For Pet's Sake Column

MOVE OVER CESAR MILLAN, there’s a new dog trainer in the ‘hood. Harrison Forbes—an animal behaviorist with over 20 years’ experience—has trained over 600 police dogs for departments all over the country, according to his Web site (www.harrisonforbes.com). When he’s not busy coaching canines, this Nashville-native-turned-Angeleno keeps the airwaves buzzing as the host of PET TALK, a nationally-syndicated radio show and television show by the same name. He’s been featured in Animal Fair Magazine, Dog Fancy, and USA Today and has appeared on Regis and Kelly, Larry King, and The View. He’s also trained dogs for such major motion pictures as John Grisham’s The Rainmaker. Harrison ’s memoir, Dog Talk, and a dog bite prevention DVD are tentatively scheduled for publication later this year. I’m duly impressed.

But that’s not all. Just in time for St. Paddy’s Day, Harrison has teamed up with Cardinal Laboratories, Crazy Pet, Natural Balance and PETCO to put on the inaugural St. Pawtrick’s Day Photo Contest. Here’s how it goes: pet parents snap a photo of their pet in a cute costume (hint: leprechauns, four-leaf clovers, and pots o’gold get-ups are good choices). One lucky winner will receive a gift basket brimming with goodies and two runners-up will receive an honorable mention and their pet’s photo on Harrison ’s Web site. Deadline for entries is Monday, March 17, 2008 at midnight. Photo entries should be e-mailed, along with contact information, to info@harrisonforbes.com. Winners will be announced during the show’s radio broadcast on Saturday, March 22 (tune in to Newstalk 1260AM-Los Angeles, 540AM- San Diego, or listen live at www.harrisonforbes.com).

MORE ON CAT LITTER. In response to my column last week entitled “Thinking Outside the (Litter) Box,” David Lee Gomez (love that middle name!) replied: “I read your piece about cats who don't use their litter boxes. Here are some practices I use: 1) Use the largest covered litter box you can find, 2) Give you cat a reward when training him or her to use the litter box. I use lots of love and cat treats, 3) Place the box outside on the balcony or in a secluded area in the bathroom, 4) Use two litter boxes when you can, 5) I found that my cats like World’s Best Litter-multiple cat formula. It’s made from whole kernel corn, is biodegradable and has superior order control, 6), Last, I use Fresh Kitty aromatherapy litter deodorizer. None of my cats like the clay clumping litter. It sticks to their paws and cats don’t like anything on their paws.”

Thanks for the great tips, David!

WEBCAST TAKES A BITE OUT OF PAIN IN PETS. World-renowned pain management expert, Robin Downing, DVM, will conduct a free Webcast this Thursday, March 13 from 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm PST. The event, sponsored by Morris Animal Foundation (MAF), will cover all aspects related to pets and pain, including common causes and overlooked hidden causes of pain, anticipating and avoiding pain in pets, communicating with your veterinarian, and how to ask the right questions.

Dr. Downing, a MAF Trustee, is one of the world’s leading experts on pain in animals and she is the founder and past president of the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management. In 2006, she opened The Downing Center for Animal Pain Management, the only comprehensive pain management and prevention practice for pets in Northern Colorado. Participate in the live Webcast at www.MorrisAnimalFoundation.org/livechat.

ENRAPTURED BY RAPTORS. Last week, I received this note from Dean Mars, videographer extraordinaire and producer of ‘Movies by Mars’: “If you care about animals and like birds, then you will enjoy this video shot at The Ojai Raptor Center titled ‘Red Tail Hawk Release.’ The bird in the video was rescued and nurtured back to health and released back into the wild. This-not-for-profit center needs your help, and your tax exempt donations are needed to keep them going. This program can be seen on Community Access TV, Channel 17 every Tuesday at 10:00 am and every Saturday at 6:30 pm throughout the month of March.”

Kim Stroud, Director of the Center, had this to say about the female hawk’s recent release: “They [the raptors] never look back and they never say thank you, but that’s OK. We just want them back out there. That’s a great joy to me.”

View the video on Dean’s Web site at: www.deanmars.com/Videos_2008/RedTailHawkRelease.htm

Have an animal tale to tell? Let Karen know by sending her an e-mail message at karenleestevens@cox.net.