The Long Leash with James Jacobson

The Future of At-Home Vet Tests with Jen Hagness | The Long Leash #75

Fri, 20 Jan 2023 17:14:00 -0000

You’ve come home from work to discover evidence your dog has diarrhea. Ugh. It continues, and you call the vet. No appointments for two weeks, unless you want to pay for an emergency visit … but this doesn’t seem like a huge emergency.

Most veterinary visits are for the same few problems. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could get basic health tests – like fresh poop samples you scrape off your floor – done from home, and get the results back in time for your scheduled veterinary visit?

Today we are speaking with CEO Jen Hagness of MySimplePetLab, the first from home general wellness company. MySimplePetLab offers at-home and from-clinic testing kits for dogs and cats. The test kits are designed by veterinarians, and MySimplePetLab provides the tests, shipping to their lab for testing, and the results delivered to both you and your vet.

Jen shares with us the benefits to pet parents and veterinarians of these kits, and what the future may hold for at home testing.

Episode Links

MySimplePetLab

This episode is sponsored in part by EverPup and BarkBox.

Chapters

00:00 Start

02:56 MySimplePetLab

07:33 Traditional Pet Parents vs. Modern Pet Parents

11:33 Gold Standard Testing

12:59 Vets Included

15:29 2023 Teaser

20:02 Telemedicine

30:29 Being a CEO

About Dog Podcast Network (DPN)

DPN is the first of its kind. A podcasting network as devoted to dogs, as they are to us. Our mission is simple: entertain, inspire and inform. We will improve the quality of life for dogs and the people who love them.

Check out Dog Podcast Network for other dog-adjacent shows:

Dog Edition: our flagship show where a global team of dog-obsessed journalists and storytellers feature news, in-depth reporting, analysis, features, and interview segments

Dog Cancer Answers: which offers vetted advice from real veterinarians who answer your questions about dog cancer

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I Miss You Already: Anticipatory Grief with Nancy Gordon | The Long Leash #74

Fri, 30 Dec 2022 11:00:00 -0000

We have grieved the loss of our dogs ever since they first became man's best friend, thousands of years ago. Everyone experiences loss in their own way, but it is a pain that is shared by everyone who has ever loved a dog. But is there anything you can do to prepare for that grief?

Our guest Nancy Gordon works to raise awareness about the different stages of pet grief, and how to process the guilt and heartache from end-of-life decisions.

As a licensed clinical social worker and certified life coach, Nancy understands the pain of loss through her personal journey. After a terrible car accident, she had to leave her practice and focus on her own recovery with chronic illness and debilitating pain. Relief from the pain (both physical and mental) came to her through her service dogs, Pink and Toaster.

But then, the inevitable happened. Both of her service dogs had to cross over the rainbow bridge and Nancy was left navigating that loss. Taking what she learned from that experience, Nancy continues to help others through the dark days that follow the death of a beloved pet.

In today’s touching conversation, Jim and Nancy discuss anticipatory grief and how facing that inevitable loss ahead of time can help transform that experience for you and your dog.

Episode Links

Nancy Gordon

I Miss You Already: Bearing the Unbearable Loss of Your Pet by Nancy Gordon

This episode is sponsored in part by EverPup and BarkBox.

Chapters

0:00 Introduction

1:22 Start of Interview

4:45 Unhealed Grief

7:30 The 7 Stages of Grief

29:22 Jim’s Pet Loss Therapy Session

38:05 Continuted Bond

42:41 How to Find the Right Therapist

47:24 Outro

About Dog Podcast Network (DPN)

Check out Dog Podcast Network for other dog-adjacent shows:

Dog Edition: our flagship show where a global team of dog-obsessed journalists and storytellers feature news, in-depth reporting, analysis, features, and interview segments

Dog Cancer Answers: which offers vetted advice from real veterinarians who answer your questions about dog cancer

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Force Free Dog Training with Shannon Riley-Coyner | The Long Leash #73

Fri, 23 Dec 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Today on the show we discuss the history and evolution of dog training. Dog training now looks very different than it did just a few decades ago. It used to be commonly accepted that the best way to train a dog was to punish them when they did something wrong. Whether it was spanking them, rubbing their nose in their accidents, or using choke chains or shock collars.

But things are changing. This evolution of dog training has taken us from punishment and pain training, to something much more powerful. Shannon Riley-Coyner created Truly Force Free animal training to help you train your dog without using pain or fear.

Shannon has over 30 years of experience training dogs and is optimistic about the direction her industry is heading: towards more positive reinforcement. On today’s episode, Shannon shares with us the evolution of dog training, what science tells us about how dogs learn, and what to look for in a trainer.

Episode Links

Force Free Dog Training

The Evolution of Dog Training by Shannon Riley-Coyner

This episode is sponsored in part by EverPup and BarkBox.

Chapters

0:00 Introduction

12:24 The Neck is Very Vulnerable

16:01 Trauma Bond

27:20 Picking A Trainer

29:10 Group Training vs. One-on-One

30:56 Online Training Videos

About Dog Podcast Network (DPN)

Check out Dog Podcast Network for other dog-adjacent shows:

Dog Edition: our flagship show where a global team of dog-obsessed journalists and storytellers feature news, in-depth reporting, analysis, features, and interview segments

Dog Cancer Answers: which offers vetted advice from real veterinarians who answer your questions about dog cancer

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Dog Genius Challenge with Dr. Claudia Fugazza | The Long Leash #72

Fri, 16 Dec 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Today on the show: dog geniuses. What does it mean to be a truly gifted dog? Researcher Dr. Claudia Fugazza has been on a mission to better understand how dogs learn. She is particularly interested in the dogs that can memorize dozens of toy names.

Everyone thinks they have the smartest dog in the world (or at least the best!) but what makes a dog a prodigy? Dogs like Chaser, a border collie who has purportedly learned the name of over 1,000 toy names! But that kind of talent is very rare. And it’s not well known why they are able to do this.

Is it breed? The way they were trained? Were they just born talented? Dr. Fugazza and her colleagues at the University of Budapest want to find more. Thus, the Genius Dog Challenge was born.

In her search to better understand talent and language in dogs, Dr. Fugazza has started an online initiative to study smart dogs around. In this conversation, we delve into the world of dog learning, and you will find out how to test if your dog is a genius.

Episode Links

Genius Dog Challenge

The Long Leash #61 Sit, Stay, Speak...with Buttons! With Leo Trottier

This episode is sponsored in part by EverPup and BarkBox.

Chapters

0:00 Introduction

2:30 What is a Smart Dog?

14:21 Talent in Dogs

24:40 Rico and Chaser-Genius Dogs

30:27 Do As I Do

36:52 Episodic Memory

43:56 Is Your Dog a Genius?

49:12 Outro

About Dog Podcast Network (DPN)

Check out Dog Podcast Network for other dog-adjacent shows:

Dog Edition: our flagship show where a global team of dog-obsessed journalists and storytellers feature news, in-depth reporting, analysis, features, and interview segments

Dog Cancer Answers: which offers vetted advice from real veterinarians who answer your questions about dog cancer

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Solving Crime One Sniff at a Time with Jen Danna | The Long Leash #71

Fri, 09 Dec 2022 11:00:00 -0000

On today’s show we hear from Jen Danna, a crime novelist whose FBI K9 novel series explores the world of FBI agent Meg Jennings and her search-and-rescue dog Hawk.

If you’re thinking “I thought that series was written by Sara Driscoll,” you’re right.

Sara Driscoll is a joint pen name for Danna, a Canadian infectious disease researcher, and her co-author, Ann Vanderlaan, a Texan oil biz technical writer.

Their very different work and their shared passion for writing inspired them to pen seven novels under their joint pseudonym.

Danna’s dedication to scientific accuracy drives her storytelling. She shares what she has learned about the deep connection between FBI working dogs and their handlers.

Danna also talks about the seventh novel in their series, “Still Waters,” which has been published half-posthumously after Vanderlaan’s death earlier this year. Even as she celebrates the new novel, Danna reflects on how she will continue Meg Jennings’ story now that she has lost her other writing half.

Episode Links

Still Waters: An FBI K9 Novel by Sara Driscoll (aka Jen Danna and Ann Vanderlaan)

Jen Danna official website

Bouchercon World Mystery Convention

Does the Dog Die

The Long Leash Episode #57 My Life Transformed by a Golden Angel with writing legend Dean Koontz

Dog Edition Episode #71 From the Titanic to Queen Mary 2: Transatlantic Dogs

This episode is sponsored in part by EverPup and BarkBox.

About Dog Podcast Network (DPN)

Check out Dog Podcast Network for other dog-adjacent shows:

Dog Edition: our flagship show where a global team of dog-obsessed journalists and storytellers feature news, in-depth reporting, analysis, features, and interview segments

Dog Cancer Answers: which offers vetted advice from real veterinarians who answer your questions about dog cancer

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Connecting Human Health with Vet Care with Dr. Michael Blackwell | The Long Leash #70

Fri, 02 Dec 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Too many people face a cold reality when their dog gets sick: they want to give vet care, but simply cannot afford it. Ways to cope vary, including hoping and wishing the problem will disappear on its own, reducing pain and other medication use to “make them last,” and even euthanizing a dog who might recover with proper care.

