June 13, 2001
Pets focus of new tctv2 program
Best Friends debuts at preview party at District Library
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
Wanting to help out her best friends in any way she can, Joan Julin is co-producing a tctv2 show about animals.
Appropriately titled Best Friends, the 30-minutes show debuted last week under the guidance of Julin and Mike Cherry, executive director of the Cherryland Humane Society. Hosted by Rita Melotti, each week will feature interviews with professionals such as vets, pet groomers and trainers in addition to getting to know some pets.
Best Friends had a launch party last Wednesday evening at the Traverse Area District Library, drawing a small but loyal following for the program's debut.
Best Friends replaces tctv2's longest running show, Pet Profiles, which for the past five years featured each animal in the shelter every week. While the new show will also feature some animals in the shelter, the focus is on all aspects of pet care.
"Best Friends really expands on the previous program, where we literally showed every animal in the shelter at the time of taping," Cherry said. "We certainly want to get animals adopted but we also want to educate the public about pets in general. It is really encouraging to see this show come together."
Julin has completed four episodes already and is shooting additional episodes for the one-year pilot project. The shows are filmed at the shelter or around town at either offices of pet care professionals or pet owners.
Future shows will include interviews with people who have adopted pets from the Cherryland Humane Society, questions from the general public answered by area professionals and features on animal groups such as Paws with a Cause, which trains shelter animals to help hard-of-hearing people. Plans also include having an attorney answer pet-related legal questions and to videotape any special Cherryland Humane Society event.
"We are hoping that this show will help all animals and pet owners, in addition to shelter animals," Julin said. "All of the other areas we bring in will help anyone who adopts an animal from the shelter."
Julin is a lifelong animal lover and previously produced the Love Your Dog series for tctv2. For years, she owned cats, either two or three at a time. Now she is devoted to her dog companion, Zoya, a former shelter animal her granddaughter discovered. She calls Zoya her best friend and takes her most places with her, including to work for a while.
She vividly remembers her own insecurity and fear after adopting Zoya, which she recalled being a frightening responsibility initial for a first-time dog owner. She believes a show like Best Friends can help pet owners learn proper ways to care for their pets from professionals and other owners.
"My love of animals stems from a long way back, but I think I have learned more about them since I got Zoya," she said.
Julin works part-time for tctv2 but volunteers her time to create Best Friends, a labor of love for her.
"I've had many jobs in my life, I am retired," said Julin, who also volunteers with the Cherryland Humane Society. "But I have to say, this is the best one ever, it is so rewarding to help animals."
Best Friends airs at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays in June and at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays beginning in July.