Rappaport To The Rescue

Natalie Morales is a television anchor and journalist. She serves as host of THE TALK, CBS’ Daytime Emmy Award-winning talk show that examines topical events and contemporary issues through the eyes of five hosts, alongside Akbar Gbajabiamila, Amanda Kloots, Jerry O’Connell and Sheryl Underwood.

Most recently, Morales was the West Coast anchor of NBC News’ “Today,” correspondent for “Dateline NBC,” and anchor of “Behind Closed Doors with Natalie Morales.” She previously served as host of “Access” and co-host of “Access Live,” as well as news anchor of “Today,” where she co-hosted the show’s third hour. Morales joined “Today” in 2006 as a national correspondent and reported across all of NBCUniversal News’ platforms, including “NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt” and MSNBC.

In a “Today” first, Morales followed 20 children from the class of 2020 – all of whom were born a year after 9/11 – from their first day of kindergarten to graduation, amid a global pandemic nonetheless. In addition to hosting “At Home with Natalie,” Morales contributed to several major breaking news stories, including the sexual harassment scandals, the 2017 Las Vegas massacre, the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing, and the rescue of the Chilean Miners in 2010 (coverage that was seen worldwide and recognized with a 2010 National Headliner Award). In August 2008, Morales had the exclusive jailhouse interview with the infamous Clark Rockefeller. Her other notable reports include the 2009 presidential inauguration; Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005; the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami; the death of Pope John Paul II in 2005; and the election of Pope Francis in 2013. She also reported on the royal wedding in 2011 and the birth of Prince George in 2013.

As a part of the Shine a Light campaign in 2014, Morales ran in the Boston Marathon and raised over $70,000 for victims of the 2013 bombing. Morales has won three Daytime Emmy Awards as part of “Today’s” recognition as the best morning news program. She won a Robert F. Kennedy Award in international journalism for her report on Honduran lobster divers for “Rock Center with Brian Williams” in June 2013. She has won three Gracie Awards, one for Outstanding Series for her “Dateline NBC” special, “My Kid Would Never,” and two for her reporting in 2016 and 2017.

Morales, who speaks Spanish and Portuguese, was born in Taiwan and spent much of the first 18 years of her life living overseas in Panama, Brazil and Spain as an Air Force “brat.” She graduated summa cum laude from Rutgers University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and Latin American studies and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two sons. Follow her on Twitter @nmoralestv and Instagram @nataliemoralestv.

Transcript:

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Announcer: This is Pet Life Radio.

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Announcer: Let's talk pets.

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Announcer: Rappaport to the Rescue, with award-winning animal advocate, Jill Rappaport.

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Jill Rappaport: Hi, welcome to Rappaport to the Rescue.

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Jill Rappaport: I'm Jill Rappaport, and I am thrilled to have as my guest today, one of the most beloved talk show hosts and news correspondents in the country.

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Jill Rappaport: Natalie Morales is the co-host and moderator of CBS The Talk.

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Jill Rappaport: She's also a correspondent for CBS News, including 48 Hours, and recently did an incredible exclusive interview with the Menendez brothers.

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Jill Rappaport: I watched it and it was riveting.

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Jill Rappaport: Natalie Morales is truly a force to be reckoned with, and I was fortunate enough to work with her for many years at NBC, and we always bonded over our love of animals.

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Jill Rappaport: We are kindred spirits for sure.

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Jill Rappaport: So when we come back one-on-one with Natalie to talk about her incredible career, her beloved family of fur angels, and oh, I'm sure she'll mention her husband and her two sons as well.

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Jill Rappaport: I'm Jill Rappaport.

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Jill Rappaport: You know, one of the things I love about doing this podcast is the incredible, interesting people I get to meet, and the amazing lives they've led, especially their heartfelt work for animals.

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Jill Rappaport: It's so gratifying for me to be able to do this show and meet these people.

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Jill Rappaport: And today, it's extra special because I'm reconnecting with someone who I worked with for many years at NBC's Today Show.

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Jill Rappaport: She is as beautiful inside as she is out, and she is so incredibly talented.

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Jill Rappaport: But what I always loved about Natalie Morales is her love and dedication to animals.

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Jill Rappaport: We have worked together many years ago.

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Jill Rappaport: You officially started in 2006 on the Today Show, but we actually worked earlier than that because you were filling in all the time.

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Natalie Morale: >Oh, yeah.

