Podcast #28
Heart Worm in Cats
Length 8:50
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to Audio podcast 
Heart worm is usually considered a disease of dogs. But
while dogs can be treated for the parasite, there is no treatment
for cats – instead they often die of the disease without
being diagnosed.
Until recently, few veterinarians recommend that cats get
preventative drugs to avoid heart worm infection, but the
disease is becoming more common in cats. After Hurricane
Katrina, thousands of dogs infected with heart worm were
flown to adoption centers around the country, bringing the
disease to more communities. Though few cats actually contract
heart worm, they do get it indirectly from dogs. Deirdre
Kennedy talks to veterinarian Tom Mason of Pets Unlimited in San Francisco about ways to prevent cats from getting
bitten by mosquitoes that carry the parasite. He tells us
how to find out if you live in an area where heart worm is
endemic.
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Podcast #27
Choosing the Right Reptile
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to Audio podcast
Bearded Dragons are among the most popular
pet reptiles
Much as dogs and cats would like us to think it’s
all about them, reptiles and other so-called exotic animals
are making increasing inroads as human companions. Well maybe
not so much companions as objects of fascination and delight. Owen
Maerks owns the East
Bay Vivarium in Berkeley, California, which sells
hundreds of exotic animals from snakes to scorpions. Maerks
has worked more than thirty years to help people choose and
care for these animals.
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Podcast #26
Where did the Leatherback go?
Listen to Audio only
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to Enhanced podcast (with images)
Length: 9:52
Scientists from NOAA use satellite transmitters
on backpacks to track Leatherback turtles.
Pacific leatherback turtles are often called the “dinosaurs
of the ocean.” Some people say they’re as big
as a Volkswagen Beetle. Little is known about the turtle’s
life cycle, except that they swim thousands of miles across
the ocean from their birthplace in Asia to the California
coast to munch on the stinging jellyfish that live there.
The ancient turtles are extremely endangered. Their number
has plummeted over the past fifty years from human activity.
On some beaches, people have taken a hundred percent of the
turtle eggs for food until some populations have become extinct.
Biologist Peter Dutton (on the left holding the turtle)
of the National Marine Fisheries Service has been tracking
the female turtles with satellite transmitters. He tells
us about the ancient reptile's mysterious life cycle and
efforts to protect the remaining individuals. |
Podcast
#25
Movie dogs
LENGTH: 6:46
 Watching
a DVD with your couch puppy may result in a little more
drama than you bargained for. Commentator Anna Cranage
Conathan has some theories on what all those dogs are saying
in the background of the movie sound track and why barking
should be a DVD option.
LISTEN to
our interview.
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Podcast #24
Catnip
Length: 6:30 
Catnip is easily grown in the garden
Catnip has long been a useful icebreaker in the human-feline
relationship. Its hypnotic powers have made it one of the
key ingredients in cat paraphernalia… including toys…
cat bedding.. and scratching posts. It comes in nearly as
many different varieties as coffee beans…. With northern
climes like Canada and Alaska boasting the highest quality.
Cat expert Dr. Arnold explains why felines of all species
from tigers to tabbies fall under its sway and why some individual
cats can take it or leave it.
LISTEN
to our interview.
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Podcast #23
Pets and Travel 3: Keeping your pet healthy
Length: 6:59
 Whether
you’re taking your animal companion over to Aunt Sally’s
or across the country, you should make sure it’s healthy
enough to travel. Even hardy animals can experience motion
sickness, and some pets can have invisible health problems
that can turn into a health crisis once they’re a mile
high. Veterinarian Nicolette Zarday tells us about some common
illnesses to watch out for and some natural ways to ward off
nausea and anxiety.
LISTEN
to our interview.
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Podcast #22
Pets and Travel 2: Flying
length: 8:07
 Going
on vacation with your pet but don’t know how to get them
there? There’s much debate about whether you should ever
send your pet 36,000 feet into the air. The Humane Society of
the United States says just don’t do it, but if you must,
fly your pet in the cabin, not in cargo. We meet a couple whose
family trip turned into a travel nightmare, when the airline
“misplaced” their beloved dog somewhere en route.
We also talk to one of several airlines that have special pet
travel programs.
LISTEN
to our interview.
