How nice to get an email from Rob, one of my new listeners who is ready to take my advice on the products and services I have personally invited to be part of DOG TALK® & CAT CHAT®. I am honored that I am already gaining your trust — over the years on my other radio shows I have earned my listeners belief in my recommendations, but it’s truly gratifying to already have made that connection to my WOR folks!

Hi Tracie — I enjoyed listening to your show tonight! Very informative and thanks! I just would like to know the name of the product that you mention about ticks and fleas? The once a month treatment you said repels and kills the parasites? And also the good insurance company for dogs you mentioned on the air. I rescued an 18-month male German Shepherd (Wilson) who was abused, and I am trying very hard to socialize him with other people and dogs, but it hasn’t been easy!! But I took him away from the previous owners for they were considering putting him to sleep! Thanks for your help, and keep up the good work on your show!

I wrote him back: Thanks for the very nice note. The show is brand new so I am thrilled that you found it and that it’s to your liking. I look forward to continuing to bring you new ideas and guests to share information every week. And I want to salute you for giving Wilson a new home — what a good soul you are! And what a gorgeous boy he is — I’ll put his photo up in my Dog Talk® gallery on my main website www.TracieHotchner.com. It is such a challenge to help socialize a dog who didn’t get the right upbringing but patience and perseverance will win the day eventually.  My book THE DOG BIBLE has a lot of information and advice about re-homed dogs since that is how my own pack of dogs developed. I know you’ll find great satisfaction in helping Wilson feel more at ease in the world.

In answer to your questions, the name of the truly fantastic topical application against fleas and ticks is Vectra 3-D.  My dogs have been on it for 8 months now without a tick being successful in latching onto them, even in the hills full of deer in Vermont!

You may need some help in encouraging your vet to carry it. If you ask and they do happen to carry it, you are “golden” — but if they do not have it and need to have more information in order to carry I, please let me know so Dr. Elizabeth Hodgkins can call from Vectra to introduce your vet to it. Please let me know either way.

And the pet insurance company I just switched to is Petplan. I think they have the best coverage and most efficient way to file claims.  To find out more, call 866-467-3875 and press EXT 2411 to talk to Fabrice for a quote (I am making a donation to the Humane Society of the United States for every listener who signs up — which the company itself does, too). The smartest time to get coverage is when your dog is young and healthy as Wilson is now — with no pre-existing conditions. That means that is anything does happen his vet bills will be covered. I recommend doing what I did and getting a policy with an 80% reimbursement (to keep your premiums more reasonable) but Fabrice at EXT 2411 will help you figure out what is best for you.

Again, your enthusiastic words meant a lot and I hope you’ll keep listening and get other pet-loving friends to listen to the show, too.

Tracie

The Dog Bible