Talking Animals

Robert Clark—an award-winning photographer for National Geographic and other major magazines, who’s just published a book, “Feathers: Displays of Brilliant Plumage”—recounts key milestones of his career, including starting to shoot as a young kid, later winding up as a staff photographer at the Philadelphia Inquirer, then leaving that paper to join his Inquirer colleague (and Pulitzer winner) Buzz Bissinger in a project that became a little book called “Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream.” Clark charts his professional path from Odessa, TX (the location of Permian High School, whose football team is at the center of “Friday Night Lights”) to New York City, where he relocated afterwards and began working for National Geographic. Some of those National Geographic assignments—which, he explains, initially tended to have an emphasis on science, paleontology and archeology–spurred his interest in feathers, notably including “Feather Evolution: The Long, Curious, and Extravagant History of Feathers,” written by Carl Zimmer, author of The New York Times’ weekly “Matter” column, and who wrote the preface of Clark’s new book. Clark explains what fascinated him about feathers, how the publisher, ChronicleBooks, proposed the idea for “Feathers,” and how he determined a structure and set of guiding principles for the images included in the book. This veers into enthusing about the work of Charles Darwin, very much including Darwin’s efforts in breeding pigeons as a way to test out his then-developing theory of evolution—and the important role biologist Alfred Russel Wallace played in helping Darwin advance his work, as a long-distance collaborator. Clark touches on other topics, from the likely audience for “Feathers,” to the state of photography in journalism. Photos by Robert Clark. (www.robertclark.com,  www.instagram.com/robertclarkphoto/)

 

ALSO: I spoke briefly with Carole Baskin, founder and CEO of Big Cat Rescue, the Tampa non-profit educational sanctuary that houses abused and abandoned big cats, who offers some observations about the incident days earlier in which a tiger killed his keeper at The Palm Beach Zoo.(http://bigcatrescue.org)

COMEDY CORNER: Paula Poundstone’s “Cats Puff Up” (www.paulapoundstone.com)

MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals

NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: Steve Miller Band’s “Fly Like An Eagle”

AUDIO ARCHIVE:

Listen Online Now: http://www.talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/TAApril20-.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Paula Poundstone—the veteran comedian perhaps best known these days as a regular panelist on NPR’s quiz show “Wait, Wait…Don’t Tell Me”—returns for her third appearance on “Talking Animals,” and we engage in a sprawling conversation that touched on a slew of topics, including ones you would expect (cats and comedy), as well as ones you might not anticipate, like the serious threat she thinks computers and other devices can pose to kids’ brains and development. But given the nature of the show—and, to some extent, the nature of Paula—we began the chat discussing cats, starting with the current population in the Poundstone household: 14. She enthuses about a large, cement-based flat pan she had added to the arsenal of litter boxes, and how it’s largely solved the problem of certain cats urinating outside the conventional boxes. Still, Poundstone wonders aloud why, after 37 years of doing stand-up—the last 20 in the more vaunted venues of theaters—she’s still cleaning litter boxes, much less doing so four times a day? In noting that during our previous “Talking Animals” conversation, in 2012, we spent more than a little time discussing The Poundstone Diner Cam–which was trained on the cats’ food bowl and water, providing a live feed (as it were) to her website—I lament that it’s gone, and ask why. She allows that loved the Diner Cam and misses it, too, but had to remove it tied to teenage her developing a serious electronics addiction, which gives way to expressing the aforementioned concern about computers and other devices with screens for the brains of developing children. Poundstone is very active on social media, particularly Twitter, and addresses what she likes most about tweeting. This became a jumping off point for offering some commentary about the presidential race, including how she and many other observers, comedic and otherwise, were far too slow to recognize that Donald Trump wasn’t an amusing novelty, but a serious threat. She also notes how often Trump’s facial expression resembles that of a goldfish. Recalling our interviews 30 years ago for a major Los Angeles Times profile I wrote on her, in which one theme was Poundstone being deeply estranged from her family, I remind her of a brunch where we were discussing baked goods, and she said “My mom makes great corn bread. It would almost be worth speaking to her,” she addresses, in various ways, what being a mother has meant to her. (www.paulapoundstone.com, www.npr.org/programs/wait-wait-dont-tell-me/archive)