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Natalie Morale: >I mean, I was pregnant with my oldest, who's now 20, so since I think 2002.

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Natalie Morale: >So I was sort of in the background at the Today Show for a long time.

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Natalie Morale: >I was at MSNBC, you know, officially since 2002.

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Natalie Morale: >And before that, I was in Hartford.

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Natalie Morale: >So I was in the NBC family for many, many years.

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Natalie Morale: >So yes, I feel like I have known you for many, many years now, Jill, and love to be here with you.

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Jill Rappaport: Well, I was so excited because if you remember, I was entertainment reporter, then switched to the rescue segments.

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Jill Rappaport: And you were so supportive because you are so in love with rescue animals and your heart, that's where your passions lie.

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Jill Rappaport: So we were bonded.

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Natalie Morale: >Yes.

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Natalie Morale: >Oh, your Bow to Wow was like the highlight.

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Natalie Morale: >I mean, the crew, whenever you brought those puppies in and to see what you would do with them and how you would transform them, it was always such a highlight.

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Natalie Morale: >I mean, it was like a little puppy therapy for all of us, you know, there at the show.

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Natalie Morale: >And we would just pick up the dogs.

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Natalie Morale: >And it was like having a little puppy play date right on set.

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Jill Rappaport: And you were always so supportive because as you know, it ran for almost eight years, I had a 100% adoption record.

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Jill Rappaport: And there were three legged pit bull seniors, they all got a home because of that.

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Natalie Morale: >I love that so much.

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Natalie Morale: >It's so important that message that you started at the Today Show and what you continue to have done with your work.

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Natalie Morale: >You're such a huge advocate for animals.

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Natalie Morale: >And you know, I am as well.

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Natalie Morale: >And so when you said, let's do this, I was like, anything I can do to help you, you know, get this mission and spread the word and love of adopting and not shopping.

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Natalie Morale: >There's too many designer dogs out there these days.

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Natalie Morale: >And there's so many dogs and cats and horses and all kinds of animals that need great homes.

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Jill Rappaport: Well, I remember back then during your NBC days, you had rescued a dog, which fortunately she is still alive and thriving.

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Natalie Morale: >Zara is 13.

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Natalie Morale: >Yes, Zara is doing great.

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Natalie Morale: >Knock on wood and she's still runs on the beach and she's incredible.

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Natalie Morale: >But yes, I adopted her right off the set.

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Natalie Morale: >She was on for a Traveling With Your Pet segment.

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Jill Rappaport: I was bummed it wasn't one of my segments, but still thrilled you rescued.

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Natalie Morale: >I don't know how I managed to get away without adopting from one of your segments.

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Natalie Morale: >I think it's because I already had her when you kept coming by with dogs.

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Natalie Morale: >So I could only, you know, living in the small house that we did, I could only have one at the time.

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Jill Rappaport: And you had cats too.

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Natalie Morale: >I had two cats and I had two rescue cats.

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Natalie Morale: >So I was like, I think there's a limit to what my cats will tolerate.

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Jill Rappaport: And then a few years later, when you ended up hosting Access Hollywood, you rescued another dog.

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Natalie Morale: >Yes, I rescued Obie also off the set at Access.

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Natalie Morale: >He was there for a Puppy Bowl segment and fell in love with him and you know, he came home with me.

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Natalie Morale: >So I have a habit.

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Jill Rappaport: Well, it's so great because people in your position, everybody knows you.

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Jill Rappaport: You've been a star and a fixture for so many years and people love you.

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Jill Rappaport: And then when they see that you've opened up your heart and your home to rescue animals, it makes a huge difference.

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Natalie Morale: >Yeah, I mean, listen, they are my therapy.

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Natalie Morale: >They are my loves.

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Natalie Morale: >I mean, I always say, and I think everybody feels this way about their pets, you know, they really do complete your family and your life.

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Natalie Morale: >And, you know, my kids, they grew up with them from a very early age.

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Natalie Morale: >You know, once Josh was approaching, I guess eight or nine years old, that's when we adopted Zara and Luke was about two or three at the time.

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Natalie Morale: >And I knew because I had grown up with dogs all my life.

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Natalie Morale: >And for me, it was just having that constant companion, that friend, having somebody that I knew would always be by their side.

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Natalie Morale: >And I was an Air Force brat and that meant a lot.

