Animal Radio® Network Newsletter September 2008

In this issue:

- Win Advance Screening Passes to Beverly Hills Chihuahua!
- 5 Top Dog Owner Nightmares and How to Avoid Them
- Why "Take Your Cat To Work Day" Never Caught On!
- When Do You Switch Your Dog to Senior Food?
- An·thro·po·mor·phism - We’re all Guilty - You Too!
- Can You Trust The Advice You Get on The Internet?
- “Best in Show” Now Therapy Dog
- Speed Dating Event - With Your Dogs!

Win Animal Radio® Advance Screening Passes of Disney's Beverly Hills Chihuahua Here's your chance to win passes to a special advance screening of the hilarious new doggie adventure-comedy BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA from Walt Disney Pictures. If you live in one of the cities holding a special advance screening (Albuquerque, Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Denver, Detroit, Grand Rapids, Hartford, Honolulu, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles-Orange County, Miami/Ft. Lauderdale, Milwaukee, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Nashville, New York City/Long Island, Norfolk, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, Raleigh/Durham, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Diego, San Francisco-San Jose, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa/St. Petersburg and Washington DC) listen for a chance to call in and receive passes for a family of four to attend the advance screening in your local market. If you don't live in one of those cities, we'll have a second-chance drawing to win a set of movie t-shirts for an adult, a child and a Chihuahua! BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA opens in theatres everywhere October 3rd but Animal Radio® is taking you to see it first!" The cast of BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA includes: Piper Perabo, Manolo Cardona, Eugenio Derbez and Jamie Lee Curtis with the voices of Andy Garcia, Plácido Domingo, George Lopez, Edward James Olmos, Paul Rodriguez, Cheech Marin, Luis Guzman, Eddie “Piolin” Sotelo, and Drew Barrymore as the voice of Chloe. Chloe (voice of DREW BARRYMORE), a diamond-clad, bootie wearing Beverly Hills Chihuahua enjoys her luxurious lifestyle so much, she hardly notices Papi (voice of GEORGE LOPEZ), a hilarious Chihuahua who happens to be crazy for Chloe. But when the most pampered pooch gets lost in Mexico with only a street-wise German Shepherd (voice of ANDY GARCIA) to help her find her way home, Papi heads south of the border – joining forces with a motley crew: three dogs (voices of PLÁCIDO DOMINGO, LUIS GUZMAN and EDDIE “PIOLIN” SOTELO), two humans (PIPER PERABO, MANOLO CARDONA), a sly rat (voice of CHEECH MARIN) and a nervous iguana (voice of PAUL RODRIGUEZ) – to rescue his true love. Here are some fun facts about the movie: • FACT 1: The film features a truly international cast of dogs and a variety of breeds —Dobermans, German Shepherds, Poodles, Pugs, Chinese Cresteds, a French Bulldog, a St. Bernard, a Labrador, a Border Terrier, a Dachshund, a Boston Terrier, a Yorkie, a Beagle, a Dalmatian, a Border Collie, a Pomeranian, a Bichon and Pekingese. Some were found at rescues in Los Angeles and Mexico -- some were seasoned Hollywood dogs. Half of them understand Spanish, half of them understand English. • FACT 2: In addition to more than 200 dogs of various breeds, the film features appearances by many different types of animals, including snakes, pigeons, coyotes and a mountain lion, plus two virtual animals – a rat and an iguana. • FACT 3: “Rusco,” (ROOS-KO) the Chihuahua tapped for head hound PAPI, was rescued from a shelter. It was his big ears and great expression that attracted the filmmakers to the part-Chihuahua, part-mutt mix. Rusco has since found a permanent home at his trainer’s seven-acre ranch outside of L.A. Today, he hangs out with his new canine brothers and sisters and awaits his next big Hollywood role. Listen to Animal Radio® Now

