Animal Radio® Network Newsletter August 2008

In this issue:
- "Unruly Dogs" Casting Call - Live Animal Radio® broadcast
- 10 biggest mistakes you make with your dog everyday!
- Barking is a dog’s communication – Can you stop it when it's disruptive?
- Cat merchandising gone too far? 'Sex and the Kitty'
- Excuses people use to get rid of their dogs
- Rebecca Kolls helps you and your pets dodge the mosquitos.
- How to know when it's a 'pet-emergency'
- Is your pet making you sick?
- Pet-sitting tops pet careers list - quit your day job!
- Ziggy, the painting Pekingese
- Choosing a new vet - ASPCA Vet has game-plan.

Unruly Dogs & Their Owners, Help Is Here! Join Animal Radio® live from the Casting Call for “It’s Me Or The Dog” on Saturday, August 23rd at Bark N' Bitches, 505 N. Fairfax, Los Angeles, from 10am until 2pm. Johnnie Raines, of Ricochet Television, the producers of Supernanny, along with Animal Radio®, are searching for owners of misbehaved dogs for a brand new American version of the popular Animal Planet television program; It's Me Or The Dog. If you're the owner of one (or more) out-of-control dogs, or you have a pooch who's an obedience school dropout, we want you! The casting team is looking for dog-owners from every type of background who are ready for the ultimate doggy boot camp. So if you think you are the owner of an out-of-control dog (no need to bring your pooch) come down, apply and meet the Animal Radio® dream team. To learn more about the Los Angeles Casting call and to apply immediately, visit www.RicochetTelevision.com or call 877-44 DOGGY (1-877-443-6449) for more information. Listen to Johnnie Raines on Animal Radio®

10 Biggest Mistakes You Make With Your Dog Everyday Vladae - The World Famous Russian Dog Wizard 1. Humanization – if you treat your dog as a human, your dog will treat you as a dog. Your dog is not your child or your relative and the wolf is still your dogs’ second cousin. 2. Democracy – Dogs and democracy don’t mix. There is no such thing as the bill of rights in the canine world. If you want your dog to become an acceptable member of the family, he must be last in the hierarchy of social order. 3. Allowing your dog to live on welfare – dogs in the wild hunt for food and other resources. When they live in your home they still acquire a need to work for their food and possessions in order to be happy. Give your dog physical and mental exercise. Physical exercise can be simply playing a game of fetch. Mental exercise can be practicing proper obedience training for 10-15 minutes per day. These games and exercises will make your dog tired. Remember, a tired dog is a good dog. 4. Afraid to say “no” – Don’t be afraid to say no to your dog and to set limits and enforce these limits with consequences. But remember, the human way of discipline will always create the opposite effect on the dog. Please visit our website at www.911dogwizard.com for information on the canine way of correcting and disciplining your dog. 5. Speaking English to your dog - Remember, the only language your dog understands is doglish. Examples of speaking doglish are praising your dog in a high pitch tone of voice. This means approval. Disciplining your dog in a low town of voice means disapproval. 6. Giving unconditional affection – Do dogs enjoy human affection? The answer is yes, of course they do. But dogs do not need human affection to become balanced and happy. In fact, many people are shocked to learn that dogs actually desire structure and discipline more than they desire human affection. Touch and affection are human needs and desires that we inflict upon our dogs. But our dogs look to us for signs of leadership and rules, not touch and affection. Please make sure to always balance love and discipline. 7. No demands for respect – Remember that no one will listen to you and give you respect out of gratitude. Do you think your dog is any different? No, dogs who obey the owner out of gratitude belong to the Hollywood movies and are not the reality. Start demanding respect. There are three simple tips to achieve this. #1 Never give a command which you cannot reinforce #2 If you give a command follow through by all means necessary #3 Don’t ever repeat a command. 8. Undeserved privileges – If your dog is currently being rehabilitated or is displaying any kind of behavioral problem, you will want to stay away from allowing your dog these privileges: 1. Sleeping with you in your bed and sharing the same furniture. This is giving your dog greater social status by physically raising himself above you or on the same level as you. 2. Free feeding. Alpha eats first. Make your dog wait for his food for one minute. 3. Enter hallways and entrance ways before your dog does - alphas always go first. 9. Allow the dog to lead on walks and bark in your house - Pulling on the leash in not just an inconvenience. It’s a sign that your dog believes he is in charge of you. Did you know that allowing your dog to lead on a walk and bark in your house is giving your dog permission to growl and bite whomever he chooses? It’s true. By doing this he is putting himself in a position of authority and putting you in a subordinate position. Pulling on the leash can also lead to damage to the neck and impaired vision. It’s okay if your dog barks one or two times when someone knocks on the door. But if the barking continues it can become a big problem. Dogs who constantly bark think they are in charge and they are the decision makers. They are becoming a police officer on duty. 10. Not allowing your dog to be a dog – dogs are much different than humans. Human psychology will never work with your dog. We love our dogs because they are different from us. When interacting with your dog you must use canine language and actions. This will serve the harmony in your relationship as nature intended. Listen to Vladae on Animal Radio®

