she did her usual chores, and eventually heard a noise coming from the washing machine. Lothian saw Tinker stuck on top of the clothes and pried open the door to get her out. Vet John Buxton, who says he's never seen a case like this, put the cat in a heated oxygen chamber, and she eventually made a full recovery.
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If You Want To Put More Playtime Into Your Life, Get A Dog!
A recent poll shows that adults who have a dog are 30% more likely to carve out opportunities several times a week to play. And for 61%, the play companion they enjoy the most is their dog. By comparison 48% would rather play with their spouse or significant other.
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Lake Algae Can Be Harmful For Your Dog
If your dog likes to swim, it's probably best to make sure he only swims in the pool this summer. Pollution Control Agency is asking swimmers and pet owners to be aware of algae-ridden lakes and foul-smelling water after toxins from the blue-green blooms killed some dogs last month.
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Should You Have Pet Insurance?
If you don't have it, you've probably asked yourself whether you should have pet insurance for when the unexpected happens. Since pets are living longer and our veterinary medicine has advanced, options for emergency treatment can be costly unless you have insurance. But that doesn't necessarily mean, "go out and get it." Doc Halligan has important tips for deciding if you should get it and choosing the right policy.
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Take-Your-Dog-To-Work-Day Now Includes Snakes and Pigs
As take-your-dog-to-work-day becomes the everyday norm in many offices; owners of less common pets have begun to demand equality. If dogs are welcome at work, then others feathered, furry, winged and scaly companions should be allowed at the office too although some co-workers don't agree. Snakes are allowed at the Seattle headquarters of Amazon.com. About 8% of U.S. companies allow pets at work, and the practice seems to be especially prevalent among tech firms.
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Finding Jobs for the Un-adoptable
Pete Coppolillo is scouring shelter for dogs that display traits undesirable for adoption. He's especially looking at prey drive, as these dogs make excellent "working conservation dogs." And Pete is happy to give these dogs a job and a home.
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Strange Animal Laws
David Rosengard, a Staff Attorney for the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) explores the 10 Weirdest Animal Laws on the Books. He'll also share some of the important work the ALDF does for animals worldwide by being a voice for the voiceless.
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How Much Would You Spend to Save Your Pet?
More and more pet parents these days are willing to go the financial distance for their pets to give them the best. Americans dog owners spend $2,033 toward their pets on average each year and cat owners about half that at $1,042. But when pet owners are forced to choose between big vet bills and the life of their furry friends, dog owners are willing to pay around $7,000 more than cat owners according to a new survey. So what's the actual number? Those who have dogs say they're willing to spend up to $10,725 to save their pets, while cat owners say they're willing to spend up to $3,454. But for those people who had both cats and dogs, they'd be willing to spend up to $10,200 on average for either their cats or dogs.
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Spare Fido the Advil
Ibuprofen is the #1 medication about which the Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) receives calls. Never, ever, give a dog ibuprofen without first consulting a veterinarian. Pets metabolize ibuprofen differently than humans and even small amounts of the human pain reliever can be dangerous to animals. Giving your dog ibuprofen can cause vomiting and gastric distress and could also lead to seizures, coma and death. APCC's annual report breaks down the most common pet toxins across the nation. Popular brands of ibuprofen include Advil, Motrin and Midol.
Owner Leaves $300,000 to Her Cats
A couple of cats in New York will be living a better life than many of us after their elderly, wealthy owner passed away and left them $300,000 in her will. A health care aide who worked with their former owner is now caring for the cats, Troy and Tiger. Now they are trust fund cats.
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Sloth Love
Most every social media butterfly has seen at least one cute video of a sloth (if not, check out our Facebook page). These litter critters are so cute, that many people want one as a pet. Photographer Sam Trull says she "went to Costa Rica for the primates but stayed for the sloths." She has the lowdown on sloths, and she says people think they're slow. She says "they can be fast when they want to, and their nails are pretty scary too."
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Personal Pet Check Up
You know your pet better than anyone else, including your vet. Doc Halligan tells us how to do a weekly "once over" exam. Follow these steps and you'll be on top of any problems before they become serious.
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The Cat's Got More Than Your Tongue
A pet feline in New Zealand has been stealing men's underwear and socks from other people's homes! In just 2 months, the 6 year old cat named Brigit, acquired 11 pairs of underwear and more than 50 pairs of socks. Brigit’s owner says she has put notes in every mailbox on her street to warn her neighbors.
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Doggy DNA Nabs Poop Offenders
A luxury apartment community near Grand Rapids, Michigan says it will use DNA technology as a way to sniff out dog owners who fail to pick up their pets' poop. The Ridges of Cascade complex is asking dog owners to swab their pet's mouth so it can build a DNA database that will allow it to identify residents who ignore its strict cleanup policy. The management company as already contracted with the Tennessee-based company PooPrints to collect DNA samples of each dog in the development. Violators will face a $350 fine.
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What Happens To Your Pet If Something Happens To You?
You don't have to be Leona Helmsley to plan for your pet if you should die. Estate Attorney AJ Fudge is our guest. She says it's easy to plan for any eventuality, but you should know how. Simply putting your pet in your will isn't enough, as that may be contested.
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Funny Vet Stories
Dr. Bo Brock has just about seen it all, despite living in the middle of nowhere. He's treated just about every animal, from Ostriches to Elephants. He'll tell us several hilarious stories about strange but true cases from his peculiar practice.
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When Ugly = Cute
The winner of this year’s World’s Ugliest Dog Contest is a wrinkled; wispy- haired, bony Chinese crested Chihuahua named Sweepee. The tiny girl is 17 years old, blind in both eyes and at only four pounds, is not much bigger than two hands put together. She was a crowd favorite at the Petaluma, California contest. Sweepee's favorite thing to do is ride with her dad on his motorcycle. He won $1,500 and a six-foot tall trophy for Sweepee's win.
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Giving Your Pet A Check Up
Doc Halligan will teach us how to give your pet a weekly check up. Knowing exactly what to look for could mean the difference between life and death. Early detection gives you the best odds when it comes to your pet's health.
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Most Pet Friendly Companies
Many companies offer perks to their employees to keep their workers happy and boost their productivity, perks like gym memberships, foosball tables, free snacks and stuff like that. But if you are an animal lover who yearns to work in a pet-friendly office, Fortune Magazine has come out with a list of the most pet-friendly companies to work for.
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5 Summer Outings That Include Dogs
Do you want to take your dog with your for some summer fun? Why not? Animal Radio's Pet World Insider Robert Semrow has compiled a list that you and your furry-friend will find useful and exciting.
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The Vet Life
Dr. Diarra Blue from Animal Planet's hit show, The Vet Life, is our special guest. He's an over-the-top charismatic professional that has some great stories about his unusual practice in Houston.
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Pet Flipping
Animal rights groups say pet flipping is becoming a growing problem because of a rise in social media use. Pet flipping is when a person sees a pet on social media websites, like Facebook or Craigslist, they get the pet with phony information, then sell the animal to make money off of it. The really bad news is that pet flipping is legal because pets are considered personal property, so people can sell them like anything else.
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Helping Pit Bull Owners Find Rentals
Pet owners know how difficult it is to find housing, but for pit bull owners it can be nearly impossible to find a place where you can have your pet. A new non-profit called "My Pit Bull is Family," provides resources for dog owners across the country with a database listing all pit bull-friendly properties. The website MyPitBullisFamily.org features an interactive map where pet parents can click on their state and a list of contact information for potential rental leads will pop up. Statistics show that nearly 30% of people give up their dogs because their landlord does not allow dogs; making it the number-one reason people give up a pet. My Pit Bull is Family also offers users a list of insurance companies that do not participate in breed-specific discrimination against pit bull-types, Rottweilers, German Shepherds and Chow Chows.
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Emmy's Hope
This young lady is a breath of fresh air in our crazy world. Meet 11-year-old Emmy Perry, who was recently featured in a national Kleenex campaign for her work saving animals. She has saved 250 animals to date. She also received an award from the City Of Orange for her work with animals.
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What Goes On When You Leave
Animal Radio's Pet World Insider, Robert Semrow, has the Top 5 Secret Things Your Pets Do When You're Away. We can only imagine what goes on when you leave home... or can we?
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Diseases Your Pet Can Give You
Doc Halligan has some creepy news about Zoonotic disease that humans can get from their cats, dogs and even turtles. While the good doctor doesn't want you to be scared of your pet, she says it's good to be aware of the risks. And pregnant women....listen up!
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The Misunderstood Pit-Bull
The youthful and charismatic Bronwen Dickey has made her fight about the Pit-Bull. The years of research that went into her new book easily qualifies her as an expert on the breed that is banned from many big U.S. cities.
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Drug May Slow Down A Dog's Aging Process
An ongoing study out of the University of Washington now hopes to gain insight on the drug Rapamycin (which is used to prevent organ transplant rejection in humans) and its ability to slow down aging in canines. Researchers will follow 10,000 companion dogs of all kinds, as they age - not in labs, but dogs that actually live with their owners at home.
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Service Animal Fraud
There are now laws in many states making misrepresentation of a service animal a crime. For example, in Florida, the penalty carries a $500 fine and up to 60 days in jail. Lori Brooks will tell you how to spot a true service dog and what questions establishments are allowed to ask you if you have a service animal.
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I Tried The Weirdest Pet Products On The Internet
From the Licki Brush to the Puppoose, The Washington Post's Sadie Dingfelder tried some of the oddest pet products for sale online. She'll tell us how it went. For instance, give your dog a toy - a rawhide chew, a tennis ball, or even this little plush figurine of Donald Trump - and your dog, regardless of political affiliation, will immediately tear it to shreds. Cats, on the other hand, dispose of their belongings by looking at them with such disdain that the toys self-destruct in shame.
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Why Would You Want To Genetically Preserve Your Pet?
Melain Rodriguez from Viagen Pets says there are lots of reasons you should think about Genetic Preservation. Collecting a sample of your pet's DNA could be helpful if there are medical advances that could potentially help your furry-friend. Of course, you could also use the DNA to clone your pet too.
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Vet On Call
Animal Radio's Veterinarian, Dr. Debbie White will answer your questions about your pet's health, because that's what we do. Make sure to call us toll-free Animal Radio App for iPhone and Android.
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How My Cat Made Me A Better Man
Jeremy Feig was at rock bottom - broke, alone, and living in a shoe box-sized apartment. At the same time, his cat was perfectly content. What was her secret? She couldn't say it out loud, but it was clear she had all the answers to living a good life. Jeremy will share those answers with Animal Radio listeners.
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Jewel Thief
Alan Kabel reports on a dog that swallowed their guardian's wedding ring. What happens next is quite amusing. He'll also tell us about an alligator that loves pizza.
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Doggy Limousine Service
Daniel Williams quit his regular job to open a pet transport business, like Zoo-ber. He says it's going well although he has one customer than demands he talks to their dog only in "baby-talk."
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Fighting Fleas
We're on the heels of another big flea season. Chances are good your pets will get fleas, unless you live in Las Vegas or Phoenix. Is there a safer solution than the traditional topicals? Doc Halligan says there are lots of safe remedies for the 'battle of the fleas.'
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Fat Pets and Disease
Diabetes is fairly prevalent with the trend towards obese pets. It can be managed with daily insulin injections. Pancreatitis also plagues dogs especially when they've been fed fatty treats from the table. Dr. Debbie has the information you need if your pet suffers from an obesity related disease.
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5 Most Uncommon Legal Pets
Animal Radio's Pet World Insider Robert Semrow has a knack for lists. This week he has the top 5 strange, unique and elusive pets that are actually legal to own in the U.S. - Sorry, ferrets are still against the law in California and New York.
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8-Legged Pets
You may not think of big hairy spiders as pets, but some people do, and Petco wants their business. The company has announced it is expanding their "tarantula offerings" to give pet parents the chance to further explore the amazing world of arachnids. Interestingly, not only do tarantulas have eight legs, they also have a large round eye surrounded by three smaller ones on each side for a total of eight eyes as well.
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From the "Too Stupid to Own a Pet Department"
A California woman captured video of another woman driving her car and walking her dog by holding its leash out of the car window while she was driving. The director of the local animal services department in Stockton said he found the video distressing and recommended the woman be charged with animal cruelty, but police reviewed the video and did not believe there was evidence of cruelty, but said the woman in the car would have been charged with "distracted driving" IF she had been seen by an officer.
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FDA Warns Dog Owners About Xylitol
The Federal Drug and Food Administration is warning dog owners about a new diet Peanut Butter made with an alternative sweetener. 'Xylitol' can shut a dog's kidney down in a matter of minutes.
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The Lowdown On Pet Microchips
Still, the best way to ensure your lost pet is returned is by implanting a rice-sized microchip under their skin. This is a simple, fast and painless procedure done at your veterinarian or local shelter. Some people are afraid of the technology, mistakenly thinking 'Big Brother' is tracking your pet. We'll break that myth. We'll also discuss the different types of microchips and how to make sure your pet has the right one.
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Pet Pictures Can Drastically Change Attitude
We all love pets and whenever anyone feels socially rejected or sad, new research from Miami University shows that just a thought - or a picture of their pet - can lift their mood. In the study they also found that just thinking about another human did not produce the same effect.
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Paralyzed Kitten Gets Lego Wheelchair
A kitten that was found paralyzed and abandoned by its mother on the streets of upstate New York has been given a unique makeshift wheelchair by a local veterinarian. This mobility device was made out of Legos!
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Goose Knocks On Police Cruiser For Help
A mother goose recently knocked on the door of a Cincinnati police cruiser in her search for help for a gosling tangled in a Mylar balloon string. The officer in the car said he initially thought the goose was hungry when he discovered her pecking at the door of his car.
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Adventure Cats
Just when you thought you knew all there was to know about cats, Laura Moss tells us about cats that like hiking, camping, kayaking, canoeing, and even surfing. If you have an adventurous cat, she'll tell you what you can do to enrich the furr-balls' life.
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The Inner Life of Cats
For millennia, cats have been celebrated as secretive, mysterious companions, content to live alongside (but apart from) humans. Thomas McNamee shares the science revealing cats' hidden depths of emotion and affection for humans.
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Deadliest Animal Kills About 120 People Yearly
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control, pit bulls are NOT the deadliest animals, or even rattlesnakes. Believe it or not, deer are the deadliest animals in America, responsible for killing 120 people on average every year. Deer are normally not violent, but the majority of the deaths caused from deer stem from car accidents.
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Think Twice Before Putting Your Pet on a Plane
United Airlines is investigating an incident where one of the world's biggest rabbits was found dead after a plane had landed from a flight from London's Heathrow airport to Chicago's O'Hare. It turns out that United had the most animal deaths of all U.S. airlines last year for the second year in a row.
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Fake Cancer Treatments Targets Pets
The FDA has given warning letters to 14 companies that are selling more than 65 fake cancer treatments. The bogus products include pills, capsules, powders, creams, teas, oils and treatment and diagnostic kits. They're most commonly marketed and sold without FDA approval on websites and social media platforms and are usually advertised as 'natural' and often falsely labeled as dietary supplements.
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Pet Detective Jamie Katz
She's a real life Pet Detective, schooled as a human Private Investigator. Jamie Katz has found over 150 lost or stolen pets in the last 2 years. She'll share some wild stories and give you tips to make sure your pet isn't stolen.
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Federal Agency Goes Pet Friendly
The Interior Department welcomed a new breed of visitor to its Washington headquarters last month, one on four legs, covered with fur and on a mission to boost morale at the agency in charge of public lands. The first federal agency to go dog friendly opened its doors to 85 dogs that first Dog Day!
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New Tick-Borne Disease Discovered
Scientists have a double-shot of bad news about ticks. There's a new, and potentially fatal, tick-borne illness called Powassan and this summer looks like it might be one of the worst on record for an increase in the tick population. The Centers for Disease Control say tick-borne diseases are on the rise and prevention should be on everyone's mind now through early fall when ticks are most active.
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Human College Graduates 24 Pets
One of only a handful of colleges that allow and encourage pets, Eckerd College wants students to bring their dogs, cats, rabbits, ferrets, ducks and chinchillas to school. They supply pet dorms and vet visits for college kids and their pets. They even have a graduation ceremony for the creatures big and small. Tanya Womack is the Staff Coordinator for Pet Life at Eckerd College. She's happy to tell us about this groundbreaking initiative and she consults with other colleges that wish to institute the same policy.
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Prisoners Training Animals
A small team of women prisoners in Phoenix is working with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Animal Safety Unit. The program helps comfort and train animals rescued from deplorable conditions. Six days a week the women in the program are transported to a former men's jail that has been converted into a holding center and safe haven for animals.
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Join the Shellebration
World Turtle Day is coming up. The Executive Director of the American Tortoise Rescue, Susan Tellum tells us why turtles and tortoises make great pets, except when they're having sex.
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Pig Trial Ends
Animal Advocate Anita Kranjnc faced a prison sentence for feeding water to a dehydrated pig. After two years of defending herself in a court battle, the judge dismissed the charges against her for mischief and meddling with private property.
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Some Pets Make You Look More Attractive
New research suggests women rated men holding puppies as almost 24% sexier, 14% more trustworthy and 13% more attractive than the same men not holding a puppy. Meanwhile, women with kittens were perceived as the least attractive and women with cats were rated lowest on sexiness and trustworthiness.
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Tick Talk
Dogfather Joey Villani shares a little known secret for easily getting rid of ticks. Simply pulling them out of your animals, or using a match to get rid of them can actually cause more problems. But with this technique, the ticks will leave on their own accord.
