The Conversation: with Cathy Brooks

Abbreviated episode today focusing on the importance of being centered and grounded when working with your dog. As entirely non-verbal creatures, dogs rely entirely on pure primal resources for understanding the world around them. There are, of course, their senses with scent being the primary data source. Soon after are hearing and vision but above all else canis familiaris takes its cues from the energy with which the people and animals around it operate. Having a bad day? Feeling angry? Completely out of sorts? Your dog knows. And if you're already having trouble getting your dog to mind you, chances are unlikely that in this state you'll have any better luck. This is a topic we'll address more deeply in future episodes, but for today a quick hit and some tips. Join Host Cathy Brooks most Tuesdays at 10am PST for lively discussion and debate that tackles ... well ... lots of things. We talk about business. We talk about society. We talk about culture. Mostly we talk about dogs. How is this show different? Simple. Because this show is not about our opinions - it is about yours too. Whether through our online chat or by picking up your phone and calling in, get involved. Join us. Let your thoughts be heard. See you on the radio ... kind of.

On today's episode meet Hydrant Club member #36 - Polly Weinstein, also known as mother of Pearl ... a name that has particular relevance since Polly designs, creates and sells fabulous jewelry. It's a role into which she was certainly raised if not born, with a familly that has been central to the jewelry business in Las Vegas and part of downtown for decades. We'll talk with Polly about her views of how Downtown Las Vegas has changed, where she sees things going and most importantly how her life with the lovely standard poodle named Pearl has changed her life. Join Host Cathy Brooks most Tuesdays at 10am PST for lively discussion and debate that tackles ... well ... lots of things. We talk about business. We talk about society. We talk about culture. Mostly we talk about dogs. How is this show different? Simple. Because this show is not about our opinions - it is about yours too. Whether through our online chat or by picking up your phone and calling in, get involved. Join us. Let your thoughts be heard. See you on the radio ... kind of.

Super short installment of our program today - with a jam-packed posse of pups at Hydrant Club, several of which are in for Boot Camp Daycare training, time is short! On today's episode a discussion of aggression in dogs, and what that really means, some signs to look for and how to address them. Join Host Cathy Brooks most Tuesdays at 10am PST for lively discussion and debate that tackles ... well ... lots of things. We talk about business. We talk about society. We talk about culture. Mostly we talk about dogs. How is this show different? Simple. Because this show is not about our opinions - it is about yours too. Whether through our online chat or by picking up your phone and calling in, get involved. Join us. Let your thoughts be heard. See you on the radio ... kind of.

And so it begins ... Temperatures in Las Vegas and much of the Southwest have started climbing into the triple digits. On today's episode a discussion of dealing with the heat - the truth about leaving your dog in the car, keeping your dog cool, and the dangers of hot weather - both for your dog and for you. Join Host Cathy Brooks most Tuesdays at 10am PST for lively discussion and debate that tackles ... well ... lots of things. We talk about business. We talk about society. We talk about culture. Mostly we talk about dogs. How is this show different? Simple. Because this show is not about our opinions - it is about yours too. Whether through our online chat or by picking up your phone and calling in, get involved. Join us. Let your thoughts be heard. See you on the radio ... kind of.

And then there were three. In a "the right puppy always finds us" moment, Cathy has added another canine kid to her personal pack. Today a discussion of addressing social and behavioral development issues that arise when puppies are taken from their mother too early, and how we humans can step into the gap. Also today, meet Hydrant Club member #20, Rae Gallagher, aka Dudley's mom. Join Host Cathy Brooks Tuesdays at 10am PST for lively discussion and debate that tackles ... well ... lots of things. We talk about life. We talk about society. We talk about culture. Mostly we talk about dogs. How is this show different? Simple. Because this show is not about our opinions - it is about yours too. Whether through our online chat or by picking up your phone and calling in, get involved. Join us. Let your thoughts be heard. See you on the radio ... kind of.

On today's episode musing on the collision of worlds ... as the Collision Conference comes to downtown Las Vegas and sets up camp (well tents, really) directly across the street from the Hydrant Club. Also discussion of urban canine etiquette - elevators, street corners and cafes. Join Host Cathy Brooks most Tuesdays at 10am PST for lively discussion and debate that tackles ... well ... lots of things. We talk about business. We talk about society. We talk about culture. Mostly we talk about dogs. How is this show different? Simple. Because this show is not about our opinions - it is about yours too. Whether through our online chat or by picking up your phone and calling in, get involved. Join us. Let your thoughts be heard. See you on the radio ... kind of.

