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WELCOME TO THE PETCAST
A Twice-Weekly Audio Guide To Household Pets...and Their Humans!
Live two Saturdays a month (Next: May 10, 10-noon PT, then May 31) and posted every 5 days. Click "Listen Now" to hear and "Cam & Chat" to at LVRocks.Com.

READ OUR BLOG AND SEE YOUR PET'S PIX AT THEPETCAST.BLOGSPOT.COM!

CALL 206-203-1010 AND ASK US YOUR PET QUESTIONS!

Watch Molly's Cat Sip Scotch!

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. 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 about how to use treats to encourage a dog to do something. Emily also demonstrated her surprising understanding of spray-cheese products. Steve, meanwhile, wants to know how to stop Jack from constantly doing his little trick. Also, the Mandalay Bay in Vegas just got a komodo dragon for its Shark Reef attraction.

* * *

No. 145: High-Tech Pet Trackers

There's nothing scarier for a pet owner than coming home to find a front gate left open and a beloved pet missing. Dan Fost, a freelance writer basd in San Francisco, discusses his recent New York Times article on new technology to keep track of your dogs. Sorry, it doesn't really work for cats yet.

* * *

SPECIAL VIDEO EPISODE
(Read Steve's NY Times piece on this here)


Steve visited Tomi Tomek of SOS Chats in Noriaigue, Switzerland, in mid-March for a NY Times piece on the quest in Switzerland to ban the trade of cat fur.

* * *

No. 144: The Pet-Friendly College Dorm

For college students leaving home for the first time, the transition can be even tougher when it means leaving behind a beloved pet. For more than 10 years, the State University of New York at Canton has offered an unusual solution: the pet wing in the Mohawk Residence Hall. Courtney Battista, director of residence life at the school, explains how it works and why dogs and snakes are species non grata.

Plus, the Petcasters mull some things pet owners should ask when they board their animals following a fire that killed several pets at a Las Vegas veterinary office and Steve ponders his dogs' fears of him running on the treadmill.

* * *

No. 143: Are All Performing Pets Abused?

Since 1984, animal wrangler Pat Derby and her partner Ed Stewart have offered a haven for abandoned, abused and retured performing animals. The Performing Animal Welfare Society maintains three sanctuaries in California, including 2,300 acres on San Andreas. That's the new home of Maggie, until recently Alaska's only elephant, after the state's zoo agreed to let her go in September 2007.

Plus, Emily catches us up on Archie's agility triumphs and tribulations and Steve affirms his adoration for his dogs after admitting he's been feeding them big-dog food.

* * *

No. 142: Wheelchairs for Pets

\

Leslie Grinnell, co-owner with her husband Eddie of Eddie's Wheels, joins Emily and Steve by phone from Shelbourne Falls, Mass., to explain the origin of their business creating custom carts for mobility-disabled pets. The Grinnells found the company after their Doberman named Buddha lost use of her hind legs and Eddie figures out a solution.

Also, the duo is joined by Mayor Scott Mangold of Powell, Wyo., whose council passed a new law dictating the number of rabbits.

* * *

No. 141: The Problem With Importing Pets

Before you send a money order to Tasmania for that adorable yorkie you found on Craigslist, you may want to hear from today's guest, California attorney John Hoffman. In his distinguished legal career, Hoffman has done pro bono work for dog organizations, and as a result, has become an activist working to combat the problem of unscrupulous puppy importers. He and a Boston attorney, Charlotte Creeley, built a website called TheWrongPuppy.Org, where they advise the public on this trend.

Also, Steve discusses the pet-related story he worked on while in Switzerland.

* * *

No. 140: A Vet Student’s Life



The Petcasters are joined by Loren Noblitt, a second-year veterinary student at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. We speak to a lot of animal experts on this program, but we’ve never really looked into the process of veterinary education, so we wanted Loren to join us and tell us what it’s like. Loren earned a MS in veterinary pathobiology in 2003 and began veterinary school in August 2006.

Plus, guest host Amy chimes in on whether she’d have a pet funeral.

* * *

No. 139: Don’t Animals Think?

