Talking Animals

Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald—a veterinarian for 35 years, featured on Animal Planet’s “Emergency Vets,” which aired for 11 seasons—recounts his pre-vet, 25-year stint working security for Rolling Stones tours, and how that period ended when Keith Richards urged him to get on with his life, maybe go back to school. Fitzgerald explains how, in heeding Richards’ advice, he decided to do something as challenging and ambitious as going to veterinary school. He addresses what drew him to practicing emergency medicine, and outlines how the opportunity for the long-running “Emergency Vets” came about, adding he never felt hampered treating all those animals at Alameda East Veterinary Hospital while the TV cameras were running. (He touches on a more recent Animal Planet series he also starred in, “E-Vet Interns.”). A veteran comedian who performs upwards of 100 shows a year, Fitzgerald describes how he wandered into the stand-up world, and sharing bills with such stalwarts as Joan Rivers, Norm Macdonald and Kevin Nealon. Fitzgerald talks about the scope of his conservation-related work, affiliated with the Denver Zoo, agreeing with my observation that many zoos’ conservation efforts amount to gussied-up propaganda or outright baloney—while providing details of big tracts of land in Mongolia and elsewhere that the Zoo has acquired for its conservation campaigns, which Fitzgerald has contributed to over the course of multiple visits. He also examines the climate change-produced challenges that polar bears face, offering details based on his trips to Churchill, Canada. (http://drkevinfitzgerald.com)   ALSO: I spoke briefly with Adam Sugalski, executive director of One Protest—perhaps best known for their significant role in helping halt the Florida bear hunt—who has, for more than a decade protested the Ringling Bros. circus, and offers his reflections on the end of Ringling, which had given its final performance a few days prior. Among his observations: that many media outlets, in their Farewell Ringling coverage, had generally given the circus a pass on its chronic mistreatment of animals. (www.oneprotest.org) COMEDY CORNER: Aziz Ansari’s “Lady With The Puppies” (http://azizansari.com) MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: The Beatles’ “Blackbird” AUDIO ARCHIVE: Listen Online Now: http://www.talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/TAMay24.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Anthony Bellotti — founder of the White Coat Waste Project—describes his formative years, and the role animals played in them, highlighting his pivotal experience as a high school student, when he worked as an intern in an animal experimentation lab, and was horrified by what he witnessed. That jarring misadventure was the impetus, nearly two decades later, for Bellotti launching the White Coat Waste Project, which seeks to combat federally-funded animal research, primarily motivated by what it considers the wasteful government spending of taxpayers’ money that bankrolls this research. Bellotti outlines the stints he did spanning many years as a political consultant, working for Arnold Schwarzenegger, senators, congressman, ballot initiatives, and more, learning all about how the mechanics of elections, how Washington machinery operates, etc., in order to be well armed with expertise, experience and an array of tools to be fully effective at the helm of White Coat Waste Project. Bellotti goes on to explain that White Coat flipped the model of all the other organizations protesting animal experimentation, essentially making the bottom line the bottom line, as such, calls White Coat “the only animal organization with bipartisan reach.” He addresses one of White Coat’s current campaigns, including one focused on Veterans’ Administration facilities in four locations (http://www.prisonersofwaste.org), which has yielded information about a Dr. Alex Tan, who has botched operations on dogs at the Richmond, VA facility, and has somehow been permitted to treat veterans, too. (www.whitecoatwaste.org) ALSO: I spoke briefly with Ken Koenig, of Dunedin Doggie Rescue, about their focus on pulling dogs from facilities that are otherwise likely to be euthanized, and places them in foster homes en route to landing in forever homes. He also discussed a series of Dunedin Doggie events scheduled in the coming weeks, which help underwrite the expenses of this small organization. (www.dunedindogs.com) COMEDY CORNER: Dana Gould’s “Snakes & Alligators” (www.danagould.com) MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: X’s “Hungry Wolf” AUDIO ARCHIVE: Listen Online Now: https://talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/TAMay17-.