Chef Harry Wows Martha!

This is Chef Harry, his wonderful wife Laurie and their fabulous dog, Blitz all of whom wowed Martha Stewart on her show! Be sure to watch tomorrow, Dec. 1 at 10:00 AM, EST on The Hallmark Channel and see if you agree that their appearance was a very good thing indeed!

Martha Stewart Show

http://www.marthastewart.com/868197/wild-animal-show#ooid=Nod2MxMzpWHSJn3x8IFrJavPRl78xEPF,puZzIxMzr_AEF48BvzAF1Fwtj2Y8AdmZ

Click on the above link and you will see some behind the scenes footage of The Martha Stewart Wild Animal Show--a recent episode. While The Culinary Canine was not part of the Noah's Ark that invaded Martha's television studio, it was featured on the Pet Show, which airs December 1 on the Hallmark Channel at 10:00 AM on the East Coast. That is in two days--plenty of time for you to check your cable guide and set your DVR.

And yes, every member of the audience went home with a book!

Poetry in Motion

This is truly amazing. The music is haunting and the bird formations look like art.

Dog and Horse Play Together

Truly remarkable. A dog named Lucy runs circles around and with her best friend a quarter horse named Whiskey Brown. Watch to the end and see Lucy take a dip in the water trough!

Geese on Parade

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade may have come and gone, but these geese are marching to their own drummer!

Comparative Oncology Lung Cancer Breakthrough

A subject near and dear to my heart--comparative oncology--is now providing breakthroughs in lung cancer treatment, thanks to research being done at Penn Vet and the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. Watch and learn!

National Dog Show

Breaking sports news video. MLB, NFL, NBA, NHL highlights and more.

Before the turkey, catch some of the National Dog Show on NBC. Here's host John O'Hurley hoping to get his dog into the show. About as much success as my crew would have!

Too Close for Comfort

This humpback whale certainly gives this surfer and kayaker pause. The whale surfaced while feeding, gulping large amounts of food and water. What has happened, according to officials is that the whale's food has moved closer to shore causing these close encounters.

This is amazing footage which gives new meaning to "Thar She Blows!"

Officer To the Rescue

Here's a great video. This officer in Tempe Arizona rescues a little Yorkie who escaped unharmed from an overturned car and was running for his life on the busy freeway. Happy ending for all and kudos to that officer!

The Real Dogs of New York Approve!

A nice piece in Sunday's New York Post in which the intrepid reporter Amanda Kelly, tested three recipes from The Culinary Canine on three "real dogs of new York!" The results were all good.

Sammy, above, lapped up Eli Zabar's Bread Soup, Cosme Anguilar's Organic Chicken Soup and Anita Lo's Bluefish, Yams, Peas and Bacon.

You can read all about it here!

Baby Elephant Walk!

Now you know why that song is called Baby Elephant Walk--it sounds just like this adorable guy's first tentative steps. And how cute is it that he steps on his trunk!!!

Dog Stops Temper Tantrum

Oh yes, you families with young children, you do need a dog! Watch and see why!

Penguin Patrol

I just love this--reminds me of Amos steeling Sam's stash of hoarded bones--when he wasn't looking. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer!

Baltimore Athletes Show Softer Side

Gotta love this story from the Baltimore. Local athletes in the Charm City are making the point known that only a punk would hurt a dog. The general idea is that tough, strong athletes are not afraid to show their softer side, especially when it comes to protecting animals.

"I think if kids see these very macho guys in these photographs, it will perhaps change their thinkings," says Caroline Griffin, who leads Baltimore's Anti-Animal Cruelty Commission. "Hurting an animal is not a rite of passage to show your manhood."

The brainchild behind this wonderful campaign is advertising executive Sande Riesett, who is tired of hearing about abused animals. "I want to get enough people together to say this is not tolerated," she says. "And whatever resources we have to put against it, we put against it."

Hmmmm..maybe that campaign should spill over to Philadelphia, just up route 95 a bit. I know a particular quarterback who should be a poster child for this message.

On or Off the Leash?

So I am back after a whirlwind three city four day book launch extravaganza and discovered, upon my return, that my dog walker fell while walking two of my dogs and broke her ankle! It seems that Sam, the largest Golden Retriever known to mankind, was pulling her very hard and started barking at some dogs in a neighbor's driveway. She did not see a pothole in the street that was covered with leaves and she fell and twisted her ankle, which turned out to be a hairline fracture.