The City of Las Vegas has a wide range of amazing organizations committed to the welfare and well-being of animals lost, abandoned or otherwise seeking forever homes. Adopt-a-Rescue pet is one of them. These organizations work so hard and are always struggling to get the word out and raise money - and of course get animals adopted. For this reason it's particularly important that local folks and businesses support them. On today's episode, we'll talk with Marleen Szalay of Adopt-a-Rescue pet and Nick Fischella of Banger Brewery about a fun upcoming event designed to raise awareness and find some pups some homes. "Paws and Pints" will be taking place on May 18. Join us to learn more Join Host Cathy Brooks most Tuesdays at 10am PST for lively discussion and debate that tackles ... well ... lots of things. We talk about business. We talk about society. We talk about culture. Mostly we talk about dogs. How is this show different? Simple. Because this show is not about our opinions - it is about yours too. Whether through our online chat or by picking up your phone and calling in, get involved. Join us. Let your thoughts be heard. See you on the radio ... kind of.

Ready for some irreverance and sass? Hope so, because on today's show Hydrant Club member #5 - Laurel May Bond - joins the program. She's a writer who covers entertainment, fashion and design for a bunch of online and print publications and also has a bimonthly column in SEVEN called "The Hookup". She also pens a blog with an entirely unvarnished and witty view on a serious topic, cancer. Most of all, though, she's Manchester's mom. We'll talk about "bowling ball" (our fond nickname here at Hydrant Club for Manchester) and all manner of other stuff. Join Host Cathy Brooks most Tuesdays at 10am PST for lively discussion and debate that tackles ... well ... lots of things. We talk about business. We talk about society. We talk about culture. Mostly we talk about dogs. How is this show different? Simple. Because this show is not about our opinions - it is about yours too. Whether through our online chat or by picking up your phone and calling in, get involved. Join us. Let your thoughts be heard. See you on the radio ... kind of.

It's Earth Day - a perfect day to talk about the environment, sustainability, and dogs. Well, maybe just about dogs where this podcast is concerned. On today's episode, a discussion of fence etiquette as it relates to any enclosed space with dogs on one side of the fence and you on the other. What's the proper way to pass by? What's the best way to approach? And if you have to pass through a gate into the space, how do you do that? Join Host Cathy Brooks most Tuesdays at 10am PST for lively discussion and debate that tackles ... well ... lots of things. We talk about business. We talk about society. We talk about culture. Mostly we talk about dogs. How is this show different? Simple. Because this show is not about our opinions - it is about yours too. Whether through our online chat or by picking up your phone and calling in, get involved. Join us. Let your thoughts be heard. See you on the radio ... kind of.

Spring's cavalcade of canine events continues this week with guests Kathleen Kahr D'Esposito and Nicole Sottile for a chat about the 3rd Annual Stubby Memorial Dog Show - a neighborhood event to raise money for the Nevada SPCA. Taking place on Saturday, April 26, this gathering is a fun-filled romp in Huntridge Circle Park. Join Host Cathy Brooks most Tuesdays at 10am PST for lively discussion and debate that tackles ... well ... lots of things. We talk about business. We talk about society. We talk about culture. Mostly we talk about dogs. How is this show different? Simple. Because this show is not about our opinions - it is about yours too. Whether through our online chat or by picking up your phone and calling in, get involved. Join us. Let your thoughts be heard. See you on the radio ... kind of.

Spring has sprung ... at least it has in Las Vegas ... and with the warm weather comes a bevy of animal-focused events and activities. Last weekend's Pet-a-Palooza kicked off a season that gathers steam in April - one of the big gatherings this month is the Animal Foundation's annual Best in Show. On today's episode, Cathy is joined by Andy Bischel, the Animal Foundation's Director of Development to talk about the upcoming event. You can join host Cathy Brooks most Tuesdays at 10am PST for lively discussion and debate that tackles ... well ... lots of things. We talk about business. We talk about society. We talk about culture. Mostly we talk about dogs. How is this show different? Simple. Because this show is not about our opinions - it is about yours too. Whether through our online chat or by picking up your phone and calling in, get involved. Join us. Let your thoughts be heard. See you on the radio ... kind of.

