Over 60% of US households have a pet, most of the time a dog. We talk to our dogs, spend money on our dogs and genuinely love our dogs. But why? What is the source of this binding? Just why do we heal better and live longer when we are around animals (specially dogs)? Our expert guest helps us unravel and explore the complex fiber of the human animal bond. If you have ever loved a dog, you owe it to yourself to listen!

To be a black dog is to have two strikes against you at birth. They are maligned culturally and end up paying with their lives. There is even a name for their fate "Black Dog Syndrome". On the Radio Hour, shelter managers speak of how hard it is to get these dogs adopted and intellectuals talk about our built in bias towards the color black. Hear an informative discussion that goes beyond dogs, questioning this deep and unfounded human bias.

Breed bans have been around for decades. These days the Pit Bulls are in the crosshairs of the legislative activists. In many places such as Denver, CO if you have a Pit Bull, the police will take him/her away and kill it. A cause is not necessary. Scientist, legal scholars and our group take on this controversial topic with surprising results.

The No Kill Movement begun as a quiet revolution of the kind hearted. They repudiated the formulas for pet control that had been modus operandi for well over a century. These people had the audacity to suggest a new paradigm; a paradigm of life, hope and destiny. This week, listen to the words of this noble movement and make up your own minds.

US shelters report how many dogs they take in, how many they adopt and how many end up dead right? Seems obvious to everyone but the powers at be! Shelters report ONLY WHAT THEY CHOOSE TO REPORT and there is nothing anyone can do about it. Hear all about it on this weeks show!

Dr. Dorey and Best Friends co-founder Francis Battista join us for a lively debate on canine intelligence. The different forms of intalligence are reviewed and their applicability to animals is discussed. Societal concerns about how much humans really want to know about the intelligence and comprehension of animals is also looked at.

Veterinarians and cafe owners all chime in on this subject close to the hearts of so many pet owners. Health, dog to dog fighting, sanitation, all the angles are covered and some of the findings will indeed be a surprise to many of you. Join us for a thoughtful and fun filled hour!

Experts from both sides of this emotional issue join Alex and Brenda in an hour of thought provoking discussion. Both sides give examples of the successes and failures of such laws and their impact on our pet loving society.

Matt and Kerry of Pets Alive and NY Assemblyman Micah Kellner join Alex and Brenda in a thought provoking analysis of Oreo's Law. The idea that a dog is better off dead rather than be in the hands of a rescue is discussed and explored by the panel.