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Class Action Claims Prescription Pet Food is a Marketing Scheme.
Four law firms are making news for representing pet owners in a class action lawsuit, which alleges that prescription dog and cat food is a marketing scheme devised by pet food companies to pump up their profits. They state that requiring a prescription from a veterinarian misleads consumers, providing cover that enables pet food companies to charge excessive prices because prescription pet food contains no drug or other ingredient not also common in non-prescription pet food.
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What The Pet Food Manufacturers Want You To Know
The pet food industry is worth 29 BILLION dollars a year. With so much at stake, they've formed a lobbying group called Pet Food Institute. PFI's Communications Director, Mary Emma Young joins us to tell you want they want you to know about pet food.
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Pet Fooled
Pet food advocate and director of the movie "Pet Fooled," Kohl Harrington believes you are being lied to and manipulated by the major pet food manufacturers - all in the name of economics. Kohl shares the information he collected while producing the movie, including documentation that you're being deceived into slowly killing your pets; and even paid hush money by pet food makers. You'll want to hear this before you shop for pet food again!
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Employers Offer Paternity Leave
Harper-Collins Publishers is now offering their employees "PAWternity leave" when they adopt a new pet, giving workers up to five working days of paid leave to settle in with their new animal friend. The publisher says it wants to encourage responsible adoption of animals as well as make life easier for their staff that choose to open their homes to furry friends.
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Pet Rat Saved After Heroin Overdose
Volunteers at an overdose prevention site in Vancouver, Canada, say they saved the life of a pet rat named Snuggles after the little rodent overdosed on heroin it had eaten off a table.
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Cat Yoga Classes
For cat lovers and exercise enthusiasts, free yoga classes filled with feline friends sounds like a pretty good deal. But these classes are offered with a larger purpose in mind, as the cats need homes. The P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center in Camden, Maine, offers free monthly cat yoga classes as a way to introduce potential new pet owners to some kitties in need.
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Victims Scammed After Buying Dogs Online
Police in the town of Winkler, Manitoba, Canada, are asking people to be extra vigilant when buying anything online after three people were scammed out of hundreds of dollars when they bought dogs that they never received. The victims had all recently responded to online classified ads listing dogs for sale.
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Star Trek Star Changes His Mind About Pit Bulls
Actor and humanitarian Sir Patrick Stewart is fostering a pit bull named Ginger after they bonded instantly. He admits that he once believed the negative stereotypes about pit bulls, but his love for Ginger and other pit bulls has grown so deep that now he's partnered up with the ASPCA to #GetTough against dog fighters.
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Fear Free Movement
When Dr. Marty Becker created the Fear Free certification for Veterinarians, he had no idea it would take off so fast. More and more veterinarians are creating a relaxed environment that pets will like. They're practicing techniques that make dogs and cats enjoy going to the vet. The end-game is happier, healthier pets that live longer.
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Giving The West Coast Some Love
TV Host and Animal Advocate David Frei was the top dog at Westminster for almost 30 years. He tells us that he's created the first major west coast AKC Dog Show and it's all going on in Beverly Hills. Trailing the super success of the Thanksgiving Day Dog Show, NBC has bankrolled the celebrity filled dog show.
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Taiwan Outlaws Cat & Dog Meat for Humans
Taiwan is the first country in Asia to pass a law outlawing the human consumption of dog and cat meat. An amendment to an animal protection law, passed earlier this month by the Taiwanese, indicates a changing attitude in, "A society in which dog meat was regularly eaten, to one in which many people treat pet cats and dogs as valued members of their families," according to the government's own news agency.
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Eliminating Hairballs
If your cat is always hawking up hairballs, then perhaps you should hear what Animal Radio's Dogfather, Joey Villani has to say. He has some inexpensive and effective ways to reduce the hair your cat consumes. This is especially helpful if you've ever stepped in a juicy hairball in the middle of the night.
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Crazy Cat Lady Paula Poundstone
We're flashing back to comedian Paula Poundstone's guest spot. She proudly defends being the cat mama to 16 cats (3 if the landlord asks). She's trying to decide whether to buy cat litter or send her kids to college.
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Wag App Cautionary Tails
A Houston couple is finding out firsthand some of the unintended consequences that can come with letting a stranger on an App take care of your pet. Their version of the unthinkable happened when they trusted a stranger on the "Wag!" app to walk Winnie, their 10-month-old Wheaten Terrier. Winnie died on that walk. The husband says Wag! representatives have not offered any details into how Winnie died. Wag did offer to reimburse the couple $188.71 for Winnie’s cremation costs if the couple signed a non-disclosure agreement, stating that, among other things, they would be legally required to keep quiet about what happened to Winnie. Just eight days before, another Wag! dog-walker in California was charged with animal cruelty after police say he kicked one of the four dogs he was walking.
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Cuddly Hedgehogs Carry Salmonella
Government health officials are warning that there have been at least 11 people infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella Typhimurium in 8 states. All involved hedgehogs. Even when hedgehogs appear healthy, the CDC says they can carry salmonella germs in their droppings. Those germs can then spread around the hedgehog's body and then to anything in the area where they live.
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Aspirin Can Be Fatal For Your Pet
While Aspirin might be just what the doctor ordered after a night out drinking; your dog or cat's body won't assimilate the chemicals safely. Enough 'well-meaning' aspirin can kill your pet. Same holds true for Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen. There are a lot safer anti-inflammatory medicines that your veterinarian can prescribe. Animal Radio's Dr. Debbie has a tip for determining if something your pet swallowed is toxic and if you should go to the veterinarian.
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No Dogs Left Behind
Jeffrey Beri founded the global animal rescue No Dogs Left Behind. He checks in with Animal Radio from China where he's rescuing thousands of dogs from a horrific life and ultimate slaughter. He reports that the Chinese are changing their view on pets.
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Think About Your Pets When Buying That Tech Gadget
Tech expert Kim Komando says every piece of technology we put into our homes could very easily emit a sound that cannot be heard by humans but comes in loud and clear for pets. That's not to say pets are suffering because of our gadgets, but that the possibility exists and it is something you may want to consider. In scientific terms, humans can hear sounds up to about 20,000 Hz, while dogs can hear sounds up to 45,000 Hz and cats 64,000 Hz. That means there are frequencies undetectable to us but very noticeable and even hurtful to animals. Lights can also be a problem, because animals see the world differently than humans. LED lights flicker more than others, though the speed at which they do so isn't really noticed by humans. Dogs, however, are sensitive up to 80 Hz or flickers per second.
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Retiring Former Research Chimps
The Director of Behavior and Research at Chimp Haven joins Animal Radio to talk about the many chimps that are now living at her sanctuary in Louisiana. Amy Fultz is currently fund raising to help build more habitats in the 200-acre refuge.
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Hidden Pain In Cats
Cats may feel pain but there may be no obvious signs. Dr. Robin Downing specializes in pain and palliative medicine for pets and she explains why cats may not exhibit the signs of pain, or at least how humans perceive pain. Dr. Downing also discusses pain treatments for our furry friends. This segment is part of the Fear Free Expert Series.
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Sea-furring Felines
We remember the bold seafarers of yore, from Magellan to Shackleton, for their extraordinary exploits; New lands discovered, storms weathered, and battles won. But somehow history has neglected the stalwart, hardworking species who made it all possible ... yes, the noble cat! Philippa Sandall joins us from down-under to describe these under appreciated sea-furring felines.
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Firefighters Thought They Were Rescuing Puppies
Firefighters in Colorado Springs say they are pretty surprised to learn that the littler of "puppies" they rescued from a storm drain were actually baby foxes. Before learning they actually had baby foxes in their care, they were taken to a veterinary hospital where they were told the tiny little things were really newborn red fox kits.
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Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom
The little known insurance company would've sunk into obscurity if it weren't for the marriage to the iconic television programming it hitched its name to. Marlin Perkins and his monkey hosted the Sunday evening tradition. The show lives on today as a web series hosted by this week's Animal Radio guest, Peter Gros. Peter talks about several harrowing experiences filming wild animals, including chasing a 12-foot python through the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in Manhattan.
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Meet Your Breed
Don't just get a dog because it's cute. To ensure a long lasting relationship, you should get a breed that suits your activity level, as some dogs require lots of stimulation while others, like the unsuspecting Greyhound, would rather be a couch potato. Behaviorist Kim Brophey is here to help you pick out your new furry family member.
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Raccoon Overdoses on Heroin
Firefighters at Wayne Township in Indiana must still be laughing about a recent visit they had from a frantic woman who showed up at the station house early one morning with her pet raccoon. The raccoon was stoned after being exposed to too much marijuana and the owner thought the raccoon was overdosing. Later, they discovered the raccoon had actually gotten into someone's stash of heroine.
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The New Fear Free Guide
The biggest thing to recently happen to animal welfare is arguably the Fear Free movement. Starting with veterinarians, changes were made to make vet visits a better experience for the pet and everyone involved. Then Fear Free moved into the household by creating the Fear Free Happy Homes program. Now, with the help of Fear Free father and renown author, Dr. Marty Becker talks about the new Fear Free book, From Fearful to Fear Free.
Listen to Dr. Becker in the Fear Free Expert Series on Animal Radio.
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Who Is Smarter? Dog Or Cat?
Scientific American Senior Editor Josh Fischman translates the results from current research on the brains and neurons of cats, dogs, raccoons, bears and humans. You may be surprised by the results. Cat lovers - brace yourself.
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Has Your Pet Restricted Your Travel Plans?
According to a study of 2,000 American pet parents, half of them have never traveled outside of the country since owning their pet. The main reason pet owners struggle to take a vacation without their pet is likely due to the 68% who felt especially guilty when they leave their pets behind.
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Your Cat May Be Giving Away Your Home Address
Identity theft has been a big concern for years. Now those photos you post of your pet could lead strangers straight to your home. The meta-data hidden beneath those cute furry photos include your geo-location. And one website, IKnowWhereYourCatLives.com, actually highlights just that.
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Two KONGs For Every Dog In America
The KONG is the most ubiquitous dog toy in existence. The name KONG has become a part of the vernacular, just like Kleenex and Band-Aid. So, you'll be quite amused when KONG creator Joe Markham tells us how the toy was invented by accident. This is the last installment in the Fear Free Expert Series.
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Bucket List For Shelter Dog
An animal shelter in Arlington, Virginia, is helping a dying dog with cancer live his best life. The Animal Welfare League of Arlington hopes that a family will adopt Smoke, a 10-year-old hound with terminal cancer, in the last weeks or months that he has left. But, until that time, the shelter has created a bucket list for Smoke that is still growing. On the list already are entries such as riding in a fire truck, eating ice cream, going to the beach, riding in a police car and howling with the sirens, and getting a full body doggy massage.
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High Tech Dog Kennel
If Rebecca Eyre gets her way, you'll never again see a dog tied up outside a retail or food establishment. She says "Dogspot," a climate controlled parking spot for your dog, is being rolled-out across the country. Using the smartphone app, you'll gain access to a safe and secure dog locker fitted with UV lamps and cameras. So many questions, so little time.
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What's So Important About Blood Tests
Has your veterinarian ever recommended an expensive battery of blood tests for your pet? Dr. Fred Metzler explains why these blood tests are needed to really understand your pets health, even when they're healthy. Since our pets cannot speak English, veterinarians rely upon blood to tell the story. Dr. Metzger is our next speaker in the Fear Free Pets Expert Series.
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Petsitter To The Stars Speaks
Laura Vorreyer has become a petsitter for celebrity pet owners and their furry companions. She says that some of her clients have large requests when it comes to pet are. Laura will tell us about a popular singer who tests her songs on her dogs to see if they'll be a hit.
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Potatoes and Lentils in Dog Food Linked To Heart Disease
There's some new information from the Food and Drug Administration's that says
potatoes, legumes, peas and lentils used as protein sources in many dog foods may be linked to canine heart disease. The agency is researching dogs that developed dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, which is a disease of a dog's heart muscle and often results in congestive heart failure.
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Supermodel Chicken
Model Summer Rayne Oakes dispels common stereotypes. A Cornell graduate in Etymology, she has no problems feeding her best friend live meal-worms, something that would make most models squirm. Of course, her best friend is a chicken named Kippy. The two are inseparable. You might see them together on a N.Y. Subway. Kippy has even appeared in several photo shoots.
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Does Your Pet Dream?
Have you seen you pet twitch, move or mumble while they sleep. Could they be dreaming? Harvard Professor and Dream Researcher Dr. Deirdre Barrett shares what she knows about pet dreams.
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Dealing With Noise Phobias
Some pets can be alarmed or startled by noises like thunder, cars and fireworks. It's not uncommon. Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist Dr. E'Lise Christensen tells us about ways we can desensitize our furry friends. Our pets deserve to be Fear Free Pets.
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What Would You Give Up To Take Your Dog To Work?
As part of last month's Take Your Dog to Work Day, Ollie, a human-grade dog food company, polled animal lovers who currently cannot take their dog to the office to see what they would be willing to do to gain that privilege. One in four said they would give up three vacations days if it meant their dog would be allowed in the office. Additionally, 70% of pet parents said they would show up to work earlier if it meant they could bring their dog and 68% said they would stay later. Two-thirds of those polled said they would be willing to switch to another company if it meant getting pet-friendly perks.
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Airlines Want To Ban Support Animals
Two major air carriers, American and Southwest Airlines, are urging the Federal Government to no longer require them to allow Emotional Support Animals on board. The Transportation Department is reconsidering its rules for traditional service animals and comfort pets. The flight industry group, Airlines for America, which represents American and Southwest, has told the Transportation Department that it should narrow the broad definition of "service animals" to only quote, "trained dogs that perform a task or work for an individual with a disability."
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The Secrets Of The Snout
Scientist and researcher Frank Rosell joins us live from Norway to talk about our pet's incredible nose and smelling capabilities. He'll explain why your friend's dog is "all-up-in-your-business" and just how far and how much our dog can smell stuff. They can even smell cancer.
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65-year-old Woman Has Had Her Pet 56 Years
Here's a story you don't hear very often. Jeanna Smith got her pet tortoise during the Kennedy administration, and it might still be alive for the Bieber administration. Not many people live most of their life with their childhood pet.
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What To Do When You Can't Reach A Veterinarian
The Fear Free Pets Expert Series continues with Dr. Dawn Crandell. She'll teach you how to evaluate and treat your pet when a veterinarian isn't easily accessible. Before you take your dog on a trip or camping, make sure you're prepared for the unexpected.
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Your Turn To Weigh In On Airline Service Animal Policy
The Transportation Department announced it's seeking comments for drafting rules for dealing with animals flying with passengers on planes. The proposal asks for comments about questions such as: whether to treat psychiatric service animals the same as other service animals, such as for the blind and deaf; whether to require emotional-support animals to travel in containers or with a harness or leash; and limiting the types of animals qualifying as emotional-support animals.
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Being Blind - Faking A Sighted Person
For 30 years, legally blind from birth, Stephen Kuusistos went about his daily business as if he had 20/20 vision. He even drove bikes and motorcycles. But his life changed dramatically when he met his first service dog, Corky. This dog assisted him and even taught him some valuable life lessons.
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The Truth About Raccoons
Over the years, many people have tried to make pets out of raccoons. This is nearly impossible. Raccoons not only make bad, destructive pets, but they also inherently carry disease. Animal Radio's Dr. Debbie has to let down a listener that was dead-set on making a wild raccoon a family member.
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Recreational Drugs and Alcohol - Not For Pets
The Family Center for Recovery surveyed over 1,000 pet owners who admitted to seeing their pet ingest drugs or other substances. 10% of men and 5% women in this survey said they purposefully got their pet high on drugs so they could share the experience and nearly 8% of men and 4% of women said they gave their pet drugs or alcohol out of boredom.
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Dog Park Hijacked For Ten Years
The Tribeca Dog Park in New York was literally stolen, or hijacked, ten years ago by area residents who put a lock on the gate, began charging fees, banning non-member status mutts and enforcing its 22 rules with an iron fist and the city never noticed. The people with the pirated dog park installed a keypad lock on the gate and sent members a secret 4-digit passcode after they paid a $120 annual fee over Paypal on the group's website.
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Man Shoots At Roommate Over Cat Hair On Couch
A 58-year-old Florida man has been arrested after he shot at his roommate because he was angry about cat hair being on the couch. The roommate told police that the cat-hair-hating-guy fired in his direction and said, "The next one's going to be you." Mr. Cat Hair Hater is being held without bond and is facing charges of shooting into a dwelling, aggravated battery and aggravated assault.
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Not Sci-fi. A Device That Translates Woofs and Meows Into Words
Dr. Con Slobodchikoff (Professor Emeritus NAU) believes we are close to developing a gadget that will translate what your dog or cat is saying into English words. While several novelty items are currently on the market, his work is based in science. Slobodchikoff says "So many people would dearly love to talk with their dog. With cats, I'm not sure what they'd have to say. A lot of times it might just be 'you idiot, just feed me.'"
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Counting Cats
Because most everyone has their own opinion on whether cats or dogs are smarter, a new study has created quite a stir when it suggested that dogs might have an intelligence edge over cats. On the other hand, a few other studies have shown that cats have a greater mathematical ability than dogs. Meanwhile, other less traditionally "smart" animals like fish and frogs, according to new research, are able to count.
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Dating Advice For Pet Parents
Things can get complicated if you are in a relationship that progresses to the point where you are thinking about moving in together. And if the other person is also bringing a pet to the new household then you have a lot to consider. Animal Radio News Director Lori Brooks has some good advice for pet parents who want to combine households.
