Head of Development and Community Engagement at Orphans of the Storm in Riverwoods, Sandy De Lisle, talks a special upcoming tribute to dog loving, fallen Chicago Police Officer Ella French; and shares an update and truth about the animal sheltering situation on the North Shore and all about her award-winning film You’re Out, co-starring a pit bull looking dog.

In Chicago, and working on dog bite prevention initiative, Nahid Shirzadkhan and what she is doing with the Center for Canine Behavior Studies including an app for kids and other resources which will make a difference.

October is National Pet Obesity Awareness month.

Dreams can come true, as David Kerpel explains why he’s creating the Furever Home Dog Sanctuary. You can hear the enthusiasm, passion and determination to get this accomplished in his voice. The Sanctuary will be at 10720 Zarnstorff Rd., Richmond, IL. He explains what the mission will be (bottom line, to save dog lives). Furever Home is holding a spooky HOWL-O-WEEN benefit Oct. 18 and 19. Learn more about supporting this amazing effort, and simultaneously having fun.

Registered veterinary technician Mary Berg is a specialist in dentistry. She explains why regular dental care impacts the overall health of your pet. So, should you brush your pets’ teeth? And if you don’t, now what?  And what products may be pure marketing, as opposed to those which are proven to really do what they say?

Elephants actually have names for one another.

Lisa Lunghofer is the Executive Director of the non-profit Grey Muzzle Organization, the largest national nonprofit organization focused only on the well-being of senior dogs. Most dogs in shelters are seniors and most dogs who don’t make it out of shelters are seniors. She explains what the organization is doing to prevent those dogs from landing in shelters and getting those in shelters into homes. Also, she notes that Dr. Mary Gardner, Co-founder of Lap of Love, and Dr. Natalie Marks are climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise money for senior pets.  Consider supporting Two Vets Go Over the Hill for Pets That Are Over the Hill.

Friends of Chicago Animal Care and Control is the non-profit part of Chicago Animal Care and Control. Charlie Propsom, who is the founder of Friends, explains why Friends is so essential and the difference this organization makes daily to save lives. The most important benefit, called Big Night is October 17, 6 to 8 p.m. at Room 1520, 1520 W. Fulton St. Learn more here.

 Harmful algal blooms are more frequent

Paul Owens is the original dog whisperer. He explains how the moniker was “permanently borrowed” by Cesar Millan. In his latest book is Training for the Joy of Dogs: 50 Lessons Learned, Owens describes the advantages of positive reinforcement training compared punishment based training, which was about the only choice when he began training 50 years ago. He talks about what is sometime a spontaneous connection between dogs and children, and why that’s often true. He says his great Aunt was right, don’t bother dogs when they’re eating and let sleeping dogs lie. Capturing – Luring- Cueing – Shaping is Owens’ model, which he explains.

Pet products and veterinary services inflation exceeds other overall inflation numbers.

Certified Cat Behavior Training Specialists Rita Reimers and Linda Hall aren’t only the Cat Behavior Alliance, they both with the late Richard Simmons. They talk about what the exercise guru was really like. Rita was also a pet sitter/dog walker for Richard. They also explain the Cat Behavior Alliance is an educational tool, and an outlet to help cat parents who have “cats with issues.”

Dr. Anthony Fauci, author On Call: A Doctor’s Journey in Public Health has been asked everything – but never before about how cats have provided a clue to a drug which has treated thousands with COVID-19 around the world. Dr. Fauci rarely comments on veterinary medicine or cats but he does here.  Hear the entire full length interview from Steve Dale’s Other Word, WGN here.   

Dr. Mikel Delgado on tips for playing with cats; she is author of Play with Your Cat: The Essential Guide to Interactive Play for a Happier, Healthier Feline

Purina has launched pet power of dogs to create renewable electricity.

Darlene Duggan, newly installed President of Anti Cruelty, explains there’s an animal welfare desert on the South and Southwest side of Chicago, and the non-profit is in the process of doing something about it. Chicago’s shelters are filled or near filled, and she explains why. The big Pour Your Heart Out event is September 26, 6–10 p.m. at Sarabande Chicago, 2726 W. Roscoe St.

