What would you do if you found a baby kangaroo? If you?re Christina Cooper, you turn your sweatshirt into a pouch, pick up the joey and begin work as a surrogate mom. Cooper, co-owner of the non-profit Global Wildlife Center near New Orleans, had to after one of the resident kangaroos abandoned her offspring. She explains that and the broader work of the Global Wildlife Center.Emily read up on medication for Archie and took Speaking For Spot?s Nancy Kaye?s advise and suggested it to her vet. The vet gave it to Emily and she filled it at Walgreens, which entertained Emily quite a bit. Web: ThePetcast.ComTwitter: @ThePetcast.comEmail: ThePetcast@yahoo.com

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No 218: The USA's Oldest Pet Cemetery Hartsdale Pet Cemetery owner Ed Martin joins the Petcasters to discuss the oldest pet resting place in America, some of the more notable animals and how the whole business works. Emily discusses a story she did for the Las Vegas Sun about a fundraiser for retired police dog costs and discusses that Vegas cops teach their dogs to bark-and-hold, not bite-and-hold. She also related a story of a police dog that a suspect thought was cute and tried to steal him, too. Also, we learn about the Zhu Zhu pets, the IT toy for 2009 Xmas season, and FEMA certification for gude dogs. Web: ThePetcast.Com Email: ThePetcast@yahoo.com Twitter:@ThePetcast 

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Is elaborate, decorative grooming of dogs some form of abuse? We don't think so, but commenters of Steve's PawNation.Com piece lodged just that accusation against Cat Opson, a California-based groomer who won $2,000 at the SuperZoo 2009 trade show. Opson joined the Petcasters to explain her craft and how much the animals usually love it.Plus, the Petcasters discuss ways to indicate for emergency personnel that there's are pets inside and Emily explains the difference between turtles and tortoises.Web: ThePetcast.comEmail: ThePetcast@yahoo.comTwitter: @ThePetcast

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The Petcasters took on SuperZoo 2009 with video commentary, interviews and product demonstrations! See the Pet Tops, the Amazing Treat Machine, The Pink Gourmet, The Port-A-Poo, the remote-control cat toy, the crazy creative grooming competition winners and much more! Don't miss the montage of fun photos at the end, too!Web: ThePetcast.ComEmail: ThePetcast@yahoo.comTwitter: @ThePetcast

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The only subtropical wilderness in the U.S., the Everglades, is being taken over by non-native former pets, in particular a variety of snakes that cause eco-system problems. Jenny Novak Tinnell of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission joins us to discuss an amnesty program and to explain where all these foreign critters came from. Plus, Emily?s dog, Archie, had a bad reaction to a rabies vaccine and now is suffering a leg problem that could end his agility career.  Also, Emily is Tweeting @ThePetcast!Web: ThePetcast.ComTwitter: @ThePetcastEmail: ThePetcast@yahoo.com

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Today's guest is Corey Levitan, a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal who does unusual jobs for his "Fear and Loafing" pieces. This month, he assisted at Heaven Can Wait Animal Sanctuary as they spayed and neutered cats. He came in to describe the experience which touched on some controversial topics, including kitty abortions. Plus, he brought his dog, Sammy, with him to the studio and Sammy wore a digicam on his collar to shoot photos of us!Steve is now a blogger for PawNation.Com, AOL's pet subsite, but decided -- yet again -- not to adopt a new dog to the home. Emily describes her sister's visit to Cronkite Beach near San Francisco where they saw the Sausalito Wildlife Animal Center folks push sea lions into the sea.

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As most pet owners know, a well-trained dog is usually a happier dog. But what happens when owners can't manage the training on their own? That's when today's guest takes over, providing intensive intervention at the Lockwood Canine Training Center in Frazier Park, Calif. Julie Isles, the owner, has more than 25 years experience in the field and has authored a correspondence course used by the nation's largest dog training company.Web: ThePetcast.ComEmail: ThePetcast@yahoo.comTwitter: @ThePetcast

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Note: This is our first show in our new studio at the Las Vegas Sun's studio, so the audio is a bit uneven.When 2-year-old mastiff-pitbull mix Sid started picking fights with other dogs, his owner knew there was a problem. And when conventional interventions didn't work, his owner took the unusual and expensive step of sending his dog away for training to a high-end bootcamp for wayward dogs. The owner of that center, Lockwood Canine Training Center in Frazier Park, Calif., will join us on Petcast No. 214, but first Sid's owner, Hunter Hillegas, is our guest.Plus, Steve relates his travels in the northeast where he covered the possible closure of the nation's first racetrack-plus-casino.Email: ThePetcast.ComSite: ThePetcast.com

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Founded in 1884, the American Kennel Club is the world?s largest purebred dog registry with more than 5,000 licensed clubs and affiliates. But the AKC has also evolved as a strong advocate for responsible dog ownership. As the organization prepares to mark its 125th anniversary, the AKC continues to broaden its scope and reach. Joining the Petcasters is Lisa Peterson, director of club communications, who has also spend 25 years as a professional breeder and handler of Norwegian elkhounds. Plus, Steve recalls a story about a house fire from the start of his career that had a significant pet angle and the Petcasters discuss the Bo Obama photo scandal. ThePetcast@yahoo.com ThePetcast.com