Behavior Busters: Barking By DogTime.com Just as human language is multifaceted and multipurposed, barking allows a dog to communicate many different messages in a variety of situations. It can signal a request to an owner ("Hey, I want to go outside!"), impart a warning ("You're in my territory!"), or simply serve to amuse when a dog has little else to do. An instinctive canine behavior, a bark now and then, reminds you that your dog is still very much a dog. However, constant barking can be disruptive, if not downright nerve-racking. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent or curb problem barking. Causes Most often, barking results from boredom, fear or frustration. If you don't hear him do it, but you hear about it from neighbors, it's likely your dog barks out of boredom when you're not around. In short, he enjoys barking--it's a way to occupy himself when he's left alone. Fear barking, on the other hand, is a stress response. It's caused by something unknown to the dog, such as a sudden noise or another dog's bark. Fear barking can also result from sights and sounds a dog finds disconcerting, like skateboards or sirens. In these cases, dogs bark to send a clear message to whatever's scaring them: Stay away! A third type is frustration barking. This occurs when the dog is denied access to something he desperately wants, such as a favorite toy, a piece of steak or the terrier on the other side of the fence. Visit http://dogtime.com/barking.html for tips on how to get barking under control. DogTime Tip: Resist the temptation to yell,"Quiet down!" at your barking dog. As with most human-dog communication, your tone should reflect the type of behavior you hope to get. Yelling will only further arouse your dog, as he'll think the source of the barking is causing you to react vocally as well. Visit Animal Radio® partner Dogtime.com

Cat Merchandise - Sex and the Kitty Vinnie Penn - The Party Animal One of the things that I love and admire the most about animal lovers is that they rally around the issues and they’re not afraid to sign petitions, to draw up petitions and to do things of that nature. I really respect that, I really admire that, and that is why I would like to bring one to the table, to get a petition made up for, to circulate it and put a stop to something. The people we would be targeting are those who come up with merchandising for cat owners. It’s bad enough the things that cat owners will buy and wear, but even worse is the stuff that these people come up with. I was at the mall last night and saw a woman walking my way. She must have been in her late 40’s or so, and she had on this glittery big-baggy sweatshirt and it had a picture of a cat on it wearing a cowboy hat, and it had a lasso, and it said “Cat-A-Girl” on it. I just looked at this and thought it’s not this woman’s fault, it was probably the worst stocking stuffer known to man that she got stuck with, this probably glow-in-the-dark cowboy cat sweatshirt. It’s not her fault. It’s not even her fault if she bought it for whatever reason. It’s the merchandiser’s fault! And why is it always cats? Another one I saw once, on an actual good-looking girl, was a shirt that said “Sex and the Kitty,” and there was a cat where Sarah Jessica Parker’s Carrie Bradshaw was supposed to be. I don’t even know what to make of this! Caterotica? She’s like twirling and in high-heeled shoes, and it’s a cat. I know the merchandisers are out there thinking, hey Vinnie Penn Party Animal, say whatever you want; we make a bundle of money on that stuff. But, they are causing corneal abrasions because there is such disbelief when people see other people wearing this stuff, that we rub our eyes so violently, you’re causing corneal abrasions. And like I say, it’s always the cats. You don’t see somebody who has a huge aquarium at home wearing a shirt that says, “I’ve got fish-ues.” With a big picture of a goldfish on his shirt making funny faces. You don’t see that cool Harley dude that has a snake, wearing a shirt that says, “Snake It or Leave it.” (Which is actually a great tag line for a plumber!) So, let’s get the petition made and out to the cat merchandising folks! Listen to Vinnie Penn on Animal Radio®

