The DogCast Radio blog

After talking about CAPS in my last blog post, who work tirelessly to improve the life of companion animals, today I received news about a website that seeks to unite companion animal owners. At ThePet.net, you can share your knowledge and experiences of hotels, shops and services with other pet owners all around the world.

You can hear one of the founders, TV vet Marc Abraham, talking about the site in Episode 62 of DogCast Radio.

If you’re into dogs and art, there’s an event in December in Massachusetts that might interest you. And while you’re enjoying the art, you can know you’re improving the lives of animals who really need help.

Episode 77 of DogCast Radio is now available.

The photo here shows author Stephen Foster with his rescue dog Ollie, a Saluki cross, and the latest addition to the family, Saluki Dylan. Ollie inspired Stephen to write Walking Ollie, about the adoption of Ollie, and the difficult relationship that developed between them. Ollie was found living wild as a young pup, and was left with many emotional problems. The book that tells his story is honest and moving and very funny.

Stephen later decided that Ollie needed a canine companion, and so pedigree Saluki Dylan joined the household, inspiring in his turn Along Came Dylan. You can hear Stephen talk about his absorption into the doggy world, and his take on living with dogs. He was a delight to talk to.

The other interview in the show is with veterinarian Paula Terrifaj. At the moment we’re all feeling the effects of the credit crunch, so Paula has very timely advice about how to spend less at the veterinarian without compromising your dog’s health. Paula has some great ideas.

There’s also my thoughts on that ever present chore of dog ownership – walking the dog. When it’s cold and dark most of the time in winter, it can seem extremely difficult to spend so much time outside exercising our two, but it has to be done.

Whether you’re out walking your dog, or tucked up in the warm at home, put us on your MP3 player, or access us via your computer, and we’ll do the rest!

Take care,

Julie x

Well, I survived my arduous day’s work at Dog’s Trust. Actually it wasn’t arduous at all; it was very interesting, and I met some lovely people and dogs. The team at Dogs Trust Roden are so committed to helping the dogs in their care find loving new homes, it’s wonderful to witness.

I’m off to my local Dogs Trust shelter tomorrow to shadow a canine carer for the day. Tomorrow – for the first time in a long time! – I will clock on at 8.30a.m. and clock off at 5.30p.m., with just an hour’s lunch break. Even when I do put in that many hours, it’s sitting comfortably at my computer.

Anyway, I’m thinking about Dogs Trust a lot tonight, and received this information from them too:

GIRLS ALOUD LAUNCH DOGS TRUST EDUCATION INITIATIVE

It’s often questioned whether there is any point sending dogs away to be trained by an expert without the owner present. Many question whether the dog will associate his new found obedience with his owner at all, and whether once back at home he will revert to behaving as before.

Whatever the truth of it is, I heard a funny story about it the other day from a friend. Apparently an uncle of my friend had a dog years ago who was very naughty. The dog was duly bundled off to no less than legendary trainer Barbara Woodhouse to be sorted out.

This photograph always makes me smile. My husband was busy trying to carry out vital repairs to our boat’s engine, and he was ably assisted by Buddy. I just love the way Buddy has found a way in, and made the most of it. Maybe he has sensed Anthony’s mechanical frustration and is seeking to relax him, maybe he wanted to assess the damage himself, or more probably he just wanted some attention.

Lady Margaret Flack contacted me today to notify me of a petition she has started on the Downing Street website. You can find it at this link http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Puppy-Farming/

There is a lot of change going on in the British dog world at the moment, and for the most part people hold wildly differing and strongly voiced opinions. Surely the one thing that unites all dog lovers is wanting the best quality of life possible for dogs. One of the key things we need to do to achieve that goal is to stamp out puppy farming.

This weekend’s episode of DogCast Radio – episode 76 – is now available. It includes the interview with Lady Margaret Flack that I talked about in the post, “Puppy farming in the UK”. It also includes an interview with David Frei, (http://www.davidfrei.com/) co-host of the National Dog Show sponsored by Purina. (http://www.nationaldogshow.com/)

They say politics is a dog eat dog business, but for President Bush’s dog Barney, it became a dog eat reporter affair.

You can see what happened on You Tube (http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=BQOG969hElQ&feature=related) when the Scottish Terrier decided he had had enough press attention. I don’t know about you, but when I watch that video what I see is a dog clearly giving off, “Don’t come near me signals.” The reporter ignored these at his peril.