5 Top Dog Owner Nightmares and How to Avoid Them Vladae - The World Famous Russian Dog Wizard 1 – Being the target of a lawsuit Being sued means the possibility of losing your bank account, your house, your dog and even your freedom. It’s no wonder this is everyone’s worst nightmare. However, avoiding a lawsuit is not difficult. All you need to do is train and socialize your dog properly and become the undisputable leader or “boss” of your dog. You can easily accomplish this by teaching your dog proper obedience training. Through obedience training, you establish yourself as the undisputable leader and your dog becomes the follower. This is how it should be. If the dog is the leader, he will decide who to bite and who to lick. Guaranteed, you will not agree the decisions your dog makes and most likely your relationship with your fury friend will end in a courtroom. TIP: Send a strong message to your dog by not allowing him to walk ahead of you. You lead your dog and the dog is supposed to follow. 2 – Being hit by a car Many dog owners also fear that their dog will be hit by a car. An accident of this nature can tragically end the life of your dog. No one wants this to happen but everyone fears that it could. This is not a difficult situation to prevent. Boundary control and not allowing your dog to bolt out of the house is the key to keeping your dog safe. Bolting out of the door can be cured by using the “wait” command. You, as the leader, go through all doorways and entranceways first. Then you allow your dog to follow. TIP: Approach the door with your dog and tell him to wait. Walk out the door and make sure your dog remains in place. Then release your dog to come through the door and follow you. You should also make your dog sit and stay at each curb. This teaches the dog not to cross the street until he is told. 3 – Running Away All dog owners fear that one day their dog will wonder off the property and never return. Dogs that run away are looking for something to do. They are in search of a job or activity to keep them occupied. If you challenge your dog both mentally and physically, your dog will be fulfilled and have no desire to run away. To challenge your dog mentally you will need to teach him proper obedience. Practicing obedience with your dog will build a bond between the two of you and will lesson your dog’s desire to run away. If your dog is properly trained, you can take your dog everywhere you go. To challenge your dog physically, you will need to exercise him for 30 – 45 minutes per day. Some breeds will need more exercise than this and some will need less. Invisible fences will also keep your dog in your yard. For more information on invisible containment please call The Invisible Fence Co in Birmingham. TIP: A tired dog is a good dog. Keep your dog running back and forth for 20 minutes without stopping. This can be accomplished by tossing a tennis ball, or toy of choice, while your dog runs after it. Keep several in hand in case the dog does not bring the toy back. 4 – Destroying the House The next nightmare is having your dog chew you out of your home while destroying your valuables in the process. Lack of leadership, boredom and excess energy will cause any dog to misbehave. Become the undisputable leader of your dog and he will leave your valuables alone. In a wolf pack, the subordinates wouldn’t dare touch the possessions of the Alpha. You can cure this problem by establishing leadership through obedience training and exercising your dog. TIP: If your dog starts chewing on something he shouldn’t, correct the dog and quickly give him an appropriate toy to chew on. If your dog has something to chew on he won’t chew apart your house. 5 – Getting bit by another dog Although you cannot control someone else’s dog, you can control your own. If everyone had control over their dog, no one would fear being bitten by someone else’s. If you sense that a dog might be dangerous, do not approach him. If the dog is approaching you, turn sideways and keep still. Head to head meetings are very confrontational. If you turn sideways you become less of a threat to the dog. TIP: Never run away. Running away will only cause the dog to chase you. Be still and confident. Dogs will sense the energy and will be less likely to pursue. Listen to Vladae on Animal Radio®

Why "Take Your Cat to Work Day" Never Caught On! Kira Vermond, Globe and Mail Maybe you've seen the cartoon that shows a cat sitting snugly - some would say smugly - on a computer keyboard, under the heading, "Why 'Take Your Cat to Work Day' never caught on." While a feline focused workday is probably not in the cards for many companies, an astounding number of employers allow pets at work either as a regular practice or in a pet-sitting emergency. A recent poll by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association suggests nearly one in five companies permit pets. Benefits range from reduced employee absenteeism to workers agreeing to put in more hours because they're not fretting about racing home to walk the dog or feed the cat her vittles. Not every workplace is ideal for animals, though. Health care, food service and factory settings are obvious no-go zones. But so are those where numerous employees are allergic, phobic or simply regard pets as pests. Is it possible to keep puppy-lovers and puppy-loathers in the same ballpark or are pet-friendly companies barking up the wrong tree? Before a pet project: -Make sure pets are acceptable to the landlord, business owner and other employees. -Decide in advance which pets are welcome at work. -Have employees sign a contract agreeing to be accountable for their pets' behavior and care. -Ensure there's a spot at the office to stow the pet if a visiting client is uncomfortable around animals. ***** THE UPSIDE People are happier when their animals are with them. THE DOWNSIDE Like your kids, not everybody likes your pets as much as you do. Listen to Kira Vermond on Animal Radio®

