Paul Smiths, NY, Jul 19, 2012 — All the pet hamsters in the world derive from a small wild population collected in Syria in the 1930s. Martha Foley and Curt Stager talk about hamsters, in the wild and working the wheel.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, May 18, 2012 — Pet lovers will tell you that having a dog can provide a number of stress-busting benefits, such as lowering blood pressure and providing social support. A new study finds that allowing employees to bring their dogs to work appears to reduce stress and boost job satisfaction levels.

Virginia Commonwealth University researchers compared stress levels and job satisfaction among employees at a retail business in North Carolina who brought their dogs to work, those who didn't bring their dogs to work, and employees without pets. The study, in the International Journal of Workplace Health Management, found that dogs in the workplace seemed to help reduce job-related stress for their owners and even other employees.

Todd Moe stopped by the St. Lawrence County Health Initiative, an organization in Potsdam that promotes healthy living and nutrition, where most work days are dog days and it's making a positive difference in the workplace.  Go to full article

Canton, NY, Nov 22, 2011 — Back in September, faculty and staff at St. Lawrence University got an e-mail from English Professor Peter Bailey - "adopt a Bentley" it said.
Bentley - a big friendly puppy -- needed a home.

In October, Peter Bailey repeated his request, and a couple weeks ago, he emailed again.
Attached to the third note were a couple pictures...soon Bentley's cause spread. Word about the Boxer-St. Bernard mix reached into the Adirondacks and south to Syracuse.
There's no happy ending, yet, but Bentley has attracted friends and visitors to the St. Lawrence Valley SPCA in Ogdensburg.

Nora Flaherty spoke with Peter Bailey about Bentley's cause:  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Dec 23, 2009 — In these last few days before Christmas, adoptions are up at North Country animal shelters. It's a hectic time as kittens and puppies are in high demand.

Some shelter workers fear they'll see these same animals come back in a few months when they're too big or too much to handle. Others are actively discouraging people from giving pets as gifts. Jonathan Brown reports.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Nov 09, 2009 — The mild weather this week will lure many of us outdoors to take advantage of an autumn hike. Martha Foley and horticulturist Amy Ivy take a break from gardening to offer tips on how to deal with wood ticks on you and your pets.  Go to full article

Elizabethtown, NY, Oct 01, 2009 — For a lot of people in the North Country, a hike in the woods wouldn't be the same without a dog. A new guidebook published this summer offers a great list of trails in the Adirondacks that are dog-friendly, along with good advice for taking your pet into the woods. Brian Mann hit the trail this week with the book's editor, Libby Treadwell, and sends this audio postcard.  Go to full article

Jul 20, 2009 — You don't have to go to Madison Square Garden to enjoy the beauty and drama of different breeds going paw to paw for prize ribbons. Each summer, various regional dog shows practically come to you. Marilyn Ryan of Ottawa dropped by a three-day event in near-by Kars, Ontario this past weekend. She's today's Heard Up North.  Go to full article

Dec 30, 2008 — This year's economic downtown has had an impact on animal shelters in the region. They've seen a surge in numbers as stressed owners give up pets they can no longer afford to keep. The Potsdam Humane Society is planning to expand its current facility that was built back in the '50s. They're in the midst of a capital campaign and recently turned to the internet for a boost. Todd Moe talks with Linda Caamano, a Potsdam Humane Society board member.  Go to full article

Sep 25, 2008 — Almost any weekend this season, you'll find a gathering of sheep, dogs, and people on some northeastern field. They're here to take a little break, have some fun, and test out their border collies' skills. Kinna Ohman stopped by a sheepdog competition at the Quechee Scottish Festival in Vermont. She sent this audio postcard.  Go to full article

May 27, 2008 — Wildlife biologists say that New York state is home to more than 500 moose. Their population has surged in recent years. Researchers would like to know a lot more about the animals: what they're eating, where they're going, and why their numbers are growing so rapidly. A new project organized by the Wildlife Conservation Society aims to gather some of that data using trained tracking dogs. Brian Mann spent a day with a research team in the northern Adirondacks and has our story.  Go to full article