She is fine--never mind that I told her Sam was a handful and that she should take him to the park and let him walk off leash as I do--and I am lucky that she said it was all her fault, but the point here is that most dogs, who might be excitable around other dogs, are much better off the leash than on. Which is what I told her in the first place, but I already told you that.

It turns out that I am right not only with regard to my dog but with regard to other dogs. A recent study, soon to be published in the journal Applied Animal Behavior Science, has demonstrated that leashed dogs were twice as like to act aggressively as off-leash dogs. This is based on nearly 2,000 dog-to-dog interactions in 30 popular dog walking areas in the city of Brno in the Czech Republic.

Lisa Peterson, spokesperson for the American Kennel Club, agreed with the findings. Most dogs, she points out, like to run around each other when they first meet. "They can't do this run-around behavior when on a leash and they likely feel more threatened." she explained. "They are also more inclined to resource guard, with the owner being the resource. It's as though they re communicating, 'He is my owner. I don't want you to have him because he feeds and cares for me.'"

While it is true that Sam has a few dogs at the park that seem to get his nose out of joint, we have learned to avoid them or at least walk quickly past and he will stay put, off leash, if I see them coming in the other direction, until I tell him it is OK to go. If I have him on the leash, all he does is bark and pull me. I end up dropping the leash if he happens to be leashed in these instances and he just stands there.

The only way I can walk Sam on a leash is by himself (she had Amos with him and the two just rile each other up) or let him run off leash in the park, which I can do with everybody in tow.

All of which the dog walker knows, but sometimes people can be as stubborn as those leashed dogs.

FOR MORE DETAILS, INCLUDING PHOTOS, ABOUT THE COMPLETE LAUNCH TOUR CHECK OUT THE CULINARY CANINE BLOG AT: http://theculinarycanine.blogspot.com/ I post every other day.

Banter with Friends

A new campaign launched by the American Pet Products Association to suggest that everyone deserves a friend. Banter is better with a buddy is too adorable! See for yourself in the video above.

Might Macs

I kno the topic is basketball and it really has nothing to do with animals but sometimes stories just have to be shared. Immaculata College is down the road a bit and Cathy Rush, the coach in the film is pretty much a local hero. Plus the director is a Penn alum who played for their football team. A lot of local kids make good.

Looks like a great film and a fun night out for a team in case any of you coach on the side!

Book Tour Recap

What a coincidence! Martha Stewart is on the same California book tour as Sabina and I are! She started in LA, however, which is where I am headed today, and then hit San Francisco, which is where I was Friday and Saturday. Our paths crossed mid air....

So here's how it is being on a book tour: exhausting but exhilarating. Things started in Chicago, without me, as it turns out, since my flight was canceled and then delayed due to fog in Philly. I spent the entire day at the airport on Thursday--from 10:00 in the morning until I got on a plane at 6:50 that evening--dragging my luggage back and forth from airline to airline, as plane after plane was canceled, delayed due to mechanical failure, and then delayed. I ultimately got on a 6:50 PM Southwest flight, standby and made it to Chicago at 8:00 pm CST, which was just as the event was winding down. By the time I got to the hotel, it was 9:00 PM and all that was left was a copy of The Culinary Canine on the front desk, which almost made it worthwhile!

The good news is that the turnout was good, everyone who came had a fabulous time and the chefs turned out in full force. Kimpton's Hotel Monaco, by the way is a fabulous hotel the next time you are in Chicago.

Up bright and early the next day to catch a 8:35 flight to San Francisco, which was remarkably on time. I did land in San Fran a little late due to weather--it was raining--but made it to the event in plenty of time. Sabina, however, was still on her flight and never got to the event since she landed two hours late.

The San Francisco event was held in the Noe Vally Pet Supply store, which is connected to Omnivore Books, a great shop that only sells cookbooks. We got a good crowd, lots of dogs, great food provided by Chef Tanya and Boulettes Larder and wine supplied by Vinum Cellars. It was a fun event, despite the steady downpour.

Saturday I spent with dear friends in San Francisco and we visited Chef Schwertner at Boulettes Larder in the Ferry Terminal Building and had a fabulous meal at Frances, owned by Chef Melissa Perello.

Off to LA Sunday AM for an event that afternoon at Upper West, for which I taped a radio interview the day before I left. My sister, who lives in Pacific Palisades, actually heard it on the air on Friday!

A whirlwind--even Martha admits it can be grueling--but fun, and great to see different parts of the country. I have never seen so many dogs as I did in San Francisco!

I'll be home late Monday to my own hounds, who I understand have missed me. I missed them too but have been delighted to take the show on the road.