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Podcast
#21
Spotted in France
Guest: Gregory Edmont
Length: 10:16
 Thinking
of taking a road trip with your dog? Maybe flying your cat
across country to your summer home? In the next three podcasts,
we explore pets and travel. In podcast #21, author Gregory
Edmont tells us about riding his motorized scooter across
France with his Dalmation JP. Their adventures are chronicled
in his book "Spotted in France."
LISTEN
to our interview.
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Podcast #20
Dentistry
Guest: Dr. Melinda Lommer
Length: 8:28
 Not
all cats volunteer for oral health care, but salmon-flavored
toothpaste can help. Oral surgeon Dr. Melinda Lommer specializes
in root canals and crowns for pets. She tells us why regular
checkups and cleanings can prevent an expensive trip to the
vet hospital.
LISTEN
to our interview.
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Podcast #19
Moon Bears
Guest: Jill Robinson
Length: 10:22
 China’s
endangered Moon Bears, so called for the yellow crescet on
their chests, are worth their weight in gold. They are “farmed”
for their bile which is used in traditional medicines to treat
everything from skin irritations to Alzheimers and Parkinson’s
disease. Until recently, China condoned the farming as a way
of protecting the wild population from hunting. But the captive
bears live a cruel existence, kept in tiny cages and tapped
like maple trees for their bile.
 Since
1993 Jill Robinson of Animals Asia has been working with the
Chinese government to close the farms and rehabilitate the
bears, Robinson tells us her uplifting story of hope and freedom
for these animals.
LISTEN
to our interview.
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Podcast #18
Hatching an Eaglet
Guests: Bob Jenkins and Kathy Hobson
Length: 15:42
The San Francisco Zoo has hatched more than a hundred bald
eaglets
 What
does it take to hatch a bald eagle chick? The San Francisco
Zoo has birthed more than a hundred in its conservation program.
We talk to Bob Jenkins and Karen Hobson about why every eagle
egg at the zoo has its own management plan... that employs
the skills of chickens. One of the eaglets was recently appointed
mascot for The Colbert Report.
We hear from the chicks and talk about how the zoo is preparing
to protect its rare birds against avian flu. And we learn
why feral cats that visit the zoo grounds could be the major
carriers of bird flu virus. Length: 15:42
LISTEN
to our interview.
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Podcast #17
“Tails of Devotion”
Guests: Amy Tan & Emily Scott Pottruck
Length: 11:40
A note from Robin Williams' dog, Kiwi, to her family
 What
would your pet say if they could communicate with you on paper?
That’s the question put to 58 families in the book Tails
of Devotion. Author Emily Scott Pottruck compiled photos
and essays from such San Francisco luminaries as Robin Williams,
Michael Tilson Thomas, Isabelle Allende, and Ronnie Lott.
Author Amy Tan (Joy Luck Club) reads from her forward
and recounts anecdotes about her own menagerie of pets, from
Yorkies to tarantulas.
Joy Luck Club author Amy Tan and Emily Scott Pottruck
on their book Tails of Devotion. The photo book contains
essays from San Francisco luminaries including Robin Williams,
Ronnie Lott, Michael Tilson Thomas and Isabelle Allende about
their family pets.
LISTEN
to our interview.
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Podcast #16
Dolphins and Whales
Guest: Brenda Peterson
Length: 10:38
courtesy:
istockphoto.com
Dolphins and whales could teach us a thing or two about communication.
Whales can sing songs that can be heard a thousand miles away
across the ocean. Author Brenda Peterson tells us about the
superior technology of whales and dolphins, what they know
about human diseases, and why their songs may even be helpful
in treating depression.
LISTEN
to our interview.
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Podcast #15
Artbees
Guest: Julian Walker
Length: 8:02
Bees were attracted to Van Gogh’s blue signature
What can bees tell us about art? Bees apparently prefer Van
Gogh to other world-famous painters… and not just for
his “Sunflowers.” Scientists at the University of
London found that bees are attracted to Van Gogh’s blue
signature. British artist Julian Walker co-designed the experiment.
He tells us how the bees scored as art critics and he offers
some fascinating insights into why animals and humans prefer
one piece of art over another.