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Natalie Morale: >It was always having that furry friend that I could count on.

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Natalie Morale: >And what a difference for my kids.

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Natalie Morale: >Growing up with animals has done so much good for them.

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Natalie Morale: >I mean, my oldest has anxiety and Zara is his real therapy pet.

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Natalie Morale: >I mean, even though she is not a designated therapy pet, she really is.

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Natalie Morale: >I mean, she acts like it, she behaves like a therapy pet.

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Natalie Morale: >And she just senses that she needs to be by his side whenever he's around.

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Natalie Morale: >Yeah.

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Jill Rappaport: Wonderful.

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Jill Rappaport: Back then, I remember you understood the importance and that makes all the difference in the world because you have a platform, you have the ability to educate people and to spread the word rescue and adoption.

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Jill Rappaport: It's the worst it's been in over two decades.

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Jill Rappaport: I have shelter friends that are contemplating closing their doors.

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Jill Rappaport: They said they've never seen anything like it.

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Jill Rappaport: It's really dire right now.

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Natalie Morale: >Had food, everything is inflation.

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Natalie Morale: >You know, our food is more expensive.

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Natalie Morale: >So if it's more expensive to feed your children, I think it's understandable.

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Natalie Morale: >It's hard to feed a pet.

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Natalie Morale: >It is a privilege to have the love of an animal in your life.

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Natalie Morale: >And I get it.

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Natalie Morale: >I understand, if you have the room in your home also, it's a privilege to have room where you can host and have an animal.

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Natalie Morale: >So I think we're lucky if you have the room and the ability to have animals.

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Natalie Morale: >And I always say, if you can open your heart to one, you can open your heart to two, whoops, three or four more.

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Natalie Morale: >How many do you have now at this point?

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Jill Rappaport: Oh my goodness, well, I was gonna say, I shouldn't have married you, Natalie.

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Jill Rappaport: I had six rescue dogs, but during COVID, I had super seniors, I lost three, but I'm still very blessed to have three more seniors.

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Jill Rappaport: So I do try to take what I call the underdogs, the seniors, it's the special needs.

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Jill Rappaport: And speaking of animals and having your dream, you did a profile on your beloved, beautiful horse, Louie, and I was crying.

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Jill Rappaport: It was so wonderful.

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Natalie Morale: >I'm so glad you caught that, Jill, because I mean, I know you had your book about horses and when you published that a few years back, and I have always loved horses as a kid growing up.

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Natalie Morale: >It was always my dream, it was my passion, but my dad was in the Air Force.

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Natalie Morale: >And I remember being about nine or 10 years old and saying, Dad, is there ever a day where I could someday get a horse?

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Natalie Morale: >Can I please, please begging?

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Natalie Morale: >And in the Air Force, moving every two to three years, first of all, they're not making any money in the Air Force.

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Natalie Morale: >And there's just not the lifestyle where you're moving like that, where you can possibly have a horse and move them around like that.

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Natalie Morale: >And so I ended up just taking the little allowance money that I would get week to week and whenever I could living wherever I was.

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Natalie Morale: >I really started when I was in Spain and would just go take a lesson here and there.

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Natalie Morale: >So mostly in Spain, I took some lessons, but I never really was able to stick with it.

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Natalie Morale: >It was like two lessons a month and it was a pretty penny at the time.

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Natalie Morale: >It was all of my allowance to be able to do that.

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Natalie Morale: >And I just loved it.

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Natalie Morale: >I fell in love with it.

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Natalie Morale: >And I said, someday, someday, whatever it's gonna take, I'm gonna have a horse someday.

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Natalie Morale: >And of course, with the job that I have and having kids and raising a family, there's just, there wasn't time.

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Natalie Morale: >And then finally moving out to California, having obviously an environment that allows me to be able to ride outdoors a little bit more.

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Natalie Morale: >But also after having a little more freedom out here and having a job that has better hours and not traveling as much, I started committing myself to riding more.

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Natalie Morale: >And then during COVID is when I said, okay, I'm gonna really do it.

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Natalie Morale: >This time I'm gonna pursue my dream.

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Natalie Morale: >I'm gonna get that horse and I'm gonna get on that saddle and have not left since.

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Natalie Morale: >And I finally found the right boy for me, found my sweet Louie.

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Natalie Morale: >And we've been competing, which was something I also thought I would never do.

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Jill Rappaport: That's what I loved in this story.