Senior Dog Food: When to Switch By DogTime.com Trying to decide whether to switch your older dog to senior dog food is harder than you'd think. Partly it's because dogs age at different rates. Most gain senior status sometime between seven and 12 years old, but small dogs age much more slowly than large or giant dogs. In other words, your Chihuahua might be going strong at 12 years of age while your Saint Bernard is slowing down at age six. The bigger challenge is that there aren't clear guidelines on what senior dogs need to eat. And because there is no standard definition of "senior" foods, the companies can produce whatever they like. The only limitation is that they meet broad industry guidelines for adult dogs. This means some brands are higher in calories, others are lower. Some have more protein, others less. In short, if your dog still seems to be doing well on his regular food, there's no real reason to switch him to anything else. What kind of food? One of the few times you might need to change your dog's food is if he develops kidney or liver problems, and requires a low protein diet. So ask your vet to perform blood work on your older dog once or twice a year and monitor him. Many experts also recommend buying your dog high quality food, as a way of helping to delay or stave off age-related health problems. DogTime Tip Older dogs often lose some of their appetite and it's often tied to a weakening sense of smell. Help make food more appetizing for him by warming food in a microwave to enhance the aroma (stir before serving so he doesn't burn his tongue). Or adding low-sodium chicken broth, canned food, or baby food to his dish. Visit http://dogtime.com/feeding-older-dogs.html for more tips on what to feed an older dog: Visit Animal Radio® partner Dogtime.com

On Animal Radio® this month Judge JOEY VILLANI talks about the casting call for the upcoming Season 2 of Groomer Has It. We also speak with Season 1 Winner, ARTIST KNOX, as he discusses the changes in his life. WENDIE MALICK (Nina Van Horn on Just Shoot Me) tells Animal Radio® listeners that most of her friends have been dogs, horses, and now a cat, and that her older sister was a collie named Bonnie! Also David Frei, Davy Jones, Charles Boger. Joy Turner, Tracyann Mains, Lisa Leung, Victoria Stilwell, Marti Jones, Deborah Howard, Kristen Overdurf-Abud, Anne-Mary McGrath, Kira Vermond, Dr. Jean Dodds... You're invited! Listen to Animal Radio®

