The Woof Meow Show

In this episode of The Woof Meow Show from October 9th, 2021, Kate and Don discuss Don’s article, Understanding, Identifying, and Coping with Canine Stress, published in the July 2021 issue of BARKS from the Guild and at  https://barksfromtheguild.com/article/understanding-identifying-and-coping-with-canine-stress/

In this episode of The Woof Meow Show from November 6th, 2021 Kate and Don discuss the change in the seasons and how reduced daylight, lower temperatures, snow, and ice, and the holidays affect our pets. Tune in and learn how you can keep your pet safe and happy in the cold, dark, icy, and festive months of winter. Cold Weather and Holiday Tips for Pets - http://bit.ly/ColdWeatherHolidayTips

In this episode of The Woof Meow Show from October 30th, 2021, Don talks with Kelly Adams and Mike Trafton of the Eastern Area Agency on Aging (EAAA) about the Furry Friends Food Bank and the 14th annual fundraiser sponsored by Green Acres Kennel Shop, The Woof Meow Show, and ForceFreePets. Click here to donate to the Furry Friends Food Bank –  https://www.greenacres-donate.com Click here to learn more about the Eastern Area Agency on Aging – https://www.eaaa.org/ Click here to learn more about the EAAA Furry Friends Food Bank – https://www.eaaa.org/furry-friends-food-bank/ Click here to go to the Friends of the Furry Friends Food Bank Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/GAKS.FFFFB/ Contact Info Friends of the EAAA Furry Friends Food Bank Website: https://www.greenacres-donate.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GAKS.FFFFB/ Eastern Area Agency on Aging Phone: 207-941-2865 Address: Main Office – 240 State St., (Twin City Plaza) Brewer, ME Website: https://www.eaaa.org/ & https://www.eaaa.org/furry-friends-food-bank/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/easternaaa/ Don Hanson & Kate Dutra Green Acres Kennel Shop, ForceFreePets.com & The Woof Meow Show Address: 1653 Union St, Bangor, ME 04401-2204 Phone: (207) 945-6841, x103 Email-Email Don Website-Green Acres: https://www.greenacreskennel.com/ Facebook-Green Acres: https://www.facebook.com/GreenAcresKennelShop/ Website-The Woof Meow Show: https://woofmeowshow.libsyn.com/ Facebook-The Woof Meow Show: https://www.facebook.com/WoofMeowShow/ Website-ForceFreePets-https://forcefreepets.com/ Facebook-ForceFreePets-https://www.facebook.com/ForceFreePets  