As a counterpoint to our episode No. 36 entitled "Do Animals Think?", we are joined by Eugene Linden, a widely published author and journalist whose Parade Magazine last year on new evidence about animal intelligence that caught our attention. Linden's career began in 1972 when he covered the Vietnam War, and his work, which has appeared in the Smithsonian, Time and the Atlantic, tends to focus on nature and the environment, and it was a piece in . Linden has written more than a half-dozen books including such titles as "The Octopus and the Orangutan: New Tales of Animal Intrigue, Intelligence, and Ingenuity" and "The Parrot's Lament and Other True Tales of Animal Intrigue, Intelligence, and Ingenuity."

Plus, a bizarre Swiss catnapping case and the top 10 items surgically removed from pets.

* * *

No. 138: Listener Petcast Scrum!


Amy (bulldogs Lola (left)and Leon), Lin (parrot Pollyester at center) and Malya (a springer spaniel named "Chester" Chesterfield Aliwishous Shakespeare" at right) join us to discuss life with their pets. Amy, guest host, describes how she found her newest dog, Lola, via YouTube!

* * *

No. 136: Archie Eats A What?!?

Hearing is believing this time out as Emily describes what disgusting, stretchy item Archie swallowed. Plus, on the OTHER end of the spectrum, the Petcasters go over the results of the 2008 Westminister Kennel Club Show and ponder the light-snack packets for pets.

* * *

No. 135: Lurch, The Amazing Blood-Donating Dog

We all know the importance of blood banks for patients recovering from surgery, accidents or treatment for cancer and other diseases and disorders. What you may not know is that animal blood banks regularly save the lives of companion animals facing the same kinds of health challenges. Joining the Petcasters is a surgical technician at a veterinary clinic in Fowlerville, Mich., where her English bull mastiff, Lurch, is an on-call emergency blood donor. His generous spirit earned Lurch an award earlier this week from the American Red Cross. Also, Steve takes the dogs to the vet.

* * *

No. 134: The Pet Funeral Director

Pets give us unconditional love, which is one of the reasons why saying goodbye can be so painful. For pet owners in Phoenix, Arizona, there’s a new company offering help with that final fairwell. Joining the Petcasters is Skip Knopke, founder of Fairwinds Pet Memorial Services. He has more than 35 years in the death care industry, and is a certified cemetery executive. Plus, the Petcasters ponder whether cats will prevent human strokes and heart attacks.

* * *

No. 133: Do Competition Dogs Take Performance Enhancers?

National Humane Education Society educator Maria Keith joins the Petcasters to explain the 60-year-old group, which advocates on behalf of animals, through information services, rescue and relief assistance and adoption services. Plus, Emily has yet another health scare for Archie, this time related to his eyesight, and Emily also reveals some of the tricks of the competitive-dog trade. Do they juice up?

* * *

No. 132: Springer Spaniel Rage

Lynn Brezina, a certified dog trainer in the Chicago area, joins Emily and guest-host John to answer a question from listener Malya, who asked whether the idea of 'springer rage' is real or fictional. Brezina is also an officer with the Great Lakes English Springer Spaniel Breeders Association. Plus, the Petcasters mull the amazing tale of the cat in the suitcase!

* * *

No. 131: Pet, uh, Pigeons?!?

Nichole Lucht and and Phil Poburka, a pair of Las Vegas-area pigeon enthusiasts, join Emily and guest-host John in the studio to show off some pretty pet, uh, pigeons. Yes, they can be your friends! Plus, Emily explains her alternate, canine-related Super Bowl plans. John catches us up on his three cats and how they would interact with the addition of a puppy.

* * *

No. 130: The Healing Power of Pets

Author Sharon Sakson, whose latest book is “Paws & Effect: The Healing Power of Dogs,” discusses her research and writings on the importance of animals for people who are sick. Sakson is also an AKC confirmation judge and a producer for the Westminster Dog Show.

* * *

No. 129: A Trainer to the Stars

Vickie Marx, Laguna Beach, Calif., owner of the West Coast Academy of Dog Training, offers tons of terrific tips on training dogs and opines about the growth of the animal-training biz. Her training company is at 949/360-7773 or email her at vmdogs@sbcglobal.net. Plus, Emily talks about Archie's recent sleepover and his amazing muffin-stealing incident and she and guest-host Amy ponder vitamins for animals.

* * *

No. 128: The Reptile Man

Andy Snider, director of animal care and conservation at Fresno Chaffee Zoo, shares his tales of animal research around the world (including on Armenian viper and Galapagos turtle pictured above) and also discusses issues related to having reptiles as pets. Guest-host Amy is pondering a new English bulldog puppy to add to her family so Emily offered some thoughts about how to go about it, including a long discussion of the different sorts of breeders.

