Welcome to Sassy Seniors

Kelly Jackson on Pet Life Radio


"People don't realize or perhaps don't want to admit when their pets reach the senior stage of their lives.  I say embrace it!  It's important to know all about your pet and to help him make a smooth transition into their sassy senior years.  Our seniors are still very vibrant and fabulous."

Sassy Seniors is a show celebrating senior pets.  We will talk with celebs who own senior pets, authors, veterinarians, pets who became celebs in their golden years and much more.

Episode 15 -

Coming soon


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Episode 14 -

Coming soon


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Episode 13 - Talk to Your Animals & They'll Talk Back to You!

Do you ever talk to your dog and think that maybe they're understanding you?  Animal communicator and author Gail Thackray joins us to help us better communicate with our pets. Gail leads us through specific exercises to develop this skill and guides you step-by-step to connect and communicate.


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Episode 12 - Top Dog Breeds to Land You a Date and Senior Dog Wellness

Who needs online dating when, your own pooch could actually land you a date!  Kelly talks with Alejandro Russo, co-founder of Kloof, which is a phone app for pet lovers. Alejandro tells us about an informal survey which found the top 5 dog breeds that made men and women more attractive.

Kelly also talks with author Jennifer Kachnic about her new book, Your Dogs Golden Years.  It's an excellent book and manual for pet parents with dogs of any age.  The book includes wonderful stories and advice from 20 top canine experts from across the country.


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Episode 11 - Dr. Marty Becker Gets Catty

No, it's not what you think!  Dr. Marty Becker, known as America's Veterinarian, shares his latest book with listeners.   Your Cat:  The Owner's Manual, is Dr. Becker's 20th book, and it's awesome! As the veterinary contributor to top rated shows like, The Dr. Oz Show, and Good Morning America, Dr. Becker covers everything about your cat from paw to paw.  Are cats really that mysterious? What's really in a hair ball? Cat myths, health, wellness and one of Kelly's favorites...when your cat ages. That's on page 275 of his book!  Sit back, relax and listen to how Dr. Becker provides humor and realy great solutions to raising your feline.


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Episode 10 - From Muttville to France

Host Kelly Jackson takes you on a tour of Muttville Senior Dog Rescue and it's founder, Sherri Franklin.  Franklin founded Muttville, based in San Francisco, CA, to help find loving homes for senior pets.  Franklin talks to Kelly about Muttville's mission, the organization's big milestone last summer and yes...even an Oprah connection.

Then we travel to France a place where author Sherry Long and her pooch, Chula, know all too well.  Ever traveled with your pet?  How about to another country?  Long has written a delightful book called Dog Trots Globe - To Paris and Provence.  For the last three years in April, Chula has globe trotted with her family to France.


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Episode 9 - Wolf Dog: Film About New York City's Oldest Dog

Paco Sosa held the title of NYC's oldest dog until he died in February of 2010. Paco was so much more than a beloved pet and companion of Bernadine Santistevan when he passed away at the age of 20 1/2 years old.

Kelly talks with Santistevan about the life and death of Paco and how the former venture capitalist turned director made a film about Paco. It's a story with emotional twists and turns. The film, Wolf Dog, is still a project in the making and is in collaboration with Emmy and Oscar-nominated artists. The biggest roadblock, as is often in many indie films, is the financing. Santistevan has until December 6th to raise funds so she can finish the film. You can see a snippet of the film and perhaps make a donation. Once the film is finished, Santistevan plans to use Wolf Dog to increase awareness about the undeniable bond we have with our pets as well as fund animal causes.


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Episode 8 - The "Dog Man" Talks with Kelly Jackson

As a former flight attendant, Randy Grim says he started Stray Rescue by accident.  After years of flying strays back with from his trips, (this was before TSA) and rescuing endless strays where he lived in St. Louis, Missouri, Grim founded Stray Rescue.  Fast forward more than 2-decades and Stray Rescue has evolved into 3-no kill shelters with 1,000 volunteers.  Grim has been featured in endless magazines from Forbes, People, USA Today and television shows like National Geographic, Animal Planet and the Weather Channel. Grim, who still hits the streets rescuing dogs, talks to Kelly about some of his most memorable and strangest dog rescues. He also recently wrapped up taping a pilot for his new reality show by Warner Bros., and what he sees for the future of homeless pets.  Randy is funny, witty and will keep you wanting to listen for more!


