The Dog Who Hugs You Back

Maple, Squirrels, and the Life We Fall in Love With

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2590104/fan_mail/new] A squirrel can steal a dog’s attention in a second, but it’s nothing compared to the moment a family realizes love also comes with responsibility at the end of a pet’s life. Jenny joins me from Manchester to share stories about Maple, their cavapoo, from her changing coat color and “lead of shame” walks to the very real work of building better choices for pet parents when quality of life starts to slip.  We talk candidly about at-home euthanasia for dogs and cats and why a familiar home environment can help a pet stay calmer through their final moments. Jenny explains how home visits can support the whole household, including other pets who may need the chance to understand what happened, instead of searching for a companion who suddenly disappears. We also dig into the human side: guilt, harsh self-talk, and the heavy question almost everyone asks but nobody feels ready for, how do you know when it’s time.  A big theme is education and planning. Jenny shares why so many families wait for an unmistakable “sign,” how end-of-life often becomes urgent, and what quality-of-life markers matter most, like eating, drinking, breathing, toileting, mobility, and basic comfort. If you’ve ever worried about pet grief, anticipatory grief, or making the “right” call, this conversation offers practical language, grounded guidance, and compassion without sugarcoating reality.  If you have any other questions at all or need any additional information, please check out the following link.   👉Link to E-book : https://vetsathome.com/the-last-kindness [https://vetsathome.com/the-last-kindness] 👉Link to Quality of Life Tool : https://vetsathome.com/quality-of-life [https://vetsathome.com/quality-of-life] If this helped you, subscribe, share it with a fellow pet parent, and leave a review so more families can find support when they need it most. 1. Purchase the Book [https://pawpads.pet/pawprints] that inspired the Podcast 2. Want to share your pets story on a future podcast?   1. Send us a message: SUBSCRIBE [https://pawpads.pet/sign-up-for-book-release] 3. All new, the first ever Pet Journal - start logging your memories with your Pet 1. Click -> Pet Journal [https://paw-pads-240ecf88.base44.app/]

The Dog Who Hugs You Back

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2590104/fan_mail/new] Your dog suddenly looks dizzy, can’t keep their balance, and the whole thing feels like it comes out of nowhere. That’s where our conversation with Lauren begins, with a real-life look at vestibular disease in dogs and why it can appear terrifying while still being something many dogs recover from with rest, careful management, and the right veterinary follow-up. We also talk about what it means to care for a sensitive dog when stress and excitement can make symptoms worse, and how to keep your home and routines supportive while you wait for healing. From there, we step into the harder topic that so many families face in silence: reactive dog behavior. Lauren shares the story of her German Shepherd Zeus, how a single off-leash attack changed his relationship with the world, and how confusing it was to find trustworthy guidance. We get specific about humane dog training, positive reinforcement, and why “quick fixes” can backfire when a dog is operating from fear. If you’ve ever felt isolated because your dog barks, lunges, or locks in on triggers, this conversation puts language and empathy around that experience. Lauren also offers practical tools you can try, including simple attention exercises that build focus and create safer “exit strategies” before a dog goes over threshold. We close with a grounded, honest reflection on pet loss grief: there is no deadline, and the pain can be part of how you honor the bond you had. If this resonates, subscribe, share this with a fellow pet parent, and leave a review so more families can find support. What’s one thing you wish someone had told you sooner about your dog’s behavior or your grief? 1. Purchase the Book [https://pawpads.pet/pawprints] that inspired the Podcast 2. Want to share your pets story on a future podcast?   1. Send us a message: SUBSCRIBE [https://pawpads.pet/sign-up-for-book-release] 3. All new, the first ever Pet Journal - start logging your memories with your Pet 1. Click -> Pet Journal [https://paw-pads-240ecf88.base44.app/]

How Two Rescue Dogs Shaped A Young Adult Life

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2590104/fan_mail/new] A rescue dog found on the side of the road can change the whole direction of a life, and Nicole’s story makes that feel real in the most personal way. I sat down with Nicole to talk about Dega, her “NASCAR dog from Alabama,” and how a sassy, tennis-ball-obsessed rescue became her constant through high school, COVID isolation, college transitions, and the jump into adulthood. We get into the everyday details that make dog companionship so powerful: the routines, the walks, the social connections, and the quiet comfort of coming home to a best friend who never keeps score. Nicole also challenges the idea that younger adults aren’t into pets. From her perspective, many Gen Z pet owners are leaning into therapy, mental health awareness, and intentional responsibility while delaying big milestones like having kids. That blend makes “furkids” more than a trend. It’s structure, purpose, and a kind of unconditional love that shows up whether your hair is clean, your apartment is messy, or your day fell apart. Then comes Dale, her new rescue puppy from Wet Nose Rescue in Blue Ridge, Georgia, adopted at eight weeks old right before senior finals. We talk crate training, potty training, the exhaustion of those early mornings, and why the puppy stage can be both tender and intense. Nicole also shares what she learned growing up with many dogs, including early experiences with pet loss, and how she’s preparing to manage dog care as she starts her hybrid job at Equifax, from vetting dog walkers to building a realistic schedule. If you love rescue dog stories, pet parenting honesty, and conversations about dogs and mental health, you’ll want to hear this one. Subscribe, share it with a fellow dog person, and leave a review telling us: what has your dog helped you survive or become? 1. Purchase the Book [https://pawpads.pet/pawprints] that inspired the Podcast 2. Want to share your pets story on a future podcast?   1. Send us a message: SUBSCRIBE [https://pawpads.pet/sign-up-for-book-release] 3. All new, the first ever Pet Journal - start logging your memories with your Pet 1. Click -> Pet Journal [https://paw-pads-240ecf88.base44.app/]