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Accidentally Sickening Your Pet
The Senior Veterinary Toxicologist at the Pet Poison Helpline wants you to know what household toxins can fatally sicken your pets. Dr. Ahna Brutlag warns that pesticides and bait traps can kill more than bugs and mice. She also says even pet safe anti-freeze can be harmful.
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Psychologist Tells Us What Pets Want From Their Owners
Ever wonder how your pet sees the world? There's an entire branch of science devoted to figuring that out. Psychologist Dr. Zazie Todd has been studying the techniques guardians use to better their relationship with their pets.
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Toxoplasmosis Could Actually Improve Your Life
According to a new study, a mind-controlling parasite found in cat feces increases a person's likelihood of studying business and going into entrepreneurial-related careers. The parasite Toxoplasma Gondii has long been associated with impulsive behaviors leading to an increased risk of car accidents, road rage, mental illness, neuroticism, drug abuse and even suicide. Researchers believe T. Gondii exposure might push people toward higher risks and higher reward activities. The experts found that people infected with the parasite were about 1.5 times more likely to major in business and 1.7 times more likely to pursue a management and entrepreneurship major.
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Pop Diva Sheena Easton Flashback
Singer, songwriter and actress Sheena Easton provides one of the most memorable celebrity interviews on Animal Radio. Sheena is cra-cra about her kitties, no holds barred when she divulges how she spoils her cats and dogs.
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Why Is Pentobarbital In Our Pet Food?
Jaclyn Bowen of the Clean Label Project is back to explain why our pet's food supply is constantly jeopardized. What are the implications of the Blue Buffalo's sale to General Mills? You should listen before you shop for pet food again.
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Understanding UTI
Urinary Tract Infections are more common than you think. Did you know stress could cause a UTI in your cat or dog? Dr. Tony Huffington explains how a stressed animal is at higher risk for infection. Have you heard the Fear Free Pet Expert Series?
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Sleeping In The Doghouse
A cold winter has led to the deaths of several dogs left outside in the elements. Ian Matheson spent the evening in the brutal cold weather to bring awareness to pet owners about the risks of leaving your dog outside overnight. Listen to Ian tell his story.
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People Prefer Pets Over Partners
A study of 2,000 cat and dog owners shows more than half often prefer spending time with their pet instead of their partner. This is because they love unconditionally, they don't nag, they never talk back and are always in a good mood. 3 in 10 adults say their pet is a better listener than their partner, while 45% like the fact they are never judged or questioned by their cat or dog. Surprisingly, 29% even say their four-legged friend is better at snuggling.
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Dog Tests Positive For Rabies After Biting Owners
A family dog in Delaware has tested positive for rabies after biting his two adult owners. The dog was also not up to date on shots. The adults, who were bitten by the dog, have begun rabies treatment. Rabies is an infectious disease affecting the nervous system of humans and other mammals. Infection happens through the bite or scratch of an infected animal or if saliva from an infected animal gets into the eyes, nose, mouth, or an opening in the skin of the bite victim.
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Hotlips Houlihan Returns
Loretta Swit (MASH) is back on Animal Radio to tell us about her childhood pet, her faux fur jacket and most importantly, her book of original watercolors she painted. Surprisingly, Loretta's parents didn't foster her artistic side. Hotlips* continues to speak out for the animals.
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Canned Food Found To Increase BPA in Dogs
Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely used industrial chemical found in many household items, including resins that are used to line and inhibit corrosion of metal food cans. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri Veterinary School have found that even short-term feeding of canned dog food resulted in a significant 3-fold increase in the level of BPA in dogs.
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Man Sues After Pet Squirrel Attack
A contractor is suing a Virginia couple for $90,000 for injuries he says were caused when their pet squirrel attacked him - biting and scratching his leg and hand. According to the paperwork filed by the contractor, the couple was keeping the animal as a pet, but the homeowners say they have never had a pet squirrel.
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Judge Rules Dogs Are Property
A Canadian judge has ruled dogs are property and cannot be considered in the same vein as children in a scathing decision blasting a newly separated couple for a "ridiculous" attempt to use the court system to settle custody dispute over two of their three dogs. The judge likened the matter to being asked to rule on what the couple should do with other joint property they may own. "Am I to make an order that one party have interim possession of the family butter knives?"
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Evicted Alligator Gets Legal Representation
'Katfish,' the 200-pound PET alligator that was forcibly removed from his home, is now being represented in court by Tristen Woods and Lauren Sierra. The alligator's owner, Sean Casey fed Katfish a diet of chicken nuggets from Wendy's. Tristen and Lauren explain the situation and what the future holds for the reptilian.
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Stressed People Have Stressed Dogs
Dr. John Huber says happy owners generally have happy pets. Alternatively, stressed owners tend to cause their pets to be anxious. This anxiety can cause a myriad of canine behavior problems.
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Vegan Diets Can Land You In Jail
Cat owners in the U.K. are being advised they are breaking the law if they feed their cat an all vegan diet. Cats are obligate carnivores and need meat. Owners of cats that are malnourished face a hefty fine and even a jail sentence.
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Pet Spending Surpasses Previous Reports
Americans spent a staggering $77.13 BILLION on their pets last year. That's a 15% increase over 2020. The biggest chunk was spent on pet food, followed by veterinary care. Consumers spent an average of $237 per pet for the holidays.
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Is The Groomer Really To Blame
A big box pet store chain is under the gun again as another grooming accident allegedly resulted in a broken jaw. However, Dr. Debbie is quick to point out that the dog's jaw may have been compromised prior to the grooming due to poor dental care.
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Legislation To License Groomers
Shortly after Rosemary Marchetto's Shih Tzu was dropped at a chain store groomer she was informed that her dog had died. She feels the groomer was negligent and that the profession needs regulation. Bijou's Bill, named after Rosemary's dog, is being spearheaded by New Jersey Senator Valerie Huttle. The law would require pet groomers to be licensed, at least 18 years old, and tested by the State Board of Veterinary Examiners. Rosemary joins us this week to tell her story. Animal Radio's Joey Villani is also on the forefront of this groundbreaking legislation and he says there is some push-back from many groomers.
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You Can Now Ask Alexa Pet Medical Questions
Vet24seven has launched MyPetDoc, an Alexa skill that is the world's first artificial intelligence "SmartVet." Now, pet parents with a pet health question can talk with MyPetDoc on Alexa and get veterinarian-backed answers to their concerns. Once MyPetDoc has answered the pet parents' questions, they can then choose to speak immediately with a licensed veterinarian for more guidance and advice for a $25 charge. This doesn't sit well with Animal Radio's Dr. Debbie.
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Courthouse Dogs
World renown animal writer/author Kristin von Kreisler uncovers the world of courthouse dogs in her new book "A Reason For Hope." These dogs comfort those testifying in court, similar to an emotional support animal. While Kristin's book is fiction, she goes all-out to research her writing, even once following a grizzly bear for a Reader's Digest article.
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Making It Illegal To Stalk Pets
The federal stalking law is getting an update to include threats made against a pets and emotional support animals. Senator Gary Peters of Michigan managed to get his proposal, which adds threats and violence against a person's pets to the stalking statute, included in this year's Farm Bill. Under the law, threatening or harming a pet as a way to harass or intimidate a victim is punishable by up to five years in prison.
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Pet Scams On The Rise
The Better Business Bureau's Scam Tracker has seen an increase in people losing money to pet scams. They're not surprised as it's typical around the holidays. Animal Radio's Lori Brooks exposes the scams and has tips to avoid being scammed.
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Do You Have The Right Car Seat For Your Fur-baby?
A recent Harris Poll indicates that many dog owners don't restrain their animals while driving with them. Many admit to allowing their dog to roam freely about the car, sit on their lap or stick their head out the window. Award-winning car columnist Tim Spell tells us the dangers behind unrestrained pets in the car and how to find the right restraining system and use it properly.
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You're Petting Your Pets Wrong
Dr. Marty Becker is back with new research that shows you may be petting cats and dogs improperly. This is especially important if you're a veterinarian. The Fear Free Pets movement wants us to rethink how we interact with our four-legged friends.
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Do Dogs Like 'Baby Talk?'
Most of us baby talk to babies and our dogs, but maybe we should just limit it to puppies because it turns out older dogs aren't so impressed with our baby talk. A new study shows that baby talk, also known as dog-directed speech when you're conversing with your dog, gets a big response from puppies, but older dogs really couldn’t care less.
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Recipe for Cats and Dogs To Get Along
Cats and dogs really can get along to the point that they'll play hard together, drink water from the same bowl and cuddle on the couch, according to research led from Tel Aviv University. They discovered the recipe for success is to adopt the cat first and introduce a dog while both pets are still young. In homes where the cat and dog are mates, the research suggests they've managed to correctly read each other's body cues.
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Pet Owners Fined for Animals Left Out in Cold
In Yakima, Washington, authorities are giving a warning to unkind pet owners after receiving reports of animals being left outside in frigid temperatures. Since the beginning of last month, animal control has already responded to at least 60 animal welfare checks. Pet owners could face a misdemeanor charge for animal neglect if their pets are found in distress and given a fine from $250 to $5,000 depending on the severity.
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Opossum Rescue is a Thing
The Opossum's Pouch Rescue founder Beth Sparks is our guest. She says North America's only marsupial is quite misunderstood. Beth cares for injured and orphaned Opossums, which are different than Possums. Who knew? Well, apparently everybody, as rescues and social media sites centered on the Opossum are popping up everywhere. Besides, who can resist the little guy in this picture?
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Denver Bans Cat Declawing
Denver has become the first city in Colorado to ban elective cat declawing. The city has decided to prohibit veterinarians from performing the procedure unless it's medically necessary. That makes Denver the first major U.S. city outside of California to make this move after passing the bill in November. However, the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association opposes the measure saying the decision to declaw a cat or not should be left up to a veterinarian and the pet owner.
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The Healing Power of Dogs
Shannon Kopp is no stranger to Animal Radio. In 2015, she told us about her eating disorder, Bulimia. She was throwing up 20 times a day. It was killing her. No doctor or therapist could help her. Things didn't change until she met a special dog. Now, she's advocating the use of animals to help others suffering from eating disorders. You have to hear this incredible and inspiring story told by Shannon.
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Judges Decided Pet Custody
Divorcing couples in Illinois who can't agree on who keeps the pets will have a judge decide custody, thanks to a new state law. Usually companion animals are treated like property to be divided up between the couple, because in most states pets are still classified as property. But now with the rise of two-income families opting not to have children, the issue of pet custody is gaining more attention.
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Fine for Fake Service Dogs
An Arizona state lawmaker has introduced a bill that will fine people up to $250 if they're caught trying to pass their pets off as service animals in public places. As much as this problem irritates many people, some disability advocates worry that if State Senate Bill 1040 becomes law, it may cause more problems and misunderstandings.
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Ralph Nader Guests
Named by Time, Life and Atlantic magazines as one of the hundred most influential Americans, former U.S. Presidential candidate Ralph Nader is our guest. Now, he's speaking out for the animals in his book called "Animal Envy."
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Teens Invent for Dogs
Josh and Zach Armstrong are 13 and 15 respectively. They're home-schooled. But don't let that fool you. They've invented an electronic circuit that a blind dog can wear on his collar to alert him of impending obstacles. They'll tell their story to us this weekend.
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Dog Lands Jobs at Lowe's
Clay Luthy is an Air Force veteran who can't go anywhere without his 10-year-old service dog Charlotte, even to work. That's why the dynamic duo is especially overjoyed that they finally landed a job at the Lowe's in Abilene, Texas. Up until Clay's wife gave him the idea to apply at Lowe's, the veteran had a hard time finding a business that would be okay with his Charlotte following him around in a work zone. Lowe's Human Resources Department says, "Clay won the job on his own merit, but the company just got the benefit of getting Charlotte right along with him."
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The Misunderstood Pit Bull
Author and pit bull advocate Deirdre Franklin wants you to know that the breed gets a bad-rap. She'll tell us why pit bulls are misunderstood. If you're thinking of adopting this adorable breed, you'll need to know what hurdles lay ahead.
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The Gnarly Yeast Infection
If your dog has ever had to deal with a yeast infection, you know how itchy and uncomfortable your furry-friend can be. Not to mention the stink! These infections are usually secondary of a bigger problem. Dr. Debbie can help you identify the problem and get your dog back onto the recovery path.
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Animal Radio Howliday Special
Bring on the holidays with inspirational and emotionally driven tales about the connection with our pets. Celebrated authors and entertainers share their most intimate thoughts on animals.
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On this week's show:
Comedian Buddy Hackett loved animals so much he started a foundation and a yearly comedy show to help save abused and homeless dogs and cats.
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Animal Advocate Ed Sayres has found an addendum to Genesis explaining the creation of Cats & Dogs. You might be surprised to know that God felt the dog was a reflection of himself and named the creature "DOG" - GOD backwards.
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From the nationally recognized Helen Woodward Center in San Diego, Mike Arms had a rough start in the animal world. Moving from Kentucky to New York, a search for work landed him at the local shelter. After being beaten by thugs for saving a dog, he dedicated his life to the animals.
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Also on this special show: Rae Ann Kumelos, Peter Gethers, Britt Savage, Vinnie Penn, Trixie Koontz and Jingle Fish!
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Human Like Toilet For Your Cat
There's a new human-like toilet on the market for cats. It is called Catolet. It's basically a conveyor belt-equipped automatically-flushing toilet that's made for cats. Ideally, the Catolet is installed in a bathroom where it is permanently connected to the water supply and sewage system with hoses that are included. Right now you can sign up to get one for $299.
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Life's A Pooch
Pet pontificator Boze Hadleigh is back on Animal Radio to celebrate the connection with our dogs. He's queried hundreds of celebrities and well-known people for quotes about "man's best friend."
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Giving Back - Paying it Forward
Animal Radio's Pet World Insider Robert Semrow has five ways you can give back to the pet world this holiday season.
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AIBO The Robotic Dog Is Reborn
Sony Corp is going to try again with its robotic dog AIBO after more than a decade. AIBO is billed as a pet that behaves like a real dog using artificial intelligence to learn and interact with its handler and surroundings. Numerous studies have been done with robotic dogs and nursing home patients with fantastic results.
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Giving Your Dog Your Undivided Attention
New research suggests dogs make a wider variety of facial expressions when their owners or companions are paying attention to them. So, while you are sitting at a computer holding on to a toy while your dog basically plays tug of war with itself, is not nearly as beneficial to them as when you invest your attention in that play time.
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First Responders Can Now Treat Pets In Wisconsin
Wisconsin lawmakers are pushing to change state law and allow first responders to treat pets when responding to an emergency. However, the departments do not receive special training for handling pets and they do prioritize saving human lives first. 22 other states in the U.S. already allow first responders to provide animals with emergency care.
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Bionic Animals
Twenty-years ago, if an animal lost a limb, they might be considered for euthanasia. Not anymore. With the advent of 3D printing, doctors are able to create appendages, from legs to tails. Nancy Furstinger went deep undercover to see who is making these prosthetics, what animals are wearing them, and who is buying them. She says these animals seldom notice the handicap and are mostly Unstoppable.
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Starting A Rescue
More people are quitting their job to open animal rescues. This may seem pretty straightforward from the outside, but there is a maze of laws and hoops to jump through to avoid being shut down by Johnny Law. Sandra Pfau England has created the long-awaited step-by-step guide to starting a pet rescue and she'll share some of her finest tips on this week's show.
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Pet Care Innovation Awards
The five finalists for this year's Pet Care Innovation Awards have been announced. They include the Fetch My Pet Life Management app; Animal Biome, a micro biome-based pet health diagnostics and supplement company; Bare it All, a pet food company that uses the invasive Asian carp as a primary protein source; Barkly a personalized dog walking app; and Pup Joy, makers of the customizable subscription box for dogs. More than 85 companies from 9 countries applied for this year's honor. Animal Radio News Director Lori Brooks reports.
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Believe It Or Not
Edward Meyer of Ripley's is back with his yearly round-up of strange and unusual animals. Topping the list is a dog with two noses, conjoined fish, and a bird that wears flip-flops. We’ll have giveaways of this year's incredible coffee table book, Shatter Your Senses.
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Holiday Hazards
Animal Radio's Pet World Insider Robert Semrow counts down the top 5 Holiday Traditions That Can Land You and Your Pets on the Naughty List. Don't be one of the thousands that find themselves in the Veterinary office over the holidays.
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Catcade
Christopher Gutierrez decided to create a cat café in Chicago. Not just any regular cat café though. He filled it with video and arcade games. He said the niche is working. His mission is to rescue cats from life-threatening situations and find quality homes through his adoption program.
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Massaging Your Pets
Craniosacral Therapist Tracy Vroom works hard to help animals feel better through massage. As an instructor at the Rocky Mountain School of Animal Acupressure and Massage, she's sharing what she knows about her healing touch. She'll get us started with massage techniques for our pets.
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A Message To Veterinarians
Veterinarian Dr. Julie Reck says that turning her office into a Fear Free certified clinic helped her to practice better medicine. She opened her clinic in 2011 and now she has a bustling practice with four vets and an new attitude. The pets are the big benefactors.
Listen to Dr. Reck on the Fear Free Expert Series.
Commemorating A Pet
Yes, all dogs go to heaven. But what you do with their earthly bodies is up to you and now you have options. There is cremation, burial at a pet cemetery and even taxidermy. You can also turn their ashes into synthetic diamonds, which is pretty expensive and starts at about $2,500 for the smallest size diamond. However, there is another option. Now you can have your pet composted. Lori Brooks reports.