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Jill Rappaport: You said, I can't believe I'm actually going to a horse show.

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Natalie Morale: >Yes, it was like the rusty stirrups division.

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Natalie Morale: >I was just basically doing two foot jumps.

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Natalie Morale: >Now I'm doing like two foot three, which is not much.

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Natalie Morale: >I mean, the horse can basically walk over that, but still.

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Jill Rappaport: Oh, please.

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Jill Rappaport: I always say the only thing I've ever jumped are the ropes of the Ralph Lauren sample sale.

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Jill Rappaport: I'm terrified of jumping, okay?

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Jill Rappaport: And what I love about you, Natalie, you are a daredevil.

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Jill Rappaport: This correspondent would be the first to jump on a plane.

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Jill Rappaport: There's nothing that you're afraid of.

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Jill Rappaport: So it didn't surprise me at all to see you in a show and jumping.

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Natalie Morale: >So much fun.

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Natalie Morale: >It's a thrill, but let me tell you, the scariest part is not so much being on the horse and doing the jumps.

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Natalie Morale: >It's remembering the course.

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Natalie Morale: >My senior brain, it's the senior brain, the senior moments, even though I can memorize a script and I can do standups and do live on television, it's, oh my gosh, am I going left?

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Natalie Morale: >Am I going right?

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Natalie Morale: >It's a series of jumps and then it changes.

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Natalie Morale: >It is a mental game.

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Natalie Morale: >I gotta tell you though, I think it's so good for a senior, I mean, I'm in my 50s.

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Natalie Morale: >I think it's the best thing.

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Natalie Morale: >They say learning a language or learning something new that's challenging, well, what could be better than on the back of a horse, which is therapy, an animal that truly is forgiving and teaching me so much, teaching me a confidence that is incredible and having that bond and that relationship.

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Natalie Morale: >But then on top of that is really making me use my brain in a way that I've never had to think that way.

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Natalie Morale: >It is choreography, but on the back of a 1,100 pound animal, which is something entirely different.

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Jill Rappaport: What touched my heart is the bond that the two of you have, the relationship.

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Jill Rappaport: That's what brought me the tears.

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Natalie Morale: >Did you see him whinny at the end?

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Natalie Morale: >He whinnied on cue.

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Natalie Morale: >I was like, who taught you that?

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Jill Rappaport: For you, this is your partner.

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Jill Rappaport: You could just see the love.

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Natalie Morale: >I know, you're gonna make me cry because it really is when you have an animal that touches you in a way, it just, it really does.

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Natalie Morale: >You know, it makes such a difference in your life.

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Natalie Morale: >It really does.

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Natalie Morale: >He's taught me so much about myself because we didn't click right off the bat at first.

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Natalie Morale: >It took a little bit.

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Natalie Morale: >And I'm one of those people, like I usually feel it right away or not.

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Natalie Morale: >And this was the first time that I was like, I don't know.

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Natalie Morale: >I don't know if he's the right one for me.

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Natalie Morale: >He's kind of a little fast.

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Natalie Morale: >He's kind of a little bit, I don't know.

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Natalie Morale: >And my trainer was like, you gotta just give it time.

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Natalie Morale: >Be patient.

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Natalie Morale: >He knows more than you.

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Natalie Morale: >He's trying to teach you.

00:13:30.308 --> 00:13:38.008
Natalie Morale: >And that taught me so much because I realized I just have to like, I don't know a lot about horses yet.

00:13:38.068 --> 00:13:46.548
Natalie Morale: >And he was teaching me to just, you just gotta sit and listen and just let me do the job and be patient with yourself.

00:13:47.028 --> 00:13:52.228
Natalie Morale: >And that's not something I haven't had a lot of patience with was being patient with myself.

00:13:52.828 --> 00:13:54.528
Natalie Morale: >And so he's taught me a lot.

00:13:54.708 --> 00:13:57.628
Natalie Morale: >And it's really, it's been so rewarding.

00:13:58.088 --> 00:14:02.868
Jill Rappaport: All the years I've known you, this is the first thing that I've seen really bring you to tears.

00:14:03.408 --> 00:14:05.788
Jill Rappaport: And look at everything we've gone through in careers and life.

00:14:05.808 --> 00:14:07.888
Jill Rappaport: It just shows you what this bond means.

00:14:08.148 --> 00:14:11.128
Natalie Morale: >I mean, all my animals, they teach you so much about yourself.

