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Pet Minute Guide
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September
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September 22,
2005: One of the recommendations of the New Guidelines of the
American Feline Practitioners is for kittens to attend school. Steve
knows about this because he teaches classes for Kitty’s.
Check out the special place Steve has set aside at
www.stevedalepetworld.com
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September 21,
2005: “The most common cause of euthanasia in pets
are behavior problems,” says Dr. Ilona Rodan, former
president of the American Feline Practitioners Association. October is
National Pet Wellness month…the idea is for all pets to
visit the veterinarian twice a year. The real life problem is that too
many cats don’t even visit the vet once a year. Dr. Rodan,
who also co-chaired the Feline Behavior Guidelines, says she wants to
do something to encourage more vet visits. Learn more at www.aafponline.org or
www.catwellness.org
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September 20,
2005: “My 13-year old’s parakeet seems
happy; chirping all the time,” emails listener Janice in
Florida. “Naturally, we’re out of the house a lot.
I wonder if Bitsy would be happier with a companion. Or would he be
traumatized by another parakeet?” So, are two birds better
than one? Steve offers parakeet counsel.
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September 19,
2005: Canine behavior consultant Jim Crosby says some dogs
might have a ‘bad gene’ responsible for aggression.
He’s now researching to determine what role – if
any – breed plays in determining aggression. The frightening part is
if it turns out there’s a so-called aggressive gene in dogs,
the same could be true for people.
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September 16,
2005: Steve offers yet another reason why killer whales
don’t make the greatest pets. The baby whales keep mom up 24
hours.
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September 15,
2005: “Mew for Murder” by Clea
Simon is a cat mystery for people who really like cats. The
book’s heroine is a journalist who plans to write a story
about an old lady who hoards cats. But she arrives to find
the woman dead under mysterious circumstances.
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September 14,
2005: Listener Sandy in Michigan wants a prescription for two
cats to become best pals. Steve offers advice about separating the two
cats, and then describes how to bring them together for peace and
happiness. Email your questions Steve@thepetminute.net
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September 13,
2005: Canine behavior consultant Pam Dennison says you can
teach an old dog new tricks – even aggressive dogs. In her
book “How To Right A Doggone Wrong: A Roadmap for
Rehabilitating Aggressive Dogs,” she says
it’s a matter of time, commitment, management and getting
qualified help. Pam’s site: www.positivedogs.com
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September 12,
2005: You can’t help but wonder if Dr. Kathryn
Meurs hollered “Bingo!” when she found a gene
mutation in Maine Coon cats associated with feline hypertrophic
cardiomyopathy, a frequently deadly heart disease in cats. Dr. Meurs
discovered a gene linked to a protein in the heart linked to
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and published those findings. Learn more
by checking out Steve’s story,
http://petworldradio.net/mainecoonscolumn.html, or the Winn
Feline Foundation,
www.winnfelinehealth.org
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| September 9, 2005: Animal
News Around the World. Steve talks about new research for
canine blood transfusions, and a tells the story of 140 lb.
mixed breed dog named Chju might have set some sort of Guinness
World’s Record in a first ever canine cookie eating contest. |
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September 8,
2005: “As
our pets age, pain is inevitable, but suffering
isn’t,” says Dr. Peter Hansen, senior director
companion animal pharmaceuticals at Merial Dr. Hansen says
veterinary medicine can’t cure all disease, but vets can
control pain.
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September 7,
2005: When explorer Bill Harkness died in 1936 trying to
bring the first panda back to the U.S., his socialite wife Ruth set out
to China to succeed where he wasn’t able to. And
that’s where journalist Vicki Croke begins in “The
Lady and The Panda” Vicki was so passionate about getting it
right; she tells Steve she re-traced Ruth’s steps through
China to tell the story.
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September 6,
2005: The Morris Animal Foundation has long funded research
to advance the health and well being of wild animals who we share the
planet and companion animals who we share our homes.
Morris Animal Foundation executive director Dr. Patricia Olson noted
that researchers submitted 142 explore canine health issues last year,
but mysteriously only 27 proposals to learn about diseases of cats.
Learn more at
www.morrisanimalfoundation.org.
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September 5,
2005: The FAA’s first safety report under the new
pet travel guidelines. You’ll lean about the FAA’s
safety record with pets in May. Learn more about traveling with pets:
http://www.faa.gov/passengers/Pets.cfm
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September 2,
2005: According to researchers at the Monell Chemical Senses
Center, there’s a dysfunctional gene that prevents cats from
tasting sweet treats - a sensation they maintain nearly all other
mammals on the planet experience.
