Rick Preuss from Preuss Pets and Lee Cohen discuss goldfish with Kapil Mandrekar, Ecologist and Conservation Biologist. - Goldfish have been kept as pets for a very long time. The varieties of sizes and shapes may surprise you as people's perception of a traditional goldfish is only a small percentage of the types available. Listen Saturday as Rick Preuss from Preuss Pets and Lee Cohen discuss goldfish with Kapil Mandrekar, Ecologist and Conservation Biologist. Kapil will discuss some of the different varieties that are on display right now at Preuss Pets in nineteen different tanks and what makes them different from the other types. He will also discuss how they have been bred from different countries that create the differences within the species. Kapil and Rick will also discuss why "fishbowls" are not an ideal way to keep a goldfish, what type of aquarium or outdoor pond may be appropriate and how to keep them thriving for years with care and attention to temperature. Food, other fish in the tank and lots of other details on this weekend's edition of the Mid Michigan Pet Expert Talk Show on 1320 AM WILS on the radio.

Rick, Dr. Schultz and Lee talk with Drew Thurston owner of Natures way Pet Aquamation - It is amazing what a difference a year can make for a brand new business and businessman in an emerging field. A year ago, we learned about an end of life process called Aquamation. Listen Saturday at 9AM as Rick Preuss from Preuss Pets, Doctor Will Schultz, DVM (retired) and Lee Cohen will discuss year one with Drew Thurston, the owner of Nature's Way Pet Aquamation in north Lansing who was the first provider of Aquamation for the state of Michigan. Drew will explain his experiences during his first year in handling the needs of his facility, his staff and most importantly his customers. You'll learn why the Aquamation process is growing in popularity and why Drew's evolution into an end of life provider for his customers has gone so well. The biggest change this year is the addition of Doctor Lisa Hassinger, DVM who provides Euthanasia services at an animals home with his/her family instead of forcing them to come to the vets office. Doctor Lisa had forty years experience in Lansing before Drew summoned her out of retirement to assist him in creating the best possible solutions for pet lovers during their most difficult time. The evolution of pet care from outdoor animals to in home family members have taken another step forward which you can hear about on this weekend's edition of the Mid Michigan Pet Expert Talk Show on 1320 AM WILS on the radio

Doctor Will Schultz, DVM (retired) and Lee Cohen discuss the show and other Alpaca related topics with Gabrielle Feighner, owner of the Feighner Family Farm in Haslett. - Can you imagine Alpacas in costumes? How about Alpacas doing agility. You can see both along with a confirmation show next week in Grand Rapids. Listen Saturday as Doctor Will Schultz, DVM (retired) and Lee Cohen discuss the show and other Alpaca related topics with Gabrielle Feighner, owner of the Feighner Family Farm in Haslett. Gabrielle will discuss how each of the aspects of the show are done and how they differ from dog shows. What are the ways for the animals to be compared against the others. Then the topic conversation turned to Alpacas in general and how they behave in various circumstances, how they are fed and other behaviors that might surprise you, including useful ways to deal with Alpaca's occasionally spitting. Then, the conversation will take you through the different uses of their fur and rules of thumb if you ever consider buying Alpacas. Specifically, how many and same gender. Also, Gabrielle discusses Alpacas at weddings and other "appearances." You will learn a lot about some unusual looking animals that are amazing in many ways if you listen to this weekend's edition of the Mid Michigan Pet Expert Talk Show on 1320 AM WILS on the radio

Rick Preuss, DR Schultz, DVM (retired) and Lee talk with Jonathan Lawler, spokesperson for the Indiana Council for Animal Welfare - Legislators in Indianapolis, Indiana are seeking to keep in place an ordinance that restricts the sale of puppies by breeders to pet stores, requiring them to source from a shelter or not for profit rescue organization. The pet stores want to be able to source dogs from USDA-licensed breeders. Listen Saturday at 9AM as Rick Preuss from Preuss Pets, Doctor Will Schultz, DVM (retired) and Lee Cohen talk with Jonathan Lawler, spokesperson for the Indiana Council for Animal Welfare which represents the largest dog breeding organization in Indiana. Learn why Jonathan believes the "puppy mill" tag is being used in many circumstances where inspections have proven otherwise. Early in March, we discussed the Canine Care Certified program in Indiana with Candace Croney from Purdue University (see March 4 podcast on 1320wils.com). The program calls for inspections along with standards and protocols for breeders to follow which distinguishes them from "puppy mills. Learn about the perspective of the breeders and the pet stores who agree with Doctor Croney's program. You also can hear why the PUNK ROCK FARMER Jonathan Lawler got that name on this weekend's edition of the Mid Michigan Pet Expert Talk Show on 1320 AM WILS on the radio

continue the conversation discussing the sounds of spring with Jim McGrath owner of Nature Discovery located in Williamston. - On March 9th we asked the question about what songs do different birds sing so that you and other birds can recognize them? Also, what sounds do different frogs make? Listen Saturday at 9AM as Doctor Will Schultz, DVM (retired) and Lee Cohen continue the conversation discussing the sounds of spring with Jim McGrath owner of Nature Discovery located in Williamston. Jim will play a variety of different bird songs and frog songs that will help you to identify the type of bird, how, where and when to find them in nature and some of their behavioral quirks. For example you will hear Hummingbirds, Bluebirds, Carolina Wrens, Robins, Mourning Doves. However, you won't hear Baltimore Orioles because the dialect of the ones you hear in Michigan are different then what you would hear in other parts of the country, kind of like an accent! You'll also hear all about Spring Peepers and other frogs that are active and singing their songs already this spring. Jim will teach all of you about his appreciation of nature and the nuances of the different species within it. This is part two (if you like it, review part one from March 9) on this weekend's edition of the Mid Michigan Pet Expert Talk Show on 1320 AM WILS on the radio

Rick , Doctor Schultz, DVM (retired) and Lee hear the latest buzz from Meghan Milbrath MPH, PhD - hobby/investment? Many people consider them to be pests needing to be relocated because they don't realize the crucial role they play in nature. Listen Saturday at 9AM when Rick Preuss from Preuss Pets, Doctor Will Schultz, DVM (retired) and Lee Cohen hear the latest buzz from Meghan Milbrath MPH, PhD and keynote speaker at the upcoming Upper Peninsula Beekeeping Conference the end of March. Learn all about the different types of bees in Michigan and the different things that bees do in nature that are essential. You'll learn about the evolution of bees and their hives and what they do to thrive in spite of predators, pesticides and other actions by man that have caused a reduction in some types of bees. You'll learn about the community in the hive and how bees in huge quantities can co-exist. How is it done? Why is it done? Where is it done? For a first time topic on the show, we found the perfect guest to take a deep dive with into the subject of bees and beekeeping on this weekend's edition of the Mid Michigan Pet Expert Talk Show on 1320 AM WILS on the radio.