Steve - picture
Steve - picture
about this site
blog
resume
resume
interesting clips
archive
archive
the china chronicles
nlgja
childrens story
gallery
guestbook
contact me
 
     

WELCOME TO THE PETCAST
A Twice-Weekly Audio Guide To Household Pets...and Their Humans!
Posted (roughly) every 5 days.

EMAIL US AT THEPETCAST(@)YAHOO.COM AND ASK US YOUR PET QUESTIONS!

CONGRATS TO ARCHIE!

FIRST PLACE IN THE AGILITY TRIALS ON 2/11/07! HEAR EMILY TALK ABOUT IT ON SHOW 56! CLICK ON THE PIC TO SEE A BETTER VIEW OF HIM WITH HIS RIBBONS!

Read what the LA Times and CuteWithChris.Com wrote about us!

Your Hosts

Emily Richmond is an education reporter for the Las Vegas Sun who competes in agility trials with her schnauzer, Archie.

Steve Friess is a
Las Vegas-based freelance writer. He and his partner, Miles, can hardly figure out how to housebreak their chihuahuas, Black and Jack.

Gallery

Steve + The Dogs
Emily and Archie in 05
Emily and Archie in 06

Friends' Pets
Listeners' Pets

 
Also listen to Steve's other show, The Strip

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Our Latest Shows
(Shows 1-100 are found here)

Click on the titles to hear any show. Not all shows are in the RSS feed until their release dates.
Right-click on same to save to your computer to listen at your leisure or on a portable device.

No. 208: Pet-Loving Condo-Dwellers Unite!



Today's guest is Maida Genser, founder of Citizens for Pets in Condos Inc., a Florida-based advocacy group seeing to educate the public on the health benefits of animal companionship and about responsible pet ownership. The long-term goal is to increase acceptance of companion animals in common interest ownership communities.

Plus, Steve tells the tale of finding an elderly, blind, obese, heaving lost dog in his neighborhood. See Steve's blog entries about this at VegasHappensHere.Com.

* * *

No. 207: Geckos Are Great!



Today's guest knows his reptiles, from the Madagascar giant hissing cockroach to the fire-crested gecko. Joining us from Bourne, Texas, is herpetologist Ron Trempor, one of the nation's leading suppliers of reptilian pets.

Plus, Emily's complaint about her illogical airline pet policies and prices.

* * *

No. 206: A Little Pet Music

As loyal Petcast listeners know, we love songs about pets. So naturally when we found out about an enterprising crew of canines that had actually taken up songwriting, we knew we had to find out more. Here to enlighten us is Bob Dorman of Mabel Dog productions, and the human talent behind “Dog Tracks: Songs by Dogs.” Find him at DogTracksCD.Com.

Plus, a brief chat about PetAir, the new pet airline concept.

* * *

No. 205: One Nation Under Dog

From doggie day spas to prozac for Pekinese with separation anxiety, Americans are spending more time and money than ever making sure their canine companions live happy lives. Today’s guest, author Michael Schaffer, delved deep into the fluffy underbelly of pet industries, and our increasing fascination with, and dependence on, our four-legged friends. The result was “One Nation Under Dog,” which was recently published and is available at bookstores nationwide.

Plus, a discussion of kitten season and the joy of multiple pet ownership.

* * *

No. 204: The Foreclosed Pets Rescuers

Animal shelters nationwide are seeing an increase in surrendered pets, a sad side effect of the ongoing economic crisis. Today’s guest, Everett Croxson, is doing his part to help pets whose owners can no longer care for them because they’ve lost their homes, either to outright foreclosure or a change in financial circumstances. Visit them online at http://forecloseduponpets.org.

Plus, some tips on keeping pets safe in the summertime.

* * *

No. 203: Pets Who Want To Kill Themselves

There isn’t a person alive who doesn’t see an animal out in public wearing something silly (that's Steve's mom's dog above) or being carried in the purse of an airheaded celebrity heiress wannabe and hasn’t felt pity for the poor, tortured creature. Well, following in the great tradition of StuffOnMyCat.Com and CatsInSinks.Com, Duncan Birmingham of Los Angeles has created PetsWhoWantToKillThemselves.Com, a blog on which he posts photos of all sorts of probably-suicidal animals. Birmingham, a writer whose screenplay, Swingles, is about to become a movie starring Cameron Diaz, joins us to discuss the website.

Plus, a new CDC study shows that shows pets make people fall a lot.