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There are comic strips about animals and then there?s the gold standard. Since 1994, Patrick McDonnell has been delighting readers with the antics and wisdom of Earl, Mooch and all their pals. The ?Mutts? comic strip now appears in more than 700 newspapers and 20 countries and its creator has won his industry?s highest honor, Cartoonist of the Year. Plus, Emily discusses some of the stranger problems with summer haircuts for pets. Email: ThePetcast@yahoo.com Site: ThePetcast.Com

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Someone once said, "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog." And to be sure, from Fala to Millie to Buddy to Bo, The Man's best friend is often a four-legged sweetie. Joining us today is Cathy Trost, the director of exhibit development at the Newseum in Washington D.C., which has an informative and entertaining gallery of First Dogs. The Newseum is a museum devoted to media history. Plus, Steve tells of giving his mom's dog gifts for Mother's Day and Emily issues a warning about how not to hold your leash in the event of emergencies. Web: ThePetcast.Com Email: ThePetcast@yahoo.com http://www.newseum.org/news/news.aspx?item=nn_DOGS090422&style=f

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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. http://thestrippodcast.blogspot.com/search?q=renegade http://www.petsincondos.org Web: ThePetcast.Com Email: ThePetcast@yahoo.com

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Today's guest knows his reptiles, from the Madagascar giatn 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. Find him at Leopardgecko.com. Plus, Emily's complaint about her illogical airline pet policies and prices. Web: ThePetcast.Com Email: ThePetcast@yahoo.com

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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. Web: ThePetcast.Com Email: ThePetcast@yahoo.com

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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.

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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. ThePetcast@yahoo.com ThePetcast.com

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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. ThePetcast@yahoo.com ThePetcast.Com

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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 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? ThePetcast@yahoo.com ThePetcast.Com

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There isn?t a person alive who doesn?t see an animal out in public wearing something silly 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. ThePetcast.com ThePetcast@yahoo.com

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Welcome back to the Petcast everyone. 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. Petcast@yahoo.com ThePetcast.Com

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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. Web: ThePetcast.Com Email: ThePetcast@yahoo.com

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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. Web: ThePetcast.com Email: ThePetcast@yahoo.com

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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 for friends and fans of these sleekly charming dogs. Plus, Steve goes to school on quail. Web: ThePetcast.Com Email: ThePetcast@aol.com

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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! Web: ThePetcast.Com Email: ThePetcast@yahoo.com

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Our hiatus, caused by studio technical difficulties, is over! On this return episode, the Petcasters mull over the presidential dog, deaths at the Iditarod as well as at Oprah's house, an iPhone application called Shivering Kittens, the abandoned cocker spaniel in Emily's neighborhood and much more. Web: ThePetcast.Com Email: ThePetcast@aol.com

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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. Web: ThePetcast.Com Email: ThePetcast@aol.com

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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! Website: ThePetcast.com Email: ThePetcast@yahoo.com

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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. Bob 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! Email: ThePetcast@yahoo.com Site: ThePetcast.com

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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. Email: ThePetcast@Yahoo.com. Site: ThePetcast.com

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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. Website: www.thepetcast.com Email: thepetcast@yahoo.com

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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. Website: www.thepetcast.com Email: thepetcast@yahoo.com

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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. Plus, Steve came close again to getting a kitten and accidentally ate a little bit of doggie peanut butter spray. Website: www.thepetcast.com Email: thepetcast@yahoo.com

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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. Website: www.thepetcast.com Email: thepetcast@yahoo.com

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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. Web: ThePetcast.com Email: ThePetcast@yahoo.com

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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. Web: ThePetcast.com Email: ThePetcast@yahoo.com

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No. 184: Plus, the Petcasters mull holiday-season concerns about pets and told stories of pets eating wild. 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. Web: ThePetcast.com Email: ThePetcast@yahoo.com

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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? Solutions from the Casebook of a Cat Therapist"; and "The Dog Who Would Be King: Tales and Surprising Lessons from a Pet Psychologist.? Plus: Emily's dog "catches" a rogue cat in the hood and Steve is scolded for not recalling the elusive charm of Snuffalufagus. Website: www.thepetcast.com Email: thepetcast@yahoo.com Phone number: 206-203-1010

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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. Plus, Black and Jack's big road trip! (See the pictures here!) Website: www.thepetcast.com Email: thepetcast@yahoo.com Phone number: 206-203-1010

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In the Oct. 5 edition of the Sunday New York Times, today?s guest 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. The author of that piece, Abby 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. Website: www.thepetcast.com Email: thepetcast@yahoo.com Phone number: 206-203-1010

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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 show No. 181. Website: www.thepetcast.com Email: thepetcast@yahoo.com Phone number: 206-203-1010

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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. Website: www.thepetcast.com Email: thepetcast@yahoo.com Phone number: 206-203-1010

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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. 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. Website: www.thepetcast.com Email: thepetcast@yahoo.com Phone number: 206-203-1010

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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. Website: www.thepetcast.com Email: thepetcast@yahoo.com Phone number: 206-203-1010

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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. Website: www.thepetcast.com Email: thepetcast@yahoo.com Phone number: 206-203-1010

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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. Website: www.thepetcast.com Email: thepetcast@yahoo.com Phone number: 206-203-1010

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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. E-mail: ThePetcast@yahoo.com Web: ThePetcast.Com

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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. Web: ThePetcast.com Email: ThePetcast@yahoo.com

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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 she 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.? Web: thePetcast.com Email: thepetcast@yahoo.com

