Story Archives of 'pets'

Today on Word of Mouth we look at our unflagging dedication to our pets. Americans spend $20 billion a year on healthcare for our pets. We treat them like family - 70 percent of pet owners sleep with their dogs and three-quarters of married pet owners say they greet their pet before their spouse when they arrive at home.

Writer and passionate dog owner Vicki Constantine Croke visited animal treatment centers where dogs are having brain surgery, cats are getting kidney transplants, and ferrets and lizards are getting cancer treatments. Her article, "How Far Should We Go to Save Our Pets?" will be featured in the Boston Globe Magazine on Sunday. She’s also co-author of "Dogology: What Your Relationship With Your Dog Reveals About You," which will be out this fall.

Croke joins Word of Mouth from the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, where a two-year-old goose named Boswell is undergoing chemotherapy.

We also speak with Dr. Joerg Mayer, who is treating Boswell.

(Photos by Mark Wilson/Boston Globe Staff)

Saving Kitty or Max during a major disaster or emergency may seem a bit extravagant when so many people need help.

But federal law now requires cities and towns to have evacuation plans for animals during disasters…..or risk losing FEMA assistance.

The mandate is a direct result of what happened in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina hit. Thousands of people were separated from their pets or forced to abandon them.

Following the federal regulations, New Hampshire is setting up its own animal rescue teams to help during emergencies. NHPR’s Amy Quinton attended a recent training and files this report.

Tonight on the Front Porch, our Dog Days of Summer series continues with a look at the special bond between humans and their dogs. We'll find out why canines have become "man's best friend", and what the dogs in our lives say about ourselves. We'll also examine relationships between people and their pooches and see if the most well-intentioned dog owners are always doing right by their pets.

Our guests are:

Kevin Behan, dog trainer and author of the book Natural Dog Training: The Canine Arts Kennel Program - Teach Your Dog by Using His Natural Instincts.

Monica Mansfield, veterinarian and author of The Black Panties: Tales of Animal Mischief And Veterinary Intrigue.

The appeal of exotic pets. Ownership is booming in the U.S. but there are many unknown risks for both for humans and animals. We'll find out what those are, from the monkey virus to animal abandonment. Trish talks with Michael Dutton, veterinarian, Weare Animal Hospital, Jenna Dillon, Broken Reptile Rescue and Education, and Tom Sadowski, Pet City in Seabrook.

Which is better? Many of us will say we're either "cat people" or "dog people." We'll talk about why that is...and just what makes cats so elusive and dogs so eager to please. Laura's guest is Tufts University Veterinarian Nicholas Dodman, his most recent book is, "If They Could Only Speak: Stories About Pets and Their People." http://www.wwnorton.com/catalog/spring02/005100.htm