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Emotional Support Squirrel Faces Eviction
A man in Florida is facing eviction from his condo because he refuses to part with his ESA, or Emotional Support Animal, which in this case is a squirrel. The man says he rescued the female squirrel, now named Brutus, shortly after Hurricane Matthew. He says she's just like a cat that hides nuts. He even has the required doctor’s note saying he suffers from anxiety related to a car accident more than ten years ago.
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Dog Owners Are Healthier
There are literally thousands of studies saying pets are good for your health but this latest one has a lot of people talking. This research was 12 years in the making, studying 3.4 million people, and found that adult dog owners are less likely to die than their non-dog owning peers.
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Chickens As Pets
The "Chicken Chick" is back with her backyard chicken stories and tips on raising your own chickens. Trained as a lawyer, Kathy Shea-Mormino is taking on courts all across the U.S. to allow chickens in city settings.
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Tackling Pet Diabetes
Pet World Insider Robert Semrow has 5 Things You Must Know About Pet Diabetes. The disease is becoming more prevalent as more pets are becoming obese. This is just another reason to keep your pet fit and eating properly.
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Controlling Pet Stress
You may think your pets are living the spoiled life. But did you know they actually could be stressed, causing undue strain on their immune system? Dr. Elizabeth DeLomba is back with details on the silent killer. She'll tell us the signs to look out for - and what to do if your pet is stressed.
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Fake Delta Airlines Website Scamming Pet Owners
An elaborate, but bogus pet-shipping website that makes people believe they are dealing with Delta Air Lines has also been linked to a puppy selling scam, offering smaller dogs like Chihuahuas and poodles for sale. Delta filed a lawsuit against the website DeltaPetTransit.com in federal court because it is designed to look like the real Delta site and uses the airline's logos and even pictures of its planes. According to Delta, the fake website operators collect thousands of dollars without ever shipping or delivering any pets.
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Okay, That's A Little Weird
A new survey shows a large percentage of pet owners are going out of their way to do things for their pets, that other less animal friendly people may consider weird. But who cares, right? This new survey revealed that a 33% of us let our pets into the bathroom with us. The poll of 2,000 dog and cat owners also found a third shared a bath or shower with their pet! 3 in 10 sign their animal's name in birthday cards. More than 6 in 10 admit they are closer to their pet than they are to some of their family members. But 9 in 10 owners said they don't care what people think of their relationships with their pets.
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The Science Behind Loving Our Pets
Anthrozoologist John Bradshaw says our love for pets is in our DNA. It's likely that if our parents carried the gene, you'll inherently love pets. John explains why humans are genetically encoded to enjoy companion animals.
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The Importance of Pet Enrichment
It isn't enough to supply food, shelter and health care for your pet. They need more. Your pet needs enrichment. This could mean anything from food puzzles to exercise. Dr. Marty Becker explains in the next segment of the Fear Free Expert Series.
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Facebook Data Reveals Differences Between Cat and Dog OwnersFacebook is all about the data. Facebook combed through its user base collecting information from 160,000 users in the United States who shared photos of cats or dogs (or both). They used object recognition technology to identify photos. They found dog people have more friends and more likely to be in a relationship. 30% of cat people are not in a relationship, compared to 24% of dog people. This is just the tip of the data iceberg.
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Another Supposedly Euthanized Pet Found Alive
A New Jersey woman who thought her dog was dead believed that her 15-year-old Mini Pinscher named Caesar had been euthanized 5 months earlier at her vet's office. However, she recently found out that the dog had actually been living with an employee of the vet. Caesar's owner had even picked up his collar, paid the bill and received a letter from the staff with their condolences. The woman received an anonymous tip from someone who told her that her dog was still alive and in the care of a vet technician that worked at the hospital but that the veterinarian no longer worked there.
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Holiday Statistics Paint An Ugly Picture For Our Pets
The busiest time of the year for a veterinarian is between Halloween and Christmas. Well meaning pet parents could be feeding their pets fixings from the dinner table, unknowingly causing pancreatitis. Redbarn's Lindsay Tracy is back with tips and tricks to avoid being a holiday statistic, while sharing the holiday with your your furry-family.
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Does Your Cat Have Mojo?
Cat-daddy Jackson Galaxy has a house-full of his own cats (news flash), plus dogs and a turtle. So does he have the same problems as us common folk? You bet he does. Find out how he keeps harmony in his household.
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California Pet Stores Can Only Sell Rescue or Shelter Dogs
The California Governor has signed the Pet Rescue and Adoption Act into law, making California the first to have such a law that is statewide. Dogs, cats, and rabbits will arrive at pet stores in the state already vaccinated and spayed or neutered. The biggest opposition to the law came from The American Kennel Club and the California Retailers Association.
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Blessing Your Animals
Dr. James Capers is here to bless your animals. Grab your pets and bring them around the radio for this special ceremony. This is the next best thing to a visit from St. Francis of Assisi.
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Making Sure Your Pet Has A Safe Holiday
Redbarn's Lindsay Tracy is back to share tips for celebrating a safe holiday. This time of year can spell doom for your pets. In fact, between Halloween and Christmas, veterinarians see more animals than the rest of the year. Pancreatitis soars around Thanksgiving because the well-meaning guardians feed their furry companions leftovers from the table. Don't let your pet become a holiday statistic.
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Woman Wins Sick Pay to Care for Pet
An Italian college professor and dog owner has won the right to sick pay from her employer, after she took time off work to care for it. She only asked for two days leave because the dog needed constant medical supervision before it could be taken into surgery. When her employer refused her request, she appealed, demanding her right to paid leave as a public servant. Italy's Penal Code prohibits the abandonment of pets and that keeping an animal in conditions that may cause it to suffer is a crime in the country. Each is punishable with jail time or a hefty fine. So, the university reconsidered the case and ruled in the woman's favor, granting her the leave, which is traditionally granted only for workers dealing with serious personal or family problems.
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My Big Fat Pet Makeover
Animal Planet host Travis Brorsen ushers a four-month weight loss and behavior modification journey with pet owners and their overweight animals. Is your pet tipping the scale? Don't take it personally. Over 60% of American pets are obese.
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Why Is Understanding Your Pet's Body Language Vital?
Licensed Veterinary Tech and Certified Professional Dog Trainer Debbie Martin is here to help us decode our pet's body language She says there are some common signs of distress or anxiety that people miss. This is part of our Fear Free Expert Series.
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Pot and Pets
A new study out of Colorado shows a four-fold increase in pet cannabis-related medical cases and much of that is simply pets getting into their owners' stash. The active chemical in marijuana called THC (it's what gives users the high) is toxic to pets. Veterinary experts say that cannabis can damage the neurological system in pets and can sometimes be fatal. Also, many of the marijuana desserts and sweets are made using Xylitol and artificial sweeter which is also extremely toxic to dogs.
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Missing Cat Reunited With Family After 10 Years.
Pets seem to go missing all the time, but it's not every day that they are reunited with their families. Jack the cat and his family was incredibly lucky! Ten years ago Jack went missing but because Jack had been micro-chipped as a kitten the Sanctuary where Jack eventually ended up was able to find his family after all that time.
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Getting Pneumonia from Guinea Pigs
There's a new discovery that's just hit the world of guinea pig lovers. Dutch researchers say the cute furry rodents may carry germs tied to a very serious type of pneumonia. It's caused by the same bacteria the causes pink eye in guinea pigs and three people in the Netherlands have wound up hospitalized for pneumonia after contact with guinea pigs.
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What's It Like To Be A Dog?
Neuroscientist Gregory Berns managed to put several dogs into an MRI machine to scan their brains and try to understand how they think and feel. Do dogs have emotions? Do they have empathy? Do dogs have a sense of humor? You may be surprised at some of these answers.
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Counterfeit Flea Medication
The latest break in the counterfeit investigation came after a California man admitted in federal court that he had been selling unregistered and smuggled animal pesticides online for 15 years. The phony products were sold at pet shops in every state. Authorities say the phony products were labeled with well-known brand names, such as Frontline and Advantix, and entered the legitimate pet pharmaceutical marketplace without any detection whatsoever. The counterfeit medication even ended up in some big name chain stores as well.
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Dog Friendly Breweries
The website TripsWithPets.com has unveiled its brand new list of dog-friendly breweries across America. It joins their lists of dog-friendly restaurants, beaches and other attractions, along with airline and car rental policies for pets and pet friendly vacation activities. For example, did you know there are whale-watching trips, excursions mining for gems, wine tastings and apple picking activities for you and your pet?
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I Spent A Night At A Dog Hotel
What's it like to be the only human staying at one of the most luxurious dog exclusive resorts in the United States? Cathy Alter finagled her way into an 8 million dollar pet hotel for the night. She reveals her experience to us.
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Bill Forces Pet Stores To Only Sell Shelter Pets
California is looking to take a stand against puppy mills. If Assembly bill A.B. 485 is passed, the bill would enact a statewide ban on the sale of puppy mill pets in pet stores, allowing only adoptable pets from legitimate shelters and nonprofit rescues groups. Animal advocates say by passing the bill, it will enable California to cut off the supply of inhumanely bred puppies and prevent consumers from unwittingly supporting puppy mills.
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Cats Vs. Dogs. Who's Smarter?
The extremely charismatic Dr. Ernie Ward is back on Animal Radio to answer the age-old question about which pet is more intelligent, the Dog or the Cat? You may be surprised by the answer, unless you own a cat... or a cat owns you!
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Your Next Pet Could Be A Robot
Your next dog, or your parent’s next dog, could very well be a robot. Hasbro has launched a new life-like robotic dog. It's a companion pet pup to go with their companion pet cat already on the market. Both are designed to bring comfort and companionship to aging adults. The robotic cat, with its really soft fur, gently vibrates when it purrs, while the puppy barks and cocks its head when you speak. But they are far from being the only robot pets on the market.
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There's A Fox In The Chicken Coop
You may have seen the viral video of Strawberry, the chicken that watches TV. She's our guest along with her guardian, Olivia Fox. According to Olivia, TV isn't the only bad habit this chicken has. Apparently Strawberry enjoys some of the sweeter things in life.
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Pairing Cats With Autistic Children
The MU Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction is introducing a new research program titled, "The Feline Friends Project." The project will pair children with autism with a cat and monitor the impact the cat has on the child's anxiety level and social skills. The research center has published several studies that outline the benefits that children with autism receive from having pets in the home, citing increased social skills as a primary benefit.
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Lucky Dog
He was the Emmy Award winning host of CBS's Lucky Dog. Brandon McMillan is back to teach us the basics: Sit, Stay, Down, Come, Off, Heel and No. He'll also clear up the confusion between the techniques taught by Cesar Millan and Victoria Stilwell.
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Is Your Dog's Halloween Costume Sexist??
Young girls may be discarding their princess wands for superhero capes this Halloween, but not so in the canine world. The glass ceiling appears to be firmly in place at PetSmart, where career costumes labeled "male" include firefighter and police officer, while female dogs can choose between a pink cowgirl costume or ballerina. At Party City, Super-girl and Wonder Woman dog costumes were priced 30% higher than Superman costumes.
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Costume Giveaway
Madonna Sheehy from HalloweenCostumes.com has the list of top pet costumes for your furry-companion. She even has matching human/pet costumes. Will you be a part of the 16% that dresses our pets up for Halloween? Madonna will also give away two costumes of your choice.
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Yes, You Can Train A Cat!
Cat Psychologist Pam Johnson-Bennett is back with tips on training the feline persuasion. She'll also explain why cats gravitate toward cat-haters and those that are allergic to them. Pam will also enlighten us to why cats must sit on your homework or computer keypad.
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What Types Of Pets Should Be Allowed On Airplanes?
Turkeys, pigs and even roosters have flown the friendly skies, carried onto commercial planes by passengers who identified their furry and feathered friends as emotional support animals. But a committee of airline representatives and disabled rights advocates continues meetings in Washington, D.C. to come up with new rules on what type of animals should be permitted on planes and what documents should be required to prove the animals are legitimately needed.
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Smelling Like A Dog
Dog Cognitionist Alexandra Horowitz is back. This time she wants us to know just how well a dog can smell. Did you know they could smell earthquakes? She wants to teach us how to sniff things out just like a dog.
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Vet Bills Are Through The Roof
If you feel like your pet's vet bills are through the roof, you're not alone! It seems the animal health care system suffers from many of the same problems as human medical care, according to a new report from researchers at Stanford and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. They found that some features of the systems are shockingly similar, in that both have seen a huge increase of dollars spent on end-of-life care.
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Barkville TV
Actress Olivia Barash is our guest. She's here to talk about her new YouTube series called Barkville TV. Olivia will even show off her talents as a voiceover artist as well as describe the series she's producing and directing.
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Should Your Pets Sleep With You?
If you kick your dog off the bed every night, you might want to stock up on apology treats. A study of 150 people conducted by the prestigious Mayo Clinic on Sleep has found that, contrary to popular belief, sleeping with your pet doesn't actually disrupt your sleep as much as you might think.
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You Can Now Be Buried With Your Pet
Pet owners in New York can now take their trusted furry companions with them to the grave since the governor has signed legislation making it legal for the cremated remains of pets to be interred with their owners at any of the approximately 1,900 not-for-profit cemeteries in New York that are regulated by the state. Among the most famous Big Apple pet owners who wanted to be buried with their pets was Leona Helmsley, the hotel magnate dubbed "The Queen of Mean" who died in 2007 and had in her will that she wanted her pampered pooch "Trouble" interred with her.
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Don't Drink Alone
Brandon Zavala was enjoying a glass of cat-themed wine when he came up with the idea to create a wine for cats. Now he produces a MosCATo and a Pinot Meow made from beet juice and infused with catnip. He did this so you could enjoy a glass of Vino with your Gato. Your welcome.
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More Reasons To Celebrate
Robert Semrow, our Pet World Insider actually found '5 October Holidays for Your Pet.' Man, this kid can be creative when it comes to Listomania. Maybe some of these holidays were made up by Hallmark, or maybe your local humane organization. But, who's going to complain about more time to celebrate with our pups?
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Skunked
The Animal Radio "Dogfather," Joey Villani has tips on dealing with dogs (or cats) that have been sprayed by a skunk. He says the biggest myth is that tomato juice fixes that problem. We suspect the tomato juice industry is behind this fallacy. Imagine cleaning up a house wrecked by tomato juice and the skunk smell doesn't seem so bad. Joey also says "stay away from water, as that could make the problem worse." Dawn Dish Detergent seems to be the solution, again!
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Battling Fleas
No doubt the U.S. is dealing with a bad flea season. Humidity in the east and a resistance to chemical products are mostly to blame. What are your natural remedies? How are you ridding your house and pets from this nasty parasite? We have some strange and unusual methods for removing fleas and stopping the scratching. And we're betting you have some of the household items that we suggest. Would you believe that a TV set is an effective way to get rid of fleas? And it does't matter what program you're watching, although we do recommend an annoying infomercial if you want the fleas to suffer.
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Furry Family Instagram Sensation
Steve Greig's Instagram account blew up after he started posting pictures of his extended family. He lives with 10 dogs, 2 ducks, 2 chickens, a rabbit, pigeons, cats, Koi fish and a pig. All were rescued. About a half-million people subscribe to his Instagram feed.
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Eliminating Fear of Vet Visits
Going to the Vet can be a traumatic experience for your pets. Following Animal Radio Veterinary Correspondent, Dr. Marty Becker's instructions can make the Vet actually a fun place to go. We call it Fear Free visits.
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Thief Unwittingly Saves Dog in Hot Car
It all began when a man left his laptop and his dog locked in his pick-up truck while he went into a local pub. It was super hot that day, but luckily for the dog, a pack of thieves were casing the street for easy to grab loot and spotted the laptop sitting on the truck's passenger seat. They smashed the window, grabbed the laptop and ran off.
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Internet Outage Causes Starving Pets
The Internet of Things may be touted as the next big thing in technology, but those Internet connected solutions designed to make your life easier can cause huge problems as many pet owners recently found out. PetNet, an Internet-connected feeding service, experienced a server outage last week that left many pets hungry for hours and many pet owners very upset!
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Lily And The Octopus
Steven Rowley tells us about his close relationship with Lily and how a tumor on her head eventually took her life. He's was offered one million dollars to write a cathartic book about the experience on spec. Not bad for his first major published novel.
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I Could Pee On This
Sally Forth writer and author of I Could Pee On This Too, Francesco Marciuliano is back for more abuse. He's transcribed more poems and verse from cats. Is he a single man with a lot of cats? We'll see.
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The Better To Hear You
A four-eared cat named Batman found a new home this month within hours of being put up for adoption at a Pittsburgh animal shelter. This unique cat's extra ears are the product of a recessive gene mutation, which is needed by both parents in order to reproduce extra ears.
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Duck Befriends Grieving Dog
Two years ago George, the dog, lost his best friend, a Labrador named Blackie. George's owner, Jacquie, said that George was overcome with grief. But then a few weeks ago a duck showed up and everything changed. The duck and dog formed an instant bond and are now inseparable, going on walks together, sleeping next to each other in the kennel and spending quiet time together when George needs a rest.
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Celeb Photographer Helps Pets
Richard Phibbs is known as a celebrity photographer to Merryl Streep, J-Lo and many more. But he's decided it's more gratifying to take picture of adoptable animals, in turn helping them find homes. He says they're also easier to work with than the celebrities or their publicists.