* * *

No. 127: A Legal Team For Animals

Joyce Tischler, general counsel and co-founder of the Animal Legal Defense Fund, describes the work that the group does to protect the rights of animals and their owners. Their first case had to do with trying to stop Naval officers from slaying wild burros, ultimately leading to those animals being adopted.

* * *

No. 126: The Mobile CSI Unit for Pets

Animal forensic investigation pioneer Dr. Melinda Merck, who chatted with Emily and guest host John, chats with Steve at the ASCPA headquarters in mid-December about the $220,000 van is dubbed the Mobile Animal CSI unit. Steve, in NYC on family business, quizzed Dr. Merck about the first specially equipped vehicle for an investigator to take to process animal-related evidence at a crime scene. Dr. Merck will use it in her work in the Atlanta area. Also, why are Steve’s dogs afraid of the bathroom?

* * *
No. 125: Why Old Birds Lay New Eggs


Terri Jones of the Arcadia Bird Sanctuary and Educational Center in Freehold, N.J., discusses her facility’s mission and answers a question from a listener about why her old parrot, Polyester, suddenly started laying infertile eggs. Jones also takes on some listener complaints about our guest on Episode No. 116, who suggested cockatiels can be “fixed.” Also, Archie triumphed at agility last month and Steve is appalled by a friend’s insistence at feeding his poodles from the table.

* * *

No. 124: Schnauzer Mania



Schanuzer expert Jeri Muntis answers a listener question about how to keep the dog’s beard white. Her answer was a bit of a surprise to Emily. The Vegas-based Muntis, who raises champion miniature schnauzers and handles them in competitions ranging from obedience to agility, brought a schnauzer puppy and full-grown schnauzer and discussed tail-docking and ear-cropping, common for this breed. Plus, an update on the tiger attack at the San Francisco Zoo and celebrating (or not) Black and Jack’s birthdays.

* * *

No. 123: His $11,000 Newsweek Turn



Fred Lynch. a professor at Claremont McKenna College in California, wrote a Newsweek “My Turn” essay this summer about spending $11,000 on cancer treatment for his cat, Fritz. Lynch joins the Petcasters to discuss the reaction to his piece. Plus, the topic prompted the Petcasters to wonder how much we would spend to save our animals.

* * *

No. 122: Mom Gets A New Puppy



Steve’s mom, Joan Friess, calls in to consult with Steve and Emily about her new puppy, Poppy Seed, a 3-month-old silky terrier. The Petcasters also discuss Hannukah presents for their pets.


* * *

No. 121: An Iraq Vet’s Gripping Tale

Sgt. Ron Portillo, badly injured in Iraq, joins Steve and Emily in the studio discusses a program he created to provide service German shepherds for other wounded war vets. Since this conversation, Portillo decided to abandon the program because he was overwhelmed by his own recovery, but the conversation is a fascinating reminder of how important pets can be to improving the human spirit.

* * *

No. 120: ASPCA's Guide To Gifts

It’s the holiday season again, and you might be considering what sort of gifts would work for your pet-loving friends. Steve and guest-host Amy chat about some ideas is Jo Sullivan, a senior vice president at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The ASPCA has its own line of products that they sell to help fund their other activities and that page can be found here.

* * *

No. 119: The Chicken-Soup-For-Pets-Lovers Writer



Author Amy Shojai calls herself an "equal opportunity pet lover since birth" A former vet tech who became a certified animal behavior consultant and author of 22 books on pets including "Chicken Soup For the Dog Lover's Soul" and "Chicken Soup For the Cat Lover
's Soul." She is past president of the international Cat Writers’ Association, of which she was a founder, as well as a contributor to numerous cat and dog magazines. Shojai joined Amy and Steve to discuss her career.

* * *

No. 118: The Skinny on Pig Rescues

Mary Schanz of the Ironwood Pig Sanctuary in Marana, Ariz., describes her fascinating 15-acre, 450+-pig refuge for unwanted porkers. Also, Emily and Dayvid ponder the question of whether to include pets in holiday cards.

* * *

No. 117: Turning Woofie Into Warhol

There were a lot of odd and interesting products at the SuperZoo trade show that Emily and I attended in September, but one that really caught our eyes was Artcasso, an art kit you can buy for your budding little Monet or Cezanne. Or, as Tammy Zaiko says, your Pup-casso or Kitty-casso. We weren’t the only ones intrigued; the kits won second place earlier this year in the gift category for Best in Show at the American Pet Product Manufacturers Association’s Global Pet Expo. Zaiko joins Emily and Dayvid to explain. Plus, Emily follows up her dog-rescue "study" with one about cats. Sort of.