* * *

No. 202: Pusses in Books

You might have heard of Dewey the library cat, the famous orange feline that became world famous just for living his life in a library in Spencer, Iowa. Well, Dewey’s life, which is now the subject of a best-selling memoir and may become a movie starring Meryl Streep – as the librarian, not the cat – is actually less unique than you might think. Our guest today, documentarian Gary Roma, traveled the nation for his 1997 award-winning film Puss in Books: Adventures of a Library Cat and found library cats all over the place. His website, IronFrog.Com, in fact, offers an interactive map that tells visitors what libraries in their states have resident felines. Gary Roma joins us from Chicago to discuss the topic.

Plus, Steve tells the tale of Renegade, the blind, obese, tumorous, heaving, shedding lost dog he found and helped.

* * *

No. 201: She Speaks For Spot



As medical advances are made and more complex treatments for animals become more commonplace, pet owners often find themselves in a quandary as they try to balance their love of their animals with their ability to balance their checkbooks. Whereas the notion of chemotherapy for pets or artificial limbs once were unthinkable, now they’re real options that can prolong and improve the life of dogs and cats, but how do you know when it’s worth it physically, emotionally and financially? With us to discuss this minefield of ethical and practical issues is Dr. Nancy Kay, of Sebastapol, Calif., author of the new book "Speaking For Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy, Healthy, Longer Life." Dr. Kay earned her veterinary degree at Cornell and is owner of the Animal Care Center in Rohnert Park, Calif.

Plus, Steve saw the Popovich Comedy Pet Theater in Vegas.

Links to download shows with Steve's sister (#194) and Gregory Popovich (#11) are found on ThePetcast.Com.

* * *

No. 200: A Pet Vet Opens Wide

One of the most expensive issues facing owners of even generally healthy pets is their dental care. Nothing sends a shiver up the spine like the vet telling you your animal needs a serious and costly teeth-cleaning. Emily, in fact, is still paying off the $700 bill from having five of Archie’s teeth pulled and she’s since switched to a special kind of treat to maintain his oral health. So what’s the truth behind this issue? How do dogs and cats differ in terms of their dental issues? Joining us to address all of this as well as a listener’s question is Dr. Tony Woodward, a past president of the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association who practices in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Plus, guest host Molly steps in and discusses her pregnancy and the potential issues she may have with her cats and Emily calls in from DC to report on the Newseum's exhibit on presidential pets.

* * *

No. 199: Pet Bloggerette Extraordinaire

Whether its tips for keeping an indoor cat happy or brokering a peace treaty at the dog park, today’s guest has the answers. Christie Keith is a blogger and a contributing writer for the San Francisco Chronicle, where she pens the “Your Whole Pet,” column. She is also a contributing editor for Universal Press Syndicate's Pet Connection, and past director of the Pet Care Forum on America Online.

Plus, who would be against banning training dogs for fighting or leaving animals outside tethered for excessive lengths of time? The AKC?

* * *

No. 198: Giving A Hoot About Owls

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.

* * *

No. 197: The Greatness of Greyhounds

In 1987, today’s guest, Claudia Presto, met her very first greyhound, and her life would never be the same. A few years later she would give up a successful corporate career on the east coast, sell everything she owned and head west, where, it turned out, there was no shortage of greyhounds in need of her help. Today she is the leader of the Greyhound Gang in Southern Utah, which hosts an annual Greyhound Gathering in mid-may for friends and fans of these sleekly charming dogs.

Plus, Steve didn't know what these were but listeners say they're quail.

* * *

No. 196: A Presidential Dog Visit

The White House has a new First Dog, and it’s a breed that few Americans have even heard of, let alone seen. The Portuguese Water Dog came close to extinction in the 1970’s, saved by a few determined enthusiasts who cherished the breed for its temperament and talents. Joining us today is Dr. Jim Brannan, a Las Vegas dentist who has shared his home and hearth with porties for 15 years. He’s competed with them in agility and obedience trials, and has also been active in breed rescue. We invited him to join us today to talk about the this fascinating dog.

Plus: Emily and Archie triumph in agility!

* * *

No. 195: We're Ba-a-a-ck!

The studio-induced hiatus is over and the Petcasters are back with a new all-kibbitz episode. Among the topics: It's the Marble TEA, not Tease; Archie hearts Nutro Lite treats; Emily interviews Greg Louganis for the Las Vegas Sun; some foreclosed soul left behind a cocker spaniel in Emily's neighborhood; Steve digs Shivering Kittens but his cat lust has passed; the Obama girls choose their dog; Oprah’s cocker puppy dies from parvo; and many dogs die at the Iditarod.