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Anthony Bellotti — founder of the White Coat Waste Project—describes his formative years, and the role animals played in them, highlighting his pivotal experience as a high school student, when he worked as an intern in an animal experimentation lab, and was horrified by what he witnessed. That jarring misadventure was the impetus, nearly two decades later, for Bellotti launching the White Coat Waste Project, which seeks to combat federally-funded animal research, primarily motivated by what it considers the wasteful government spending of taxpayers’ money that bankrolls this research. Bellotti outlines the stints he did spanning many years as a political consultant, working for Arnold Schwarzenegger, senators, congressman, ballot initiatives, and more, learning all about how the mechanics of elections, how Washington machinery operates, etc., in order to be well armed with expertise, experience and an array of tools to be fully effective at the helm of White Coat Waste Project. Bellotti goes on to explain that White Coat flipped the model of all the other organizations protesting animal experimentation, essentially making the bottom line the bottom line, as such, calls White Coat “the only animal organization with bipartisan reach.” He addresses one of White Coat’s current campaigns, including one focused on Veterans’ Administration facilities in four locations (http://www.prisonersofwaste.org), which has yielded information about a Dr. Alex Tan, who has botched operations on dogs at the Richmond, VA facility, and has somehow been permitted to treat veterans, too. (www.whitecoatwaste.org) ALSO: I spoke briefly with Ken Koenig, of Dunedin Doggie Rescue, about their focus on pulling dogs from facilities that are otherwise likely to be euthanized, and places them in foster homes en route to landing in forever homes. He also discussed a series of Dunedin Doggie events scheduled in the coming weeks, which help underwrite the expenses of this small organization. (www.dunedindogs.com) COMEDY CORNER: Dana Gould’s “Snakes & Alligators” (www.danagould.com) MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: X’s “Hungry Wolf” AUDIO ARCHIVE: Listen Online Now: http://www.talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/TAMay17-.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

W. Bruce Cameron — the New York Times bestselling author of numerous books, including “A Dog’s Purpose,” made into a feature film starring Dennis Quaid —discusses how he decided to make Breed Specific Legislation, or BSL (in this case, Denver’s ban on pit bulls) a core element of his new novel, “A Dog’s Way Home.” Cameron expands on the injustice of how municipalities and counties where BSL exists can take action against a dog simply because of how it looks—and that government in those places can dictate what sort of dogs you can, and cannot own. While the Denver pit bull ban is central to “A Dog’s Way Home,” Cameron notes that it triggers the extended journey that Bella, the novel’s pup protagonist and narrator, embarks on, and the marvelous, distinctive canine traits her odyssey reflects. We return to a topic we’ve explored before—Cameron has been a guest multiple times—how to write dogs, especially when there’s a canine narrator like Bella, including his self-established tenets for what that narrator can know, and what observations and expressions can (and can’t) be included. Noting earlier in the interview that some individuals and organizations are staunch pit opponents, Cameron acknowledges toward the end that it’s a distinct possibility that PETA (he won’t say their name) may attack him and/or “A Dog’s Way Home,” given their anti-pit stance—he says he’s “braced” for it—and the outfit’s orchestrated attack on the film version of “A Dog’s Purpose” with the doctored video on TMZ. (www.brucecameron.com) ALSO: I spoke briefly with Anita Krajnc, the Canadian animal activist and founder of Toronto Pig Save arrested for giving water to a truckload of thirsty pigs, as the truck was pulling into a slaughterhouse. The case generated worldwide attention and media coverage (I’d spoken with her at length of Feb. 2016), and six days earlier, the judge found Krajnc not guilty. (www.facebook.com/anita.krajnc.58, www.torontopigsave.org) COMEDY CORNER: Tom Papa’s “Pet People” (http://tompapa.com) MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals  NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: We didn’t play Name That Animal Tune today AUDIO ARCHIVE: Listen Online Now: https://talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/TAMay10-.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