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Google's Double-Sided Duct Tape
Google has patented a new car coat that allows pets and people to stick to it. Officials say the most injuries from being hit by a car are when the person or pet hits the ground. This coating ensures that the victim will stick to the car when they're hit, keeping them from falling to the ground. This is for real folks... Google it.
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Neurotic Dogs, Compulsive Cats, Anxious Birds
Dr. Nicholas Dodman is back. He is the world's foremost expert on animal psychiatry. He'll tell us about a horse with Tourette's and dogs with Attention Deficit Disorder. He says our pets suffer from the same psychiatric maladies as humans and are often treated with the same medications.
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What Country Has The Most Pets?
Who has the most pets? The United States? No, but we are in the top 5. According to a new survey of more than 27,000 people across 22 countries, pet ownership is highest in Latin America. In Russia, cats are much more popular than dogs with 57% of Russians having a kitty. Any guesses on which country takes the title of having the most pet fish?
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Teaching the Funny for the Furry
Comedian Christine O'Leary not only teaches comedians how to be funny, she uses her powers for the greater good. Her shows raise money to rescue dogs from Aruba. She'll tell us why comedy is like watching Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom.
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Best Performing Stocks Are Pet Related
Americans' attachment to their pets has fostered a $60 billion industry that is producing best-in-show stock performance. Shares of several companies that sell pet food, develop diagnostic medical tests for animals and offer veterinary care, have far outrun the many other types of stocks this year, with an average total return of nearly 35% versus around 8.3% for the S & P 500.
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Airline Flies Rescue Pets For Free
Virgin Australia Airlines is positioning itself as the "Pet Friendly" airline and you won't believe what they're doing to back up that claim. They have offered to fly rescue dogs across the country to new owners for free! Not bad in a day and age when most airlines 'nickel and dime' you for everything.
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How Much Will Your Pet Cost You?
You may be surprised to learn how much your pet will cost over a lifetime. In fact, 82% guess wrong. And you'll definitely be surprised to find out what the most expensive pet is.
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Cooking For Your Pet
Marc Ching of ThePetRestaurant.com believes the only real healthy way to feed your pets is to cook human-grade foods for them. He'll tell us some of the ingredients that we should and shouldn't use. Listen up if your pet needs to lose a few pounds.
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Flipper
Remember America's favorite dolphin? Ric O'Barry was her trainer. When one of the 5 Flippers died in his arms, he decided that what he was doing was wrong. Now he heads a crusade to release and rehabilitate dolphins in captivity. He'll explain why he's changed his stance 180 degrees and turned down millions to do what's right for the animals.
How Far Would You Go For Your Pet
So, just how far would pet owners go to protect their dogs and cats? Would they rescue them first in a house fire? Would they go hungry so their furry friend could eat? 63 percent would choose their pet over their significant other and more than half would rather resort to cannibalism before eating their own pet. Lori Brooks reports on this strange but profound study.
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America's Pet Friendliest Cities
There's a new list out of the most AND least pet friendly cities in the U.S. thanks to Wallet Hub. The top most pet friendly city is Orlando. Now, on the flip side, the city at the bottom of the list is...well, you'll just have to listen.
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Sailing The World With A Hen
24-year-old Frenchman Guirec Soudee is sailing around the world with a strange companion, his chicken. He'll check in with us from Greenland and explain why he chose this first mate.
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This Is Your Brain On Parasites
Science author Kathleen McAuliffe explains the link between Toxoplasma, a parasite cats can transmit, and it's potentially profound effects on humans, including schizophrenia and even suicide. Even dogs can be responsible for transmitting fatal parasites. This is not fiction. Every pet owner should be aware.
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The Lick Of Death
Lori Brooks reports on a strange story about a senior that ended up in ICU after her Greyhound licked her. This cautionary tale may have you thinking twice about letting your dog lick you all over.
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Top Pets
A new study researched all the animals that would make good pets. Believe it or not, cats and dogs are NOT even in the top 25. You may be surprised to learn what the best pet is according to this study. But you won't be able to get one in the United States.
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Dog Car Sickness
Dr. Debbie White takes on canine car sickness. Whether your pup is scared and anxious of traveling in the car, or they actually get motion sickness, the good doctor has practical solutions for conquering the common problems.
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Hero Dogs
The founder of the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation, Wilma Melville shares stories of growing her nationally recognized organization by rescuing the dogs that would go on to rescue humans.
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Pet Prenups
Many couples these days are using prenuptial agreements to decide who gets the pets in the case of a future divorce. Legal experts say the number of couples deciding who keeps pets ahead of time is growing. And, there are even free online versions of pet prenups for couples to easily sort out their plans for the future. If you've missed your chance to draw up a prenup for your pooch and worry your partner could take it away someday, there are methods to improve your chances in a canine custody dispute. Whoever takes care of the pet, took them to the vet and paid for the pet's supplies and vet bills will stand a better chance of gaining custody, especially if you can prove it in court.
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Dog On Death Row
One Connecticut family is heartbroken over their beloved dog Simon (a mixed breed) who is currently on death row & local town wants to euthanize him. Dr. David Young (Simon's Dad) tells Animal Radio that a teenage neighbor deliberately cut the fence separating their yards and illegally trespassed on Young's yard where Simon was playing. The teenager was brandishing a lacrosse stick in a threatening manner. Simon feeling threatened bit the teenager on the leg. Simon has been in City Custody over a year awaiting a court decision.
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People Put Their Pets Health First
More than half of dog moms and dads put their pet's health above their own according to a new study. 55% of the pet parents who were interviewed said a healthy diet for their dog is of the highest importance to them. But sadly, the experts found we don't always consider the health benefits of our own food. Just a third of us consider the nutritional benefits of the food we're adding to our shopping baskets for our own consumption. And, although we shop for our pets with their health in mind, we could be doing more harm than good at home. Over a third of the dog parents admitted to feeding their fur kid chocolate and cheese, which in some cases can be extremely toxic. Only 68% claimed to know 'some' of the food items that are dangerous for dogs to consume. See our list of toxic foods.
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…and it's the Animal RadiOlympics.
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Racing Greyhounds Tested Positive for Cocaine
For the greyhounds running at Florida's dozen racetracks, a trip to the winner's circle also means a urine test. So per state regulations, the dog officially known as "WW's Flicka" submitted her sample. The results came back positive for cocaine. But a hardcore narcotic swimming through the bloodstream of an innocent pup shouldn't have been a surprise to anyone paying attention. According to state records, Flicka had already tested positive five times for cocaine this year before the latest test.
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Give Up Your Stupid Job!
Join the folks that are giving up life's traditional path to become live-in pet sitters while traveling abroad. Watch people's pets in exchange for room and board. Trusted House Sitters' Angela Law describes what it's like to constantly be on vacation all over the world.
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Pets Encourage Stronger Neighborhood Connections
Pet owners report stronger neighborhood social connections than non-pet owners, according to a recently published study. They were consistently more likely to report social benefits such as helpfulness, friendliness and trust between neighbors. The research adds strength to claims that pet ownership is a valuable and positive feature in community and neighborhood life.
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Daughter Pranks Mom With Family Photos
Marissa Hooper pranked her parents by replacing the family photos with almost identical pictures of her Chihuahua. Her mom didn't notice for two weeks, despite her fastidious house cleaning. The photos went viral and Marissa is on Animal Radio to tell us the motives behind her mayhem.
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Dogs Understand Fairness - Or Lack Thereof
Humans and primates have a finely tuned sense of inequity. New research suggests dogs and wolves also possess a sense of fairness. A study in the journal Current Biology, shows the sense is equally strong in dogs and wolves, suggesting a sense of fairness is wired in the genes of canines. So, yes, your dogs know when you're treating one differently than another.
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Dog Is My Co-Pilot
Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Peter Rork quit his thriving practice to create "Dog Is My Co-Pilot," a non-profit organization dedicated to flying dogs and cats from kill-shelters to rescues that can re-home them. So far Dr. Rork has transported 10,000 animals, much of it at his expense. He explains why this is more rewarding than orthopedic surgery.
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What Days Do People Spend More On Their Pets?
Womply's science team analyzed transactions from 4,400 local pet businesses on all 365 days of the calendar year in all 50 states to identify consumer-spending patterns. The top-five sales days of the year are all in December with an average expenditure of $113.89.
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Company Offers "Fur-Ternity" Leave
A Minneapolis marketing company announced it has adopted a company-wide policy of allowing employees to work flexible hours from home for one week when welcoming a new puppy or kitten into their homes. "Part of embracing employee satisfaction as a business priority means recognizing important life events that happen outside of the office," Nina Hale CEO Donna Robinson said. "If we want to continue to set the example as a top workplace, it is crucial to offer innovative benefits that help to preserve the work-life happiness of our employee owners."
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Project Breath Program Donates Pet Oxygen Masks
The Invisible Fence Company created the Project Breathe Program, which donates pet oxygen masks to first responders. Since the program's inception in 2006, 23,500 masks have been donated to first responders and now the company is giving more. Invisible Fence will equip 45 additional fire departments across the U.S. and Canada with these lifesaving devices.
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What Are Animals Saying To Us In English?
Brian Jones is a self-proclaimed audio-psychic. He tapes animals, including dogs and cats, and slows the tape down to reveal words. He believes the animals are trying to talk to us and we need to listen. We'll let you be the judge.
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Who Is Happier? Dog or Cat Guardians?
Do dogs or cats make you happy? The dog vs. cat argument will probably go on forever. But now there's a new survey that says dog owners are officially happier than cat owners, but not by much. Dog owners are only happier by a mere 4%.
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An Alternative To Pet Insurance?
Dr. Allen Kamrava believes he has invented a better way to cover the costs of a catastrophic health event. According to Kamrava, advances in technology allow for a community-based model that can replace typical pet health insurance.
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More Animals Being Used For Therapeutic Purposes
Dogs, miniature horses, cats, rabbits and even llamas are increasingly being used to help heal and cheer the sick in hospitals, cancer clinics and other settings. However, research to support the efficacy of animal-assisted therapy is largely in its early stages. A team led by scientists at UC Davis published a study about interactions between family house cats and children with autism. It found that cats in families with a child with autism-spectrum disorder " often provided valuable bonding, attention and calming affect to the child."
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Yes, This Was Happening In The United States
For years, animal lovers and animal welfare organizations have been working to end dog and cat meat sales. There has been a big step toward that goal, as the U.S. House of Representatives passed bipartisan legislation named the Dog and Cat Meat Trade Prohibition Act. The Act makes it "illegal to knowingly slaughter, ship, transport, move, deliver, receive, possess, purchase, sell or donate a dog or cat or his or her parts for human consumption, and authorizes a fine of up to $5,000 for each violation" in the United States.
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Drone is a Game Changer for Lost Pets
Hobbyist Kenneth Hendrick specifically bought his flying camera drone to look for lost pets in Florida. Teaming up with a Loxahatchee Lost and Found Pets Inc, they search for up to 95 animals a month. He says he reunites pet parents with cats, dogs, pigs, turtles and even calves.
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5 Household Hazards for Pet Birds
Birds are really remarkable pets that can fill a home with love, laughter and entertainment. They are interactive and intelligent. Unfortunately, they are also susceptible to household dangers that are very common in many homes. Pet World Insider Robert Semrow shares some of these dangers that exist before they bring harm to a pet bird in your life.
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Boy Scout Serves as a Role Model Animal Advocate
Alex Quintero is the first Boy Scout to create an Eagle Service Project assisting shelter animals. At 17 years old, he's focused on whatever he can do to help his local shelter in Flagstaff, Arizona. From collecting blankets to acquiring food for shelter animals, you'll find Alex stepping forward to assist animals and help them get adopted.
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Federal Agents Killing Millions of Animals, Including Pets
Federal agents killed 154,943 animals in the state of Washington alone last year. The agency responsible is the little-known Wildlife Services of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which for public and private sector clients kills animals all over the country, from ravens, swans and doves to wolves, which are deemed a "problem" by the client. Last month 14-year old boy was injured and his 3- year-old yellow Lab was killed by a cyanide trap set by Wildlife Services intended to kill coyotes in Idaho.
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Having a Pet Alligator
Mary Thorn is no regular pet guardian. Yes, she has dogs, but she also has a pet squirrel and an Alligator that she dresses in clothing. Mary just battled the State of Florida to keep "Rambo," a 6' gator that she considers part of the family. The calm and collected reptile also is a therapy animal for troubled children.
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Nature is the Worst
E. Reid Ross (Cracked) will tell us about 500 of the most absurd and horrifying things that happen in nature. From murderous squirrels to farting fish, "E" uncovers, and revels in, some of Mother Nature's ugliest moments.
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World's Longest Tail
A dog in Belgium earned himself a spot in the Guinness Book of World Records for having the world's longest tail. An Irish wolfhound named Keon gets the honor. His tail measures 30.2 inches long from the top of the bone to the tip, without including his hair, according to the Guinness World Records.
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Cat Gets Diploma
There's a cat named Oreo C. Collins from Macon, Georgia, who successfully earned an online "High School Diploma" from Jefferson High School. Oreo's owner, Kelvin Collins, actually got Oreo's diploma as a way to highlight fraud in online degree programs.
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Meet Justin Beaver
Brigette Brouillard lives in Kentucky where she rescues and rehabs wild animals. At any moment you could see an opossum scurrying through the house or 'Justin Beaver' building a dam out of toys and household furniture. One of her two human children are on-board, even following in her footsteps. The other wants nothing to do with mom’s hobby. Brigette tells her story like any proud rodent mama would!
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California Divorce Law Favors Pets
California has enacted a new law that gives judges the power to consider what's in the best interests of pets in divorce cases, instead of treating them as physical property like a car or a sofa. It allows judges to consider "the care of the pet" then create shared custody agreements for the animal. A national survey of divorce lawyers found 88% of pet custody fights were about dogs and only 5% about cats.
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Is Your Cell Phone Full of Pet Pics?
If you've got your cell phone close, take a quick look at the pictures you've taken. Do you see more pet pictures than pictures of your significant other? The results of a new study shows 65% of dog owners take more pictures of their dogs than their husbands, wives, girlfriends or boyfriends. The study also claims that nearly half of the people polled find it harder to leave their dog for a week than their human counterpart.
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Man Shoots His Dog at Park in Front of Children
Police in Hamden, Connecticut say a man shot and killed his own dog in a park because he feared it might attack some children who were close by. The man told police that his dog, a pit bull that was not on a leash at the time, attacked and seriously injured another dog that was on a leash. He shot his dog in front of the owner of the injured dog as well as that man's three children.
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Don't Forget The Weather Predicting Pig!
Dr. Page Wages, a Raleigh veterinarian loves animals so much she has 93 on her "Funny Farm" and a Weather Predicting Pig. Ellmer the Pig has some weird behavior when it's going to rain. Dr. Wages describes her big family and what she has to do every day to care for 93 animals.
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Putin Enacts Epic Pet Welfare Law
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed new animal welfare laws. The laws include banning petting zoos and animal fights. It also bans the killing of stray animals, which must instead be captured and placed in shelters. Also, when those stray animals are captured and taken to a shelter, they can only be captured out of sight of children and it must be recorded for public review. This was not a fast change. The law was first submitted to the Russian parliament in 2010 but was only approved and signed into law last month.
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Mother of Invention
Lisa Baronoff was tired of cleaning her dog's paws after winter walks in Manhattan. She became worried after her cocker spaniel got sick from the snowmelt chemicals put on sidewalks. She took her marketing background and launched her dog waders, Walkee Paws. She's on Animal Radio this week to tell us about her invention and foray into the 72 million dollar pet sector.
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Link Between Executive Position and Pet Ownership
We all know that vision, forward thinking, risk-taking, determination, hard work, dedication and a good game plan are what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur. However, something else isn't so well known also helps. According to a new study conducted for Banfield Pet Hospitals, having a pet can actually help people become successful and better company leaders. The research found that behind most C-suite executives (which are the CEO’s, CFO's, COO's), is a pet.
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Suing Baywatch Actress and Rover.com
Rover.com and the WAG app have come under a lot of criticism lately for their transparency about several pet deaths. We speak to attorney Robert Tauler who is currently suing former Baywatch actress Angelica Bridges and Rover.com for negligence. Apparently the actress was the pet sitter during an incident with the plaintiff's dog.
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Unique Ways To Memorialize Your Pet
Michelle Gaylord tells us how she organically grew her business into a celebration of the lives of pets. From the simple pendant that contains cremains to wine glasses made with your pet's ashes, she'll talk about some of the more unique ways people have chosen to memorialize their pets.
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Regulating Distribution of Opioids for Pets
Under a new bill introduced in the State House, pet parents will be required to microchip their pets in order to get opioid painkillers for their pet. The politician who wrote the bill says it is an attempt to stop addicts from fraudulently obtaining narcotics for their pet to feed their own addiction. Minnesota is testing a system using microchips in pets that, when scanned, would tell them if another vet just prescribed opioids at another clinic. States such as Colorado and Maine require vets to look at a pet owner's past medication history before dispensing opioids or writing an opioid prescription.
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Photographer Captures Last Moment Of Pets Life
Photojournalist Ross Taylor's latest project captures the last moments between humans and their pets prior to euthanasia. Admittedly a difficult subject, he explains his mission as a guide to assist those going through this process.
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Dogs and Owners Share Personality Traits
We've all seen pictures of dogs and their owners who look alike. Now there's a study that has found that dogs resemble their owners in an entirely different way, meaning their personalities actually tend to be similar. A highly agreeable person is twice as likely to have a dog that is highly active and excitable and less aggressive than someone who is less agreeable. The study also found that conscientious owners rated their dogs as more responsive to training and neurotic owners rated their dogs as more fearful. The hypothesis is that part of it is the dog you pick and the other part of it is the dog it ultimately becomes because of you.