An·thro·po·mor·phism - We’re all Guilty, But Most of Us Don’t Even Know What It Is! By Michael Landa, The Pet Staff American pets are getting naughtier by the minute. As the demand for dog behaviorists and for prescription medication to combat “Doggie A.D.D.” and anxiety continue to escalate, we have to wonder who’s to blame for this hazardous trend. To answer the question, we have to first understand the phenomenon behind treating pets as humans. As the number of kids per household declines, the number of pets is increasing. Baby boomers, a powerful segment of today’s market, are quickly becoming empty-nesters and replacing their grown two-legged children with four-legged ones. Look no further than the proliferation of the term “pet parent” versus “pet owner”. In fact, a full 83% of pet owners now call themselves their pet’s mommy or daddy. One possible incubator of anthropomorphism leads directly to the burgeoning pet retail industry and the marketers who want your every pet dollar. Now a $43.4 billion annual jackpot for companies – larger than the entire U.S. toy industry – pet care spending has reached unprecedented levels of growth and staying power despite a recent turbulent economy. “By buying pets human-type gifts, we are making ourselves feel good and making them happy,” says Bob Vetere, chief operating officer of the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. According to marketing strategist Lisa Lehr, this trend suggests a hugely profitable strategy for entrepreneurs in the pet business to position pets as members of the family. “People are eager to spend a lot of money on their pets. You might as well be positioned to receive your share,” states Lehr. The unfortunate consequence, however? A misguided view of canine psychology that’s given rise to undesirable dog behavior in thousands, if not millions, of homes across the country. Expecting dogs to think like a human is fairly widespread among pet owners. One reason that ancient Fido likely earned the title “Man’s Best Friend” versus other animals was his remarkable ability to adapt his life to fit with ours. It is this very skill set that is likely the cause for our frequently misreading of his intentions and motives. Dogs ultimately need rules, boundaries and limitations. When dogs live with humans, the humans become the dog’s pack. For this modern relationship to succeed, we must be perceived as the pack’s leader. To a dog, constant affection, gifts and accommodations without rules, boundaries and limitations goes against every grain in a dog’s instinct. In other words, dogs need to be treated like…well, dogs. And, pardon me, for such a politically unpopular statement! All but the most chronic anthropomorphic dog owners can improve their relationship with their dog and ultimately their behavior if they make a valid effort to understand their dog’s unique emotional makeup. Whereas throwing your dog a birthday party (hey, I’ve done it!) or filling a holiday stocking with treats is not a heinous dog-behavioral crime, people should be wary when their own actions impinge on providing proper timing and fair corrections for their dog. When a dog is in any other state than being calm and submissive (e.g., if he’s aggressive, obsessive, scared, hyper or anxious) and we give him a hug or pat on the head and tell him it’s OK, it is comforting to us, but it only feeds the state of mind for the dog, making the experience more intense. While we think we’re soothing the dog, the dog sees us as being a weak leader. Let’s look at an example. Many dogs are naturally afraid of fireworks or thunder. During the experience, the dog is in a weak state of mind. If we step in and comfort the dog in a way we understand (e.g., hugging or baby talk), the dog actually sees us as being weaker than himself at that moment. For your dog to be in a weak state of mind, and then be surrounded by a weaker state of mind, only intensifies his original fear. Anthropomorphic “parents” often discover that their dog has separation anxiety (sometimes manifested by destructive behavior). In a pack, the leader is allowed to leave, however the followers never leave the leader. If your dog instinctually sees you as the follower and you leave him, the situation causes so much mental anguish that he begins to take it out on your house, or worse, on himself. Owners may want to think twice before buying that $3,000 four poster canopy doggie bed and catering to their dog’s every humanistic desire. Whether it’s the pet marketers to blame, or the glut of Hollywood films now portraying pets as humans (have you seen Disney’s Beverly Hills Chihuahua?), giving dogs mixed leadership signals throws him off balance, confuses his psyche and ignites a canine imbalance. Whenever we try to evaluate canine behavior using human values we run the risk of misinterpreting our dog’s emotions and motives, while making minor behavioral issues become chronic. So the next time you want to join the 63% of dog owners who engage in a little kissy kissy with Fido on the bed, let the conventional disciplinarian in you take over and remind yourself that it’s not only OK to treat your dog like a dog, but it’s the BEST way to live in complete harmony with him. *** Michael Landa is the Founder and CEO of The Pet Staff (www.ThePetStaff.com), Southern California’s largest and most experienced professional pet sitting, dog walking and dog training company. His staff of 170 pet experts caters to a demanding client base of over 5,700 Angeleno Anthropomorphists. Landa lives in Hollywood with his “baby”, Max, an eighteen-month old Labrador Retriever. Statistics Source: American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA) 2007-2008 Pet Owners Survey. Listen to Animal Radio® Now

Kitty Condo Living Tracyann Mains, PETS 911 It is usually easier to find apartments that allow cats than those that allow dogs or other pets. So, you’ve already got one thing going for you! With these suggestions, we hope you find the perfect home for you and your feline. 1. Be honest. Let the landlord know you have a cat(s) 2. Do your research. Visit PETS911.com to find cat-friendly rental options. Keeping the family together is important! 3. Clean up. Practice good cat hygiene before and after moving into your new apartment – clean out your litter box regularly. Keeping odors out of hallways and out of your apartment will keep your neighbors and landlord happy. And, it’s healthier for you and your cat. 4. Mind the claws. Does your cat scratch? Provide a scratching post for your cat instead of the door frames. It’s cheaper than losing your security deposit. 5. Preview your new pad. Prior to moving in, be sure to do a “pre-move-in damage inspection” and have your landlord sign off on this as well. This way, you won’t be charged for pre-existing conditions. Better yet, your landlord will probably fix them prior to your moving in date. 6. Money talks. Be prepared to pay a little higher security deposit and/or monthly rent if you have a cat. Not all landlords will require this, but some may. It’s better to be prepared for it than not to have it. 7. Get it in writing. Ask what the landlord considers to be “pet damages” and make sure what is agreed upon is in writing. Be sure to follow any pet guidelines in the apartment complex. This way, you will know what you can be charged …and what you can’t be charged … when you move out. 8. Oh behave! Get behavioral training for your cat if you know they have some issues (e.g. spraying). These behaviors may be corrected before you move…and may even have a medical basis behind them. 9. Stay healthy. Be sure your cat is current on all required vaccinations. This benefits your cat as well as other pets in the apartment complex. While at the vet, ask about the benefits of having your cat microchipped. 10. Play tag. Please put a collar and identification tag on your cat. For added security, consider a microchip. Even indoor cats can’t resist an open door or window all the time. Plus, when moving, there are greater opportunities to escape or become skittish. A collar and tag will get your cat back to you much faster. Many cats without collars are thought to be feral and not turned in to Animal Care & Control. So, please protect your best friend. Listen to Animal Radio® Now

