QUICK PICKS
Welcome to TracieHotchner.com!
Tracie Hotchner
Your Dog's Best Friend &
Your Kitty Cat's Best Friend
All Ye Who Enter Here - Do Not Abandon Hope!
Are you looking for something you heard on the air on one of my shows? Trying to find a link someone told you about? Or did you just stumble on my website and have no idea what you're doing here or what is here? Voila! The Google site search engine.
This Google search box is set for this site only — it says that, but sometimes people don't get it — they don't understand how I could have my own Google search box (neither do I, actually). But my webmaster Jack put it there just for you — and the only place it searches (by default) is this site. So whatever you are interested in, type the word(s)in the search box above and POOF! It will show you the link to take you there.
Tracie Available for Speaking Engagements
TRACIE HOTCHNER
Pet expert and host of radio shows
Cat Chat®
and Dog Talk®
Details here.
The Bulletin Board
This is the place for timely and/or newsworthy items from Tracie. Read on...
Tracie's SmartPak Picks
My website sponsor Smartpak has some of the most wonderful products on the market and I hope you will join me in supporting their sponsorship of me (and the health and wellness I promote for all your dogs and kitties) by spending time on their website and trying their products.
All three of my dogs are wearing Smartpak finery around their necks and have never looked more snazzy. The Dublin collar is BRILLIANT for any water-splashing dog because it is a special kind of rubber so cannot be damaged by sun and sea and comes in really nice color combinations. 
The Clincher collar looks incredibly handsome and is made from the same materials you've seen on the finest English horse tack - beautifully made from leather that can withstand all the punishment weather and your dog can give it. The ribbon collars are great fun if you like changing styles for a reasonable price - they cheer you up every time your pooch comes in wearing one.And the padded leather collars are just the cat's pajamas - English stitched leather with brass fittings and a soft chic color as an under layer - subtly stunning. Toss out whatever tired -out collar your dog now wears and treat her to an upgrade in neck wear!
JOIN THE AUDIENCE FOR FIRST EVER DOG TALK® LIVE!
Come be part of the audience for the first ever Dog Talk® LIVE with Tracie Hotchner.
WHERE? Bay Street Theatre, Sag Harbor, New York
WHEN? Saturday, August 1st 10:30 am sharp!
TOPIC: "You're Feeding Your Pet What?!"
DETAILS: www.baystreet.org/performance/wliu-live-broadcasts
Presented by Platinum Performance with great reusable doggy bags stuffed with goodies. Meet Tracie in Person! Q&A and book signing of THE DOG BIBLE & THE CAT BIBLE after the broadcast.
GET $5 OFF ANY ORDER FROM HALO PETS!
My new website sponsor Halo makes the only kibble I will ever feed my dogs again (as 1/3 of their meals) and I want you to try it, too. They use actual meat even for the kibble and that meat is fit for human consumption, - no scary mystery ingredients lurking in the kibble. Actually, there are shreds of real nice vegetables along with the dry nuggets. Go for it!
Go to www.halopets.com, buy at least $5 of merchandise. AFTER you’ve entered your credit card number, you’ll get to a confirmation screen with a “coupon code” (NOT a gift certificate code) field; enter Tracie. Coupon expires 6/30/2010.
HSUS RATES 4 STARS FROM CHARITY NAVIGATOR
It is such great news that the HSUS, whose work I whole-heartedly support, has received the really important highest rating as a charity. This means that our donations are put to work in the most efficient and ethical ways. Ironically, there were years when detractors of the Humane Society of the United States flung mud about how contributions were squandered — that money was being wasted — to try to stop us from giving to HSUS. It is fantastic vindication to find that Charity Navigator has affirmed just the opposite. We can give with our hearts and know that animals will receive the maximum benefit of every dollar.
KUDOS FROM BARKZILLA.COM
Tracie is blushing from this incredible kudo on Barkzilla.com.
WELCOME TO DR. ELSEY'S CAT ATTRACT LITTER
This wonderful private company, owned and run by a veterinarian who is a Feline Practitioner has joined Tracie's team as a website sponsor.
Tracie has been recommending Cat Attract for Out of Litter Box issues for a long time, without even knowing it is a privately owned company dedicated to keeping cats using their litter boxes so they stay with their families. It works because of the texture of Cat Attract and the herbs in it do literally attract the cat to the box. You'll be hearing more soon about all the philanthropic efforts Dr. Elsey has made to get his litter into animal shelters for those kitties, too. Learn more on the special page dedicated to Cat Attract but here is a discount coupon to get you started trying it: You can print out the coupon by going to www.preciouscat.com/Cat_Attract_Coupon_Save_One_Dollar.pdf.
