Talking Animals

Terry Woodford—who has extensive experience as a songwriter, record producer, and recording engineer, having worked in one capacity or another, with such artists as The Commodores, Hank Williams, Jr., and The Temptations—discusses some highlights of his music biz career. Woodford describes beginning to teach some of these and other skills, developing what became the first four-year college curriculum focused on the music industry. As an outgrowth of that foray into academia, Woodford recounts, he was serving as a judge in a contest, and was asked to create music for children. Acknowledging he was reluctant at first—it didn’t fit with his image of himself as a big-time record producer—but once he got over that, he explains, he came up with the idea of recording a human heartbeat, and marrying that to traditional nursery songs. The resulting music, when tested in a hospital ward housing newborns, nurses reported 94% of crying babies were calmed to sleep by the music in less than two minutes, according to Woodford. This idea got applied to dogs, but not officially by Woodford for another 13 years! Initially, families that had the music to use with their infants noticed that the family dogs seemed to be greatly soothed by the lullabies. Woodford would periodically hear from people, enthusing about how the music was affecting various canines, including at shelters, but he was incredulous about these reports, feeling these folks were exaggerating or projecting their own reactions onto their dogs, and so on. Still, he started offering the music, now called “Canine Lullabies,” to shelters and rescue organizations, and one day got a call from someone at a humane society near the Colorado home Woodford was living at the time, requesting some “Canine Lullabies” CDs. Woodford offered to hand deliver them, and once he witnessed his music’s impact, it changed his view on the whole enterprise, and its potential. Since then, he says, 2500 humane societies, shelters, and rescues have begun playing the music at their facilities. We hear a snippet of a “Lullaby,” touch on other animals affected by the music, and briefly discuss still other applications for this music, including humans with Alzheimer’s. (https://caninelullabies.com, https://www.facebook.com/caninelullabies/, http://woodfordworld.startlogic.com, )

ALSO: I spoke with Dina Athanassie, of Animal Coalition of Tampa (ACT), about ACT’s 11th Annual SpayGhetti & No Balls Dinner—one of the year’s biggest fundraisers for the clinic that provides low-cost spay/neuter procedures and other veterinary services—slated for Saturday May 19, at Yungling Brewery in Tampa. It was mentioned that I’m emceeing the event. (http://actampa.org, https://www.facebook.com/events/410173769447873/)

COMEDY CORNER: John Mulaney’s “Horse In A Hospital” (http://www.johnmulaney.com)

MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” Canine Lullabies’ “London Bridge” (portion), instrumentals

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

AUDIO ARCHIVE:

Listen Online Now: https://talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/TAMay16-.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Ted Leo—the singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, front man of Ted Leo and the Pharmacists, and veteran vegan—recounts his path to vegetarianism, in 1988, then after further reading, research, and contemplation, going vegan in 1998. That journey was shaped less by direct experience with animals than many who travel a similar path—he grew up without pets, though when he was 19 and out of the house, his parent got a dog with whom he forged a powerful bond. Having toured for a quarter century, Leo has developed a keen awareness of the prime vegan restaurants in cities across the country, and cites some faves in various parts of Florida. He discusses when, in July of 2017, on the eve of the release of “The Hanged Man”—an album of firsts: first solo record, first one since the relationship with his record company ended, not coincidentally, his first collection underwritten by a crowd funding (Kickstarter) campaign—a major profile ran in Stereogum, documenting a number of challenges and travails Leo had faced. These were highly personal, including that Leo was molested by his childhood piano teacher, that he and his wife experienced a late-term miscarriage, losing their daughter, and, separately, that a life-threatening illness befell his wife. While he fully cooperated with the Stereogum writer and his extensive reporting, Leo addresses how jarring it was when he first saw the piece, while also noting how freeing it was to discuss those things with the reporter, how he learned a lot over the course of the process, and it helped him sort out some of those feelings. He articulates his initial reservation about crowd funding to make “The Hanged Man,” the virtues of that approach he came to see, including the budget that resulted, which exceeded what the monies he’d have had if still in a record deal—enough left over to underwrite additional musicians for the shows he and the Pharmacists will perform in June, to celebrate the 15th anniversary of their critically-acclaimed album, “Hearts of Oak.” He also talks about how he transformed from comedy aficionado to practitioner–David Cross set that transformation in motion, inviting Leo to play on “Tinkle,” a New York comedy show staged weekly in the 2000s, an invitation that’s been repeated countless times since by numerous comics (Cross & Leo re-teamed last month at a performance of The Comedy Resistance, presented at the Moontower Comedy Festival in Austin)—and how much he enjoys cooking when he’s off the road and at home with his wife. (https://www.tedleo.com)

