Save the Dalmatians
in 1999 began a
search for a celebrity media spokesperson to assist in gaining publicity for the plight of the
Dalmatians due to the release of the movie "101 Dalmatians"
and the then impending release of the "102 Dalmatians" movie in 2000. Through several contacts on the Internet, we were introduced to Joanne Carson,
former wife of entertainer Johnny Carson. She immediately and graciously took on the
challenge.
Joanne Carson was married to Johnny Carson from 1963 to 1972. After their divorce, Joanne Carson returned to school to obtain a Ph.D. in nutrition. Dr. Carson provides metabolic re-balancing counseling for her patients to help restore them to health and relieve stress. In conjunction with her interest in health, nutrition and holistic treatments, she wrote a foreword for the book, "Why Me? Why Not?--Inspiration and Resources for Living Beyond 'Terminal' Illness" by Katherine Hepler. Dr. Carson's foreword can be viewed online at http://www.love-and-light.net/foreword.asp
Dr. Carson was a great friend of the late author, Truman Capote, who was famous for his books "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and "In Cold Blood". She was interviewed for the A&E channel's Biography segment on Truman Capote. Information about Mr. Capote and Dr. Carson can be found at http://www.swinginchicks.com/truman_capote.htm. An interview by Dr. Carson regarding Mr. Capote appears in the September issue of "W" magazine, a Fairchild publication.
Dr. Carson has long been an animal activist and was a founding member of Actors and Others for Animals. Another interest of Dr. Carson's is canine epilepsy. Dr. Carson's late Pooh Bear, a beautiful Doberman, suffered from canine epilepsy that was not controllable with the usual veterinary medications. Dr. Carson used her expertise in nutritional biochemistry, physiology and endocrinology to develop a program that reduced seizures and stopped cluster seizures. After Pooh Bear went to the Rainbow Bridge, Dr. Carson immediately adopted another epileptic Doberman. Dr. Carson was interviewed by Entertainment Tonight about canine epilepsy, her marriage to Johnny Carson, her battle with hypoglycemia and more. Dr. Carson was also interviewed by Dog Fancy magazine for an article on canine epilepsy, which appears in the August 1999 issue along with a photograph of Pooh Bear.
In 2000 Dr. Carson created a website for those whose dogs have canine epilepsy, featuring information by noted veterinarians and board certified neurologists. A special feature on her website is an e-mail address where owners and veterinarians can e-mail questions and receive personal answers, information and support for their dogs regarding canine epilepsy from the Epi Guardian Angels, at no charge. On line at: http://canine-epilepsy-guardian-angels.com/ Dr. Carson can be reached at the website.
In addition to her Doberman, Dr. Carson has two other rescued dogs. She doesn't have a Dalmatian yet, but when she has an opening in her home, she will consider one. Dr. Carson feels very strongly that Dalmatians have suffered since Disney released the live action "101 Dalmatians" in November of 1996. She wants to help Save the Dalmatians generate more media attention to the tragedy of thousands of Dalmatians in Southern California dying every year since the movie came out. She took time out of her busy schedule in May 1999 to provide interviews to CBS channel 2 News and KFI Talk Radio, as was discussed on the first page of our June 1999 newsletter. Dr. Carson has also appeared for us on KTLA channel 5's morning pet adoption segment on Tuesday, July 13th, 1999 at 8:50AM.
We greatly appreciate Dr. Carson's assistance and interest in our cause and look forward to working with her in the future!