ALSO: I spoke briefly with Stephanie Paquin, the founder of Passion 4 Pits, a St. Petersburg-based rescue that is promoting a Tampa screening of “The Champions”—the documentary examining the pit bulls rescued from Michael Vick’s dog-fighting ring and other issues in the world of pit-bull dogs–showing May 2 at the AMC West Shore. (www.tugg.com/events/94970, www.facebook.com/Passion4PitsRescue, www.passion4pits.com)

COMEDY CORNER: There was no comedy piece today.

MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals

NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: We didn’t play Name That Animal Tune today.

AUDIO ARCHIVE:

Listen Online Now: http://www.talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/TAApril13.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Michele Lazarow—a Hallandale Beach city commissioner and activist who has helped pass numerous laws across Florida preventing pet stories from selling dogs that come from puppy mills—recounts the dreadful experience she had in 2004 after buying her dog, Alfie, from a pet store, which misrepresented where the dog had come from, thereby launching Lazarow on the path of crusader to make such transactions illegal. Florida has more of these laws than any other state, and the credit for this distinction goes to Lazarow, who has helped pass more than 35 of the 44 such ordinances now on the books–and she explains the procedures and considerable challenges involved in pushing those laws through, with input from Karen Ankerstar, who recently (with assistance from Lazarow) passed a county-wide ban on puppy mill dogs being sold at pet stores in Sarasota. Lazarow emphasizes that, despite the criticisms she often draws, the intent of these laws is not to hurt or close these pet store business, pointing out that many shops survive and even flourish without selling dogs. The conversation also describes puppy mills: commercial-breeding operations, mass producing dogs in often-horrific operations, with no concern for the health of the animals yielded at these backwoods enterprises. It’s also noted that there are plenty of breeders who are responsible and reputable, and there’s a sharp distinction between what they do—in particular, selling directly to the public—and puppy mills. Lazarow and Ankerstar outline some of the variations in the laws, explaining that while some allow the pet stores to sell dogs from rescues and shelters, others—for example, the one Ankerstar passed in Sarasota—strictly prohibit the stores from selling any type of dogs. Lazarow acknowledges she works on these laws pretty much full time, and while cautioning that passing them takes tremendous work and tenacity, indicates that she will make herself available to consult with someone interested in pursuing that legislation in their area: [email protected]. (http://michelelazarow.com/hallandale_beach/, www.facebook.com/Sick-Puppies-in-South-Florida-Pet-Stores-926542577442408/?fref=nf, https://m.facebook.com/ShutdownPetlandBradentonFl, www.facebook.com/shutdownpetlandsarasotafl/, www.facebook.com/shutdownpetlandkennesawga)

ALSO: I spoke briefly with Amber Simpson, organizer of the 6th Annual Tampa Vegan Bake Sale, taking place April 16 at Mojo Books and Records—the proceeds of while will help care for homeless and feral cats, and more. (www.facebook.com/AnimalAdvocacyTB/, http://tampaveganbakesale.blogspot.com)

 

COMEDY CORNER: Aziz Ansari’s “Lady With The Puppies” (portion) (http://azizansari.com)

MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals

NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: The Rolling Stones’ “Beast of Burden”

AUDIO ARCHIVE:

Listen Online Now: http://www.talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/TAApril6-.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Susan Weber—founder of Dalmatian Rescue of Tampa Bay (DRTB)—addresses, in the wake of playing “Cruella DeVille,” the diminishing influence of the film “101 Dalmatians” on the Dalmatian world, including the much smaller number of pure-bred Dals these days. Speaking by phone from her Tucson home (while her DRTB colleagues Pat Hose, Tony Wyatt and Mary Ellen Woska joined me in studio, as did two Dalmatians seeking homes, Chip and Snoopy), Weber recalls getting severely hooked on Dalmatians many years ago, which at one point meant she and her then-husband were living with 30 of them! So, informally, she was pursuing rescue, fostering and adoption of Dals for some time, before making things official by launching Dalmatian Rescue of Tampa Bay in 2003. Even in the beginning, Weber explains, two important aspects of DRTB were plucking Dalmatians from shelters that were facing euthanasia and finding foster homes for Dals that entered the picture through any number of means—both things remain high priorities, including traveling into other states to liberate Dalmatians on death row. Tony Wyatt relates his history of adopting Dals from Weber well before she founded DRTB, and how for the better part of 30 years, he’s tended to adopt deaf Dalmatians. Pat Hose and Mary Ellen Woska describe the two Dalmatians in the studio, Chip and Snoopy (who’d been pulled from Orange County Animal Service only the day before). Woska, who’s currently fostering Chip and has fostered upwards of 20 Dals over the last four years, speaks to the virtues of fostering—and its importance for gleaning the traits of a given dog when making a match for its adoptive, forever home. Noting they’re making a concerted effort right now to generate new foster homes, Weber, Hose, Wyatt and Woska each cite the characteristics of Dalmatians they love the most. (www.dalrescuetampabay.org)

 

ALSO: I spoke briefly with Detective Roxanne Hunt, of the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, who explained the organization and its mission, then descried its  Bark In The Park in Pinellas Park fundraiser, which has been postponed and will now take place April 23. (http://pinellasparkcpaaa.org)

 

COMEDY CORNER: Sean Donnelly’s “I Love My Building” (http://seandonnellycomedy.com)

MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” The Replacements’ version of “Cruella DeVille,” instrumentals

NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: Bill Lee’s “Cruella De Vil”

AUDIO ARCHIVE:

Listen Online Now: http://www.talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/TAMarch30-.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Helena Kriel—founder of Baby Rhino Rescue, which seeks to raise awareness of the rhino poaching crisis, and raise money for the care of baby rhinos who’ve become orphaned through that poaching—recalls her formative years in South Africa, growing up with a strong affinity for animals. Still, as she reached adulthood, she explains, working with animals or in animal welfare wasn’t something she seriously considered—Kriel launched a career as a playwright and television writer in South Africa, then relocated to Hollywood, where she began working as a screenwriter. Kriel explains how her involvement with rhinos began, accompanying her sister on an outing to volunteer at an animal facility, Care For Wild Africa, located near Kruger National Park (one of Africa’s largest game reserves). But there were scant details provided beforehand about the duties they would perform, or the animals involved. So they were delighted, upon their arrival, to learn they’d be helping with rhinos, and within an hour, Kriel recalls, she was bottle feeding milk to a baby rhino. She also recounts duties entrusted to her as she became a more experienced volunteer, notably including looking after traumatized baby rhinos who were orphaned in the wake of poachers killing their mothers, often in savage attacks to remove the coveted horn. It’s not uncommon for the babies to witness their mother’s killing, Kriel points out, and—in a horrific irony I’ll long be haunted by—the baby rhinos, as highly emotional animals, tend to seek solace during these episodes in their immediate proximity…which can mean they’re trying to be comforted by the poacher! She describes the carefully-designed treatment for these traumatized orphans, and the resources required for that treatment, including volunteers like herself staying with the babies around the clock for the first few days after they arrive. Kriel addresses some of the factors driving the poaching crisis, including specifics of the current black market value of rhino horn. (www.babyrhinorescue.org)

ALSO: I spoke briefly with Sherry Silk, chief executive office of the Humane Society of Tampa Bay (HSTB), who described HSTB’s then-impending Bark In The Park fundraiser—the 29th year of the event. (http://humanesocietytampa.org)

COMEDY CORNER: Kyle Kinane’s “Cat Sneeze” (http://kylekinane.com)

MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” Emerson, Lake & Palmer’s “Tarkus” (snippet…R.I.P., Keith Emerson), instrumentals

 NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: Adrian Belew’s “The Lone Rhinoceros”

AUDIO ARCHIVE:

Listen Online Now: http://www.talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/TAMarch16-.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Darcy Dennett—the director of “The Champions,” a documentary chiefly about the pit bulls rescued from Michael Vick’s dog-fighting ring—outlines her professional experience that served as a prelude to this, her feature film debut. She explains the passion that propelled her through making “The Champions,” partly born of similar work—and attachments formed with some of the same dogs—as series producer of National Geographic’s “Dogtown” and director of a special about the so-called Vick dogs. Dennett addresses how she decided on the dogs tracked more closely in the film—Little Red, Jonny, Cherry, Handsome Dan, and Mel—and discusses the progress they’ve made, from Jonny becoming a therapy dog to Handsome Dan remaining fearful enough that he is still unable to take walks. Noting that “The Champions” widens out to explore other topics within the realm of pit-bull dogs—and the long string of anti-pit bull emails pouring into the studio during this interview—Dennett reiterates some of the myths and misconceptions surrounding the animals addressed in the film, and the bias against the dogs, particularly the breed discrimination legislation that prevents people with pit bull dogs from living in certain areas. A segment in the movie on pro baseball player Mark Buehrle and his family, including their pit Slater, was poignant, profiling his being traded to the Miami Marlins—Miami-Dade being a county with a pit bull ban—then, improbably, being traded to Toronto, located in a province that has a pit bull ban…and the striking way they chose to deal with this–and maintain their commitment to Slater–as a family. Dennett observes that much of the negative sentiment about pit bull dogs, and flawed statistics about bites and attacks, can be traced back to reporting—misreporting, really—by the media. (www.championsdocumentary.com, www.darcydennett.com/darcydennett/Home.html)

ALSO: I spoke briefly with Arin Greenwood–who formerly worked as an attorney, more recently was the animal welfare editor for The Huffington Post and now is a consultant at Barkbox—about an op-ed piece she wrote for Barkpost about the animal shelter PETA operates, and the dramatically high percentage of animals that end up euthanized there, and the correspondingly- low numbers of adoptions that happen there. (http://barkpost.com, https://barkbox.com)

COMEDY CORNER: Dave Attell’s “Animals” (http://daveattell.com)

MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals

 NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: Robin Trower’s “Day Of The Eagle”

AUDIO ARCHIVE:

Listen Online Now: http://www.talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/TAMarch9.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Laura T. Coffey—the author of “MY OLD DOG: Rescued Pets with Remarkable Second Acts,” which touts the virtues of adopting senior shelter dogs—recounts going to school (including college) in the Tampa Bay area and her extended stints at what’s now The Tampa Bay Times as part of the career path that lead to her current job as a writer, editor and producer for the website of the “Today” show, Today.com. She explains how she teamed on the book with photographer Lori Fusaro, whose gorgeous photos punctuate the vignettes Coffey has written, spotlighting elderly dogs that have extraordinary stories and/or their humans who themselves often have extraordinary stories. Coffey elaborates on some of those stories, including that of David Rosenfelt and his wife Debbie Myers, who live with 21 older dogs (and that number has been as high as 42!), and actor George Clooney, who was so nervous about the initial visit going well with his potential adoptee, a cocker spaniel named Einstein, that he rubbed turkey meat balls on his shoes. Although there is an array of dogs covered in “MY OLD DOG” across such sections as “Finding The Good Life,” “Healing,” “Helping,” “Retiring With Purpose,” Coffey addresses the link between these canines, and observes there’s now an adopt-a-senior-dog movement, not just in the U.S., but internationally. Coffey touches on Neko Case, who wrote the book’s forward, and Dr. Marty Becker & his daughter Mikkel Becker, who wrote the afterwords. (www.lauratcoffey.com, www.myolddogbook.com/?team=rescued-pets-with-remarkable-second-acts)

