We read about animals taking up unusual hobbies all the time, but usually those activities don’t tug at the heartstrings quite like the special skill of Ricochet. Ricochet is a SURFice dog. Yes, we said SURFice, not service. Her owner, Judy Fridono, joins the Petcasters to explain. Fridono is the founder and executive director of puppy prodigies, a non profit organization that trains service dogs for people with disabilities. Plus, Amy talks birds and Steve raises a news item in which a dog chews off a man’s diseased toe while he was passed out drunk. Also, seven puppies died in a cargo hold from Tulsa to Chicago on American Airlines.Web: www.thepetcast.comE-mail: [email protected]: 702-997-3300

Co-host Emily Richmond begins a prestigious fellowship at the University of Michigan in early September, so this is her final episode in the Petcast studio until sometime next month. She vows to call in from time to time and both Petcasters will be recording and reporting from their road trip from Vegas to deliver Emily to Michigan, but in honor of this Steve corralled a quartet of special call-in guests to wish Emily well.Web: www.thepetcast.comE-mail: [email protected]: 702-997-3300

Each year, a half-million dogs and cats wind up in shelters when their owners die without making arrangements for their pets’ care. Attorney Chris Jones of Trusted Pet Partners joins the Petcasters to provide some steps you can take to make sure your animals is protected even when you’re no longer there to do it yourself. Plus, Emily winds down in Vegas and Emily gets bossy with American Airlines over boarding with Archie.Web: www.thepetcast.comE-mail: [email protected]: 702-997-3300

Several months ago, bartering was a hot topic in the news when a candidate for the U.S. Senate suggested it was a way to reduce health care costs. That suggestion actually helped sink her candidacy, but it is actually true that people barter for all sorts of services, including veterinary care. Joining the Petcasters to explain how bartering works in the 21st century and how pet owners can take advantage is Alan Zimmelman, executive vice president for the nation’s largest bartering exchange known as Itex

Plus, more chatter about Emily’s big upcoming change!

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One of the most fascinating topics in animal research -- and a growing field – is the relationship people develop with animals. Joining the Petcasters is Dr. Alan Beck, one of the nation’s leading experts on the subject, as well as an author, researcher and professor. Beck is the Center for the Human-Animal Bond at Purdue University’s School of Veterinary Medicine.

Plus, Steve rushes Black to the vet for an eye problem and then, as usual, had a complaint.

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When it comes to pet publications, Dog Fancy magazine represents the gold standard. It’s the world’s most widely read dog magazine and today’s guest is its new editor. Ernie Slone is also an expert dog handler, pet therapy volunteer and officer with the Cairn Terrier Club of Southern California. Slone referenced Pilots N Paws, a group that transports dogs all over the country.Plus, the Petcasters bantered about an amazing story from Dog Fancy about the $1 million winner of a cutest dog competition who gave the money away. And Sherry V wrote in again to show us her cats and tell us about their unusual names. Emily found a Veterinary Pet Insurance’s unusual names report.Web: www.thepetcast.comE-mail: [email protected]: 702-997-3300

(originally posted 8/31/2006)

Mario Garza, owner of Stuffonmycat.com, talks about his hilarious site where folks pass along pictures on cats with stuff on it. Plus, Emily talks about her car crash en route to a blind date and how the first thought she had was that it was good that Archie wasn't there. And a listener has a female dog that likes to hump. Why?!?

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Keegan-Michael Key knows funny. He’s a comic and actor who spent six seasons on Mad TV and has also appeared on hilarious shows such as Reno 911. That makes him perfectly qualified for his current gig as host of “The Planet’s Funniest Animals” on Animal Planet. During the discussion, Emily names her favorite pet videos, the Good Night Sweetheart to Puppies and the Standing Cat. Here’s list of top animal videos on YouTube and Keegan recommended  the Fancy Catz video on Second City’s YouTube channel.Steve’s experience covering World Series of Poker leads him to a pet-related poker nickname for Emily and Emily celebrated Archie’s birthday by getting nervous about the 9-year-old’s middle age. She also checked on something recently in “Speaking For Spot,” the book by Dr. Nancy Kaye, guest on Petcast No.  201.Web: www.thepetcast.comE-mail: [email protected]: 702-997-3300

When it comes to the protecting the legacy of America’s Western frontier, wild horses are too often forgotten. Many herds face lives of abuse, neglect and slaughter as a result. But there was some good news recently thanks in part to Lifesavers Wild Horse Rescue of Lancaster, Calif., which recently negotiated a successful deal with the U.S. government to save 169 wild horses that were scheduled to be sold at auction. Wild Horse Rescue board member Stephanie Hoefener joined the Petcasters to explain.

Emily follows up on the AnimalOff product that Steve referenced on No. 257.5 that they sell on late night TV and Steve questions the claims in a new Purina commercial. Also, Emily ponders what sort of seatbelts to have for our big drive across at the end of August.

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Freelance writer Jason Cochran took a novel approach to the age-old dog-v-cat debate, this time focusing entirely on which costs more money.  Cochran did his report for WalletPop.Com and is also a widely published freelancer writer and regular commentator on TV and radio

Plus, Emily takes Archie in for his teeth checkup and had great news, but she also just learned what it’s like to GET advice from nosy fellow pet owners. And the photo of Black and Jack bathing in 110-degree sunlight.

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