“Boomer The Dog” Guests

Delivered from obscurity by NatGeo's Taboo, Boomer is a dog in a man's body. Some have issues with a grown man dressing up as a dog, eating dog food, and barking out commands. Boomer was inspired by Disney's Shaggy DA movie and hasn't been the same since. Boomer explains his world in this special Animal Radio® interview.

Pet Friendly House

David Beart is building his house especially for his dog. He's teamed up with many manufacturers to stock his pet-friendly dwelling. While this may not seem like a big deal, David may be onto something. The pet industry is the second-fastest growing sector at 58 BILLION dollars this year. It only makes sense that our homes will become more-homier for our furry-friends.

Online Pet Scams

Scambook's Miranda Perry lists off the top scams directed at the very-delicate and vulnerable pet-lover. These include Craigslist scams for pure-breed puppies to Western Union fraud. She even tells us about a guy who impersonated an animal control officer to bilk money out of noisy neighbors. Be listening so you won't be a victim.

More Vets Offering At-Home Euthanasia

Christi Winter always tried to give her dog Josie the very best in life, so when it was time to say goodbye, Winter didn't want to do anything less. Winter opted to have Josie euthanized at her home, a practice that isn't new, but is becoming a specialized area of veterinary medicine. At least two companies have cropped up in recent years that recruit veterinarians who deal solely with end-of-life care for pets.

Ugliest Dog Passes Away

A New Jersey canine that was crowned the world's ugliest dog in 2007 and later became the topic of a children's book preaching acceptance has died. Elwood was 8. His owner, Karen Quigley, says the Chinese crested and Chihuahua mix died unexpectedly. The Sewell resident said Elwood had been dealing with some heath issues in recent months but appeared to be doing well.

39 Ways NOT To Kill Your Best Friend

Seasoned Veterinary Surgeon Dr. Judith Samson-French researched case files to determine how we can avoid accidentally killing our pets. Even with our best intentions, we may be putting our furry-friends in harms way. She'll reveal some of the stranger ways good owners unexpectedly killed their pet.

Dog Gets Obamacare

While millions are having difficulty signing up for Obamacare, a dog was able get processed under Colorado's healthcare exchange. It was a mistake of course. The insurance account was supposed to be opened for Shane Smith, not his 14-year-old Yorkie “Baxter.”

Trains, Planes and Chihuahuas

Our guest, Congressman Jeff Denham (R-California) has introduced the Pets on Trains act to allow crated pets on Amtrak trips of less than 750 miles. The lawmakers say they envision a car designated for pet travel. Convincing the government subsidized Amtrak to be competitive with the already accepting airlines may not be that easy. Amtrak banned pets in the 70's.

ABC 20/20 Report On Rip-off Vets Draws Ire

When Animal Radio® Veterinary Correspondent Dr. Marty Becker was featured in the prime-time show on dishonest veterinarians, he had no idea they would translate meaning in the editing room. After many vets spoke angrily about the 20/20 report, Dr. Becker resigned from ABC, ending 17 years of dedicated service on Good Morning America. Hear what happened and what was supposed to happen in this exclusive conversation.

Airline Almost Kills Dog -Wants Owner To Keep Silent

A pet-owner is claiming that United Airlines nearly killed her dog - then tried to bully her into staying silent. Janet Sinclair signed up for United Airlines' “PetSafe” program, which promises that pets will never “be exposed to temperatures greater than 85 degrees for more than 45 minutes.” But when Sinclair arrived, her greyhound Sedona was near death. The vet bills came to $2,700. United Airlines agreed to pay for medical expenses - but only if Sinclair signed a non-disclosure agreement. Sinclair has decided to make her plea public with a Facebook campaign. United Airlines said they didn't pay up because Sinclair unfortunately “declined to accept the terms of the agreement.”

Best Dog Tricks On The Planet

Babette Haggerty has trained Jack Nicklaus' Golden Retriever to bark the number of his major tournament wins on command, Curt Gowdy's Rottweiler to say, “Go Reds,” and Jimmy Buffett's Maltese to dance on cue to “Margaritaville.” Now she's sharing her best on Animal Radio®

There's An App For That

Steve Pelletier is a techie, a dog lover, and a fitness fanatic. Once an Economist at the Reagan White House, he's now focusing his attention on the pet obesity problem in the U.S. He's invented a smartphone app that can help your dog stay in shape.