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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. 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. Website: www.thepetcast.com Email: thepetcast@yahoo.com Phone number: 206-203-1010

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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. Website: www.thepetcast.com Email: thepetcast@yahoo.com Phone number: 206-203-1010

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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. Website: www.thepetcast.com Email: thepetcast@yahoo.com Phone number: 206-203-1010

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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. See the links at ThePetcast.Com. Web: ThePetcast.Com Email: ThePetcast@yahoo.com

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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. Web: ThePetcast.Com Email: ThePetcast@yahoo.com

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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. Web: ThePetcast.Com Email: ThePetcast@yahoo.com

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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. Plus, an analysis of animals in the funnies. New blog will be ohmidog.com, muttsblog.com Site: ThePetcast.Com Email: ThePetcast@aol.com

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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. Site: ThePetcast.Com Email: ThePetcast@aol.com

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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. Web: ThePetcast.Com E-mail: ThePetcast@aol.com

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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?

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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.

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So, you?re in a dark alley, and there?s a strange dog coming toward you. What would make you more nervous, a Chihuahua 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. Plus, Guinea pigs take Hawaii, Emily apologizes to her sister and Steve flogs himself over accidentally letting Jack out. Website: www.thepetcast.com Email: thepetcast@yahoo.com Phone number: 206-203-1010

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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. Website: www.thepetcast.com Email: thepetcast@yahoo.com Phone number: 206-203-1010

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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. Website: www.thepetcast.com Email: thepetcast@yahoo.com Phone number: 206-203-1010

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For many, the love of an animal inspires their art. That's clearl the case with two songwriters we chat with this show, renowned performer 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 written a song about her beloved dog, Josh. Moore, of Nashville, Tenn., is in the ad business but a decade ago started writing writing songs, including ?Dogs are Cool.? Website: www.thepetcast.com Email: thepetcast@yahoo.com Phone number: 206-203-1010

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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. Website: www.thepetcast.com Email: thepetcast@yahoo.com Phone number: 206-203-1010

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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, joined the Petcasters in their studio. Plus, Steve tells about the dramatic rescue he attempted for an injured mockingbird on his front lawn. Also, revisiting the question of what's feral and what's wild. Website: www.thepetcast.com Email: thepetcast@yahoo.com Phone number: 206-203-1010

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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. Website: www.thepetcast.com Email: thepetcast@yahoo.com Phone number: 206-203-1010

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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. Website: www.thepetcast.com Email: thepetcast@yahoo.com Phone number: 206-203-1010

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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 (http://www.housecallvets.org), 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. Website: www.thepetcast.com Email: thepetcast@yahoo.com Phone number: 206-203-1010

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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. Website: www.thepetcast.com Email: thepetcast@yahoo.com Phone number: 206-203-1010

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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. Also, Steve discusses visiting his mom's dog, Poppy, and Mom visiting his dogs, Black and Jack. E-mail us at thepetcast@yahoo.com or call us at 206-203-1010.

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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. Call 206-203-1010, e-mail thepetcast@yahoo.com, visit our site at thepetcast.com.

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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. Call 206-203-1010, e-mail thepetcast@yahoo.com, visit our site at thepetcast.com.

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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. Call 206-203-1010, e-mail thepetcast@yahoo.com, visit our site at thepetcast.com.

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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. Call 206-203-1010, e-mail thepetcast@yahoo.com, visit our site at thepetcast.com.

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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.

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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. Call us at 206-203-1010 or email us at ThePetcast@aol.com.

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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. Call 206-203-1010, e-mail thepetcast@yahoo.com, visit thepetcast.com

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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.  Call us at 206-203-1010, e-mail thepetcast@yahoo.com, visit thepetcast.com.

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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 (pawsweb.org) 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. Call us at 206-203-1010, e-mail thepetcast@yahoo.com, visit thepetcast.com. 

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Leslie Grinnell, co-owner with her husband Eddie of Eddie's Wheels (http://www.eddieswheels.com), 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. Call us at 206-203-1010, email thepetcast@yahoo.com, visit the site at thepetcast.com

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Tomi Tomek of SOS Chats in Noriaigue, Switzerland, explains her 260-cat refuge and her movement to outlaw the Swiss cat fur trade. To read Steve's piece from the April 1, 2008 New York Times, visit ThePetcast.Com. Call us at 206-203-1010, e-mail thepetcast@yahoo.com or visit the site at thepetcast.com     

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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. Call 206-203-1010, e-mail thepetcast@yahoo.com, website is thepetcast.com.

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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.   Call us @ 206-210-1010. Or email thepetcast@yahoo.com. 

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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. Call and tell us about yours at 206-210-1010. Or email thepetcast@yahoo.com. 

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Amy (bulldogs), Lin (parrots) and Malya (springer spaniel) join us to discuss life with their pets. Amy, guest host, describes how she found her newest dog, Lola, via YouTube! Call and tell us about yours at 206-210-1010. Or email thepetcast@yahoo.com.

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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. Website: ThePetcast.com E-mail ThePetcast@aol.com Phone: 206-203-1010 

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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. Website: www.thepetcast.com Email: thepetcast@yahoo.com Phone number: 206-203-1010

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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 us today 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.  Call us at 206-203-1010, email thepetcast@yahoo.com or visit the site at thepetcast.com

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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?

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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!  

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Nicole 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.

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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 Westminister Dog Show.

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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.