Every year millions of dogs and cats of various breeds, sizes, and ages are cared for by boarding facilities, pet sitters, friends, and family members. This could be for multiple reasons: traveling for business or vacation, extended work schedules, or a family emergency or illness. While many pets, dogs, in particular, find a stay at a boarding facility fun, despite the best efforts of pet care professionals, not all pets do well away from home. When this occurs, a pet care professional is responsible for informing you of this situation; they want your pet to have a low-stress and enjoyable stay and go home happy and healthy.  While many factors require consideration before boarding your pet, temperament, health, and age top the list. Most boarding facilities provide more comprehensive care for their guests than the typical hotel does for humans. That is why the process of booking a reservation for your pet is not as easy as booking a hotel room for yourself online. A reputable boarding facility will ask questions about your pet's vaccinations, temperament, play style, health, food preferences, and medications. A boarding facility provides a place to rest and sleep but is also responsible for; meals, mental enrichment and play, housekeeping, physical handling, routine medication if needed, and sometimes grooming services. If a pet becomes unwell, those services may include transportation to the veterinarian. If you or your designated representative is not available, the boarding facility and their veterinarian may need to make medical decisions for your pet. Your Pet's Temperament Just as people have a wide range of temperaments, so do pets.  Some will be constantly happy and look forward to meeting every new, living thing they encounter. At the opposite extreme, some will dislike and even fear anything new and may never open up to other animals or people. Even a change in environment, such as moving from a familiar home to a boarding facility or home of a friend, whether filled with other critters and people or not, can be overwhelming for some pets. A fearful pet is not a "bad" pet; they are just animals struggling in a difficult situation and require patience and understanding. Unfortunately, a frequently anxious or fearful pet is unlikely to enjoy being cared for anywhere outside of their home. No matter who cares for your pet, they must be able to handle them regardless of the pet's mood. While any animal can have an intemperate moment and bite, pets that are fear aggressive are more likely to pose a bite risk. Therefore, they are probably not a good candidate for a boarding facility or a pet sitter. It is a pet parent's responsibility to disclose this information and to find a suitable alternative. A reputable professional may be able to work with you to help acclimate your pet to staying away from home. However, please be aware that this is a prolonged process and must start weeks, if not months, before leaving your pet. Your Pet's Health and Age Most pets are relatively healthy during their younger years, but underlying health issues may arise as they age.  It is essential to do a mental and physical assessment of your pet every time you board them to ensure that they are in good health. If, at any time, you have concerns, or are made aware of health issues by your veterinarian, contact your boarding facility and have a conversation with them regarding these issues. Concerns can be anything from increased water consumption or decreased appetite, hints of dementia, increased stiffness in joints, or reactivity and aggression. The boarding facility may suggest or even require that you have your pet examined by a veterinarian before boarding, but that is a better alternative to receiving a phone call and having to consult and make decisions over the phone while you are hours away  The boarding facility will need to be able to easily and quickly contact you at any time if something arises and emergency healthcare is necessary. If you will be unable to be reached while away, you need to have a friend, family member, or veterinarian designated to act on your pet's behalf. They must be available and able to be reached quickly and easily. While a caregiver for your pet may have you sign a contract giving them authority to act in your pet's best interest if you are unreachable, the preferred situation would always place you as the person in charge of any life-altering decisions regarding your pet. Illnesses can come on suddenly, and life and death decisions may need to be made quickly to prevent your pet from suffering. An alternative is to have your attorney draft a healthcare directive for your pet. If you choose this option, be sure that your pet's caregiver and veterinarian have a copy. While the boarding facility staff and pet sitters should be knowledgeable on pet first aid, common health issues, nutrition, pet play dynamics, and normal and abnormal pet behavior, they are not veterinarians. Therefore, if you or your veterinarian believe that your pet needs any of the following; continuous medical observation, the administration of an IV for medications or hydration, frequent temperature checks, physical assistance to relieve themselves, or wellness checks several times throughout the night, your pet will be best served by being at home in familiar surroundings or with their veterinarian or an individual with a similar level of knowledge and experience. The owners and employees of pet care facilities are in the profession for their love of animals. However, there is nothing more difficult for them than to watch a pet suffer either emotionally or physically while in their care.  Please help both them and your pet by maintaining an open line of communication regarding the care of your pet while you are away. Recommended Resources Articles on Don's Blog ( http://www.words-woofs-meows.com  )  Cat Behavior – Make Your Life Easier – Get Your Cat to Love Their Carrier – http://bit.ly/Cats-Carriers Canine Behavior – Understanding, Identifying and Coping with Canine Stress – http://bit.ly/Canine-Stress Please Be Cautious When Choosing Who Cares For Your Pets – https://www.greenacreskennel.com/blog/2016/04/11/pet-care-services-please-be-cautious-when-choosing-who-cares-for-your-pets/ Traveling – Do you take the dog along or leave him with someone? – https://www.greenacreskennel.com/blog/2016/04/11/traveling-do-you-take-the-dog-along-or-leave-him-with-someone/ Pet Care Options When You Go Away: Pet Sitter, Neighbor, Boarding Facility – http://www.greenacreskennel.com/blog/2015/09/01/pets-who-cares-for-them-when-you-are-away/ Selecting A Pet Care Provider – Yes! A Trend Towards Kinder and Gentler Professional Pet Care – Green Acres Kennel Shop's "Pet-Friendly" Philosophy – Part 1 – http://www.greenacreskennel.com/blog/2015/04/02/yes-a-trend-towards-kinder-and-gentler-professional-pet-care-green-acres-kennel-shops-pet-friendly-philosophy-part-1/ Podcasts from The Woof Meow Show ( http://woofmeowshow.libsyn.com/ ) Things to Consider When Leaving Your Pet in the Care of Someone Else – Things To Consider When Boarding A Pet-Part 1 (2018) – https://www.greenacreskennel.com/blog/2018/07/08/podcast-things-to-consider-when-boarding-a-pet-part-1/ Things To Consider When Boarding A Pet-Part 2 – https://www.greenacreskennel.com/blog/2018/08/09/podcast-things-to-consider-when-boarding-a-pet-part-2/

In this episode of The Woof Meow Show from August 28th, 2021, Don interviews Debra Bell from Bell’s Furry Friends Photography, discussing how Deb came to specialize in the photography of people and their pets. We also discuss the 12th annual Holiday Pet Portraits, a joint event of Green Acres Kennel Shop and Bell’s Furry Friends Photography that benefits the Eastern Area Agency on Aging Furry Friends Food Bank. Deb has been taking photos of Don, Paula, their pets, and their Green Acres team for years. In the following link, Don has shared an album of photographs taken by Deb that mean the most to him. Take a look, and you will see why Deb has been voted the Bangor Region’s Best Pet Photographer year after year.  http://bit.ly/FavPhotosByDebBell For the 12th year, Debra Bell from Bell’s Furry Friends Photography will be offering Holiday Pet Portrait sessions at Green Acres Kennel Shop. Both indoor and outdoor sessions are available on Sunday, October 18th, from 8 AM to 5 PM. Indoor sessions will be available on Sunday, October 31st, from 9 AM to 4 PM. Session details can be found below. We expect sessions to fill fast, so reserve your spot today by calling Green Acres at 207-945-6841 or email Deb. ( FMI – http://bit.ly/HolidayPetPortraits ) Double or Field Session, $160 – Includes a 40-minute session for pets and people, a $20 donation to the Furry Friends Food Bank, a 5X7 gift print and gift bag, a personal image review session with Deb and a bonus holiday social media image. Single Session, $80 – Includes a 20-minute session for pets and people, a $10 donation to the Furry Friends Food Bank, a 5X7 gift print and gift bag, a personal image review session with Deb, and a bonus holiday social media image. CONTACT INFO Deb Bell Bell’s Furry Friends Photography Phone: 207-356-2353 Email: Email Deb Website: https://www.bffpetphotos.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BellsFurryFriends Don Hanson Green Acres Kennel Shop, ForceFreePets.com & The Woof Meow ShowAddress: 1653 Union St, Bangor, ME 04401-2204 Phone: (207) 945-6841, x103 Email-Email Don Website-Green Acres: https://www.greenacreskennel.com/ Facebook-Green Acres: https://www.facebook.com/GreenAcresKennelShop/ Website-The Woof Meow Show: https://woofmeowshow.libsyn.com/ Facebook-The Woof Meow Show: https://www.facebook.com/WoofMeowShow/ Website-ForceFreePets-https://forcefreepets.com/ Facebook-ForceFreePets-https://www.facebook.com/ForceFreePets  

