On The Road With Mac And Molly - Pets & Animals On Pet Life Radio (petliferadio.com)

In this final episode in the series, Donna recalls savored moments from nine years of life with her sibling pair of Old English Sheepdogs. In the first segment, we walk with her through the love-at-first-sight day of Mac and Molly’s adoption to M&M’s abysmal performances in puppy kindergarten. We hear about the dogs’ tug-of-warring with and trashing of furniture, toys and monogrammed dog beds at Gene and Donna’s country home in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Then we’re on to the adjustments to downsized, full-time living in an RV and some of the adventures and misadventures the quartet had while traveling through 30 states. Donna also recounts the dangers against which M&M had to be protected; Mac’s unexpected way of exhibiting sympathy when she was under extraordinary stress; and the daily challenges faced when walking 200 pounds plus of dog. In the second segment of the program, Donna chats with the veterinarian who diagnosed the cancer that was to take Mac’s life. Dr. John Morton, of the Golden Gate Animal

Gary 'Montana' Robert is a multi-award-winning stuntman and stunt coordinator who has worked on more than 700 TV shows and films from CHiPs and The Dukes of Hazzard to Forrest Gump, Platoon, Underworld, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, and Fast and Furious. In this episode, we’ll hear from Gary "Montana" Robert about life in stunt work and life with his dearly loved service wolf, Sage. Questions or Comments? Send them to: donna@petliferadio.com. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - The Stuntman and the Service Wolf: Gary Montana Robert and Sage on Pet Life Radio.

Mark Twain wisely noted that: "twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." In this episode, Donna will share some of what it can be like to answer the call of, what John Steinbeck referred to as, 'the call of bumdom.' More than four years ago, she and her husband, Gene, decided to throw off the bowlines, to sail away from the safe harbor, to explore, to follow their dreams, to discover. Answering the call of bumdom has launched them into a journey that has taken them to wild places and into wild company, a journey that has also made them 'Rubber Hobos,' workers at odd jobs in odd places. Questions or Comments? Send them to: donna@petliferadio.com. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Answering the Call of Bumdom on Pet Life Radio.

Regarded as one of the rarest birds in the world, the California Condor is the largest land bird in North America with a wingspan of up to 9 ½ feet and a weight of up to 23 pounds. At one point, only 22 of these magnificent creatures remained in the world. Now, through Herculean efforts in reintroduction, there are more than 400 and more than 70 of these are flying over southern Utah and northern Arizona.The Mexican Spotted Owl is also an endangered bird with little more than 2,000 remaining in the United States. This 16-19 inch tall, under two-pound creature, with a wingspan of 42-45 inches is also found in Grand Canyon and is also the subject of study and recovery efforts. In this episode of On the Road and Mac and Molly, we hear fromJanice Stroud-Settles, a wildlife biologist at Grand Canyon National Park, about these fascinating birds and the efforts that have been spent and are being expended in bringing them back from the brink of extinction. Questions or Comments? Send them to: donna@petliferadio.com

There is no such thing as a typical day for a wildlife biologist especially for one whose 'office' is Grand Canyon National Park. A day’s agenda might find you discouraging a bobcat kitten from 'entertaining' hikers along Bright Angel Trail OR studying Mexican Spotted Owls deep in the Canyon OR helping native fish species reach recovery in the waters of the Colorado River OR leading volunteers in conducting a count of the elk population on the South Rim. In this episode of On the Road with Mac and Molly, we'll hear from Grand Canyon wildlife biologist Janice Stroud-Settles about how she entered this highly-competitive field, the challenges she faces each days and the joys that have been hers that a career that kept her in the wild. Janice Stroud Settles is a wildlife biologist at Grand Canyon National Park. Questions or Comments? Send them to: donna@petliferadio.com. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - A Life in the Wild on Pet Life Radio.

Two-thirds of Americans and Europeans won’t ever live where they can see the Milky Way- their own galaxy, their own solar system- because two-thirds no longer experience real night- that is, real darkness- and nearly every person in the world lives in areas considered polluted by light. In this episode of On the Road with Mac and Molly, we hear from Paul Bogard, author of The End of Night: Searching for Natural Darkness in an Age of Artificial Light. In his book and in this program, we travel with Paul around the globe to find night where it lives . . . showing exactly what we’ve lost, what we have left, and what we might hope to regain. Questions or Comments? Send them to: donna@petliferadio.com. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - The End of Night on Pet Life Radio.