It’s devastating for the family members and the veterinarians and their staff who must help them make these terrible choices.

When money is the issue, and money is not there, no question has an easy answer.

Our guest today is Dr. Michael Blackwell, the founder of AlignCare Health. His organization is a national, community-funded One Health interprofessional system that helps families with limited means get access to veterinary care.

In other words, he helps keep families together, regardless of species.

Dr. Michael Blackwell’s received his calling to help after hearing about a veteran whose dog was put to sleep because he could not afford his treatments. What was the problem? A police officer had shot his dog (unjustly), and the resulting injuries required extensive and expensive procedures.

The veteran’s utter loss and devastating pain “lit a fire” in Dr. Blackwell’s soul. That’s when the high-ranking government official and educator decided to start breaking down economic barriers that prevent pets and their families from getting the care they need.

Dr. Blackwell joins us for an in-depth, moving discussion about how our pet’s care influences our own health and healthcare, and why affordable veterinary care is critical to our health as a species and citizens.

Episode Links

Access to Veterinary Care-Barriers, Current Practices, and Public Policy A project of the Access to Veterinary Care Coalition, Dec 2018

AlignCare Health official website

This episode is sponsored in part by EverPup and BarkBox.

Chapters

0:00 Introduction

2:26 Start of Interview

4:09 The Event that Changed Everything

6:38 1 in 4 Families Lack the Ability to Pay for Vet Care

8:58 Phycological Benefits of Having a Pet

11:32 Economic Barriers to Vet Care

13:05 Status of Pet Insurance

17:03 Health Benefits Associated with Pet Ownership

19:21 What is AlignCare?

22:47 AlignCare in Los Angeles

34:55 The Emotional and Financial Stress of Being a Vet

45:54 The Importance of Public Servants

50:09 First Minority Dean of a Major Vet College

54:14 Future of AlignCare

56:52 Outro

About Dog Podcast Network (DPN)

Check out Dog Podcast Network for other dog-adjacent shows:

Dog Edition: our flagship show where a global team of dog-obsessed journalists and storytellers feature news, in-depth reporting, analysis, features, and interview segments

Dog Cancer Answers: which offers vetted advice from real veterinarians who answer your questions about dog cancer

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What it Means to be “Dog-Friendly” with Beth Miller | The Long Leash #69

Fri, 25 Nov 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Every dog-loving human has their own idea about what being dog-friendly means. For some, it’s the neighbor who switches to non-toxic snail bait. For others, it’s a dog water bowl in front of a business, or a grassy dog park in an otherwise quiet neighborhood.

But some humans have bigger ideas, like creating dog-friendly architecture and dog-friendly legislation. Dog-friendly school curriculums and dog-friendly business models. How do we include human's best friend in our life design efforts?

Beth Miller, the founder of Wagtown, joins us to talk about the macroeconomic and health benefits of dog-friendly planning. Her non-profit helps communities define what dog-friendly means to them … and then become more dog friendly.

In Miller’s world, dollars follow dogs. Creating more dog-friendly spaces impacts economic development, business growth, housing markets … and even our own lifespans, which are longer when we share them with dogs.

Wagtown has been involved in many dog-friendly planning projects. Beth shares how they changed patio laws for the state of Ohio in a “Pups on Patio” campaign. Wagtown also assisted local law enforcement officers in building a working relationship with community dog walkers. Listen and be inspired to create a more dog-friendly future for all humanity!

Episode Links

Wagtown

This episode is sponsored in part by EverPup and BarkBox.

Chapters

0:00 Introduction

1:36 What does it mean to be dog-friendly?

3:12 Dog friendliness desert

4:50 Dog friendliness is a factor of location

8:29 What is Wagtown?

13:22 Interviewing 600 people

14:25 What to consider when building a new dog park

19:22 Building dog friendly spaces

20:26 The economic benefits of being dog-friendly

21:00 Pups on patios

27:19 Future of a dog-friendly society

29:09 Dog walkers working with law enforcement

30:52 Outro

About Dog Podcast Network (DPN)

Check out Dog Podcast Network for other dog-adjacent shows:

Dog Edition: our flagship show where a global team of dog-obsessed journalists and storytellers feature news, in-depth reporting, analysis, features, and interview segments

Dog Cancer Answers: which offers vetted advice from real veterinarians who answer your questions about dog cancer

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Sommelier's Guide to Pairing Dogs with Wine with Michele Gargiulo | The Long Leash #68

Fri, 18 Nov 2022 11:00:00 -0000

How do you pair wine with something that’s not food? Our guest today says it’s simple: compare the personalities and traits of both. And yes, you can pair wine with dogs!

Michele Gargiulo, certified sommelier, wanted to sprinkle some joy into the winery world, which she says takes itself far too seriously. In her book Pairing Paws, Gargiulo discerns the distinctive personalities of various vintages and a multitude of mutts … and makes a compelling argument for which goes with what.

Sound weird? Maybe. Not everyone thought this book was a good idea. Gargiulo’s personal story about writing and publishing her quirky and fabulous book started out as a romantic adventure tale, but soon turned tragic when her boyfriend died. Gargiulo credits her dog, Riesling, with keeping her moving and bringing love and light back into her story.

Episode Links

Pairing Paws by Michele Gargiulo

Azores Wine Company Arinto dos Açores White to be paired with Maltese

This episode is sponsored in part by EverPup and BarkBox.

Chapters

0:00 Introduction

1:26 Pairing Paws the book

11:19 Pairing dogs with wine

15:49 How do you publish a book?

22:31 What it REALLY means to be a master sommelier

24:02 Making the wine world more accessible

26:24 Surviving the loss of a loved one

30:16 Outro

About Dog Podcast Network (DPN)

Check out Dog Podcast Network for other dog-adjacent shows:

Dog Edition: our flagship show where a global team of dog-obsessed journalists and storytellers feature news, in-depth reporting, analysis, features, and interview segments

Dog Cancer Answers: which offers vetted advice from real veterinarians who answer your questions about dog cancer

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When a Vet Oncologist Gets Cancer with Dr. Renée Alsarraf | The Long Leash #67

Fri, 11 Nov 2022 11:00:00 -0000

For more than two decades Dr. Renée Alsarraf treated cancer in her canine patients. Then, at age fifty-one, she was diagnosed with cancer herself … and so was her boxer, Newton.

The healing nature of their bond helped Dr. Alsarraf fight. Newton acted as her guide dog through chemo, therapy, and recovery.

Dr. Alsarraf joins us to share what’s she learned about cancer from her own ordeal. There are similarities in between the species that she understands more deeply than ever. The lessons she learned on her journey she incorporates into her current veterinary practice.

Now cancer-free, Dr. Alsarraf connects with the parents of sick animals with a new level of empathy and experience.

Dogs teach us how to live well, if we pay attention – and Dr. Alsarraf pays attention. She has chronicled her extraordinary experience in her book “Sit, Stay, Heal.”

Episode Links

Sit, Stay, Heal: What Dogs Can Teach us About Living Well by Dr. Renée Alsarraf

This episode is sponsored in part by EverPup and BarkBox.

About Dog Podcast Network (DPN)

Check out Dog Podcast Network for other dog-adjacent shows:

Dog Edition: our flagship show where a global team of dog-obsessed journalists and storytellers feature news, in-depth reporting, analysis, features, and interview segments

Dog Cancer Answers: which offers vetted advice from real veterinarians who answer your questions about dog cancer

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Emotional Cost of Being a Vet with George Melillo | The Long Leash #66

Fri, 04 Nov 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Veterinarians are animal lovers, and many expect their career to be all about spending quality time with animals. Reality is a little different, though.

First, veterinary school is hard. It’s also expensive. When vets graduate, their starting yearly salary might be half of their debt burden.

Practicing animal medicine is an emotional roller coaster, and every day features new and more loop-the-loops. Over the course of a single workday, a general practice veterinarian goes from handling a playful kitten to helping someone understand their pet is dying.

This daily fluctuation in emotional tone is sometimes called the killing-caring paradox. It can take a heavy toll on caregivers.

And now things are changing. Pet health providers have responded to pet parents viewing their dogs and cats as family members. The medicine is better, the vet practice is safer, and the stakes are even higher than they have been.

Where does that leave the veterinarians?

On today’s show, we discuss changes in veterinary medicine, and how to improve wellness for those who care for our pets.

George Melillo is the CEO and founder of a chain of veterinary hospitals called Heart + Paw. In his hospitals, the veterinarian’s mental well-being is the priority … with the aim of improving pet care, as well.

George Melillo’s innovations may seem simple, but they could be seen as revolutionary. Aiming to reduce stress in an incredibly stressful profession, he gives veterinarians more autonomy when it comes to scheduling and includes pet parents are included in all aspects of care.