On Animal Radio® this month The View's JOY BEHAR tells Animal Radio® listeners that she's the new spokes-person for ALPO Dog Food - "Free ALPO for life." Animal Radio's Hal & Judy grill her about her sleeping habits .. er her dogs sleeping habits in her bed. Animal Planet's Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald is back for Animal Radio's Pet Emergency Special. Also Victoria Stilwell, Dr. Melinda Merck, Sean Senechal, Dr. Marty Becker, Joy Turner, Barbara Techel, Dr. Jill, Jennifer Pryor, Johnnie Raines, Dr. Jeff Werber, Mike O’Connor, Suhail Niazi, Rebecca Kolls, Emmylou Harris, Dr. Deborah C. Mandell, Steve Hoegerman, Dr. Dean Pomerleau, Debbie Ducommun… You're invited! Listen to Animal Radio®

Nobody Likes Mosquitoes! Rebecca Kolls, Seasons Magazine Nobody likes mosquitoes! In fact they are so unpopular that they even have their own National Mosquito Control Awareness Week! Wherever there's moisture there will be some mosquitoes. But you can reduce your chances of getting bitten by mosquitoes by helping to reduce their breeding habitat. It's the females that do all the biting (I know, it's unfair women!). But unfortunately the females need a blood meal to lay eggs and they lay eggs in water. Consider any amount of standing water the perfect environment for egg laying. So as you stroll your garden, dump standing water that might have collected in saucers, containers, etc. Empty the water from birdbaths and kiddy pools once a week. Get rid of old tires, unused buckets and trashcans that can hold rainwater. Clean clogged roof gutters. If it holds standing water, it holds the next generation of mosquitoes. If the eggs hatch, you can kill the larvae naturally with products containing B.t.i., (Bacillus thuringiensis israelenis) such as Mosquito Dunks and Mosquito Bits. Simply drop the product in the water - it kills the larvae up to 30 days without harming anything else. Also when you head for the garden later in the day, cover up, wear a mosquito repellant and hit the doors as dusk approaches! http://www.rebeccakolls.com Listen to Rebecca Kolls on Animal Radio®

Is it An Emergency or Not? Dr. Jim Humphries, Veterinary News Network Can you tell the difference between a veterinarian problem that’s urgent and a life-threatening emergency that should send you racing to the ER? Here are some examples: After walking home on a hot day, your dog sits down and refuses to move. She’s panting heavily: Those are the symptoms of hyperthermia, and if left untreated, can cause permanent brain damage, kidney or liver disease and even death. Within an hour after a meal, your dog starts drooling and becomes restless. He starts gagging but nothing comes up: Those are the symptoms of bloat. This is a medical emergency and you need immediate surgical help. Your cat jumps onto the stove and puts a paw down on a hot burner. The paw is blistered, red, swollen and tender: This is a deep limited burn, and such burns usually heal pretty well. Although there may be some scaring, it is not a medical emergency. Your dog looks and acts as though he has a bad cold. His eyes are red, his nose is running and he sneezes and coughs: Well, these might be the symptoms of the dog flu, which is highly contagious. Call your veterinarian, but ask before you take your dog in. You don’t want to affect other animals at the clinic. There are thousands of these scenarios, but as a responsible pet owner, you should know what’s an emergency and what’s not. Never be hesitant, however, to call your veterinarian. http://www.myvnn.com Listen to Dr. Humphries on Animal Radio®

