My latest travels took me to the Great Smoky Mountains — specifically, Dollywood. Country singer Dolly Parton, well known for her songs, quick wit and generosity, is a big animal lover. For nearly 20 years, she has provided the world’s largest bald eagle aviary inside her theme park.

The big star among this winged bunch answers to the name, Challenger — an amazing American bald eagle. About 15 years ago, heavy winds blew a 5-week-old eagle out of nest. People rescued this eagle who quickly bonded better with two-leggers than his own winged kind. Now, Challenger ranks as the only bald eagle in U.S. history to free fly before crowds at the World Series, Pro Bowl, White House and dozens of major league sports stadiums during the presentation of the National Anthem.

For my latest OH BEHAVE! show on Pet Life Radio.com, I interviewed Al Cecere, founder and president of the American Eagle Foundation. He trained Challenger and other birds of prey and has devoted his life to ensuring our National Emblem continues to soar in the skies and within our hearts. Learn more by visiting these websites: www.eagles.org, www.dollywood.com and www.petliferadio.com.

Challenger strikes a majestic pose with eagle expert Al Cecere and me at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN.

People aren’t the only ones who love to party. In fact, dogs are true party animals. Recently, my “canine celebrities” -Chipper and Cleo — joined me on San Diego Living TV show (The CW network) — as I shared safety tips for Halloween and other holidays as well as offered fun dog party tips. So much for dignity. I wore a cat mask, Chipper dressed up as a “devil dog” and Cleo looked canine cool in her San Diego baseball cap. We even convinced Joe, the show’s host, to sport a dog mask for our segment. 
This is a fun morning show that airs each weekday at 9 a.m. in San Diego on the CW (Channel 6). If you live here or visit, please tune in. Learn more by visitingwww.sdliving.com And, have a fun (and SAFE) Halloween with your favorite four-legger!

Having a ball with Kathy Hart, owner of Bones N Scones in Palm Springs.

Palm Springs is a magical spot surrounded by mountains that sport various looks, depending on the time of day and the attitude of the sun and the sky. It is also a place that I have been fortunate to cultivate a lot of friendships and professional contacts — all sharing one commonality: a love of pets. That’s why I was happy that one of my national book tour stops landed me in Palm Springs, specifically, inside the very cool Bones ‘N Scones store operated by Kathy Hart. This is heaven on earth for all dogs - and other critters. My two dogs, Chipper and Cleo love to sniff up and down the aisles each time we visit. I always find top quality treats and chow for them because Kathy is fussy about what she carries in her store. 

During my book signing, I met Dr. Mark Brooks, the head master at Pilgrim School, a private K-12 school in LA. Small world. He loved my books and extended an invitation for me to give a couple of pet talks for his students. Hey, any time I have the chance to edu-tain a new generation on the power — and benefits — pets bring to us two-leggers, I’m game. Thanks to Kathy, too, for hosting my book signing. I encourage each and every one of you who ventures into Palm Springs to make a stop at Bones ‘n Scones on Sunny Dunes — you and your favorite tail-wagger will leave feeling grrr-eat!!!

Little dogs can teach us two-leggers a lot. Just watched the movie, “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” and walked away impressed by the key messages delivered in a humorous way. First, the producers did their best to emphasize that pet lovers select a pet based on compatibility - not on looks. Next, they addressed that chihuahuas, though small, are still full-fledged dogs and do not deserve to be carted around constantly inside purses or always decked out in glamorous outfits head to tail to booties on their feet. Third, the movie reminds us that true friendships blossom from one heart to another and should not be based on status or economics. Bravo! I give this movie four paws up!  You can hear what the stars of this hit movie have to say about working with a bunch of talented canines by visiting my “OH Behave!” radio show on www.petliferadio.com.

Dr. Becky and radio show host Ron welcome me to Kauai!

Greetings from Kauai - one of the most beautiful places on earth. And, one that embraces that special people-pet bond. Stop No. 22 on my national book tour - Kauai Humane Society. Here, I served as featured speaker and contest judge for the shelter’s fourth annual “Love a Dog Day” event. What fun! We judged fastest dog, best-costumed dog (a cool wiener dog decked out in a hot dog bun complete with faux mustard), best trick (a dog who catches speedy tosses in his mouth) and a hot-dog eating contest. Special thanks to my friend and shelter director, Dr. Becky Rhoades, DVM. She runs a great event. Learn more about this shelter by visiting its website: www.kauaihumane.org. 