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September 1,
2005: IAACB parrot behavior consultant Liz Wilson says
parrots are the perfect pet is you want a pet who might disagree with
you, even challenge your intellect. She says, parrots are a
fabulous creature for someone who wants an animal that has
it’s own opinions. (Learn more about IAABC behavior
consultants at www.IAABC.org.
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August
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August 29, 2005:
In dogs, one of the most common types of cancer is called mast cell
cancer. What to watch out for, and what can be done if your dog is
diagnosed.
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August 30, 2005:
Amy Shojai, author of “Petiquette: Solving Behavior Problems
in Your Multi-Pet Household” offers advice on the best way to
blend your multi pet, multi species family. She says,
“I like to say that the resident pet should retain as much of
the run of the house as possible. Take it slow,
don’t expect love at first sight, sometimes it’s
hate at first sight.”
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August 29, 2005:
In dogs, one of the most common types of cancer is called mast cell
cancer. What to watch out for, and what can be done if your dog is
diagnosed.
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August 26, 2005:
People have submitted videos singing duets with their best friends with
four legs in what amounts to American Idol Pet Contest. Cottonelle
– the toilet tissue brand with a Labrador puppy as its
ambassador - will give away $200,000 to the winning family for a home
make over. In addition, 11 families will get a $2,500 cash prize. This
weekend, you and your canine singing partner can belt out tunes at
auditions. While Randy, Paula and Simon aren’t available to
judge, you ultimately can. Once the finalists are named, after
September 19, you can vote with your mouse. Learn more, and watch
finalists’ videos at www.cottonelle.com.
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August 25, 2005:
Steve continues his conversation with Dr. Billar Abdul Jabaar of Iraq.
Steve learned that Sadaam very much respected veterinarians. As a
result, there are too many vets in Iraq. Ultimately, this could be a
good thing – since eventually out of work vets can be hired
by the new government to protect the food supply from terrorists.
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August 24, 2005:
Reporting from the the142nd Annual American
Veterinary Medical Association Convention and the 28th
World Veterinary Congress from the Minneapolis Convention Center, Steve
snared an exclusive interview with Iraqi veterinarian Dr. Billar Abdul
Jabaar.
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August 23, 2005:
Statistically, most people who have cats have more than one. Steve
offers advice from the grounds of the ultimate multi-cat home, the
Hemingway House and Museum in Key West, about living with, playing with
and feeding cats when there are several in a home.
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August 22, 2005:
Some people admire cats; Ernest Hemingway adored them, so much so that
he made provisions in his will for his cats and their descendents.
Steve visits the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West, FL where
the Pulitzer Prize winning icon author lived and worked, and to meet
the nearly 50 resident cats. Some cats are polydactyl, which means they
have an extra toe.
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August 6 through
August 19, 2005: The Best of the Pet Minute with
Steve Dale
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August 5, 2005:
Get this listener email from Bernice in Kentucky: “Dear
Steve, I’m looking for a cat that barks. I mean a cat
that’ll alert me when someone is at the door. I
can’t have a dog. But I wonder if I can have a
watch-cat.” Steve’s answer is a shocker.
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August 4, 2005:
Syndicated columnist and author Georgie Anne Geyer has interviewed
world leaders, from Sadaam Hussein to Fidel Castro, and all recent
American Presidents…Now she’s interviewing cat
breeders. Geyer’s most recent book is “When Cats
Reigned Like Kings: On The Trail of The Sacred Cats.” She
traveled around the globe studying how ancient cultures looked at their
cats.
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August 3, 2005:
A cat in Wyoming was identified as the fourth to have the plague in a
matter of months. There’s no reason to panic. In many parts
of the Western U.S. the plague has existed forever – spread
to wild rodents from fleas. Researchers suspect the cats that became
infected at infected rodents. The plague is something we
don’t want to see, and a compelling reason to keep cats
indoors, or at the very least protect against fleas.
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August 2, 2005:
The ASPCA has been working to protect animals for almost 150 years now.
But the issue is more than just animals, it relates to abuse in humans
as well. Joe Pentangelo of the ASPCA, and a stars of
“Animal Precinct” on Animal Planet explains. Learn
more, www.aspca.org.