Could Your Pet Be Making You Sick? Dr. Marty Becker, ABC’s Good Morning America Many owners consider their household pets family members, but just like their human counterparts, these animals can spread illnesses to people. Pet-to-human transmission is called zoonosis, and highly publicized examples include disease that's passed from nonhousehold animals to humans, such as mad cow disease and bird flu. "Good Morning America" contributor Dr. Marty Becker gives you tips on how avoid getting sick from your pet. How do diseases get passed from our cats and dogs to us? It's not a pretty picture. Disease can cross a bridge between you and your pet on a flea or tick, or through bacteria or other organisms found on the body of your pet or in your pet's waste. We come into contact with these when we care for our furry pals. Grooming them, petting them and cleaning up after them exposes us, but it isn't difficult to safeguard yourself and your loved ones once you have the facts. What are some of the more common diseases passed from animals to people? The most common by far are diseases spread by parasites, such as fleas, ticks or worms. A new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 14 percent of the U.S. population is infected with toxocara, or internal roundworms, contracted from dogs and cats. From roundworms, people can contract visceral larval migrans, which is a potentially serious disease that can affect the eyes or other organs. Symptoms can include fever, cough, loss of appetite, weakness and lung congestion. Another common problem is cat scratch fever, which is just what it sounds like. It's an infection caused by a cat bite or scratch. Bacteria found on a cat's nails or claws is transmitted through the scratch and can cause high fever, loss of appetite and swollen glands. If you're a healthy person, cat scratch fever is mild and if you wash out the scratch or bite with soap and water it can resolve itself. But it can be very dangerous for people with weakened or immature immune systems. Contracting salmonella also is a potential problem and the most frequently reported cause of food borne illnesses in humans. It's in the news now because of contaminated tomatoes. However, it can also be passed through animal waste, and may cause symptoms like fever, vomiting, diarrhea and exhaustion. The biggest pet culprits are reptiles, so it is important to practice excellent hygiene when caring for them. And then there are protozoal infections. Protozoa are single-celled organisms that can be found on undercooked or raw meat, or unwashed or undercooked vegetables. Your pets have frequent contact with all those things and can pass the protozoa on to you, which can cause diarrhea that can sometimes be severe. Who is most at risk to catch a disease from a pet? Kids have the greatest risk of catching a disease from a pet because they not only play with their pets but often come into contact with an animal's waste, which can be hidden in the grass in the yard or in the sandbox. Inevitably, little hands that play in the grass or sand end up in little mouths. Pregnant women, the elderly and anyone with a weakened immune system also are in danger. This includes people undergoing cancer treatment, or recent organ recipients anyone with an autoimmune disease. Unfortunately, people with compromised immune systems are often mistakenly advised to remove cats from the household to reduce the risk of infection. This is particularly distressing for people going through a serious illness, who often need the love of their pets to help them get through this tough time. However, people are highly unlikely to become infected from direct contact with their cats and with simple, proper precautions, there is no danger at all. What should people do to stay safe? The key for owners is cleanliness. Wash your hands before and after handling your pets. Avoid letting them lick your face, your plates, utensils, etc. Minimize your contact with high-pet traffic areas doggy parks or doggy potty areas at highway rest stops. If you do go to them, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after you leave. Also, keep your surroundings clean. Scoop the poop in the street and in your yard. Make sure the area where your children play is poop- free. Cover up the sandbox when it's not in use, which will keep it parasite and poop-free. But if you're pregnant or have an immune deficiency, make sure someone else does the scooping. Finally, take bites and scratches seriously. Clean them thoroughly and see a doctor if you experience any irritation. What should I do to protect my pets? First of all, keep you pets in good health with semi-annual visits to the vet to keep their vaccines current and to make sure they are parasite-free. Also, make sure that you use year-round parasite control throughout your pet's life, regardless of your pet's age or where you live. Keep your pet's environment clean by scooping the poop out of your cat's litter box every day. Also, deep clean the litter box periodically with scalding hot water and detergent, and replace that litter box at least once a year. To watch a video on Dr. Marty Becker discussing Zoonosis Diseases, please visit: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/OnCall/story?id=5248426&page=1 Visit the following Web sites for more information: www.healthypet.com; www.petparents.com; www.wormsandgermsblog.com; www.ACVIM.org; www.cdc.gov/healthypets; www.noworms.com; www.petconnection.com Copyright © 2008 ABC News Internet Ventures Listen to Dr. Becker on Animal Radio®