Humane Society in Philadelphia

A few weeks ago the National Humane Society sponsored a free rabies vaccination program in the Huntington Park neighborhood of North Philadelphia and hundreds turned up! Also available were free spay/neuter vouchers, dog treats and some good old fashioned interaction with other pet owners.

From the looks of it, the event was a huge success! Kudos to the National Humane society for their leadership in bringing affordable veterinary care to the people who need it, making life better for people and pets.

A Subject Near and Dear

Sabina will be the first one to tell you it is harder than it looks, as Betty White finds out in this cute video.
Shouldn't deter you however, from entering your dog in the cover contest and help put an end to canine cancer.

Chug a Lug Pug?

Not sure if this off beat accomplishment is worthy of a world record, but Bowser Beer has earned it as the first beer for dogs by World Record Academy. The product has no alcohol, no hops, no carbonation, comes in chicken and beef flavors and seems to be a favorite of the pooches in this video.

In fact, a lot of the recipes in The Culinary Canine might go perfectly with a doggie brew!

Uncle Mos Retired

While we will never know if his disappointing showing in the Breeder's Cup Classic was due to the elevated liver enzyme, or the elevated liver enzyme was due to running in the Breeder's Cup Classic, this elevated enzyme is the reason that Uncle Mo is being retired from racing, according to Bloodhorse.

"It was really bad in March and April," said Mike Repole, his owner. "What he has now is just a high GGT. We knew this could be brought on by stress, such as running and racing."

Uncle Mo will stand at Ashford Stud and no stud fees have been announced. The bigger question, in my opinion, is why would you want to pass on this liver enzyme condition, assuming it is gene related? Maybe they should figure that out before they breed more Uncle Mo's.

Chicago Launch

Going to be in Chicago November 10th?
Stop by the Hotel Monaco from 6-8 for a tasty evening featuring the four Chicago chefs in The Culinary Canine!

A $10 donation at the door supports the Anti-Cruelty Society and gets you free food and wine!

Buy a book, have us sign it and don't forget to bring yur dogs!!

Hope to see you there!

Jock

And yet another film in development. This one is about three generations of female athletes who become jockeys. Quite a good premise--it's hard to believe that women have been jockeys long enough for there to be three generations.

Kickstarter is a great site that helps promising film makers find backers for their projects.

Breeder's Cup Classic 2011

You knew it was going to be that kind of a day. The heavily hyped favorites, from Union Rags in the Juvenile to Goldikova in the Mile Turf, missed the mark. So when it came time for the Classic, I kept looking for a horse no one seemed to be looking at.

To be honest, I looked right past Drosselmeyer. I was concentrating on the New Zealand horse, So You Think, who was coming off the turf and wearing blinkers for the first time. Sentimentally, I wanted Havre de Grace to win one for Rick Porter, even as I thought she was not quite as good as the boys in this instance. And how could you not love the Scooter story? 70 year old trainer with his first Grade 1 winner in Flat Out.

Anyway, Chantal Sutherland, trying to make history as the first female to win the Breeder's cup Classic, almost did that on Game On Dude. She almost took that horse, who broke out of the gate like a jack rabbit, wire to wire.

But there, in the middle of the track, about half way down the stretch, came somebody thundering on the outside. Even as as I asked "who's on the outside?" I knew that horse would win. But not until he crossed the wire did I realize it was Drosselmeyer!

Much will be made of the exes, Mike Smith and Chantal, battling it out with Smith winning. And much will be made of Smith getting redemption for losing last year's classic on Zenyatta, but I think the moral of the story just may be that the heavily hyped favorites don't seem to win.

So don't rule out Union Rags in the Derby just yet. It is probably a blessing not to be the favorite and in all honesty, that horse may need blinkers to keep him from lugging out down the stretch. And certainly don't rule out Hansen who beat him by a nostril. It just will probably be won by a horse we have yet to had from!

Not All Heroes are Human

I received the following story in an email and thought it was too good not to pass along. . . And then the analysis followed--be sure to read al the way through

James Crane worked on the 101st floor of Tower 1 of the World Trade Center.
He is blind so he has a golden retriever named Daisy.

After the plane hit 20 stories below, James knew that he was doomed, so
he let Daisy go, out of an act of love. She darted away into the darkened
hallway.

Choking on the fumes of the jet fuel and the smoke James was just waiting to
die. About 30 minutes later, Daisy comes back along with James' boss, who
Daisy just happened to pick up on floor 112

On her first run of the building, she leads James, James' boss, and about
300 more people out of the doomed building. But she wasn't through yet, she
knew there were others who were trapped. So, highly against James' wishes
she ran back in the building.

