Articles: Posts

I’ve been adamantly opposed to declaw for many years. Yesterday, I was talking with a cat behavior consultant colleague who edited Think Twice Before You Declaw a handout, which we co-authored with several others back in 2006. Since then, we know much more: Not declawing doesn’t mean more cats will be given up to shelters…

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Board of Directors today approved a $25,000 donation to aid Australian veterinarians who are helping animals impacted by the bushfires ravaging their country. In addition, the AVMA is encouraging its 95,000 members and the general public to consider contributing to relief efforts by donating to the American Veterinary Medical…

In Nepal, every year is the year of the dogs. Each November, there’s a traditional Hundu week of celebration of dogs and for dogs. Dogs are adorned with decorations, including garlands, and presented with special meals. Even street dogs often receive this revered treatment. This is called the Tihar Festival. According to Internet sources, if…

I did write about a dog who is searching for, finding and saving koalas. I didn’t mean to leave out how people are doing the same, quite heroically. There are actually koala veterinary hospitals in Australia. Of course, they’re filled up and very busy – but they are saving koalas. Ordinary residents, some who have…

Bear is a Border Collie with blue eyes and a dog’s nose. His employers is  Detection Dogs for Conservation, and his job to to find displaced, sick, orphaned and injured koalas in the wild, according to the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). Among the human koala rescuers and firefighters and residents happening upon koalas,…

The Australia wildfires, covering nearly 12.5 million acres is one of the worst disasters ever, killing (so far) at somewhere around 100 humans (dozens remain missing), thousands of structures (homes and businesses) destroyed; and estimates are at least one billion (that’s not a typo) wild animals (many endangered) have died. In addition to unparalleled habitat…

My goodness – panic in the streets because coyotes are being seen in the city of Chicago and other urban areas around America. News reports indicate: “Coyotes are following children.” “A coyote was waiting at my front door.” “The coyote is starring at my dog and salivating for dinner.” “A coyote was howling in my…

As I continue to write about how one time dogfighter Michael Vick doesn’t deserve to be an honorary captain for the National Football League Pro Bowl game, according to numerous media reports Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches allegedly dumped a dog on the side of road, and only discovered only over a day…

Dr.Roger Mahr, a past president of the American Veterinary Medical Association talks about One Health HERE on my WGN Radio Steve Dale’s Pet World show.  and one of his achievements – there have been many – is that the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives actually agreed on something, and unanimously so: January…

CBD might be the hottest topic there is. While filling in for John Williams on WGN, I talk HERE with Mattie Holman and Nick Saljaj from The Good Lyfe CBD (6150 W. Grand Avenue).  They have chairs! The most common resolution is working out more and losing a few pounds, and I ask if CBD…