Keeping Your Pet's Smile - Dr. Debbie Question: What are the warning signs for serious gum disease? The unfortunate truth is that most pets won’t complain outwardly about their dental issues until severe problems have set in. So we must be vigilant and actively look for signs of dental disease in our furry friends. It is always better to use preventative dental care and catch dental issues earlier. This can be accomplished by having regular veterinary dental exams every 6 months. Your veterinarian is skilled at evaluating your pet’s dental needs, as well as his/her overall health status. However, it is equally important for pet owners to take an active role in providing home dental care and monitoring their pet’s oral health. Learn to recognize the following warning signs of periodontal (gum) disease. Signs of Periodontal Disease Bad Breath Halitosis, otherwise known as bad breath, is one of the most obvious signs of gum disease. If you can smell your pet’s mouth before you can cuddle up to him/her, then there is clearly a problem! That foul odor is a result of bacterial products involved in periodontal disease and should serve as a wake-up call to any pet owner that something isn’t right inside your pet’s mouth Discolored Teeth The next step in monitoring your pet for signs of gum disease require you to lift up your pet’s lip and discover what dental issues lie underneath! Plaque and calculus are the result of bacterial products and will appear as discolorations on the tooth surface. Tartar and calculus are often yellow to brown in color. Green colored teeth are a sign of advanced dental disease and should be addressed as soon as possible. Sore Gums In the average healthy pet mouth, the gums should be a nice, healthy pink color. Bright red or bleeding gums are a sign of periodontal disease. It should be noted that some animals can normally have black pigmentation on their gums. For these pets, you should recognize what is normal for him/her and monitor for any changes of discoloration, swelling, or recession of the gum tissue. Changes in Behavior You know your pet’s everyday behavior best and may pick up some subtle signs that a dental problem is brewing. Keep an eye out for changes in your pet’s appetite or activity. Watch for reluctance in chewing on toys or treats. Monitor for a lack of interest in food, or a reluctance to eat hard food items. Watch for excessive drooling and pawing at the mouth, which can be signs of advanced problems and oral pain. See your veterinarian promptly if you detect any of these behaviors. Question: My dog won’t let me brush his teeth, what should I do to keep his teeth clean and healthy? If your dog is not a fan of teeth brushing, don’t give up hope yet! In a dog’s perspective, having his/her teeth brushed is not a natural thing. We shouldn’t expect that all dogs will take to teeth brushing easily- some just have to get used to the idea! Training your dog to the toothbrush is no different than leash training. It takes time, patience and ensuring that each step is perceived as enjoyable and non-threatening by your pet. Read the steps below to train your pet to accept teeth brushing. Be sure to load on the praise when your pet allows you to work up to the next step. Don’t move to the next step unless he/she seems comfortable with it. The goal is to brush the outside surface of teeth in area where teeth and gums meet. Your brushing efforts should only last for one to two minutes, then discontinue the session. Keep it fun and reward your dog along the way! How to Brush Teeth * Start by rubbing your bare finger along the gums. Do this for a few seconds and build up to longer periods of time. * Add some dog enzymatic toothpaste to your fingertip and massage gums. Experiment with different flavors of pet toothpaste (chicken, liver, malt, etc), but never use human toothpaste. * Apply some dog toothpaste to a pet toothbrush and brush outer surfaces of teeth and gums. If your dog still is not agreeable to tooth brushing, then there are other options you can try to keep his/her teeth in good health. The best approach is to try multiple efforts at pet dental care and find what works for you and your pet. You should see your veterinarian regularly for a professional dental prophylaxis. The frequency of recommended cleanings will vary depending on your pet’s health condition, but are typically advised every 6-12 months. The most effective dental plan for your pet is utilizing both professional veterinary cleanings combined with home dental care for your pet. Other at home dental options for pets that don’t tolerate brushing, but will allow handling the mouth area, is using a home dental sealant (such as OraVet). This dental sealant can be applied by the finger once a week to provide a preventative barrier for the teeth. Dental rinses and sprays are available as an anti-plaque step that can be sprayed or wiped on the teeth. Dental treats and diets are another tool that can be helpful in a home dental care plan, but should not be relied on as the sole dental care provided. We want to feature your smiling pet on the front of the Animal Radio® website. Send a picture to: YourVoice@AnimalRadio.com with you and your pet's name. (pictures of smiling dogs) Don't forget to visit Animal Radio partner Dogtime.com - where you'll see great tips and advice like these from Animal Radio Vet Dr. Debbie White. Send your questions to: YourVoice@AnimalRadio.com. Visit Dogtime's New Knowledge Center at AnimalRadio.com