Join us as Dr. Melillo explains why his business approach will help animals and veterinarians alike.

Episode Links

Heart + Paw

Chapters

[00:00:00] Teaser

[00:00:14] Introduction

[00:01:41] Introducing George Melillo

[00:03:54] The Challenging Career of Veterinary Professionals

[00:06:04] High Rates of Veterinarian Suicide

[00:07:15] Creating a Safe Space for Veterinarians

[00:13:47] Changes in the Vet Industry

[00:16:33] Changes in the Industry as a Result of COVID

[00:22:55] Heart + Paw

[00:24:57] Giving Advice to your Past Self

[00:26:17] Outro

About Dog Podcast Network (DPN)

Check out Dog Podcast Network for other dog-adjacent shows:

Dog Edition: our flagship show where a global team of dog-obsessed journalists and storytellers feature news, in-depth reporting, analysis, features, and interview segments

Dog Cancer Answers: which offers vetted advice from real veterinarians who answer your questions about dog cancer

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Place to Call Home for Senior Dogs with Valerie Reid | The Long Leash #65

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Today on the show, Valerie Reid, who started the non-profit Whispering Willows Senior Dog Sanctuary. The mission? To provide an extraordinary retirement community for senior dogs who find themselves unhoused and unhumaned.

Elderly dogs find their way to Valerie for one of several reasons. Their human may have passed, and their surviving family members can’t provide proper care. Other dogs come from horrendous hoarding situations. Others are rescued from horrible conditions at drug houses.

Peanut, who watches over Valerie throughout this conversation, is a drug house rescue. As he sits on Valerie’s lap, you would never guess this serene little one-eyed gentleman was found blistered and scalded and in desperate need of care. He was left in a cage in 90-degree weather with no food or water. Those who used the drug house he was rescued from didn’t let him out to pee, so he had terrible urine scald. His skin was blistered from the beating sun.

Who would take in such a pathetic creature, who had so much need? Whispering Willows, Valerie’s nonprofit.

Whispering Willows is a senior dogs’ paradise. A gracious home on five acres of fenced property in Missouri gives them shelter and food and companionship for the rest of their days. The dogs are never left alone or caged. They have free range to go where they want, whenever they want. They receive 24-hour care and live as a family with their Caregivers.

They are never, ever alone, right up until the end.

About Valerie Reid

Valerie Reid is the President and Founder of Whispering Willows. Since starting the sanctuary, Whispering Willows has been able to offer full time care for over 600 senior dogs. Over 550 of those seniors have passed over the Rainbow Bridge, with love being whispered until their last breath.

Episode Links

Whispering Willows Senior Dog Sanctuary

About Dog Podcast Network (DPN)

Check out Dog Podcast Network for other dog-adjacent shows:

Dog Edition: our flagship show where a global team of dog-obsessed journalists and storytellers feature news, in-depth reporting, analysis, features, and interview segments

Dog Cancer Answers: which offers vetted advice from real veterinarians who answer your questions about dog cancer

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Making Your Vet Visit Fear Free with Dr. Marty Becker | The Long Leash #64

Fri, 21 Oct 2022 15:19:50 -0000

Dr. Marty Becker has devoted his life to helping animals in need. For many years he made regular appearances on national TV shows such as Good Morning America and Dr. Oz. That is where he got his moniker as America’s Vet.

He has owned or co-owned seven different veterinary hospitals, lectured to veterinarians on six continents, and has written 25 books (selling over 8 million copies with three New York Times bestsellers).

On today’s show, Dr. Marty Becker shares the impact fear can have on your dog—especially when it comes to vet visits. He believes fear is the worst thing any social species can experience, and it is his mission to educate pet professionals and pet owners to eliminate fear-filled experiences.

That’s why he founded Fear Free. Dr. Marty Becker and his team are taking the “pet” out of “petrified” by eliminating and alleviating fear, anxiety, and stress in pets. What should you look for when selecting a vet? How can you make the waiting room experience less stressful? How do you examine a pet on their terms?

Dr. Marty Becker tells all in this incredible discussion. He also gives us a sneak peak into a new direction of pet health, and its nothing to yawn about...

About Dr. Marty Becker

Dr. Becker was the resident veterinary contributor on "Good Morning America" for 17 years. He is currently a member of the Board of Directors of American Humane as well as its Chief Veterinary Correspondent. His special fondness for older pets has led him to a spot on the Advisory Board of The Grey Muzzle Organization, which is dedicated to helping homeless senior dogs.

A passionate advocate for the human-animal bond, Dr. Becker practices at North Idaho Animal Hospital because he loves veterinary medicine, pets, and the people who care for them.

Dr. Marty Becker: https://www.drmartybecker.com/

Episode Links

Dog Edition episode #55: The Lost Dogs of War in Ukraine

Fear Free pets

About Dog Podcast Network (DPN)

Check out Dog Podcast Network for other dog-adjacent shows:

Dog Edition: our flagship show where a global team of dog-obsessed journalists and storytellers feature news, in-depth reporting, analysis, features, and interview segments

Dog Cancer Answers: which offers vetted advice from real veterinarians who answer your questions about dog cancer

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My Life as a Hollywood Animal Trainer with Mark Harden | The Long Leash #63

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 13:25:00 -0000

It’s likely that you have watched some of the animals Mark Harden has trained. Do any of these titles ring a bell: Stuart Little, Hachiko, Dracula, Arachnophobia, or Pirates of the Caribbean?

Mark takes us behind the scenes to show us the art of animal training and Hollywood production. How do you use makeup to make a dog look old? How do you keep a dog actor in perpetual puppyhood? How has CGI transformed animal acting in Hollywood?

After forty years in the business, there isn’t anything Mark doesn’t know.

Mark has trained many species, but he says dogs are special. They can learn complex behaviours and portray a range of emotions that most other animals simply cannot.

During this conversation, Mark shares with us the life of a wild animal trainer who transitioned to working in Hollywood … who has embraced the occupational hazard of adopting dogs from the set.

About Mark Harden

Hollywood animal trainer Mark Harden has worked with and trained animals of all sizes and species, from elephants to ants. In a career spanning over four decades, he has trained animals to act on the sets of major blockbuster hits, like Pirates of the Caribbean, The Jungle Book: Mowgli’s Story, Dennis the Menace, and Captain Marvel. He has been married to Lori since 1983. They have three children.

Mark Harden IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0362103/

About Dog Podcast Network (DPN)

Check out Dog Podcast Network for other dog-adjacent shows:

Dog Edition: our flagship show where a global team of dog-obsessed journalists and storytellers feature news, in-depth reporting, analysis, features, and interview segments

Dog Cancer Answers: which offers vetted advice from real veterinarians who answer your questions about dog cancer

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When a Swimming Legend met a Water Rescue Dog with Lynne Cox | The Long Leash #62

Fri, 07 Oct 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Throughout her life, super swimmer Lynne Cox has been making waves; she has swum the Nile, around the Cape of Good Hope, and more than a mile in Antarctic waters. She was also the first person to swim the Bering Strait. This accomplishment earned her praise from both U.S. President Reagan and Soviet leader Gorbachev.

Lynne has swum nearly 55,000 miles (that’s two trips around the world!) in dangerous, open water. So, when she saw a video of a rescue dog fearlessly leaping from a helicopter, she was mesmerized. On today’s show, Lynne shares how she recognized a kindred spirit in that daredevil dog, and how she joined the Italian School of Water Rescue Dogs.

What does it take for a chocolate Newfoundland named Al to become an expert water rescue dog? A lot of heart, a couple of dog treats, and one furry hero.

Cover art image provided by: Steven Gronfenbrenner

Episode Links

Italian School of Water Rescue Dogs (SICS): http://www.academyofwaterrescue.org/

About Lynne Cox

Lynne Cox is an American long-distance open-water swimmer, motivational speaker, and author. Over the course of more than 35 years, Lynne accomplished swims setting world records and opening borders, contributed to medical research, supported environmental causes, and inspired people to overcome great obstacles. She is best known for her swim across the Bering Strait from the United States to the Soviet Union 7 August 1987. She twice held the overall record for the fastest crossing of the English Channel from England to France and has completed over 60 challenging swims around the world, holding over 50 world records.

Lynne Cox: https://www.lynnecox.com/

Books Written by Lynne Cox

Swimming to Antarctica: Tales of a Long-Distance Swimmer

Tales of Al: The Water Rescue Dog

Swimming in the Sink: A Memoir

About Dog Podcast Network (DPN)

Check out Dog Podcast Network for other dog-adjacent shows:

Dog Edition: our flagship show where a global team of dog-obsessed journalists and storytellers feature news, in-depth reporting, analysis, features, and interview segments

Dog Cancer Answers which offers vetted advice from real veterinarians who answer your questions about dog cancer

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sit, Stay, Speak...with Buttons! with Leo Trottier | The Long Leash #61

Fri, 30 Sep 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Do dogs have abstract thoughts? What do they dream about? Do they understand us? Do they know each other’s names? We have so many questions!