W. Bruce Cameron — the New York Times bestselling author of numerous books, including “A Dog’s Purpose,” made into a feature film starring Dennis Quaid —discusses how he decided to make Breed Specific Legislation, or BSL (in this case, Denver’s ban on pit bulls) a core element of his new novel, “A Dog’s Way Home.” Cameron expands on the injustice of how municipalities and counties where BSL exists can take action against a dog simply because of how it looks—and that government in those places can dictate what sort of dogs you can, and cannot own. While the Denver pit bull ban is central to “A Dog’s Way Home,” Cameron notes that it triggers the extended journey that Bella, the novel’s pup protagonist and narrator, embarks on, and the marvelous, distinctive canine traits her odyssey reflects. We return to a topic we’ve explored before—Cameron has been a guest multiple times—how to write dogs, especially when there’s a canine narrator like Bella, including his self-established tenets for what that narrator can know, and what observations and expressions can (and can’t) be included. Noting earlier in the interview that some individuals and organizations are staunch pit opponents, Cameron acknowledges toward the end that it’s a distinct possibility that PETA (he won’t say their name) may attack him and/or “A Dog’s Way Home,” given their anti-pit stance—he says he’s “braced” for it—and the outfit’s orchestrated attack on the film version of “A Dog’s Purpose” with the doctored video on TMZ. (www.brucecameron.com) ALSO: I spoke briefly with Anita Krajnc, the Canadian animal activist and founder of Toronto Pig Save arrested for giving water to a truckload of thirsty pigs, as the truck was pulling into a slaughterhouse. The case generated worldwide attention and media coverage (I’d spoken with her at length of Feb. 2016), and six days earlier, the judge found Krajnc not guilty. (www.facebook.com/anita.krajnc.58, www.torontopigsave.org) COMEDY CORNER: Tom Papa’s “Pet People” (http://tompapa.com) MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals  NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: We didn’t play Name That Animal Tune today AUDIO ARCHIVE: Listen Online Now: http://www.talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/TAMay10-.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Ellie Laks —the founder of The Gentle Barn, a Southern California sanctuary that houses more than 170 animals that have been rescued from abuse, neglect or slaughter—discusses the ideas and impulses that propelled her to create the facility, some of which can be traced back to dreams she had as a self-described stubborn seven-year-old. Laks explains how Mary the goat, and later, other “decrepit” animals from a petting zoo became the founding critters of The Gentle Barn. From the moment Laks conceived The Gentle Barn, a key component, along with providing refuge for animals facing those challenges, was—in one of those powerful instances of two-way healing—those animals are visited, and often cared for, by inner city, at-risk, and special needs children. She recounts a story involving one of the first groups of such children to visit The Gentle Barn, where not long after arriving a kid threw a rock at a spider, Laks had a conversation with the boy (who was angry and hurt, from years of difficult foster care), and the boy spent the rest of the day as chief protector of the Barn animals—a profound experience that Laks guesses may have influenced him for years. With The Gentle Barn now in its 18th year, Laks surveys the notable ways the facility has evolved and changed, detailing the unusual protocol of care their animals receive and how, consequently, those animals live typically live well beyond the normal life expectancy. Noting that she opened a second Gentle Barn location in Knoxville, TN nearly two years ago, Laks outlines her goal to open a Gentle Barn in every state in America, and responds to concerns I raise about such an ambitious undertaking. (www.gentlebarn.org)   ALSO: I spoke briefly with journalist Bronwen Dickey, author of “Pit Bull: The Battle Over An American Icon,” a widely—and wildly—acclaimed book, now out in paperback. (www.bronwendickey.com)       COMEDY CORNER: Kevin Nealon’s “Cows On The Roof” (http://kevinnealon.com) MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: We didn’t play Name That Animal Tune today AUDIO ARCHIVE: Listen Online Now: https://talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/TAMay3-.