* * *

No. 194: Walking The Walk On Animal Welfare

If you need any more proof that there is no end to the ways you can contribute to the welfare of animals, look no farther than Steve's sister, Julie Friess, who walks dogs for the Humane Society of Sedona in Arizona, where she lives. Julie explains how she got into this and why it's so rewarding.

Plus, Amy of GritsToGlitz.Com uses ice as a treat, NPR halts Calling All Pets and Steve's dog gets all gooey.

* * *

No. 193: The Dog Fosterer

Owning a pet is a lifetime commitment, and not everyone’s ready for the challenge. A good way to test the waters is through foster care, providing a temporary loving care to an animal in need while it waits for a forever home. Joining the Petcasters is Kristin Anderson, a veteran dog foster mom, who is chronicling the journey online at caninefostering.com.

Plus, Emily has another dramatic tale of pet-related intrigue in her neighborhood and Steve is baffled that anyone would NOT think that animals can get jealous. (Steve is reacting to a study reported recently.) Also, the Petcasters went back again to the PETA-sea kitten idea!

* * *

No. 192: Coping With Pet Allergies

For pet owners with allergies, nothing can be more frustrating than the sniffling, sneezing and red eyes that can come from being with the ones you love. Joining the Petcasters to shed -- har har -- some light on the issue is Dr. Robert Grubbe of Oxford, Ala., a board-certified allergist who divides his time between private practice and clinical research.

Plus, Emily discusses Archie’s improved teeth and Steve asks a trivia question and Emily knows the answer, of course!

* * *

No. 191: Beverly Hills Chihuahua Trainer Tells All

How do those Hollywood animals do it? And what happens when they're done? Mike Alexander, a longtime trainer with the company Birds & Animals Unlimited, supervised a 60-person team for the more than 200 animals who appeared in Beverly Hills Chihuahua. He also was involved in Eight Below and trained squirrels - yes, squirrels - for Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Plus, Emily provides tips for caring for pets in extreme cold and Steve mocks PETA's fish-are-sea-kittens campaign.

* * *

No. 190: Bay's Got A Brand New Baby



Longtime listener and fellow podcaster Bay Loftis of east Tennessee finally got herself a new puppy after years of thinking about it. It’s a beautiful Welsh corgi called Doris. Bay joins the show to share the joy. Bay co-hosts GritstoGlitz.Com, a podcast of sisterly chitchat that's awesome, too. Plus, Israelis are taking down dog DNA to stop people who don’t pick up the poo and the Petcasters discuss the new pet of Vice President-elect Joe Biden.

Also, Emily talks about the dog left behind in her neighborhood after its owners were driven from a home because of foreclosure.

* * *

No. 189: Wacky World of Wallabies



When it comes to exotic pets, few are more exotic – or perhaps more adorable – than wallabies. The Petcasters chat up Hal Newsom of New Caney, Texas, who has been selling them as pets for 20 years and owns WallyPets.Com. Newsom explains the peculiarities of these New Zealand natives and has a terrific sense of humor about his trade. Also, Newsom discusses his airboat operations at Galveston Bay, which can be found at GalvestonBoatTours.Com. Plus, Emily and Steve discuss the fate of animals on planes that get badly delayed.

* * *

No. 188: Oodles of Poodles

A listener wrote in to say that there’s no such thing as a "royal" poodle. Turns out, we have smart listeners, according to Mary Olund, an expert poodle breeder who joins us to talk about the hot-button breed. Olund has been involved in all levels of supporting the breed from supporting rescue and disease research to volunteering her time with local dog clubs. She’s currently secretary of the Poodle Club of Central California and her husband is treasurer of the Poodle Club of America. Together they are Cabernet Standard Poodles, which has produced show ring champions and happy companions for 25 years. (That poodle above is Steve's former dog, Ozzie, who now lives with his ex.)

Plus, Steve came close again to getting a kitten and accidentally ate a little bit of doggie peanut butter spray.

* * *

No. 187: The Vegas Cat Gambit



Once a guaranteed source of controversy, mandatory spay-neuter laws for pets are becoming more common and winning over critics. With the feral cat population of Southern Nevada estimated at over 200,000, lawmakers in that region want to take action. Clark County Commissioner Chris Giunchigliani joins the Petcasters to explain why she wants to “legalize” feral cats in the hopes of easing their plight and reducing the exponential growth of unwanted cat colonies. Plus, Emily and Archie have a terrific agility triumph and the Petcasters mull whether pets get colds and or suffer allergies.