ALSO: I was slated to speak briefly with RaeAnna Saks, founder of The Little Cats Rescue, but she was having phone troubles, and couldn’t be reached for the interview. In her absence I summarized what we likely would have discussed: That Saks is contending with some medical challenges that require her to temporarily alter the way the organization operates—including needing to find homes for about 30 of the cats who live there. But for those unable to adopt one or more of these cats, there are other ways to help, such as volunteering or donating. (http://thelittlecatsrescue.blogspot.com)

COMEDY CORNER: Greg Fitzsimmons’ “Adopting A Dog” (www.gregfitzsimmons.com)

MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” Neko Case’s “I Want A Dog,” instrumentals

 NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: Norma Tanega’s “Walkin’ My Cat Named Dog”

AUDIO ARCHIVE:

Listen Online Now: http://www.talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/TAMarch2-.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Anita Krajnc—the animal rights activist who co-founded Toronto Pig Save (spawning The Save Movement)—discusses her arrest for giving water to a truckload of thirsty pigs on a sweltering day last summer, as the truck was pulling into a Burlington slaughterhouse. But, in this wide-ranging conversation, we cover a number of other topics, including Krajnc’s formative years, her education (she holds a PhD), the circumstances that prompted her to help launch Toronto Pig Save, and more. Krajnc recounts a childhood growing up in a household with no animals, but as an adult, adopted a dog for her mother. That dog, Mr. Bean, who punctuated part of the interview with some emphatic barks (wholly appropriate on a show called “Talking Animals”), played a pivotal role in the birth of Toronto Pig Save, Krajnc explained, because her morning walks with Mr. Bean took her past a nearby slaughterhouse. That slaughterhouse has since gone out of business, but the trucks full of pigs that regularly drove past her and Mr. Bean on those walks—and the looks on the faces of those pigs–compelled her to act. Krajnc also traces her academic path, which culminated in a PhD in political science, with her dissertation dealing with how learning takes place in social movements. On a related note, she describes the Toronto Pig Save thrice-weekly vigils outside slaughterhouses: first at the nearby one that closed, then at Fearman’s Pork Inc. slaughterhouse, in an area just outside Toronto called Burlington, the largest pig slaughterhouse in Ontario—where they would bear witness to those arriving truckloads of pigs, offering words of comfort and in the hot summer weather, offering them water. She re-creates the scene of her arrest last June 22 for giving water to thirsty pigs, as she’d done many times before and many times since. There have been hearings about her case, and another is set for March, while the actual trial is currently scheduled for August; she is represented, pro bono, by two vegan attorneys. Krajnc sounds philosophical about the outcome of the trial, and just generally, she projects a singular grace—she reads Tolstoy every day, noting that much of Tolstoy’s writing and social activism has shaped the Toronto Pig Save ideology, which exudes kindness, love, being nonjudgmental, and emphasizes compassion. Compassion is not a crime, indeed. (www.torontopigsave.org, www.facebook.com/CompassionIsNotACrime/,  http://thesavemovement.org)

COMEDY CORNER: Louis CK’s “Lions” (https://louisck.net)

MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” Ahmad Jamal Trio’s “Dolphin Dance,” instrumentals

NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: Pink Floyd’s “Pigs (Three Different Ones)”

AUDIO ARCHIVE:

Listen Online Now: http://www.talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/TAFeb24-.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Dr. Michael Greger—the physician, author, speaker, internationally-recognized expert on nutrition, and majordomo of NutritionFacts.org—recounts how his Grandma’s story of being riddled with heart disease in her 60s, all but written off by her doctors, embraced the diet then being pioneered by Nathan Pritikin, saw her condition improve dramatically, living into her 90s, and in the process, inspired Greger to pursue a career as a doctor. He also recounts this tale in the introduction to his new book “How Not To Die: Discover The Foods Scientifically Proven To Prevent And Reverse Disease.” After I note that he’s a singular doctor, in that he seems to dodge multiple revenue streams—all proceeds from his speaking engagements, as well as sales of his books and DVDs, are donated to his nonprofit, from which he takes no salary—he explains the carefully-reasoned principle behind that approach. Greger expands on a notable observation in his book that “the primary reason diseases tend to run in families may be that diets tend to run in families.” “How Not To Die” is essentially divided into two halves, in Part One of the book, Greger runs down 15 diseases and ailments with heavily-sourced chapters citing research studies and other findings to document how a whole foods, plant-based diet can prevent, help cure and, in some cases, reverse some of those conditions. Part Two involves his laying out recommended or favorite foods within that diet to accomplish those significant, often “Heal Thyself” objectives—reiterating why broccoli is Number One in his book, literally and figuratively, along with re-touting the virtues of blueberries, turmeric and flaxseed. He also outlines what The Daily Dozen is, and how it works, including the attendant free iPhone and Android apps he’s released. (www.drgreger.org, http://nutritionfacts.org)

 

ALSO: I spoke briefly with Jane Alkire, Manager of Special Events at Southeastern Guide Dogs, about the forthcoming string of Walkathons that serve as significant fundraisers for the organization. (www.guidedogs.org, https://guidedogswalkathon.org)

 

COMEDY CORNER: Erin Foley’s “Vegan Cooking For One” (www.erinkfoley.com/)

MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” Brian Wilson’s “Vega-Tables,” Allah-Las’ “No Werewolf,” instrumentals

 NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: Elton John’s “Grey Seal”

AUDIO ARCHIVE:

Listen Online Now: http://www.talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/TAFeb17.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

For today’s program, I opted to set aside our regular format, in favor of convening a panel discussion about service animals, propelled largely by the growing trend of people using bogus service animals and emotional support animals. Indeed, a key catalyst for holding this discussion today was the recent news account—and this photo that went viral—of the turkey ostensibly functioning as an emotional support animal on a commercial airline flight.

 

 

The panel consisted of:

LINDA FELD who has a rare form of muscular dystrophy, is a graduate of the Canine Companions For Independence program, and as of 2012, has been living with her service dog, Keith. (A photo of Linda, with Keith, sits atop this post.)

 

MARTHA JOHNSON, the Public Relations Coordinator for the Southeast Region of Canine Companions for Independence, or CCI, which provides highly trained assistance dogs and ongoing support to people with disabilities. CCI has been very active in the area of education regarding legitimate versus bogus service dogs.

 

 

ROBERTA has been a flight attendant with a commercial airline for the better part of 30 years, and participating openly in this discussion would have constitute grounds for immediate dismissal from her airline. So she spoke with a certain degree of anonymity, while offering a wealth of observations and stories about airline passengers accompanied by both authenic and bogus service dogs.

JOANNE MILES is something of an activist in this realm, chiefly in response to issues that have arisen for her husband, Ken—who became blind in 2001, and uses a guide dog, named Marty, from Southeastern Guide Dogs.

(Photo: Bill Ingram/The Palm Beach Post)

 

We addressed a myriad of issues, starting with What a service animal is?, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which chiefly involves the sort of training the animal has undergone to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. We also covered how emotional support animals are not service animals, and how easy it is to make online purchases of bogus vests and paperwork that suggest someone’s pet is a service animal–coincidentally, early that morning, “The Today Show” aired a piece about emotional service animal scams on airlines. (Also coincidentally, I noted that two days before this show, while shopping at Publix, I spotted a service dog named Roscoe, who, his human explained, prevents her from falling….)

Other points we covered included existing legislation in this realm, which currently is toothless and difficult to enforce—Canine Companions for Independence is gathering signatures on a petition designed to persuade legislator to create more forceful laws dealing with service dog fraud (www.cci.org/stopfraud)–an array of experiences aboard flights with both authentic and bogus service animals, how a policy seeking to root out phony users of service animals had the unintended and ironic consequence of punishing disabled people and veterans with legitimate service dogs, and much more. (www.cci.org, www.guidedogs.org)

AUDIO ARCHIVE:

Listen Online Now: http://www.talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/TAFeb3.mp3 | Open Player in New Window