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Here's A Trick Even Your Dog Can Do
Chris Perondi runs Stunt Dog Productions and the Stunt Dog Academy in Stockton, California with his wife, Suhey, and their team of canine performers. They perform more than 1,000 shows every year across the country. Today, Chris is on Animal Radio to teach us a trick we can train our dogs. Yes, even yours.
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Risks Of Being An Overly Affectionate Pet Owner
New research highlights potential risks in being over-affectionate with our pets by increasing the risk of catching drug-resistant illnesses. While experts acknowledge and even encourage the bond between a pet parent and their fur kids, some are now recommending limits on physical interaction. The danger is posed by the transfer of antibiotic-resistant bugs and carries a risk for humans and animals alike.
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Bailey, No Ordinary Cat
Bailey, who was no ordinary feline, catapulted to social media mega-stardom. What makes Bailey more addictive than catnip? In addition to his adorable expressions and hilarious, heartfelt antics, Bailey has a penchant for doing things that are demonstratively un-catlike. Glamour Magazine Woman of the Year, activist Bailey's human Erin Merry waxes poetic about this incredible furry viral sensation.
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Parrot Reserves His Right To Be Silent
A parrot has been taken into custody after nearly ruining a police raid, because the bird had been trained to be a lookout for his owners who were arrested on suspicion of dealing crack. When police showed up, the bird repeatedly began squawking a phrase that means "Mama, Police!" But, it seems that is all the bird knows. Police took it into custody and said that in the three weeks they had the bird at the police station, the parrot said nothing. Law enforcement claims that there had already been an estimated 1,700 birds seized for having been trained to alert their owners if police approached.
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The Truth About Animals
Zoologist Lucy Cooke says humans aren't doing animals any favors when we moralize their behavior. Humans have gone to the Moon and split the atom, but when it comes to understanding animals, we've still got a long way to go. So you've probably never considered if moose get drunk, penguins cheat on their mates, or worker ants lay about. They do--and that's just for starters.
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Never Buy A Pet Online
Even if you're aware of pet scams, you should never buy a pet online. A Volusia County, Florida, woman is heartbroken after she paid her hard-earned money for a dog online. She now wants to warn everyone because these scams break your heart and your wallet.
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CBD's, Vaccines and Raw Diets
These are the most controversial topics in the pet world right now. Holistic Veterinarian Dr. Judy Morgan takes the topics head on and shares her experiences with CBD's, her views on Vaccines and the raw diet she feeds her own dogs. Dr. Morgan has an integrative approach combining holistic medicine with traditional Western techniques.
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Proof That Micro-chipping Pays Off
A couple who lost 2 dogs while visiting a friend five years ago has one of those dogs, a deaf dog named Army, back today because he was micro-chipped. Their advice? Microchip your pets and keep your contact information updated with the microchip company and the vet. A lot of people think it’s very expensive but at most vet offices you can get your pet micro-chipped for $25 or less and it's there forever.
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All Is Well That Ends Well
A 5-year-old cat was missing in England for 2 weeks. Hatty the cat then turned up on the Royal Albert Bridge. A complicated 6-day, $7,500 rescue mission was launched to rescue the cat, before she simply wandered back home on her own. Still, the good news is Hatty is home and safe, and her owners are vowing to make her an inside only cat.
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Bi-lingual Dog Comforts Homeless Kids
Molly is a bilingual chocolate lab. She responds to direction in both English and Spanish. Her trainer, Memo, escaped Mafia violence in Columbia and came to the US where he founded a dog training business. They are a certified therapy team that has helped so many children in homeless shelters. Because of their bilingual abilities and Memo's deep understanding of what it is like to be thrown into a new culture, they are bringing unprecedented joy to children in desperate situations.
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New Bill Addresses Pets During Divorce
In Pennsylvania, former attorney and now state Rep. Anita Kulik has introduced H.B. 1432, which would establish the new areas of concern for judges to consider when deciding guardianship of a pet in divorce cases. If the bill passes, the judge would be allowed to consider: whether the animal was acquired prior to or during the marriage; the basic, daily needs of the animal; who generally gets veterinary care and social interaction for the animal; who deals with local and state regulations, such as licensing; and who has the greater ability to financially support the pet.
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Why Is My Female Dog Humping?
Usually humping is associated with male dogs, but humping is also very common amongst female dogs. Some girls will hump toys or other objects, some hump air, others hump other dogs or even people. We talk with Certified Professional Dog Trainer and Chair of The Association of Professional Dog Trainers Nick Hof, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, KPA-CTP, CSAT, to answer some of your most commonly asked questions about female dogs and humping.
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Judge Dismisses Lawsuit Against Pet Food Company
A federal judge has dismissed a multi-million-dollar lawsuit filed against Ainsworth Pet Nutrition (which is owned by Smucker's) for alleged false and deceptive advertising of its Rachael Ray Nutrish dog food. The suit claimed Ainsworth's labeling of Rachael Ray Nutrish, as natural food for dogs was false, deceptive and misleading. Independent laboratory tests found Glyphosate, a chemical weed killer such as RoundUp, was present in the products. The judge said, "The presence of negligible amounts of Glyphosate in a dog food product that do not have harmful, 'toxic,' or 'carcinogenic' effects is not likely to affect consumers' decisions in purchasing the product and is thus not material." Then for the same reasons, Judge Stanton dismissed the breach of warranty claim ruling, "A reasonable consumer would not interpret the label 'natural' as warranting that the products contain no amount of Glyphosate."
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Devoting Her Fame To The Animals
Katie Cleary is a Model, Actress and Philanthropist, Filmmaker who got her start in the entertainment business on the hit TV show America's Next Top Model. After graduating college, Katie landed the role on NBC's hit game show Deal or No Deal. Katie's main passion is advocating animal welfare issues while rescuing and rehabilitating animals and lovingly finding them forever homes. She tells us about her 12 pets.
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Can Dogs Laugh?
Dogs are capable of laughing, and they typically do so when they are playing. Canine laughter begins with the doggy equivalent of smiling but also includes a sound that is much like panting. Animal behaviorist Patricia Simonet recorded those sounds while dogs played. On analyzing the recordings, she found that they involved a broader range of frequencies than regular dog panting. So, what makes a dog laugh? What can we do to make them laugh? Are they already laughing about us behind our back? We'll try to figure out what tickles their funny bone.
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Anti-Vax Controversy Affects Pets
Just as there are anti-vaxxers who don't want to vaccinate their children, there are people who don't want to vaccinate their pets. However, experts want you know that vaccines do not cause autism in pets. The most dangerous of all of the dog diseases is rabies, which is effectively a death sentence for a dog and could've been prevented with the Rabies vaccine. Also, the distemper virus has returned to North America, reportedly transported on dogs that were not vaccinated. Lori Brooks reports why it just makes sense to protect your furry-family by finding a happy medium of reduced but necessary vaccinations.
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Blind Dog Gets Seeing-Eye Puppy
A North Carolina couple's puppy is now famous for quickly appointing himself as a seeing-eye-puppy for their 11-year-old golden retriever that lost both of his eyes to glaucoma pain. The puppy, named Maverick, came to their family in January and Charlie, the now blind dog, was at first not excited to have another dog in the house. However, Maverick soon appointed himself as Charlie's protector. "When they would play, Maverick would realize that Charlie had lost the toy, so [Maverick] would pick it up and put it back in front of Charlie to re-engage him in playtime," said their owner. Yes, they're now famous on social media and have their own Instagram page.
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Number Of Dog Bites Decreasing
Every year dogs bite about 4.5 million people. Dog bites and other dog-related injuries accounted for nearly one-third of all homeowners' insurance liability claim dollars paid out in 2020. Over the past year, the number of dog bite claims has decreased by 9%. However, the news isn't all good. The number of emergency room visits by children age 1 and under actually doubled from nearly 1,800 visits in 2001 to more than 3,100 last year.
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Dave Barry Talks About His Dog
The extremely talented and very funny author, Dave Barry is our guest. He'll tell us about the lessons he has learned from his dog, Lucy. He says Lucy taught him to effectively deal with road rage. Dave also explains why he's not much of a cat fan.
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Deadly Virus Makes A Comeback
A young dog imported from South Korea into western Canada brought along a dangerous hitchhiker, the Asia-1 strain of canine distemper virus (CDV), which until then had not been reported in North America. Scientists at Cornell University College of Veterinary identified the virus in samples from the dog, which they suspect was part of a shipment of animals rescued from a Korean meat market.
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Woman Awarded $60,000 After Dog Dies In Trainer's Care
A woman in Napa, California, who's German Shepherd died while in the care of a dog trainer has been awarded $60,000 by a County court. She sued the trainer for negligence, breach of contract and violation of state health and safety codes. A necropsy revealed her dog had died from heat stress or hyperthermia after less than 3 weeks in the trainers care. Police officers also found inhumane and cruel conditions at the home where the dog, Gunnar, had likely been held.
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Pet Duck? Why Not?
A lot of kids go to the park to see ducks, but 8-year-old Kylie Brown of Freeport, Maine takes her duck to see the park. If you missed the viral story about Kylie and her duck, its name is Snowflake. She takes it to the pond at a park and it even returns when she calls its name. Kylie's parents say Snowflake has had to be by their daughter's side 24/7 since the day they brought him home. So they brought him in the house, put a diaper on him and now he's a house duck.
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Unique Ways To Memorialize Your Pet
Steve Munt wants to send the cremains of his beloved cat into space. While dog lovers have been memorializing their dogs this way for years, Steve's cat will be the first feline remains shot into space in a satellite that will circle the earth in perpetuity. Steve is our guest and he'll explain why he wants to do this.
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Pets Make You More Attractive
Dr. Helen Fisher is a Senior Research Fellow at The Kinsey Institute. She's been studying the correlation between pets and dating. Dr. Fisher says, "Dogs are chick magnets!" Women find men with a dog to be more attractive. But interestingly, or not, this does not work in reverse. In fact, the 'cat lady' has a negative stigma.
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Major Pet Store Raided After Whistle Blowing Employee
Police in Bellevue, Tennessee recently raided a national pet store chain location after getting a tip and photos concerning animal cruelty. That tip, along with the pictures, came from an employee at the PetSmart store.
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Pet Insurance & Preexisting Conditions
While pet insurance may seem like a good value, be sure to check to fine print. Some breeds predisposed to certain ailments, like hip-dysplasia, may be excluded from certain insurance policies, especially if your pet has been seen before for problems related to the claim.
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Mandatory Pet Rental Laws
If you don't own a home and you have a pet, you know that finding a home to rent that accepts pets can be difficult. According to a poll, 64% of respondents felt landlords should have the right to refuse to rent to pet owners, compared to 36% who felt landlords should not be able to deny a tenant's pets. Of course, opinions varied between homeowners and tenants.
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Dogs Laundering Lawsuit
A lawsuit has been filed in a California court saying Bark Adoptions masquerades as a non-profit animal rescue organization passing off puppy mill dogs as rescued animals and selling them for a profit. California has banned the sale of puppy mill dogs and it is believed multiple fictitious rescues are circumventing the law. Deborah Howard, founder of the Companion Animal Protection Society (CAPS) explains how her organization is trying to raise awareness on the issue.
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Animal Occupations That Pay More Than $56k Annually
The Bureau of Labor Statistics identified the occupations that pay workers more than $56,000 a year and involve lots of quality time with animals. Veterinarians are the highest paid with a median yearly salary of $90,000 and projected job growth of 19% over the next 7 years.
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Man Charged With Abandoning Fish
A North Carolina man has been charged with abandoning a pet fish that police say he left behind without food when he was evicted. Kind of unusual, but times are changing and how we think about animals is much different that it used to be.
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Camel Goes To PetSmart
Hump Day was a few days early at a pet store in Michigan when the operator of a local petting zoo walked in with his camel on a trip to their local PetSmart. This comes a week after a bull was escorted into a Petco. Both chains encourage bringing pets into the store.
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Do Cats Understand Words?
Cats are almost always described as aloof but they know their own names and recognize it when we call for them, new research shows. Scientists found that our feline friends are able to tell their names apart from other words and have a grasp of words closer to a dog's than we think.
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Robotic Puppies - Not Toys
Scientists estimate as many as 97% of seniors suffer from behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. That's why Tom Stevens teamed up with Jim Henson's Creature Shop to create an affordable robotic puppy to provide companionship for seniors. Tom explains why this is so personal and how it's making a difference.
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Animal Free Mouse Treats For Cats
A pet nutrition startup is aiming to launch a line of clean meat for cats made from cultured mouse cells. The U.S. based startup is working on clean meat/mouse meat cat treats, based on a cat's natural prey. "This meat is packed with the same protein that a cat in the wild would consume and does not contain the growth steroids or any trace of Salmonella and Listeria found in meat used to make commercial pet food," states the manufacturer.
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Beards Carry More Germs Than Dogs
If you don't kiss your dog, but your significant other has a beard, heads up! A new study finds men with beards carry more germs in their beards than dogs with their normal germs. Swiss researchers tested the facial hair of men and dog fur from various breeds and found a significantly higher bacterial load in the men's beards compared with the dogs' fur.
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Planning To Rob A Store? Don't Take Your Dog
Police in Wisconsin say a woman; her adult son and a dog named "Bo" caused quite the scene in a Wisconsin Walmart. According to police, they responded to a Walmart shopping center for reports of a theft. When they arrived, officers found 46-year-old Lisa Smith screaming in the store's entryway trying to catch her unleashed dog, Bo. While the mother was in the front of the store, her 25-year-old son was allegedly naked and exposing himself to customers in the clothing section of the store. Bo, still unleashed and on the loose, grabbed a box of Bread Muffin Mix and attempted to leave the store. Eventually everyone was rounded up. The two humans were arrested and poor Bo was taken to the Humane Society.
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Mutual Rescue
A young soldier left the battlefield in Baghdad with traumatic brain injuries and P.T.S.D. after a mortar attack. Right before he was to give up on life, a stray cat walked up to him, placed his paws on his leg and saved his life. Josh Marino is here to tell his story of Mutual Rescue.
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China Switches from One-Child to One-Dog Policy
China may have scrapped its one-child policy, but one Chinese city (Qingdao) has now instituted a one-dog policy! Those who own more than one pooch will be required to surrender their furry friends to an adoption agency. Anyone who violates the rules will be fined the equivalent of $60 US dollars.
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Employers Offer Pet Insurance
There is a new and fast-growing trend for employees being offered by generous companies. It's employer-sponsored benefit plans that insure the family pet, dogs, cats, ferrets, birds or potbellied pig against accidents and illness. Some 5,000 companies, including Microsoft, Yahoo, Xerox and Hewlett-Packard, now offer pet insurance.
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Don't Use Your Pet's Name As Password
When it comes to choosing a password, hopefully you do NOT pick a pet's name, because that's easy to hack. A behavioral biometrics company did some research and says the answer to finding a secure password is naming your pet a weird name, something incredibly unique after you do some research of your own. If your password is Max7$, after your cat, you aren't alone, but you are putting yourself at risk of identify theft and other cyber crimes.
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Switzerland Enacts Landmark Legislation for Animals
Switzerland is a fairly small country, but it stills boasts an estimated seven million pets living there, not including farm animals! The Swiss have a long history of improving the working and living conditions for animals including landmark legislation in 1992 when it became the first country to include animal rights in their constitution.
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Why Is Your Cat Peeing Outside The Litter-box?
Award winning cat author Dusty Rainbolt has written the definitive guide to solving litter-box problems. Cat owners know that the solutions aren't always simple. But Dusty breaks it down in easy to understand steps. She can tell why your cat isn't using the litter-box and how to fix it.
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How Does Your Pet's Name Influence Their Disposition?
Hollywood Numerologist Glynis McCants says the name you give your pet has a powerful impact on its temperament. She has tips on naming and even renaming your pet according to numerical energy.
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Cancer Detection Dogs
A town in Japan with high rates of stomach cancer is turning to sniffer dogs for help. The city of Kaneyama is now taking part in a research program, in which residents' frozen urine samples are sent to the Nippon Medical School where dogs are trained to sniff out signs of disease.
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Would Your Pet Eat You If You Died?
Cats have a reputation for eating their dead owners although a new study shows dogs are more likely to chow down on you. There are even a few reports of hamsters and birds devouring their owners according to the Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine. Researchers have found no connection between an animal's reported closeness to its owner and its likelihood of consuming his or her body. Instinct, or hunger apparently trumps love.
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Pets At Work
Purina unveiled the first Pets at Work Report, examining pet owners and their attitudes towards having pets in the workplace, and the benefits it brings to employers and employees. The survey showed that employees at pet-friendly organizations ranked having pets at work second in terms of most valuable work benefits, ranking higher than free coffee and parking. To help other employers who are considering starting their own Pets at Work program, Purina has created a digital toolkit with tips and tools such as office checklists, signage and authorization forms.
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Veterinarians Committing Suicide
Out-surging Dentists, Veterinarians now have the highest suicide rate in the U.S., at four times the general population. Dr. Elizabeth Strand discusses the causes of this disturbing trend and possible solutions.
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Legislation Would Provide Service Dogs to Veterans with P.T.S.D.
The PAWS Act also known as Puppies Assisting Wounded Service members Act has been introduced on Capitol Hill by Congressman Ron DeSantis. The legislation would direct the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide service dogs and veterinary health insurance to veterans with P.T.S.D. (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).