MORE TIME FOR CALLERS ON DOG TALK®
Because my guests and I talk up a storm every week, I wind up not leaving enough time for your calls, which is something I really miss. On CAT CHAT® my guest only gets 15 minutes and the whole rest of the show is set aside for calls from listeners. So from now on, on DOG TALK® on the 3rd Saturday of the month I'll have one brief guest and then I am setting aside the rest of the hour to be dedicated to callers — so get your questions ready and I'll be eager to talk to you soon.
BUY THE CAT BIBLE AND GET A SUPER DUPER GIFT!
In celebration of my newest website sponsor - Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract litter (which reduces out-of-litter-box problems by making the box appealing) - the next 50 people who buy The Cat Bible will get a coupon good for a free bag of Cat Attract litter! (If you have a senior or long-haired cat, tell me that when you write because I have separate coupons for Dr. Elsey's super-special litter just for those kitties). Write me at DogandCatBibles@gmail.com to ask for your autographed bookplate for the book - and I'll send that with a bunch of cool goodies AND that valuable coupon (a $17 to $21 value).
ANYBODY IN NEW YORK CITY WANT A KITTY CAT?
My wonderful CAT CHAT® listener Debs rescued this little guy from the street and is fostering him in her NYC bathroom waiting for a real home for him (Her own cat Ginger isn't interested in company.)
He has been neutered and tested negative for FIV and Feline Leukemia. He has a great appetite and is very sweet, cuddly and playful.
Write to dalperin@kpmg.com if you can give him a home.
MAX UPDATE: In Memoriam
Our Golden Max Lost his valiant battle with Cancer.
Read the update. (PDF) or Read and comment on the blog entry.
MAX UPDATE: BEACH, MAY 28, 2009
It is completely and utterly amazing to see Max's MomPam and Sister Julie able to bounce back from the trauma of more cancer surgery and show their tenacity for the Good Life. Bravo!
From Update Letter: Here is Pam’s update on Max’s much-awaited trip to the beach – a mere matter of days after surgery for liver cancer, following his amputation for bone cancer. She wrote this to me and to Kate of Wrapped in Kindness, who is raising funds to help offset Pam’s medical bills.
Well, it has been the most extraordinary Memorial Day Weekend. We took Max and his golden siblings to the beach for Max's first swim since cancer entered our lives. Read the rest of the update letter. (13KB, PDF)
Click thumbnail images to see larger versions in new window.
MAX UPDATE: BAD BIOPSY RESULTS & KATE REACHES OUT
Max's osteo-sarcoma has metastasized from the bone to the liver. It is not confined — it is an aggressive tumor, in all parts of his liver, and it has gotten into his blood supply.
They felt and had hoped that this tumor would NOT be his osteosarcoma, and that we could have treated with chemo. But chemo with liver disease "doesn't usually work well."
Read the rest of the update & Kate's letter to Pam (12KB, PDF)
UPDATE MAY 15, 2009: Kate, who created Wrapped in Kindness to help pets with medical bills, has been setting up her table at a lot of canine events to raise funds for Pam's Golden Boy, Max. You can help her do that by going to www.WrappedinKindness.com and buying some of her nifty things to benefit Max. Here's what Kate wrote me recently:
Isn't it funny how bumps in the road - like my cancer diagnosis and treatment at first seem so all consuming and oppressive — an easy excuse to be crabby, insular and selfish — can actually become an even more compelling reason not to stop trying to make a difference for another? When I was first diagnosed some of my closest friends told me to back burner WIK — that it was time consuming and draining — that I didn't need it/need to worry about things like that for the time being. Boy were they wrong. WIK is the light at the end of the tunnel — a beacon of hope — a promise for a tomorrow, perhaps hundreds of tomorrows for another, albeit a stranger. WIK is about love, gifts of love and kindness given without strings or conditions. WiK is about healing — first and foremost the pet in need and their family — but in the end it heals so many others hearts and souls and is a testament to the fact that we all have the ability to change the world and help heal its ills, and our own.
UPDATE: MAY 15, 2009:
MAX IS HANGING IN THERE WITH HIS USUAL GUSTO
From Pam: Yes, Kate is indeed eloquent. I wrote to her and told her I will read her kind words every day and appreciate her efforts to raise funds for Max through her Wrapped in Kindness charity.
How sweet of you to say you would lend Max and I your cabin if you had one.