* * *

No. 116: The Bird That Lays Too Much

Tennessee listener Bay Loftis had to give up a cockatiel that was laying too many eggs. It’s a serious issue because it could lead to egg binding, a fatal problem. So she gave up the bird to a bird shop in Knoxville, Tenn., called Strictly Feathers. Owner Gwen Woodward explains all of this and more for Emily and Dayvid. Plus, Emily did an informal study of stories about dogs who rescued families.

* * *

No. 115: The Puerto Rican Dog Crisis

Katie Block, the Baltimore-based founder of Island Dog Inc., joins Emily and Dayvid to discuss horrific recent reports about mass dog slaughters in Puerto Rico. Block’s organization works to improve the difficult circumstances of dogs in the American territory, where there are no animal shelters. Plus, Emily offers a checklist for how to travel by air with your pets.

* * *

No. 114: Making Pets Eco-Friendly

Al Gore's slideshow doesn't address it, but there is an environmental movement afoot in the pet world. The market-research firm Packaged Facts says U.S. retail sales of natural pet products will hit $1.3 billion this year, double from 2003 and half of what's expected by 2012. One reason is the activism and entrepreneurship of our guest, Anthony Zolezzi, a co-founder of the Pet Promise line of pet food. Zolezzi and his partners formed Pet Promise in an effort to create a market for small family-owned farms raising animals in environmentlaly friendly and cruelty-free ways. Zolezzi is co-author of "How Dog Food Saved The Earth" and he offers us ideas as to things we can do as pet owners to keep save the planet.

* * *

No. 113: Taking Heartworm To Heart


Everyone knows that heartworm is a very dangerous disease to all kinds of pets, but we don’t really know that much about what it is or how to prevent it. Here's the 411 from Dr. Sheldon Rubin, a practicing vet for nearly 40 years, author of books on dog and cat care and the current president of the American Heartworm Association. He’s also the past president of the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association and was named the American Animal Hospital Association’s Practitioner of the Year in 2003. Plus, guest host Amy describes what her birds thought of a snack bar Steve brought her birds from SuperZoo and discusses bird diets a bit.

* * *

No. 112: When A Dog Bites A Child

Emily's friend Sandy Gold joins us to discuss what her options are since her dog bit one of her kids' friends on her bottom lip, resulting in stitches. Plus, an Austrian court case asks the question of whether a 26-year-old chimp named Hiasl (above) is a person.

* * *

No. 111.5: The CA Fires Crisis

The massive devastation in Southern California firestorm this month has given the nation a chance to see if disaster preparedness management has learned anything about how to deal with pets and pet owners since Hurricane Katrina. Like Katrina, hundreds of thousands of residents of an urban area have been forced out of their homes and into overcrowded public shelters sometimes with but sometimes without their animals. Joining Steve and guest-host Amy to offer sense of the crisis and to discuss the local, state and federal responses to the tragedy as it pertains to pet owners is Simran Noon, spokeswoman for the San Diego Humane Society and Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Plus, Emily calls in to chat about Archie's David Beckham Halloween costume and his performance this weekend in an agility trial, and Amy's bulldog Leon also is getting dudded up for the holiday. You can view pix of David "Archie" Beckham and Leon En Tux on The Petcast blog by clicking here.

* * *

No. 111: SuperZoo Special #2

In the second part of our live SuperZoo 2007 coverage, we chat with folks from Lafeber bird products, For Dogs' Eyes Only training videos and the animal wigmaker Wiggles. Something for everyone!

* * *

Petcast Video #1

This is our first video episode, this time showing Georgia Peach trying out the Puppy Love Paw Pads. Enjoy!

* * *

No. 110: SUPERZOO SPECIAL #1
[See more pix on the blog here]

In our first out-of-studio outing, the Petcasters spent a day at the SuperZoo 2007 pet-stuff trade show. From liver biscotti to dog paw pads to the Furminator, Emily and Steve saw all kinds of interesting possibilities and products, and Emily considers making Archie a French artist for Halloween. Plus, an on-site interview with Terry Donaldson, whose wife invented a schnazzy ChokeFree dog harness.