00:14:11.188 --> 00:14:14.828
Natalie Morale: >Like he's a little injured right now, which is probably why I'm a little emotional too.

00:14:14.848 --> 00:14:16.568
Natalie Morale: >He's, you know, I feel bad for him.

00:14:16.588 --> 00:14:18.628
Natalie Morale: >He's just got a little tiny ligament tear.

00:14:18.648 --> 00:14:19.988
Natalie Morale: >He'll be fine in a couple of months.

00:14:20.228 --> 00:14:21.168
Natalie Morale: >We'll be back at it.

00:14:21.428 --> 00:14:27.828
Natalie Morale: >But yeah, I tell you, he's one of those special horses that just there's a connection that, you know, you just really feel it.

00:14:27.968 --> 00:14:34.468
Natalie Morale: >You know, for anybody who has that bond with an animal, you know, it just, it's really, it's an incredible feeling.

00:14:35.248 --> 00:14:41.668
Jill Rappaport: And fortunately, thanks to your very successful career, you're lucky to have Louie and be able to enjoy this sport.

00:14:42.088 --> 00:14:48.188
Jill Rappaport: And in your job, Natalie, I've always known you to be the ultra professional and you landed some big scoops.

00:14:48.748 --> 00:14:53.868
Jill Rappaport: I happen to see your exclusive with the Menendez brothers years later in prison.

00:14:53.888 --> 00:14:57.588
Jill Rappaport: You know, that story brought out a lot of emotion in me, what they went through.

00:14:57.768 --> 00:15:00.128
Jill Rappaport: And I don't think people really understood it at the time.

00:15:00.148 --> 00:15:01.948
Jill Rappaport: They just thought murderers put them away.

00:15:02.028 --> 00:15:13.288
Natalie Morale: >Yeah, you know, it's, yeah, it's interesting because, you know, now 34 years later, you know, I think Lyle is 56 or 57 and Eric, which is crazy.

00:15:13.308 --> 00:15:22.468
Natalie Morale: >It tells you how, I mean, I was in college when this all happened and Eric is in, I think 52 or 53.

00:15:22.488 --> 00:15:24.548
Natalie Morale: >They're about three years apart in age.

00:15:25.008 --> 00:15:25.988
Natalie Morale: >But yeah, you're right.

00:15:26.028 --> 00:15:33.828
Natalie Morale: >I think the public sentiment was very much, you know, they, you know, it was such a brutal crime, the way they shot their parents.

00:15:34.228 --> 00:15:38.908
Natalie Morale: >And even though there were two trials, the first trial was a hung jury.

00:15:38.908 --> 00:15:45.148
Natalie Morale: >The second trial, they were convicted and convicted now life and serving life without parole.

00:15:45.448 --> 00:16:00.028
Natalie Morale: >Even during that second trial, even though you heard the testimony about them being abused, that was limited testimony from the first trial because the judge agreed, the prosecutor was able to limit that testimony.

00:16:00.368 --> 00:16:06.988
Natalie Morale: >And now in hindsight, also, we know so much more about men as victims of sexual abuse.

00:16:07.008 --> 00:16:26.848
Natalie Morale: >You know, it's interesting when I interviewed Lyle by phone, he brought this up, which I thought was an interesting perspective and I hadn't thought of it, was that when they killed their parents and when this all happened, it was 10 years prior to the pre-sex abuse victims coming forward.

00:16:27.288 --> 00:16:47.248
Natalie Morale: >So 10 years later, I think we started to understand and have a wider understanding of what men as sexual victims go through and reporting and what that does, you know, how long it takes for people to psychologically, the trauma for them to understand what they went through and how they process that.

00:16:47.268 --> 00:16:52.208
Natalie Morale: >So I think I'm not saying that in any sense is an excuse for what they did.

00:16:52.388 --> 00:16:56.108
Natalie Morale: >And he doesn't say that either, you know, he's not excusing what they did.

00:16:56.128 --> 00:17:00.228
Natalie Morale: >He accepts that they did what they did and he lives with that every day.

00:17:00.348 --> 00:17:10.588
Natalie Morale: >But I think it's certainly, it gives you an understanding of the trauma that goes into what happened leading up to their killing their parents.

00:17:10.988 --> 00:17:14.068
Jill Rappaport: I think there had to be an incredible response to your interview.