ALSO: I spoke with Lori Letzring, manager at the Hillsborough County Pet Resource Center, where more than 300 cats landed after being seized in recent days from Fur ‘N Feather Farm in Plant City. She described the circumstances that led to the animals being removed, and how until the owner of the rescue legally releases the animals to their care, the Center cannot place any of the cats up for fostering or adoption, or even relocate any of the animals to rescue organizations. Meanwhile, those who want to help are encouraged to select something from this Amazon Wish List. (http://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/en/locations/pet-resource-center, https://www.facebook.com/PRCPets/)

COMEDY CORNER: Chris Porter’s “Vegan Date” (http://chrisporterisfunny.com)

MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” Ted Leo’s “Can’t Go Back” (snippet; host has awful time management skills), instrumentals

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

AUDIO ARCHIVE:

Listen Online Now: https://talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/TAMay9-.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Lariana Forsythe—interim CEO of Community Action Stops Abuse (CASA), the domestic violence center based in Southern Pinellas County, which, in early March, opened an on-site kennel—explains that “interim” in this instance is a two-year designation required by the state of Florida for CEOs of domestic violence shelters who take the job without experience in that realm. Forsythe outlines the CASA history (founded in 1977), and describes the organization’s newest shelter, open three years, which is outfitted with 100 beds, but Forsythe says it can accommodate 133 people, while averaging 115-120 per night. Forsythe points out that people often forget that half that number tends to be children, and that CASA’s goal for a stay at the shelter is about three months, but that tenure can extend longer given the particulars of that client, including prospects for non-shelter housing and employment, children, etc. In addressing their new kennel, Forsythe addressed the profound importance of offering this option, citing a statistic whereby 71% of women entering domestic violence shelter reported that their batterer had injured, maimed, killed, or threatened family pets. Yet, Casa’s kennel, which can accommodate four dogs and four cats, stands as a national rarity, to a surprising degree: Currently, only about 3% of domestic violence shelters across the country are equipped to take in pets. In response to my question—given that tiny number—whether CASA’s kennel might serve as an example to other shelters, Forsythe observes this might well be the case, and that they can provide guidance and tools to help overcome the significant obstacles that prevent more shelters from establishing such kennels. (https://www.casa-stpete.org)

The interview with Lariana Forsythe streamed on Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/duncan.strauss/videos/10156705148624218/

 

ALSO: I spoke with Jenna Bardroff, event coordinator of the first-ever Sarasota Veg Fest that was to take place on Saturday, May 5, at the Sarasota Fairgrounds. She outlined the array of speakers, cooking demonstrations, films screening, 100 vendors, music, activities for kids, etc. that were to be offered at the event. (http://www.sarasotavegfest.org)

 

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

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

NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: The Tokens’ “The Lion Sleeps Tonight”

AUDIO ARCHIVE:

Listen Online Now: https://talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/TAMay2-.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Nicole Forsyth—president and CEO of RedRover, a Sacramento-based national nonprofit devoted to rescuing and sheltering animals in crisis—addresses the situation by which there are pockets of people across the country that are as yet unfamiliar with the organization, founded in 1987 (though under a different name). Forsyth explains that the original name was United Animal Nations –and the outfit had a much broader portfolio, partly predicated —and suggests that one of her proudest accomplishments since being hired as president and CEO in 2006 was shepherding the organization to a name change in 2011, becoming RedRover. She describes how her educational and professional paths ultimately delivered her to the doorstep of what would become RedRover. Noting much of RedRover’s work involves stepping in when a major natural disaster—like a hurricane—hits an area and has major implications for animals, Forsyth outlines how the organization decides to deploy to the site of that disaster. She notes that this process typically involves waiting to see how a particular scenario plays out—and for a particular organization to ask for RedRover’s help, citing as an example when Hurricane Harvey hit, the Texas SPCA asked for their assistance. In these rescuing and sheltering efforts, RedRover can draw on some 4000 volunteers scattered across the U.S., some of whom are veterinarians. Later, Forsyth talks about the RedRover Readers education program, which helps children develop empathy for animals and generally, as well as develop critical thinking skills, adding that there’s no an app whereby kids can access part of the program, regardless of their location. (https://redrover.org)

 

ALSO: I spoke with Chris Rusnak, of Nature’s Classroom, an environmental education center, established in 1969, and these days chiefly caters to sixth graders in Hillsborough County. We discussed the then-forthcoming “Woods, Water and Wildlife” annual open house. (http://naturesclassroom.mysdhc.org)