Links to products discussed on this episode:

Upcountry.Com

Puppylovepawpads.com
Furminator.Com
Liverbiscotti.com
Chokefree.Com

* * *

No. 109: Lynn Johnston's Pet World
[Hear Steve's full chat with Johnston here and read his USAT piece here]

Cartoonist Lynn Johnston of "For Better or For Worse" spoke to Steve about weathering the controversy surrounding her 1996 decision to kill off Farley the dog and about her approach to animals in her cartoons. Plus, tragedy strikes Emily's neighborhood, why she's not eating bacon anymore after reading this story from the Las Vegas newspaper and are chihuahuas known as jumpers? Also, we discuss an odd USA Today story about a kill-it-yourself farm.

* * *

No. 108: Asking Ask Dog Lady

Monica Collins, Boston-based author of the syndicated column "Ask Dog Lady," explains how her column took off. Also, guest Petcaster Dayvid Figler wonders that existential question, "What would your dog's first statement be if he/she could speak?" Also, Dayvid asks, "Can you overpet a dog?" Happily, the Petcasters asked Ask Dog Lady the second question.

* * *

No. 107: Emily Richmond, Goldfish Slayer

Emily's sister calls in to relate a take of Emily's childhood cruelty to goldfish! Emily finally confesses and apologizes. Plus, the director of San Francisco's Animal Care and Control, Carl Friedman, discusses the remarkable success and controversy surrounding a new law requiring the neutering/spay of all pitbulls. A piece about the law, California's first breed-specific law, and its stunning results, is here.

* * *

No. 106: Picking Pets With Diane Pomerance

Author Diane Pomerance joins Emily and guest Petcaster Dayvid Figler to discuss her latest book, "Pet Parenthood: Adopting the Right Animal Companion for You." Dr. Pomerance is a founder of the Pet Grief Counseling Program for the SCPA of Texas and is author of the acclaimed children's nonfiction book on pet loss, "When Your Pet Dies." Find all of Dr. Pomerance's books here.

* * *

No. 105: Flyball Takes Off

Las Vegas couple David Pohl and Keith Brown join the Petcast with Devon, their McNab, to describe their new passion, Flyball. This being Vegas, Devon's team is the Fly N Aces and you can see their site here. Plus, David and Keith explain how they ended up adopting this once-neglected dog, a happy ending to a standard sad Petcast story.

* * *

No. 104: Itching for Itchmo

Ben Huh, founder of Itchmo.Com, joins the Petcasters to chat about what has fast become one of the most important pet-journalism sites on the Internet, getting a bit push from their work breaking stories on the pet-food recall mayhem. Also, the president of Steve's HOA writes a bit inappropriately about cats in the neighborhoods.

* * *

No. 103: Rent-A-Pet?

Marlena Cevantes, founder and owner of FlexPetz, explains her controversial dog timesharing company. Plus, Emily's co-worker adopted an abused puggle puppy and Emily is excited that she helped solve a potty problem. Also, Steve describes the visit to the vet and the potential cost of doggie teeth cleaning.

* * *

No. 102: Duck Poop and Reptiles Happen

Dayna Rich with the Colorado Reptile Humane Society discusses why people surrender their reptile pets and what people ought to know before they get one. Plus, Steve explains what sort of damage the ducks from Episode 100 did and the Petcasters discuss whether people angered by Michael Vick ought to be vegetarians.

* * *

No. 101: Moving Pets Across Country

Karen Chadwick, owner of Professional Pet Transports, explains how her company transports animals for people who are moving and don’t want to drive it or fly it. Plus, Steve rolls out some corny dog jokes from the kids’ page of the newspaper. The dog’s role in a Phoenix helicopter crash and taking your dog to work.

* * *

No. 100: A Petcast Centennial!

For our 100th show, Emily blindfolds Steve and forces him to determine what sort of animals are placed in his hands. Then they discuss these animals with Cindy Bezard of Boulder City, Nevada, who raises the critters. Plus, Steve and Emily expound upon what they’ve learned in 100 shows.

 




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Music

Theme music for The Petcast is "If You're Going To The Doghouse" by Doug McLeod of
Black and Tan Records.

Bumper music for some shows is either "The Banana Cat" by
The Marble Tea or "Cat" by Meet Me At The Pub.

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Theme Music by
Doug MacLeod


Our theme is "Going To The Doghouse" by Doug MacLeod, a blues musician from Southern California. Find his site here.


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