In this episode of The Woof Meow Show from August 14th, 2021, Don talks with Suzan Prendergast and Kathryn Ravenscraft from the Bangor Humane Society about the 28th annual Paws on Parade. They talk about the mission of the Humane Society, how the pandemic has affected their operations, and how you can participate in Paws on Parade on Saturday, October 2nd starting at 9 AM at Husson University. FMI - https://donations.bangorhumane.org/event/paws-goes-to-woofstock/e336617 Contact Info Suzan Prendergast and Kathryn Ravenscraft The Bangor Humane Society Address: 693 Mt. Hope Ave., Bangor, ME 04401 Phone: (207)-942-8902 Website-https://www.bangorhumane.org/ Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/BangorHumane Don Hanson & Kate Dutra Green Acres Kennel Shop, ForceFreePets.com & The Woof Meow Show Address: 1653 Union St, Bangor, ME 04401-2204 Phone: (207) 945-6841, x103 Email-Email Don Website-Green Acres: https://www.greenacreskennel.com/ Facebook-Green Acres: https://www.facebook.com/GreenAcresKennelShop/ Website-The Woof Meow Show: https://woofmeowshow.libsyn.com/ Facebook-The Woof Meow Show: https://www.facebook.com/WoofMeowShow/ Website-ForceFreePets-https://forcefreepets.com/ Facebook-ForceFreePets-https://www.facebook.com/ForceFreePets

In this episode of The Woof Meow Show from July 24th, 2021, Kate and Don are again speaking with Joey Weichmann & Leslie Durocher about Vital Essentials pet food. Last week, we talked about the company. This week, we are looking at the many products available from Vital Essentials. We start by discussing the  Vital Essentials Raw Bar, which is essentially a selection of freeze-dried appetizers and snacks for dogs and cats. Then we look at their comprehensive line of freeze-dried treats, including their number one seller, freeze-dried minnows. Lastly, we review Vital Essential's complete meals for cats and dogs, the available proteins, and the formats available as frozen raw and freeze-dried. If you want to learn more about the company behind Vital Essentials, checkout last week's podcast. Contact Info Joey Weichmann & Leslie Durocher The Carnivore Meat Company – Vital Essentials Address: P.O. Box 9227, Green Bay, WI 54308-9227 Phone: 800-743-0322 Email: customerservice@vitalessentialsraw.com Website: https://www.vitalessentialsraw.com/ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/VitalEssentialsRaw Don Hanson & Kate Dutra Green Acres Kennel Shop, ForceFreePets.com & The Woof Meow ShowAddress: 1653 Union St, Bangor, ME 04401-2204 Phone: (207) 945-6841, x103 Email-Email Don Website-Green Acres: https://www.greenacreskennel.com/ Facebook-Green Acres: https://www.facebook.com/GreenAcresKennelShop/ Website-The Woof Meow Show: https://woofmeowshow.libsyn.com/ Facebook-The Woof Meow Show: https://www.facebook.com/WoofMeowShow/ Website-ForceFreePets-https://forcefreepets.com/ Facebook-ForceFreePets-https://www.facebook.com/ForceFreePets Recommended Resources Green Acres Pet Nutrition Resources Page – http://bit.ly/GAKS_Nut_Home GAKS Philosophy on Pet Nutrition – http://bit.ly/GAKS_Nut_Phil Pet Nutrition –Vital Essentials® Pet Food – https://bit.ly/VitalEssAtGAKS Video The Science and Dogma of Pet Nutrition with Dr. Richard Patton – http://bit.ly/Video-Dr-Richard-Patton Book Review – Ruined by Excess, Perfected by Lack – The paradox of pet nutrition by Richard Patton – http://bit.ly/RuinedByExcess-BookReview Vital Essentials Pet Food-Part 1-The Company-24JUL21 – https://bit.ly/WfMw-VE1-17JUL21 Podcasts-Two Conversations with Animal Nutritionist Dr. Richard Patton – https://bit.ly/WfMw2wPattonAPR21 You can listen to The Woof Meow Show on Z62 Retro Radio, AM620, and WKIT HD3 at 9 AM on Saturday. If you are not near a radio, listen on your computer at http://bit.ly/AM620-WZON or your smartphone or tablet with the free WZON 620 AM app. A podcast of the show is typically posted immediately after the show. You can download this show and others at http://bit.ly/WfMwPodcasts, at Don’s blog http://bit.ly/Words-Woofs-Meows and the Apple iTunes store.  