Safe Humane Chicago, one of Chicago’s pinnacle non-profits, and Cynthia Bathurst is the co-founder. She explains what this organization does to promote animal welfare. An astounding 1,400 so-called court-case dogs have been saved by changing laws. Now other cities are following the model. Diamonds in the Ruff is September 12 at Castaways Beach, 1603 N. Lake Shore Dr.

In South Korea, there are more pet strollers than baby strollers, and now in the U.S. we’re moving in that direction.

Reptile ownership is scaling upwards, which all began during the pandemic. Rich Crowley, treasurer and past president of the Chicago Hepatological Society, which helps to rescue reptiles and amphibians, offers ideas for people who are seeking a first-time reptile. He also describes that sometimes the animal may be less expensive than the enclosure and additional equipment required – so know what you’re getting into, it’s a matter of life and death to understand their needs.

Annie Peters, CEO of Pet Partners talks about therapy animals, taking pets into hospitals, nursing homes, schools, libraries and other facilities. Unlike just a few decades ago, today there is more need for therapy animals than there are available animals. And, she says, there’s a special need for therapy cats. She also talks about the science describing the benefits of the therapy animal visits both for the human client and the animal.

New pet population data.

Chicago recently lost a great advocate for cats, Ann Dieter, Board Chair at Harmony House for Cats. Jennifer Zameic, shelter manager discusses this all-cat shelter in Avondale, and what makes this facility unique. Also, how to pick the right cat for you. And there’s a benefit pub crawl for kitties, September 28;  learn more here.

Kim Theobald owner of Bosly’s Backyard – a unique indoor playground for dogs, particularly geared for dogs who may be reactive and not great candidates for dog parks or day care. Also, for senior dogs. Or renting out the Ravenswood space for special events, from bark-mitzah’s to a quinceañera.  There are also nose work and other classes.

Senior veterinary toxicologist at the Pet Poison Helpline, Dr. Renee Smid on common pet toxins. 

While cats are social, they are often “picky” about their feline roomies, which makes the newly published and free American Association of Feline Practitioners, 2024 AAFP Intercat Tension Guidelines: Recognition, Prevention, and Management so useful.

It was Hall of Fame third baseman and WGN Radio broadcaster Ron Santo’s dream to one day help children suffering from diabetes. And that is exactly what the Ron and Vicki Santo Diabetic Alert Dog Foundation does. Scott Parker explains what having one of these dogs has done to support his daughter and his family. So impressed – he’s hosting a fundraiser,  called CabCab (Cabernet Cabaret) for a Cause Concert. August 10 at the Aranmore Farm and Polo Club,  34 Rance Rd, Oswego, IL.  Get tickets HERE  and you will help more children. 

Dr. Mary Gardner will be climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise funds for the non-profit Grey Muzzle Organization, which provides for older dogs in animal shelters. Consider donating here to support Dr. Gardner and her climbing partner, Dr. Natalie Marks, Two Vets Go Over a Hill for Pets That Are Over the Hill.  

There’s the baby blues, and now the puppy blues.

Jon Provost, who was Timmy on Lassie, is now 74 years old – amazing. He reminisces about his time with the most famous and heroic dog ever. The craziest thing Timmy was ever rescued from on TV was quicksand. And Lassie was there to save the day. Discussed are common misconceptions about Lassie and how Lassie was trained. Provost primarily worked with three Lassie’s in his career.  He also offers Mr. Ed nostalgia. 

These days, Provost has a passion for adopting older dogs. And a new product which, he says, can help with separation anxiety Spray Mix’N Go!I It’s a groundbreaking CBD product for pets.

Dr. Ernie Ward, founder/president Association of Pet Obesity Prevention on the link between spay/neuter and overweight/obese pets.

And a warning about telehealth, while the technology can be super, there are concerns about direct to consumer choices who don’t know you or your pet(s).