Once in a while, I set aside the chief element of the “Talking Animals” format—a long form interview with a single guest—to offer a debate or some other multi-guest panel discussion. 
As part of that effort, and a parallel desire to give voice to a broader array of animal organizations and leaders, as well as to listeners who also may have important animal-oriented information to announce or commentary on the news, etc.—I invite people to call into “Talking Animals” and, briefly, become the show’s guest. We placed 14 callers on the air, many of whom addressed, in one way or another, the recently-ended Florida bear. But this segment—in which I took the calls randomly and unscreened–also elicited a wonderful array of responses:
From Eddie, who shared the cautionary tale, for animals and humans, of aluminum spraying (www.geoengineeringwatch.org)…to Marilyn, Executive Director of the League of Humane Voters in Florida, emphasizing the importance of being registered to vote and taking part in local issues and elections (www.lohv-fl.org)…to Jimmy, offering some information about cats who urinate on the bed or other soft materials (the cat may have a bladder infection) and the importance of regularly cleaning cats’ water bowls and re-supplying with fresh water (www.yogapets.com)…to Suzanne, of Florida Voices for Animals, describing the organization, some of the major events it produces (Tampa Bay Veg Fest, ThanksVegan) and mentioning that it’s seeking new members (www.floridavoicesforanimals.org)…to Bob, a puppy raiser with Canine 
Companions For Independence, announcing its big forthcoming family-friendly and dog-friendly local event, DogFest, to be held at USF Nov. 8, 11am-3pm. (www.cci.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1141718) There were other callers, as well as some emailers and texters—my thanks to all who participated.
ALSO: I spoke briefly with Jo-Anne McArthur, an award-winning photojournalist whose passion as an animal activist has informed her book, “We Animals,” and who is also the 
subject of an acclaimed documentary, “The Ghosts In Our Machine.” She provided a sneak preview of the presentation she will deliver at Tampa Bay Veg Fest, Nov. 7 at Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park—also “The Ghosts In Our Machine” will be screened at Veg Fest. (http://weanimals.org, http://www.tampabayvegfest.org)
COMEDY CORNER: Joe Zimmerman’s “Pet Snakes” (part two) (http://www.zimmermancomedy.com)
MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” instrumentals
NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: U2’s “An Cat Dubh” (Happy Halloween!)
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