Designer Breeds

Darlene Arden busts the myths surround the new Cava-Poo-Chon breed. This toy dog is supposed to look forever young and live to 20. These designer breeds actually are a waste of your hard earned money and can be racked with health issues.

Does My Dog Understand Time?

How much does our dog know? Can they tell time? Alan Kabel schools us on separation anxiety and what is believed to be canine perception of time. When you leave the pack, your dog may think you're never coming back.

Trained Dogs Prevent School Violence

While some say school safety hinges on guns, cameras or alarms in classrooms, Mark Gomer and Kristi Schiller think specially trained dogs should take point in preventing violence in schools. “There is so much these dogs can do, and they're always coming up with new ideas,” said Ted Dahlin, a Texas, constable's deputy who serves on the K9s4COP's board. “If I were going to pick a school to make trouble, it would be one I knew didn't have a dog.”

Contamination Prevalent In Raw Pet Food

Raw pet food tested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration contained salmonella or Listeria bacteria in nearly one-fourth of the samples, the agency reported Wednesday. The purpose of the study was to establish the potential for contamination of these products so that we could consider including them in future sampling assignments for compliance and enforcement purposes.

Man Thinks He Is A Dog

Boomer the dog has a bone to pick with the world. He wants to be accepted for his doggie lifestyle. Born Gary Matthews, the retired technology worker and a self-confessed “nerd” thinks he is a dog. The 48-year-old wears a dog collar, eats dog food from a bowl and loves milk bones and dog cookies. Matthews was featured in a National Geographic special, “Extreme Anthropomorphism: Boomer the Dog.”

Jobs That Bite

Jeremy Brandt has a strange and scary job. One minute he's be doing dental work on a lion, next he'll be tattooing a bear. It's all part of a days work as a Nat Geo WILD television host.

Does Your Cat Have A Smart Phone?

Yes, there's an “app” for that.  Just released, the Human-to-Cat Translator. This intriguing app says it can translate human words into cat language. Speak a word or phrase into your phone, and the app plays back a collection of meows, supposedly translated your English into, well, Catlish. When we tried a translation for “come here,” our cat tester showed a little curiosity but not enough to actually get off the couch. Of course, even if the app accurately does work, there's a good chance your cat will ignore you, anyway.

St. Francis of Bloomberg

Ex-Mayor Bloomberg's daughter makes a pretty decent living riding horses. Georgina Bloomberg continually wins big stakes in riding competitions. But now she's taking time off to have a baby with her boyfriend. She has more info on the big Tinsel & Tails event this December.

Medicines Safe For Humans May Not Be Safe For Pets

When people feel pain, they often reach for common medicines such as aspirin or Motrin. But NSAID use in pets carries risks as well as benefits. Pet owners  need to be informed about possible side effects, including those that could signal danger.

Ahhh, The Holidaze Are Here.

Time for endure another year with drunk old Uncle Ned. This year Vinnie Penn defends the right of the family dog to have a sock hanging from the fireplace mantle. This doesn't end well.

Straight from the Shark Tank

Abe Geary pitched his pet-related idea to the sharks on ABC's Shark Tank. He ended up turning down an offer that required too much equity. Now he's on Animal Radio® to share his Pet Paint with listeners. Abe tells us what it was like for him on the prime-time blockbuster show. His mere appearance on the TV show has driven sales.

The Prince Returns

Prince Lorenzo Borghese is back. This time we clear up any confusion about being related to Napoleon. Since being on the TV reality show The Bachelor, almost a decade ago, he's been actively involved with his high-end boutique pet line, and he's been advocating for our furry-friends.

Dangerous Dog Registry

Orange County California officials are proposing a website, similar to the Sexual Offender Registry for humans, except for Dangerous Dogs. Proponents say there are approximately 150 dogs in the city that have either maimed or killed people. A Database would let neighbors know if there is a dangerous dog living in their area.