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Ellie Laks —the founder of The Gentle Barn, a Southern California sanctuary that houses more than 170 animals that have been rescued from abuse, neglect or slaughter—discusses the ideas and impulses that propelled her to create the facility, some of which can be traced back to dreams she had as a self-described stubborn seven-year-old. Laks explains how Mary the goat, and later, other “decrepit” animals from a petting zoo became the founding critters of The Gentle Barn. From the moment Laks conceived The Gentle Barn, a key component, along with providing refuge for animals facing those challenges, was—in one of those powerful instances of two-way healing—those animals are visited, and often cared for, by inner city, at-risk, and special needs children. She recounts a story involving one of the first groups of such children to visit The Gentle Barn, where not long after arriving a kid threw a rock at a spider, Laks had a conversation with the boy (who was angry and hurt, from years of difficult foster care), and the boy spent the rest of the day as chief protector of the Barn animals—a profound experience that Laks guesses may have influenced him for years. With The Gentle Barn now in its 18th year, Laks surveys the notable ways the facility has evolved and changed, detailing the unusual protocol of care their animals receive and how, consequently, those animals live typically live well beyond the normal life expectancy. Noting that she opened a second Gentle Barn location in Knoxville, TN nearly two years ago, Laks outlines her goal to open a Gentle Barn in every state in America, and responds to concerns I raise about such an ambitious undertaking. (www.gentlebarn.org)   ALSO: I spoke briefly with journalist Bronwen Dickey, author of “Pit Bull: The Battle Over An American Icon,” a widely—and wildly—acclaimed book, now out in paperback. (www.bronwendickey.com)       COMEDY CORNER: Kevin Nealon’s “Cows On The Roof” (http://kevinnealon.com) MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: We didn’t play Name That Animal Tune today AUDIO ARCHIVE: Listen Online Now: http://www.talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/TAMay3-.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Colleen Patrick-Goudreau —a nationally-recognized speaker, author (of seven books) and podcaster whose milieu is espousing the virtues of vegan living—describes her earliest efforts as an advocate, the better part of three decades ago, when even then a driving passion was for communicating. Patrick-Goudreau traces her path from functioning as “lone advocate,” distributing handmade leaflets, to starting to teach cooking classes, to producing a DVD, to launching her “Food for Thought” podcast. In response to an observation that the cultural landscape is currently cluttered with podcasts, but when she started “Food for Thought” more than a decade ago, she was ahead of the curve, Patrick-Goudreau allows that she barely knew what a podcast was then, but because her husband is a musician, they had the equipment on hand to give it a go. Referring not just to “Food for Thought,” she notes that much of her work over the years has been aimed at assisting people who recognized they wanted to make a change in their lives (typically, to embrace veganism), but didn’t know how. Earlier this year, Patrick-Goudreau began producing a second podcast, “Animalogy,” exploring animal-related words and expressions, their history, and their implications; she offers a sampling of the two episodes that explored the etymology of colors (taupe, merlot, buff, etc.) Patrick-Goudreau briefly addresses the seven books she’s written, saying—when pressed—that the ones that seem to have had the most profound impact are “The Joy of Vegan Baking” and “The 30-Day Vegan Challenge.” (www.colleenpatrickgoudreau.com, www.joyfulvegan.com)   ALSO: I spoke briefly with Gracie Grieshop of Pet Pal Animal Shelter in St. Petersburg about their 15th Annual Puppy Love Benefit, taking place May 13 at the Historic Coliseum. (www.petpalanimalshelter.com)       COMEDY CORNER: Julio Torres’ “I Am Vegan” (http://spaceprincejulio.tumblr.com) MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: Ronny Elliott’s version of “See You Later, Alligator” AUDIO ARCHIVE: Listen Online Now: https://talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/TAApril26-.