Steve Dale's Pet World

Lead sales enthusiast at Canopy Chicago Sarah Becker talks about how this dog friendly property, 226 W. Jackson Blvd.

Wayne Read, CEO/President Forged & Formed, Inc. explains unique jewelry artisan keepsakes and customizable pet pieces which are available to honor or to celebrate your current four-legged family or dogs and cats who were once in your life, and to do so in everything from stainless to gold. He also says there’s even a way to celebrate your pets’ nose.

Loretta Swit says she loved being Hotlips Houlihan on M*A*S*H, but has always loved advocating for pets. Her latest celebration is a book showing off Swit’s watercolor works, called SwitHeart: The Watercolour Artistry & Animal Activism of Loretta Swit. She relates many stories, including how she supports Guide dogs in Israel, dog who do animal assisted activities and says “I hope to be the person my dog thinks I am.”

Celebrating Memorial Day week with Chris Willingham, president of U.S. War Dogs Association. This amazing non-profit sends care packages to currently working military dogs (MWD) but there’s a special focus on retired MWD, who ultimately do require veterinary care which they support. Also discussed is a history of MWD, and what the canine soldiers do, and the incalculable number of lives saved by these heroic dogs. In fact, Willingham says his own life was saved by his canine partner.

K9’s for Warriors CEO Carl Cricco describes what this incredible non-profit does to save lives on both ends of the leash. They take dogs, typically destined for euthanasia, train the dogs and match dogs with veterans who have returned with PTSD.  For example, without a dog about 20 veterans will take their own lives daily, and with a dog that number levels to about the same as the general population.

Steve also talks about an amazing medication just approved for arthritis with osteodogs, called Liberla.

Michael Puck, founder K9 Photo and Global Art Dog Gallery explains that we know dogs are healthful. For example, in hospital, patients do better when dog therapy appears. However, that’s not always possible so the next best thing is dog art, even in an office setting to alleviate stress at work. 

President Animal Wellness Action and Center for Humane Economy Wayne Pacelle explains  why we need to update dogfighting and cockfighting laws into what’s called the FIGHT act (HB 2742 and a soon to come senate bill).  We also discuss pet store sales of dogs and cats and puppy mills and what Illinois’ own Senator Dick Durbin hopes to do.

A new job for dogs, turtle-seeking dogs.

There’s nothing Dr. Natalie Marks would rather talk about – it’s leptospirosis. And why Chicago, named ‘the rattiest city,’ is so prevalent with this disease. Lepto can make dogs very ill or even be fatal, and potentially be spread to people – yet it’s also preventable.

Registered veterinary technician specialist in behavior is Tabitha Kucera offers tips on what to do when a kitten (or adult cat) happens into your life, including offering a safe room, litter box tips and why training (can cats be trained?) is so important. And what consent means.

Chicago tried to ban pit bulls but Steve led a task force to prevent that, and now Miami Dade County is about to rescind their pit bull ban.

The 29th Annual Bark in the Park is around the corner benefiting Chicago’s oldest animal shelter. A discussion with Tracy Elliott, president of the Anti Cruelty Society of Chicago Bark in the Park is Saturday, May 20 at Soldier Field at The Stadium Green (8 a.m. to 1 p.m.). One option is a 2-mile walk along the Lakefront, or hang out at the pup pawty. Elliott also discusses many of the Anti-Cruelty programs (which proceeds benefit) and the real state of homeless animals in the Chicago area.

Debbie Martin, licensed veterinary technician, on where to get dogs and perhaps not where to get dogs.

Miami Dade County is about the rescind their pit bull ban, which we call ‘Chicago Dogs.’

Dr. Kelly St. Denis is a past president of the American Association of Feline Practitioners. We discuss why declaw has negative consequence in nearly all cats, instead living with clawed cats is the way to go. And Dr. St. Denis explains how to encourage cats to scratch in all the right places. And she explains what Cat Friendly veterinary practices are. In Illinois there’s a bill which will ban declaw.

A deep dive in cardiac disease in dogs and cats with veterinary cardiologist Dr. Brian Scansen, associate Professor of Cardiology, Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Discussed is heart disease in dogs and cats, two very different things. What to watch for? Also discussed are possible treatments. And there’s the Ricky Fund of the EveryCat Health Foundation, which Steve founded to support studying heart disease in cats.

Jack Daniels vs a dog toy Bad Spaniels goes to the Supreme Court

A special celebration of therapy dogs and the human animal bond kicking it off with Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller (6th district) proclaims April 30 Pet Partners National Therapy Animal Day in Cook County. Annie Peters, president/CEO of Pet Partners discusses National Therapy Animal Day and who what Pet Partners does changes and even saves lives.

Steve Dale’s Pet World honored to make the announcement, the winner of the Pet of the Year, named Rye Guy.

Johanna Siegmann, author of In Good Company (Notable People and their Pets). She notes these are not your typical pet portraits, they are relationship portraits of love. Proceeds benefit the APEX Protection Project.

Rabbit joins the police force, a bunny with a badge.

Dealing with pets who have allergies: This is the time of year when seasonal allergies, so common in people, also begin to happen in dogs. You might be surprised at the most common allergies among dogs, as explained by Dr. Adam Christman, Chief Medical Officer DVM360.

A fascinating conversation with veterinary behaviorist Dr. Leanne Lilly of the Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center, as she notes there are more variables among individuals than between breeds. Dr. Lilly explains how characteristics in dogs occur. While breed may certainly make a difference, other impacts include socialization and the individual genetics of the dog, also even before-birth diet and the amount of stress the mom is under before she gives birth.

Humans aren’t the only species that swear.

Operations Manager at Chicago Animal Care and Control Angela Rayburn, and Founder of Friends of Chicago Animal Care and Control Charlie Propsom talk about how an abused dog named Sweetie was recently saved. Rayburn talks about prosecuting the abuser to the full extent of the law, and Propsom explains what the After Hours Veterinary Crisis Care Program is all about and how you can help.

Dr. Lori Teller, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association kicks off National Dog Bite Prevention Week and agrees that nearly all bites can be prevented. So, what are we missing?  Maybe there’s something else that can be done that we’re not doing, and that’s to ask not only the dog’s handler “Can I pet your dog?” Let’s also ask the dog.

For the first time in 31 years, there’s a new number one dog in America.

Jackie Ott Jaakola, executive director of 55-year old non-profit EveryCat Health Foundation. She explains how this organization has had it’s paw in pretty much everything we know about cat health, most recently changing feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) from fatal to treatable. Also, about how EveryCat Health and especially a legendary researcher Dr. Niels Pedersen made it possible for the U.S. government to consider Remdesivir to treat COVID-19, contributing to saving countless human lives around the globe.

Boarded veterinary dentist Dr. Jan Bellows explains there are alternatives to brushing your pet’s teeth. And in cats, there’s a new and cutting-edge genetic test from Basepaws to predict and potentially protect against all sorts of dental problems, called Oral Microbiome testing.

Dr. Renee Schmid is manager of professional services and senior veterinary toxicologist at Pet Poison Helpline.  Discussed are sometimes surprising hazards for pet birds, from Teflon toxicity to avoiding Guacamole.

Former National Football League star Rob Gronkowski at the Western Veterinary Conference celebrating his dog Ralphie and awareness for a new Valley Fever vaccine with Anivive Animal Health. “I’m all in for my dog,” he says.  And he talks about working on the movie 80 for Brady.