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Pet Pampering Apartment Buildings
Pet pampering apartment buildings around the country are on the rise with some awesome amenities being offered. The most popular among them are dog runs, and they're not what you would expect. These are dog runs inside high-rise buildings on some of the higher floors; so there's no need to even go down to street level.
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Making Your Dog Part of Your Wedding
Kristen Hedderich is a Wedding Pet Concierge. She's available to make your pet's presence perfect on the big day. Kristen covers transportation, grooming and accommodations for your dog so you can focus on your nuptials.
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Parrot Witnesses Murder
Several months ago there was a story about "Bud," a pet parrot that witnessed his owner's murder. Now we find out that a woman in Michigan has been convicted of first-degree murder despite that Bud's testimony wasn't used in court. After the killing, Bud was recorded saying, "Don't F*#&ing shoot," in the victim's voice. A state prosecutor tried to use Bud's phrases as evidence in the trial, but a judge dismissed it.
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Even Celebs Have Trouble Potty Training Their Pets
Actress Nancy Dassault (Too Close For Comfort, Mad About You) is coming on the show to yap about her new Maltese Yorkie mix that seems to be having difficulty learning where to go to the bathroom.
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Feeding The Pets of the Homeless
Genevieve Frederick heads up an organization that connects pet food with homeless folks and their animals. While sometimes controversial, pets can provide a meaningful relationship for the displaced and destitute.
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My Tortoise is Wrecking My Career
Michelle Hanson's daughter unloaded her pet tortoise on her mom when she moved out. Little did Michelle know how time consuming and 'high-maintenance' Parker the Tortoise would be.
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Rover.com Adds Cats To Its Listings
Rover.com, the Seattle company offering a one-stop online shop for dog sitting and walking, has reeled in another $65 million from investors to continue its accelerating growth. Rover built its name with overnight dog-sitting services. However, people using the site were registering their cats as a breed of dog.
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Cooking For Your Pets
In a world where we barely have time to prepare our own meals, Dr. Judy Morgan says we should be cooking for our pets. The store bought pet foods contain diseased and euthanized animals as well as high levels of heavy metals. She'll have some time-saving tips to create your own pet food.
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True or Poo?
From the author of Does It Fart?, comes the latest from Nick Caruso, True or Poo? The Definitive Field Guide to Filthy Animal Facts and Falsehoods. This interview is not for the faint hearted. You'll find out just how many spiders you eat in your sleep, if beaver butt is an ingredient in vanilla ice cream, and which animal may die from constipation.
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Judges Decide Who Gets The Pet
There's a new law in California granting judges the authority to settle disagreements over who keeps the family pet in divorce cases. Those cases will now be handled the same way judges handle child-custody disputes. Until now, Fido and Kitty have been considered family property, a status giving them little more standing in a divorce than a family's big-screen TV or a refrigerator. This means the judge deciding who gets to keep the pet will have the discretion of weighing such factors as who feeds them, who takes them to the vet and on walks and who protects them.
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Dogs Owners Get More Satisfaction From Large Dogs
According to a survey from RightPet, dog owners say they get more satisfaction owning large dogs than small dogs. The study surveyed dog breed reviews from more than 12,000 pet parents from 106 countries. The study found a direct correlation between dog size satisfaction and the fact that dog owners rate bigger dogs as more emotionally stable, child-safe, trainable and less-barky than small dogs.
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Pet Food Companies Want To Stop Studies That Analyze Their Foods
Researchers at the University of Nevada in Reno have been pondering the question, "What is really in the food our pets eat?" So they started looking for answers. The results of their first study are worrisome. In the first 100 samples they analyzed, 16 of those samples had mercury concentrations that were well above the maximum tolerable limit.
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A Chastity Belt For Dogs?!
Dexter Blanch considers himself quite the inventor. And he should. He's created a chastity contraption for dogs to wear. He's also thinking about designing a special dog-bra, but is too busy selling the belts to work on anything else. In fact, he was just commissioned to invent a chastity belt for camels in Dubai.
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Dog-Friendly Boating
Summer means lots of outdoor fun with your dogs. Many pet-lovers will take their furry-companion on boats. This is where Jen Seitz comes in the picture. She's from the website boatsetter.com and she has tip for making your journey safer for everyone including the pets.
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Cutting Nails
Cutting your pet's nails can be a pleasant or really unpleasant task depending on your approach. It's very likely that you'll need to trim your furry-friend's nails sooner or later. Animal Radio's Dogfather, Joey Villani has tips on cutting those tips the right length without drawing blood.
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Most Stolen Dogs
On the heels of Lady Gaga's violent pet theft, we investigate the topic. Pet theft is on the rise. Here are the stats for the most stolen dogs in America; In no particular order, these ten breeds are stolen far more than others: Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, French Bulldog (some of which are then resold for as much as $4,000) and Pomeranian (resale is said to be around $3,000). Maltese dogs are also on the most often stolen pet list, as are Boston Terriers, Labradoodles, Pit Bulls, German Shepherds and the Labrador Retriever. Animal Radio News Director Lori Brooks reports the reasons for the increase in pet thefts.
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Should Young Children Have Service Dogs?
This 3-year-old girl was born with a debilitating lung disease and was given a service dog to help her maneuver around with the always-present oxygen tank. The use of service dogs for young children is increasing in popularity. There are service dogs assigned to children with autism and other special needs. From the perspectives of veterinary behavioral medicine and dog bite safety for children, this trend deserves a second look according to Dr. Ilana Reisner. She says "children don't understand the limitations of their canine charges."
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The Truly Universal Language
Darwin believed that musicality was a capacity of all animals, human and nonhuman. Dr. Henkjan Honing is researching how animals respond to music. He tells Animal Radio what he has learned about how dogs, birds, monkeys, sea lions and cockatoos interpret musical nuance.
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Emotional Support Alpacas Must Go
An Ohio family is facing a deadline to find new homes for their alpacas, which they consider therapy pets. A neighbor claims the alpacas are a nuisance because it's turned his neighbor's backyard into a smelly pasture. The alpaca owners say they've been cooperative with the city and have already re-homed two alpacas. They now claim that they clean up after the remaining duo on a daily basis. These alpacas are not outside all the time though. They are indoor-outdoor pets. The owner claims alpacas are quieter and their poop smells less than a dog's poo.
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FBI Investigating Pet Scams
The FBI has issued a warning on pet adoption scams. Beth Anne Steele of the FBI says, "Fraudsters are prowling the web to find families who are so desperate for the perfect pooch that they are willing to adopt sight unseen." The scam usually starts when someone comes across a pet adoption ad online then unwittingly engages with the scammer and proceeds to pay a series of fees.
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Exploring How Animals Think, Talk, and Feel
Nancy Castaldo authored a book with vivid photographs, first-person interviews and historical anecdotes exploring animals' ability to show empathy, communicate and develop complex social societies. Humans have changed their overall perception of animals. As little as 40 years ago, many considered animals to be "machine-like" creatures that feel no pain. Now, we know different. But how much do we really know? Nancy will share her research on the clever little rat and why cats don't rank.
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Police Given Okay To Shoot Dogs
In a shocking and controversial decision, a Michigan Federal Court granted police the right to shoot a dog that moves or barks at them when they are inside a home. The decision stems from an incident in Battle Creek, Michigan where police shot and killed two dogs while executing a search warrant looking for drugs inside a couple's house. While this doesn't give permission across the board, it will set a legal precedence in the justice system. One has to ask why such lethal force is necessary? Why won't a stun-gun or pepper spray suffice?
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Kids Don't Need Siblings, Just a Pet!
According to a new study from the University of Cambridge, children get more satisfaction from the relationships they have with their pets than with their brothers and sisters. The research also found that many children get along with their pets better than their siblings. While boys and girls were equally satisfied with their pets, girls reported more companionship and conflict with their pet than boys, and girls talks more to their pets.
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Skin Cream Kills Dogs
A skin cancer cream that is usually used to cure and prevent skin cancer has killed at least five dogs after they accidentally swallowed it. The FDA is warning pet owners to keep the prescription cream out of reach from pets. It is called Fluorouracil and is sold under the brand names Fluoroplex, Efudex and Carac.
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Third Hand Smoke Harms Pets
The FDA has a new warning for pet owners who smoke saying it's not just second-hand smoke that's harmful to pets. Animals are also at risk for being exposed to third-hand smoke, which includes the residue that lingers on skin, clothes, carpets and other household items that ends up on their fur. Obviously most animals groom themselves, meaning that residue getting transferred from the floor, couch or your hand to their fur – is ingested.
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Fake Service Animals Might Be A Crime
Misrepresenting a pet as a service animal may become a crime in Wyoming under a bill being considered in the State Legislature. The issue stems from people claiming their pet is a service animal in order to bring it into a place like a restaurant, store or rental property that doesn't allow pets.
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Battling Allergies in Pets
Sure, many of us are allergic to pet's dander, but did you know that your dog's scratching and itching could be their allergies. Whatever the source, food or environmental, there are great new medicines with little or no side-effects. Animal Radio Veterinary Correspondent Dr. Marty Becker explores these alternative allergy treatments.
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Everything's Bigger in Texas
Only in Texas would you walk into someone's home and be greeted by a 2,500 pound family pet buffalo named Wild Thing. He's been living in his human parents house since he was a three-month-old calf and is treated just like he's a member of the family. Ronnie and Sherron Bridges even gave Wild Thing his own bedroom, where they say he likes to watch cartoons. They also let him eat at their dining room table and are OK with him wandering in and out of the house whenever he pleases. The Bridges say "It's like having a small car in the house."
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Dog Shoots Sleeping Girlfriend
A man who claims his girlfriend was shot while she was sleeping is blaming the dog! Brian Murphy says his partner was shot in the leg after their dog Diesel leaped on the nightstand where he keeps his gun and accidentally set it off.
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What My Dog Taught Me
Sanjay Gupta is our guest this week. He says he learned more from his dog than he did during 25 years of Philosophy education. His dog's insights clarify what really is important in life. Sanjay will share the most poignant message his Basset Hound taught him.
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Alaska is the Unlikely Adopter of New Pet Custody Laws
For the first time, a state has specifically said that a companion animal has visibility in a divorce proceeding beyond that of property and that the court may award custody on the basis of what is best for the dog, not the human owners. In a first, Alaska divorce courts will now treat pets more like children even though, in the eyes of the law, animals are considered property. It makes Alaska the first state in the country to require courts to take "into consideration the well-being of the animal" and to explicitly empower judges to assign joint custody of pets.
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Dog Dies, 5 Others Sickened from Pentobarbital in Pet Food
At least five dogs have been sickened and one has died after eating canned dog food. The reason is a barbiturate, Pentobarbital, has been found in one lot of the food. The manufacturer is recalling five lots of 12-ounce cans of dog food which were distributed in 15 states. Pentobarbital is frequently used to euthanize dogs and cats, which calls into question what the beef protein really was.
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Germany Taxes Dog Owners
In Germany, there's a legal difference between pet owners. Dog-owners are taxed for their pet, while cat-owners currently aren't, though some say that should change. An estimated 13 million cats call Germany home and that doesn't include stray cats. German officials say those policies help prevent shelters from being overrun and allow them to stick to a 'no-kill policy.'
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Why is Dental Health So Important to Your Pet?
Your pet's dental health is a key factor in controlling fatal organ failure. Unlike humans, infected gums can lead to bigger problems than bad breath. It's common for 'out of control' teeth tartar to lead to kidney failure as infection travels through the bloodstream. February is National Pet Dental Health Month and we have tips and tricks to help your pet live a long healthy life. One of the tricks is to avoid anesthesia free dental cleanings, because they don't work and could actually cause problems.
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Pit Bulls Being Used To Fight Crime
Brad Croft of Universal K9 trains shelter pit-bulls to assist police officers in fighting crime and searching for people. The success of the program can be seen around the country as more police departments express interest in these dogs.
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Fixing A Broken Heart
Even the most grounded person can be devastated by the loss of a pet. Dr. Guy Winch is an authority on broken-hearts and has answers to common questions following the death of a pet. He says you should avoid the 5 common mistakes when grieving the loss of a pet, including not getting rid of reminders like feeding bowls and leashes and feeling guilty about getting another pet.
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Can Dogs Really Smell Fear?
If you've ever been nervous around a dog and told to just be calm because dogs can "smell fear," well, that is good advice though most people can't suddenly calm their fear. Believe it or not, the sentiment behind that guidance is rooted in some truth. While dogs probably can't literally smell fear, they do seem to respond to fearful people with more aggression according to a new study in the British Medical Journal.
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Emotional Support Peacock Not Allowed on United
The stories of unruly flights caused by animals continue to grab headlines around the world, like the one where a woman attempted to bring her pet peacock onto a flight out of New Jersey's Newark airport. The woman was told the big bird would not be allowed on the plane even though the owner had bought a separate ticket for the peacock. United Airlines issued a statement saying the peacock did not meet guidelines for a number of reasons, including its weight and size.
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Is It Wrong To Love Your Pets More Than Humans?
Clinical Forensic Psychologist Dr. John Huber culled research indicating that, given the choice, we prefer puppies over people. Respondents to a recent survey are significantly less distressed when adult humans were victimized, in comparison with human babies, puppies and adult dogs.
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Myths of Dog Training
Monique Feyrecilde breaks the common fallacies associated with training your dog. She'll share the mistakes we make when trying to change our dog's behavior. Monique is next in the spotlight in the Fear Free Pets Expert Series.
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Why Is It So Important To Care For Your Pet's Teeth
It's National Pet Dental Month. Not another Hallmark card opportunity. This is the ideal opportunity for your veterinarian to check for dental issues that could ultimately be fatal if gone unchecked. Dental care isn't about vanity as much as it's about preventing organ failure because you thought a 'non-anesthesia dental cleaning' was all you needed.
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Pets of the Homeless
Genevieve Frederick heads up an organization that connects pet food and veterinary care with homeless folks and their animals. Since 2008, her non-profit has found health care for 17,500 pets. Now, the organization is on the hunt for more veterinary practitioners to offer discounted assistance to the homeless.
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Airline Passenger Allegedly Told To Flush Hamster Down The Toilet
This story has become the latest controversial case in airlines versus people seeking to travel with emotional support animals. It sure started a lot of conversations and caused a lot of online emotional venting and virtually all of it not good. It all began Thanksgiving weekend when a beloved pet hamster was flushed down a toilet in an airport bathroom, supposedly after the airline, Spirit Airlines, refused to let a 21 year old college student bring her pet hamster.
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Animal Officer Sings To Dogs
Vance County North Carolina Animal Control Officer Chad Olds discovered a new use for his incredible singing skills. He's able to quiet the barking a several dozen dogs by playing guitar and singing to them. The shelter videotaped one of his sessions. The video went viral and adoptions increased.
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Stress and Skin
Did you know that stress could be a factor in your pet's skin issues? The number one reason animal guardians visit the vet revolves around skin and dermatological problems. Dr. Tom Lewis specializes in these sorts of health issues. As a proponent for the Fear Free movement, he says it's made a big difference in his practice. Dr. Lewis is next up in the Fear Free Expert Series.
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Shock Collars Banned In England
A ban on pet "shock collars" will be enacted in England, under plans confirmed by the government. Shock collars are often marketed as a harmless quick-fix solution or training aides, but animal experts say shock collars can easily cause more problems than they seek to fix.
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Do You Talk 'Baby Talk' To Your Pets?
Researchers Alex Benjamin and Katie Slocombe set out to investigate if so-called dog-speak improves bonding between pets and humans, and specifically, whether it is useful for the dogs to hear that high pitched baby talk. They found that adult dogs were more likely to want to interact and spend time with the speaker that used dog-directed speech with dog-related content.
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High Rate Of Veterinarian Suicides
Santa Barbara, California is dealing with a crisis in its animal care community, which is a problem happening all over the country. The problem is the high rate of suicide among veterinarians. In fact, vets have the highest rate of suicide among all professional groups.
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Top Household Pet Poisons
Pet World Insider Robert Semrow is at it again. He's a list-maker and he has the top toxins that you may have in your house. Make sure your pet is safe by putting these items out of their reach.
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Tickles Saves Pickles
When this little pig got sick and needed a blood transfusion, his guardian, Maddie worked effortlessly to find a match. Thanks to social media, Pickles the Potbellied Pig was saved by Tickles - a 450 lb. donor pig, whom was also saved from the butcher in this 'win-win-win' hog story.
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Examining PVP's Prior to Vet Visits
Dr. Natalie Marks suggest that pet owners use Pre-Visit Pharmaceuticals (PVP) before you go to the veterinarian. This will make the visit easier and more pleasurable for your pet. She says these medications are not sedatives or painkillers, but are effective for easing anxiety. Dr. Marks is next on the Fear Free Pet Expert Series.
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Microchips FAIL
About 15,000 family pets need to have a new microchip inserted because their old microchip no longer works. Especially sad news since it could lead to some pets being mistaken for strays and put down. Pets that are micro-chipped with a product called BioTec, manufactured by Virbac, are at risk. A letter from Virbac says, "It now seems possible all of those BioTec chips might fail over time." We'll tell you how to identify if you're affected by this problem.
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Couple Rescues Handi-cats
Joe and Lauren DiPaolo have devoted everything to rescuing handicapped cats, or 'handi-cats.' Their house is full of cats with one or multiple ailments. They're providing life-long care for a feline without eyes, a kitty using a wheel contraption in place of legs, and one with a cleft palate, just to name a few of the maladies. You must hear them tell you their story of undying devotion.
