Animal Writes - Animal Writers and Best-selling Authors
In these pet podcasts, host Tim Link will feature interviews with best-selling pet-related authors, award winning writers and journalists that focus on stories about animals and bloggers with interesting topics to share about pets. Each interview will give you firsthand knowledge about why the authors and writers chose a particular story, what the featured animals meant to them, and what has become of the animals that we talk about. All of the discussions will be compelling and informative. And of course, Tim will share stories from his own books, blogs, articles and experiences.
Episode 36 - Reflections of a Bird’s Companion
Writer and author, Cindi Maciolek, joined Tim in this episode to talk about her recently released book, Divatiel. Tim asked Cindi what inspired her to write this book, what she hopes readers will take away from reading this book and what stories about her cockatiel Jake’ touched her heart. Cindi also shared the differences between writing for magazines and writing a non-fiction book. Find out what life was like with a bird who ruled the roost and lessons learned that can be used every day. Truly a fun and heartfelt book!
Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 35 - Bringing U.S. Troops’ Dogs and Cats Safely Home Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
SPCA International program manager and author, Terri Crisp, joined Tim in this episode to talk about her recently released book, No Buddy Left Behind. Tim asked Terri what inspired her to write this book, what she hopes readers will take away from reading this book and what stories touched her heart. Terri also shared information regarding her work with SPCA International and Operation Baghdad Pups. Find out what becomes of the dogs and cats that have helped our soldiers while deployed, after the soldiers return home. Tim’s interview with Terri is definitely worth listening to!
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 34 - Finding Peace After Pet Loss Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
New York Times best-selling author and photographer, Jon Katz, joined Tim in this episode to talk about his recently released book, Going Home: Finding Peace When Pets Die. Tim asked Jon what inspired him to write this book, what he hopes readers will take away from reading this book and for some of the best ways that people can deal with the grief associated when losing a beloved pet. Jon also shared a personal experience about when one of his pets made their transition and how he coped with his own grief. If you’ve ever experienced a deep bond with any animal in your life and they are no longer with you, Tim’s interview with Jon is definitely worth listening to!
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 33 - Saving Yourself by Saving Dogs Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
Julie Klam, bestselling author, writer and Emmy nominee, joined Tim in this episode to talk about her recently released book, Love at First Bark: How Saving a Dog Can Sometimes Help You Save Yourself. Tim asked Julie to talk about some of the furry characters that she wrote about in her book, what inspired her to write this book, and how she got involved in rescuing dogs. Julie also shared why she believes that rescuing a dog can help someone save themselves and what she hopes readers will take away from reading her book. If you’re involved with animal rescue, or have rescued your own pets from a shelter, you’ll definitely be able to relate to Tim’s interview with Julie!
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 32 - A Little Dog’s Journey to the Top of the Mountain Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
Author and columnist, Tom Ryan, joins Tim in this episode to talk about his recently released book, FOLLOWING ATTICUS: Forty-Eight High Peaks, One Little Dog, and an Extraordinary Friendship. Tim asks him what inspired him to write this book, why he decided to climb all 48 of New Hampshire’s 4000-foot peaks twice in one 90-day winter season and what it meant for him to be able to take Atticus, his schnauzer and friend, with him on the journey. They also talk about the incredible pictures featured in the book, which documented their journey. If you’ve ever had an animal that you’ve truly cared about and you’ve shared an incredible journey together, you’ll definitely want to listen to this interview to find out more about Tom and Atticus!
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 31 - Dogs Bring Out the Best in Everyone Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
New York Times best-selling author and the founder of Canine Assistants, Jennifer Arnold, joins Tim Link in this episode to talk about her latest book, IN A DOG’S HEART: What Our Dogs Need, Want, and Deserve—and the Gifts We Can Expect in Return. Tim asks her what inspired her to write this book, the lessons she has learned over the last 20 years from uniting people with special needs with service dogs and what she would like readers to take away from reading this book. She also talks about one of the stories featured in the book and how a dog can bring out the best in someone. If you enjoyed Jennifer’s book, Through a Dog’s Eyes, or if you saw the PBS special about Canine Assistants, you’ll definitely want to listen to this interview to find out more!