In this episode of The Woof Meow Show from July 17th, 2021, Kate and Don talk with Joey Weichmann & Leslie Durocher of the Carnivore Meat Company, the makers of Vital Essentials pet food. While the Vital Essentials brand launched in 2009, the company has been producing raw food for pets since 1968. In this first of two episodes, we talk about: the company, its mission, how they source its raw ingredients, how diets are formulated and manufactured, and the quality certifications they have received. Be sure to tune in to our next show in this series when we discuss Vital Essentials wide variety of complete meals, snacks, and treats for cats and dogs. Contact Info Joey Weichmann & Leslie Durocher The Carnivore Meat Company – Vital Essentials Address: P.O. Box 9227, Green Bay, WI 54308-9227 Phone: 800-743-0322 Email: customerservice@vitalessentialsraw.com Website: https://www.vitalessentialsraw.com/ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/VitalEssentialsRaw Don Hanson & Kate Dutra Green Acres Kennel Shop, ForceFreePets.com & The Woof Meow ShowAddress: 1653 Union St, Bangor, ME 04401-2204 Phone: (207) 945-6841, x103 Email-Email Don Website-Green Acres: https://www.greenacreskennel.com/ Facebook-Green Acres: https://www.facebook.com/GreenAcresKennelShop/ Website-The Woof Meow Show: https://woofmeowshow.libsyn.com/ Facebook-The Woof Meow Show: https://www.facebook.com/WoofMeowShow/ Website-ForceFreePets-https://forcefreepets.com/ Facebook-ForceFreePets-https://www.facebook.com/ForceFreePets Green Acres Pet Nutrition Resources Page – http://bit.ly/GAKS_Nut_Home GAKS Philosophy on Pet Nutrition – http://bit.ly/GAKS_Nut_Phil Pet Nutrition –Vital Essentials® Pet Food – https://bit.ly/VitalEssAtGAKS Video The Science and Dogma of Pet Nutrition with Dr. Richard Patton – http://bit.ly/Video-Dr-Richard-Patton Book Review – Ruined by Excess, Perfected by Lack – The paradox of pet nutrition by Richard Patton – http://bit.ly/RuinedByExcess-BookReview Podcasts-Two Conversations with Animal Nutritionist Dr. Richard Patton – https://bit.ly/WfMw2wPattonAPR21  

In this episode of The Woof Meow Show from Don talks with Roxane Dubay, a Public Health Educator/Tobacco Specialist from Bangor Public Health and Community Services, and Dr. Mark Hanks, a veterinarian from Kindred Spirits Veterinary clinic in Orrington, about second and third-hand smoke, nicotine, vape and e-pens, marijuana and the hazard these products pose to our pets. An article on Don's blog at http://bit.ly/Pets-Nicotine-APR21 provides additional information and links on this topic. Contact Info Roxane Dubay Public Health Educator/Tobacco Specialist Bangor Public Health and Community Services 103 Texas Avenue Bangor, Maine 04401 Office: 207-992-4531 Fax: 207-945-3348 www.BangorPublicHealth.org  roxane.dubay@bangormaine.gov Dr. Mark Hanks Kindred Spirits Veterinary Clinic Location: 857 River Rd, Orrington, ME 04474 Phone: (207) 825-8989 Website: https://www.kindredvet.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kindredspiritsvet/ Don Hanson & Kate Dutra Green Acres Kennel Shop, ForceFreePets.com & The Woof Meow ShowLocation: 1653 Union St, Bangor, ME 04401-2204 Phone: (207) 945-6841, x103 Email-Email Don Website-Green Acres: https://www.greenacreskennel.com/ Facebook-Green Acres: https://www.facebook.com/GreenAcresKennelShop/ Website-The Woof Meow Show: https://woofmeowshow.libsyn.com/ Facebook-The Woof Meow Show: https://www.facebook.com/WoofMeowShow/ Website-ForceFreePets-https://forcefreepets.com/ Facebook-ForceFreePets-https://www.facebook.com/ForceFreePets Recommended Resources   Articles on Don's Blog ( http://www.words-woofs-meows.com  )   Tobacco Smoke, Vaping, Nicotine, and The Risk They Pose to Our Pets – http://bit.ly/Pets-Nicotine-APR21 Resources Cited References 1Bertone-Johnson ER, Procter-Gray E, Gollenberg AL, et al. Environmental tobacco smoke and canine urinary cotinine level. Environ Res. 2008;106(3):361-4. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17950271. Accessed Nov 11, 2012. 2Reif JS, Bruns C, Lower KS. Cancer of the Nasal Cavity and Paranasal Sinuses and Exposure to Environmental Tobacco Smoke in Pet Dogs. Am J Epidemiol 1998; 147:488–92. Available at: http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/147/5/488.short. Accessed Nov 11, 2012. 3Reif JS, Dunn K, Ogilvie GK et al. Passive smoking and canine lung cancer risk. Am J Epidemiol 1992 Feb 1;135(3):234-9. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1546698. Accessed Nov 11, 2012. 4Environmental Tobacco Smoke and Risk of Malignant Lymphoma in Pet Cats; Am J Epidemiol 2002; 156:268–73. Bertone ER, Snyder LA, Moore AS. http://aje.oxfordjournals.org/content/156/3/268.full 5Matt GE, Quintana PJE, Hovell MF et al.  Households contaminated by environmental tobacco smoke: sources of infant exposures. Tob Control 2004;13:29-3. Available at: http://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/13/1/29.short. Accessed Nov 11, 2012. Other Resources Smoking, Vaping, Nicotine & Pets Stop Smoking – For Your Health and Your Pets' Health – AVMA website – https://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/Stop-smoking-for-your-pets-health.aspx Animal Poison Control Center – https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control US FDA – Be Smoke-free and Help Your Pets Live Longer, Healthier Lives – https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/be-smoke-free-and-help-your-pets-live-longer-healthier-lives E-CIGARETTES AND PETS DO NOT MIX – https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/uncategorized/e-cigarettes-pets-mix/ CDC – Quick Facts on the Risks of E-cigarettes for Kids, Teens, and Young Adults – https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/e-cigarettes/Quick-Facts-on-the-Risks-of-E-cigarettes-for-Kids-Teens-and-Young-Adults.html Resources to Help You Quit Smoking or Vaping Bangor Public Health & Community Services – Tobacco, E-Cig, & Vaping Prevention – https://www.bangorpublichealth.org/community/tobacco-ecig-vaping-prevention/ com – https://mainequitlink.com/ org – https://breatheeasymaine.org/ Smoke-Free Homes Pledge – https://breatheeasymaine.org/smoke-free-homes-pledge/ MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence website – https://ctimaine.org/ You can listen to The Woof Meow Show on Z62 Retro Radio, AM620, and WKIT HD3 at 9 AM on Saturday. If you are not near a radio, listen on your computer at http://bit.ly/AM620-WZON or your smartphone or tablet with the free WZON 620 AM app. A podcast of the show is typically posted immediately after the show. You can download this show and others at http://bit.ly/WfMwPodcasts, at Don's blog http://bit.ly/Words-Woofs-Meows and the Apple iTunes store.