00:17:14.208 --> 00:17:22.408
Natalie Morale: >Yes, but we'll see what the LA District Attorney ends up deciding to do and what the judge decides to do.

00:17:22.428 --> 00:17:25.068
Natalie Morale: >I mean, there's new evidence in the case this time around.

00:17:25.508 --> 00:17:43.828
Natalie Morale: >There's a victim who has come forward alleging that Jose Menendez also raped him when he was a member of the boy band Menudo and Jose Menendez was an executive at the time for RCA Records and met the group Menudo and met this man, Roy Rossellos.

00:17:43.828 --> 00:17:55.908
Natalie Morale: >So that sort of adds to the picture of, if there was one more person who adds to the story of what the Menendez brothers alleged their parents were doing to them.

00:17:56.328 --> 00:17:57.928
Natalie Morale: >And there's other evidence as well.

00:17:57.988 --> 00:18:03.928
Natalie Morale: >So all of that sort of adds to the picture of what they were saying all along, according to their lawyer.

00:18:04.168 --> 00:18:08.708
Jill Rappaport: Well, it was such an emotional interview and a great big get for you.

00:18:08.748 --> 00:18:12.528
Jill Rappaport: And I know you're known, and I think of you still in the new sense.

00:18:12.548 --> 00:18:14.328
Jill Rappaport: I think of you as a news person.

00:18:14.688 --> 00:18:19.548
Jill Rappaport: And I remember when you took the job in LA at Access Hollywood, I thought she'll be great.

00:18:19.568 --> 00:18:23.368
Jill Rappaport: She has a great personality, but I still always thought, Natalie's a news gal.

00:18:23.388 --> 00:18:27.808
Jill Rappaport: I don't know if she's gonna be into that entertainment, which I did for many years.

00:18:27.828 --> 00:18:32.008
Jill Rappaport: How many red carpets can you be on and talk about movies and star?

00:18:32.748 --> 00:18:33.968
Jill Rappaport: Yeah, exactly.

00:18:34.168 --> 00:18:41.228
Jill Rappaport: So when I heard you got the job at The Talk, not just as one of the hosts, but as moderator, I thought, this is perfect.

00:18:41.248 --> 00:18:44.288
Jill Rappaport: This has everything that you excel in.

00:18:44.508 --> 00:18:49.888
Jill Rappaport: The interviewing skills, you can show your personality, you can have some serious interviews, you have some laughs.

00:18:50.348 --> 00:18:53.588
Jill Rappaport: So needless to say, I was shocked that they're canceling the show.

00:18:53.648 --> 00:18:54.608
Natalie Morale: >Heartbreaking.

00:18:54.648 --> 00:18:58.008
Natalie Morale: >I know I finally have a place where I'm just so happy.

00:18:58.028 --> 00:18:59.288
Natalie Morale: >I feel so fulfilled.

00:18:59.308 --> 00:19:02.188
Natalie Morale: >I guess it's the nature of television though, you know?

00:19:02.208 --> 00:19:10.468
Natalie Morale: >When you start to feel really comfortable and settled and our show and our hosts, all of us just got nominated as hosts for an Emmy.

00:19:11.008 --> 00:19:19.748
Natalie Morale: >So of course, the week that we get nominated is also, you know, we find out that the show is gonna be canceled after December of this year.

00:19:19.808 --> 00:19:27.388
Natalie Morale: >So it is what it is where television is constantly changing and I'm used to reinvention.

00:19:27.408 --> 00:19:34.128
Natalie Morale: >I mean, that's a good thing about being an Air Force brat is I've learned to always reinvent and keep going.

00:19:34.268 --> 00:19:37.768
Natalie Morale: >And the great thing is, is I'm still with CBS News.

00:19:37.788 --> 00:19:43.748
Natalie Morale: >So yeah, you'll be seeing a lot more of me at CBS Mornings and 48 Hours will be busier, that's for sure.

00:19:43.768 --> 00:19:44.728
Natalie Morale: >Probably traveling more.

00:19:44.748 --> 00:19:47.688
Jill Rappaport: And maybe filling in on the evening news too.

00:19:48.048 --> 00:19:50.148
Natalie Morale: >Well, we'll see, we'll see, yeah.

00:19:50.288 --> 00:19:55.308
Natalie Morale: >I mean, it's definitely gonna put me back more on the news side of the business for sure.