COMEDY CORNER: Martha Kelly’s “Animal Road Trip” (https://marthakelly.net)

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

NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: Genesis’ “The Lamb Lies Down On Broadway”

AUDIO ARCHIVE:

Listen Online Now: https://talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/TAApril25.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Arin Greenwood—a journalist who specializes in writing about animal welfare, and whose sterling new novel, “Your Robot Dog Will Die,” was published Tuesday (April 17)—offers her synopsis of the book, and recalls key elements of the setting, story, and fundamental themes that she arrived at while in the formative stages of writing “Your Robot Dog Will Die.” Greenwood notes that her new work occupies the Young Adult (YA) shelf—the protagonist is a 17-year-old girl, Nano Miller, other teenage characters are central, and it’s a coming-of-age story—but that she aspired to have the book operate beyond that genre, too. It does. In response to my question about previous on-air conversations we’ve had about PETA—particularly its animal shelter, which has a staggeringly high euthanasia rates, she recounts her journalistic frustrations over the years in having the organization explain its rationale for the shelter’s operating principle, and how writing this book, a fictional story, provided an opportunity to explore those policies (and her feelings about them) in a different way, chiefly through the Ingrid Newkirk-esque character, Dorothy. Greenwood also outlines what responses and actions she hopes “Your Robot Dog Will Die” will spur in readers, and touches on her journalism work: she’s the former animal welfare editor at The Huffington Post, and in recent years has contributed critter coverage to such outlets as The Washington Post, The Today Show website, and The Dodo, among others. (https://www.facebook.com/aringreenwood)

The interview with Arin streamed on Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/duncan.strauss/videos/10156668502689218/

ALSO: I spoke with Amber Simpson about the 8th Annual Tampa Vegan Bake Sale, slated for Saturday, April 21, at Mojo Books & Records, 2540 E. Fowler Avenue, Tampa. Proceeds help homeless and community cats, with an emphasis on spay/neuter and TNR. (https://www.facebook.com/events/757634601113207/)

 

COMEDY CORNER: Zoltan Kaszas’s “Cats Pt. 1” (http://www.zoltancomedy.com)

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

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

AUDIO ARCHIVE

Erika Abrams—co-founder and president of Animal Aid Unlimited, a rescue operation, hospital, and sanctuary in Udaipur, India—recalls the circumstances under which she, her husband, Jim, and daughter, Claire, began traveling to India in the late 1980s. While noting she wasn’t (and still isn’t) well-traveled, and that her initial interest in the country was rooted in superficial facets, she fell instantly, and hard, for India. Living at the time in Seattle, Abrams recounts how the family continued to make trips to India, then spurred, in part, by her daughter’s growing antipathy to the traveling, decided to move to Udaipur. They were bothered by the large number of injured and ill animals on the street, and that there was no veterinary hospital or other care available for them, Abrams explains. Despite no background in animal rescue or other sorts of animal organizations—but, she says, she and Jim did have considerable experience in fundraising, strategic planning, and various kinds of other work for nonprofits—they launched Animal Aid Unlimited in 2002. Undeterred by the lack of experience in the animal realm, they forged ahead, figuring things out along the way, hiring veterinarians when they could, seeking guidance from whatever experts they could speak with, and so on. In the initial years, Abrams observed, one notable obstacle was that the area lacked cell phones and landlines—so Animal Aid Unlimited might be contacted three times per week for animal rescue help; in 2005, cell phones were introduced, and changed everything: Abrams says they might receive 60 calls a day for assistance, explaining that the chief recurring issues prompting phone calls to the hospital are car accidents, the impact of a poor diet &/or consuming plastic products, and lack of medical treatment. There was also some discussion of Animal Aid Unlimited’s healing, often-transformative impact on staff and volunteers, including travelers who visit Udaipur and are invited to volunteer at the organization’s facilities. Animal Aid Unlimited is funded largely through donations. (https://animalaidunlimited.org, https://www.facebook.com/AnimalAidUnlimited)

ALSO: I spoke with our “greyhound correspondent,” Don Goldstein, who updated us on where things stand with Prop 67, the constitutional amendment that could spell the end of greyhound racing in Florida. He noted that until about April 16, there’s still an important, open window to express support to the Commissioners, via email or phone call (http://www.flcrc.gov/Commissioners) for this amendment.