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August 1, 2005:
Dr. Julie Mayer in Chicago says she helps adjust pets daily.
Chiropractic medicine is available and she says it helps.
It’s best to choose a veterinarian with training in
chiropractic medicine, rather than a human chiropractic professional
willing to work on pets. Learn more at,
www.Animalchiropractic.org.
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July
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July 29, 2005:
Steve’s no Martha Stewart– but in today’s
of the installment of the Pet Minute, he offers a recipe for fighting
off nature’s stinkiest weapon – skunk. . . What to
do if your dog is skunked.
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July 28, 2005:
The International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
offers certified professional behavior consultants who are qualified to
deal with behavior problems. Consultant Parvene Farhoody says some
veterinarians are very knowledge and able to help, but most may not be.
You can find a dog, cat, horse or parrot consultant at www.iaabc.org.
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July 27, 2005:
Listener Donna in Las Vegas has a good heart. But taking in ten cats
may be a few too many, as she found out when the spraying began. Steve
offers advice to stop the spraying.
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July 26, 2005:
Alan Swartz is a retired police officer who just wouldn’t
give up on his dog, Cassie. More than $20,000 later, he says it was all
worth it. His best friend is alive and healthy today thanks to
specialty medicine, and more than a few bucks.
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July 25, 2005:
Some dogs should never be allowed to swim. They just don’t
take to water, like Pugs, Pekingnese, Bulldogs, French Bulldogs and
Boston Terriers. They don’t even doggy paddle. Even expert
swimmers with webbed feet may need a life preserver. Water safety for
dogs in this segment.
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| July
22: Steve explains how the Federal Government is using goats
to help protect nuclear power plants from terrorists. |
| July
21: Dr. Kevin Hankins of Fort Dodge Animal Health says horses
can die from the West Nile virus, but protection is available. |
| July
20: At nearly five pounds, you can use” The
Original Dog Bible” as a substitute for lifting weights.
Steve talks with the Bible’s chief editor Kristin Mehus-Roe. |
| July
19: Heartworm kills cats too, and the American Heartworm
Society’s Guidelines also suggests cats be protected by using
a preventative. Learn more at
www.heartwormsociety.org. |
| July
18: Dr. Tom Nelson, president of the American Heartworm
Society explains what heartworm disease is. |
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15, 2005: Tips on teaching your dog Frisbee disc from champ
Tom Wehrli, include feeding your pup from the disc before training.
That way, he later sees his food dish flying through the air. Of
course, he’ll follow it. Learn more at out www.ufoworldcup.org.
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| July
14, 2005: An emailer from Washington State writes,
“Dear Steve, My neighbor lost her cat to a heart thing.
I’ve never been a pet person, so I sort of don’t
get their sadness, or know what I can do. Do you have any
ideas?” Steve offers his ideas, and discusses heart problems
in cats. |
| July
13, 2005: The “Safe Air Transport for
Animals Act went into effect last month. This federal law
requires airlines to report incidents of pets injured, lost, or killed
in the cargo holds of domestic flights. Lisa Weisberg of the
ASPCA says the cargo holds aren’t exactly safe. Learn more at
www.aspca.org. |
| July
12, 2005: If your cat goes up a tree be patient. Veterinary
clinics rarely report treating cats who have fallen from trees.
Emergency rooms, however, do treat people who have fallen trying to
rescue their feline friends. |
| July
11, 2005: The Scottish Band, called Dogs Die in Hot Cars, is
actually a popular alternative music band from Scotland.
Whether or not you like their music, it’s an important
message. And it’s true. If it’s 85 degrees
outdoors, even if you leave your windows open a crack – in 15
minutes that dashboard heats up to about 150 degrees. |
| July
8, 2005: Steve tells the story of a stray dog near Nairobi,
Kenya who recently saved the life of a newborn baby after finding the
abandoned infant in the forest. |
| July
7, 2005: It’s big, it’s comprehensive,
it’s called the “Encyclopedia of Dog
Breeds.” The author, Caroline Coile, says her intent was to
help people to choose what is really the right breed to match lifestyle
and their personality. |
| July
6, 2005: The airlines want to fill every possible seat with
a paying customer, and the FAA may go along with it. Previously, folks
with Guide dogs or assistance dogs had the right to travel with these
working animals. The FAA is proposing limitations, which Toni Eames of
the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners explains.