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Couple Stows Cat in Luggage
A young Florida couple is facing animal cruelty charges after airport security agents at the Erie, Pennsylvania airport found a cat in their luggage. The 6-month-old female cat named Slim was literally inside the suitcase along with the couples' clothing and other items. Luckily, the Erie TSA team spotted the cat during pre-flight inspections.
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Who Gets Custody Of The Dog?
Attorney Jeremy Cohen gave up his job prosecuting those accused of insurance fraud. He found it unfulfilling. Now, he represents dogs. He'll share the details of several current cases that involve custody battles over pets.
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Denver Bans Declawing
Denver has become the first U.S. city, outside of California, to ban the declawing of cats. The new law prohibits veterinarians from performing the controversial procedure unless it's medically necessary. Cat lovers are praising the Denver City Council for passing the ordinance declaring that the elective declawing of cats is both inhumane and painful to the felines. Now, Denver just needs to work on reversing the ban of pit bull breeds within city limits.
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FDA Warns Against Certain Types of Dog Treats
The FDA has issued a warning for prepackaged treats called "Ham Bones," "Pork Femur Bones," "Rib Bones" and "Smokey Knuckle Bones," which could be dangerous treats for your dog. The federal government agency has collected at least 68 reports about 90 different dogs and 15 deaths after eating these types of bones. Problems associated with the bones include choking, cuts and wounds, vomiting, diarrhea, bleeding and death in some cases. Experts add that chicken bones can cause the same problems.
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Specialized Mobile Animal Rescue Team
SMART is the first Specialized Mobile Animal Rescue Team. SMART was created because there was a demand for a team dedicated to rescuing animals stuck in extreme situations. Members of SMART combined their passion for rescuing animals with their recreational knowledge and experience of rock climbing and rappelling? Officer Armando Naverrete is our guest to talk about some of his most unusual rescues.
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Fear Free Now Certifying Trainers
As the Fear Free movement explodes, now dog trainers can become certified using methods that make the learning experience more appealing to the dog. Finding a Fear Free trainer has become easier using the online database. Mikkel Becker tells us how Fear Free makes a difference in behavior training. Visit the Fear Free Expert Series for more.
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Rescue Crowd-funds Butt-hole For Kitten
Shawn Simons is the Headmistress of the Kitty Bungalow Charm School for Wayward Cats. They're an outstanding non-profit rescue in the Los Angeles area. Shawn just crowd-funded a $10,000 surgery for a kitten. That may not sound unusual until you hear the kitty was born with Imperforate Anus, or no butt-hole. Now, along with television sensation Tosh.0, she's trying to raise a million for 2000 butt-holes.
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Who's Got Your Back When The Raptures Comes?
Pastor Travis Davis founded Pets After Rapture. He considers himself the "middle-man" between your pets and the animal-loving non-believers who will be around after the rapture. For a small fee, his service will be dispatched to your home "post-rapture" to care for your pets.
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Veterinarians See The Most Unusual Things
A veterinarian in Oklahoma operated on a dog that wasn't feeling well after eating its human sibling's pacifier. The vet could have made a ton of money had he charged for each pacifier he would later take out of the dog's belly, which ended up being a total of 21. Dr. Debbie shares her “strange and unusual things found in the belly of a dog" stories.
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Cannabis Based Pet Supplements Come Under Fire.
People anxious to relieve their pet's physical pain are more and more trying oils and powders that contain CBDs, a non-psychoactive component of marijuana. But, there's little data on whether these products work, or if they have harmful side effects. That's because the federal government has not approved any clinical trials of cannabis pet products. The FDA has warned companies that sell marijuana related pet products that they're violating laws by offering "unapproved new animal drugs." The FDA has even threatened legal action.
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Officer Tells Story Of Lake Rescue
The video of an cop rescuing a dog from a frozen lake has gone viral. Officer Robert Voorhees took a big risk when he decided to cross an ice covered lake in New Jersey. He'll share his heroic story with Animal Radio listeners. He says anyone would've done what he did. Would you?
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Top Dog-Friendly States
With about 90 million dogs living in homes in the US, we are a country of dog lovers. But not all states are equal in terms of safety and amenities for pets. You may be quite surprised by the findings. Where does your state fit in?
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Pet Owner New Years Resolutions
Fear Free certified trainer Debbie Martin thinks both you and your vet should make resolutions and promises to your pet. She'll share her techniques for creating a Fear Free environment and schedule for your dog. Check out the Fear Free Expert Series.
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The Real Cost of Owning A Pet
You can add up all the vet visits, food and toys and you still would be missing the costs associated with damage to your house… because that happens. Chad Hall with Remodel Mate has tips to help you reduce the damage and do it without selling a kidney.
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Chinese Pet Economy On The Rise
The world of pets is changing in China with the country's fast rise in wealthy citizens. The Chinese government is calling for residents to create 1,000 "Specialty Towns." In Pyongyang County, the specialty theme is pets. There is no doubt that the Chinese pet economy is thriving mostly because of an aging population and declining birth rates.
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Felony Charges For Boy Who Tossed Kitten
There's good news about the kitten that unfortunately starred in a viral video last month. You've heard about Spot, a little 3 and a half-pound calico kitten that was tossed high into the air by a teenage boy in the Southern California. Police got their guy. The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office has filed a charge of felony animal cruelty against the 16-year-old suspect.
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Enrichment In The Home During Winter
Cold weather usually means the kids and pets spend more time indoors. Less exercise and activity could result in unwanted behavior issues. Dr. E'Lise Christensen is a board certified veterinary behaviorist. She'll share some great ideas for keeping your pets occupied and out of trouble. As far as the kids go, you're on your own. This is part of the Fear Free Expert Series.
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Dealing With Off-Leash Dogs
It's the stuff of nightmares. You and your dog are enjoying a walk through the neighborhood when, all of a sudden, you spot an unaccompanied canine heading your way. It could turn into a bad scene even if your dog is socialized. Stephanie Colman, the manager of the "Puppy Department" at Guide Dogs of America, has the five things you need to do if you encounter an off-leash or stray dog.
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Beatles Song For Dogs
Sir Paul McCartney is confirming that one of the all time best Beatles song has a special sound included in the track that only your dog can hear. It has long been a rumor that dogs knew something about the song that humans didn't.
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Do Pets Slow Down Your Aging Process?
After all the recent studies about pets keeping humans youthful, there is a new report out in the British Medical Journal that says having a pet doesn't seem to slow down your aging process after all.
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Most Popular Pet Names for 2020
The Netflix series "Stranger Things" has some influence on the top pet names of 2020. "Eleven" is becoming commonplace among pet names, after the main character in the popular series. "Star Wars" names like Rey and Leia are up 70%.
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Pet Food Sector Seeing Tremendous Growth Online
U.S. researchers say most of the growth in the pet food sector is going to behemoths Amazon.com and Chewy.com (owned by PetSmart). Other trends include home-delivered and customized fresh foods.
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Jo Anne Worley Returns
Actress, Comedian, President of Actors and Others for Animals, and all-around funny gal Jo Anne Worley (Laugh In) returns to Animal Radio to talk about her one true love, "Harmony" her 5-pound Yorkie. She proves that laughing and loving animals is all we need to be a happy soul.
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Laundry Pods Dangerous for Animals
You probably know those laundry detergent pods that so many people are using these days are dangerous to children, but did you know they are very harmful to pets as well? Most soaps and detergents contain chemicals called ionic and anionic surfactants. When a small amount it is ingested, it is possible for pets to become sick with gastrointestinal upset (drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea) and even come down with serious respiratory issues.
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Why God Created the Dog and Cat
Former ASPCA CEO Ed Sayres tells the story of how God decided to create the dog and cat. We'll also share several other holiday themed stories that will touch and inspire the animal lover in you.
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Pet Rocks
Nordstrom's has sold out of pet rocks! An $85 leather-wrapped stone sold out online store after going viral on social media. A spokeswoman for the retailer declined to say exactly how many pet rocks were sold. If you're old enough, you may remember the pet rock craze in 1970 that made Gary Dahl a millionaire six-times over.
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Taking Your Pet's Picture
Photographing your pet may not be easy. It's tough to get the right shot in the right lighting. Britt Savage has tips for taking excellent photos of your furry-family this holiday season.
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The Big Cat Is Back
Actress and Animal Activist Tippi Hedren (The Birds - Shambala) returns to Animal Radio to talk about life living with Lions, Tigers and Ligers, oh my. She rescues tigers that were purchased as pets and out-grew their home. She's also forged legislation that outlaws exotic animals as pets. Animal Radio will hook you up with her autobiography, Tippi.
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Turtle Doves Drives Up Cost
The slow recovery of the U.S. economy may be responsible for the increasing costs of the 12 Days of Christmas. The price of two turtle-doves has jumped from $290 last year to $375. But, the partridge in the pear tree, which has actually become cheaper, has offset the total cost.
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Signs of Holiday Stress in Dogs
The holidays can be stressful for everyone, both humans and our pets. While some dogs enjoy the increase in activity and new experiences that come with holidays, there are lots of others who are not fans of change and all the chaos that can come with it. Lori Brooks will help you recognize signs of stress in your pet, so you can remove them from dangerous situations and help them relax.
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Rising Pet Health Care Costs
Pet owners may shell out as much, or more, money for their pet's health care as they do for their own health care, and it's mostly because of pricey new technologies and more advanced treatment options. Healthy Paws Pet Insurance most expensive insurance claim was for a 3-year-old female French Bulldog diagnosed with inter-vertebral disc disease with a final bill of $44,296.
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Parrot Only Witness In Murder Case
Court proceedings are underway in Newaygo County, Michigan, where a preliminary hearing has been held for a woman accused of murdering her husband and their parrot is the only apparent witness. The couple's pet, an African Gray parrot, apparently witnessed the shooting and began repeating words from the victim just moments before his death. The parrot has been recorded as saying, "Don’t F*#&ing shoot."
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#OpossumLivesMatter
Opossum guardian and advocate Lea Murray is mother to several opossums, including Kricket, the Fruit Loop eating marsupial in this viral video. Lea is outraged about an Inside Edition broadcast that painted Opossums as a typhus vehicle. She says the much maligned and misunderstood critter is actually good for humankind.
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AVMA Release Latest Stats On Pet Ownership
Pet ownership is on the rise with dogs leading the way and large increases in the number of less traditional pets like chickens and lizards. 57% of all U.S. households have a pet. The state with the honor of having the most pets is...drum roll please...Wyoming.
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No Chainmail Gauntlets Needed
Trimming your cat's nails may not be your favorite activity, but it's truly important for their health. Joey Villani has tips to make it a little easier and less bloody. It doesn't need to be a big deal for you or your cat.
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What It's Like To Be Bitten By A Pit Bull
Denise James loves animals. She also loves talking about them.... a lot! Her love for dogs was not soured when she was bit in the face by a pit-bull. She'll tell us what went wrong and how to avoid being a dog treat.
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Pet Hoarding On The Rise
A new study, published in the journal Psychiatry Research, takes a look at the motivations of people who hoard animals. This latest study suggests that animal hoarding should be classified as an independent disorder with the hope of developing specialized treatments to help these people cope with the compulsion to collect critters. Animal hoarders acquire and live with dozens or even hundreds of creatures in their homes, causing suffering for both the hoarder and animals. In the United States, authorities discover between 900 and 2,000 cases of animal hoarding every year.
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Talk To Your Cat About Gun Safety
Zachary Auburn is on the show to deliver an important message. He wants you to know how to talk to your cat about gun safety, abstinence, drugs, Satanism, and other dangers that threaten their nine-lives. Zach believes we can make our cats - and America - great again.
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Music for Cats Topping Charts
A special music album created just for cats is being lapped up by humans too, and has topped two classical music charts on Amazon and iTunes. Despite being allergic to cats, American cellist David Teie released, "Music for Cats," featuring five instrumental compositions after raising more than $200,000 on Kickstarter. On the album, bird chirping accompanies his cello playing along with purring noises based on his theory which he researched for two years, that mammals have an intuitive response to sounds present in their early development.
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Drive-Thru Restaurant For Dogs
Bane and Vader are a couple of gentle, barrel-shaped bulldogs. They're also the namesakes of a unique new business in Easton, Pennsylvania, "Bane and Vader's Drive-Thru Restaurant," exclusively for dogs. Pull up and order a FreshPet meal with your choice of add-ins including fruits, vegetables, eggs, and peanut butter. You might even want to take home some doggie ice cream for dessert. Their mom, 30-year-old Amanda Brown, left her job as a pharmaceutical sales representative, but she's back to work making what she calls Yappy Meals and Bow-Wow Bowls for motorists who want to treat the pooches to something special. Her idea came from a survey that found one in six restaurant drive-thru customers picks up something for a dog, too. While some restaurants offer special menu items for dogs, In-N-Out Burger has a special unseasoned Pup Patty served in a doggy bag and Starbucks offers a small cup of whipped-cream called a Puppuccino, Bane & Vader's is strictly for the dogs. It has no special menu items for humans.
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Airport Hires Therapy Dogs
With the crowds, and the lines, flying can be stressful. So, the Albuquerque New Mexico airport has come up with a way to calm you down when you travel. More than a dozen therapy dogs are joining the thousands of passengers at the airport. One of them is known as "Turbo," and he loves people. He especially loves to lick guys with beards. Turbo is one of 15 certified therapy dogs and K-9 ambassadors now giving peace to stressed out travelers. Thanks to the 70 people who volunteer their time to handle the dogs, the program will be expanding the number of therapy dogs soon.
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The Raw Debate
Chef Kevyn Matthews, also known as the Dog Chef (Dogs 101/DOG-TV) is doing a booming business cooking for dogs in the Northeast. He makes nutritious meals that focus on healing certain ailments. He'll debate the pros and cons of a raw diet with Dr. Debbie.
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Mercury In Your Pet Food
Postdoctoral Scholar Dr. Sarrah Dunham-Cheatham randomly sampled 100 pet foods. 16 of those samples had mercury concentrations that were well above the maximum tolerable limit. That's not the only thing she found.
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Regulating Groomers
Hot on the heels of fatal grooming incidents at Petsmart and Petco, legislators are fast-tracking groomer certification for the unregulated business. Animal Radio's very own groomer, Joey Villani is helping to push this legislation through. He'll explain what is currently happening in New Jersey, and how that will become a model for the nation.
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When Are Puppies The Cutest?
Everyone knows puppies are cute, but did you know that people find puppies at their cutest stage at eight weeks of age? Experts at Arizona State University's canine-science laboratory now say they have discovered that Peak Puppy Cuteness serves important purposes and might even play a fundamental role in the bonding between a puppy and its adoptive owner.
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Tesla Offering Unique Dog Friendly Features
One of Tesla's new car features includes a computer program that stops the car's interior from exceeding a certain temperature. A future update to it may include a special 'Dog Mode,' which would display a message warning passers-by not to panic if they see a pet inside a parked vehicle. That future update could also include a display of the current interior temperature so well meaning strangers don't break the car's window to rescue your pup. The temperature-regulating feature is called Cabin Overheat.
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14 Year-Old Pet Product Inventor
Brooke Martin is only 14, but she sounds more intelligent than many adults. She also is the inventor of a device that allows you to have visual contact between you and your dog using a tablet or mobile phone. It also dispenses treats. Brooke believe this is an answer to separation anxiety.
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New Worm Threat
Imagine a 6 inch worm coming out of your pets skin. Sounds like something out of the latest horror movie. Unfortunately, it's a real new worm that poses a threat to your pets. Parasitologist Araceli Lucio-Forster explains this new discovery.
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Buzzfeed Beastmaster
What the heck is a Beastmaster? Jack Shepard is a self-proclaimed Beastmaster at the Buzzfeed website. He gets paid to surf "animal related" fodder and make it go viral on the incredibly popular website.
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My Bionic Pet
Amputee Jennifer Robinson worked at a prosthetic manufacturer. Now she's showing off how artificial limbs are being used on dogs, cats, birds and even sea-life. She's a part of a PBS show called My Bionic Pet.
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Dog Sells for $2,000,000
Only in China would a dog be sold to a 56 year-old property developer for a cool 2 mil. This isn't even the first time. The 200 lb. Tibetan Mastiff is treasured like the Panda in China. Some say it was all hype and that cash never actually changed hands.
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Faking It!
A new trend is the unfortunate and fraudulent use of "Service Dog" credentials for owners wanting to bring their dogs into restaurants, airlines and hotels. Pawtopia's Colleen Demling explains the problem and why the disabled suffers.
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Aspirin and Pets
Did you know that Aspirin can be toxic to your pet? Dr. Debbie dispels the myths about pain relief for your pet.
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Josh Duhamel Guests
Besides a flourishing acting career, Josh Duhamel spends a lot of time speaking for the animals. He has a web series and he's back to talk about it...and to flirt with the ladies.
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A Shot To The Tail
Don't be surprised if the next time your cat gets an injection, it's in the tail. Recent concerns have come up over treating rare, but potentially deadly injection site sarcomas. Some vets then shifted the site to the hind legs, since an amputation, if necessary, would be easier and more successful.
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Pet ONLY Apartments
Octogenarian and Landlord Judy Guth only allows tenants with pets in her apartment complex. Is this discrimination? Judy doesn't care. And if one of her tenants loses their pet, she'll even take them out to dinner and then the shelter to find another roommate.
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Pet Spending At All Time High
The American Pet Products Association reports we're shelling out nearly 60-Billion+ bucks a year on our animals. Research shows empty-nesters are now spending more on their four-legged children.
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