 

COMEDY CORNER: Maria Bamford’s “Raccoon, Horseback Riding” (http://www.mariabamford.com)

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: https://talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/TAApril4-.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Rachel McCrystal—executive director of Woodstock Farm Sanctuary, which rescues farmed animals and provides refuge for them, now housing around 400 animals—recalls a childhood marked by a houseful of animals, featuring a preponderance of rattlesnakes and other reptiles (her biologist dad was a herpetologist). McCrystal points to two pivotal moments in those formative years that presaged her work on animals’ behalf: 1) adopting a little mutt bearing a “Do Not Adopt” sign. This dog became “the love of her life,” McCrystal says; 2) In Cape Cod, as an 11-year-old, she was horrified to learn how lobsters are cooked, declared she’d eat shrimp instead, her dad explained more animals would die for that meal, and she decided to become vegetarian. (She later became vegan.) She explains how some of the jobs she held in college lent her the expertise and experience, at 24, to land a development job at the Pennsylvania SPCA. McCrystal rose quickly there and elsewhere—two motifs of her saga appear to be a flair for fundraising and rapid career ascension (she mocked herself for tending to be promoted too soon) –landing at Best Friends Animal Society, as Major Gifts Manager. Noting Best Friends is a prominent national organization with a stellar reputation, and that a good, well-compensated career was assured, she addresses how, seven-eight years into being began, and with a growing commitment to helping mitigate the plight of farmed animals—she took a development job (and a pay cut) at Woodstock Farm Sanctuary. McCrystal subsequently became executive director of the Sanctuary, in the wake of the departure of founders Jenny Brown and Doug Abel—a highly unusual development in the sanctuary world…McCrystal spends a few minutes touching on the reasons for their departure, and the singularity of the situation. She also discusses some the animals living at the Sanctuary, and how they got there, including Mike Jr, a steer that escaped a truck en route to the slaughterhouse, but now happily resides at Woodstock. (http://woodstocksanctuary.org)

ALSO: I spoke with Dina Athanassie, Outreach & Events Manager for the Animal Coalition of Tampa about free TNVR (trap-neuter-vaccinate-return) training sessions they’re conducting in the coming weeks. (http://actampa.org)

 

COMEDY CORNER: Matt Braunger’s “Owls” (http://www.mattbraunger.com)

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: https://talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/TAMarch28.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Dr. Jaret C. Daniels—an entomologist and professor at the University of Florida, as well as accomplished nature photographer, whose new book is ‘Vibrant Butterflies: Our Favorite Visitors To Flowers And Gardens”—recalls how growing up in a rural section of Wisconsin, amidst plenty of room to roam, exploring nature and assorted critters, likely spawned the interest that evolved into a career in entomology and academia. Indeed, the more Daniels recounts his formative years, the more a portrait emerges of an entomologist as a young man, including, as a high school student, launching a business that involved breeding and providing butterflies for various operations. He explains that he also became intrigued by photography during his high school years, and his interest in photographing various aspects of nature—particularly insects—grew over time, and now serves as an ideal complement to his academic/professional pursuits. For example, “Vibrant Butterflies” presents an array of Daniels’ stunning, close-up pictures of butterflies (and he answered a technical photography question, from a listener, during this interview). In discussing the genesis of the book project, Daniels discusses his commitment to providing information about butterflies and other insects in a way that would interest and help educate a more generalist readership, beyond the research he conducts (his emphasis is insect ecology and conservation), and the attendant scholarly papers he writes. He also addresses a few of the many details in “Vibrant Butterflies” that I found most revelatory, including how extraordinary butterflies’ vision is (the book notes that they see more of the visual spectrum than almost any animal, and can see ultraviolet light), how mimicry works in the butterfly world, some of their courtship and mating behavior, and more. (http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/people-directory/jaret-daniels/)

 

ALSO: I spoke with Ornella Varchi, Special Events Manager for The Humane Society of Tampa Bay, about the organization’s then-forthcoming event, Bark In The Park, set for March 24 at Curtis Hixon Park. As I observed to Varchi on-air, Bark In The Park would seem to be the granddaddy of outdoor animal events in the Tampa Bay Area—this is the 31st annual Bark! (https://humanesocietytampa.org)

 

COMEDY CORNER: Beth Stelling’s “Beth’s Pests” (https://www.sweetbeth.com)

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

NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: EELS’ “I Like Birds”

AUDIO ARCHIVE:

Listen Online Now: https://talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/TAMar14.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Al Cecere—founder and president of the American Eagle Foundation (AEF), a Tennessee-based nonprofit dedicated to bald eagle rehabilitation, recovery, and breeding programs—recalls seeing an Associated Press photo showing more than 20 dead bald eagles that had been shot by poachers, and how that propelled him into taking action which led to launching AEF. Cecere explains that he was in showbiz in Nashville at the time, with a degree in film production—no degree or training in animal fields or even biology, so he taught himself whatever he could about eagles and birds of prey, attended conferences, and learned from a key mentor named Bob Hatcher, who worked for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency for nearly 40 years. Cecere cites public education as AEF’s largest achievement over the years, while noting the challenges eagles face—in the wild, fewer than 50% survive their first year, not counting birds that are killed by hunters or poachers. He discusses the AEF Nest Cams, which provide live feeds from an eagles nest in Washington D.C., and another in Northeast Florida, describing the habits and yearly patterns of the latter’s occupants, Romeo & Juliet. Cecere also enthuses about Dolly Parton: Dollywood houses the AEF headquarters, and has been a corporate sponsor of the organization since 1991. Cecere recounts the origin of Challenger, a rescued bald eagle, unable to be released back into the wild, that Cecere trained to soar around stadiums during World Series games, NFL Pro bowls and other major events—during the singing of “The Spar Spangled Banner.” (https://www.eagles.org)

 

ALSO: I spoke with Talking Animals “Greyhound Correspondent” Don Goldstein, about the next step in the process of Proposed Amendment 67– which, if passed would phase out greyhound racing in Florida—namely, multiple hearings in Florida the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC), the last of which is slated for March 13 at The University of South Florida, in Saint Petersburg, from 1-7pm. He explained the importance of speaking in support of Prop 67 (that is, to end Florida greyhound racing) at this meeting, noting that those planning to attend can obtain a speaker card at http://www.flcrc.gov, turn in the card upon arriving at the March 13 meeting, and will be invited to speak for no more than two minutes. Those who are unable to attend can still express their opinion on this issue, Goldstein suggested, by also visiting http://www.flcrc.gov, where email addresses can be found for all 37 Commissioners—send them an email

COMEDY CORNER: Andy Ritchie’s “Balthazar”

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: https://talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/TAMarch7.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

For this edition of “Talking Animals,” I altered the show’s usual format to convene an in-studio panel discussion about Canine Companions For Independence (CCI), pegged to CCI’s then-upcoming third annual DogFest Walk ‘n’ Roll event, on March 3 at Al Lopez Park in Tampa, and featuring three CCI-affiliated humans, and their canine companions:

Mary Taylor Jacobs, who wears various CCI hats, including serving on the organization’s board of directors, and volunteering as a puppy raiser—she raised her first CCI puppy in 1993, and is currently raising Frankie, who joined me in studio. (that’s not Frankie in the photo)

Bill Gregg, who has spina bifada, remains independent with the assistance of his dog, Abner, who helps Gregg by picking things up off the floor, opening doors, and turning light switches on and off. Abner was in studio, too.

Bob Hoak occupies the other end of the path from Mary Jacobs, at least as pertains to the CCI prison puppy-raising program—in that he has “finished” four dogs from that prison program, and was accompanied by his current charge, Dobby.

 

We covered a sizable hunk of ground in the discussion, including how each of the three first heard of CCI or get involved with the organization…the biggest changes that Jacobs had seen in the course of her 25-year relationship with CCI…how Gregg and his family attended an informational fair, and upon hearing about CCI, his sister suggested it might be a good fit for him, launching the process that eventually paired him with Abner, his first service dog…the conversation touched on the proper protocol for asking permission before petting a service dog wearing a vest, the differences between services dogs and emotional support dogs…this veered into an exchange about the issue of fake service/emotional dogs, and a caller’s question about how to question someone about the status of their dog without running afoul of the Americans with Disabilities Act…Hoak explained what’s involved in “finishing” a dog that was previously in the CCI Prison Puppy Raising Program…We noted that Gregg and all other CCI clients are not charged a cent for their dogs, and that CCI is funded by donations, grants and events, like their annual Gala, and the DogFest Walk ‘n’ Roll. (http://www.cci.org,  https://www.facebook.com/events/140843940010682/

The conversation streamed on Facebook Live: https://www.facebook.com/talkinganimals/videos/10156096414909194/

 

ALSO: I spoke with Nicole Green, a past guest on “Talking Animals,” in her capacity as Director of Animalearn, but today, as a board member of the Association of Professional Humane Educators, she discussed the forthcoming National Humane Education Conference, slated for March 7-9, in Orlando. She notes that, given the scope of the issues and the curricula to be discussed at the conference, people from all sorts of fields—including shelters, animal welfare, education, among others—are invited to attend. (https://www.apheconference.com)

COMEDY CORNER: Eddie Izzard’s “Guide Dogs” (http://www.eddieizzard.com)

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

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

AUDIO ARCHIVE:

Listen Online Now: https://talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/TAFeb28-.mp3 | Open Player in New Window