* * *

No. 186: Losing Stuart

Las Vegas writer Richard Abowitz joins the Petcasters to discuss the loss in the prior week of his elderly cat, Stuart. Stuart outlived her (yes, her) cancer diagnosis by about six months.

Plus, Emily warns against listing personal information when advertising your puppies in the paper or online. Three holiday books: “Travels With Charley,” “The Story of the Pug Who Ruled My Life” “The Cat Who Came For Christmas.” Also, Steve and Emily discuss their prospective vegetarianism.

* * *

No. 185: Pocket Pets Can Be Hazardous

Pocket pets are awful cute. But they can also be dangerous to the health of your family. Dr. Nina Marano of the Centers for Disease Control calls in from her vacation in Milan, Italy, to discuss the study she co-authored about the health dangers of certain household pets.

Plus, the Petcasters mull into whether Obama has broken his promise about the dog and discuss the Shiba Imu puppies on a cam, and chatter about For Better or For Worse.

* * *

No. 184: Overmedicating Pets

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.

* * *

No. 183: Fixing Phoebe’s Freaky Felines

A listener's cat seems deliberately annoying, so we get an expert to advise her on what to do. Today’s guest is Dr. John Wright, a certified applied animal behaviorist and psychology professor at Mercer University in Macon, has helped people and their pets with behavior issues for more than 25 years. His is also the author of three popular books on applied animal behavior: "Ain't Misbehavin': The Groundbreaking Program for Happy, Well-behaved Pets and Their People"; "Is Your Cat Crazy?" and "The Dog Who Would Be King.”

Plus: Emily's dog "catches" a rogue cat in the hood and Steve is scolded for not recalling the elusive charm of Snuffalufagus.

* * *

No. 182: Did The Couch Kill Her Cat?

Perhaps the only thing worse than losing a beloved pet is being left with questions over whether the death could have been prevented. That’s an issue today’s guest tackled in a recent opinion piece in the Los Angeles Times, looking at the contamination death of her cat Midnight, and a possible connection to fire-retardant chemicals that manufacturers are required to use in furniture. Blum is also an accomplished mountaineer whose website is here.

Plus, Black and Jack's big road trip! (See the pictures here!)

* * *

No. 181: Cats and the Single Guy

In the Oct. 5 edition of the Sunday New York Times, writer Abby Ellin highlighted what appears to be a cultural shift – single guys opting for feline, rather than canine, companionship. While the trend is difficult to quantify, there appears to be solid anecdotal evidence that more guys are owning cats, or are at least willing to admit that they do. Ellin joins the Petcasters to talk about her story as well as some criticism of it.

Plus: A young Petcast listener calls in with a review of Beverly Hills Chihuahua and Steve accidentally speaks out about unleashed dogs in his neighborhood.

* * *

No. 180: Hamster Drama

Sometimes small pets can mean big trouble, especially when it’s your 4-year-old’s class hamster. Joining us is Emily's sister Marcy, calling from Danville, Calif., to share a tale of hamster woe and Debby Widolf, bunny house manager at Best Friends Animal Society in Kanab, Utah, to offer some thoughts.

Plus, Beverly Hills Chihuahua is out right as Steve is about to take their chihuahuas to...Beverly Hills! And Emily follows up on some of the discussion about agility from Petcast No. 179.

* * *

No. 179: Rescuing Pets of Battered Spouses

It’s a well-known scenario to workers at the nation’s domestic violence shelters – a victim refuses to leave an abusive situation because escaping would mean leaving behind a loving and loyal pet. At the Shade Tree Shelter in Las Vegas, women and children can find safe haven for themselves, and their pets. Noah’s Animal House is one of just a few such programs nationwide, and cares for about 100 pets every year. Joining us in the studio to talk about the program is the executive director of the Shade Tree, Marlene Richter.

Plus: Emily mocks a pet-massage class she's heard about, Steve freaks out his dogs and Steve's dogs went nuts when not crated one recent night. Also, Emily talks about her recent agility event.

* * *

No. 178.5: It's Animals In A Landslide!

The election was historic for lower species, too! In California, farm animals will soon be getting bigger containment and in Massachusetts, greyhounds won't be racing anymore. Plus, the Obama girls ARE getting a dog, but what kind? And the Bushes' dog Barney evidently hates the media as much as his owners. (Other videos from the official BarneyCam can be found here. and the New York Times Magazine piece on Prop 2 referred to during this episode is here.)