Is Instant Info on the Internet a Good Thing? Dr. Jim Humphries, Veterinary News Network We live in an age of almost instantaneous information. Technology, like the Internet, has changed the way we think and educate ourselves. It’s easier than ever to research topics and make decisions about almost any subject, even medical care for both our families and our pets. But, is that advice good? Searching for pet related items on the web, you’ll find everything from pet psychics to pet pharmacies. With this explosion of information, people might ask are there Internet pet sites that you can trust, really? Is it okay to trust our pet’s health to someone other than your family veterinarian? For most pet owners, their family veterinarian is their primary source of advice. But, the urge and desire to save money on our pet’s care is a big factor in deciding where to go for that advice. Just look at all of the blogs, the chat rooms and the message boards that offer all kinds of pet care information and pet health information. Anyone can post anything on the web. There’s no requirement for that person to actually be an expert. And while much valuable information can be found, there’s also much that is inaccurate or just plain incorrect or even dangerous. When it comes to understanding how all aspects of our pet’s environment, genetics, psychical health and even mental and emotional health are all related, your family veterinarian is still the best choice to provide you the answers you need. You see, veterinarians have either a DVM or a VMD degree. This doctor of veterinary medicine designation is your assurance of proper training and the completion of a university accredited curriculum. Knowing this, a good place to start to find accurate and up-to-date information on animal health is your veterinarian’s website. Many will have links that are pre-approved veterinary medical sites such as VeterinaryPartner.com or sites associated with the nearest veterinary teaching hospital, for example. Additionally, your veterinarian’s website may allow you to order common pet medications and other treatments on line. Some may even allow you to schedule an appointment or ask advice. The biggest reason for visiting your family’s veterinarian’s website is the comfort of knowing it comes from your pet’s doctor, the one who knows you and your pet the best. This huge pipeline of information that is the Internet is wonderful. You have an incredible resource at your fingertips. But frankly, it should come with a warning label: CAUTION: THE INFORMATION YOU ARE ABOUT TO RECEIVE OR THE PRODUCTS YOU BUY MAY NOT BE RIGHT FOR YOU OR YOUR PET. For the health care of your special pet friend, don’t rely on third party resources of unknown qualifications. You, your veterinarian and your pet are the best team to insure your pets live a long and healthy life. http://www.myvnn.com Listen to Dr. Humphries on Animal Radio®

