Bark Radio

Why are so many people considering their dogs disposable? Get a dog, dump a dog? Millions of dogs are surrendered to rescues annually with up to 4 million being euthanized EVERY SINGLE YEAR. Why does this epidemic exist? Part of it is the economy. Is there help for folks who are struggling financially? In many communities, yes. Check with your local shelter to see if a program exists that can help with vaccinations and even food. Behavior problems? Enlist a trainer. Considering bringing a dog into your home? Think carefully about the long-term commitment required.

Did you know that Mary Tyler Moore has a diabetic alert dog? And he’s is a pitbull. How cool is that? Next, Terry tells us about a natural cedar treatment for pests including fleas and ticks. The version for yards even turns snakes around and sends them scurrying the other way.  And today’s vent is about Terry’s run-in with an idiot and a big lesson about how NOT to train a dog. Argh! And finally a tip of the hat to the Dingo, Australia’s wild dog.

Are you looking for a natural way to calm your dog? Does your dog have itchy skin or suffer from car sickness? If the answer is yes, be sure to listen to today’s interview with Patty from Zen Paws.  It’s all about aromatherapy for dogs. Patty also tells us about her aromatherapy buckwheat pet bed.

Luke and The Boys made it to Boston, celebrated their walk of 2,400 miles, and are continuing canine cancer awareness with 2 million dogs. And what’s that we hear? Wedding bells for Maria Daines? Congratulations Maria!! Next, if you are interested in animal law, check out the  Comprehensive Animal Law Handbook. Then there’s this episode’s Breed Specific Legislation rant. Good grief, what’s up in Boston???

Wow, the magic of coconut oil. Its many uses may surprise you. Would you believe, among other things, that it’s an anti-fungal? This is a must-listen for those of you interested in a more holistic approach to life with your poochie. Next, hear all about three brand new Canine Good Citizens: Sparky, Surrey, and Noah. Way to go to handlers Terry, Vickie and Paul! Therapy dog tests are next for these three. Working dogs rock! And have your dogs ever played tag with each other? Terry’s do. Observing canine behavior is absolutely fascinating. Try it sometime. And finally, hear about Murphy’s gig as assistant trainer and our session with Apollo the Rottie.

Today’s Bark Radio guest is Cathy Smith. Cathy is up to her ears in Greyhound rescue in Rochester, New York. Learn all about this amazing breed, a little about their racing lives, and a lot about the wonderful system in place to re-home as many as possible when their racing days are done. Thanks to Cathy for sharing so much fascinating information based on her life with these dogs who, in her words, are born to run. That’s Cathy and her four-pack below. Top right is Sidd, bottom right is Azure.

Far too often these days stories emerge about poorly trained service dogs. Whether it’s a service dog sent off to the classroom with a child far too young to be a dog handler or a service dog delivered to a family obviously unable to do the job they paid high dollars for, the end result is never good. Why does this happen? One reason is there is no certification process for service dogs in the U.S. The Americans with Disabilities Act opened the door for service animals in public. Now it’s time to set a national standard. Dee and Terry discuss all of this and more in today’s episode of Bark Radio.

Austin Pets Alive isn’t proposing taking over the entire operation of their local shelter after all. Learn more in today’s episode. Next, Terry and Dee talk about some interesting collars available for our dogs. Can your dog Tweet? Mattel’s new product will help with that. Next there’s the vibrating collar for deaf dogs. Sweet! And then there’s the GPS device from DogTracs that attaches to your dog’s collar. With this one, you create a virtual fence and when your dog wanders out of that area, you get a text message with Fido’s location.

HB429 tanked in Virginia’s General Assembly. Why do Dee and Terry care? Why should Bark Radio listeners care? Because NOT changing the language in the existing law amounts to Virginia agreeing that breed specific legislation is a good thing. It’s NOT! Here’s the existing paragraph from the bill with the new language that should have passed italicized:

. . . . .

Such animal may be euthanized in accordance with the methods approved by the State Veterinarian or disposed of by the methods set forth in subdivisions 1 through 5. However, no pound may euthanize, or prohibit the adoption of, any dog based solely on breed. No pound shall release more than two animals or a family of animals during any 30-day period to any one person under subdivisions 2, 3, or 4.

. . . . .

That proposed language simply states that dogs should not be killed because of the way they look. Have some spare time? Read the bill in its entirety. And here’s who voted for and against. Yes: Knight, Shuler, James, Sickles–4. No: Lohr, Orrock, Marshall, D.W., Poindexter, Bell, Richard P.–5. Talk to your delegate. Contact those who voted yes and thank them. Contact those who voted no and express your displeasure.

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Bark Radio co-hosts Terry and Dee talk in today’s episode about programs that move animals from point A to point B and ultimately to forever homes. Check out Pilots n Paws. Theses great folks fly dogs all over the country. Bravo! Then there’s ground transport. Terry and his wife, Vickie, recently drove a leg of a ground transport for Catahoula Leopard Dog through the Rescue Railroad. That’s the beautiful pup, below. Last but not least: beware of products for your animals that are made in China!