Cowboy Poet Veterinarian

Perhaps you've already had a chance to hear Baxter Black on NPR or The Tonight Show. A former veterinarian turned poet, entertainer and philosopher - you will be thoroughly entertained by this odd character and his Thanksgiving Turkey tribute.

Mints for Fido?

Vinnie Penn has already started his Christmas shopping. While in line at Petco, he saw “Doggie Mints” as an impulse purchase item. Which led him to thinking, why? Who is the person that is feeding their dog mints for their breath? Aren't they supposed to have bad breath?

Every Dog Deserves A Second Chance

Bestselling author Jon Katz is back on Animal Radio®. A few years ago he was on top of the world. Then came the end of his 35-year marriage and he went broke. He needed a second chance. Along came Frieda, a Rottweiler-shepherd mix that also needed a second chance. Jon says “I had no idea that Frieda would enter my life and alter it in the most profound way, but that's one of the beautiful things about animals. They change you, and you almost never see it coming.”

Pot Plant Pesticides Killing Animals

Half-a-million marijuana plants have been recovered on US Forest Service land so far this year. It's a form of trespassing on National Parks that's abusing the land as farmland. However, it's not what they're growing but how they're growing it, that's killing wildlife, tainting water supplies and endangering hikers. NBC affiliate Elyce Kirchner reports.

Tinsel and Tails

Celebrity Photographer Mike Ruiz is here to talk about the Celebrity Catwalk event and what some well-known “A-list” celebs are doing to help companion animals nationwide.

Suffering in Silence

Often when an animal is sick it goes un-noticed. Some believe that's because they can't show weakness in the wild. Animal Radio® Veterinary Correspondent Dr. Marty Becker will tell you what signs to look for that indicate your furr-kid is sick.

FDA To Regulate Pet Food

The Food and Drug Administration proposed rules that would govern the production of pet food and farm animal feed for the first time. The proposal comes six years after the biggest pet food recall in history, when a Chinese producer contaminated dog and cat food with melamine, a compound used in plastics, causing the deaths of animals across the United States.

This Dog Knows A Thousand Words

You may have heard about Chaser, the Border Collie that not only knows 1000 words but can understand sentences. John Pilley got Chaser when he was 72, and has chronicled this amazing story. Your dog may be just as brilliant!

Jerky Treats Death Toll Nears 600

Meat or plant-based “jerky” pet treats have been tied to mysterious illnesses in thousands of dogs, according to the FDA. Bernadette Dunham, director of the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine, said “This is one of the most elusive and mysterious outbreaks we've encountered.”

Unlikely Loves

Jennifer Holland has release another book highlighting strange and unusual animal relationships. You'll hear about the unique pairing of an Elephant and a Sea Lion. But that's not the weirdest. You'll have to listen to believe it.

Jet Set Vets

Dr. Cindy Bressler has a unique job. She's a vet for the other side of the tracks. This entrepreneur started the country's only private-jet, ride-along-vet, concierge pet service. For a small fortune, between $1,200 and $15,000 an hour, she and her team wild administer IVs and drips and handle any other medical issues.

…and the Animal Radio® Dream Team will be answering listeners questions about their pets.

Does This Collar Make My Butt Look Big?

The very amusing Dena Harris joins us as she parodies all the self-help diet books with tips to reduce the fat in your cat. You'll hear purr-actical tips like, eat whatever you want, just throw it up at 3am right in the middle of the bedroom floor.

What The Dog Knows

Cat Warren trains cadaver dogs to look for dead bodies. How does she do it? And just how good is your dog's nose? So good they can sniff a corpse at the bottom of a lake for 100 years. Would "Ladybug" the Animal Radio® Stunt Dog be good as a cadaver dog? She likes rolling in dead stuff.

We Hear It All

Most of our listener questions are about dogs, cat, fish, birds and an occasional iguana. This week we're helping a listener with reindeer. Not just any reindeer. Could this be Mrs. Claus calling?

Anal Glands

It's all fun and games until someone gets squirted in the eye. Dogfather Joey Villani suggests you go to your veterinarian if your dog's glands need to be expressed. But just in case you want to do it on your own, he'll tell you what you need to know first.