The Adventures of Salt and Soap at Grand Canyon is the true story of two puppies who wandered into the Canyon and maneuvered their way into some great escapades--multiple rim-to-river hikes, a white-water rafting trip, and even a helicopter ride-all while ultimately snuggling their ways into park rangers’ hearts. The author of this charming book for children, interpretive ranger Lori Rome, adopted this pair of adventurers after meeting them at the bottom of the Canyon at Phantom Ranch, the historic oasis on the north side of the Colorado River that’s tucked in right next to Bright Angel Creek. She took Salt and Soap in as "lost and found items" but, with Lori, the intrepid duo found a home. And home for all of them is now Capitol Reef National Park in south-central Utah where they’ve been joined by a third dog (another stray, Mo, whose proper name is Morri, after the Morrison rock formation near where he was found). In this episode, Donna chats with Lori about Salt, Soap and their buddy Morris. Lori gives u

Four kittens. A crumbling English cottage. One touching tale of life in the British countryside. In Paw Prints at Owl Cottage, the sequel by Denis O’Connor to Paw Prints in the Moonlight, the author tenderly and humorously charts the ups and downs of days shared with feline companions. In his first book, then bachelor Denis detailed his life with his much-loved hybrid Maine Coon cat, Toby Jug. In this episode, Donna chats with beloved best-selling author Denis O’Connor about Toby Jug; Carlos, the out-of-control commando; Luis, the regal and aloof little prince; and Max, the melancholic that eventually lived up to his full name, Maxamillion (the one in a million cat). Questions or Comments? Send them to: donna@petliferadio.com. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Paw Prints at Owl Cottage on Pet Life Radio.

In this episode, Donna chats with Kathryn Bertok, Curator of Animals at Carolina Tiger Rescue. The 55-acre Pittsboro, North Carolina facility has more than 70 animals in its care including tigers, binturongs, lions, cougars, bobcats, caracals, kinkajous, ocelots and servals. The organization is working toward the day when wildcats are not owned by individuals as pets; wildcats are not used for entertainment purposes; no trade exists for wildcats or their parts; and all wildcats prosper in sustainable, native habitats. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Carolina Tiger Rescue on Pet Life Radio. var ACE_AR = {Site: '845738', Size: '468060'};

Donna chats with Rebecca Cagle, life coach and author of Grieving the Loss of Your Pet and Grieving the Loss of Your Horse. In this program, they discuss grieving the loss of a pet through trauma or illness; through natural causes - old age; through euthanasia; through loss in the event of theft or a pet’s wandering away or when a pet has to be given away or sold. Questions or Comments? Send them to: donna@petliferadio.com. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Grieving the Loss of Your Pet: How to Survive Your Journey on Pet Life Radio. var ACE_AR = {Site: '845738', Size: '468060'};

In this episode of On the Road with Mac and Molly, Donna chats with Karen Johnson, Director of the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center and longtime friend of the Schulz family. We hear about the Peanuts Gang, its creator and the museum. And then we center, most especially, on all things Snoopy from his doghouse decor (a pool table, Wyeths and a Van Gogh . . . ); to his impersonations (from a moose and a pelican to Mickey Mouse); his moments at the typewriter ("It was a dark and stormy night"); his alter-egos (who doesn’t love his WWI flying ace and his battles with the Red Baron?); his "band of brothers" (siblings Spike, Marbles, Olaf, Andy and Belle); and his connection with aviation (from NASA to the U.S. Air Force). Questions or Comments? Send them to: donna@petliferadio.com. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - All Things Snoopy on Pet Life Radio var ACE_AR = {Site: '845738', Size: '468060'};

In this week's episode, the focus is on the Pawsitive Partners Prison Program, which is operated under the umbrella of Monty's Home, a North Carolina-based organization that was inspired into being by the love and generous spirit of Monty, a dearly loved therapy dog and canine star who brought sunshine into the lives of many. After Monty succumbed to cancer, his human companion, Barb Raab, created an organization in his memory and today, through Monty's Home, sunshine continues to be shed on dogs and human beings through efforts like the Pawsitive Partners Prison Program. We learn how dogs are selected from kill shelters to undergo training in preparation for adoption into permanent homes. We hear how, after passing through a 19-test evaluation, each new "class" of dogs moves into the Pender Correctional Institution in Burgaw where they are trained by specially-screened inmates over a period of eight weeks. Upon graduation, the dogs go home to their adoptive families. Pawsitive Partners is credited with no

After ministering to those shaken by the bombings along the route of the Boston Marathon, specially trained therapy dogs have been deployed to help those struggling to recover from the fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas. Donna speaks with Tim Hetzner, who is leading the team in West, Texas and who was also on the team deployed to Boston. Tim shares stories from the ministry in these cities and recounts how the dogs have been able to break through to help people move toward healing. Questions or Comments? Send them to: donna@petliferadio.com. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Comfort Dogs Bring Peace and Healing to the Grieving in Boston and Texas on Pet Life Radio var ACE_AR = {Site: '845738', Size: '468060'};

