Dog Town

Dog Town is a heartwarming, sometimes bittersweet and sad, program I call 'Real Life". Not to be confused with the typical reality show which employs and needs human contestants to interact and overact, sometimes showing the worst behavior -- Dog Town is as real as it gets. It seeks to educate us through stories of abandoned dogs and the rehabilitation process. Many have been thrown away at dumpsters or tire piles. Many are found shot. It is a sad commetary on how humans behave like animals and the animals just seek to love and be part of a human pack.

Airing on National Geographic on Fridays at 9pm ET/PT (8pm Central), this show is about the largest no-kill animal shelter in the US. It spans a whopping 33,000 acres in southern Utah canyon country. They offer care to more than dogs though, sheltering cats, horses, guinea pigs, rabbits, goats, and others. They will have anywhere from 1,500 to 2,000 animals in their care at any given time and all tended by a staff of veterinarians and trainers.

The Dog Whisperer

Another wonderful dog show on National Geographic is The Dog Whisperer with Cesarar Milan. This is not as effective as Dog Town as Cesar seems to deal with people who alread care for thei pets but just need to understand how to deal with them. Still, it is a valuable lesson thst we humans must listen to the languages of others and that includes animals.

Cesar has been called a "Dr. Phil for dogs.” That makes me laugh but it is very true. He has perfected his craft by learning the body language of dogs to be able to know what they are thinking or feeling. Watching the shows makes you go "ah -- so that's what that means." It really is "must see TV" for dog owners.

The show premiered in 2004 and is now heading into its fourth season with 35 new hour-long episodes. The Dog Whisperer airs on Fridays at 8pm ET/PT (7pm Central)

Set your recorders to the National Geographic channel this Friday and enjoy some really good "Real Life" programming.