Ziggy the Painting Pekingese “Ziggy” Yao-Yap Ting is an 8 lb., 3-year-old Pekingese who has been painting since 2007. It all started because his favorite hobby was playing with the empty paper towel roll. His second favorite hobby was listening to music. So, Elizabeth Monacelli, Ziggy’s guardian, thought why not combine these two, formed from an idea she received from her father who was a former school teacher who would have his students paint to classical music. Elizabeth’s experiment took off and Ziggy now loves to paint, to music of course! Ziggy paints with his mouth using a paintbrush extended by a cardboard cylinder. It takes him 2-4 hours to complete a masterpiece and he has donated some of his artwork to various animal rescue organizations to assist with fundraising efforts. His career started in June 2008 when his artwork was accepted into the “Celebration of the Arts” festival in Yorba Linda, California. He is the only dog artist in the history of the festival to have artwork displayed. Check out some his masterpieces at http://www.liondogart.tripod.com. Listen to Elizabeth Monacelli on Animal Radio®

Is Pet Sitting the Right Career for You? How would you like a home-based business working with animals? Felicia Lembesis, the Executive Director of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS) discusses how you can become a certified professional pet sitter. One of the first misconceptions she discusses is that not everyone is cut out to be a pet sitter. One thing people don’t understand is that in this job, you will be working when most people are at play which is on weekends, nights and holidays. Just loving animals is not the only requirement for this type of job. NAPPS has been around for a dozen years and offers certification, educational programs and business advice to pet sitters. They also offer insurance. Pet sitters needs to carry liability and bonding insurance. They also provide a pet sitter locator on their website and through an 800 number, so that someone who is looking for a pet sitter can look for a pet sitter by researching pet sitters in their zip codes. For someone considering pet sitting as a career, NAPPS has an annual conference both in the business field as well as people in pet care and behavior. They also have a monthly teleconference on different subjects that interest the pet sitter, which includes everything from cat and dog behavior to how to market your business. To learn more about NAPPS and to see if this is the career for you, please visit www.petsitters.org Listen to Felicia Lembesis on Animal Radio®