Check out http://www.iaadp.org/. |
| July
5, 2005: Dogs like to join their people in boats. In Chicago,
there’s an architecture cruise for dogs, called the Canine
Cruise
www.mercuryskylinecruiseline.com. Darlene Arden writes about
kayak trips with dogs in “Unbelievably Good Deals
and Great Adventures That You Absolutely Can’t Get Unless
You’re a Dog.” www.darlenearden.com.
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July 4, 2005:
Steve’s story about a cat named Uncle Sam.
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July 1, 2005: Steve
speaks with ordinary pet owners about their experiences traveling with
their own pets.
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June
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June 30, 2005:
If your dog is dragging you down the street, or aggressively lunging at
other dogs, next you’ll hear about a humane device that can
make a difference called the Gentle Leader. Steve talks with the
inventor, veterinary behaviorist Dr. R. K. Anderson.
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June 29, 2005:
At the annual Forum of the American College of Veterinary Medicine in
Baltimore, several ordinary pet owners on spoke how cutting edge
specialty medicine saved their pets’ lives. Denise Benoit
says her calico kitty, Genie, was diagnosed with a heart murmur which
lead to congestive heart failure. It turned out that the cause of
Genie’s problem required a board surgeon to operate, and then
a boarded internal medicine specialist to deal with post-operative
complications. Benoit even quit her job to nurse her kitty back to
health
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June 28, 2005:
Steve reports the latest in cutting edge specialty medicine from the
Forum of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine in
Baltimore, MD.
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June 27, 2005:
Your dog may not feel patriotic on the Fourth that’s because
those same patriotic fireworks we go ‘ooooh’ and
‘aaaahhhh’ over – may
scare the – uhum – out of even the most loyal of
flag waving dogs.
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June 24, 2005:
Today is the 7th Annual Take Your Dog To Work
Day .The idea is for employees to bring their reasonably well behaved
best friends with four legs to the office. More than 10,000 businesses
are participating in this event.
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June 23, 2005:
Dr. Susan Little, who travels the world speaking about FIP,
describes the symptoms pet owners should watch out for. Learn
more at
http://www.catvet.homestead.com/
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| June 22, 2005:
Sherri, a Pet Minute with Steve Dale emailer, wants
to know if there are animals who never get sick. |
| June 21, 2005:
Among the American Animal Hospital Association new guidelines for
Senior Care is at-home euthanasia, according to AAHA president Dr.
Daniel Aja. |
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June 20,
2005: The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center issued
a warning about the dangers of pseudophedrine, a common ingredient in
many cold, sinus and allergy medications. According to the ASPCA, if a
20-lb. dog accidentally eats just one tablet with 30 milligrams of
pseudophedrine, it can cause nervousness, an elevated heart rate and
high blood pressure. Having three of those tablets might be fatal.
Learn more at www.aspca.org.
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June 17, 2005:
Pope Benedict XVI has quite a following, pilgrims of the human and the
feline persuasion. Apparently, the Pope has a special way with cats.
The Pontiff does not own a cat. The Pope’s brother explains,
“I don’t think he is allowed to can keep a cat at
the Vatican. But in Rome there are many street cats for him to speak
with.” Steve says that he doesn’t quite
understand, ‘You’d figure if the Pope wanted a cat,
he could. After all, he’s a responsible tenant.’
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June 16, 2005:
Steve offers tips on traveling with pets.
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June 15, 2005:
Britney Spears says her Chihuahua, Bit Bit is a whole lot cuter than
Tinkerbell, the Chihuahua who lives with Paris Hilton. Steve decides
both these dogs have one thing in common.
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June 14, 2005: From
Montreal, Listener Anna said her friend’s cat tested positive
for HIV, and she wants to know what that means. Steve explains that
people get HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus. Cats get the feline
immunodeficiency virus, typically transmitted by bite wounds from other
cats.
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June 13, 2005: Summer
brings great weather, but also can bring ticks and they can be
dangerous to you, and your pets. To prepare you for the
season is one of the world’s
leading infectious disease experts Dr. Ed Breiswerdt of the vet school
at North Carolina State University.
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| June 10, 2005: The first ever thoroughbred
Arabian gelding was cloned, born a few months ago in Italy.