In this episode of The Woof Meow Show from June 5th, 2021, Kate and Don do their annual review of tips for summer and hot weather pet care. We discuss the dangers of heat to paws and dogs when left in cars. We review heat exhaustion and heat stroke in pets so you know how to recognize it and what to do if it occurs. Water safety for pets around home, at camp, and at sea is addressed. Summer is the time for family gatherings which is not something every dog will enjoy. We also address fireworks and parades and how to keep your pet comfortable. Lastly, we address the tick menace. The show is accompanied by a detailed article on Don’s blog at - http://bit.ly/Summer-Pet-Tips

If you want to learn what and how to feed your pet, you will not want to miss this show.  Kate and Don will be talking with animal nutritionist Dr. Richard Patton. He has over 40 years of experience formulating diets for everything from wild animals to dogs and cats. Dr. Patton was first on the show five years ago. We begin the show by discussing the continued use of excessive amounts of carbohydrates in many pet foods. Dr. Patton explains the importance of quality sources of animal protein and fat in our pets' diets and how to balance the aspects of pet nutrition; low cost, consumer convenience, and optimal nutrition.  Recommended Resources Articles on Don’s Blog ( http://www.words-woofs-meows.com  ) Book Review – Ruined by Excess, Perfected by Lack – The paradox of pet nutrition by Richard Patton - http://www.greenacreskennel.com/blog/2016/03/16/book-review-ruined-by-excess-perfected-by-lack-the-paradox-of-pet-nutrition-by-richard-patton/ GAKS Philosophy on Pet Nutrition – http://bit.ly/GAKS_Nut_Phil What I Feed My Dog and Why I Feed What I Do – https://bit.ly/WhatIFeedAndWhy Things I Wish I Had Known… The Importance of What I Feed My Pets - – WWM-MAR2019 – http://bit.ly/Things-Nutrition-1 Pet Nutrition: Some Myths and Facts – Part 1 – My story with Gus – Maine Dog Magazine – Winter 2017 – http://bit.ly/Gus-Nutrition The Science and Dogma of Pet Nutrition with Dr. Richard Patton with link to 1-hour video –http://bit.ly/Video-Dr-Richard-Patton

We first interviewed animal nutritionist Dr. Richard Patton, for a show that aired on April 2nd, 2016. As I reviewed that show preparing for our 2021 interview with Dr. Patton, it was clear that everything we discussed five years ago is still an issue. I'm encoring the 2016 show because It serves as an excellent introduction to our 2021 interview with Dr. Patton.   If you want to learn how you can improve your pet's health and extend their life by changing what and how you feed them, you do not want to miss this show. We start our discussion from these three points; 1) nutrition is never a crisis, but poor nutrition often impacts health and then can cause a medical crisis, 2) we need to accept that we can either have optimal nutrition or convenience and economy, but not both, and 3) we should never be afraid to feed less. From there, we discuss what Dr. Patton calls the 900lb gorilla in the room; the presence of excess soluble carbohydrates in pet food. As Dr. Patton states, "The majority of our nutrition problems can be traced back to the feeding of excess soluble carbohydrates. So until we fix that, it's kind of esoteric to get into an involved discussion about whether salmon is better than trout or kangaroo is better than alligator. My mantra is to reduce the caloric intake, particularly from soluble carbohydrates and starch and sugar."  Recommended Resources Articles on Don’s Blog ( http://www.words-woofs-meows.com  ) Book Review – Ruined by Excess, Perfected by Lack – The paradox of pet nutrition by Richard Patton - http://www.greenacreskennel.com/blog/2016/03/16/book-review-ruined-by-excess-perfected-by-lack-the-paradox-of-pet-nutrition-by-richard-patton/ GAKS Philosophy on Pet Nutrition – http://bit.ly/GAKS_Nut_Phil What I Feed My Dog and Why I Feed What I Do – https://bit.ly/WhatIFeedAndWhy Things I Wish I Had Known… The Importance of What I Feed My Pets - – WWM-MAR2019 – http://bit.ly/Things-Nutrition-1 Pet Nutrition: Some Myths and Facts – Part 1 – My story with Gus – Maine Dog Magazine – Winter 2017 – http://bit.ly/Gus-Nutrition The Science and Dogma of Pet Nutrition with Dr. Richard Patton with link to 1-hour video –http://bit.ly/Video-Dr-Richard-Patton  