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Colleen Patrick-Goudreau —a nationally-recognized speaker, author (of seven books) and podcaster whose milieu is espousing the virtues of vegan living—describes her earliest efforts as an advocate, the better part of three decades ago, when even then a driving passion was for communicating. Patrick-Goudreau traces her path from functioning as “lone advocate,” distributing handmade leaflets, to starting to teach cooking classes, to producing a DVD, to launching her “Food for Thought” podcast. In response to an observation that the cultural landscape is currently cluttered with podcasts, but when she started “Food for Thought” more than a decade ago, she was ahead of the curve, Patrick-Goudreau allows that she barely knew what a podcast was then, but because her husband is a musician, they had the equipment on hand to give it a go. Referring not just to “Food for Thought,” she notes that much of her work over the years has been aimed at assisting people who recognized they wanted to make a change in their lives (typically, to embrace veganism), but didn’t know how. Earlier this year, Patrick-Goudreau began producing a second podcast, “Animalogy,” exploring animal-related words and expressions, their history, and their implications; she offers a sampling of the two episodes that explored the etymology of colors (taupe, merlot, buff, etc.) Patrick-Goudreau briefly addresses the seven books she’s written, saying—when pressed—that the ones that seem to have had the most profound impact are “The Joy of Vegan Baking” and “The 30-Day Vegan Challenge.” (www.colleenpatrickgoudreau.com, www.joyfulvegan.com)   ALSO: I spoke briefly with Gracie Grieshop of Pet Pal Animal Shelter in St. Petersburg about their 15th Annual Puppy Love Benefit, taking place May 13 at the Historic Coliseum. (www.petpalanimalshelter.com)       COMEDY CORNER: Julio Torres’ “I Am Vegan” (http://spaceprincejulio.tumblr.com) MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: Ronny Elliott’s version of “See You Later, Alligator” AUDIO ARCHIVE: Listen Online Now: http://www.talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/TAApril26-.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Ginger Kathrens —wild-horse advocate, filmmaker, and executive director of The Cloud Foundation—discusses the mustang, Cloud, who is the focus of three of her films, and the namesake of the Foundation she founded, whose stated mission is dedication “to the preservation of wild horses and burros on public lands, with a special focus on Cloud’s herd in the Pryor Mountains of Montana.” Kathrens recalls that when she was asked to make a film about wild horses, she didn’t know much about any kind of horses, but learned through research and pre-production—and, in the course of shooting, one day she spotted a striking all-white foal, whom she named Cloud. In response to my observation that I believe a lot of people have trouble sorting out what exactly are the salient issues when The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) says that wild horses do not belong on public lands—and, in some cases, starts rounding up those horses, Kathrens outlines the financial, political and other forces that have shaped, and re-shaped, BLM policy—let’s just say that cattle ranchers, and their needs (and resources and influence) figure prominently into the ever-evolving saga. She wryly observes that she was somehow appointed to the national BLM advisory board, and for example, the board voted on whether the BLM should dispose of the horses they have accumulated; the vote was 8-1 in favor, Kathrens noting she cast the lone dissenting vote. She says that concerned horse lovers can contact their legislators to push for more mustang-friendly laws and policies, and much information and guidance toward that end can be found on The Cloud Foundation website. (www.thecloudfoundation.org) ALSO: I spoke briefly with Dina Athanassie of the Animal Coalition of Tampa (ACT) about the organization’s 10th Annual Spay-ghetti Dinner and Silent Auction, set to take place April 29 at Yuengling Brewery Biergarten in Tampa. (http://actampa.org) COMEDY CORNER: Jerry Seinfeld’s “Horses” (excerpt) (http://jerryseinfeld.com) MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals  NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: Elton John’s “Crocodile Rock” AUDIO ARCHIVE: Listen Online Now: https://talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/TAApril19-.