I spent my Mother's Day weekend enjoying my time with my beautiful daughter and my Max and his siblings. Sunday was a most beautiful day and I took Max outside to breathe the fresh air. (Read the Full Update, PDF)
UDPATE: MAY 22, 2009:
Dear Tracie and Kate:
I am on the computer for the first time since last week. I pulled my back out and have been lying on the floor with Max all weekend. So, maybe the back thing happened for a reason. (Read the Full Update, PDF)
WRAPPED IN KINDNESS on CAT CHAT® -- MAY 6
Want more about Kate after hearing her on CAT CHAT® Wednesday May 6th?l Learn more about Kate's efforts at her website, www.wrappedinkindness.com. You can also see recognition she got in an article in People magazine in 2007. (Wrapped In Kindness is towards the end of the piece.)
http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20062904,00.html
Great Financial News From PURRFECT FENCE
The cat-loving folks at Purrfect fence know that these are economically challenging times so they have come up with an installment plan to let you give your kitty a safe space outside without breaking your bank.
Like to let your cats outside, but short on cash? Read more...
New Website Sponsor: DR. HARVEY'S
Dr. Harvey's joins Tracie's Team - Now a bowl of healthy veggies is possible for one and all with Dr. H's gorgeous Veg-to-Bowl, Canine Health and sensationally healthy treats.Visit Dr. Harvey's Sponsor Page.
DISCOUNT: My very newest website sponsor, the delicious DR. HARVEY'S, creator of veg-to-bowl and some seriously fine treats for cats and dogs (tripe "Power Patties" and fish, chicken or beef "Whisker Smackers") is offering you a special 10% discount on your order. If you happen to have birds, that is their middle name so check out those yummy products, too.
Enter DOGTALK on the Dr. Harvey's website at checkout www.drharveys.com to receive a 10% discount on the entire order.
LONG ISLAND DOG DIRECTORY
For Dog Lovers on Long Island, here's an interesting resource. Let me know if you make use of it. http://www.lidogdirectory.com/
ENRICH YOUR PUSSYCAT'S WORLD
Tracie's new message is: Enrich your pussycat's world - and here's a super dooper way to do that, shared by Robert, the Dad of Luna and Sol, the Cat Chat® Cats of the Month for May.
LOVE TO KNOW Interview with Tracie
I recently had a chance to think about things I often take for granted when I did this interview. Periodically re-evaluating aspects of my life can help reveal what gets me up in the morning — so I'm grateful I had this opportunity.
Canines for a Cure - First Annual Dog Walk
The Long Island Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is calling all dog lovers to put their best paw forward for their first annual dog walk. “Canines for a Cure” is a 1 mile morning walk around the beautiful Belmont Lake State Park. This event is sure to please both man and canine alike as there will be contests such as “Doggies Got Talent”, and “Owner/Dog Look-Alike” and who can resist the “Biggest Lap Dog” contest! So come on down and bring the family and lend a paw to support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Pre-Register before Friday, May 1, 2009 and the $30 event fee includes the $6 parking fee and allows you speedy check in at our VIP desk (Very Important Pup Line)! Sorry, but after May 1st we can no longer waive the parking fee. So don’t miss out, register now… you’re sure to have a howling good time!
Please join us on: Sunday, May 17, 2009 (Rain or Shine)
Registration: 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Walk begins: 10:15 am
Belmont Lake State Park
North Babylon, NY
To register you and your best friend or for more visit: www.lls.org/lidogwalk
TRISTATE BASSET HOUND RESCUE Fundraiser
Fundraiser for TRISTATE BASSET HOUND RESCUE On May 23, 2009 In Wantagh Park 11:00-03:00PM
Annual Spring Picnic Hound Howlabaloo...Hilarious Contests Lots of Cool Raffle Items & Free Hot Dogs & Sodas. For More Info Go To www.tristatebassets.org or Call Walli 516 503 9050
Hound Howlabaloo
May 23, 2009
Wantagh Park, Wantagh, Long Island, NY
Thanks to some wonderful volunteers, this will be our 6th Spring Picnic celebrating the best of the Basset Hound breed. Come compete in one of six hilarious contests:
• Best Costume
• Loudest Howl
• Lowest to the Ground
• Best Kisser
• Cutest Trick
• Most Obedient
Costume Parade at 12 pm; all hounds in costume please line up around 11:50 a.m. Judging for the costume contest will follow immediately.
ATTENTION PLEASE! Looking for People Who Bought a Puppy at Petland!
Did you buy a puppy at any Petland store that wound up having serious problems? The Humane Society of the United States has spent months gathering evidence on the flow of puppy mill puppies into Petland stores - despite store claims that their puppies came from responsible quality breeders. HSUS is part of a class action lawsuit against Petland and Hunte. Read all about it here: http://stoppuppymills.org/petland.htmlAnd here: lawsuit only
HSUS already has a number of cases of puppies who had tragic health issues. They are looking for more examples. If you have had such a puppy please contact HSUS on their website through this link: www.stoppuppymills.org/forms/tell_us_your_story.html
MORE ABOUT THE RABIES CHALLENGE (DOG TALK® 4/18/09)
Want to know more about The Rabies Challenge Fund, and Dr Jean Dodds & Dr Ron Schulz, who spearheaded it? Here are links to their resumes.