In this episode of The Woof Meow Show from March 6th, 2021, Don talks with veterinarian Dr. Mark Hanks from Kindred Spirits Veterinary Clinic in Orrington, Maine. Our topic is the importance and benefit of pets having a veterinarian that knows them and provides them with a regular wellness exam. Dr. Hanks describes what such a typical exam entails for both a cat and a dog. Then we discuss vaccinations, those that are essential and those that are optional, and how your veterinarian can help you make that decision. We briefly touch on the prevalence of tick-borne diseases in Maine and the benefit of having your dog tested for these diseases at least once a year. Dr. Hanks also discusses titer testing and how it is used to assess if booster vaccinations are necessary. He explains his own experience with being vaccinated for Rabies in the '80s when he was in veterinary school and how he has since depended on titer testing to assure him he is still protected against Rabies. We conclude by discussing the frequency of wellness exams and how that will vary with a pet's age and overall health. Contact Info Dr. Mark Hanks Kindred Spirits Veterinary Clinic Location: 857 River Rd, Orrington, ME 04474 Phone: (207) 825-8989 Website: https://www.kindredvet.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kindredspiritsvet/ Don Hanson Green Acres Kennel Shop, ForceFreePets.com & The Woof Meow Show Location: 1653 Union St, Bangor, ME 04401-2204 Phone: (207) 945-6841, x103 Email-Email Don Website-Green Acres: https://www.greenacreskennel.com/ Facebook-Green Acres : https://www.facebook.com/GreenAcresKennelShop/ Website-The Woof Meow Show: https://woofmeowshow.libsyn.com/ Facebook-The Woof Meow Show: https://www.facebook.com/WoofMeowShow/ Website-ForceFreePets-https://forcefreepets.com/ Facebook-ForceFreePets-https://www.facebook.com/ForceFreePets  

In this episode of The Woof Meow Show from February 20th, 2021, Kate interviews Don, asking how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the Green Acres training program in 2020 and what training classes will look like in 2021. Don reviews Green Acres Puppy Headstart-ONLINE and Basic Manners classes. He also introduces a new business ForceFreePets.com, that will be providing all of Green Acres’ in-person and online educational programs. Contact Info Don Hanson & Kate DutraGreen Acres Kennel Shop, ForceFreePets.com & The Woof Meow Show Location: 1653 Union St, Bangor, ME 04401-2204 Phone: (207) 945-6841, x103 Email-Email Don Website-Green Acres: https://www.greenacreskennel.com/ Facebook-Green Acres : https://www.facebook.com/GreenAcresKennelShop/ Website-The Woof Meow Show: https://woofmeowshow.libsyn.com/ Facebook-The Woof Meow Show: https://www.facebook.com/WoofMeowShow/ Website-ForceFreePets-https://forcefreepets.com/ Facebook-ForceFreePets-https://www.facebook.com/ForceFreePets Articles on Don’s Blog ( http://www.words-woofs-meows.com  ) What Is Dog Training – http://bit.ly/WhatIsDogTraining How to Choose a Dog Trainer – http://bit.ly/HowToChooseADogTrainer Dog Training – A Rescue Dogs Perspective – WWM JAN2016 – http://bit.ly/Rescue-Muppy Reward Based Training versus Aversives –  http://bit.ly/RewardVSAversive What Is Clicker Training? – http://bit.ly/WhatIsClickerTraining Things I Wish I Had Known Before I Started Training Dogs – Gus, the Dominance Myth, An Alpha Roll, and a Damaged Relationship – WWM-SEP2018 – http://bit.ly/Things-Gus-Dominance Things I Wish I Had Known Before I Selected My First Dog – Aversives are Unnecessary and Counter-Productive When Training A Dog – Part 1 – WWM-JAN2019 –  http://bit.ly/Things-Aversives-1 Things I Wish I Had Known Before I Selected My First Dog - Aversives are Unnecessary and Counter-Productive When Training A Dog – Part 2 – WWM-FEB2019 –  http://bit.ly/Things-Aversives-2