I have a time share here and am spending the week on this island to spread the word about how to help people and pets get happy and healthy from the tips in my books, “Happy Dog, Happy You” and “Happy Cat, Happy You.” So, at the event, I tried to practice my Hawaiian. Tip: the Hawaiian language only uses the five vowels and seven consonants: h, k, l, m, n, p, w. 

Before the Love a Dog Event, Dr. Becky escorted me to be a guest on Ron Wiley’s radio show on Kong (93.5 FM) and I bravely did my best to speak Hawaiian:  hau-oli lilo, hau-oli ‘oe (translation: Happy Dog, Happy You). With all these vowels in the language, it’s surprising that Vanna White, the ultimate vowel master, has not been named an honorary queen of Kauai.  

At the shelter, we toured the dog and cat areas - there are lots of wonderful pets here looking for home. If you do plan a trip to Kauai, please stop by the shelter, make a donation and if the time is right - and you find the right match - bring home a Kauai pet from the shelter. Sure beats typical Hawaiian souvenirs - coconuts or macadamia nuts. Ma halo!

Whew, what a day! Scrawling my name on bathroom walls is finally paying off. Today, I conducted back-to-back radio interviews for my “Oh Behave!” radio show on Pet Life Radio.com with two acting legends: Andy Garcia and Fred Willard. Andy agreed to be on to promote the new Disney flick, “Beverly Hills Chihuahua.” He lends his voice to the character, Delgado (played smartly by a German Shepherd really named Samson), a street-wise dog who comes to the aid of Chloe (voice by Drew Barrymore), a pampered white Chihuahua from Beverly Hills, darling, who gets lost in the rough streets of Mexico. Andy is a Grammy winner and Academy Award AND Emmy nominated actor. He shared the challenges - and delights — of providing vocals for a dog (and even invited Sansom for lunch during the film’s shooting). Please zip over to www.petliferadio.com and click on my OH BEHAVE icon on the home page to listen to Andy — and the rest of the two-leggers from the Beverly Chihuahua movie — including George Lopez and Jamie Lee Curtis. Check out

Ten minutes after we taped that show, I’m chatting - and laughing - with Fred Willard, who Jay Leno aptly dubs “the funniest man in the world.” Fred is an improvisional comic who nailed his parts in such movies as “Best in Show” and “The Mighty Wind” and “Wall-E.” Fred came on to announce that he is host for the First Annual Worldwide Fido Awards airing Oct. 5 at 8 pm. EST/PST on Nick at Nite. Fans vote in 6 categories for “top dogs” - including most outrageous canine stunt and my favorite, dog/owner look-alike. Again, dash over to Pet Life Radio.com and give a listen. You can also download this and any of my shows on itunes and other podcasts. You can find out the big winners in this dog awards show by visiting www.worldwidefido.com.

Chipper and Cleo lived up to their titles as canine celebrities as they joined me in the wee hours in a LA studio to kick off a charity campaign to benefit animal shelters across the nation. The event, called, “Eat with your paws for a good cause,” was sponsored by Whole Meals, and involved enticing people all over America to give up their bowls, plates and utensils and eat with their “paws” for charity. Heck, Chipper and Cleo had no hesitation in forgoing their food bowls to dine on these bone-shaped meals - all in the name of charity.

We stayed at the Sofitel Hotel in Beverly Hills, a swank 5-star place that happily goes to the (well-behaved) dogs. We didn’t run into any canine celebs - like the cast from Disney’s Beverly Hills Chihuahua, but C & C did garner the canine star treatment by the hotel staff. 

We did a satellite media tour which involved wearing an ear plug, listening to the producer, talking to TV show hosts from Boise, Idaho to Allentown, PA and looking at a blank camera monitor. In SMTs, you hear, but don’t see the other person conducting the interview. A few times, Chipper stayed just long enough on the couch with Cleo and me to get through the introductions and then - yes, during live TV - promptly jumped off the couch and disappeared out of view. My reply: “Well, I guess Chipper is ready to work the camera now.”  Now, that’s a canine star!

With most of the books authored by Dean Koontz, it is advisable to read them with the lights on - unless you enjoyed being spooked. However, there is a notable exception - his latest release: “Bliss to You: Trixie’s Guide to a Happy Life.” Actually the real author is Trixie, the beloved Golden Retriever who died last year. She relies on Dean to “tell” us two-leggers about the eight steps to true bliss. 