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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) 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.

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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. Call us at 206-338-3946, e-mail thepetcast@yahoo.com, visit the site at thepetcast.com     

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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? E-mail ThePetcast@yahoo.com, call 206-338-3946 or visit our site at thepetcast.com.

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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. E-mail ThePetcast@yahoo.com, call 206-338-3946 or visit our site at thepetcast.com.

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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. E-mail ThePetcast@yahoo.com, call 206-338-3946 or visit our site at thepetcast.com.

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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. E-mail ThePetcast@yahoo.com, call 206-338-3946 or visit our site at thepetcast.com.

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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. E-mail ThePetcast@yahoo.com, call 206-338-3946 or visit our site at thepetcast.com.

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E-mail ThePetcast@yahoo.com, call 206-338-3946 or visit our site at thepetcast.com. 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.

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It?s the holiday season again, and you might be considering what sort of gifts would work for your pet-loving friends. Here to give us 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, so let?s hear more about them. Call 206-338-3946 or email thepetcast@yahoo.com.

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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. E-mail thepetcast@yahoo.com or call 206-338-3946 

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Mary Schanz of the Ironwood Pig Sanctuary in Marana, Ariz., describes her 15-acre, 450+-pig refuge for unwanted porkers. Emily follows her dog-saving study with a report about a heroic cat.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 environmentally 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. Plus, chatter about the Ellen-Iggy issue and a British legal change that allows for people to have a long list of odd, exotic pets. 

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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 to discuss the topic is 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.

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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 is a person.

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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.

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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!

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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. Visit ThePetcast.Com for links to most of these items and pix from the trade show!

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Our first video podcast shows Emily testing out puppy pads on Georgia Peach, her sister's golden lab.  

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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 and are chihuahuas known as jumpers? WIN THE SUPERZOO BAG -- LEAVE US A PET QUESTION AT 206-338-3946!

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Monica Collins, 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!

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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. E-mail thepetcast@yahoo.com, www.thepetcast.com 

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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 auhor of the acclaimed children's nonfiction book on pet loss, "When Your Pet Dies."   

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Las Vegas couple David Pohl and Keith Brown join the Petcast with Devon, their McNab, to describe their new passion, Flyball. Plus, David and Keith explain how they ended up adopting this once-neglected dog, a happy ending to a standard sad Petcast story. E-mail us at thepetcast@yahoo.com, call us at 206-338-3946 and our site is thepetcast.com. 

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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. Also, the president of Steve's HOA writes a bit inappropriately about cats in the neighborhoods.

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Marlena Cevantes, founder and owner of FlexPetz, explains her 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.

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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. Call the Petcast at 206-338-3946, email thepetcast@yahoo.com, thepetcast.com. 

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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. We're the Petcast, ThePetcast.com, 206-350-DOGS or e-mail at thepetcast@aol.com

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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. We're the Petcast, ThePetcast.com, 206-350-DOGS or e-mail at thepetcast@aol.com

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Author Maureen Adams of ?Shaggy Muses? joins us to discuss her new book about the dogs that inspired such great female authors as Emily Dickinson, Edith Wharton, Emily Bronte and Virginia Wolff. Plus, Steve?s favorite animal book is? ?Flowers For Algernon?? and Emily explains her new agility-obedience activity called ?rally.? We're the Petcast, ThePetcast.com, 206-350-DOGS or e-mail at thepetcast@aol.com

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Julie Nelson of southeastern Kentucky tells her horror story of losing three dogs to Purina pet food poisoning last year. Nelson also runs a bichon frise rescue in her region. Plus, Emily suspects the AKC sold hers and Archie?s name and address to solicitors like the Franklin Mint for a ceramic plate with a schnauzer on it. She also explains her opposition to what she calls Schnauzereria (sp?) and then talks about one piece of same she actually wants. We're the Petcast, ThePetcast.com, 206-350-DOGS or e-mail at thepetcast@aol.com 

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Vet surgeon Dr. Noel Fitzpatrick joins us by phone from Britain to explain his revolutionary surgery, giving cancer-stricken Storm a bionic paw. Fitzpatrick's operation is a major breakthrough. Also, Emily acknowledges bulldogs are cute after all -- but withholds similar love for ferrets -- and we share a list from Cesar Milan of things people can do for their local pet shelters. Call us at 206-350-DOGS, e-mail at thepetcast@yahoo.com, site is thepetcast.com and the blog is thepetcast.blogspot.com.   

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Animal obesity vet Dr. George Fahey of the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana explains the obesity epidemic in dogs. Plus, Emily explains the scandal surrounding malnourished and diseased cats at a facility associated with one of our earlier guests, FLOCK. Call 206-350-DOGS, thepetcast@yahoo.com, blog is thepetcast.blogspot.com and our site is thepetcast.com.

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Doug Duke of the Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals discusses the Michael Vick dogfighting case, silent auctions of dogs and the update on the Las Vegas shelter that had to destroy thousands of dogs and cats. Also, Emily updates us on Georgia Peach and the Petcasters discuss what fluids, other than water, are OK for pets. Call us at 206-350-DOGS, e-mail thepetcast@yahoo.com, our blog is thepetcast.blogspot.com, and our site is thepetcast.com.     