In this episode of The Woof Meow Show from February 13th, 2021, Don talks with veterinary behaviorist Dr. Christine Calder from Calder Veterinary Behavior Services about common behavioral problems with cats. The show starts with a discussion of what constitutes normal cat behavior and how providing cats with a means to express those normal behaviors helps prevent behavior problems. Then we move on to the most common behavioral issue reported by cat parents; inappropriate urination and defecation. Dr. Calder reviews the causes and triggers of this behavior, how it is diagnosed and how it is treated.  Next, we address feline aggression towards other cats, other pets, and people. Lastly, we review some of the less common behavioral concerns: predatory behavior, wool sucking, and night yowling. If you want to better understand your cat’s behavior, you will not want to miss this show. You can listen to The Woof Meow Show on Z62 Retro Radio, AM620, and WKIT HD3 at 9 AM on Saturday. If you are not near a radio, listen on your computer at http://bit.ly/AM620-WZON or your smartphone or tablet with the free WZON 620 AM app. A podcast of the show is typically posted immediately after the show. You can download this show and others at http://bit.ly/WfMwPodcasts, at Don’s blog http://bit.ly/Words-Woofs-Meows and the Apple iTunes store. Contact Info Dr. Christine Calder Calder Veterinary Behavior Services Phone: 207-298-4375 Email-Email Dr. Calder Website: https://www.caldervbs.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Christine-Calder-DVM-DACVB-Veterinary-Behaviorist-104864721012254/ Don Hanson & Kate DutraGreen Acres Kennel Shop, ForceFreePets.com & The Woof Meow Show Location: 1653 Union St, Bangor, ME 04401-2204 Phone: (207) 945-6841, x103 Email-Email Don Website-Green Acres: https://www.greenacreskennel.com/ Facebook-Green Acres : https://www.facebook.com/GreenAcresKennelShop/ Website-The Woof Meow Show: https://woofmeowshow.libsyn.com/ Facebook-The Woof Meow Show: https://www.facebook.com/WoofMeowShow/ Website-ForceFreePets-https://forcefreepets.com/ Facebook-ForceFreePets-https://www.facebook.com/ForceFreePets     Recommended Resources Articles on Don’s Blog ( http://www.words-woofs-meows.com  ) Cat Behavior – Inappropriate Elimination (Urination & Defecation) – http://bit.ly/Cat-Inapp-ElimUrin Cat Litter: Who Gets to Choose? – http://bit.ly/CatLitter-Choices Get Your Cat to Love Their Carrier – http://bit.ly/Cats-Carriers Podcasts from The Woof Meow Show ( http://bit.ly/WfMwPodcasts   Podcast – Introducing Dr. Christine Calder, Maine’s 1st Veterinary Behaviorist - http://bit.ly/WMw-DrCalderVetBhx Podcast – Anxiety, Fears & Phobias with Dr. Christine Calder - https://bit.ly/WfMw-AnxFrPhbiaDrCalder Podcast – Separation Anxiety in Dogs with Dr. Christine Calder - https://bit.ly/WfMw-SepAnxDrCalder Podcast – Spaying & Neutering with Dr. Christine Calder - http://bit.ly/WfMw-SpayNeuter2020 ©28FEB21, Donald J. Hanson, All Rights Reserved

In case you didn’t know it, your dog’s sense of smell is amazing. In this episode of The Woof Meow Show from October 24th, 2020, Kate and Don talk to Lindsay Ware, the founder of  Science Dogs of New England, where Lindsay trains her dogs to use their noses to help preserve wildlife. Lindsay has been a past guest on the show where she discussed her work with United Blood Trackers using trained tracking dogs to recover wounded game such as bear, deer, and moose. If you are interested in how your dog’s sniffer can be put to good use, tune in! Contact Info Don Hanson & Kate DutraGreen Acres Kennel Shop, ForceFreePets.com & The Woof Meow Show Location: 1653 Union St, Bangor, ME 04401-2204 Phone: (207) 945-6841, x103 Email-Email Don Website-Green Acres: https://www.greenacreskennel.com/ Facebook-Green Acres : https://www.facebook.com/GreenAcresKennelShop/ Website-The Woof Meow Show: https://woofmeowshow.libsyn.com/ Facebook-The Woof Meow Show: https://www.facebook.com/WoofMeowShow/ Website-ForceFreePets-https://forcefreepets.com/ Facebook-ForceFreePets-https://www.facebook.com/ForceFreePets   Lindsay WareScience Dogs of New England Email: Email Lindsay   Website: https://www.sciencedogsne.com/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/ScienceDogsofNewEngland Scent dog takes on new role-Finding Imperiled turtles-from the Portland Press Herald–2020-09-27 - https://www.pressherald.com/2020/09/27/scent-dog-takes-on-a-new-role-finding-imperiled-turtles/

