Pet Peeves - hot-button pet issues that make owners growl, wag and purr, or bare their teeth - Pets & Animals on Pet Life Radio (PetLifeRadio.com)

A recent column by noted baby doctor and syndicated columnist Dr. T. Berry Brazelton managed to hiss-off cat lovers across the country, including me! He obviously missed Pet Peeves Episode 19 - Oh, Baby! Cats & Infants and instead advised a pregnant woman to get rid of her cat, warning that the kitty could spread disease, act jealous and suffocate the infant. Give me a break! Join my guest Dr. Deb Eldredge, the author of the updated Cat Owner’s Veterinary Handbook, as we yowl about bad advice, and clear the air with accurate information about toxoplasmosis and more.

From warm-and-fuzzy to stories with bite, canine features fill the mainstream press these days. The popularity of pets means local and national media outlets pay attention to doggy stories. But who writes the stories, and reports breaking news on the 6 o’clock report? Too often, it’s a person who doesn’t know a Beagle from the son-of-a-Bichon down the street! And if they don’t know the right questions to ask, they can’t give their audience balanced information. That makes dog people howling mad-- to the point that some dog clubs want to ban "the press" altogether. Dr. Deb Eldredge, author of the Dog Owners Veterinary Handbook and the newly elected president of the Dog Writers Association of America, gives the low-down on where to find the best dog-savvy writers on the planet.

In Episode 26, we covered dogs, and now it's time to take a walk on the feline side. With more than 40 recognized cat breeds around the world, there's a cat to suit the most finicky cat lover. How careful are breeders when it comes to creating new breeds? Do they breed for looks, or for health--or both? Listen as geneticist and researcher Dr. Leslie Lyons of the Lyons Laboratory at UC Davis explains all about feline gene mapping, ways it's identifying (and potentially eliminating) diseases in many species, and even how feline forensics can solve human crimes!

If you love cats, you doubtless have read the book about this special feline, or have heard of it. It's hard to believe that a throw-away kitten had such impact on his human "mom" and town, and in fact has touched the world. Join Vicki Myron, author of the book, and find out secrets you won't read--including who will play her when the movie version comes out!

With the holiday season in full swing, we plan to spend vacations with long-distance families--and we want to include our fur-kids in the festivities. But many airlines are no longer such "friendly skies" when it comes to travel with pets. Passengers rarely know they share cabin space with a pet; human travelors are noisier, more pungent, and aggravating. Yet the pet's ticket costs double or more the price of a human, even when Fluffy rides under the seat as carry-on, and never gets a free snack! So what's the big hairy deal? Join frequent pet-flier Patie Ventre for her take on the state of pet travel, and a call for frequent flier miles for globe-trotting pets.

Has the economy curbed your spending? Are you looking for cheap thrills? Is your dog the "star" of your household? Have we got the show for you! Enjoy your own "Dancing with the Stars" success with Canine Freestyle...dancing with your dog! Patie Ventre, the founder of the World Canine Freestyle Organization, explains all the fancy footwork involved in creating this innovative dog sport--and how to get your dogs involved.

If you share your life with a cat, dog, horse, or love the idea of keeping wildlife healthy--you have the Morris Animal Foundation to thank. Founded in 1948, the Foundation has been at the forefront of funding breakthrough research benefiting animals all over the world. Yet there are some illnesses and concerns that have dogged our pets--and especially our cats--for years. Dr. Patricia Olson, the President and CEO (www.morrisanimalfoundation.org) describes some of the special initiatives funded by Morris that address feline health, canine cancer, horse studies, and behavior issues--and how you can help!

An earlier program offered some history and insight into how animals have been treated in movies and TV. This show brings you up to date with the current state of animal actors, and how The American Humane Association leads the charge for humane care. Karen Rosa has worked behind-the-scenes for more than 18 years, keeping critters safe while the cameras are rolling, and when they stop. Hear about what happened on the set of Beverly Hills Chihuahua, Greatest American Dog, and other shows. Learn about the rules, how they're enforced, and why it's important to look for that "No Animals Were Harmed" language on your entertainment!

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! plus dogs, cats, birds, wolves, spiders and more. Do animals in movies make you smile? Critters on camera certainly sell products, and can be big business for the entertainment industry. But there's a sordid history of abuse used to get those "exciting/enthralling" shots. And even today, with American Humane Association leading the charge for humane care, some studios know how to get around the anti-cruelty laws. For instance, they'll film "ify" footage in Mexico. The new "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" was shot exclusively in Mexico, so were the dogs treated well? You be the judge, after hearing insights from my guest, professional actor and film historian Frank Steele.

The un-owned cats of America caterwaul from alleyways, give birth in woodpiles, and slink beneath dumpsters eking out a meager existence on the scraps of civilization. Nobody knows how many live homeless and unloved, but wherever cats gather, controversy soon follows. Many "solutions" have been tried, and opinions abound regarding the best way to deal with un-owned and feral felines. In the last decade, a small army of dedicated and caring cat advocates has come to believe that TNR is a viable and ethical answer. Join Becky Robinson, president and co-founder of Alley Cat Allies, the recognized authority on feral cats.

Does the vet cringe when your dog appears? Are relatives and neighbors dodging your visits? We love our dogs, and expect everyone else to appreciate them, too. But dogs aren't born with human social skills and need help learning the ropes. Even dogs who SIT-STAY-COME in your own back yard become doggy delinquents when out on the town. Join dog trainer and book author Lorie Long to learn how you can have A DOG WHO'S ALWAYS WELCOME (her new book).

With more than 400 recognized dog breeds around the world, there's a smorgasbord of choices for the picky pet lover. But should looks rule our hearts? Can breeding for specific traits cause quirky canine consequences? Experts say pedigree dogs are plagued by more than 500 genetic disorders, from back problems and birthing difficulties to blindness and seizures. What in dog's name are breeders thinking! Are they blinded by shiny cups and satin ribbons? Listen as pet health journalist Christie Keith of the Pet Connection weighs in.

Wouldn't you love to know what Zipper and Honcho think? Can a pet psychic explain why the cat stopped using the litter box, or the reason your dog hates Aunt Gretchen, simply by looking at a picture? There are hundreds of thousands of "Animal Communicators" ready and willing to do just that--for a nominal fee, of course! Do you get what you pay for? Are pet psychics legit or do they prey on gullible pet lovers? Have YOU ever "heard" your pet's thoughts? Hear what Beth Adelman, a pet expert and author from New York, has to say.

Many cities across the country want to force you to fix your cats and dogs. They say making it a law will cut pet overpopulation and save money we now unwanted animals.But these laws actually cost MORE, and can work against successful programs like TNR (trap-neuter-return for feral cats). Can you legislate responsibility? Who will bear the cost? Will new laws work when old ones haven't been enforced? Steve Dale, a pet expert and media personality in Chicago, weighs in.

Modern childhood, filled with video games, text messages, and MTV, seems far removed from the farm and field encounters of yore. Does it make a differences? Let me know your thoughts at www.shojai.com. Should the "Green Revolution" include back-to-nature encouters with companion animals and wildlife? Are children suffering from a disconnect with the natural world around them? Listen as co-authors Christine Hamer, MS, CCBC and Margaret Hevel, RN, BSN, PHN discuss their book, "Parenting with Pets: The Magic of Raising Children with Animals." Learn about the positive impact pets have on your kids--and parents!