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Steve surprises Emily by bringing on musician Knight Berman Jr. of Marble Tea, whose tune "Banana Cat" has served as The Petcast bumper music for more than a year. Berman also unveils a new cat-themed tune and Steve also plays a very, very unusual rendition of "Love Me Do" by the Beatles. Marble Tea is at marbletea.com. Also, Steve vents about a silent auction he attended where a puppy was being sold and Emily claims she is no longer being stalked by that neighborhood cat. Ask us questions or make comments at 206-350-DOGS, our blog is thepetcast.blogspot.com, the site is thepetcast.com and our email is thepetcast@yahoo.com.

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Meg Frost, the owner of CuteOverload.Com, explains how her site became so popular and how she chooses what's cute and what's not so cute. Don't forget to also check out UglyOverload.Com, the parody site that Meg also finds funny. Plus, Emily explains how advice given to her by author Brian Kilcommons regarding Archie and children turned out to work. Call us with questions or comments at 206-350-DOGS, e-mail thepetcast@yahoo.com, our blog is thepetcast.blogspot.com and our site is thepetcast.com.

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With pitbulls in the news amid the Michael Vick dog-fighting controversy, Leslie Nuccio of Bay Area Doglovers Responsible About Pit bulls (BADRAP.org) discusses the challenges facing breed. Also, we respond to a listener's email about how or whether to add a second cat to her household. Call 206-350-DOGS, email thepetcast@yahoo.com, our blog is thepetcast.blogspot.com and our site is www.thepetcast.com.  

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Emily's sister's lab Georgia Peach miraculously survives bloat, a usually fatal and sudden intestinal problem. Georgia Peach was at a doggie summer camp, Camp Four Paws, which is a whole other matter. Plus, Steve is stumped by how to stop Jack from freaking out whenever he sees another animal or person on their walks and Steve relates that his grandfather, who died a few weeks ago, spoke on his deathbed of his favorite childhood dog, Teddy. Call us at 206-350-DOGS, e-mail thepetcast@yahoo.com, our blog is thepetcast.blogspot.com and the site is www.thepetcast.com.

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The Bark magazine editor Claudia Kawczynska explains her more literary approach to pet magazines and books the company is launching. Also, Air Canada decides to stop any transporting animals from now on because of space restrictions in cargo holds and allergy concerns in the cabin. Also, ex-con Paris Hilton is reported a lousy pet owner but we play a clip of Jewel from "The Strip" talking about a more appropriate approach to celebrity pet ownership: Keeping it to themselves.

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Paul Jolly, director of the PetCo Foundation, describes the pet-retailer giant's good works, discusses the outcome of the pet-food recall and chats about a celebrity animal-rights group called Actors and Others For Animals. Plus, we ponder a bizarre negative advertisement for Scooter, a one-eyed chihuahua on Petfinder.Com. Call us at 206-350-DOGS, e-mail thepetcast@yahoo.com, thepetcast.com is our website and thepetcast.blogspot.com is our blog.

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When is pet insurance a good idea? How does it work? Dr. Kent Kruse of Veterinary Pet Insurance, the nation's oldest such company, answers those questions and more. Plus, following up on cockroaches as pets, a USA Today story reports that chickens are now becoming more common as domestic animals. Huh? Call us at 206-350-DOGS, e-mail thepetcast@yahoo.com, thepetcast.com is our website and thepetcast.blogspot.com is our blog.

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Steve and guest host Amy Turner from the Grits to Glitz podcast discuss their respective dog issues and ponder some recent news items indicating that people are seriously turning to cockroaches as pets. Really. Call us at 206-350-DOGS, e-mail thepetcast@yahoo.com, our site is thepetcast.com and our blog is thepetcast.blogspot.com.

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Jill Jones, a reporter for the Apache Junction News in the Phoenix suburb of Apache Junction whose amazing investigative reporting helped an 80-year-old woman recover her stolen dog, 2-year-old terrier/beagle mix Bobby. Emily and John both had some amazing reunification stories of their own. Plus, John claims the Beatles recorded a dog whistle on the inner groove of the vinyl versions of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Call us at 206-350-PETS, email thepetcast@yahoo.com, the site is thepetcast.com and the blog is thepetcast.blogspot.com.

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No. 85: Investigating Crimes Against Pets Dr. Melinda Merck, one of the nation's pioneering forensic veterinarians, discusses the emerging field of using information about cruelty and attacks on animals to solve violent crimes. Merck, based in Atlanta, has a new book out called "Veterinary Forensics: Animal Cruelty Investigations" and is co-founder and vice president for Georgia Legal Professions For Animals, an association of professionals who facilitate the education of state prosecutors, judges and law enforcement on veterinary forensics. Plus, guest host John Katsilometes relates childhood memories of his father's vet practice in southeastern Idaho, including an emergency call to save an owl.  Call us at 206-350-PETS, email thepetcast@yahoo.com, the site is thepetcast.com and the blog is thepetcast.blogspot.com.

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Emily is prompted to apologize for remarks about bulldogs on a recent show that drew the ire of some of our favorite fellow podcasters, Amy and Bay of "Grits To Glitz." Then, Emily's sister Marcy joins us to talk about a frightening encounter on a bike ride with a rattlesnake and other Richmond family small-critter antics. Call 206-350-DOGS, e-mail thepetcast@yahoo.com, the blog is at thepetcast.blogspot.com and the site is thepetcast.com.