Scientists are calling this birth ‘a breakthrough,’
paving the way for new lines of race horses. In North America, the
official horse breed registry bans cloned animals. Soon, cat and dog
pedigrees will have to make similar decisions. |
| June 9, 2005: For the dog who has absolutely
everything, or maybe for an accident prone dog, Zoomer Gear has
designed helmets for dogs, www.zoomergrear.com |
| June 8, 2005: Emailer Sasha says neighbor cats
are invading her small garden. Steve offers her advice on what she can
do, including a sprinkler with a motion detector to spray the cats.
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| June 7, 2005: Annemarie Lucas, special
investigator at the ASPCA and host of “Animal
Precinct” on Animal Planet discusses why shelters are
inundated with kittens, and what you can do to help. |
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June 6, 2005: It’s amazing how many
people live with parasites, and we don’t mean mother-in-laws.
A surprising number of people seem content to live with blood sucking
fleas, but it’s not a healthy plan for your family or your
pets. Instead, consider fighting the war on the fleas. With the correct
arsenal, you’ll win.
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June 3, 2005: They don’t sleep in the
dog house any longer. According to American Pet Product Manufacturers
Association Pet Owners Survey, 41 per cent of dogs now share their
owners’ beds.
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June 2, 2005: Apparently cats and dogs can live
together; it’s ‘the Brady Bunchification’
of pets. According to the American Pet Product Manufacturers
Association National Pet Owners Survey, nearly half of everyone with a
dog also has a cat. Bob Vetere, chief operating officer and managing
director of the APPMA says, “Boy meets girl, boy has dog,
girl has cat. You want me, you want my pet. And so
you have an instant family when you get together.”
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June 1, 2005: ‘Your pet
wouldn’t give up on you; you don’t have to give up
on your pet’ is the motto of the International Association of
Animal Behavior Consultants. Through their website, you can find a
qualified behavior consultant near you, www.iaabc.org.
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May
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| May 31, 2005: Listener Betsey emailed about her
puppy swallowing Mortrin. Dr. Steve Hansen, senior vice president of
the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center says ibuprofen can be dangerous,
especially from those superstores with those giant
‘supernormous’ bottles of pills. While there are
childproof caps, dog proof caps haven’t yet been invented.
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May 30, 2005: Years ago, Denver banned pit
bull-looking dogs. The state of Colorado passed a law indicating that
breed specific legislation is not allowed in their
state, and since Denver is in Colorado, Denver must rescind their
prejudicial breed ban. Very recently Denver won their right for home
rule, and to continue breed bans.Denver’s assistant city
attorney tells us why.
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May 27, 2005: The Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin,
tells Steve Dale he’s a ‘wildlife
warrior.’ The Croc Hunter is ticked off about rattlesnake
round ups in the U.S., and he explains why.
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May 26, 2005: In South Africa, there’s
concern for Charlie, a chimpanzee who can’t seem to break the
cigarette habit. It doesn’t help that zoo visitors have been
enabling the primate by tossing him lit cigarettes for years. The zoo
is putting an end to visitors’ habit, but getting Charlie to
quit is another matter.
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May 25, 2005: Listener Nancy emails Steve about
her cat Penelope who periodically deposits a gift on her bedspread
instead of in the litter box. Steve suggests Penny does this because
she’s anxious, and is seeking out a place that smells most
like Nancy. In fact, Steve say it is a gift - a cat’s version
of a Sweetest Day gift.
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May 24, 2005: Academy Award winning actress
Shirley MacLaine tells Steve she and her dog Terry share one
another’s dreams. There’s more at
www.shirleymaclaine.com.
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May 23, 2005: The American Animal Hospital
Association has written new Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats.
For example, vets providing in-home euthanasia’s are one
recommendation. Learn more at www.healthypet.com.
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May 20, 2005: A gasoline station owner in
Abbotsford British Columbia held a promotional cash drawing. The
winning entry was Mr Jengels, a dog. The gasoline station owner
didn’t want to give the dog cash, so a compromise was worked
out.
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May 19, 2005: Steve chats with Ed Sayres,
president of the ASPCA about a ‘No Kill Nation.’
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May 18, 2005: Steve tells Florida listener Paula
how to keep fleas off her pet rabbit.
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May 17,2005: Raisins and grapes might be really
good for people, but veterinary toxicologist Dr. Steve
Hansen, director of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center says raisins
and grapes may be dangerous for dogs. Learn more at www.aspca.org.
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May 16, 2005: Veterinary epidemiologist Dr. Jeff
Bender explains why kids might have gotten sick after visiting petting
zoos in Florida.