And lately, it seems, we may be getting answers … from dogs themselves.

Cognitive scientist Leo Trottier is confirming what dog lovers already suspect: our pets have complex inner lives and can directly communicate with humans. He is gathering evidence for his hypothesis using recordable communication buttons.

Leo is the CEO of Clever Path. His company has developed a tool dog parents use to record commands like “outside” or “playtime” into an easy-to-press button. There is no limit to the number of buttons that can be added, nor the “conversations” you can have with your dog.

In this interview, Leo shares the science behind these talking buttons and the psychology of communication. He also shares what he hopes will come next in his research.

With new technology on the horizon, getting a text message from your dog while at work isn’t so far-fetched.

About Leo Trottier

Leo Trottier is a unique blend of cognitive scientist, software engineer, product designer, and entrepreneur. He is founder and CEO of CleverPet, a startup that uses smart hardware to teach pets automatically through advanced cognitive and behavioral science techniques. Leo is an alumnus of San Diego’s EvoNexus and the Qualcomm Robotics Accelerator (powered by Techstars). He has a degree from the cognitive science and A.I. program at the University of Toronto, and started CleverPet while a PhD candidate at UC San Diego. Before CleverPet, Leo ran Scholarpedia, Wikipedia’s academic equivalent, where he worked with Nobel Laureates to “wikify scholarly canons.”

FluentPet’s website: https://fluent.pet/

The original talking buttons on CleverPet: https://clever.pet/

Question forum for CleverPet buttons: https://how.theycantalk.org/c/home

Episode Links

See the video of the grieving cat here.

FluentPet on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fluentpet/

FluentPet on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FluentPet

FluentPet on Twitter: https://twitter.com/fluentpet

About Dog Podcast Network (DPN)

Check out Dog Podcast Network for other dog-adjacent shows:

Dog Edition: our flagship show where a global team of dog-obsessed journalists and storytellers feature news, in-depth reporting, analysis, features, and interview segments

Dog Cancer Answers which offers vetted advice from real veterinarians who answer your questions about dog cancer

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A Journalist’s Journey to Save her Boxer with Jane Cowan | The Long Leash #60

Fri, 23 Sep 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Jane Cowan is an Australian journalist who has reported from around the world, including as a foreign correspondent in the United States. But as life would have it, her biggest assignment as an investigative journalist would be her own attempt to save her dog’s life.

Jane spent 20 years at Australia’s national broadcaster the ABC, reporting internationally on the biggest news stories and most elevated subjects, winning awards along the way. Upon her return home to Australia to work as a photojournalist, she (finally) adopted the dog she’d longed for over the years.

Her joy over her new puppy, Shiva, a boxer, didn’t last. The happy, healthy 18-month-old suddenly found himself unable to bend down or move his neck. He was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition and prescribed steroids as treatment.

But the steroids risked organ damage … leading Jane to wonder about alternatives. Her investigative journey lead her into the sometimes counter-intuitive world of canine health and wellbeing. Soon, she was leveraging her decades in hard news reportage to write a book on how to raise a healthier dog.

About Jane Cowan

Jane Cowan is the author of Supercanine: How to Raise a Healthier Dog or Revitalize a Sick One. The book is drawn from her experiences restoring her own dog’s health after drug damage caused by steroids prescribed for an autoimmune condition. Jane spent two decades as an award-winning journalist for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, including six years as a foreign correspondent based in the United States, before walking away from it all to apply her investigative training to canine health and wellbeing. She writes the Boxer Dog Diaries, a comprehensive resource for Boxer owners and the blog Shiny Happy Doggy.

The Boxer Dog Diaries: https://boxerdogdiaries.com/

Shiny Happy Doggy: https://shinyhappydoggy.com/home/

Episode Links

Supercanine book: https://boxerdogdiaries.com/book-supercanine/

How to Raw Feed Your Dog online course: https://www.subscribepage.com/s4h5g1

About Dog Podcast Network (DPN)

Check out Dog Podcast Network for other dog-adjacent shows:

Dog Edition: our flagship show where a global team of dog-obsessed journalists and storytellers feature news, in-depth reporting, analysis, features, and interview segments

Dog Cancer Answers: which offers vetted advice from real veterinarians who answer your questions about dog cancer

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Combining Archaeology & Canine Forensics with Alex DeGeorgey | The Long Leash #59

Fri, 16 Sep 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Wildfires move rapidly and destroy everything in their path within minutes. In the chaos of evacuation, many have little warning and must leave immediately. Some don't even have time to grab a family member's urn. Can these cremains be recovered in the devastation?

Alex DeGeorgey is the principal investigator at an archaeological consulting firm. When a coworker lost his home in a wildfire (and his father's urn inside), Alex wanted to help. He discovered a way to incorporate the incredible power of dog’s noses into his archaeological toolbox.

Working with the Institute for Canine Forensics, Alex founded the Alta Heritage Foundation. Their mission? To provide solace to families who have lost their loved ones, twice. In today’s show, Alex shares with us how dogs are helping recover those precious cremains.

About Alta Heritage Foundation

It is our mission is to use applied archaeology techniques in support of humanitarian efforts; to provide heritage educational opportunities; to foster historic preservation events; to address climate change impacts to cultural resources; and to provide support to students, academic institutions, and non-profit organizations conducting archaeology or historic preservation activities.

https://altahf.org/

About Alex DeGeorgey

Alex’s professional career began in 1994. Since that time, he has completed projects with both public agencies and the private sector engaged in the management of cultural resources. He manages prehistoric and historic-era resources investigations, including directing large-scale field studies and assembling field teams.

https://www.altaac.com/

About The Long Leash

Dogs know that the most delicious and nourishing treats are often found on the ground. In The Long Leash, we rescue tasty scraps from the editing room floor in an unscripted interview show. Go behind the scenes of a fledgling podcast network dedicated to helping improve the quality of life for dogs and the people who love them.

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Check out Dog Podcast Network for other dog-adjacent shows.

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Confronting Past Trauma with Golden Courage with Ward Serrill | The Long Leash # 58

Fri, 09 Sep 2022 10:00:00 -0000

An exile from Corporate America, Ward Serrill sought the untamed Alaskan wilderness to discover himself … and found himself fighting off demons from his abusive childhood. Alone in a cabin far from other humans, despairing and lonely, he found himself in communion with one other person: his yellow Labrador. Woody’s steadfast companionship and love inspired Ward to gather his courage, confront his past, and change his future.

Their extraordinary story is captured in Serrill’s memoir, To Crack the World Open. Join us as the author and award-winning documentary filmmaker leads a heart-to-heart conversation about love, dogs, healing ... and how imagination can often conjure up our best self-therapy.

About Ward Serrill

Ward Serrill is the award-winning writer and director of The Heart of the Game, released by Miramax to wide critical acclaim as well as The Bowmakers. He has created more than ninety short films including Building One House with Robert Redford and Wild America with Sissy Spacek. His fourth feature, Dancing with the Dead: the Life and Times of Red Pine, is in production. Ward’s memoir, To Crack the World Open – Solitude, Alaska, and a Dog Named Woody is published by Girl Friday Books.

To purchase To Crack the Word Open – Solitude, Alaska, and a Dog Named Woody by Ward Serrill, click here.

For more about Dancing with the Dead, Red Pine and the Art of Translation, click here.

https://wardserrill.com/

Episode Links

Dog Edition: Dogs as Healers

About The Long Leash

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My Life Transformed by a Golden Angel with Dean Koontz | The Long Leash # 57

Fri, 02 Sep 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Dean Koontz has written more than 100 novels and sold over 500 million copies worldwide. And just like us, this international bestselling author absolutely loves dogs. In this special episode, Dean shares his story of a life transformed by the love of a good dog.

An admitted workaholic, Dean says he only learned to live in the moment after he adopted Trixie, his golden retriever. Not only did she enforce reasonable working hours, but she taught the writing legend to open his eyes to the wonder of the world around them.

Join us for a conversation about loving and respecting dogs, and the pivotal role that they play in our lives.

Episode Links

Canine Companions for Independence: https://canine.org/

“The Big Dark Sky” by Dean Koontz: https://www.deankoontz.com/my-new-novel-available-for-pre-order-2/

About Dean Koontz

International bestselling author Dean Koontz has written more than 105 novels, a number of novellas and short stories, and has sold over 500 million copies to date. Fourteen of his novels have risen to number one on the New York Times hardcover bestseller list, making him one of only a dozen writers ever to have achieved that milestone. After graduating from Shippensburg State College Dean Koontz wrote nights and weekends around other jobs to launch his career as an author. With the support of his wife Gerda, Dean eventually made his mark and she eventually quit her job to run the business end of her husband’s writing career. The couple live in Southern California with their golden retriever, Elsa, and the enduring spirit of their goldens now passed, Trixie and Anna.

https://www.deankoontz.com/

About The Long Leash

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Presidential Pooches with Andrew Hager | The Long Leash #56

Fri, 19 Aug 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Many dogs have helped men with presidential ambitions get elected, and one even helped a President prevent nuclear catastrophe.