Selecting The Right Vet for Your Pet Dr. Louise Murray, ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital Taking care of your pet's health is an important — but often nerve-racking — task. How do you choose a veterinarian? What do you look for in your pet's health exam? What's the deal with vaccinations? On the scent: Tracking down the best veterinary practice for your pet You’ve decided to become an informed veterinary consumer, and this decision is going to greatly benefit your pet’s well being. The first step toward your goal of ensuring that your pet receives the very best health care available is to carefully select a veterinarian. Just as in every profession, there can be real differences among veterinary practices. By learning what to look for (and what to avoid), you will be able to make educated decisions with your pet’s particular needs in mind. There are many excellent practices providing up-to-date, high-quality medicine, and others that are unable to offer the same level of care or have fallen behind. The key for pet owners is to possess the tools to make an accurate assessment and choose wisely. How do I choose the right veterinarian for my pet? There are various times when you need to select a veterinarian. Maybe you’ve just brought home a new pet (or two). Or perhaps you’ve recently moved and are searching for a good practice nearby. If your pet has developed health problems, you may suddenly find it more important than ever that she has the best care available. You may even have concerns about your current veterinary practice and be considering a change. When you find yourself looking for a veterinarian — for whatever reason — what’s the best way to go about choosing the right one for your pet? If you’re like most people, you have some personal preferences that may influence your choice. Maybe there’s a practice that’s in a particularly convenient location or has hours best suited to your schedule. Perhaps you feel your dog is more comfortable with a female doctor, or your cat is happier in practices that handle only felines. There may be a local veterinary hospital that your family has trusted for years, or that a friend recommends. These considerations are indeed important, but you should also weigh some objective criteria when deciding which doctor to entrust with your pet’s well being. If you have a choice of practices in your area, you want to use the one that offers your pet the highest standard of care and avoid those that aren’t achieving the quality of medicine you’re seeking. To help you in your search, I’ve compiled a list of questions that will enable you to evaluate various aspects of each veterinary practice you consider. The areas covered include patient care, equipment, staffing, philosophy, and how up-to-date the facility is. Using this checklist, you will gain the ability to more knowledgeably oversee your pet’s health care. The checklist The checklist is divided into two sections. The first contains questions about the veterinary practice you’re considering that can be answered over the phone by a staff member. The second section contains topics that are best evaluated during an appointment. There are two worksheets at the end of the chapter where you can record the information you gather. One option when you’re evaluating a new practice is to schedule an appointment to take place without your pet. This will allow you and the veterinarian to focus on your concerns and have enough time for an informative discussion. Also, since your pet won’t have been seen at the practice, you may feel less awkward if you decide not to return. Be prepared to pay the normal fee for the appointment, even though your pet is not present. Don’t feel hesitant about letting the veterinarian know that you are trying to pick the right practice for your pet; many parents interview several pediatricians before selecting a doctor for their children, and you, too, have every right to do some investigating. If this suggestion is not convenient or affordable for you, you can evaluate the practice during your pet’s first visit. You probably shouldn’t expect to be able to stop by a practice your pet has never been to and speak to the veterinarian without an appointment. How can I narrow down the practices in my area? You can start by finding out which practices are accredited by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA). Participation is voluntary, and whether or not a practice has chosen to be evaluated by the AAHA can be an indication of its commitment to providing a high level of care. AAHA accreditation involves an on-site evaluation to determine if the practice meets all the standards established by the association, and then periodic reviews to ensure that it continues to meet those standards. The practice is graded in many areas, including the facility, staff, equipment, and patient care. Only veterinary hospitals that meet the rigorous AAHA standards receive accreditation. You can look for accredited practices on the AAHA’s website (www.healthypet.com) or in the phone book, or by calling local practices to inquire about their status. Tip: Another good way to find a practice in your area is to get a recommendation from an equally concerned pet owner. Ask your friends, neighbors, and colleagues for the name of their veterinarian and how they feel about the practice. But be sure to ask specific questions, such as the ones that follow. It’s wonderful that your neighbor loves her dog’s doctor, but you need to make sure the practice provides the level of care you are looking for. Excerpted from “Vet Confidential: An Insider’s Guide to Protecting Your Pet’s Health” by Dr. Louise Murray. http://www.drlouise.com Listen to Dr. Murray on Animal Radio®