Dodds Resume (PDF), Schultz Resume (PDF)
Website Sponsor: HALO
Tracie's finally found a dog food she is really happy to feed her own dogs and proud to recommend to you. Halo products are made of super dooper ingredients but just as importantly it's a small private company (Ellen DeGeneres bought part of it) and they are genuinely dedicated to pet health. There is also a corporate emphasis on "giving back" and to making impressive charitable donations to shelters and rescues where the less fortunate felines and canines need great food too.
$5.00 HALO COUPON
VERY COOL $5 DISCOUNT! Do you want to try Halo Spot's Stew? Or do you already love it and just want a bargain?! Use this $5 coupon as you wish and let me know how you like my favorite dry dog food!
MORE HALO, LOWER PRICE
Everybody with big dogs has to love the new bigger bag of Halo Spot's Stew, my absolute favorite dry dog food (and my dogs' paws-down fave, too). It comes with free shipping if you get a couple of them, and also free treat!s Now is the time to make the switch to Spot's Stew and see exactly what I am raving about. Read more about it.
New Tick/Flea Topical Treatment: VECTRA
Tracie has found VECTRA for her own dogs: the newest tick/flea topical is less toxic and more effective than the Frontline and Advantix she was using (although worried about toxicity). Her youngest Weimeraner Teddy wasn't even able to use a spot-on after bad reactions to the existing products, so Tracie is really relieved to have Teddy protected with Vectra now.
READY GEORGIA
Thanks to the state of Georgia, which has put together some emergency preparedness tips which can benefit pet owners anywhere.
Bob the Pitbull Blogs & Brags About Tracie's Trip to Virginia
Read the full blog here.
Do You Have Serious Behavior Issues With Your Dog Or Cat?
There are veterinarians who have additional training and are Board Certified Behaviorists. They can be found on the site for the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists www.veterinarybehaviorists.org
There are other vets who belong to the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior AVSAB) at www.AVSABonline.org and have a particular interest in animal behavior.
Dr. Valarie Tynes has come on both shows to explain these distinctions which most of us do not realize. The most important thing to know is that you can find a veterinarian through these websites whose life is dedicated to psychological wellness for your four-legged family member — along with their physical well-being.
Dog Talk® Veterinary Behaviorists Round Table:
"Is Cesar Barking Up the Wrong Tree?"
Want to know more about the PARTICIPANTS in the FEB 28th DOG TALK® Round Table Debate on CESAR MILLAN (MP3)?
Read about the participants (PDF, 18KB).
More on the FEB 28th Dog Talk®: "Is Cesar Barking Up the Wrong Tree?"
1) The inspiration for the show was an article in the Veterinary Information News Service titled "Veterinary Behaviorists Question Dominance Theory in Dogs" and here is the link to it: news.vin.com/VINNews.aspx?articleId=12230
2) Read the the letter I sent to the Veterinary Information News (VIN) editor after reading the article. (PDF, 11KB)
3) I invited Dr. Sophia Yin onto the show to discuss this issue directly with trainer Martin Deeley, who was quoted in the article as a huge supporter of Cesar and his theories. Two other AVSAB members contacted me, wanting to participate, so I gladly invited them to join us: Dr. Lisa Radosta-Huntley and Dr. David Spiegel. Here is a short bio on each of the participants. (PDF, 18KB)
CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION ABOUT
"THE DOG WHISPERER"
Because there was a lot of after-the-fact interest in the DOG TALK show about Cesar Millan - which was a round table discussion of "The Dog Whisperer's" training philosophies - I am going to continue exploring the topic. I have set aside a page for this on the website which will have links to relevant articles, correspondence, etc.
On April 14th I am going to recreate the on-air round table discussion live at the U.C. Davis veterinary college in Sacramento, California. I will be moderating this live conversation and have invited Cesar Millan to come up from Los Angeles to explain and defend his methodologies with some other dog trainers and some veterinary behaviorists.
Here is a link to an earlier article in the NYTimes. Be sure to enlarge the drawing which is a really nice depiction of the "vicious circle" of aggression.
Go to THE DOG WHISPERER Page at TracieHotchner.com.
BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE (Tracie Wrote Introduction)
Tracie wrote the introduction to this beautiful book and you'll hear Marcie talking to her on Dog Talk® and Cat Chat®!
Click here to go to Amazon to buy BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE
CHIP IN TO HELP MAX'S MOM PAM PAY FOR HIS AMPUTATION
UPDATE: MAY 3, 2009: Max the Golden's cancer has spread - looking for some prayers and a miracle: Read update on Tracie's blog.