Joining the Petcasters to discuss all of it is Jennifer Fearing, chief economist for the Humane Society of the United States, which led the effort to pass Prop 2 in California, the farm-animal measure.

* * *

No. 178: Training Animals To Be Stars

For more than 25 years, April Morley of Animal Actors of Hollywood has served as an animal trainer and coordinator for some of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters, from “The Naked Gun” to “Bruce Almighty” and last summer’s “Get Smart.” She’s also worked on popular television series from Frasier to CSI, handling everything from casting to training.

Plus, Emily and guest host Dayvid discuss their favorite entertainment animals.

* * *

No. 177: Inside The Search Dog’s World

For a dozen years, today’s guest and her canine partner were deployed to some of the nation’s worst disaster sites, from New York City following the Sept. 11 attacks to Santa Barbara in the wake of the La Conchita mudslide. Whether it was an urban or wilderness emergency, the goal for Debra Tosh was the same – search for survivors before time ran out. She retired from active service in 2005 to become executive director of the Search Dog Foundation, and joins us today from Ojai, California.

Plus, Emily and Dayvid mull the dog saved by his owner from a shark.

* * *

No. 176: Doggie Sleepovers

When you have to travel and can’t take your dogs with you, dropping them off at the kennel or vet’s office for boarding is often the only option. But there’s another alternative for that may be the next-best thing to staying at home. Since 2006, Sleepover Rover has matched up canine houseguests with host families, providing TLC while their owners are away. The company currently serves canine clients in six cities, including Denver, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Joining us today is Maggie Brown, the company’s co-founder, who was also Sleepover Rover’s first client.

* * *

No. 175: Turtle Lover Comes Out Of Her Shell

If you’re a homeless reptile in the Santa Barbara area, you probably dream of Jeanie Vaughn’s backyard. Since 1994, Vaughn has provided shelter and rehabilitation to injured turtles, iguanas and dozens of other species. The region’s only reptile shelter, Turtle Dreams has taken in hurt and neglected animals from throughout California and other states as well. Vaughn made the news when she saved Bob (pictured above), so read all about that here. Vaughn doesn’t have an email or website, but you can call her at 805-969-4609 to get more information or to offer a donation.

Plus: Steve and Emily follow up on the off-leash problems in their neighborhoods.

* * *

No. 174: The Welfare of Pets in Korea

Since 1997, International Aid for Korean Animals has fought to educate the international community about the difficult conditions for dogs and cats in Korea. Earlier this year, the organization announced it was redirecting its focus to change perceptions and practices from within Korean society. That means elevating the status of companion animals, encouraging pet adoptions and shining a light on the cruelty of the dog and cat meat trade. Joining the Petcastersis Kyenan Kum, co-founder of IAKA.

Plus: Emily and Steve talk about the songs they sing to and about their pets and Steve is impacted by a new pet-food recall.

* * *

No. 173: The Victoria Stilwell Interview

In the early 1990’s, today’s guest launched a successful dog-walking business in her native England, and quickly realized her clients needed more than a stroll around the block. So Victoria Stilwell set out to learn from some of Britain’s top animal behaviorists and dog trainers, eventually relocating to Manhattan and opening her own company, specializing in helping families build healthy relationships with their pets. Today, she is an author and star of the hit series “It’s Me or the Dog,” currently airing on Animal Planet, where she offers common-sense solutions to overwhelmed pet owners. She may be most familiar to American audiences as one of the judges on the CBS reality show, “Greatest American Dog.”

* * *

No. 172: A Terrifying Pet-Toy Tale

There’s nothing worse than your pet being injured, unless it’s finding out his pain and suffering was avoidable. Today’s guest bought his dog Chai a rubber ball, never expecting it would cause traumatic and nearly fatal injuries. Read the blog post about it here. And it now appears the 10-year-old lab mix was not the first victim. Joining us today is Chai’s owner, Daniel Rechelbacher, and his attorney, Derek Smith.

Plus, Emily talks about Archie’s dental visit and how CareCredit saved the day.

* * *

No. 171: Fake Limbs For Animals

When it comes to prosthetic limbs, today’s guest is on the cutting edge. But you won’t find him at a major research hospital, and his patients include Cassidy the German Shepard, Pez the beagle and a cat named George Bailey. Dr. Denis Marcellin-Little is associate professor of orthopedics in the College of Veterinary Medicine at North Carolina State University, where his groundbreaking techniques are offering promising results that could eventually mean better prosthetics for human patients, as well.