Final Thoughts: Reasons To Give Away Your Dog We love all your email to YourVoice@AnimalRadio.com. This came to us last week from a shelter worker. We wanted to share it with you: Press 1 if you have a 10-year-old dog and your 15-year-old son has suddenly become allergic and you need to find the dog a new home right away. Press 2 if you are moving today and need to immediately place your 150 pound 8-year-old dog. Press 3 if you have three dogs, had a baby and want to get rid of your dogs because you are the only person in the world to have a baby and dogs at the same time. Press 4 if you just got a brand new puppy and your old dog is having problems adjusting so you want to get rid of the old one right away. Press 5 if your little puppy has grown up and is no longer small and cute and you want to trade it in for a new model. Press 6 if you want an unpaid volunteer to come to your home TODAY and pick up the dog you no longer want. Press 7 if you have been feeding and caring for a "stray" for the last three years, are moving and suddenly determine it's not your dog. Press 8 if your dog is sick and needs a vet but you need the money for your vacation. Press 9 if you are elderly and want to adopt a cute puppy who is not active and is not going to outlive you. Press 10 if your relative has died and you don't want to care for their elderly dog because it doesn't fit your lifestyle. Press 11 if you are calling at 6 a.m. to make sure you wake me up before I have to go to work so you can drop a dog off on your way to work. Press 12 to leave us an anonymous garbled message, letting us know you have left a dog in our yard in the middle of January, which is in fact, better than just leaving the dog with no message. Press 13 if you are going to get angry because we are not going to take your dog that you have had for fifteen years, because it is not our responsibility. Press 14 if you are going to threaten to take your ten year old dog to be euthanized because I won't take it. Press 15 if you're going to get angry because the volunteers had the audacity to go on vacation and leave the dogs in care of a trusted volunteer who is not authorized to take your personal pet. Press 16 if you want one of our PERFECTLY trained, housebroken, kid and cat friendly purebred dogs that we have an abundance of. Press 17 if you want us to take your dog that has a slight aggression problem, i.e. has only bitten a few people and killed your neighbor's cats. Press 18 if you have already called once and been told we don't take personal surrenders but thought you would get a different person this time with a different answer. Press 19 if you want us to use space that would go to a stray to board your personal dog while you are on vacation, free of charge, of course. Press 20 if it is Christmas Eve or Easter morning and you want me to deliver an eight week old puppy to your house by 6:30 am before your kids wake up. Press 21 if you have bought your children a duckling, chick or baby bunny for Easter and it is now Christmas and no longer cute. Press 22 if you want us to take your female dog who has already had ten litters, but we can't spay her because she is pregnant again and it is against your religion. Press 23 if you're lying to make one of our younger volunteers feel bad and take your personal pet off your hands. Press 24 if your cat is biting and not using the litter box because it is declawed, but are not willing to accept the responsibility that the cat's behavior is altered because of your nice furniture. Press 25 if your two year old male dog is marking all over your house but you just haven't gotten around to having him neutered. Press 26 if you previously had an outdoor only dog and are calling because she is suddenly pregnant. Press 27 if you have done "everything" to housebreak your dog and have had no success but you don't want to crate the dog because it is cruel. Press 28 if you didn't listen to the message asking for an evening phone number and you left your work number when all volunteers are also working and you are angry because no one called you back. Press 29 if you need a puppy immediately and cannot wait because today is your daughter's birthday and you forgot when she was born. Press 30 if your dog's coat doesn't match your new furniture and you need a different color or breed. Press 31 if your new love doesn't like your dog and you are too stupid to get rid of the new friend (who will dump you in the next month anyway) instead of the dog. Press 32 if you went through all these 'options' and didn't hear enough. This press will connect you to the sounds of tears being shed by one of our volunteers who is holding a discarded old dog while the vet mercifully frees him from the grief of missing his family. Listen to Animal Radio®

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