When I asked listeners to help Pam however they could - even just moral support - I received a donation from a dedicated listener (and Dad of Smokey, the Dog Talk Dog of the Month for April). And here's what he wrote back, with a scan of Pam's thank you note. This came just as Pam was getting the new bad news about Max's liver:
Tracie - I also wanted to let you know that I received a wonderful thank you card from Max's Mom, some weeks ago. It was hand written, and took some time to write. To be honest, I was amazed that she would take the time to send out a card like that, since being on SS, I couldn't afford to send her more than a few dollars. I am enclosing a scan of the card so you can read it to. She must be a fantastic person. I hope she and Max are doing well.
Thank You Card from Max's "mom"
(click to view larger versionin new window)
* * *
One of my delightful listeners - whose divine little dog Romeo was the Dog Talk Holiday Dog (you can see Romeo here above Times Square in NYC) was so moved by the story of the 10-year-old Golden Max and his sudden cancer diagnosis, amputation and miraculous recovery, that she wanted to send a donation to Pam to help with those bills.
I want to do the same - and imagine some of you might want to, also.
Pam is a completely responsible pet owner - all 4 of her rescued Goldens have pet insurance. Sadly, it isn't Pets Best, the company I recommend, that covers 80% of 100% of ALL bills, even with cancer if you have full coverage. Pam's company VPI is going to pay pennies on the dollar at best - just as I have cautioned you all on the air - so she is deep in the hole. She would never dare to ask for help — and I only am taking the ball that Romeo's Mom Diana threw me and saying:
If Pam's story moved you and being part of the salvation of her Golden Boy Max would feel good to you, here's PayPal button (below) to send me the money which I will send her a check OR write me: tracie@thedogbible.com and I'll give you her address to send it yourself.
Every little bit helps - and it's the emotional support that means the most.
HELPING MAX:
Anybody kind enough to reach out to Max's Mom Pam with assistance for his medical bills will get a CD of a special DOG TALK show with my heart felt thanks.
Help is on the way for Max, all the way from Brentwood California! A thousand licks to Nicole for her cross-country generosity. She's be getting a CD of a special DOG TALK with my gratitude. More help has been coming in from all over the country - Courtney in Boynton Beach, Florida, Bob in Georgia and Lizza in the state of Washington. Kisses to you all!
THE HONEST KITCHEN NEWSLETTER
Want some well-explained advice on why yearly vet visits are so valuable - but routine vaccination are not? Read what Kathy Daily, a Vet Tech from Kansas, had to say in the recent The Honest Kitchen Newsletter.
MORE ON "TIGHT ROPE" REPAIR FOR ACL INJURIES
Has Your dog torn his Knee Ligaments? You've heard me talk about the different surgical options ACL repairs and this is more information about the "tight rope" method of repair, which seems to be the best from many viewpoints, based on my research and interviews with some of the top orthopedists in the field. Here's an article and video to help you see for yourself:
www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2008/1203-new_surgery_for_fidos_knees.htm
You heard Dr. Matt Rooney, the veterinary surgeon who specializes in "tight rope repair" of knee injuries. If you want to contact him - because you live close enough to Longmont Colorado to become his patient - here is his contact information:
Matthew B. Rooney, MS, DVM
Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons
Aspen Meadow Veterinary Specialists P.C.
104 S main st
Longmont, CO 80501
303-678-8844 (p)
303-678-8855 (f)
970-420-2263 (c)
mrooney@aspenmeadowvet.com (e)
www.AspenMeadowVet.com
He's also happy to help you find alike-minded board-certified surgeon nearer to you who is skilled in doing this less-invasive and complicated repair of ACL and other knee ligament problems in dogs.
DON'T DITCH CATS WHEN PREGNANT!!
As I mentioned on the air, there was a terrible segment of a new and apparently popular show called "The Doctors" on network TV during which a supremely ignorant doctor ("supported' by the show's "fact checkers" who should be vetting her out and educating her) gave the horrible advice to someone wanting to become pregnant that she should get rid of her cats. As I shouldnt have to tell you, this is untrue and cruel advice. Green Mountain Animal Defenders in Vermont were kind enough to alert me to this travesty and to supply the following information links: the truth about cats and babies, and where you can give your two cents of opinion to "The Doctors" show folks. Please do it - for the sake of cats everywhere.
Here is some helpful information from the Humane Society of the US, including
some facts that would be beneficial to the doctors on the show, as well as their
viewers and the cats in their families:
www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/pregnancy_and_toxoplasmosis.html
Please visit the website below & educate the show's producer, as well as politely
making your views known on this serious threat to cats!
www.thedoctorstv.com/main/contact_show_form
Also, please send this along to your animal protection contacts and spread the
word that pregnant women and cats can safely live in the same household.