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 30 - Man’s Best Friend Multiplied Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
Multi-book author and critically acclaimed memoirist, Wade Rouse, joined me in this episode to talk about his recently released book, I’m Not the Biggest Bitch in This Relationship. He shared what inspired him to write this book, how he selected the 21 authors that contributed their stories to this book, and how he came up with the title of the book. A portion of the royalties that he receives from the sale of his book will be donated to the Humane Society of the United States. If you want to find out more about a book filled with hilarious, heartwarming stories about man’s best friend, you will definitely want to listen to my interview with Wade!
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 29 - Overcoming Life’s Obstacles Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
Multi-book author, film and television writer, Carol Quinn, joined me in this episode to talk about her recently released book, Follow My Lead: What Training My Dogs Taught Me About Life, Love and Happiness. She shared what inspired her to write this book, talked with me about her two dogs, Nairobi and Sheila, and how training them took her on a journey to becoming the “alpha dog” in her own life. I also talked with her about how writing a book is different from writing for television and film, what she hopes readers will learn from reading her book and what her dogs have taught her during their shared journey. If you’ve ever gained perspective on your life with the help of your furry friends, you will definitely want to listen to my interview with Carol!
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 28 - A Victory for The Lost Dogs Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
Best-selling author and senior editor at Sports Illustrated, Jim Gorant, joined me in this episode to talk about his inspiring New York Times bestseller, The Lost Dogs: Michael Vick’s Dogs and Their Tale of Rescue and Redemption. I asked him what inspired him to write this story, what he learned from writing the book and what he would like readers to take away from reading his book. He also talked with me about what’s happened to the dogs that were featured in his book and about the impact the book has had on positive change in many states that have enacted anti-dog fighting laws. If you followed the story about The Lost Dogs (or even if you’re just hearing about it), you’ll definitely want to listen to this interview to find out more!
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 27 - Across the Pond with Nancy the Cat
Author, Melissa Tredinnick, joined me in this episode to talk about her cat Nancy’s recently released memoir, Sex and the Kitty: A Celebrity Meowmoir. She shared with me how Nancy became a celebrity in the small town where they live (outside of London, England) and what inspired her to write a book from her cat’s perspective. We also talked about Nancy’s blog and what she hopes readers will learn about Nancy from reading the book. If you’ve ever had a cat that loves adventure and is loved by everyone he/she meets, you will relate to this interview with Melissa! And, be sure to watch the upcoming episode of Animal Planet’s Must Love Cats in which Nancy will be featured.
Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 26 - Keeping Your Cat Young
Wendy Diamond, author, editor-in-chief of Animal Fair magazine and the pet lifestyle contributor for NBC’s Today show, joined me in this podcast to talk about several of her bestselling pet-related books including How to Understand Men Through Their Dogs and How to Understand Women Through Their Cats. In support of Healthy Aging Month, she also shared 5 age defying tips for mature cats that will help them feel their best into their golden years. I also asked Wendy how she became an advocate for animals of all types, about her latest projects and about her two furry family members, Pasha and Lucky. Find out how to keep your cat feeling young by listening to this episode.
Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 25 - Angels Come in All Shapes and Sizes
Author and founder of award-winning Emerald Films, Sarah Cavallaro, joined me in this episode to talk about her recently released book, Dogs Have Angels Too, a book dedicated to people who wish to help animals in need. I asked her about the premise behind her new novel as well as about the main character in the story, Miss Pink. She also talked with me about her involvement with animal rescue and what she learned from writing this novel. A percentage of the proceeds from the sale of Dogs Have Angels Too will be donated to animal shelter and rescue organizations. Be sure to listen to this interview to find out more!
Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 24 - How to Survive Heartbreak 101
Author and co-founder of TheGreenists.com, Allie Larkin, joined me in this episode to talk about her recently released debut novel, Stay, which tells the funny story of how Joe (German shepherd) helped Savannah (the main character) overcome heartbreak. Allie shared with me how she came up with the idea for her novel, how it feels to have her first novel published, and how the German shepherd, Joe, compares with her two German shepherds, Argo and Stella. If you’ve ever survived heartbreak by bringing a new furry friend into your life, you’ll definitely be able to relate to this story and will enjoy my interview with Allie!
Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 23 - Lions and Tigers and Bears…. Oh, My!