00:19:55.528 --> 00:20:00.768
Jill Rappaport: But getting back to your first love, The Talk, it's a very diversified group and you all get along great.

00:20:01.208 --> 00:20:01.968
Natalie Morale: >Oh, I love it.

00:20:01.988 --> 00:20:04.188
Natalie Morale: >I mean, we do, we are what you see.

00:20:04.248 --> 00:20:10.448
Natalie Morale: >It's the most diverse group in television and I love that each of us has such a different perspective.

00:20:10.488 --> 00:20:13.408
Natalie Morale: >We each come from such unique, different backgrounds.

00:20:13.568 --> 00:20:14.888
Natalie Morale: >And it is, it's a hoot.

00:20:14.908 --> 00:20:17.268
Natalie Morale: >Like it's really fun to go to work every day.

00:20:17.468 --> 00:20:25.128
Natalie Morale: >I had a lot of fun at the Today Show every day and I didn't think I would be able to replicate that feel of like just like live TV and the madness and the fun.

00:20:25.408 --> 00:20:29.248
Natalie Morale: >Well, this is all fun because at least that's what we go to show up to work for.

00:20:29.408 --> 00:20:31.768
Natalie Morale: >But yes, I've been having a great time at The Talk.

00:20:31.788 --> 00:20:37.988
Natalie Morale: >So it's gonna be hard to say goodbye, but I think everybody says one door closes, the other door opens.

00:20:38.008 --> 00:20:39.568
Natalie Morale: >I always think there's a plan.

00:20:39.588 --> 00:20:46.388
Natalie Morale: >I gotta believe there's a bigger plan and people making decisions that know a lot more than I do.

00:20:46.468 --> 00:20:52.568
Jill Rappaport: Did you come together collectively and maybe go to brass and say, come on, can't you just give it another year?

00:20:52.588 --> 00:20:54.228
Jill Rappaport: Or did you question it at all?

00:20:54.568 --> 00:20:59.648
Natalie Morale: >I mean, I think we've all questioned it over, it just within our inner circles.

00:21:01.468 --> 00:21:04.788
Natalie Morale: >But I guess there's only so much we feel like we could do.

00:21:05.088 --> 00:21:08.868
Jill Rappaport: Well, the show doesn't end until December, so you do have another several months.

00:21:09.188 --> 00:21:13.528
Natalie Morale: >That's where we feel like we've got a little time still to be with each other.

00:21:13.628 --> 00:21:17.628
Natalie Morale: >And we did get picked up for a season 15.

00:21:17.628 --> 00:21:21.008
Natalie Morale: >So we feel like we have a couple of months to go out with a bang.

00:21:21.248 --> 00:21:25.168
Natalie Morale: >And we're gonna make the most of that time and have the best time saying goodbye.

00:21:25.188 --> 00:21:26.568
Natalie Morale: >We're just gonna have a blast.

00:21:26.608 --> 00:21:32.908
Natalie Morale: >So when we come back after the summer, I think it's just gonna be a party, a farewell party to remember.

00:21:33.528 --> 00:21:37.848
Jill Rappaport: And my big question to you, because I always thought of you as Hoboken, East Coast girl.

00:21:38.048 --> 00:21:43.188
Jill Rappaport: When you were first based here with the job at NBC, any chance you'd move back East?

00:21:44.628 --> 00:21:47.608
Natalie Morale: >You know, they keep asking me that at CBS too.

00:21:48.728 --> 00:21:50.808
Natalie Morale: >You know, you never say never, right?

00:21:51.068 --> 00:21:53.868
Natalie Morale: >I do have my youngest is 15.

00:21:53.908 --> 00:21:56.148
Natalie Morale: >He's gonna be a sophomore in high school.

00:21:56.168 --> 00:21:59.988
Natalie Morale: >So I can't do anything in the next couple of years.

00:22:00.008 --> 00:22:01.668
Natalie Morale: >I gotta let him finish school.

00:22:01.688 --> 00:22:02.648
Natalie Morale: >I don't wanna do.

00:22:02.828 --> 00:22:06.628
Natalie Morale: >What happened with me in high school was I got moved around quite a bit.

00:22:06.688 --> 00:22:13.428
Natalie Morale: >So I want him to have like a nice steady exit of high school and let him figure out where he wants to go to college.

00:22:13.448 --> 00:22:14.488
Natalie Morale: >And then we'll see.