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Emily and John are joined by Emily's friend in Mountain View, Calif., who describes the issues involved with introducing a baby human with her cat, Bowzer, and dog, Sammy. John? Who's John? Well, that's John Katsilometes, an entertainment writer for Greenspun Media Group in Las Vegas. True to his name, Kats has cats and discusses the challenge he and his girlfriend had blending their feline families. Call 206-350-DOGS, e-mail thepetcast@yahoo.com, our blog is thepetcast.blogspot.com and thepetcast.com is the website.

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Barbara Osborne, a guinea pig expert (she has 12 of them!) from Palm City, Fla., joins Steve, Emily and studio guest/bird expert Amy of Grits to Glitz podcast to discuss the idea of pocket pets. Is there such a thing as a "starter" pet? Steve thinks maybe. Some good links for guinea pig people is on the site. Call 206-350-DOGS, e-mail thepetcast@yahoo.com, our blog is thepetcast.blogspot.com and the site is www.thepetcast.com.

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Emily's neighborhood and household is full of mysteries: Why is Archie getting up so early, why was Emily's dog-walker taking him on a gigantic walk and what are those dead yellow birds we talked about on her sidewalk? We deal with all that and more. Amy from GritstoGlitz.Com joined us in the studio and got a surprise - Emily brought in one of the dead birds in a Tupperware.  Amy tells us what the birds are and offers ideas as to what they are. Call 206-350-DOGS, email thepetcast@yahoo.com, visit thepetcast.com and read the blog at thepetcast.blogspot.com.  

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Patie Ventre, World Canine Freestyle Organization, discusses her national organization in which people dance with their pets.  Also, Emily claims a cat in her neighborhood stalks her and Archie.Read the blog at thepetcast.blogspot.com, e-mail thepetcast@yahoo.com, call us at 206-350-DOGS 

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Comedienne Paula Poundstone has "11 cats, a big stupid dog, two tadpoles, a bearded dragon lizard, and a bunny." The "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me" regular panelist joins us to talk about her brood and to explain the difference between being a cat enthusiast and being "the cat lady."  Call us at 206-350-DOGS, email thepetcast@yahoo.com, read the blog at thepetcast.blogspot.com or check out our site at www.thepetcast.com.

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Surveys show San Francisco is the No. 1 place for dog owners in the United States, but that doesn't mean that everyone gets along. Controversies surrounding dog parks and leashing have erupted, so the city set up what it believes to be the only municipal Dog Advisory Committee in the nation. What do they do? We ask Bob Palacio, the city staffer who oversees it. Also, Emily and Steve don't quite buy the recent study that claims that the direction of the dog's wag represents the dog's happiness. Call us at 206-350-DOGS, email thepetcast@yahoo.com, visit the blog at thepetcast.blogspot.com or our site at thepetcast.com. 

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Dr. Gerald Post, founder of the Animal Cancer Foundation, discusses new treatments and research and responds to the question of whether it's appropriate to do heroic treatments for pets. Also, Emily related the tale of losing her famly dog and Steve talks about a CuteWithChris.Com episode about a cat that got a makeover. Call us at 206-350-DOGS, email thepetcast.com, our blog is thepetcast.blogspot.com and our email is thepetcast@yahoo.com. 

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Emily hurts herself at dog agility practice, Steve wonders how to avoid having his dogs ruin a new $4,000 couch -- for which he only paid $1,200, fyi -- and Emily's sister is baffled by the death and ressurrection of Bluey the Beta Fish. Also, should you rat out ferret owners and Steve talks about the ferret and bunny he once owned. Briefly in both cases.  Call us at 424-350-DOGS, email thepetcast@yahoo.com, visit thepetcast.com.  

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Emily is baffled by what seems to be a parakeet colony in her neighborhood and why Archie wakes her up but not her dogsitter. Meanwhile, Steve is happy that he's down to two peaceful, happy dogs. ThePetcast.Com, 206-350-DOGS, thepetcast@yahoo.com 

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Folks from the feral-cat rescue group FLOCK join Emily and Steve in the studio with three adorable kittens available for adoption. They're so CUTE, but they don't seem to have much use for Steve. Jimmy, our cat-allergic engineer, however, was a big draw, of course. Call us at 206-350-DOGS, e-mail thepetcast@yahoo.com, our site is www.thepetcast.com.

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We return to several controversial topics of late. Emily responds to a scathing letter about the Taildocking and Ear-cropping chat from No. 66 and then we chat with Margery Glickman of the Sled Dog Action Coalition, who asked to respond to Iditarod trainer Vern Halter's comments about the conditions of the dogs on episode No. 69. It's not ALL serious, though. Emily treats us to a bit of audio theater as she narrates a very funny diary of a dog and cat from the Internet. Call us at 206-350-DOGS, email thepetcast@yahoo.com, thepetcast.com. 

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Yoga instructor Brenda Bryan of Bellevue, Washington, explains her doggie yoga class, created for the Seattle Humane Society to encourage people to do stuff with their animals. Plus, Emily tells all about her and Archie's eventful recent three-day dog agility trial competition. Later, Emily explains how she and Archie once one a -- get this! -- dog dancing contest! Call us at 206-350-DOGS, thepetcast@yahoo.com and visit thepetcast.com.

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Steve and Emily get into a tense tussle over open feeding! Plus, animal behaviorist vet Dr. Lynn Seibert joins us to explain, among other things, how she got a dog to stop pulling hair out of a cat. Also, an update on the pet food recall. Call us at 206-350-DOGS, e-mail thepetcast@yahoo.com, visit thepetcast.com.