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Episode 7 - 100 Days With Oliver

Robert Haas is a businessman turned aerial photographer turned author. However, one of the titles he's most proud of is being the best friend to Oliver his beloved 14 year old dog.  When Oliver had an accident that left his hind legs paralyzed, Haas asked for just 100 more days together.  We all know the strong bond we have with our pets, especially when our pets age into their golden years and we know just about everything about them, and they about us.  Haas decided to keep a journal about Oliver's recovery, and the lessons he learns along the way in his book, Miracle Man: 100 Days With Oliver.  Hear about the remarkable journey they take together.


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Episode 6 - Oprah's Favorite Things: PAWS Chicago

When Oprah Winfrey puts her stamp of approval on something, that person, product or organization is catapulted into the spotlight.  That was the case when Oprah first visited PAWS Chicago a couple of years ago.  It is Chicago's largest no-kill humane organization.  Since it was founded 13 years ago, the number of homeless dogs & cats killed annually has dropped more than 50 percent.  Sassy Seniors host Kelly Jackson talked to PAWS Chicago Executive Director Rochelle Michalek about their success of being a no-kill facility, pet adoption, senior cats and dogs at PAWS, and of course, the Oprah Effect!


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Episode 5 - Westminster Winners, Where Are They Now?

Ever wonder what happens to show dogs after they win the ultimate prize in the dog world?  Sassy Seniors host Kelly Jackson tracked down two former Westminster Kennel Club Best in Show winners.  Remember J.R. the Bichon Frise who won Best in Show in 2001?  He captured our hearts with his enthusiasm when he won the title at the age of 3.  Then there's Stump who made Westminster history in 2009 as the oldest dog to win Best in Show at 10 years old and the first Sussex Spaniel to ever win.

The still youthful J.R. turns 13 next month and Stump will be 12 years old. Scott Sommer is the owner/handler of both champions. He talks to Kelly about what it was like to have two dogs win the distinguished award, what it's like to live with J.R. and Stump, and keeping the senior champions happy and healthy.


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Episode 4 - Bo Knows… How to Behave

The First Family's Dog Trainer talks training techniques for your pooch: The most famous dog in the country, Bo Obama, is so well behaved in the White House and the woman who played a big role talked with Sassy Senior's host Kelly Jackson.  Dawn Sylvia-Stasiewicz uses positive reinforcement and bonding to train your pet. Yes, you can even teach an old dog new tricks!  Kelly and Dawn talk about Kelly's own small issue she has when walking her 13-year-old pooch, Meeko.  Dawn talks about how in just about 5 weeks, 15-20 minutes each day, you can train or retrain a dog with bad habits.


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Episode 3 - Host to Host

In this episode of Sassy Seniors, host Kelly Jackson talks to fellow Pet Life Radio colleague Amy Shojai, host of Pet Peeves.  Amy has literally written the book on older pets.  Shojai has written 2 dozen animal related books.  Her most recent project was updating what is considered the "Old Dog Bible."  It's called "Complete Care for Your Aging Dog."  Shojai also has a feline version for your aging cat as well.  Let me tell you, you can't get any more complete than these books.  After listening to this show, you will take away several things, but the biggest for me is that I know the field of veterinary medicine is making major breakthroughs when it comes to extending the lives of our older pets.


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Episode 2 - Picture Perfect Pets & Breakfast At Ginger’s

In this episode of Sassy Seniors, it's all about capturing the best picture of your pooch.  Kelly talks with award-winning pet lifestyle photographer Seth Casteel.  Seth talks about some of his more memorable pet photo shoots, his celebrity shoots, how he's helping shelter dogs find loving homes through his camera lens, and how you can make your pet look like the star he is with your own camera.

Kelly's other guest is the pet father of an internet sensation. She's blond, beautiful and is now famous for simply eating breakfast! She's Golden Retriever Ginger of the now famous video, "Breakfast at Gingers." Scott Withers tells us how in the heck they were able to get their pooch to do some pretty amazing acting.


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Episode 1 - CBS' Resident Vet Talks Senior Pets and Zedonks!

In this inaugural episode of Sassy Seniors, host Kelly Jackson talks with Dr. Debbye Turner Bell of CBS' Early Show.  Dr. Turner Bell is the Early Show's resident veterinarian and correspondent.  They discuss senior pet care, attitudes toward older dogs, and the do's and don'ts of pets and hot temperatures.  Debbye also shares some of the latest animal stories she's reported on including a baby Zedonk, and a military working dog serving in Iraq who was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  Enjoy!


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