The DOGtor Will See You Now By Karen Lee Stevens Like many people, I have chomped on way too much chocolate, drunk too many daiquiris, and sobbed my heart out in a therapist’s office as a way to cope with life’s inevitable little ups and downs. Whether it was to gain some much-needed insight into a difficult relationship or to heal from the death of a loved one, the time I spent on the therapist’s couch was, well, therapeutic. Even so, my euphoria was short-lived and my bank account suffered as a result. Eventually, I found a way to forgo the fudge, toss out the tequila, and say ta-ta to my therapist. Interested in my prescription for peace of mind? Does Dr. Phil have a Texas twang? OK, you twisted my arm, I’ll fill you in on this affordable (not to mention adorable) alternative to self-medicating and professional counseling: GET A PET. We have all heard that petting a purring cat or walking a dog is a fantastic way to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and raise our spirits. After all, pets are non-judgmental, undemanding, eager to please, affectionate, adoring, entertaining (shall I go on?). In other words, our animal companions make us feel as though we’ve won the lottery every day. Carol Gardener knows exactly what I’m talking about. At the age of 52, the soon-to-be-divorced Washington State resident found herself drowning in debt and depressed. Her divorce attorney gave her some advice that would change her life: “Get a therapist or get a dog.” Carol chose the latter and it wasn’t long before she was sharing her home with a four-month-old English bulldog she named Zelda. “We were both underdogs looking for a big dose of unconditional love,” Carol says. But the story doesn’t end there: A friend suggested that Carol enter an annual Christmas card contest that a local pet store was sponsoring. With a background as a creative director in advertising, Carol figured she had a good shot at winning the top prize: forty pounds of free dog food every month for a year. So she borrowed a Santa hat from a neighbor, filled her bathtub with bubble bath and called Zelda into the room. You can imagine what happened next. Zelda soon had a beard made of bubbles and a Santa hat perched on her head (and no doubt, a quizzical look on her face). Carol snapped a photo and sent it in with the one-liner: “For Christmas I got a dog for my husband…good trade, huh?” Six weeks later, Carol learned that she had won the contest. She then sent the prize-winning image out as holiday cards to all of her friends and the overwhelming response ignited the creation of Zelda Wisdom, a line of hugely-popular greeting cards, calendars, books, jewelry, and other gift items (all thanks to a little company called Hallmark). “At the core of Zelda Wisdom is humor and healing,” writes Carol on her Web site, www.zeldawisdom.com. “She always makes me laugh. Zelda and I are proof that you don’t have to be thin, rich, young or wrinkle-free to be successful. More importantly, you don’t have to be perfect.” Pets, it appears, are better than psychiatrists or Prozac. But wait, I’d be crazy not to include this disclaimer before I continue: Psychiatrists and therapists are valued professionals and they help a great number of people (Tom Cruise isn’t one of them). I am in no way suggesting you discontinue therapy (unless you want to) or stop taking your anti-anxiety medication (I’m certainly not going to). OK, I feel better now, so let me get to the point of this column: I’d like to celebrate the special bond that people have with their pets by writing my own book about our four-legged pals. The book I’m planning with be Zelda-esque in a way, as it will be filled with eye-popping photos and sage advice—all from our pooches’ and pussycats’ points of view. This is where you come in, dear readers. I’d like to know what advice your pet would give you if he or she could talk. Think of it this way: you're sitting on a therapist’s couch and you look over at the therapist, only it’s not a person, it’s your cat or dog (or other furry friend). What words of wisdom would your pet impart to you about life, love, family, health, food/dieting, death/dying, spirituality, money, global issues, the cost of gasoline, Angelina’s new twins? In other words: anything that comes to mind! If you feel inspired to do so, please send me a funny, far-out, practical, prophetic thoughtful, touching, witty, or wise saying that your animal friend might say to you as you struggle to lose the weight, leave the relationship, change careers, get through that next round of chemo, or take up Buddhism. For example, your cat might advise you to “Reach for the stars, but keep your paws firmly planted on the ground” or your dog might come up with this zinger: “Sit. Stay. Heal.” After you’ve finished penning your poetic prose, send it off to me and then forward my request on to your friends and family (and even your therapist!). Who knows, your—I mean your pet’s—advice might just end up in my (hopefully) soon-to-be-represented-by-a-big-New-York-publisher book! *** With a nod to that famous television therapist, Frasier Crane, Karen would like to remind readers that “I’m listening” and is eager to know what advice your pet has for you. Send your submissions to karen@allforanimals.com. For more of Karen’s columns, visit www.allforanimals.com. Listen to Animal Radio® Now