Andrew Hager, Historian-in-Residence at the Presidential Pet Museum, joins host James Jacobson to discuss the presidential pooches who have pooped on the White House lawn. Ronald Reagan had Lucky. JFK was gifted Pushinka. Richard Nixon defended Checkers. Most American Presidents have been dog lovers, too … even dogs so naughty one was named Satan.

Andrew tells tall tales about the dogs we’ve loved, including our current #DOTUS (Dog of the United States), and the first shelter dog, Major.

About Andrew Hager

Andrew Hager has been historian-in-residence at the Presidential Pet Museum since 2017. Prior to that, he spent a decade teaching middle school social studies for Baltimore County Public Schools. He graduated from Towson University with an undergraduate degree in Political Science and a Master’s in the Art of Teaching. Andrew understands firsthand the power of a canine companion. He is legally blind and travels with a black Labrador Retriever guide dog named Sammy. Andrew also has two cats, a fish, and a fluffy mixed-breed rescue dog named Emmy.

About ALL-AMERICAN DOGS: A History of Presidential Pets from Every Era by Andrew Hager

Not only is the book filled with incredible facts about presidential pets, but Hager includes his original research and some rare photographs from the National Archives to trace the history of America’s first dogs as well. Readers will learn not only past presidents’ dogs in each historical era, but also the cultural history of dogs as pets too. This book is perfect for pet-lovers and history-buffs alike!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59314717-all-american-dogs

About the Presidential Pet Museum

Founded by Claire McClean in 1999, the Presidential Pet Museum was established as a means of preserving information, artifacts, and items related to the presidential pets in an educational and fun way.

https://www.presidentialpetmuseum.com/

Episode Links

Millie’s Book by Barbara Bush

Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids’ Letters to the First Pets by Hillary Clinton

https://theovalpawffice.com/

https://www.instagram.com/first_dogs_usa/

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When Your Child Asks for a Dog with Ciaran Walsh | The Long Leash #55

Fri, 05 Aug 2022 10:00:00 -0000

One-Eyed Leo is not the usual children’s book. It takes children and their parents on a journey of discovery, love, life, play, learning, joy and heartbreak when it comes to dog ownership. But it is a story like no other, where, as Ciaran Walsh explains ‘the magic of everyday tasks appears in the detail and vanishes into the cold reality of responsibility’.

Within the 38 pages of this powerful book, the idea of owning a dog is explored in an educational and realistic way. In fact, Ciaran is possibly the only author in the world who is happy that people don’t like his book, because there is a much bigger play at stake.

Ciaran Walsh is a humble Irishman, who makes clear that One Eyed Leo is definitely a team effort, with 50 experts contributing to the book and it is one he hopes will open eyes, change minds and give children and parents alike, a renewed appreciation about pet ownership.

When Your Child Asks You for a Dog Survey

If you would like to participate in the survey for Ciaran, reach out to him via his email at ciaran@doginternetofthings.com and don’t forget to mention you were sent by Dog Podcast Network!

About Ciaran Walsh

Ciaran Walsh is the Founder at Dog Internet of Things, an internet platform that assists would be dog owners to consider all the responsibilities and all aspects of canine ownership. Ciaran is behind “One-Eyed Leo”, a book for children and parents and the latest innovation in pre-adoption welfare. Seeking partners to bring it global. Dog Internet of Things is an on-line business dedicated to changing dog welfare from pre-adoption to the end of the journey. It provides an on-line basic education in dog ownership. Ideal for anyone considering the idea of getting a dog, or for anyone seeking to improve their relationship with their pet. This venture has been supported by the Local Enterprise Board, Enterprise Ireland and won the Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Academy Award 2019.

Dog Internet of Things: https://www.doginternetofthings.ie/

Rebound Dog: https://reboundog.com/

About The Long Leash

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Changing the Dog Catcher Narrative with Ed Jamison | The Long Leash #54

Fri, 22 Jul 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Ed Jamison is an animal welfare pioneer. Using data to convince sceptics, he has helped governments in Ohio and Texas transform their animal control programs into animal welfare programs.

Ed’s initiative City Dogs rebranded bully breeds to convince locals that pit bulls are great pets to adopt. He built play yards at the Ohio city shelter, complete with pools, and filled social media with clips of pitties playing together. To further make the point that pitties are great pets, he started a jogging group for marathon trainers to run with shelter dogs ... and take them to dog-friendly bars and cafes. His work in Texas was similarly revolutionary, and his methods have been replicated all over the country, saving lives and improving life quality for dogs and humans alike.

Ed recently joined Operation Kindness, a no-kill shelter in Carrollton, Texas, as director. For the first time, his work is non-governmental. He speaks with host James Jacobson about how private support and funding have expanded his already big ideas.

About Operation Kindness

While the organization has evolved since 1976, they have always remained committed to giving every animal the care and kindness they deserve. Its mission is to care for homeless cats and dogs in a no-kill environment until each is adopted into responsible homes and to advocate humane values and behavior.

Operation Kindness has a robust enrichment program to keep our dogs and cats entertained while at the shelter. They make use of egg cartons, toilet paper rolls, gallon jugs, unworn socks, and paper grocery bags! Donations can be dropped off at the shelter at 3201 Earhart Drive in Carrollton, TX.

https://www.operationkindness.org/

About Ed Jamison

Ed Jamison became CEO of Operation Kindness in March of 2021. Previously, Ed was Chief Animal Control Officer for the City of Cleveland. He then served as the Director of Dallas Animal Services (DAS), where he led a staff of more than 200 employees, rebuilt the volunteer base, and instituted new, progressive programming. Ed’s policies and programs have been copied all over the country. He is currently the President of Texas Unites, Vice President of the National Animal Care & Control Association, and Board Member for the Association of Animal Welfare Advancement and Shelter Animals Count. Ed’s love for animals means that he also has many pets at home, including a few foster fails. His pets include his dogs (Gurble and Esme), cats (Bertram, Deliah, Riley, Weston, Nestor, Merwin, Scrappy, and Kiwi), goldfish (Iragoo), cows (Cookie, Sprout, and Oliver), and miniature donkeys (Fern and Evie).

Episode Links

Shelter Animals Count: https://www.shelteranimalscount.org/

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Tales of Dogs We’ve Loved with Jim Mitchem | The Long Leash #53

Fri, 08 Jul 2022 10:00:00 -0000

“He was not old. It was not his time, I will spare you the drama, except to say: I lived in the pupil of his eye.” -Dead Dog by Lisa Underwood.

That poem is one of 52 stories from people around the world in author Jim Mitchem’s book “Gone Dogs” – a tribute to the dogs that have left us, written by the people who loved them. But this crowd-sourced book only came to be after Jim wrote a blog post about his dog’s passing. This simple tribute generated so much love and support, Jim realized something profound: All dog owners have something important in common — eventually, we must all say goodbye.

In this this episode, Jim tells the story behind the many heart-warming tributes in the book, but also how writing “Gone Dogs” changed his life.

About Gone Dogs

Gone Dogs is a crowd-sourced book about the dogs of our lifetimes. Dogs who are gone, but who will never be forgotten. Written by Jim Mitchem and his partner, designer and artist Laurie Smithwick, this anthology contains 52 stories by people from around the world sharing the dogs of their lives.

In Jim’s own words: “I'm reminded of why this book is important every time someone tells me how much they love it, or how it's helped them overcome the grief of their own gone dogs. That was the idea--to put something beautiful into the world that anyone who has ever loved a dog can identify with. Deeply.”

About Jim Mitchem

Episode Links

Jim Mitchem: https://www.QuickLikeMongoose.com

Gone Dogs: https://gonedogs.com/

Gone Dogs Facebook Support Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/152597186732544

Other Links

Puppies are A$$holes: https://www.puppiesareassholes.com/

About The Long Leash

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Winning at Westminster with Kate Basedow | The Long Leash #52

Fri, 01 Jul 2022 14:49:25 -0000

The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show has been in existence longer than the AKC. And winning a title is a pretty big deal. Kate Basedow has participated in dog shows since she was an infant. Her dog of choice? The majestic Belgian Tervuren.

Kate shares with us life beyond the showroom floor, giving us a behind-the-scenes perspective about the work, passion, and love that goes into showing these dogs. Though there are many highs and lows, the incredible thrill of being named Best of Breed is almost indescribable...as Kate would know!

Kate Basedow is the Associate Producer of Dog Cancer Answers, a DPN show that offers vetted advice to those dealing with dog cancer. We are happy to celebrate

More About DPN

Check out Dog Podcast Network for other dog-adjacent shows:

The Long Leash where we rescue tasty scraps from the editing room floor in an unscripted interview show

Dog Cancer Answers which offers vetted advice from real veterinarians who answer your questions about dog cancer

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Dogs on Deployment with Alisa Johnson | The Long Leash #051

Fri, 24 Jun 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Service members in the United States face unfathomable difficulties throughout their careers. The last thing they need to worry about is their pet's care while they are away fighting for their country. The unconditional love of a canine companion can be one of the best things in the world, and those in service shouldn’t have to miss out on that. But what happens to their dogs when they are deployed?