A Beloved Labrador Changes One Life Forever

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2590104/fan_mail/new] A dog can change your entire life and then break your heart on the way out. I sit down with John in Seattle to trace that full arc, from the goofy, everyday moments of raising a young English Labrador named James to the deeper story behind his full name: James Charles, a quiet tribute to Charlie, the Labrador John lost after 12 years together.  We talk about how James came into the family only after a year and a half of healing, and why “ready” looks different for everyone after pet loss. John shares what he learned from doing the work up front: researching breeders, focusing on temperament and health, and recognizing that rare moment when a puppy seems to pick you. Along the way, we swap the kind of real-life dog stories every owner knows, from bathroom quirks to the relief of a puppy who simply is not that destructive.  Then we go back to Charlie. John describes bringing him home during grad school, learning dog ownership on the fly, and eventually bringing Charlie into a special education classroom as a beloved classroom dog. We also get honest about the hard part: hemangiosarcoma, an emergency splenectomy, the agony of waiting for biopsy results, and the overwhelming menu of cancer treatment decisions, including chemotherapy options and quality-of-life tradeoffs. The conversation stays grounded in what matters most: comfort, dignity, enrichment through “search and sniff” games, and the honor of being there through the very end, including at-home euthanasia.  If you’re navigating pet grief, dog cancer, euthanasia decisions, or the question of when to adopt again, you’re not alone. Subscribe, share this with someone who misses a pet today, leave a review, and tell us this: what helps you keep their love close? 1. Purchase the Book [https://pawpads.pet/pawprints] that inspired the Podcast 2. Want to share your pets story on a future podcast?   1. Send us a message: SUBSCRIBE [https://pawpads.pet/sign-up-for-book-release] 3. All new, the first ever Pet Journal - start logging your memories with your Pet 1. Click -> Pet Journal [https://paw-pads-240ecf88.base44.app/]

Three Dogs Who Shaped A Family And A Writer

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2590104/fan_mail/new] A rescue dog who arrives broken, a cattle dog genius who never stops working, and a black lab who turns every day into a reason to play. That’s where our conversation with Angie begins, and it quickly becomes something bigger: a clear-eyed look at why the love we build with pets can reshape an entire life. We talk about Indy, Angie’s black lab named after Indiana Jones, and how she became part of the family after being unable to compete as a show dog. Then we zoom into Nyah, an Australian cattle dog with a mind that seems almost human: opening doors, solving puzzles instantly, launching for Frisbees, and shadowing her people like a true Velcro dog. If you’ve ever lived with a high-drive working breed, you’ll recognize the mix of awe, laughter, and exhaustion. From there, the story turns to pet loss and pet bereavement in the most honest way: Ozzy’s rescue and rehabilitation, his sudden passing after what seems like a stroke or heart event, and the tender memory of a little girl whispering into an old dog’s ear. Angie also shares Nyah’s rapid decline, the medical unknowns, and the moment the vet makes it clear she’s dying. We talk about the hard choice of euthanasia, the guilt that can follow, and the reminder many of us need: grief is real, grief is normal, and grief is not linear. We end on something hopeful: Angie’s children’s book series, The Adventures of Liv and Indy: You Make the Call, a nine-book choose-your-own-adventure style collection where Indy helps solve mysteries and other beloved dogs live on as characters.  Click the following link to find the book series -> Liv and Indy [https://www.amazon.com/Liv-Indy-Anthology-Books-Make/dp/B0FT3LBQGQ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1NNW8MQLA2JK7&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ddz4PljbznZp3giDnJbJO-Wbs7BixWDfC3Sxei8aYi2yFqsXtOOfVv-j26ddB8rTFvcpqO4KHJACkrAXt3WrgA7AGzrzn2qsiorS2dsjJEIhXhXtKwXg2sSVq4sORPIRHtUnWe9NwADJA1y5Z9j8fLnZr_dgXJpaBJsmrc1BcqMxF10cpUEUW4_3rCiWk5PvNjEWWP2SVEOqwNEpCi393l2Zo4Ce1jpZrOlgqqIAzEE.EZUTuyC49FcfQkfOXnUPA4FVzNY7lhXkLdtGitxGa08&dib_tag=se&keywords=liv+and+indy&qid=1778675807&s=books&sprefix=liv+and+indy%2Cstripbooks%2C161&sr=1-1] If this episode helps you feel less alone, subscribe, share it with a fellow pet lover, and leave a review so more people can find this kind of support. 1. Purchase the Book [https://pawpads.pet/pawprints] that inspired the Podcast 2. Want to share your pets story on a future podcast?   1. Send us a message: SUBSCRIBE [https://pawpads.pet/sign-up-for-book-release] 3. All new, the first ever Pet Journal - start logging your memories with your Pet 1. Click -> Pet Journal [https://paw-pads-240ecf88.base44.app/]