LISTEN
to our interview. |
Podcast #14
Parrots of Telegraph Hill
 When
Mark Bittner rolled into San Francisco hoping to become a musician,
he never imagined he’d become the manager to a flock of
rowdy parrots. He’s now the author of a book and subject
of a documentary called The Parrots of Telegraph Hill. He tells
us how he befriended the birds and how they transformed his
life.
LISTEN
to our interview. |
Podcast #13
The War on Fleas and Ticks
 Fleas
and ticks must have some role in the universe… but why
does it have to be on our pets? People who love dogs and cats
and other little animals find themselves in a constant battle
with the pests. But they’re more than just dangerous ankle
biters. We to dermatologist Catherine Outerbridge about
why flea and tick bites can bring dangerous secondary diseases.
Joel Adamson of Sergeants Pet Care tells us how to avoid overdosing
your pet on flea and tick control products.
LISTEN
to our interview. |
Podcast
#12
Pet-borne diseases
Nicolette Zarday
 So
a new baby is on the way… is it time to toss the cat?
Pet-borne diseases like toxoplasmosis and other nasty parasites
can present a serious risk for pregnant women, babies and
people with compromised immune systems. We talk to veterinarian
Nicolette Zarday who specializes in zoonotic diseases
about how certain diseases jump from pets to humans. and simple
ways to avoid infection. Length: 7:05
LISTEN
to our interview.
Information for people with HIV from the Centers for Disease
Control:
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pubs/brochure/oi_pets.htm |
Podcast #11
Parenting your Dog
Trish King
 Professional
dog trainer Trish King says raising a healthy, well-adjusted
pet is a lot like raising socially well-adjusted kids. But
does that mean you should put your puppy in a stroller? King
thinks it’s a good idea. In this interview, she shares
her reward-based techniques for guiding dogs through puppyhood,
adolescence and adulthood. King has given numerous seminars
and workshops on behavior, canine management and handling
difficult dogs. Length: 12:35
LISTEN to our
interview.
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Podcast
#10
Hamsters
Dr. Christi Derenzi
Hamsters produce a litter in just 16 days.
Hamsters, mice, rats and guinea pigs are considered good
“starter pets” for children, though moms often
end up getting super attached to the little guys, sneaking
them out of their cages for a cuddle, and getting all emotional
when they die. And why not… they’re cute and gentle
and their entire compound can fit neatly onto a bedside tabletop.
Rodent specialist Dr. Christi Derenzi tells us why
hamsters… though arguably the most adorable… aren’t
necessarily the best pick for young kids and what makes rats
such good companions.
LISTEN
to our interview.
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Podcast #9
“Animals in the Movies”
Guest Stefan Long/ Karen Rosa
Length: 12:30
Rin Tin Tin movie ticket
Rin Tin Tin made 26 films for Warner Bros and rescued the
studio from the brink of bankruptcy
With the Oscars recently broadcast… actors are getting
tons of
adulation from their adoring fans. But what about the animals
in the
movies? They slave all day on a hot set and have to put up
with managers
and agents and directors just like human actors do. In fact,
animal
actors have contracts under the Screen Actors Guild that make
sure even
dogs and insects have stunt doubles. So if you think you see
a cockroach
getting flicked or squished on screen, it's really a stand-in
or a
“stuffie” in Hollywood lingo. We talk to Stefan
Long… an entomologist
who grows bugs for horror movies and TV shows. And Karen
Rosa of the
American Humane Association tells us why all animal actors
from ants to
elephants should be treated like movie stars.
LISTEN
to our interview.
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Podcast #8
Pets and Romance
Guest: Dr. Joel Gold
Length: 10:30
 Has
your dog ever busted up your romance? Is your cat-on-bed policy
incompatible with your partner’s? When the pets get
more love than the humans… maybe it’s not just
because you love the dog more than your spouse. New York psychologist
Dr. Joel Gold, author of When Pets Come Between
Partners, explains how we sometimes project our personal
issues onto our pets and how to keep the pet from interfering
with romantic bliss.
LISTEN to
our interview.
http://www.drjoelgold.com/
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Podcast #7
Crows and Ravens
Guest: Tony Angell & John Marzluff
Length: 9:44
Illustration by Tony Angell
Crows and Ravens have long been associated with death and
mystery. We talk to Tony Angell and John Marzluff
authors of the book In the Company of Ravens and Crows
about the intelligence and adaptability of the blackest birds
and their role in myth and literature.