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Ginger Kathrens —wild-horse advocate, filmmaker, and executive director of The Cloud Foundation—discusses the mustang, Cloud, who is the focus of three of her films, and the namesake of the Foundation she founded, whose stated mission is dedication “to the preservation of wild horses and burros on public lands, with a special focus on Cloud’s herd in the Pryor Mountains of Montana.” Kathrens recalls that when she was asked to make a film about wild horses, she didn’t know much about any kind of horses, but learned through research and pre-production—and, in the course of shooting, one day she spotted a striking all-white foal, whom she named Cloud. In response to my observation that I believe a lot of people have trouble sorting out what exactly are the salient issues when The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) says that wild horses do not belong on public lands—and, in some cases, starts rounding up those horses, Kathrens outlines the financial, political and other forces that have shaped, and re-shaped, BLM policy—let’s just say that cattle ranchers, and their needs (and resources and influence) figure prominently into the ever-evolving saga. She wryly observes that she was somehow appointed to the national BLM advisory board, and for example, the board voted on whether the BLM should dispose of the horses they have accumulated; the vote was 8-1 in favor, Kathrens noting she cast the lone dissenting vote. She says that concerned horse lovers can contact their legislators to push for more mustang-friendly laws and policies, and much information and guidance toward that end can be found on The Cloud Foundation website. (www.thecloudfoundation.org) ALSO: I spoke briefly with Dina Athanassie of the Animal Coalition of Tampa (ACT) about the organization’s 10th Annual Spay-ghetti Dinner and Silent Auction, set to take place April 29 at Yuengling Brewery Biergarten in Tampa. (http://actampa.org) COMEDY CORNER: Jerry Seinfeld’s “Horses” (excerpt) (http://jerryseinfeld.com) MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals  NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: Elton John’s “Crocodile Rock” AUDIO ARCHIVE: Listen Online Now: http://www.talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/TAApril19-.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Kim Skrovanek—founder of The Humane Education Connection—recounts growing up as a passionate animal lover, tending to all the sick and injured animals that she spotted in her North Florida neighborhood. (“Yes, I was that kid.”). That passion, Skrovanek explains, extended into adulthood, though there was an extended detour pursuing an acting career in Southern California. A post-acting period, back in Florida, and working more directly again with animals and rescue organizations, planted the seedling for The Humane Education Connection: Seeing so many animals that had been neglected and abused, she decided to focus her attention on humans who might render that treatment—and nip it in the bud. Hence, the founding of The Humane Education Connection, and its program, Canines Helping Kids in Crisis, which employs rescue dogs—who themselves have experienced neglect and/or abuse—in residential settings housing homeless families, victim of domestic abuse. Skrovanek describes the curriculum that she and other Humane Education Connection instructors teach these children, ably assisted by these specially trained rescue dogs. (www.humaneeducationconnection.org)   ALSO: I spoke briefly with Amber Simpson about the 7th Annual Tampa Vegan Bake Sale, taking place April 22 at Mojo Books & Records, in Tampa. She explained how the funds raised at the Bake Sale will help homeless and feral cats, and the event takes place at Mojo while it celebrates Record Store Day and the store’s 10th anniversary. (www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=tampa%20vegan%20bake%20sale) COMEDY CORNER: Ron White’s “Killer Whale” (https://tatersalad.com) MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: We didn’t play Name That Animal Tune today AUDIO ARCHIVE: Listen Online Now: https://talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/TAApril12.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Kim Skrovanek—founder of The Humane Education Connection—recounts growing up as a passionate animal lover, tending to all the sick and injured animals that she spotted in her North Florida neighborhood. (“Yes, I was that kid.”). That passion, Skrovanek explains, extended into adulthood, though there was an extended detour pursuing an acting career in Southern California. A post-acting period, back in Florida, and working more directly again with animals and rescue organizations, planted the seedling for The Humane Education Connection: Seeing so many animals that had been neglected and abused, she decided to focus her attention on humans who might render that treatment—and nip it in the bud. Hence, the founding of The Humane Education Connection, and its program, Canines Helping Kids in Crisis, which employs rescue dogs—who themselves have experienced neglect and/or abuse—in residential settings housing homeless families, victim of domestic abuse. Skrovanek describes the curriculum that she and other Humane Education Connection instructors teach these children, ably assisted by these specially trained rescue