Best in Show Now Certified Therapy Dog David Frei, Angel On A Leash Demonstrating the determination that led to his “Best in Show” title at this year’s Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, Ch. K-Run’s Park Me In First, otherwise known as the beagle “Uno,” successfully completed his Delta Society Pet Partners training at the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®). David Frei, also known as the voice of Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, assisted Uno in this astounding accomplishment. “Uno’s historical win at Westminster confirmed his role as America’s best dog,” said Mr. Frei. “But, now that Uno is a certified therapy dog, he is much more than a pretty face. He has the ability to comfort and love those who are in serious need, and that goes beyond breeding.” Mr. Frei stated that Uno serves as a celebrity “spokesdog” for Angel On A Leash, the therapy dog program that is a charity of the Westminster Kennel Club (www.angelonaleash.org) On February 12, Uno received “Best in Show” at the 2008 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Although beagles have consistently placed in the top ten of popularity polls throughout the years, no beagle in the history of the dog show had ever won the coveted award. Listen to David Frei on Animal Radio®

Doggy-Style Speed Dating Event Lisa Caroline Leung, FastLife.com Finding a partner that gets along with your furry friend is non-negotiable - "Love Me, Love My Dog," the saying goes. Save time and frustration by combining your dog walk with a month's worth of dates! Puppy Love – New York's first-ever dog walk speed dating event – is FastLife's latest solution for the time-challenged professionals who use its services. This new dating event format is designed exclusively for busy, dog-owning singles. The innovative new format makes its debut in Central Park on Sunday, September 21. The group romp will be attended by 24 dog-owning New Yorkers. Furry friends in tow, participants will ramble through Central Park's most dog-friendly spaces in rotating dating pairs. Sponsored locally, daters and their dogs will take home a "doggy bag" (complete with a snack for Scruffy) from the New York Dog Shop. One lucky participant will walk away with a full pet portrait session from Petographs. As with FastLife's standard speed dating events, love matches are calculated and sent via email the following day, leaving it up to the daters to take the next step. Why not try it - What have you got to lose??? Listen to Lisa Leung on Animal Radio®

Your Vet Questions Answered with Dr. Debbie Grocery Store Pet Food: Dr. Debbie comments on a caller who said his dog was eating Old Roy Pet Food. She says beware of grocery store pet foods or pet food that is sold outside of a pet store, the quality isn't always there. Basically, you get what you pay for and nobody likes to hear that, because everyone is budget conscious. She personally feeds her two labs Science Diet, the Senior variety. When looking for a good food, it should have an AAFCO Signature of Approval, that means that it has gone through nutritional testing. And even better than that, look for bags that mention the food has gone through food trials. This means that they have actually fed that food to animals to make sure that they don't get sick. Ferret Has Urinary Blockage: Dr. Debbie recently treated a ferret that had a urinary blockage. Ferrets are cool little pets and it is unfortunate that they get bad diseases. The number one thing that causes urinary blockages, especially in male ferrets, is a problem with their adrenal glands which causes their prostrate to swell up, and in other cases, its just the lower urinary tract type problems, like in male cats where they get plugs and stones. Dog Has Developed Cushing's Disease: Cushing's Disease usually appears in dogs 10 years or older and affects many breeds. It is a disorder resulting from excessive circulating cortisol (a steroid). The most common signs of Cushing's Disease are increased appetite, increased thirst and urination, hair loss, lethargy, and pendulous abdomen (due to increased liver size and muscle breakdown). In most cases the cause of Cushing's Disease is due to a non-cancerous overgrowth (hyperplasia) of the pituitary gland (called Pituitary Dependent Hyperadrenocorticism or PDH). Cushing's disease can also be caused by a tumor in the adrenal glands, which are located in the abdomen next to the kidneys. Are There Oral Contraceptives For Cats? How easy would it be if we could just put an oral contraceptive in water that we give to feral cats? Some of the methods used in the past to control overpopulation of pets are obviously not working, and the spay/neuter trap/release programs are great if you can catch the cats. There are some people working on oral contraceptives for cats, but there is not a lot of good information on the subject. Currently, there are too many side affects and hazards with oral contraceptives for cats. However, we look for some new things on the horizon, perhaps even in the next few years. Maybe a vaccine that will cause sterilization? Listen to Dr. Debbie on Animal Radio®

This Week's Pet News from the Animal Radio® Newsroom *Residents Taking Care of Pets - Gustav is coming to LA *Indiana Man Sentenced For 18 Months For Teaching His Kids To Stab Pet Cat *Pet Toy Recalled After Dogs Have Tongues Amputated *Pet shelters filling up quickly; plans for evacuations in works *Chemicals in pet food can lead to bad behavior, says top vet See the Latest News Stories Now

