Talking Animals

CBS News Correspondent Sam Litzinger learns about the alala -- an endangered Hawaiian crow -- that has the ability to use tools to search for food.

Moshow—the Portland, Oregon-based artist and online phenomenon who specializes in rapping about cats—recounts starting to rap at 16, but stopped because, although he grew up in the projects of Baltimore, felt his raps (heavily influenced by gangsta rap) were inauthentic and didn’t feel right. Not coincidentally, perhaps, he notes that he’s a lifelong fan of James Taylor, citing “Shower The People” as his favorite song. Moshow explains that he had an animal-free childhood, but in college, his girlfriend had a black cat named Queenie and a mutual admiration society quickly developed—and launched Moshow on the path of his joyous passion for cats, and his raps and videos that reflect this joyous passion. This passion, he says, quickly extended to Sphynx cats, striking-looking felines chiefly distinguished by their lack of a coat—he’s drawn to them, he observes, feeling like a similarly hairless outcast (“I’m a human Sphynx.”) He recalls that starting to rap about cats, probably six or seven years ago, was more of a spontaneous gesture than a calculated move, and was doing so—including the videos that came later—under the radar…until about a year ago. That’s when the Moshow videos truly started getting noticed, and many of them have gone viral—perhaps most famously, in recent months, “Cat Bath Rap,” in which he’s rapping in the bath tub while giving his cat Ravioli a bath. He also discusses the video he made for the Oregon Humane Society, promoting adoption of cats, and significant results that the video generated, as well as other upcoming appearances and performances. (www.facebook.com/iammoshow/ www.instagram.com/iammoshow/)

ALSO: I spoke briefly with Matt Burke, singer-songwriter of the acclaimed band Have Gun, Will Travel, about their new music video for their song “Good Old Shakespeare” (from the concept album, “Science from an Easy Chair”), which features photos and short videos of dogs submitted by their fans and friends. With HGWT having just stepped into the recording studio, Burke also talks a but about the distinctly different approach the band is employing on the follow-up to “Science,” starting with it not being a concept album. (http://hgwtmusic.com)

COMEDY CORNER: Bill Burr’s “Dog Trainer” (http://billburr.com)

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

NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: Henry Mancini’s “The Pink Panther Theme”

AUDIO ARCHIVE:

Listen Online Now: https://talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/TAMarch8-.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Is it possible to bring animals back from extinction? Plus -- what will happen to some animal populations if President Donald Trump builds his infamous wall? CBS News Correspondent Sam Litzinger finds out on this week's Talking Animals.

CBS News Correspondents Sam Litzinger and Mark Strassmann find out what happens to lab animals after they are released.

Alison Eastwood —the actress, director and animal advocate whose Eastwood Ranch Foundation recently launched FosterFurkids.com, a website that connects rescue groups and animal shelters with a nationwide network of pet fosters and transporters—discusses a childhood growing up amidst an array of animals. But not so much the conventional critters, like dogs and cats—which her Dad is allergic to, among other animals: Turns out Clint Eastwood is allergic to horses! Eastwood also recounts her stint on “Animal Intervention,” the 2012 Nat Geo Wild series she helped create and co-hosted, noting some of the encounters she had with people who owned wild and exotic animals, the mixed results in urging them to relinquish the animals to sanctuaries and other more appropriate facilities. While explaining that the “Animal Intervention” experience was difficult in many respects, one significant virtue is that it spurred her to create Eastwood Ranch Foundation, her Southern California-based animal welfare and rescue organization. Eastwood says that organization’s work, particularly its efforts in adopting out or finding fosters for animals in overcrowded and high-kill shelters has, in turn, prompted her to start FosterFurkids.com, the multiple purposes of which she describes in some detail. (www.eastwoodranch.org, https://fosterfurkids.com/home)

 

ALSO: I spoke briefly with Nash McCutchen, of the Humane Society of Tampa Bay (HSTB), about their Bullies and Browns program, in which—thanks to a grant HSTB received from PetSmart Charities—the organization is able to spay/neuter and vaccinate a total of 600 bully breeds, bully breed mixes, and brown dogs for $10 per dog. Appointments are required, and can be made by calling 813-870-3304 or emailing [email protected]. (http://humanesocietytampa.org)

COMEDY CORNER: Nick Turner’s “Rescue Dogs” (www.nickturner.website)

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

 NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: George Harrison’s “Dark Horse”

AUDIO ARCHIVE:

Listen Online Now: https://talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/TAMarch1-.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

New York's JFK Airport is now accommodating its four-legged travelers. CBS News Correspondent Sam Litzinger reports.

Humans are not always thrilled to be weighed -- but what about animals? Here's CBS News Correspondent Sam Litzinger.

Robert Grillo —an activist and writer who is the founder of Free from Harm, and just published his first book, “Farm to Fable: The Fictions of Our Animal-Consuming Culture”—recounts how his work in advertising, particularly handling food accounts (like working on McDonald’s Happy Meal boxes), along with the experience of adopting three baby chicks, provided the impetus for launching Free from Harm. A nonprofit organization formed in 2009, Free from Harm’s mission is to promote farmed animal rescue, education and advocacy—with a major element of the operation being its website, which is a dense, sprawling forum, rich with articles, posts and other resources. “Farm to Fable” is an ambitious undertaking—an interdisciplinary philosophical treatise, examining how pop culture employs a host of “fictions” to make us, as a society feel OK about eating animals…Grillo discusses some of those fictions, and how they function to influence us. He also addresses “humane washing,” a counterpart to green washing, and one of the books important concepts. (This leads to an exchange about Temple Grandin, whom Grillo cites as a pivotal figure in the section on humane washing, and I have some countering viewpoints.) Grillo speaks to the sort of outcomes he’s seeking with the book. (http://freefromharm.org)

Taking time out for paw-ternity leave!

ALSO: I spoke briefly with Sarah Warman, from Brew Dog, the rising Scotland-based brewery that recently announced they’re giving their 1000 employees worldwide a week’s paid leave when they adopt a dog–“paternity leave.” Brew Dog also just opened its first U.S. operation, near Columbus, Ohio. (www.brewdog.com/usa/)

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

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

NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: Elton John’s “Honky Cat”

AUDIO ARCHIVE:

Listen Online Now: https://talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/TAFeb22-.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Researchers are studying the link between baboon sounds and the development of human language. CBS News Correspondent Sam Litzinger reports. Plus -- a dog helping children in their time of need. CBS's Barry Peterson has this touching story on this week's Talking Animals.

A tiger's roar may not just mean he is hungry -- he could be laughing or trying to mate. Here's CBS News Correspondent Sam Litzinger with more.