Author and senior writer for National Geographic Magazine, Jennifer Holland, joined me in this episode to talk about her recently released book, Unlikely Friendships, which features 47 remarkable stories about unlikely animals becoming lifetime friends. I asked her about several of the stories in her new book including the one about the lion, tiger and bear that live together at Noah’s Ark Animal Rehabilitation Center. She also shared with me how she found out about these unlikely friendships, what she’s learned from the stories in her book and what she hopes readers will learn from reading the book. So, if you want to find out more about these amazing friendships between animals of all types, or if you’ve seen either of the National Geographic Television specials, which were based on this book, you’ll definitely want to listen to this episode.
Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 22 - An Art Heist, a Museum and…..a Pug?
Acclaimed, multiple book author, Alison Pace, joined me in this episode to talk about her recently released book, A Pug’s Tale. I asked her about the premise of her new book, how she came to write it and why she chose a pug as the furry hero in this book. We also talked about what she hopes readers will take away from reading her book, whether she uses the relationships and stories of dogs in her own life as an inspiration for her books and her next book project. So, if you love novels that feature dogs as a main character with entertaining story lines, be sure and find out more about Alison Pace by listening to this episode.
Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 21 - It’s All About Dogs
Top-selling author and popular veterinarian for "Good Morning America" and "The Dr. Oz Show", Dr. Marty Becker joins me in this episode to talk about his recently released book, Your Dog: The Owner's Manual. His book is full of great information regardless of whether having a dog in your family is new to you or whether you already have a dog. During this episode, Dr. Becker discusses some of the key secrets, surprises and solutions to raising a healthy and happy dog. He also has some great suggestions on how often to bathe your dog, how to help your dog if he or she is fearful of thunderstorms, and the 30-city bus tour that he recently concluded in conjunction with the release of his book. This is a fun and insightful interview for anyone that loves dogs!
Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 20 - Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Cats!
Award-winning writer, lecturer and Certified Animal Behavior Consultant, Darlene Arden joined me in this episode to talk about her recently released book, The Complete Cat’s Meow. Darlene talked about some of the key topics in her book that covers anything and everything you ever need to know about caring for cats. She also shared with me some of the most common challenges people encounter when living with cats and why she strongly believes that keeping your cat indoors is better than letting them go outside. If you have cats as part of your family or, have ever thought about adding a cat to your family, you’ll definitely want to listen to this episode.
Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 19 - What Do You Know About the “Taco Bell” Dog?
Author and studio animal trainer, Sue Chipperton joined me in this episode to talk about her recently released book, A Famous Dog’s Life: The Story of Gidget, America’s Most Beloved Chihuahua. While Sue has trained many animals for roles in commercials, television and movies, her book mainly focuses on her life with Gidget the famous “Yo Quiero, Taco Bell” dog and the fascinating world of Hollywood animal training. Sue shared with me what it was like to train such a famous dog, how she selects animals that will be trained for roles in movies, commercials and television, and how Gidget surprised everyone by biting Antonio Banderas on the nose when he got to close. This is truly an inspiring story!
Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 18 - What Would You Do with a Second Chance?
Best-selling multiple book author, Linda Francis Lee, joined me in this episode to talk about her latest novel, Emily & Einstein. Her novel is about getting second chances, the strength of the human spirit and the danger of taking life for granted. During this podcast, we talked about why Linda decided to write a novel with a dog as the main character, what getting a second chance would mean to her and what she hopes readers will take away from reading Emily & Einstein. If you’ve ever wondered what you would do if given a second chance to make things right, be sure and check out this episode.
Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 17 - What Are Your Pet Peeves with Your Pets?
Blogger, author and Georgia Writers Association President, Cherie Miller, joined me to talk about her entertaining and popular blog, Pet Peeves. During the podcast, we talked about how she got started with blogging, the types of articles and advice that are featured on her blog and how having a Master’s degree in Professional Writing has helped her with being the author of this blog. She also shared one of her pet peeves that she has with one of her dogs. If you have a pet peeve with one of your pets, you’ll definitely want to listen to this episode to find out more about the Pet Peeves blog.
Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 16 - How Have Your Animals Influenced You?
New York Times best-selling author and veterinary surgeon, Dr. Nick Trout, talked with me about his recently released book, Ever By My Side: A Memoir in Eight Pets. We discussed each of the eight pets featured in his book and how they have helped shape him into the person he is today. He also shared how this book is different than the others that he has written about veterinary medicine, the lessons that he’s learned from each of the pets and what prompted him to write this book.
Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 15 - How a “Bad” Dog Turned into a Man’s Best Friend
Emmy-nominated writer and author, Martin Kihn, joined me to talk about his recently released book, Bad Dog: A Love Story. His book is a memoir about his struggles with sobriety and taming his unruly Bernese mountain dog, Hola. Martin shared with me how Hola helped him change his perspective on life, what prompted him to write this book and how the love he shares with Hola has helped him. If you’ve ever wondered how a dog can change your life forever, be sure and listen to this episode.
Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 14 - It’s (Positively) Me or the Dog!
Author, radio show host and the star of Animal Planet’s It’s Me or the Dog, Victoria Stilwell, joined me in this episode to talk about her book by the same name and the current projects that she is working on. The work that she does with dogs of all types and their families is featured in her book, It’s Me or the Dog. She also shared information with me about her participation in National Dog Bite Prevention Week (May 15-21, 2011), some of the most common challenges she is asked to assist with, her Positively network (podcast, training, website) and how the attitudes of the families play a part in the success of the training that she recommends. If you’re a fan of the It’s Me or the Dog television show or the book and the work that Victoria does to help animals and their families through her training and guidance, be sure to check out this episode.
Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 13 - The Human-Animal Bond and What You Can Do to Enhance It
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) president and CEO, Wayne Pacelle, joined me in this episode to talk about his recently released book, The Bond: Our Kinship with Animals, Our Call to Defend Them. He talked about what inspired him to write this book, the current issues that are at the forefront of the HSUS’ efforts, and his advice to others on how they can help to save animals from abuse and neglect.
Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 12 - Rescue Ink…Advocates for Animals
Two of the founding members from Rescue Ink, Joe Panz and Big Ant, joined me in this episode to talk about the work they do to help animals that are being neglected and abused. Their work is featured in the recently released book, Rescue Ink: Tough Guys on a Mission to Keep our Animals Safe, written by Denise Flaim. They shared with me how the non-profit organization, Rescue Ink, was started, discussed the two stories in the book which featured them, and how Rescue Ink strives to educate people on how to better care for their pets. If you’re a fan of the Rescue Ink television show or the book and the work they do to help animals, be sure and check out this episode.
Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 11 - An Animal’s Intuition
New York Times bestselling author, Sophy Burnham, recently released her thirteenth book, The Art of Intuition: Cultivating Your Inner Wisdom. During this podcast, Sophy and I focused our discussion on chapter 6 in her book which dealt with the intuition that animals have and animal intuitives / communicators. In addition, we talked about her first experience where she heard her dog, Puck, say, “Wait! Wait for me!”. As you can imagine, this was a total surprise to Sophy (as it probably would be to anyone not used to this happening)!
Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 10 - From Awkward Puppy to Gentle Therapy Dog
Nancy Stanley talked with me about her book Pillow with a Heartbeat, in which she told the story of how her chocolate poodle, Truffles, went from being the runt of the litter to working with children as a very effective therapy dog. During this podcast episode we also talked about the differences between a therapy dog and a service dog, how she came to realize that Truffles would make a great therapy dog and the role that Truffles plays in the Make a Wish Foundation. Listen to this interview to find out more about the qualities that Nancy saw in Truffles that makes him a great therapy dog. Who knows? Your dog, cat or rabbit may have similar traits and would enjoy working with children, too!
Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 9 - Huck’s Great Adventure
Janet Elder, a senior editor of The New York Times, recently released her bestselling book, Huck. During the podcast, I asked Janet to share with me why she wrote the book about her dog, Huck. She also provided an overview of the book, discussed how much Huck means to her and her family, and shared what having her book listed in Oprah Winfrey’s “O Magazine” as 1 of the 16 recommended books for dog lovers meant to her. Huck’s story is very inspiring and teaches us never to give up hope when searching for a lost pet because they are part of our family.
Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 8 - Traveling and Blogging with Cici
Blogger, free-lance writer and editor, CeliaSue Hecht, joined me to talk about her very popular blog, Have Dog Blog Will Travel. We talked about her inspiration to create a blog, what it takes to be a successful writer and blogger and the types of articles and advice are featured on her blog. During the podcast, I talked with CeliaSue about some of the trips that she and her dog, Cici, have taken and what it has been like to travel with Cici. Traveling with your beloved pet can be very fulfilling. If you’ve ever taken a journey with your furry friend, this interview will provide you with inspiration to share your adventure with the world.
Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 7 - The Understated Joys of Walking Your Dog
John Zeaman, award-winning journalist and author, recently released his book, Dog Walks Man: A Six-Legged Odyssey. During the podcast, I asked John to share with me why he wrote the book about the added benefits he discovered from walking his dog. In addition, he also provided an overview of the book, discussed his background as an art critic and how it helped him to write his book, and what makes a walk with a dog more meaningful than simply walking alone. If you’ve ever wanted to know more about the metaphysical joys of walking with your dog, be sure and listen to this episode.
Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 6 - It’s Time to “Paw-ty” with Your Favorite Furry Friend
Arden Moore, the founder of the Four Legged Life online pet community, award-winning author, editor, speaker, pet expert and host of “Oh Behave!” on Pet Life Radio, talked with me about one of her many books, Dog Parties: How to Party With Your Pup during this podcast episode. Her book is loaded with helpful tips to help make your “paw-ty” the best in the neighborhood! Arden and I also talked about her latest projects, her own pets’ parties and why pet parties are becoming so popular.
Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 5 - Cloning…..Will it Bring Your Dog Back?
Pulitzer prize-winning investigative reporter, John Woestendiek, joined me to talk about his recently released book, Dog Inc.: The Uncanny Inside Story of Cloning Man’s Best Friend. His book illustrates the lengths that dog owners will go to duplicate their beloved animals. During the podcast, I talked with John about what prompted him to write about the dog cloning industry, how much the cloning process costs, and whether the results are what the pet owners expected.
Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 4 - Beauty Comes from Within…From “Ugly” to “Oogy”
New York Times bestselling author, Larry Levin, talked with me about his debut book, Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love. The story about Oogy illustrates how a dog, by given a second chance with people that love him, persevered to overcome the greatest of odds. Find out from Larry how he and his family met Oogy simply by chance. We also discussed what life has been like since the release of the book, what breed of dog Oogy really is, and what it was like to drive cross-country with Oogy to be featured on Oprah Winfrey’s show.
Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 3 - How Do You Define Family?
Veteran journalist and celebrity interviewer, Glenn Plaskin, is the author of Katie Up and Down the Hall. This is the true story of how his dog, Katie, turned five neighbors into a family. During this podcast, Glenn shared the real-life escapades that Katie had that brought him closer to his neighbors to create a family like no other. He also shared with us which celebrities he and Katie met and interviewed as well as what it’s been like since Katie’s passing with his new cocker spaniel, Lucy.
Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 2 - Do You Know Your Life Purpose? Your Dog Does.
Award-winning, nationally syndicated humor columnist, Bruce Cameron, has written his first fictional novel, A Dog’s Purpose, which has become a New York Times bestseller. Being a best-selling author is not new to Bruce as he is also the author of 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Daughter (which the television show of the same name featuring the late John Ritter was based on). During this podcast, we talked about his latest book, the one dog that had four incarnations within the story, the reason he was inspired to write the book and the screenplay he is co-writing for DreamWorks Studios to make A Dog’s Purpose into a movie. Without giving away the ending of the story, the dog does figure out his purpose in life.
Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
Episode 1 - Do Women Love Dogs More Than They Love Men?
Allen & Linda Anderson, the husband and wife team that have brought us numerous books on the animal-human connection, have done it again with their latest book, Dogs & the Women Who Love Them. This book shares with its readers the inspirational true stories that celebrate the companionship between the female-canine teams featured within its pages. In this podcast, the Andersons talked about why they wrote this book, how it felt to have this book listed in Oprah Winfrey’s O Magazine, and what one of their favorite chapters was in the book. In addition, since I work with so many people that are going through the grieving process due to the loss of their beloved furry family members, I also briefly talked with the Andersons about their book, Saying Goodbye to Your Angel Animals. If you have ever experienced the loss of an animal in your family, this book is a “must read” in my opinion.
Questions or Comments? Send them to: tim@petliferadio.com.
Also, check out the Animal Writes BLOG!