Dean readily tells people that Trixie made him a better person. Trixie was in training to be a service dog at the Canine Companions for Independence. She was released from service after needing elbow surgery and landed a wonderful home and life with Dean and his wife, Gerda, ardent supporters of CCI. Dean appeared at the CCI center in Oceanside, CA yesterday to give a talk about Trixie and to sign copies of this latest book in which all proceeds are donated to CCI. Hundreds of fans of Dean and CCI patiently stood in line for more than 3 hours to have their copies of his books personalized.

I was among them. When you stand in line, you get to know the people around you. I was fortunate to meet Teri McCartney, who has volunteered to raise six CCI puppies. She and another CCI volunteer named Lynn introduced me to Amya, a 1-year-old Golden retriever now in training. Standing in line with a sweet dog always makes the time go by much more happily.

More than three hours later, I finally meet Dean who shows no signs of impatience or fatigue in penning his message and name on countless books. I gave him a signed copy of my latest book, “Happy Dog, Happy You.” He loved the cover design and the book’s message - offering fun, low-cost, time-saving ways to bring out the best in people and pets. Dean’s writing career is off the charts. He has sold more than 375 million books with 24 titles earning #1 New York Times bestseller status. I’m not in his league, but he made me feel welcomed and happily posed for a few photos of us showcasing our latest books. I invite you to learn more about CCI by visiting their website: www.cci.org.  And, catch the latest news on Dean by visiting his website: www.deankoontz.com.  Trixie was a lucky dog to land a life with Dean and Dean knows he was blessed to share his life with this still-giving canine. 

Please vote for Arden's OH BEHAVE show!

Calling all pet lovers! I need your vote. No worries. I am not a late entry into the presidential race.  But I am seeking your vote for a national podcast contest. Since October, I have hosted a weekly podcast show called OH BEHAVE! on Pet Life Radiol.com. Just found out from my producer that there is now a Podcast contest! This is my request to ask that you consider nominating my show, OH BEHAVE! for a Podcast award under the “general” topic and “best produced” category (our network producer Mark Winter deserves recognition for his hard work behind the scenes for all of our shows).

 In addition, please share this request with your pet-loving friends and colleagues. And, tune in to my show – it’s a free download. My guests have included Dr. Marty Becker, the Russian Dog Wizard, Morris the Cat’s trainer, winner of CBS-TV’s Greatest American Dog Show and many more who present entertaining ways to better connect with our pets. My shows have been taped all over America, including at the Las Vegas Speedway and inside a Nevada State Women’s Prison (I’m innocent – honest! We interviewed inmates participating in a “Pups on Parole” dog therapy training program).

 The podcast contest allows one vote per listener (this isn’t American Idol). So, please visit:

http://podcastawards.com/

http://www.markiac.addr.com/PET_LIFE_RADIO/Feeds/OhBehave.xml

 Thanks for casting your vote and now go hug your cat, dog and/or other favorite pet!

Arden and her grateful furry fab four (Chipper, Cleo, Callie and Murphy)

I toured Operation Kindness with my sister's dog, Gracie.

Today, we managed to stage not one, but two book signings in Texas, despite the pervasive power of Hurricane Ike. Stop 1 had me dodging wind and rain in Carrollton, where I toured the Operation Kindness Animal Shelter and signed books to be donated to this no-kill place. Special thanks to Peggy for the shelter tour (love the cat play room) and talented pet photographer Margaret whose images definitely capture the true personalities of dogs, cats and other critters. From there, we drove to deep in the heart of Dallas to one of my favorite pet boutiques — the very trendy Petropolitan.

At The Petropolitan, you couldn’t detect that outside its walls, Mother Nature was having a rainy tantrum. Inside, the shop was filled with lots of pet lovers and an inspiring artist named Beverly Ann Moore. So, it was the Moore and Moore Show. She showcased her whimiscal drawings, greeting cards and t-shirts while I solved mysteries behind why Hersey likes to jump to greet and why Chou Chou sometimes has an oopsie in her crate. If you are in the Dallas area, please stop and “sniff” out the grrr-eat stuff at The Petropolitan and please tell co-owner Chris and the gang I said “paws up!”