Talking Animals

There is an adoption page on Facebook for animals who are living in conflict zones. Plus -- learning the importance of microchipping. Here's Sam Litzinger.

Did you know prairie dogs have their own language? Sam Litzinger learns more about these rural rodents. Plus -- a look at how shelter dogs are helping kids who can't seem to stay out of trouble.

Dr. Gregory Berns—author of multiple books, including The New York Times bestseller “How Dogs Love Us”—discusses his new book, “What It’s Like To Be A Dog: And Other Adventures In Animal Neuroscience.” A professor of psychology at Emory University (and an M.D.), Berns explains that a confluence of factors—chiefly missing his beloved pug, Newton, who had recently passed away, as well as being struck by the news that there was a dog who participated in the Bin Laden raid–prompted him to adapt his longstanding research involving MRI scanners with humans and expanding it to dogs, seeking to assess what they think and feel, figuring that if dogs could be trained to function amidst the noise of a military helicopter, they could be trained to enter an MRI scanner. He notes that dogs don’t have any preconceptions or dread about MRIs the way humans do and, once trained, not only became comfortable with the machine, but also in some cases, become eager to get back in. Berns summarizes some of the findings, including how the dogs responded to food versus praise, and their ability to recognize faces. He also spends some time explaining his quest to learn more about the thylacine, a marsupial also known as the “Tasmanian tiger,” which is considered extinct, though there are many people, particularly in Tasmania, who maintain the animal still lives (a few claim to have seen a thylacine in recent in recent years, though no recent photograph or other documentation exists). Dr. Berns says in this interview “I became obsessed” with the thylacine, in no small measure because it looks like a dog, arranging to borrow not one but two preserved thylacine brains to scan. He goes on to describe the work he did assessing the brains of sea lions that have been stranding themselves in record numbers on California beaches and shorelines; turns out there’s a toxic algae that fish in those areas consume, and those fish are in turn eaten by the sea lions, who become stricken, and can no longer navigate….(http://gregoryberns.com)

ALSO: I spoke briefly with VeganEvan, a seven-year-old advocate who is slated to appear at the 8th Annual Tampa Bay Veg Fest, Saturday Nov. 4, speaking and rapping at the event, and also serving an emcee for some of the other Veg Fest speakers. He recounts how he became vegan, and describes some other hats he wears, including co-president and spokesperson for Animal Hero Kids and spokesperson for Solutionary Species. (www.facebook.com/VeganEvan, www.tampabayvegfest.com, https://animalherokids.org, www.solutionaryspecies.com)

 

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

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

NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: Elton John’s “Crocodile Rock”

AUDIO ARCHIVE:

Listen Online Now: https://talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/TANov1-.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

After a devastating earthquake and tsunami hit Japan in 2011, the region's ecosystem saw significant changes. So significant, in fact, that sea creatures native to Japan have begun washing up on shore along the west coast of the U.S. What does that mean for the animals already in the area? Plus -- an "Animal Rescue Spotlight" on the Ocean Conservancy.

What does it take to be a hero dog -- a canine companion to war veterans. Chip Reid finds out. Plus -- Sam Litzinger learns more about the Silver Muzzle Cottage -- Michigan's only hospice for aging animals.

John Corry—a veteran filmmaker and producer whose credits include “Forks Over Knives”; he also produced “PlantPure Nation,” a documentary screening at the 8th Annual Tampa Bay Veg Fest, Nov. 4 at Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park—recalls how he began his career shepherding TV and film projects. He explains how he became involved with “Forks Over Knives,” and acknowledges that his work on that acclaimed movie felt different—more meaningful—than past projects. Corry describes being invited to work on “PlantPure Nation,” and when he saw an early version, recommended that the film’s story be bolstered and broadened. The resulting doc chronicles what happens after T. Colin Campbell, the revered scientist and author of the influential “The China Study,” delivers a powerful speech on the floor of the Kentucky State Representatives: Campbell, his son, Nelson, and a Kentucky State Representative named Tom Riner team up on a pilot program documenting the health benefits of a plant-based diet. Corry notes that “PlantPure Nation” filmmakers are considering adding a postscript to the movie—which was completed in 2015, and is available on Netflix—to update the viewer on what’s changed, including some of the key legislators spotlighted. Meanwhile, the film has served as a jumping off point for everything from a grassroots movement to a full-fledged commercial enterprise: PlantPure Health & Weight Loss, which Corry characterizes as the first weight-loss program providing meals that are plant-based—the company trumpets its arrival with a high-octane eight-person panel, including Dr. Campbell, Nelson Campbell, Kim Campbell, Dr. Michael Greger, and Corry, convened Nov. 15 as part of Et Cultural Festival, a nascent SXSW-like event in St. Petersburg, Florida. (www.plantpurenation.com, www.tampabayvegfest.com, https://etcultura.com)

COMEDY CORNER: Joe Zimmerman “Animal Attacks” (www.zimmermancomedy.com)

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

NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: Led Zeppelin’s “Black Dog”

AUDIO ARCHIVE:

Listen Online Now: https://talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/TAOct25-.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

How will releasing mosquitoes into the environment REDUCE their numbers? Mireya Villarreal reports. Plus -- a new study finds that caring for an ailing pet is similar to caring for an ailing human. Sam Litzinger learns more on this week's Talking Animals.

How is human noise pollution impacting an animal's environment? Plus -- How would you feel about seeing a dog in the work place? Sam Litzinger finds out on this week's Talking Animals.

What can humans do to protect the California condor population? Plus -- sea turtles appear to be swimming away from extinction. Sam Litzinger reports on this week's "Talking Animals."

Some states are cracking down on people who are use untrained pets as service animals to receive special privileges. Plus -- the fight continues to save the cheetah population. Sam Litzinger features pieces from Don Dahler and Chip Reid on this week's "Talking Animals."