The Petcast

Web: www.thepetcast.comE-mail: [email protected]: 702-997-3300We take it for granted these days that dogs, cats, birds and other animals make wonderful pets. But how did it come to be that way? How did earlier humans figure out that these creatures could be loving and loyal, good company and partners in various activities? Anthropologist Barbara J. King explains in her latest book, Being With Animals: Why We Are Obsessed With the Furry, Scaly, Feathered Creatures Who Populate Our World.  King is chancellor professor of anthropology at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. King writes the Friday Animal Blog, too.Plus, the Petcasters chat about the Missouri ballot measure regarding breeding, India urges against owls as pets, Palm Beach County has a nighttime pet drop-off and farm owners worry about the decline in vets who work on large animals.

ORIGINALLY POSTED ON APRIL 30, 2009

When it comes to owls, today’s in the one whooo knows. She is Karla Kinstler, director of the Houston Nature Center in Houston, Minn, where she oversees the Owl Hall of Fame and the International Festival of Owls. She also authors a blog with Alice, a great horned owl, who is a full time resident at the nature center. Plus, Steve discovers -- and is repelled by -- Cesar Milan but is intrigued by Dogtown.

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It’s not something many pet owners think much about, but if their animal ever needs surgery, they’re going to need blood transfusions. And where does that blood come from? Other pets. Dr. Beth Davidow, who oversees the Animal Critical Care Emergency Services Blood Bank in Seattle, explains how an animal blood bank works.Plus, it was National Pit Bull Awareness Day, guest host Jen Prosser is scared of spiders, Reno is home to the world’s longest cat and Missouri voters may change the law regarding dog breeders.Web: www.thepetcast.comE-mail: [email protected]: 702-997-3300

The loss of a pet can, of course, be a very traumatic experience. In 1989, the college of veterinary medicine at the University of California at Davis came up with a novel idea to help people cope, a pet-loss hotline. Cornell University’s vet school copied that model, and we have two guests here to discuss how it works, Dr. Margaret McEntee, the faculty adviser, and fourth-year vet student Ingrid Rhinehart.Plus, as it happens, guest host Jennifer Prosser and her husband lost their 19-year-old cat since our last recording.http://www.vet.cornell.edu/org/petloss/Web: www.thepetcast.comE-mail: [email protected]: 702-997-3300

Five years ago, Americans watched with heartache and horror as thousands of companion animals were abandoned in a drowning city. Karen O'Toole was moved to do more. In her beautifully moving account, Orphans of Katrina: Inside The World’s Biggest Animal Rescue, O'Toole recounts her experiences of rescue and frustration, disillusionment and redemption in the Gulf regionPlus, Emily – remember her? – calls in to provide the update on Archie’s  recent health dramas. Amid all that, there’s a new Consumer Reports study about pet insurance. Our guest host for this episode is Jen Prosser.Web: www.thepetcast.comE-mail: [email protected]: 702-997-3300

More and more these days, pet owners are trying to figure out how to keep things natural for their pets. Scares related to tainted pet food and toys have prompted many to see out more holistic products and ideas, and that’s where our guest comes in. Stacey Turis is the co-owner of a website called PawsforPeace.Com, which provides advise and ideas for folks looking for holistic health information for their animals. They’ve also recently come out with an iPhone app

Plus, guest host Jen Prosser talks all about her turtles and cat life. Desert night lizards have mates and families.

Web: www.thepetcast.com

E-mail: [email protected]

Voicemail: 702-997-3300

Website: www.thepetcast.com

Email: [email protected]

Voicemail for pet questions, comments: 702-997-3300

Dr. Nicholas Dodman writes pet-related columns for the AKC Family Dog, Life Magazine and Martha Stewart’s Body and Soul and has written seven books including “The Dog Who Cried Too Much” and “The Cat Who Cried For Help.” His latest book, “Good Old Dog,” comes out in November, and it deals with the important issues that face people as their dogs grow old. In this interview, Dodman tells the Petcasters about new medicine and 

Plus, guest host Amy Turner and Steve banter about the annual pet blessings around St. Francis of Assisi Day and, in Boston, the fire trucks now have oxygen masks for imperiled pets. Also, the U.S. Navy is bombing Guam with frozen mice stuffed with Tylenol to poison brown tree snakes. Really.

Web: ThePetcast.com

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Twitter: @ThePetcast

REISSUE FROM DEC. 2008; DR. DODMAN WILL APPEAR ON SHOW NO. 272, WHICH WILL BE ISSUED ON MONDAY, OCT. 11.

Vet and author Dr. Nicholas Dodman of Tufts School of Veterinary Medicine joins us to discuss his book, “If Only They Could Speak,” which the Wall Street Journal recently named as one of the best pet books of all time. Dr. Dodman and answered questions about the overmedication for animals, how to identify a pet with a form of Alzheimer’s and whether there’s a second-hand smoke risk for animals. Also, poinsettia plants may not be toxic.

Plus, the Petcasters mull holiday-season concerns about pets and told stories of pets eating wild.

Animal welfare organizations are financially stressed enough, and every little bit helps. That’s where organizations like Linens for Animals steps in. Since 2006, Lori Birdsong and her husband have been collecting and donating more than 2 million pounds in blankets and other linens to shelters, rescue organizations and pet owners who have adopted abandoned animals. It’s another innovative way to help out.Plus, guest host Amy updates us on her pet life – including teaching Lola tricks that you can see on YouTube. Also, convicted animal killer Michael Vick is back at the helm for the Eagles and President Obama’s new Chief of Staff is a crazy cat guy.Web: www.thepetcast.comE-mail: [email protected]: 702-997-3300

From Aug. 28-Sept. 1, Emily, Archie and Steve drove 2,100 miles from Nevada to Michigan to deliver Emily and Archie to Ann Arbor for a prestigious eight-month academic fellowship in journalism at the University of Michigan. It was a wonderful trip, full of cool sights and lots of interesting pet experiences. (We didn't even mention the dog park we found in Salt Lake City!) Archie had a traumatic health week prior to the trip, so there was much nervousness. It was all amazing. Hear us recap it en route to the airport as Steve returned to Las Vegas on Sept 1.

Also, keep watch on Steve's blog, VegasHappensHere.Com, for links to the Flickr set of photos.

Web: ThePetcast.Com

Email: [email protected]