In this episode of The Woof Meow Show from January 23rd, 2021, Kate and Don address four topics; What is the ideal age for spaying or neutering your dog, the behavior of adolescent or teenage dogs, how much water should a dog be drinking, and new DNA research about the evolution and domestication of the domestic dog. Contact Info Don Hanson & Kate DutraGreen Acres Kennel Shop & The Woof Meow Show Bangor, ME (207) 945-6841 https://www.greenacreskennel.com/ https://www.facebook.com/GreenAcresKennelShop/ https://woofmeowshow.libsyn.com/ https://www.facebook.com/WoofMeowShow/   Recommended Resources Links to Articles in the Podcast Ideal Timing for Spaying or Neutering Your Dog, Karen Becker – https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2020/08/22/ideal-age-for-neutering-dogs.aspx Young Dogs Might Be More Similar to Human Teenagers Than We Think: New Research, BARKS from the Guild – https://barksfromtheguild.com/2020/09/21/young-dogs-might-be-more-similar-to-human-teenagers-than-we-think-new-research/ Teenage dogs? Evidence for adolescent-phase conflict behaviour and an association between attachment to humans and pubertal timing in the domestic dog, Biology Letters – https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbl.2020.0097 Is Your Dog Drinking the Right Amount of Water – Dr. Karen Becker – https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2014/05/07/dog-water-consumption.aspx Ancient Dog DNA Shows Early Spread Around the Globe, NY Times, Oct. 2020 – https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/29/science/ancient-dog-dna.html#:~:text=Research%20on%20fossil%20canine%20genomes,and%20humans%20in%20prehistoric%20times.&text=The%20most%20extensive%20study%20of,a%20group%20of%20extinct%20wolves. How dogs tracked their humans across the ancient world, Science, Oct. 2020 – https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2020/10/how-dogs-tracked-their-humans-across-ancient-world Study of ancient dog DNA traces canine diversity to the Ice Age, Science Daily, Oct. 2020 – https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201029141945.htm#:~:text=A%20global%20study%20of%20ancient%20dog%20DNA%2C%20led%20by%20scientists,immediately%20following%20the%20Ice%20Age. Ancient dog DNA reveals 11,000 years of canine evolution, Nature, Oct. 2020 – https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-020-03053-2

In this episode of The Woof Meow Show from January 16th, 2021, Kate and Don focus on our feline friends. They start by discussing an article entitled “What Makes A Cat” by Dr. Liz Bales that suggests how we can improve our cat’s lives. Bales notes: Just about everything you need to know about cats comes down to one thing. Hunting. Next, we look at an article that discusses a new study concerning the most common behavior problem in multi-cat homes; the litterbox. Feline Litter Box Problems: The Needs of the Many reports that when one cat is not using the litterbox, all of the cats in the household are experiencing stress, and thus all cats should be treated. Then Kate discusses an article on feline nail trims. We close with an article from Dr. Karen Becker that discusses the use of an “eye blink” in establishing trust with a cat. You will find links to all of the articles on Don’s blog and the Woof Meow Show podcast page. Recommended Resources Links to Articles in the Podcast What Makes a Cat a Cat?, BARKS from the Guild – https://barksfromtheguild.com/2020/12/07/cat-behavior/ Feline Litter Box Problems: The Needs of the Many, BARKS from the Guild – https://barksfromtheguild.com/2020/11/17/feline-litter-box-problems/ Quick Cat Behavior Tip: Trimming Claws, BARKS from the Guild – https://barksfromtheguild.com/2020/08/17/quick-cat-behavior-tip-trimming-claws/ The Many Ways Your Cat Shows She Loves You, Dr. Karen Becker – https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2020/12/22/ways-cats-show-they-love-you.aspx   Articles on Don’s Blog ( http://www.words-woofs-meows.com  )   Cat Behavior – Inappropriate Elimination (Urination & Defecation) – http://bit.ly/Cat-Inapp-ElimUrin Cat Litter: Who Gets to Choose? – http://bit.ly/CatLitter-Choices Cat Behavior – Make Your Life Easier – Get Your Cat to Love Their Carrier – http://bit.ly/Cats-Carriers

Kate and Don discuss the change in the seasons and how reduced daylight, lower temperatures, snow, and ice, affects our pets. Tune in and learn how you can keep your pet safe and happy and the cold, dark, icy months of winter. Cold Weather and Holiday Tips for Pets - http://bit.ly/ColdWeatherHolidayTips

In this episode of The Woof Meow Show from November 28th, 2020, Don talks with Kelly Adams and Mike Trafton from the Eastern Area Agency on Aging about Green Acres Kennel Shop and The Woof Meow Show’s 13th annual fundraiser for the EAAA Furry Friends Food Bank. Tune in, and you can learn all about the role of the Eastern Area Agency on Aging, the people they help, and how you can help keep senior citizens and their pets together. Click here to donate to the Furry Friends Food Bank –  https://www.greenacres-donate.com Click here to learn more about the Eastern Area Agency on Aging – https://www.eaaa.org/ Click here to learn more about the EAAA Furry Friends Food Bank – https://www.eaaa.org/furry-friends-food-bank/ Click here to go to the Friends of the Furry Friends Food Bank Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/GAKS.FFFFB/ Contact Info Friends of the EAAA Furry Friends Food Bank Website: https://www.greenacres-donate.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GAKS.FFFFB/ Eastern Area Agency on Aging Phone: 207-941-2865 Address: Main Office – 240 State St., (Twin City Plaza) Brewer, ME Address: Nutrition – 1129 Union St. (Airport Mall), Bangor, ME Website: https://www.eaaa.org/ & https://www.eaaa.org/furry-friends-food-bank/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/easternaaa/ Green Acres Kennel Shop & The Woof Meow Show Phone: 207-945-6841 Address: 1653 Union St., Bangor, ME Website: www.greenacreskennel.com & www.woofmeowshow.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GreenAcresKennelShop/ & https://www.facebook.com/WoofMeowShow/