In this episode, Donna adds a third installment to her occasional series on Threats to Pets. In earlier episodes, we heard from veterinary toxicologist Sharon Gwaltney-Brant and San Antonio veterinarian Rae Dishinger about dangers associated with external and internal parasites; infectious diseases; insects, wildlife; plants; and toxins. Donna's guest today is Bill Converse, founder of Air Restore, Inc. and inventor of the Critter Zone Air Purifier. Bill's invention was recently awarded a first place among new products at the Super Zoo National Show for Pet Retailers held in Las Vegas. Questions or Comments? Send them to: donna@petliferadio.com. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Allergies and the CritterZone on Pet Life Radio var ACE_AR = {Site: '845738', Size: '468060'};

In this episode, The Wild Life: Surprise Encounters, Donna, author of the forthcoming book, Rubber Hobos, shares stories from some of her adventures with wild animals. She takes you from a watering hole and savanna in Zimbabwe to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, from the pine flatwoods and forested wetlands of Florida to the middle of Death Valley. In this program are stories about warthogs and wildebeest, a band of beggin' burros, white-tailed deer at the post office, and prairie dogs with the bubonic plague. Questions or Comments? Send them to: donna@petliferadio.com. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - The Wild Life: Surprise Encounters in the Natural World on Pet Life Radio

Of the 56,000 animals that came into city shelters in Los Angeles last year, 17,000 were killed. A newly-formed coalition, led by the Best Friends Animal Society wants to reduce that number - within the next five years - to zero. In this episode, Donna chats with Francis Battista, one of the founders of the Best Friends Animal Society. This highly regarded animal welfare organization is known around the world for its no-kill programs and partnerships that all work toward the day when there will be "No More Homeless Pets"®. Best Friends was launched in the early 1980s with a sanctuary at Angel Canyon in Kanab, Utah. Today, that sanctuary encompasses 33,000 acres and, on any given day, some 1700 companion animals call the place home. The great majority of these will eventually be placed in forever homes. Questions or Comments? Send them to: donna@petliferadio.com. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - On the Road with Best Friends on Pet Life Radio

In this episode Donna visits with Kitty Terry, Executive Director of the internationally-known, Birmingham, Alabama-based animal-assisted therapy organization, Hand in Paw. HIP, founded in 1996, provides professionally trained animal-assisted therapy teams to help people heal physically and emotionally. These 120+ teams (which are made up entirely of volunteers) address abuse, disabilities, illiteracy, and chronic and terminal illness, through more than 50,000 visits a year in more than 50 facilities in the state of Alabama. Questions or Comments? Send them to: donna@petliferadio.com. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Hand in Paw: HIP Healing & Art-Making on Pet Life Radio

In the second episode of a multi-part series on animals and art-making, Donna visits with Tifane Grayce, author of Fur in My Paint. Pictured and profiled in this full-color, hardcover, high-gloss coffee table book is the work of art-making creatures from scorpions to beaded lizards, from macaws to elephants, from rhinos to gorillas, from sea lions to white tigers. Donna explores with Tifane how the Fur in My Paint project came to fruition. The two also explore questions related to animal creativity and aesthetic sensibilities. From Tifane, we learn about some of the animal parks and conservation centers across the country that are offering art in the "curricula” for their charges. We hear how animals are trained in art and how human/animal relationships have been enhanced or changed through these interactions. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - Fur in My Paint: Art-making Animals from Rhinos to Rottweilers on Pet Life Radio

In this episode, Donna launches into a new series on animals and art-making. Her first chat is with Ken Lytwyn, Curator of Marine Mammals at the Oregon Coast Aquarium Their focus: Lea, Max and Quill, the facility’s resident sea lion artists that paint on canvases using their flippers and mouth-held brushes. Ken describes each one's temperaments and talents and details what made these sea lions good candidates for art-making. We hear how they were trained and how they are rewarded for their efforts and we consider what we can know or, perhaps at best, surmise about sea lions from their art-making. Ken also addresses these questions: Do sea lions attach any meaning to their artwork? Do they appreciate beauty? Do they have fun when they engage in these activities? How do sea lions learn and can we relate their learning processes to the ways in which human beings learn? Could a sea lion teach another sea lion to paint? Max and Lea are featured in the full-color book, Fur in My Paint that shows wild animals - f

In this episode Donna visits with Nevada Barr, New York Times Bestselling Author of the Anna Pigeon mystery series. The Rope, Nevada's 17th book featuring the crime-solving park ranger, Anna, has just been released. The New York Times has called the Pigeon series, "Thrilling!" USA Today has deemed Nevada's books, "Extraordinary!" And the Boston Globe raves: 'Nevada Barr is one of the best!' Each book in the series is set in one of the National Parks. The first of the 17, The Track of the Cat, was released in 1993 and was honored with both the Agatha and Anthony awards for best first mystery. Nevada's latest is a prequel set in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area that surrounds Lake Powell and lower Cataract Canyon in Utah and Arizona. In this book, we’re provided with the previously untold story of Anna’s first foray into the wild and the case that helped shape her into the ranger she became. More details on this episode MP3 Podcast - The Ranger, The Park and Other Things on Pet Life Radio