Plus, more discussion about how to deal with problems with other people’s animals.

* * *

No. 170: Pet Welfare Around the World

From Cambodian ponies to Japanese dolphins, animals around the globe depend on people like today’s guest to help protect them from harm, and to educate the public at large to their plight. The World Society for the Protection of Animals has spent the past quarter-century promoting a united global animal welfare movement, focusing on everything from the proper care of domestic pets to humane treatment of commercial livestock. Joining us today is the society’s program manager.

Plus, Steve talks about an extremely upsetting experience on his dogwalk in his neighborhood.

* * *

No. 169: The Tiger-Mothering Dog

When a white tiger rejected its three newborn cubs at the Safari Zoological
Park
outside Carney, Kansas, it was golden retriever Isabella to the rescue.
Isabella, who recently had a litter of her own pups, has been successfully
nursing the orphaned cubs. It's all taking place under the watchful eye of
Isabella's owner Allie Harvey. Her husband inherited the park, and they now
run it together. The inter-species nursing has attracted international
attention, but Harvey said it's more common than many people might realize.

Plus, Emily discusses the Christian-the-Lion, waterskiing squirrels and panda sneezes videos on YouTube.

* * *

No. 168: Rescuing The Dog Next Door

How many times on your daily commute have you passed that dog chained to a
tree, barrel or fence? How many times have you thought about stopping the
car, getting out and doing something? Today's guest did exactly that,
nothing only saving the lives of several desperate dogs but launching
herself on a new path as an animal advocate. Tamira Ci Thayne is founder of
Dogs Deserve Better, a nonprofit organization that seeks to end the practice
of chaining dogs. She talks with the Petcast about the roots of her own
advocacy, as well as misconceptions people have about dogs' needs.

Plus, Emily tells of Archie’s grand recent travels, including a remarkable in-flight tale.

* * *

No. 167: Cats Get A Winn

Since 1968, the Winn Feline Foundation has been funding research to help
better understand the health challenges facing housecats, from nutritional
needs to cancer. The New Jersey-based foundation's executive director, Janet
Wolf, spoke with the Petcast about some of the most recent grants awarded by
the foundation, as well as the bias many cat researchers face when they
apply for funding. The Winn Feline Foundation has also launched a
fund-raising campaign in partnership with HomeAgain pet microchips.

Plus, more chatter on the "Greatest American Dog" and Emily sticks up for bulldogs.

* * *

No. 166: The Pulitzer-winning Pet Blogger

After 35 years in the news business and a Pulitzer for investigative reporting and coverage of such serious matters as prisons and mental institutions to education, John Woestendiek shows his personal side. The former Baltimore Sun reporter wrote the newspaper’s pet blog, Mutts, and now has one of his own since he lost his job in a round of layoffs. He can now be found at OhMiDog.com or Muttsblog.com.

Plus, an analysis of animals in the funnies.

* * *

No. 165: An Entertaining Entertainment Kibbitz


Watch CBS Videos Online

Our guest stood us up, so the Petcasters mull a wide range of animal-related pop-culture matters, from that wacky "Greatest American Dog" competition to the dog killing in Batman. Also referenced: No Country For Old Men, The Golden Compass, It’s Me Or My Dog, Meercat Manor.

* * *

No. 164: Fido’s Masseuse

The benefits of massage therapy have long been known to people, especially athletes, dancers and those lucky enough to frequent high-end spas. So it should come as no surprise that our pets could probably use a good rubdown every now and then. Joining the Petcasters this show is Patti Moran, a certified animal massage therapist from Santa Cruz, Calif.

Plus: The Obama dog is a match between poodles and Wheaten Terrier and Steve – yes, Steve – takes a shot at English bulldogs.

* * *

No. 163: The Anti-Feline Cultural Bias

They’re beautiful, agile, and often aloof. We love when they purr but hate when they scratch. And to some of us, cats are second-class animals that don’t deserve or need the same protection as our canine friends. Joining the Petcasters is Dr. Valerie Creighton, president of the American Association of Feline Practitioners.

Plus, what kind of dog should the Obamas get?