dogs. (www.humaneeducationconnection.org)   ALSO: I spoke briefly with Amber Simpson about the 7th Annual Tampa Vegan Bake Sale, taking place April 22 at Mojo Books & Records, in Tampa. She explained how the funds raised at the Bake Sale will help homeless and feral cats, and the event takes place at Mojo while it celebrates Record Store Day and the store’s 10th anniversary. (www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=tampa%20vegan%20bake%20sale) COMEDY CORNER: Ron White’s “Killer Whale” (https://tatersalad.com) MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: We didn’t play Name That Animal Tune today AUDIO ARCHIVE: Listen Online Now: http://www.talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/TAApril12.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Lori Shepler—an award-winning former Los Angeles Times photographer who now presides over CityTheKitty.com, among the most informative and influential websites dealing with feline declaw surgery–traces that unlikely path. Shepler recalls how the cat who later became known as City the Kitty entered her life, and how when she began photographing City, there was something unusual about the way he reacted to—embraced–the shoots. Not coincidentally, perhaps, Shepler explains when she started a Facebook page featuring those City photos, it generated tremendous response—the beginning of his becoming a social media sensation. That Facebook page, she notes, was indirectly responsible for triggering her interest in declaw. Shepler describes what the declaw procedure really involves—amputation—and the ill affects that cats experience afterwards, often for the rest of their lives. She outlines the pending legislation in four states—New York, New Jersey, West Virginia and Rhode Island—moving toward outlawing declaw, and noting some of the political machinations that have slowed progress…particularly the efforts of veterinary medical associations. Shepler points out why these entities are so fiercely opposed to such legislation (primarily, for many veterinarians, performing declaw surgery constitutes a lucrative facet of their practices.) She touches on City’s new book, entitled fittingly enough, “City The Kitty,” which features a foreword by veterinarian Dr. Jennifer Conrad, founder of The Paw Project. (www.citythekitty.com, www.facebook.com/citythekitty/) COMEDY CORNER: Daniel Sloss’ “Gay Penguins” (http://danielsloss.com) MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” Neko Case’s “I’m An Animals,” instrumentals NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: R.E.M’s “Wolves, Lower” AUDIO ARCHIVE: Listen Online Now: https://talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/TAApril5.mp3 | Open Player in New Window

Lori Shepler—an award-winning former Los Angeles Times photographer who now presides over CityTheKitty.com, among the most informative and influential websites dealing with feline declaw surgery–traces that unlikely path. Shepler recalls how the cat who later became known as City the Kitty entered her life, and how when she began photographing City, there was something unusual about the way he reacted to—embraced–the shoots. Not coincidentally, perhaps, Shepler explains when she started a Facebook page featuring those City photos, it generated tremendous response—the beginning of his becoming a social media sensation. That Facebook page, she notes, was indirectly responsible for triggering her interest in declaw. Shepler describes what the declaw procedure really involves—amputation—and the ill affects that cats experience afterwards, often for the rest of their lives. She outlines the pending legislation in four states—New York, New Jersey, West Virginia and Rhode Island—moving toward outlawing declaw, and noting some of the political machinations that have slowed progress…particularly the efforts of veterinary medical associations. Shepler points out why these entities are so fiercely opposed to such legislation (primarily, for many veterinarians, performing declaw surgery constitutes a lucrative facet of their practices.) She touches on City’s new book, entitled fittingly enough, “City The Kitty,” which features a foreword by veterinarian Dr. Jennifer Conrad, founder of The Paw Project. (www.citythekitty.com, www.facebook.com/citythekitty/) COMEDY CORNER: Daniel Sloss’ “Gay Penguins” (http://danielsloss.com) MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” Neko Case’s “I’m An Animals,” instrumentals NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: R.E.M’s “Wolves, Lower” AUDIO ARCHIVE: Listen Online Now: http://www.talkinganimals.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/TAApril5.mp3 | Open Player in New Window