Click here
to download the podcast.
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|
Podcast #6
Tigers
Guest: Tippi Hedren
Length: 10:35
 Have
you ever heard a mountain lion purr? You will in this story.
Actress Tippi Hedren takes us on a tour of her Shambala
Big Cat Preserve near Los Angeles, where she lives with dozens
of lions, tigers, cougars and other wild cats that she rescued
from abuse and neglect. Tippi says it’s as easy to order
tigers, lions or other exotic animals over the Internet or
through covert dealers as it is to buy a CD. She’s made
it her life’s mission to stop the illegal trade in endangered
cats.
Click HERE
to download the podcast.
http://www.shambala.org
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| Podcast #5
Grizzlies
Guest: Nic Jans
Length: 8:35
 The
controversial filmmaker Tim Treadwell lived among grizzlies
on Alaska’s Katmai peninsula for thirteen summers. He
gathered hundreds of hours of videotape of himself interacting
closely…some would say perilously… with the bears
that he talked about in documentaries and lectures for school
children.
On October 5th, 2003 when Treadwell and his girlfriend Amy
Hugenaard were both killed and eaten by bears. Alaskan author
Nic Jans investigated the events surrounding their
deaths and explains why bears that Treadwell knew so well
could suddenly turn on him.
To hear the podcast, click here.
To hear the full-length version of this story streaming live,
click here.
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Podcast #4
Dogster
Guest: Ted Rheingold
Length: 7:48
 Thousands
of people are spending their valuable work hours on line,
gazing at photos of, wait for it… other people’s
dogs and cats. It’s the new virtual Valium for stressed-out
desk workers. And you can see why, just looking at this photo
made the staff at Animals Aloud want to take a nap. The guy
to blame for all that lost productivity is Ted Rheingold,
founder of the extremely popular web sites Dogster.com
and Catster.com.
Rheingold created his pet portfolio empire almost by accident,
just to entertain his girlfriend (now wife). Today thousands
of subscribers post cute photos and bios of their pets for
the whole wide web to enjoy.
To hear the podcast, click here.
To hear the full-length version of this story streaming live,
click here.
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| Podcast #3
Why Birds Sing
Guest: David Rothenberg
Length: 8:55
 Birdsong
is as varied as human language, containing tens of thousands
of different sound patterns. But did you know that birds pick
up other birds’ tunes and that even birds of the same
species can have different “accents” depending
on where they live? Philosopher and jazz musician David
Rothenberg explains why bird brains are much more complex
than we give them credit for. He explores the musical abilities
if wild birds by playing a variety of musical instruments
alongside them. Rothenberg recorded these beautiful collaborations
on his CD “Why Birds Sing,” and explains
the mechanics behind birdsong in his book of the same title.
To hear the podcast, click here
To hear the full-length interview streaming live click here.
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| Podcast #2
How Dogs Think
Guest Professor Stanley Coren
Length: 8:26
 How
smart are dogs? Do they really understand what we say to them?
Some say dogs have powers of clairvoyance that range anywhere
from predicting when we’ll come home from work to when
the next big earthquake will hit. But University of British
Columbia Psychologist Stanley Coren has some theory
of his own. Coren, an expert on human-dog interaction, says
dogs perceive the world “nose first” which means
they probably know a lot more about what’s going on
around them than we do.
To hear the podcast, click here.
To hear the full-length (13:05) interview via streaming audio,
click here.
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Podcast #1
“The Lady and the Panda”
Guest Vicki Constantine Croke
Length: 7:30
The recent births of two baby giant pandas in the United States
had thousands of people glued to their computers watching blurry
panda cam images of the tiny black and white bears. Less than
a hundred years ago, few people had ever seen a panda and many
thought it was just a mythical beast, like a unicorn. But in
the 1930s, Ruth Harkness changed all that by capturing
a live panda in the Chinese wilderness and bringing it to the
West. Author Vicki Constantine Croke traces Harkness’s
adventures and her path from socialite explorer to conservationist
in her book, The Lady and the Panda.
To hear the podcast, click here.
To hear the full-length interview via streaming audio, click
here.
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