TRACIE HAD SO MUCH FUN ON MARTHA'S TV SHOW
If you missed my recent visit to the MARTHA TV show where I introduced Martha's new adopted Himalayan cat and then showed her four other purebred kitty cats - here's your chance to click and see it. And, after the cat introductions, stay tuned for the "Ask Tracie" segment where I took audience questions, just like I do every Wednesday on Cat Chat® on Martha's channel of Sirius/XM.
WERUVA IS A WINNER!
Weruva is a winner and I picked them first!
Congratulations to David and Stacy for Weruva's huge popular win! (but don't forget, I loved them first!!) Go to Weruva's sponsor page and read the whole shebang .
View the letter and certificate on the Weruva sponsor page.
CAT CHAT® SCHEDULE 2009
Want to know what's coming up on Cat Chat® Barring people forgetting or having conflicts, here are the guests and topics planned:
MAY 6 KATHRYN BLAND WRAPPED IN KINDNESS; ANN MARIE COMMUNICATOR
MAY 13 LAUREN BAKER 2ND YEAR STUDENT AT TUFTS VET SCHOOL
MAY 20 DR LIZ ROZANSKI, Associate professor and head of the Emergency Department at Tufts vet school
MAY 27 DRS MARTY & SHAWN from the Martha Stewart Radio shows
JUNE 3RD Dr. Harvey’s magical foods and ANN MARIE COMMUNICATOR
JUNE 10- ASPCA POISON CONTROL VET DR. GWALTNEY on the dangers of RAISINS for dogs
JUNE 17 DR STEVE LEVY LYMES DISEASE & VACCINATIONS
JUNE 24 DR. ELIZABETH HODGKINS – Why You must have protection against ticks
JULY 1_______ ANN MARIE, ANIMAL COMMUNICATOR
JULY 8 DR PHIL PADRID on routine thorough medical exams on geriatric pets to save lives
JULY 15 SUSAN COHEN, NYC ANIMAL MEDICAL CENTER NYC PET LOSS COUNSELOR
JULY 22 EAR CROP/TAIL DOCK/DECLAW - LAWS TO OUTLAW –The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association.
JULY 29
AUGUST 5 ANN MARIE, ANIMAL COMMUNICATOR
OCT 14 TEMPLE GRANDIN AUTHOR “ANIMALS MAKE US HUMAN” (taryn Roeder)
DOG TALK® UPCOMING SCHEDULE 2009
Want to plan ahead to make sure you're available to listen to Dog Talk®? Here's what's scheduled:
MAY 2 (Dog of the Month Scarlett ) KIM SAUNDERS, author “PETFINDER.COM DOG BIBLE”; ANN MARIE COMMUNICATOR
MAY 9 MARCIE JAN BRONSTEIN “BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE” KORI KENT, PET TRANSPORT anywherepetsgo.com, DR ELIZABETH HODGKINS VECTRA 3 D TICK REPELLENT
MAY 16 CHARLES REGAL, PET CUSTODY MEDIATOR Meet the Breeder of MASTIFFS
MAY 23 Dr STEVE LEVY Lyme vaccine
MAY 30 DR.SHARON GWALTNEY, ASPCA POISON CONTROL ON RAISIN & GRAPE TOXICITY; Meet the Breeder of SALUKIS
JUNE 6 Dog of Month & DR. NANCY KAY, author of “SPEAKING FOR SPOT”; ANN MARIE, COMMUNICATOR
JUNE 13 CORI MENKIN ESQ. ASPCA DIRECTOR.LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES RE: INTERNET PUPPY SCAMS; Meet the Breeder of Pulis
JUNE 20 TUFTS 2ND YEAR VET STUDENT LAUREN BAKER; DR ELIZABETH HODGKINS – FOLLOW UP ON TICK REPELLENTS
JUNE 27 – NPR FUND DRIVE - DR. MATT ROONEY – ACL TIGHTROPE REPAIR
JULY 4 – Dog of Month DENISE FLAIM on HOLISTIC care ; ANN MARIE communicator
JULY 11 AUTHOR MICHAEL SCHAFFER “ONE NATION UNDER DOG”
JULY 18 DR. DOUG HERTHEL – Platinum Performance joint supplement
JULY 25 Dr. PHIL PADRID routine testing of geriatric animals; DR. ALICE VILLALOBOS LONGEVITY PROTOCOL - Live longer and healthier
AUGUST 1 Dog of the Month, KATHLEEN PRASAD on REIKI ;ANN MARIE communicator
AUGUST 8 EAR CROP/TAIL DOCK/DECLAW HSVMA
AUGUST 15 SUSAN COHEN NYC AMC PET LOSS COUNSELOR
Please Welcome My New Sponsor: Spirit Essences!