Picking up and moving across the country is hard. Picking up and moving across the country to a concrete jungle when you have a pup whose life involved romping in nature preserves is even more challenging. Enter Hydrant Club member #12 - Lisa Shufro. A transplant to Downtown Las Vegas from Connecticut, Lisa and her "Se-gle" (half Beagle, half English Setter) Roscoe have taken to urban living like one of those birds Roscoe loves to chase takes to water. On today's epsiode we'll talk with Lisa about her experience of moving, how the transition has been and what she's learned in the process. Join Host Cathy Brooks most Tuesdays at 10am PST for lively discussion and debate that tackles ... well ... lots of things. We talk about business. We talk about society. We talk about culture. Mostly we talk about dogs. How is this show different? Simple. Because this show is not about our opinions - it is about yours too. Whether through our online chat or by picking up your phone and calling in, get involved. Join us. Let your thoughts be heard. See you on the radio ... kind of.

On today's episode meet Hydrant Club member #001 - Matt Heller. When he's not taking on the challenges of branding and marketing to Millenials and urban adventurers, he's deeply engrossed in his most important project - his new dog, Moxie. Join Host Cathy Brooks most Tuesdays at 10am PST for lively discussion and debate that tackles ... well ... lots of things. We talk about business. We talk about society. We talk about culture. Mostly we talk about dogs. How is this show different? Simple. Because this show is not about our opinions - it is about yours too. Whether through our online chat or by picking up your phone and calling in, get involved. Join us. Let your thoughts be heard. See you on the radio ... kind of.

A discussion of body language as it relates to canine linguistics and a cameo appearance from Hydrant Club member #001 - Matt Heller!   Join Host Cathy Brooks most Tuesdays at 10am PST for lively discussion and debate that tackles the way in which our world is changing and how dogs play into that. How is this show different? Simple. Because this show is not about our opinions - it is about yours too. Whether through our online chat or by picking up your phone and calling in, get involved. Join us. Let your thoughts be heard. See you on the radio ... kind of.

First episode of 2014! This year The Conversation goes fully to the dogs ... literally. In today's episode, Cathy gives the lowdown on the direction in which The Conversation will be going. From conversations about technology's impact on the world to the decidedly carbon-based face-to-face experience of dog behavior and training

It's beginning to feel a lot like ... the Arctic North! Yes, and Christmas too. As temperatures have dipped across all of the US, Cathy's view in Vegas turns to the chill winter, some changes in perspective, a holiday rumor and some exciting upcoming news about The Hydrant Club! Join Host Cathy Brooks every Tuesday at 10am PST for lively discussion and debate that tackles the way in which our world is changing - sometimes due to technology and sometimes in spite of it. How is this show different? Simple. Because this show is not about our opinions - it is about yours too. Whether through our online chat or by picking up your phone and calling in, get involved. Join us. Let your thoughts be heard. See you on the radio ... kind of.

Peering up like a Meerkat from the tsunami of work on The Hydrant Club, Cathy chimes in this week with a quick update on progress for the doggie denizens of Downtown Las Vegas, a chat about meditation and banging the rust off her broadcasting muscles.

A government shut down? Really. Perhaps it's time for a serious house cleaning. Like the entire set of Legislators in DC. Join Host Cathy Brooks for a brief yet vibrant rant this morning ... that will range from government to slacking off on dog ownership.

Nutrition ... there's the stuff consumed to stay healthy and then there are the ways you feed your brain. On today's show, two very different angles on that idea. First, Downtown Las Vegas is home to an array of businesses that are taking entirely new approaches to long-time industries. The 9th Bridge School, which opened its doors just a week or two ago, rips apart old conventions of education and tackles the learning process with a fresh eye. Connie Yeh is spearheading this new endeavor and joins today to talk about this unique facility. Now about food ... You are what you eat. Guess what. So is your dog. Unknown to many people your dog's nutrition is actually a crucial element not just of its physical health but also how it behaves. Have a dog that's overly excitable and you just can't control it, chances are that a contributing factor is what it's eating. On today's episode, Cathy is joined by Jillian Plaster, trained chef and now canine cuisine creator from The Dog House in Las Vegas. Woof.

After a month's hiatus ... okay more like a month and a half ... Cathy is back this morning with a bit of a rant. Where oh where are the responsible designers and developers? The wonderfully gifted artists who have angled their skills towards creating magic for the Internet? Where are the people who not only have the gift of art, but who are accountable, diligent and accountable for their work? They seem to be a frighteningly rare breed. Also on todays' docket, an update on the canine clubhouse about to dig some holes in Downtown Las Vegas and the shark jumped desert event that is Burning Man.