Speaking with us today is Alisa Johnson, CEO of Dogs on Deployment. She and her husband, Sean, co-founded the nonprofit “dating service” that matches military personnel about to deploy with volunteers to care for their pets while they are away. Sean served as a Navy helicopter pilot, and Alisa as a Marine Corps, KC-130J transportation pilot and aircraft commander. Together, they have helped over 2,500 pets find boarding homes and have granted more than $850,000 to military pet owners.

About Dogs On Deployment

DoD is a 501(c)(3) national non-profit which provides an online network for service members to search for volunteers who are willing to board their pets during their owner's service commitments. Dogs on Deployment promotes responsible, life-long pet ownership by military pet owners by advocating for military pet owner rights, providing educational resources and granting financial assistance for military pet owners during times of emergency.

https://www.dogsondeployment.org/

About Alisa Johnson

Captain Alisa Sieber-Johnson served active duty in the US Marine Corps for nine years and was a KC-130J transportation pilot and aircraft commander. During her service, she found herself in need for a program like Dogs on Deployment (DoD) for her own dog due to a military commitment, when none existed. With an entrepreneurial spirit and the support of her husband, Shawn, she launched and grew DoD while simultaneously serving. Now a veteran, she proudly runs DoD full time. She is also a mother of two young daughters, two dogs, and one cat.

About The Long Leash

Thank you for joining us! Dogs know that the most delicious and nourishing treats are often found on the ground. In “The Long Leash,” we rescue tasty scraps from the editing room floor in an unscripted interview show

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Fate and Bull Terriers with Martha Teichner | The Long Leash #50

Fri, 10 Jun 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Martha Teichner's journalist career started in 1977, and she has reported on every topic you can think of. Her incredible voice and poised presence has been the vehicle through which we’ve learned about war, apartheid, pandemics, politics, and so much more.

Since 1993, Teichner has entered our living rooms every week as a correspondent on CBS Sunday Morning. So, when Teichner’s first book was published, many were surprised. It wasn’t about politics, or behind the scenes at the network, or about her work overseas.

For decades Martha Teichner brought us the world, but in her memoir, she brings us her world. When Harry Met Minnie is a “tail” of love and friendship.

A chance encounter leads to Teichner’s brilliant new friendship with a dying woman named Carol Fertig, and a love match between two bull terriers.

They say that we don’t rescue dogs, but they rescue us … and it often feels like we are fated to be together. For Teichner, the guiding hand of fate is evident from the first moment she hears Carol’s name to the bonding of Harry and Minnie.

And all along the way, this remarkable storyteller details how she came to understand the real meaning of love and saying yes to fate.

Whether you believe in fate or not, if you believe in friends, and you believe in dogs, this episode is a must-listen.

About Martha Teichner

Martha Teichner has been a correspondent for “CBS Sunday Morning” since December 1993, where she’s equally adept at covering major breaking national and international news stories as she is handling in-depth cultural and arts topics. Since joining CBS News in 1977, Teichner has earned multiple national awards for her original reporting, including twelve Emmy Awards and five James Beard Foundation Awards. Teichner was also part of team coverage of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, which earned CBS News a 2014 duPont-Columbia Award. Teichner was born in Traverse City, Michigan. She graduated from Wellesley College in 1969 with a bachelor’s degree in economics. She attended the University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business Administration. Teichner resides in New York City.

https://celadonbooks.com/book/when-harry-met-minnie/

Social Media Links

@CeladonBooks

@CBSSunday

About The Long Leash

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To Russia with Love: Some Hope in the Darkness with Debbie Deegan | The Long Leash #49

Fri, 27 May 2022 10:00:00 -0000

The war is reaching far beyond Ukraine's borders. Fear and loss can be felt across continents and oceans. But what can also be felt is the incredible resiliency and determination of the Ukrainian people and those who want to help.

One helper is Irish mom Debbie Deegan. She is no stranger to Russia, having traveled there over 500 times in the past 25 years. Her non-profit To Russia with Love (later renamed To Children with Love) worked to help improve the lives of Russian orphans. She even received Russia’s highest commendation for foreign nationals for her work and dined with Vladimir Putin as an esteemed guest.

On today’s show, Debbie tells us how she and her team transformed the lives of Russian children, the challenges of winning the trust of the locals, building self-confidence in the children, and teaching how to nurture.

By chance, Debbie closed her non-profit mere days before the war in Ukraine began. But it turned out that her work on behalf of children wasn’t complete. When she heard about a fleeing Ukrainian family that was forced to leave their dog, Debbie jumped to help reunite 86-year-old Granny with her beloved fur-kid, Tasha.

Whether it's helping orphans or reuniting an elderly grandma refugee with her beloved dog, Debbie’s compassion and pragmatic, action-oriented nature is inspiring … and an excellent role model for dog lovers in any nation.

About Debbie Deegan

Debbie is the Founder and CEO of To Children With Love. She has been working tirelessly in Russia since 1998 with the orphaned and abandoned children of the Bryansk Region. What started off as one woman’s promise to a child that she would come back to hug and kiss them has grown into a successful charity, doing life-changing work with thousands of orphaned and abandoned children across the Russian Federation.

In 2018 Debbie received the highest honor in Russia when she was given the Order of Friendship Award by President Vladimir Putin at a special ceremony in the Kremlin.

Debbie has a Diploma in Child Psychology, has studied Life Coaching and has taken many personal development courses during her years running the charity. She does not feel it is necessary to have letters after your name to make a huge difference in this world. Passion, combined with hard work, is her personal motto.

Debbie Deegan’s website: https://www.debbie-deegan.com/

Debbie’s blog: https://www.debbie-deegan.com/blog-2

Video of Tasha and Granny reunion: twitter ruinion

About The Long Leash

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Dog Movies that Make Us Cry Tears of Joy with Mark Bomback | The Long Leash #48

Fri, 13 May 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Mark Bomback had never made anyone cry with previous films. He is best known for action-packed movies like The War of Planet of the Apes and Total Recall. But after reading the best-selling book The Art of Racing in the Rain by author Garth Stein, Bomback did two things: adopted his yellow lab Jagger and wrote a tear-jerking-screenplay.

A golden retriever, Enzo (voice by Kevin Costner) believes that after dogs die, they are reincarnated as a human. This philosophy drives Enzo to learn everything he can from his racecar driving human played by Milo Ventimiglia. Enzo helps his family navigate moments of joy and great sorrow, paying close attention in the hopes that next time, he can be one of them.

Join host James Jacobson for a moving and funny conversation with Mark Bomback about love, dogs, and Enzo’s philosophy.

About Mark Bomback

In 1994 Mark Bomback got his first job: as an assistant for Eagles' guitarist Glenn Frey. He held that job for a year before going on to become a screenwriter. His first credited screenplay was The Night Caller (1998). He has since gone on to co-write the scripts for numerous blockbuster films, including Live Free or Die Hard (2007), The Wolverine (2013) and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014). He's also done uncredited rewrites on several other high-profile films, such as Fifty Shades of Grey (2015), Logan (2017) and The Mummy (2017.) His most recent project is the crime drama miniseries Defending Jacob produced by Apple TV+, and the American war drama film White Bird: A Wonder Story (2022).

The Art of Racing in the Rain on IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1478839/

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Insta-Fame and Loki the Wolfdog with Kelly Lund | The Long Leash #47

Fri, 29 Apr 2022 17:19:13 -0000

Loki the Wolf Dog is officially Instagram Famous with nearly 2 million followers. The gorgeous Husky/Malamute/Wolf takes his human Kelly Lund on grand nature adventures, from crunching through hard snow in Grand Teton National Park to wading through the calm waters of Baja California. Kelly’s girlfriend Ally Couke and her dog Bailey trek beside them, while the rest of us scroll their stunning feed and drool. Their mission? To get us OFF our phones … so we can explore the world and make memories with our dogs.

On today’s episode, Kelly reveals what it REALLY takes to make your pup photo-famous. He also digs into the unique challenges that arise when you include a wolf mix in your pack.

Want to “hear” Loki’s Instafeed? Listen to our sister show DOG EDITION to hear some gorgeous audio postcards we created to narrate Loki’s Instagram adventures: Back to Nature with Our Dogs

About Loki the Wolf Dog

Loki the Wolf Dog is one of the most famous dogs on Instagram. His feed is chock-a-block with outdoor adventures with Kelly Lund, and his girlfriend Ally. The photos and videos they create are journal entries in a life well lived. Whether running through meadows or across beaches, snowboarding or driving 10,000 miles to Alaska, Loki and Kelly inspire us to get out, explore the world, and make memories with our own dogs. Must-follow for gorgeous images.