Groomer Of The Year Artist Knox – Groomer Has It, Animal Planet Ever since winning “Groomer of the Year,” Artist Knox has been burning rubber all over the city of Los Angeles. As the winner, he received $50,000 in cash along with a mobile grooming van from Wagn Tails. Artist says you can’t just call it a grooming van, it is like a house, a saloon and a chick mobile on wheels! Groomer Has It is a reality show hosted by Jai Rodriguez, where 12 professional groomers cut and styled their way to being Groomer Of The Year. At one point during the competition, Artist gave up the easy win and passed it off to another contestant during an adoption competition. But Artist made a decision of what was more important at that moment. Was it better for him, or was it for something that needed it more than he did? He got so wrapped up in the moment, that he forgot about the consequences that he could possibly lose the competition. But, it was a good decision, not only for the dog, but for Artist himself. Artist now gets calls from all over, including New York and Illinois, from people who want him to come personally groom their dog. However, Artist is located in Los Angeles, but for the right amount of money, he will go anywhere! Artist gives a shout out to Hugh Heffner and states officially on Animal Radio®, “Girls Next Door – Meet Groomer of the Year. I’m coming to your house and I’m grooming all of your dogs!” So, Hugh, get ready for Artist! Artist has big plans for his future. He is going to master the mobile unit, master his own shop and then go on to schools and lecturing. There is no stopping this guy! You can contact artist at http://www.artistgrooms.com or by calling 213-327-9805 Listen to Artist on Animal Radio®

Video Kennels Vinnie Penn, Animal Radio's Resident Party Animal I’m sure you animals lovers are very aware of this, but those of you who aren’t, I’m very excited to bring this to your attention. My sister and her children were visiting for the past two weeks, at the end of the summer. They put their dog, Ringo, in a video kennel, and they were able to log on everyday and check on Ringo. The camera was aimed right at him. I heard my nephews Ricky and Jay saying, “Ringo’s sleeping, mom, look at Ringo sleeping!” This is great for all of those people out there who still have a little bit of paranoia when it comes to leaving their pet behind. All you really have is the kennel owner’s words. The fact of the matter is that kennels are fantastic and there is more than enough loving kennels out there. But, every once in a while you hear horror stories. There wouldn’t be 20/20 or Prime Time Live without those kinds of stories. What would Barbara Walters do outside of the View? But it was great now; there was so much piece of mind. The boys were worried about Ringo and to be able to tune in in the morning and watch him in action, watch him chasing a ball, was great. Every day they started off in a great mood, except for the day I had to explain to them what dry humping was and why Ringo was behaving in that manner, but my sister Julie says they are going to resolve that issue as soon as they get home. But nonetheless, what a beautiful thing to be able to tune in and see him playing and being able to log in. (They all live in Las Vegas, so you would think that the boys would know about dry humping already. Especially Ricky, he’s 12, and living in Las Vegas!) But video kennels have to be all over, and if they aren’t, they are definitely something that is going to be happening. Video kennels, it’s piece of mind for a couple of dollars, and even if it isn’t a couple of dollars, it is piece of mind for your pet! Listen to Vinnie Penn on Animal Radio®

Get Your Free Animal Radio® Pet ID Tags! Animal Radio® has partnered with ReturnMoi to make sure that if your pet ever gets lost, he will be reunited with you immediately, and is giving away 1,000 free Pet Id Tags. Each pet tag contains a: - Unique ID number that is linked to your contact information - 1-800 toll free number open 24/7 - Reward for return message to motivate finders to call ReturnMoi How Does it Work? 1. Activate unique ID number at ReturnMoiPets.com 2. Attach tag to cat or dog 3. If pet goes missing finder calls ReturnMoi 4. ReturnMoi calls pet owner to facilitate return 5. ReturnMoi rewards finder ($50 gift pack) for their help Don't wait until your pet becomes lost before you take care of securing them with proper identification. All pets should have two forms of identification. One is the microchip and the other should be a visible tag on his collar. For your free Animal Radio® Pet Tag all you have to do is send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Animal Radio c/o Pet Tags PO Box 197 Shandon, CA 93461 What are you waiting for? Listen to Animal Radio® Now

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