Hear Steve
interview Dr. Bender on Steve Dale’s Pet World.
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May 13, 2005: Patie Ventre, the Ginger Rogers of
dogs, explains a canine sport where the idea is to dance with your dog.
To learn more, see
www.worldcaninefreestyle.org.
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May 12, 2005: Listener Tommy in North Carolina
wants to pick up his dog. The only problem is that his dog
won’t let him. Steve offers his advice.
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May 11, 2005: Feline specialist Dr. Michele
Gaspar offer her views of what cats should be eating.
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May 10, 2005: According to the American Pet
Product Manufacturers Association Survey, the biggest trend among pet
owners is having both at least one cat and at least one dog. And they
don’t fight like cats and dogs.
You
can read Steve’s story about the APPMA National Pet
Owner’s Survey. Their website is
www.appma.org.
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May 9, 2005: According to the just released
American Pet Product Manufacturers Association National Pet Owners
Survey, most people in American now have a pet. The APPMA survey also
reveals we now spend $36 billion dollars on our pets (for all products
and services). According to the U.S. Census Bureau tracking for retail
sales, that’s more money than we spend on jewelry or candy. You can read Steve’s
story about the APPMA National Pet Owner’s Survey. Their
website is www.appma.org.
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| May 6, 2005: Just got a new kitty? Think about
starting an education fund. You’re probably familiar with
puppy kindergarten classes, well, feline veterinarians are now
suggested school for kitties. Steve tells why new behavior guidelines
by the American Association of Feline Practitioners are supporting this
idea. |
| May 5, 2005: Listener Sally in New York
emailed Steve asking about how to train her dog to help her know when
he’s gotta go. Steve’s reply: “Teach your
dog to ring a bell when he has the urge.” |
| May 4, 2005: Even in the middle of a war a
puppy can make you smile. Lt. Col. Jay Kopelman was working in Fallujah
when he heard some of his fellow Marines had stumbled upon a cold nose
with floppy ears. The story of how he managed to get this dog back to
the States is heart-warming. Read Steve’s story about Lt. Col. Jay
Kopelman repatriating a dog from Iraq. |
| May 3, 2005: Heartworm kills cats too. If
heartworm exists where you live in dogs, the American Heartworm Society
now suggests protecting your cat too. Learn more,
www.heartwormsociety.org. |
| May 2, 2005: Heartworm disease is ubiquitous
– it’s everywhere, and each year dogs die. But
Heartworm disease can be prevented, according to Dr. Sheldon Rubin,
secretary of the American Heartworm Society. Learn more,
www.heartwormsociety.org. |
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April
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| April 29, 2005: Crate training is a great way to
protect puppies when there’s no adult to supervise.
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| April 28, 2005: Dr. Steve Dullard, president of
the American Association of Feline Practitioners, points out the
advantages of laser surgery. |
| April 27, 2005: Florida listener Barbara says her
dog Barney is terrified of thunderstorms. Steve offers advice.
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| April 26, 2005: Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Gary
Landsberg, co-author of “Behavior Problems of the Dog and
Cat” says temperament testing on puppies is an
“iffy” predictor of future personality. However,
temperament testing on adult shelter dogs is a good idea.
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| April 25, 2005: Herpetologist Ron Humbert says
red-eared slider turtles, although still not legal to sell, are making
a comeback anyway. These are the little turtles we all had as kids in a
plastic enclosure under a plastic orange palm tree. |
| April 22, 2005: Stand up comic Jim Brick speaks:
“We had a dog. Dumb Dumb was our first dog. He was just a
mutt that my father had rescued. My little brother wasn’t
born yet and I needed someone to torment. So, they went and got a dog.
It seems like twice a week he’d get his head stuck in the
fence and he’d sleep behind the front wheel of the car. He
was the first suicidal dog, ever.” |
| April 21, 2005: Ontario, Canada listener
Lori’s cat has an odd habit of dipping his paw into the water
dish before he drinks, and after he uses his litter box. She wants
Steve to figure out what’s going on. |
| April 20, 2005: Around Easter millions of kids
beg their parents for bunnies. Other than the chocolate kind, they
don’t always make great pets for young children, according
Lucile Moore, author of “A House Rabbit Primer.”
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| April 19, 2005: They are what Steve calls
‘The three P’s of Preparation.’ The idea
is to prepare for what will be a friend for life when you adopt a cat.