Loki the Wolf Dog: https://www.lokithewolfdog.com/

Loki on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loki/

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Humor, Reporting, and Personal Obsessions with Kelly Conaboy | The Long Leash #46

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Kelly Conaboy was an accomplished New York Magazine writer when she fostered – and quickly adopted – Peter, a small black dog. The quintessential New Yorker (currently writing for Gawker) found herself obsessed with her new roommate. As she rearranged her life to share it with Peter, she generated endless ideas for magazine stories … all of which were based on her own obsession with this amazing, soulful creature.

Her editors indulged Conaboy’s story pitches … to a point. When they finally told her “No more Peter-inspired stories,” she had to find another outlet. She turned to “dogoir” and penned her own canine memoir about her life with Peter.

The book is, like Conaboy, very funny. It’s also heartwarming. THE PARTICULARS OF PETER: Dance Lessons, DNA Tests, and Other Excuses to Hang Out with My Perfect Dog, takes the reader on a journey with Peter and Kelly as they seek to understand the very essence of Peter. Along the way they encounter and engage veterinarians, ghost hunters, dog dancers, and ethicists.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Conaboy reveals how her specific writing style is driven by her own quirky view of the world – and how Peter’s entrance amped up her unique blend of humor, reportage, and memoir.

The Particulars of Peter: Dance Lessons, DNA Tests, and Other Excuses to Hang Out with My Perfect Dog by Kelly Conaboy is available everywhere books are sold.

My Dog Tulip by J.R. Ackerley is available everywhere books are sold.

About Kelly Conaboy

Kelly Conaboy is a writer living in Brooklyn, NY. She is author of the book The Particulars of Peter, and is currently a senior features writer at Gawker.

Website: https://www.kellyconaboy.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kellyconaboy

Instagram: https://instagram.com/kellyconaboy

About The Long Leash

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When Preparation Meets Opportunity with Angela Medlin | The Long Leash #45

Fri, 25 Feb 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Angela Medlin is a design expert who designed products and directed creatives at brands like Nike, Adidas, Levi Strauss, and the North Face. But this self-described closet-entrepreneur always had side hustles … and in 2017 her dog, Wubbi, inspired her to start House Dogge, a collection of thoughtfully designed, sustainable, safe products for dogs AND their people.

There are literally thousands – tens of thousands – of steps every designer takes on the road from idea to product creation to market, and Medlin has thirty years of experience to light her way. She also has something else: fifty years of closely observing her own dogs, and her own self in relation to them.

Today Medlin joins us for a deep dive into the mindset behind her “overnight success” in her new business. She shares how taking Oprah’s advice to be authentic to herself and use intuition to guide her steps helped her at every step of her career … and to eventually draw the attention of Oprah’s Favorite Things. She also discusses the lonely experience of being a person of color in a field with fewer than 1% POC … and the way things have changed in recent years, as more Americans have come to appreciate the achievements of her and other BIPOC talents.

Medlin also reveals how her English Bulldog, Wubbi, taught her not only to care about carcinogen-free dog toys, but also how to greet new friends and how to choose the best spot in the room.

This thoughtful, absorbing, and clear conversation is, like Medlin’s toys and clothing, well-crafted, carefully considered, and refreshingly uncomplicated.

About Angela Medlin

Angela Medlin’s career experience as a professional product Designer and Director at brands that include Nike/ Jordan Brand, Adidas, Levi Strauss, The North Face, and other global companies lead her to this moment. She spent the majority of her career leading design teams in creating products that solve problems for the human consumer. Now, Medlin is using this same passion and extensive career experience to do the same for the canine consumers in House Dogge. The well being of dogs (and the people who love them) is prioritized in these nontoxic, sustainable, and beautiful products that address both consumers holistically. The brand has been featured in Oprah’s O magazine, Sunset, Better Homes & Gardens, Design Milk, and others. Consumers can purchase product on HouseDogge.com, dog boutiques, select home interior stores, and design specialty shops. Creating products that support dogs and their people is priority for the House Dogge Brand. The small batch collections continue to evolve prioritizing comfort, sustainability, and modern simplicity. In addition, Medlin is a creative mentor, serves as a design leader on multiple advisory boards, and is the Founder of the FAAS DESIGN COLLAB (www.faasdesigncollab.com) which provides creative and professional development to underrepresented creatives desiring to enter the product creation industry.

House Dogge website: https://www.housedogge.com/

House Dogge on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/housedogge/

House Dogge on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/housedogge/

FAAS Design Collab: www.faasdesigncollab.com

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Dogs as Therapists with Ward Serrill | The Long Leash #44

Fri, 11 Feb 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Ward Serrill wore three-piece suits and thought it was normal to go without touch when his accounting firm sent him north to a small town in Alaska. In that wild place, however, he touched a wild force within himself, one that called him to go further.

Further up the river, into the wilderness, into the cold, into himself. And his companion on this years-long self-isolation experiment? A Labrador named Woody, the pick of the litter, the prize pup he wrangled out of the breeder’s hands.

Alone in a shack and finally confronting his childhood demons – his mother’s suicide attempt while pregnant with him, his father’s alcoholism and violence – Ward found himself relying on Woody for basic lessons about being human.

The dog, raised in a loving and positive environment, became a model for the man. Ward learned what companionship, touch, and authenticity can do to the heart.

Ward’s extraordinary story of emerging from the devastation of a terrible childhood by following the lead of a dog is captured in his extraordinary memoir, To Crack the World Open.

The award-winning documentary filmmaker joins us for a heart-to-heart conversation about love, dogs, healing, and how imagination can often conjure up our best self-therapy.

To Crack the World Open on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Crack-World-Open-Solitude-Alaska-ebook/dp/B08XZMFY7C

Ward Serrill’s website: https://wardserrill.com/

Production House website: https://woodycreekpictures.com/

Ward Serrill on IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2024238/

Ward Serrill on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wardserrill/?hl=en

Ward Serrill on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ward.serrill

Ward Serill on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjCICnd1LaoPHNn9wNVXYuw

About Ward Serrill

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Teaching Dogs How to Talk with Leo Trottier | The Long Leash #43

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Leo Trottier isn’t the first scientist to get interested in inter-species communication – he credits Charles Darwin as the first modern mind to recognize that animals are not “dumb beasts” but our intellectual cousins.

But this life-long animal lover has done more than most cognitive scientists and learning experts to confirm it, with his “talking buttons” that help pets communicate directly with their human partners.

It turns out that you’re not crazy to think that you and your dog are communicating nonverbally. It’s possible, in fact, for dogs to ask for their preferred treats (even when there is no button for it), make a plan for the future, talk about their dreams, and even express grief.

Today’s conversation is rich in fact and meaning and emotion, just like a dog’s mind is. In this fascinating discussion, an excellent science communicator explains how and why better inter-species conversations are important … not just for the personal lives of the animals involved, but for the broader collective good.

Our companion animals may lead lives of quiet frustration. By speaking with each other, could we alleviate the epidemic of human loneliness that medical professionals consider a huge risk factor? Reduce behavioural problems that result in huge levels of euthanasia for companion animals? Increase the empathy levels in humans for our own and other species?

Dog brains are not dramatically different than human brains … and yet, we feel surprise and delight when our dogs do something unexpected. Welcome to Leo Trottier’s world, where he and his teams give dogs (and other animals) the tools they need to connect with us.

Don’t be surprised if, in a year or two, you’re getting a text message from your dog.

See the video of the cat grieving their friend here: https://www.reddit.com/r/PetsWithButtons/comments/rr0fwq/pets_grieve_too_i_had_to_put_down_two_of_my_15/

FluentPet website: https://fluent.pet/

Tips, Tricks, Do’s and Don’ts from the community: https://www.theycantalk.org/

Forum where you can ask questions: https://how.theycantalk.org/c/home

The original talking buttons on CleverPet: https://clever.pet/

FluentPet on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fluentpet/

FluentPet on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FluentPet

FluentPet on Twitter: https://twitter.com/fluentpet

About Leo Trottier

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Saving The Planet One Poop At A Time With Tracy Rosensteel | The Long Leash #42

Fri, 14 Jan 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Tracy Rosensteel, the entrepreneur behind Pooch Papers, got the idea for her product while walking her Frenchie, Indiana Jones, in New York City.

There they were, on every corner – garbage cans stuffed with single-use plastic bags filled with methane-emitting dog poop.

Not only was it stinky, it was very bad for the environment – and soon would be illegal, as single-use plastics are starting to banned in the U.S. Rosensteel, a super-savvy business woman, knew there was a better way to pick up poop.

And she was right. Her Pooch Papers are made from recycled paper, are completely biodegradable, and cut back on both methane and PFAS – those terrible micro-plastics that are polluting our soil and water.

In this wide-ranging and delightful conversation, Tracy talks about her work in the financial industry, her love for her dogs, and what it was really like to appear on Shark Tank and make her pitch.