* * *

No. 162: The Shelter With A Fancy Boarding Center

The Animal Humane Society is the local Minneapolis-area shelter and, in what may be a first in the U.S., they’ve opened a pet hotel called Now Boarding at the MSP airport. The shelter also recently rescued over 100 rats, a dozen golden retriever puppies surrendered by an unscrupulous breeder and opened a brand-new boarding facility for local pets.
Joining the Petcasters is the society’s president and chief executive. Janelle Dixon.

Plus, pet voters on Obama v McCain.

* * *

No. 161: Size Doesn’t Matter

So, you’re in a dark alley, and there’s a strange dog coming toward you. What would make you more nervous, a dauschund or Siberian husky? If you said the husky, you might want to reconsider. Joining the Petcasters is Dr. James Serpell, director of the Center for the Interaction of Animals and Society at the University of Pennsylvania. In a new study, Dr. Serpell and his colleagues identified the least and most aggressive breeds of dogs and found that size isn’t be best measure of the potential for trouble. Evaluate your own dog here.

Plus, Guinea pigs take Hawaii, Emily apologizes to her sister and Steve flogs himself over accidentally letting Jack out.

* * *

No. 160: Pawprints of Katrina

As the floodwaters rose after Hurricane Katrina, most people were doing everything they could to flee the city of New Orleans. Journalist Cathy Scott was in her car, making her way there as quickly as possible. Horrified by the plight of stranded and abandoned pets, Scott helped with numerous rescues, and ended up covering the crisis for the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary’s magazine. The heartrending stories of survival have been captured in both word and image in Scott’s new book, “Pawprints of Katrina: Lives Saved and Lessons Learned.”

Plus, the cost of pet food is rising, why you shouldn't buy the really big bags, true tales of eating dog food and super-rats.

* * *

No. 159: Ex-Vet Insurance Man Tells All

In his nearly two decades a health insurance agent and consultant, Lee Van Kirk has acquired a wealth of knowledge. And that includes one of the fastest growing areas of the industry, pet health insurance. He has represented Veterinary Pet Insurance, one of the nation’s largest providers, as well as Pet Plan of Canada. A retired Army officer, he currently resides in Boise, Idaho.

Plus, the feral v wild question revisited and vets in Iraq aren't so keen to spay and neuter.

* * *

No. 158: The Petcast Music Spectacular



For many, the love of an animal inspires their art. That's clearly the case with two performers we chat with this show, renowned singer Roslyn Kind and amateur songwriter Carey Moore. Kind, who is Barbra Steisand's sister and a vocalist and actress who has appeared everywhere from the Ed Sullivan Show to Broadway to Carnegie Hall, is an animal-welfare advocate who has performed a song about her beloved dog, Josh. You can buy her song about Josh, "At Times Like This," here. Moore, of Nashville, Tenn., is in the ad business but a decade ago started writing writing songs, including “Dogs are Cool.” Find his music here.

* * *

No. 157: Lloving Llovely Llamas

Since 1985, Jim Krowka has been exploring and cultivating the unique relationship between people and llamas. At Lost Creek Llamas in Oregon, Jim trains these charming wooly creatures for a variety of activities, from the show ring to the trailhead. Krowka joins the Petcasters to discuss the breed. Plus, Steve has a sordid llama tale of his own to share.

* * *

No. 156: Old Dogs Need Love, Too!

When people visit the animal shelter, it’s usually the adorable puppies and kittens that get the most attention. An older pet can be a tougher sell. But there is an upside to choosing a more mature companion animal, including being able to tell right away whether your personalities will fit, and the unwavering devotion that is often a hallmark of the rescued senior pet. Las Vegas journalist Abby Goldman and her miniature poodle Lucky, who she rescued from the shelter earlier this year.

Plus, Steve tells about the dramatic rescue he attempted for an injured mockingbird on his front lawn.

* * *

No. 155: The Horse Shouter

Since 2005, New England Equine Rescues has been helping horses find sanctuary from abuse and the slaughterhouse. The nonprofit organization relies on a complex network of volunteers, foster homes and donors, all of whom are dedicated to finding a safe pasture for horses in need. Joining the Petcasters is Beth Hill-Ross of Rhode Island, the founder of the organization.

Plus, Emily shares her own horse tales, Steve observed a long-haired Chihuahua and Emily brags, sort of, about how nice it is that Archie is sociable.

* * *

No. 154: Vets Making Housecalls

For some pet owners, getting to the vet’s office isn’t as easy as loading Fluffy and Fido into the car. Today’s guest knows sometimes its better for the pet to stay home and the vet to come to you. She is Dr. Shannon Stanek, of the American Association of Housecall and Mobile Veterinarians, and she joins the Petcasters to explain.