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Pat Wright, founder of Ferrets Anonymous and LegalizeFerrets.Org, explains the struggles of California ferret  owners because the Golden State is one of two states where ferrets are not legal. Hawaii is the other. Wright discusses recent failed legislation in Sacramento to make it OK for ferret owners to come out of the closet and some unfortunate polling results showing only 38 percent of Californians support legalizing the "domesticated weasels." Plus, Emily joins Molly and Steve via phone from agility trials to report on how Archie did. Call us at 206-350-DOGS, e-mail thepetcast@yahoo.com, visit ThePetcast.com.

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On Steve's honeymoon in Alaska, he and his partner visited Vern Halter's Dream A Dream Dog Farm for an exhilarating dog-sled ride. After Steve returned home, though, he read a scathing column by a PETA member about alleged abuse of the sled dogs in the Iditarod. Halter, has run several Iditarod and Yukon Quest rides and trains dog teams in Willow, Alaska, responds and describes the life of his Alaskan huskies. Plus, Steve and Molly consider the tale of a Utah man who abused kittens to gain his girlfriend's sympathy. Call us at 206-350-DOGS, e-mail thepetcast@yahoo.com, visit ThePetcast.com.

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Not only is it a bad idea to give pet bunnies for Easter, but baby chicks may be an even worse idea. Dr. Lori Corriveau of Purdue University's vet school joins Steve and Molly to explain.  Plus, check out Molly's cat drinking Scotch on ThePetcast.Com and a pet snake gets loose at the Google headquarters in New York, where folks are allowed to bring their pets to work. Call us at 206-350-DOGS, e-mail thepetcast@aol.com or visit thepetcast.com.

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Apologies for some sound quality problems during this interview.   The ASPCA's Poison Control Center director Dr. Steven Hansen joins Molly and Steve to explain the origin and mass confusion that's broken out amid the endless parade of pet food brands being recalled because of a toxic ingredient that has sickened an estimated 39,000 pets. He also offers some interesting historical information about when pet owners started using packaged pet food. If you need to check,the FDA's list for info is here. Plus, Steve explains why Dicky, his amiable Westie, has moved out along with Miles' aunt, and how that's altered the dynamic in his home with his remaining dogs, Black and Jack, as well as his partner, Miles. Call us at 206-350-DOGS, email thepetcast@yahoo.com or visit thepetcast.com.

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Following on the quick chat the Petcasters had a few weeks ago about tail-docking, a listener and vet-tech joins Molly and Emily to explain why Emily is incorrect about whether puppies feel pain when they're getting their tails clipped. (Emily didn't think so.) Your thoughts? Email us at thepetcast@yahoo.com or call 206-350-DOGS. 

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  Jocelyn Arter, founder of Las Vegas Weimeraner Club & Rescue and her dog Sedona, join Molly and Emily in the LVRocks.Com studio to talk about the breed and also about the Reading With Rover program, in which Sedona participates. Plus, Emily is oddly bothered by a report that the US military has trained sea lions and dolphins to somehow catch seafaring terrorism. Molly, of course, is unperturbed. Call us at 206-350-DOGS, email thepetcast@yahoo.com, visit thepetcast.com or check out Steve's blog at thestrippodcast.blogspot.com.

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In honor of the ASPCA's Poison Control Week, Molly and Emily chat with Dr. Sharon Gwaltney-Brant, Vice President of the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center, about the most common animal poisoning situations and what to do about it. Turns out, human medication is the most frequent problem for animals. But also, chocolate, avacado and grapes. Email thepetcast@aol.com, call 206-350-DOGS or check out our site at www.thepetcast.com.

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Emily and Molly quiz Molly Hermann, producer of Puppy Bowl on Animal Planet, about her network's brilliant Super Bowl counter programming effort. Hear how it's done and how it's getting bigger and better. Plus, the Petcasters chat about the big pet food recall and Molly recalls a rather weird vanity plate she saw around Vegas. Call us at 206-350-DOGS, email thepetcast@yahoo.com or visit thepetcast.com.

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Fraser Lewry, purveyor of CatsinSinks.Com, KittenWar.com, DailyKitten.com and RandomKittenGenerator.Com, and several other feline sites, calls in from London to explain his online feline fascination.  His blog is at www.blogjam.com. Plus, with Steve's wedding in the offing, the Petcasters ponder the role of animals at nuptials, Emily is planning professional mediation to help Archie mingle with her beau's dog, and a story in the news about a dog that died after warning her elderly owners of a house fire prompts Emily claims Archie can mimic fire engine noises.  Call 206-350-DOGS, email ThePetcast@yahoo.com or visit thepetcast.com.

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Nancy Shepherd, a potbellied pig breeder and enthusiast, calls in to talk about having pigs as pets and her website, www.potbellypigofmyheart.com. Also, Dicky loses a tooth and Emily talks about a dog she knows that bit a small child. Email us at thepetcast@yahoo.com, call 206-350-DOGS or visit thepetcast.com.

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Cynthia Kitchel, editor of the forthcoming collection of essays and pictures about people's animal-rescue stories called "Hopeful Tails," talks about how you can enter your story at BordersPetProject.Com. Proceeds of the book, published later this year, go to the ASPCA. Plus, Molly and Steve discuss her $100,000 victory on "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire" and take note of controversy in Seattle surrounding a luxury pet-goods shop called High Maintenance Bitch. Call us at 206-350-DOGS, e-mail thepetcast@yahoo.com or visit thepetcast.com.