For years I've been telling cat people to get the Bach flower remedies formulated by Spirit Essences to deal with any cat emotional issue. Now Jackson Galaxy - the owner of Spirit Essences and a cat behavior consultant himself - is offering a 5% discount to my listeners! When you check out at the end you'll see a box that says "enter rebate code" — enter the single word (one word) DOGTALK or CATCHAT (no spaces) — either one works and you'll get 5% off your total.
Spirit Essences Works on Dogs Too!
I've been recommending Spirit Essences for cats for the past couple of years, based on the recommendation of Ba"Dear Sally"hner, the Official Cat Behavior Consultant on Cat Chat®. It was gratifying to have this array of solutions for cats' emotional issues. But I only discovered that the Essences work on DOGS when I invited Spirit Essences' owner, Jackson Galaxy (himself a cat behaviorist) to become a website sponsor. Within one day's dose of two Spirit Essences, Scooby Doo's hyper-reactivity, jumpiness and edginess to strangers melted away. My friend and the head of the canine department of Smartpak, Rebecca, found that her pug Emma was a whole new dog after dosing with the essences. Hallelujah! Go to the Spirit Essences Sponsor Page
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For Tracie's Dog & Cat Tips Each Day by E-mail (M-F):
Sign up for Dog Tips: http://www.dogster.com/newsletters
Sign up for Cat Tips: http://www.catster.com/newsletters
To Read Tracie's Tips Online at Dogster & Catster:
Online Dog Tips: http://blogs.dogster.com/dog_tip_of_the_day/
Online Cat Tips: http://blogs.catster.com/cat_tip_of_the_day/
For Tracie's Tips by RSS/feedreader:
To Get Dog Tips: http://feeds.feedburner.com/DogTipOfTheDay
To Get Cat Tips: http://feeds.feedburner.com/CatTipOfTheDay
Visit Tracie's Dogster & Catster Partner Page!
A Cool New Partner Ready to Support Causes I Love
We're kicking off this new partnership by owner Ted Rheingold's offer to take charities I respect and have all the new sign-ups from DOG TALK® and CAT CHAT® listeners count as contributions to my wonderful charitable choices.
Sign for Dogster.com and Catster.com with the links below. Your Dogster sign-up will fill a piggy bank for the Canine Cancer fund at the Morris Animal Foundation and sends much-needed help to Feline Outreach when you sign up for Catster. Click below - it takes only a second, costs you nothing, will actually be fun for you, and may be life-saving for dogs and cats someday.
Dogster Sign-Up
Catster Sign-Up
Veterinary Dermatologist (Cat or Dog Skin Problems?)
Does your dog or cat have skin problems?? Listen to the October 11th DOG TALK® with veterinary dermatologist Dr. John Gordon, who developed the Gordon MacIntyre line of shampoos, as he explain skin allergies. He is at MedVet Medical Center in Columbus Ohio but if you're looking for a doctor like him in your area try www.acvd.org.
The Dog Bible Needs a Correction About Omega-3 Oils
Hi Tracie - we met at Glen Highland (I'm the herding instructor) after your talk on nutrition. I'm really enjoying your book (as I am your podcasts) and have a question; re giving your dog oil.......you gave each of us a wonderful bottle of Nordic Naturals fish oil in our “doggy bags”and touted it's benefits, but your book says giving dogs oil generally produces little effect as they tend to pass it on through.
I know I'm missing something - could you clarify please?
Thanks in advance.
Tom Leigh
Tracie responds:
Tom - I am SO glad you caught this. Very astute of you - I had realized it myself and the contradiction was frustrating. As it turns out, I was in the process of working out how to update/replace that piece of The Dog Bible on oils. Believe it or not, when I was researching the book - let's say from 2003-2004 (the book was published in 2005) - there was NOTHING about omega-3's anywhere. Now it is such a hot topic.
So you are the FIRST person to see the new paragraph, which will be in the next printing of the book starting very soon:
OMEGA-3 FISH OILS (page 452)
Even dogs on great diets are still deficient in the Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil. Research suggests that daily supplementation is a "health tonic" for dogs (and for us, too) - important for skin and coat health, the well-being of the eyes, heart and brain, and proven to reduce inflammation, especially in the joints. The oil capsules sold by vets usually don't even contain fish oil. I recommend and use the brand Nordic Naturals because the oil comes from fish in the cleanest waters with the strictest oversight by the Norwegian government in the purity of the oil.
Cat Vets
Are you looking for a "cats only" vet to make going to the veterinarian a more peaceful process for your pussycat? Now the American Association of Feline Practitioners has made that possible on their website, www.catvets.com.
Follow one of the 4 main links on the home page to "find a feline practitioner." One of the fields is a drop-down, so you can limit the search to cat-only veterinarians if you want, and search by name or city or state. Your kitty will thank you for it!
