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Episode 132 - Golden Retriever profile and Barknight

132_DogCast_Radio.mp3

Released Sat May 12, 2012
Length: 1:02:23
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The Gift of Growl

Golden Retrievers are absolutely delightful but i would say that wouldn't I? I've had them all my life; there was one at my cradle.
 - Merriol Haselden

The Golden Retriever is a very striking dog - in fact host Julie thinks they're so glamorous that they are the canine equivalent of actress Goldie Hawn! To find out what the breed is like to actually live with Julie talks to Merriol Haselden. Merriol has had Golden Retrievers in her life right from birth; Merriol's mother insisted on having a home birth to avoid leaving her devoted dog to go into hospital as the dog would pine for her. Now Merriol herself lives with five Goldens, and breeds the dogs she love so much so others can experience the joy of life with a Golden Retriever.

Merriol talks about the training, exercise and health of the breed as well as sharing many personal anecdotes. You can find out more about Merriol at the Overdene page on Champdogs, and if you're in the UK visit the Golden Retriever Club, and in the USA try the Golden Retriever Club of America.

Barknight

We just kept coming back to the story, we just liked the story so much and we said, "You know, we really ought to write that down!"
 - Dan McConnell

It's a first for DogCast Radio as Julie conducts an interview with a whole family simultaneously, and the McConnell family are delightful. In an attempt to keep their four children - Kelly, Brian, Kevin and Matthew - occupied in a busy restaurant, Dan and Meg McConnell started a game of wordplay. When the words bark and night were paired up within minutes the story of Barknight was born, and the family liked the story so much they decided to write it down and share their love of dogs and all animals with others. Barknight is a celebration of our pet dogs - and a reminder to appreciate the way they enhance and enrich our lives. To find out more visit the Barknight website, and you can contact the McConnells via Twitter using @Barknight.

News

In the DogCast Radio News you can hear how we choose dogs to reflect our personalities, about the perils of dog flipping, the slow move towards mandatory microchipping in the UK and the new TV channel for dogs in the USA. You can have a sneak peek at TV for dogs via the DOG TV Youtube channel. What does your dog make of TV made just for him?

new TV channel for dogs in the USA. You can have a sneak peek at TV for dogs via the DOG TV Youtube channel. What does your dog make of TV made just for him?

Big Dog's Breakfast

If you enjoy eating and you'd like to help raise money for the wonderful charity Dogs for the Disabled, who supply assistance dogs that perform an array of tasks to help their owners, then join in with Big Dog's Breakfast week. Simply have a meal or a snack with family, friends or colleagues and ask for donations to support the charity's vital work.

Puppy given as prize on TV show.

Host Julie shares her worries on the impact of a puppy being given away as a prize on a British television show, Keith Lemon's Lemonaid. If like Julie, you are horrified at what happened on the Keith Lemon show, there are a number of ways you can make your opinion count. You can complain to Ofcom.You can also complain direct to ITV and there is also a petition you can sign to amend the law to stop the giving of live animals as prizes. There is also a KeithLemonsPuppyPrizeProtest facebook page that will help unite opposition to the incident, and keep you informed.

Sharing

279 - mushrooms for dogs and using parenting principles with pets

In this podcast, Dr Rob Silver reveals how mushroom's can be good for our dogs - and us. Wendy Lyons Sunshine explains how implementing parenting methods with our dogs can improve our relationship with them.

189 - The Dog Healers and War Dogs Remembered

In this episode you can hear Mark Winik talk about his debut novel, The Dog Healers, and listen to Julia Robertson explain why she founded the charity War Dogs remembered. Plus there's the DogCast Radio News, and what Mischief the German Spitz puppy has been up to.

188 - Service Dogs UK and Roxie the Doxie Finds Her Forever Home

In this episode you can hear about Service Dogs UK, a fantastic charity which trains assistance dogs to support veterans of any service - military personnel, police, firefighters, paramedics and the coastguard - who develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder due to their job. Also, listen to Dr Jody A Dean, a clinical psychologist talk about how her book, Roxie the Doxie finds her Forever Home, is helping children understand and talk about adoption and other family issues. Plus the DogCast Radio News and some thoughts on the alpha dog myth.

187 - Muffins Halo and Chorley Fun Dog Show

In this episode you can hear about Muffin's Halo for Blind Dogs, and what motivates people to enter their dog in a fun dog show. In the DogCast Radio News, listen to stories about the latest dog related research. Plus there's a new member of the DogCast Radio team!

186 - Maxwell Muir on wolves

In this episode you can hear trainer, behaviourist, writer, broadcaster and wolf expert Maxwell Muir talk about what wolves mean to him personally, their plight in a modern world, and his hopes for their future. Plus we have the DogCast Radio News.