On her second run, she saved 392 lives. Again she went back in. During this
run, the building collapses. James hears about this and falls on his knees
into tears.

Against all known odds, Daisy makes it out alive, but this time she is
carried by a firefighter. "She led us right to the people, before she got
injured" the fireman explained.

Her final run saved another 273 lives. She suffered acute smoke inhalation,
severe burns on all four paws, and a broken leg, but she saved 967 lives.
Daisy is the first civilian Canine to win the Medal of Honor of New York
City.


Analysis: Try as I might, I have not been able to locate a single published news story mentioning a World Trade Center survivor named James Crane. And though there were indeed many canine heroes who participated in rescue operations at Ground Zero after the September 11 terrorist attack, there is no golden retriever named Daisy listed among them. In the five years since the twin towers collapsed, no evidence has emerged to corroborate this inspiring but apocryphal tale.
For that matter, the text contains glaring factual inaccuracies. We are told, for example, that Daisy found James Crane's boss on the 112th floor of Tower One. But neither of the WTC towers exceeded 110 stories. An early variant purports to have been "copied from the New York Times, 9-19-01," but no such article appeared in the Times on that or any other date. We are also told that Mayor Rudy Giuliani awarded Daisy a "Canine Medal of Honor of New York," but there is no record of any such medal being given out.

It's ironic that someone felt it necessary to invent such a story when there were at least two real-life examples of guide dogs escorting their blind owners out of the burning twin towers to safety. Roselle, a Labrador retriever, led Michael Hingson down from the 78th floor of the north tower and to the home of a friend several blocks away. Dorado, also a Labrador, guided Omar Rivera down 70 flights of stairs, an ordeal that lasted over an hour but ended with both man and dog a safe distance from the towers when they collapsed.

Salmonella Warning!

Could there ever be a more perfect time to publish a book with recipes for dogs? Not when the FDA warns against humans contracting salmonella from handling pet food!!

Here's what you need to know; wash your hands well after touching your dog's food and wash their dog dishes well with warm soapy water.

Here's what else you need to know: no dogs contracted salmonella from the food--only people!!

And yes, we do give our dogs dog food--there are things in it that dogs do need--augmented by people food, so be sure to keep hands and dishes and surfaces where dog food might touch your kitchen, clean.

La Russa, the Clydesdale

Talk about the ultimate honor! Budweiser has named a Clydesdale after Tony La Russa, manager of the World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals. That's him on the left. La Russa rode on top of the Budweiser beer wagon in the parade last Sunday.

Tony La Russa, the person, also recently announced his retirement from managing. Chances are that he will be spending even more time at The Animal Rescue Foundation. Maybe he'll even stop by our launch in San Francisco on Nov. 11 since it benefits his Foundation!

Breeders Cup is Coming!

ESPN and ABC-TV are going to televise more than nine hours of LIVE Breeder's Cup Coverage over the two days of the event, November 4-5. If you can't be at Churchill Downs, at least you can check out all the action on TV!

On Friday, the first day of the event, coverage will begin at 4 on ESPN 2 and ESPN 3 concluding with the Breeeders Cup Ladies' Classic at 7:30 PM.

And then on Saturday coverage will begin at 2 PM on ABC and continue on ESPN and ESPN 3 from 3:30-7:15. Post time for the Classic will be 7:00 PM.

Let's hope for a beautiful day and lots of great racing with safe trips for all.

Field Trip

People are always asking me where they can buy The Culinary Canine so today I decided to take a little field trip and see for myself. I started at Target, because the book is up on their web site. Perhaps it is in the Target near you, but no Culinary Canine is in the Target near me. By the way, I wasn't too impressed with their book section which seemed very small.

The next stop was Pet Smart, which I know carries other Kennel Club Books, published by my publisher. Sure enough there were lots of Meet the Breed books (all published by Kennel Club) but no Culinary Canine. At least not in the Pet Smart near me.

I was getting a little discouraged but trudged off to Barnes and Noble. I started in the cookbook section--which is huge--and could not find The Culinary Canine. But then I searched through the Pet Section and Bingo!! There it was, not prominently displayed with the cover facing out, but I remedied that situation. Very noticeable and sure to catch someones eye!

So there you have my very non-scientific study. The book is on the shelf in the Pet Section at Barnes & Noble so please go to your local one and turn it so the cover faces out!! And if it is not there, please ask for it!