House-Train a Puppy in 24 Hours
(Tracie's Howdini Video)
House-training a puppy means house-training you, too. If you follow dog expert Tracie Hotchner’s simple rules, you’ll have your puppy going where he’s supposed to, and not on the carpet, in no time.
Watch Tracie's Howdini video on How to House-Train a Puppy in 24 Hours.
Other Tracie Howdini videos:
How to Greet a New Dog
How to Pick a Healthy Puppy
How to Pick the Right Puppy for Your Family
Meet The Good Breeders On Dog Talk®
Please come Meet the Good Breeders halfway through every Dog Talk® — breeds you've heard of but don't know how to find and others that are wonderfully rare. But I also need you to tell me what breed you'd like to hear about! What breed are you eager to connect with? Let Dog Talk® bring the breeders to you every week.
Every week in the middle of the show you're going to meet a dedicated "hobby breeder," someone who has dedicated a good portion of their lives to learning all about the breed they've chosen, bringing puppies into the world to place carefully into the right homes, going to dog shows and competitions for the fun and glory of it all - and generally adoring and celebrating their dogs. (THE DOG BIBLE explains the difference between these wonderful people and the horrors of mass produced puppies in volume breeding facilities - they are night and day.
There is way too much knee-jerk "all breeders are bad" sentiment in the dog rescue/shelter world and I am going to do my part to put an end to that by inviting you to meet real live breeders every week. I also hope to introduce you to kinds of dogs you've never heard of or considered - purebreds with specific personalities, physical abilities and characteristics that might just ring your bell. I am doing this for fun and learning for all of us, myself included, but also because I want to find new ways to BEG and convince you to never got into a pet store and to avoid these overnight sensations of mixed breeds for which you're paying purebred prices and have absolutely no way of knowing the emotional and physical liabilities they bring with them - since mixing two breeds to make a buck can result in dogs that sound like cute funny names and even look cute as puppies (heck, what puppy isn't cute??!) but have costly and frustrating consequences as they mature.
Go to the Meet The Good Breeders On Dog Talk® Page.
2 Dogs, 2000 Miles
DOG TALK® and CAT CHAT® will be following Luke every week and rooting for him and his handsome Great Pyrenees, Hudson and Murphy, as they take a 2,000 mile journey on foot to bring attention to the epidemic of canine cancer in the United States. They want to help fund research to find solutions to the heartbreak of cancer, and also along the way to reach out to folks who have lost dogs to cancer - as Luke did with Malcolm, who inspired this walk. Please go to the www.2dogs2000miles.com website and pledge what you can for a terrific cause.
Latest Update:
May 2009
This came in from Luke, who is walking to raise awareness of canine cancer and help raise money for a cure:
Dear Tracie - When we first met and you learned about my 2,000 mile walk with my Great Pyrenees from Austin to Boston, you started calling me the 'Johnny Appleseed' of canine cancer. Man, I've been wrestling with that for sometime but I've finally accepted my role in all this. You saw it from the very beginning.
I wish I would've called into DOG TALK® yesterday & talked to your expert on the topic because we're walking in one of the worst tick seasons anybody's ever seen. They're not so bad in the south because we have fire ants — now it's like I traded fire ants for ticks & I don't think it's a fair trade anymore.
We've had a tough week on the road - Murphy's been very sick but it seems he's on the mend now. At least he's well enough now to pull a prank on his papi http://twitpic.com/4vekx
Puppy up!
Hudson, Murphy, & Luke
Read more UPDATES on the Journey on our 2 DOGS 2000 MILES PAGE.
PET FOOD DIRECT Tracie's listener's get a 20% OFF discount! No mumbo-jumbo - just go to their website, PetFoodDirect.com and pick some foods (I click on the "natural foods" to narrow down the choices and eliminate the highly commercial foods). When you check out at the end you'll see a box for "coupon code" — enter the single word (one word) DOGTALK or CATCHAT (no spaces) — they both work and you'll get 20% sliced right off your total. It allows you to try some of the super-premium gourmet foods like Weruva, which you might otherwise not find or find too costly.
The Cat is Out of the Bag!
The book you've all been waiting for is finally ready to find its way into your hands — your cats have waiting for you to read it and know everything there is know about them. So don't disappoint them, and do treat yourself to the one book any cat lover needs to fully understand and take care of their feline family members.
Order your copy from Amazon.com today!
The Cat Bible - Reviewed
Read a review for The Cat Bible by Sally E. Bahner
[Dr. Jack Stephens, Founder of Pet Insurance, An
swers Pet Parent Questions (PDF)]
Tracie is a passionate believer in the value of insurance for every pet (which she writes about in both books). She wants people to have the financial protection necessary with today's sophisticated and costly medical options for pets.
