Episodes

  • Pet Talk 8-30-25
    Aug 30 2025
    Laurie Fass discusses the importance of dog training and compares different approaches, including private lessons and group classes, highlighting the pros and cons of each. She emphasizes that the best method depends on both the dog’s and owner’s needs and shares insights from her own training experiences. Laurie also talks about two supplements, “Gussy’s Gut” and “Fatty 15,” explaining their potential benefits for digestive health, overall wellness, and longevity. Additionally, she touches on pet ownership statistics, noting that 66% of U.S. households about 86.9 million people own pets, and that cleaning up after them is one of the least favorite responsibilities. She reviews various inventions designed to make cleanup easier, from leashes with built in waste containers to harnesses that catch poop directly, as well as robotic litter boxes for cats, offering her thoughts and cautions on these products.
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    40 mins
  • Pet Talk 8-16-25
    Aug 16 2025
    It’s Hurricane Season, and Dr. Andrea Dennis discusses the importance of being prepared for severe storms, focusing on both personal safety and the well being of pets. She outlines best practices for storm readiness, including assembling supplies, creating an evacuation plan, and ensuring animals are accounted for in every step of the process. Dr. Dennis explains what pet owners should do if evacuation becomes necessary, offering practical tips for traveling safely with animals and keeping them calm during emergencies. In addition, she takes a call from a listener struggling with a cat’s inappropriate bathroom habits, urinating in the litter box but defecating on rugs and scooting across the floor. Another caller seeks guidance on the best diet for a cat with lymphoma and inflammatory bowel disease.
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    41 mins
  • Pet Talk 8-9-25
    Aug 9 2025
    Laurie Fass discusses a recent story about a pet Asian monitor lizard named Goose that was loose in Massachusetts, cautioning people about owning exotic pets and reminding listeners that some animals aren’t suited to be pets. She also shares helpful tips for dog owners on how to prevent dogs from being overly grabby when receiving treats. During the show, Laurie takes calls from listeners, one about managing a Chihuahua that barks wildly at the doorbell, and another about training a cat to stay off counters, offering practical advice and strategies for both situations.
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    40 mins
  • Pet Talk 8-2-25
    Aug 2 2025
    Dr. Andrea Dennis discusses the importance of paying attention to your pet’s eyes, emphasizing that eyes are the "windows to the soul" and can reveal a lot about an animal’s health and emotions. She covers various aspects of eye care, including cleaning, recognizing signs of disease, and understanding common conditions like glaucoma, a leading cause of blindness in dogs. Dr. Dennis explains what glaucoma is, which breeds are more prone to it, and available treatments. She also warns about cyanobacteria, a harmful bacteria often found in waterways, and shares tips on how to protect pets from exposure, along with symptoms to watch for. Additionally, she answers a caller's question about cat allergies, offering advice on treatment and relief.
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    41 mins
  • Pet Talk 7-26-25
    Jul 26 2025
    Laurie Fass discusses how hot weather can be dangerous for dogs, emphasizing that they don’t cool off easily and can overheat quickly. She shares personal experiences with her own dogs and offers practical tips for pet owners on how to keep their pets safe during heatwaves. Laurie also highlights the growing responsibilities of pet ownership, noting rising costs and a trend where more households now have pets than children, offering her take on that shift. On the topic of dog training, she compares it to following a recipe, stressing the importance of sticking to a trainer’s full guidance without leaving anything out.
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    42 mins
  • Pet Talk 7-19-25
    Jul 19 2025
    Dr. Andrea Dennis discusses pet care during hot weather and heatwaves. She addresses common questions like whether or not you should shave your pet in the summer, offering her professional opinion. Dr. Dennis also explains how to recognize signs of heat stress and heat stroke in cats and dogs, and shares practical tips to help keep pets cool and safe during the hot months. Plus, she weighs in on how often you should be bathing your dog. Additionally, Dr. Dennis covers what to do if your dog is bitten by a snake, including recommendations and preventive measures.
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    39 mins
  • Pet Talk 7-5-25
    Jul 5 2025
    Laurie Fass covers a range of pet safety concerns, focusing first on the ongoing issue of fireworks from June through early September, which can cause extreme stress for pets and wildlife. She shares practical tips for keeping animals calm and safe, emphasizing that more dogs go missing during this time than any other due to fear from loud noises. Laurie also discusses the growing bear population in Connecticut and the potential danger they pose to pets, especially when dogs are left off leash. She strongly advises keeping pets leashed and secured to prevent them from getting lost, startled, or injured. Additionally, she offers guidance on choosing secure collars and harnesses to ensure pets can't slip out. She also warns against using poison for rodent control, noting that it can unintentionally harm pets and other wildlife if they ingest poisoned rodents.
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    39 mins
  • Pet Talk 6-28-25
    Jun 28 2025
    Laurie Fass is joined by Lynn, owner of Intuition At Hand in Rocky Hill, to discuss an upcoming Greyhound adoption event hosted by the Connecticut Greyhound Association. They explore what makes Greyhounds unique, the adoption process, and why these gentle dogs can make wonderful pets. The event takes place Sunday, June 29, 2025, from 12–2 p.m. at Intuition At Hand and is open to anyone interested in learning more or meeting adoptable Greyhounds. For more information, visit www.intuitionathand.com and www.ctgreyhounds.org. Laurie also takes listener calls, including one about dog training challenges and another about keeping a bored cat entertained. She also talks about summer safety reminders for pets, emphasizing how to protect animals from heat and fireworks, and shares tips for easing anxiety during storms and holidays.
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    40 mins