Smelly Cat, It's Not Your Fault

It's not just a Friends song, it's a real problem that can be solved using stuff you probably already have in your pantry. We'll have the reasons and the cures for your smelly cat.

Pet Insurance Now Offers Hereditary and Congenital Coverage

Cats and dogs in nearly 30 states are now eligible for full hereditary and congenital coverage from several insurance carriers. Hereditary and congenital coverage is a relative newcomer to the insurance field.

Wine For Cats

Wine drinkers in Japan can now share a glass with their feline friends. B&H Lifes is releasing a wine for cats. While the wine doesn't actually contain any alcohol, it is made from Cabernet grapes. It is also blended with vitamin C and catnip for a mixture that supposedly tastes similar to red wine.

Air Hollywood

Actress and animal advocate Megan Blake is teaching dogs to fly on airplanes using a Hollywood studio set and aircraft simulator. For $300 you can desensitize your pup from all the noise and vibrations that happen on a real plane.

One Cool Black Cat

As Halloween approaches, we're examining all the strange superstitions from Black Cats to Fat Rats. Self-proclaimed expert Kim Campbell Thornton shares the stories behind the myths and legends.

Condoms For Cats & Dogs

A new website is supposedly offering an unusual way to control the pet population - condoms for cats and dogs. PetCondoms.org claims to offer a special brand of protection dubbed Animal Instincts. But anyone trying to purchase a pack of the condoms will quickly realize they're out of luck. As soon as they click on one of the links, a message pops up telling potential customers: "C'mon, there's only one real fix, spay or neuter your pet."

Skunk Haven

An Ohio woman is trying to prove that skunks aren't the "smelly little creatures" people may think they are. Deborah Cipriani has converted her home into the country's only rescue center for domestic skunks. She has 50 skunks that have free reign of her five-bedroom house - dubbed Skunk Haven - and some of them even sleep in her bed. She also hosts an annual animal lovers event known as Skunk Fest.

Cat Competes For National Pet Insurance Award

A Northern California family cat is in the running for a national pet insurance award. After racking up a $1,200 vet bill being squashed in a garage door incident, Ariel, the Carter family cat, is now in the running for the "Most Unusual Claim of the Year."

Date Me, Date My Dog

70% of female respondents would marry their dog according to comedian Leigh Anne Jasheway. Leigh Anne barks up all the major problem issues single women with dogs face when trying to mate and relate with a human male - and how to successfully have sex in front of the dog without causing dogus-interruptus.

More Ha Ha

What's better than one animal loving comedian? Two of course. Joey Camen and his multiple personalities visit with Animal Radio®. He shares an exciting, tail wagging story about the relationship he had with Snoopy, his shelter dog.

Mice Sing To Protect Themselves

We all know that birds sing, but did you know mice do as well? And the songs vary, so mice that live in the jungle of the Amazon may sound one way. Mice in Detroit have also been studied and they sound another way. I'm not sure how mice in LA might sound.

Cat Uses The Toilet

A cat-lover has amazed animal experts by teaching his furr-ball "Salem" to use a human toilet. 29-year-old Luke Evans became fed-up with the puss using a smelly litter tray in his second floor flat. So he trained nine-month-old cat to go to the toilet in his bathroom by offering cheese-flavored treats as a reward.

Where Is Your Hard Earned Money Going?

Vinnie Penn takes a look at the Watchdog Report. It details exactly how much money animal related non-profits make and how they spend it. Once you hear the truth, you may think twice before making a donation to your favorite charity.

Feline Joins Space Program

Animals have long blazed trails for human space explorers. Now comes word that a feline from Iran will be the latest to join this storied group of travelers. A senior space program official for the Iranian government, announced that the country plans to send a cat to space. This comes on the heels of Iran's unconfirmed attempt to send a monkey earlier this year.

Cheap Guy Finishes First

Joey Villani has been grooming dogs since he was a toddler (FDR was president…we think). He's sharing more secrets to grooming your pet with stuff you have around your house….like Downy fabric softener, Gold Bond medicated powder, Vinegar, Bounce dryer sheets and corn starch.