00:22:14.528 --> 00:22:16.668
Natalie Morale: >But I love it out West so much.

00:22:16.668 --> 00:22:18.528
Natalie Morale: >I love it here in California so much.

00:22:18.688 --> 00:22:19.828
Natalie Morale: >I mean, it's a dream.

00:22:19.948 --> 00:22:24.188
Natalie Morale: >Every time I would come out here on assignment, it was always like my bucket list.

00:22:24.268 --> 00:22:26.328
Natalie Morale: >Someday, someday I'll live there.

00:22:26.388 --> 00:22:31.568
Natalie Morale: >So when I had the opportunity to come out here, I thought, you know, I was living my dream.

00:22:31.808 --> 00:22:35.568
Natalie Morale: >And so I hope to keep living this dream, if I can, for a little bit longer.

00:22:35.788 --> 00:22:41.048
Jill Rappaport: And you literally uprooted your whole family, your husband, your boys, when they were at a very crucial age.

00:22:41.068 --> 00:22:42.728
Jill Rappaport: And it was a daring move.

00:22:43.108 --> 00:22:45.048
Jill Rappaport: And I would have been a little terrifying.

00:22:45.248 --> 00:22:51.148
Natalie Morale: >You know, but I guess that's again, where the Air Force being prepared and being able to pick up and move.

00:22:51.168 --> 00:22:56.008
Natalie Morale: >I mean, it is, it's hard because my kids were born and raised in Hoboken, New Jersey.

00:22:56.028 --> 00:22:59.508
Natalie Morale: >They have lived in one place, one house, their entire lives.

00:22:59.708 --> 00:23:02.308
Natalie Morale: >And I actually think it was really good.

00:23:02.328 --> 00:23:04.568
Natalie Morale: >I think it was, it was the perfect time.

00:23:04.708 --> 00:23:09.268
Natalie Morale: >My oldest was going into seventh grade and the youngest was going into second.

00:23:09.468 --> 00:23:16.828
Natalie Morale: >And that was the perfect time, you know, so that my oldest could complete like seventh to to 12th grade in one school.

00:23:16.848 --> 00:23:23.088
Natalie Morale: >And my youngest started in the same school from second grade and hopefully will finish up till his senior year.

00:23:23.088 --> 00:23:28.488
Natalie Morale: >So it was a great, great place for them to grow up, to be outside more, play sports year round.

00:23:28.528 --> 00:23:29.248
Natalie Morale: >Couldn't be better.

00:23:29.608 --> 00:23:32.288
Jill Rappaport: So it was definitely the right move at the right time.

00:23:32.308 --> 00:23:38.668
Jill Rappaport: And you know, Natalie, whether you're jumping out of a plane or jumping on a horse, you live life to the fullest.

00:23:38.948 --> 00:23:42.748
Jill Rappaport: And I'm so thrilled that you joined us today on Rappaport to the Rescue.

00:23:43.068 --> 00:23:47.548
Jill Rappaport: And thank you so much for always caring about animals in need.

00:23:47.568 --> 00:23:49.088
Jill Rappaport: You're the best pet parent.

00:23:49.768 --> 00:23:51.428
Natalie Morale: >Oh, thank you, Jill.

00:23:51.568 --> 00:23:54.128
Natalie Morale: >You've been an amazing supporter for so many years.

00:23:54.168 --> 00:23:55.828
Natalie Morale: >Thank you for all that you do.

00:23:55.848 --> 00:23:59.268
Natalie Morale: >And thank you for giving me the time to talk about our love of animals.

00:23:59.468 --> 00:24:02.488
Jill Rappaport: Yes, especially rescuing those babies of yours.

00:24:02.508 --> 00:24:05.908
Jill Rappaport: Your message, your voice makes a huge difference, Natalie.

00:24:05.928 --> 00:24:06.888
Natalie Morale: >Appreciate it.

00:24:07.048 --> 00:24:09.028
Jill Rappaport: And thanks everyone for tuning in.

00:24:09.128 --> 00:24:16.828
Jill Rappaport: But please remember that there are countless animals waiting in shelters nationwide for you to give them what they so deserve.

00:24:16.848 --> 00:24:18.568
Jill Rappaport: And that's a forever loving home.

00:24:19.328 --> 00:24:25.308
Announcer: Let's Talk Pets, every week on demand, only on petliferadio.com.