Learn more at www.aspca.org |
| April 18, 2005: Steve and Annemarie Lucas of the
ASPCA and “Animal Precinct” on Animal Planet are
teaming up to support adopting kittens at this time of year when
shelters are overrun. Iams pet foods and Fresh Step cat litter will
team to up to contribute $150,000 to the ASPCA. Learn more at
www.iams.com, www.steshstep.com
and www.aspca.org. |
| April 15, 2005: Listener Sal emails,
“My shih tzu won’t allow me on my own bed. If I
give my wife a goodnight kiss, he attacks me. What do I do?”
Steve offers a prescription for a good night’s sleep. |
| April 14, 2005: Pam Johnson Bennett, author of
“Cat vs. Cat: Keeping Peace When You Have More Than One
Cat” offers hints on how to introduce cats to one another.
Learn more at
www.pamjohnsonbennett.com. |
| April 13, 2005: Avian veterinarian Dr. Peter
Sakas says don’t let your bird fool you. Dr. Sakas explains
how to tell if your bird may be ill. |
| April 12, 2005: Steve talks about an SUV stroller
for cats. It’s a unique and safe way to get your cat out into
the world. Learn more:
http://www.midnightpass.com/kidodepetst.html |
| April 11, 2005: With one shake Kong’s
new Stuff ‘n Tots , you can train your dog. You can also
train your dog to pay attention to you. Learn more:
www.kongcompany.com. |
| April 8, 2005: In Calominia, Italy
it’s actually illegal to talk to your
animals…Well, that’s unless they talk to you
first. Steve has some odd animal laws. |
| April 7, 2005: National Pet Wellness Month is in
October. But you don’t have to wait until October. Pet
Wellness is a year-round effort. You know your pets best. If in your
gut you have any doubts whatsoever about your pets’ health,
listen to your gut, and see your vet. Learn more:
http://www.npwm.com/home.htm. |
| April 6, 2005: Legendary dog trainer Carol Lea
Benjamin’s latest book “Fall Guy” is the
seventh in the series starring private eye Rachel and her
crime-fighting pit bull named Dash. Learn more:
www.carolleabenjamin.com. |
| April 5, 2005: Listener Lori in Illinois wants
to know if rabbits and cats can get along as roommates. |
| April 4, 2005: Internal medicine specialist Dr.
Colin Burrows of the College of Veterinary Medicine at The University
of Florida discusses the FDA recalls of human non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory medications and whether these developments could also
affect similar medications for your pets. |
| April 1, 2005: In Daytona Beach, FL a man got
into an argument with his girlfriend. He got so angry, he swung a three
foot alligator at her. He was charged with battery. The reason for
their dispute - - - who would make the next beer run. |
|
March
|
| March 31, 2005: Leptospirosis is a bacterial
disease that can cause serious problems in dogs, and in people too.
Following the tsunami’s, there was an outbreak of the disease
in Asia. Dr. Steven Jaffe, director of field veterinary services for
Fort Dodge Animal Health explains lepto. See Steve’s print
story on leptospirosis. |
| March 30, 2005: Listener Donald in Iowa writes
Steve, “Our toy poodle barks too much. Whenever people walk
by or come to the door, she barks, and barks, and barks.”
Steve offers advice to quiet the dog. |
| March 28, 2005: A slipped disc could mean the end
of the road for a Dachshund, that’s what can happen when your
back is three or four times as long as your legs. However, a new study
from Purdue University reveals a new treatment to help these dogs. |
| March 25, 2005: African hedgehogs are a great
pet, but not for light sleepers. They like to spin around their
specially designed wheels in the middle of the night. They also foam at
the mouth when they’re excited by a scent. Steve includes
hedgehogs in the USA Weekend piece on alternative pets. |
| March 24, 2005: Steve talks about his upcoming
story in USA Weekend about alternative pets. If you’re
looking for a friendly snake with charm, a corn snake is good choice. |
| March 23, 2005: Listener Hillary in Wisconsin
emails Steve about her cat who takes a bite out of everything. |
| March 22, 2005: Joan Embery reminisces about her
pal Johnny Carson, reflecting about some of her favorite moments with
the legendary TV host. |
| March 21, 2005: Joan Embery, now the goodwill
ambassador for the Zoological Society of San Diego, talks about her new
conservation institute and her support of the Merck Vet Manual Learn
more:
www.merckvetmanual.com. |