Plus, Emily took Archie to a veterinary dentist and Steve's Mom's pet-shop dog Poppy has a double row of teeth.

* * *

No. 153: Cats Can Do Agility, Too!

We may have doubted it, but it’s all too true: There are cat agility competitions, too! Joining the Petcasters to explain how it works is Carol Osbourne, committee chairwoman of the national Cat Fanciers Association. Carol has exhibited many champions of her own. The national cat agility championship will be held in October at Madison Square Garden.

Also, Steve's sister's cat is a bookstore denizen and Emily talks about her own witnessing of a feral cat and her brood.

* * *

No. 152: Fun With Herding Dogs

If there's a heaven for border collies, it may very well be Drummond Ranch in Vincent, Calif., located less than an hour from L.A. On the 40-acre spread, dogs and their people learn the fine art of sheepherding, often strengthening their own relationship in the process. Joining the Petcasters today is Janna Duncan, co-founder of the San Fernando Valley Herding Association and a licensed herding judge for the American Kennel Club, among other organizations. Read a great AP story on Duncan here. Also, Steve discusses visiting his mom's dog, Poppy, and Mom visiting his dogs, Black and Jack.

* * *

No. 151: Mandating Spay-Neuter Laws
[Show available after May 29]

In January, the city of North Las Vegas, Nev., passed a new law aimed at addressing the enormous homeless pet population in Southern Nevada. Each year, the municipal animal shelter serving the region takes in about 50,000 unwanted animals and euthanize about half of them. That’s why the North Las Vegas City Council passed a law requiring that starting this month all domesticated dogs and cats must be spayed or neutered before reaching four months of age. (There are some exceptions.) NLV Councilwoman Stephanie Smith, who championed the ordinance, joins the Petcasters to explain it.

Plus, Steve rants against silent auctions that sell off live puppies.

* * *

No. 150: Amishew, Too!

Fifteen years ago this summer, Steve found an emaciated orange tabby outside the home he was renting in Topeka, Kan., while living there for a summer newspaper internship. The cat, Amishew, was adopted by Steve’s friend’s mother, Nilsa Leal of Indiana, after Steve graduated from college and could no longer keep him. Mrs. Leal joins the Petcasters to fill us in on what became of that cat, which continues to thrive and provide a great deal of pleasure for the family that cared for him for all these years.

Plus, Emily raises the issue of a California bill that would ban driving pets without having them buckled up. That leads Steve to recount his recent moment locking himself out of his running car with the dogs inside. Also, here’s the link to the company that makes those animal carseats that Emily referenced.

* * *

No. 149: Petsitters of the World, Unite!

One of the fastest growing areas of animal care is petsitting, which allows Fluffy and Fido to enjoy the comforts of home while their owners are away. But before you hand over the house key and leash, the Petcasters chat with Candance Labane-Godfrey, president of the National Association of Professional Petsitters, and launched her own critter care business in 1997 in Sacramento, California. Candance has suggestions as to the does and don’ts of hiring a petsitter.

Plus, Steve shares his tale about finding a feral cat and her five incredibly adorable kittens in his neighborhood and how the situation was handled.

* * *

No. 148: A CATalyst For Change

Dr. Jane Brunt, a feline vet based in the Baltimore area, joins the Petcasters to explain why she convened the CATalyst Summit earlier this year to focus the vet world on important issues related to cat care. The event followed a study by the American Veterinary Medical Association found 36.3 percent of cat-owning households receive no vet care versus 17.3 percent of canine-owning households.

Also, Emily's dog Archie had to have a couple of teeth pulled following his periodical teeth-cleaning. And Steve wants to listeners to share if their pets have had bad reactions to sprayings from the exterminator.

* * *

No. 147: Inside Petside

Whether you're looking for your Dalmatian's horoscope or a new motion-sensor water bowl for you finicky Persian, you may want to stop by a new Web site on the companion animal scene. Petside.Com is offering visitors everything from expert veterinary advice to breaking news. Guest Kim Jack Riley, executive editor of Petside.Com.

Also, the Petcasters discuss CareCredit, an extended payment program you can use at the vet and debate the truth behind that story of a dog that got "lost" and made its way home in northern Nevada. Oh, and we visit the story of Snickers, which we believe.

* * *

No. 146: Popping in on Poppy

Steve's mom returns to explain what's gone right and wrong with her new puppy, Poppy. That prompted chatter between the Petcasters