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Shelby Terihay, 12, of Brandon, Fla., joins Molly and Steve to relate the story of her pet turtle, which survived being swallowed by her golden retriever. Plus, Molly and Steve banter about a cat that altered its owner to a housefire as the owner and the dog snoozed and about a new drug from the FDA for carsick dogs. Call us at 206-350-DOGS, email thepetcast@yahoo.com or visit thepetcast.com.

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The Petcasters are a little punchy as they take on a litany of issues including designer breeds, a heroic German Shepherd and how to save dwindling backyard bird populations. Plus, listener Bay Loftis from Tennessee calls in to talk about why she's finally ready, after almost a decade, to get a new dog and is considering a rescue. Call us at 206-350-DOGS, email thepetcast@yahoo.com or visit thepetcast.com.

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Emily describes the outcome of the Westminister Dog Show and the joys of watching it on the TV. Then Jordan Kaplan of Petaholica.com describes his site, his cosmopolitan dog-pamperers and his New York-based dog-walking, petsitting business. Call us at 206-350-DOGS, email us at thepetcast@yahoo.com or visit thepetcast.com.

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Dogs For The Deaf CEO Robin Dickson explains the concept of service dogs for the hard of hearing and deaf, a follow-up to the story in the news recently about a parent suing a high school that is barring her deaf son from having his service dog with him in class. Dickson, whose father founded the organization and was a Hollywood animal trainer, explains where the dogs come from, how they operate and why they're important. Plus, Emily tells the harrowing tale of Archie's Barbaro moment - and his triumph! Call us at 206-350-DOGS, email thepetcast@yahoo.com and our site is www.thepetcast.com.

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The main shelter in Las Vegas made national headlines for having to euthanize 1,000 dogs and cats this month amid a massive outbreak of disease. Humane Society shelter inspection expert Kim Intino, who uncovered the problems, joins us to discuss the disaster. Also, Steve thinks the law requiring a $22 well visit per dog before the vet can give them their shots is a racket. Emily dissents, of course. Call us at 206-350-DOGS, e-mail us at thepetcast@yahoo.com and www.thepetcast.com is our site.

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Pet-waste removal entrepreneur Lee Bowling of Memphis, Tenn., tells tales of life in the "doody" patch. His company is called On Doody. Also, a chat-room denizen reveals his turtle heartbreak and Steve and Emily marvel over their newfound fame thanks to an article in Lucky Dog magazine. Call us at 206-350-DOGS, email thepetcast@yahoo.com or visit thepetcast.com.

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Washington State Sen. Ken Jacobsen discusses his bill to make it so pet owners can bring their dogs into bars. Emily is dubious. Also, Steve asks Emily to explain why her schnauzer's tail is docked. Call us at 206-350-DOGS, email thepetcast@yahoo.com or site is thepetcast.com.

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A listener asks what to do about the fact that her Wheaton Terrier is terrified by riding in cars. Plus, the Petcasters debate the Hemingway Home cat issue from No. 49, Molly impersonates Stuff-Stuff's heavy-breathing phone persona and Emily grosses everyone out about her dog eating live crickets. Call us at 206-350-DOGS or email thepetcast@yahoo.com.

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Holistic vet Dr. Cheryl Schwartz explains her alternative-medicine methods for animals. Schwartz is a 19-year vet who specializes in acupuncture and Chinese herbs for small animals and is founder of the East-West Animal Center in the San Francisco area. She's also the author of Four Paws, Five Directions: A Guide to Chinese Medicine for Cats & Dogs. Also, Molly and Emily ponder whether too much was made of Barbaro the horse and who would win in a real-life Super Bowl fight, a bear or a colt. Plus, Emily offers advice on what to look for if you go to a dog show. Call us at 206-350-DOGS or e-mail thepetcast@yahoo.com. Our site is thepetcast.com.

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ASPCA VP Dr. Stephen L. Zawistowski joins Steve, Molly and Emily to offer some money-saving tips to keeping your pets. What's important, what's a waste? We consider Fancy collars, teeth cleanings, animal clothes, pet insurance. Call us at 206-350-DOGS, email us at thepetcast@yahoo.com and visit us at www.thepetcast.com.

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The CEO of the Hemingway House in Key West joins Molly, Emily and Steve to discuss the coterie of polydactyl cats and why a neighbor called the USDA about the 60-odd brood. Now they're caught trying to satisfy the Feds. Plus, the threesome debate the study showing Finnish pet owners are fatter than non-pet-owners. Call 206-350-DOGS or e-mail thepetcast@yahoo.com. Our site is www.thepetcast.com.

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Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald, star of two Animal Planet shows, joins the Petcast to discuss the newest program, E-Vet Interns, and talks about what it's like to work on animals with the cameras rolling. Also, Emily explains why she's NOT a vet. Call us at 206-350-DOGS, e-mail thepetcast@yahoo.com and our site is www.thepetcast.com.

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Steve and Emily settle some old scores, including the questions of what updating a microchip costs and how much Dicky weighs. Plus, the return of Molly, Steve's not impressed by dog parks and Steve unearthed his dogs' hilarious resume. Call us at 206-350-DOGS, e-mail thepetcast@yahoo.com, visit the site at www.thepetcast.com.

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