About Tracy Rosensteel

A passionate entrepreneur, Tracy has spent the last twenty-five years launching businesses spanning industries from Wall Street to travel television shows, authoring children's books and her most recent endeavor, Pooch Paper. Made in the USA, Pooch Paper seeks to replace plastic doggie waste bags by offering a PFAS-free paper alternative to plastic, reducing microplastic, methane and plastic waste in landfills each year.

An avid adventurer, Tracy has participated in such hobbies as piloting single-engine airplanes, fly-fishing, competing in single, four and eight-man rowing sculls and playing on an all-men's ice hockey team. Passionate about life, Tracy is very excited about giving back to our beautiful planet with Pooch Paper, paving a cleaner way one pup at a time!

https://www.poochpaper.com

https://www.instagram.com/poochpaper

https://www.facebook.com/poochpaper

https://youtu.be/YTeZI9oy3DA

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-rosensteel-a61b256/

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Amy Shojai: Writing from a Dog’s View Point | The Long Leash #41

Fri, 07 Jan 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Want to learn more about dogs (and cats) without learning more about dogs (and cats)?

Pick up an Amy Shojai thriller. She’s written several, and while they are gripping narratives, they’re also entertaining ways to learn about animal psychology.

Her September and Shadow novels in particular are informed by decades of experience writing non-fiction pet books and helping clients as a certified animal behavior consultant (CABC).

In this wide-ranging and entertaining conversation, Shojai explains how her constant self-reinvention helps her career, how her dog overcame her resistance to adopting during the pandemic, how the rise of the internet made new stories and storytelling possible, and why dogs are people with fur … and cats are space aliens.

About Amy Shojai

Amy Shojai is a certified animal behavior consultant, and the award-winning author of 35+ dog (and cat) care books. She also writes the pet-centric thriller series featuring an animal behaviorist and her PTSD service dog.

amy@shojai.com

https://www.SHOJAI.COM

https://s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/redwood-labs/showpage/uploads/images/1c028183ee1b491499ced1ec8f70d1dd.jpg

Author

https://www.twitter.com/amyshojai

https://www.instagram.com/amyshojai

https://www.facebook.com/amyshojai.cabc

https://www.youtube.com/amyshojai-cabc

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyshojai/

https://www.pinterest.com/amyshojai

https://www.tiktok.com/@amyshojai_cabc

https://www.amazon.com/Amy-Shojai/e/B000APBYV4

About The Long Leash

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Jenna Mahan: Weird Things Dogs Get Into At The Holidays | The Long Leash #40

Fri, 17 Dec 2021 11:00:00 -0000

Jenna Mahan has seen a few things in her fifteen years as a registered veterinary technician and her ten years in Claims at Embrace Pet Insurance.

She joins us today for a sometimes hilarious, uncensored, no BS story session. She’s been in on some of the weirdest dog-related stories we’ve ever heard, from a bulldog whose vomit smelled like wine (but wasn’t) to finding a cat in the most unexpected place you can imagine.

Along the way she has tons of advice about hazards our pets face during the holiday season and how to avoid them … from strangling Christmas lights to tinsel to pancreatitis problems.

She also offers advice about how to evaluate your own pet insurance needs and touches on the business of pet insurance itself, and how the “wide open market” in the U.S., where only 2% of pet owners have it, is attracting opportunists.

An enlightening and entertaining conversation with a woman who has dedicated her career to helping people in crisis help their pets.

About Jenna Mahan

After 15 years working as a registered veterinary technician, Jenna joined Embrace as a claims adjuster in 2011. Jenna was promoted to lead, then manager, and was made Director of Claims and Chief Underwriter in 2017, leading a team of nearly 50 Embracers. Jenna is responsible for implementing time-saving system changes and advancements that get Embrace policyholders’ claims processed quickly and efficiently. Jenna began her career with an associate degree in Applied Science in Veterinary Technology and went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in Biology with minors in Chemistry and Theater from Bowling Green State University. She has five Embraced fur-kids — dogs Hazel, Lou, and Charlie; and cats Quinn and Harry.

https://www.embracepetinsurance.com/

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David Bessler: Revolutionizing Emergency Vet Medicine | The Long Leash #39

Fri, 10 Dec 2021 11:00:00 -0000

David Bessler thinks the traditional veterinary medical practice, with its separate treatment rooms, closed surgeries and recovery areas, and hard-to-reach veterinarians is not just outdated, but broken.

With nearly two decades of emergency veterinary medicine under his belt, and public education work at the Museum of Natural History and appearances on Sesame Street, he asserts a modern practice is oriented to people, service-based, open, and transparent. Decisions are shared, and authoritarian attitudes are abandoned.

His first Veterinary Emergency Group practice tested his ideas … and they worked. There are now 27 Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) locations, with more in the works.

Focusing exclusively on veterinary emergency medicine, each practice is completely transparent to the customers. For example: When you arrive, there is no paperwork … because your dog needs help NOW, not after you fill out a form; When you call with a medical question, you get an answer from a veterinarian … not a nurse or a receptionist; When you are waiting for attention for your dog’s torn toenail, and it takes a while to get it, you are relaxed and understanding … because you see the heroic efforts the veterinarians and staff are making on behalf of other animals.

Why do you see it? Because you’re all in one big treatment area. There is no “back room” in VEG hospitals. It’s all one open triage floor.

And because animal lovers all share an essential love and goodness, you may even feel called to help another person’s dog or cat that may be in more serious jeopardy than yours is … and you’ll feel great about it.

That’s all part of the point. Bessler and his partner, David Glattstein, have created a very different breed of veterinary medical practice, one that caters directly to human nature and appeals to our greatest ideals.

In this wide-ranging conversation with the charismatic and whipsmart David Bessler, we find out why he thinks that people are good, and why he tries so hard to create openness, togetherness, heroic efforts, and meaningful moments.

Also: why puns are an important part of his business’ culture.

About David Bessler

Dr. David Bessler has been a career emergency veterinarian since 2003. He spent time caring for reptiles at the Bronx Zoo, teaches “Veterinary Science” to elementary school children at the American Museum of Natural History and was even featured as Dr. Dave, teaching kids on Sesame Street.

Dr. Bessler has a vision to revolutionize emergency veterinary medicine through a holistic, radically open experience for the caregiver, customer and patient. In 2014, he purchased his first emergency vet hospital, which allowed him to bring his vision to life.

Today VEG (Veterinary Emergency Group) has 27 ERs for pets in 10 states, treats over three hundred thousand pet emergencies each year, and boasts the highest NPS in the veterinary industry.

Veterinary Emergency Group

See Dr. Dave on Sesame Street: https://youtu.be/z4P2cDXq2N4

Find a location near you: Veterinary Emergency Group Locations

Veterinary Emergency Group on Facebook

@veterinary_emergency_group on Instagram

About The Long Leash

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Jess Stone: Riding Far and Fast on 2 Wheels + 4 Paws | The Long Leash #38

Fri, 26 Nov 2021 11:00:00 -0000

When USAID worker Jess Stone fell in love with her fellow international aid worker now-husband Greg, she knew she would spend a lifetime on two wheels.

Greg was an inveterate, unrepentantly passionate motorcycle enthusiast, and Jess was a city girl who didn’t even drive stick.

But they loved each other, so they bought motorcycles in Liberia so Greg could teach her to ride. He turned out to be a less-than-patient teacher – but a great road partner.

Back in the states, they rode all over the continent and down to South America, stopping in Guatemala along the way and falling in love with the highlands, the people, and the culture.

Years later, Greg got a job with a Guatemalan nonprofit that provides microfinances for indigenous women. Once settled in Panajachel on a lake surrounded by three volcanoes, Jess finally realized her lifelong dream and got a dog.

Visiting a litter of German Shepherd pups, Jess took Greg’s sage advice to “pick the dog who picks you,” and Moxie joined their family. Moxie’s high energy told Jess she would be up for their epic motorcycle adventures … but her weight eliminated any of the current options for riding with them.

To keep her bike and their rides lightweight and supple, Jess and Greg created a new type of motorcycle dog carrier: a frame that is custom-made to fit the bike and dog in question, is lightweight, and totally secure. It’s called the K9 Moto Cockpit.

Creating the cockpit led to creating a company to make them for other moto folks, and pretty soon, GoRuffly.com was born. The company makes everything locally, including the cockpit, but also high quality, finely crafted adventuring dog gear. Jess and Greg built their company to make sure employees are well paid and safe. Most work from home, so they can also care for their families.

Meanwhile Jess, Greg, and Moxie continue to come up with new ideas and new ways to make a difference. What’s next? Raising funds for Girl Up, a nonprofit that helps girls all around the world become leaders in their local community.

The goal: raise $100,000 with a motorcycle trip around the world that will be chronicled on their YouTube channel. Along the way they will visit Girl Up clubs and 10% of all gear purchases from GoRuffly will go to their fundraiser.

About Jess Stone

Jess Stone has spent years helping people in the developing world, whether by working overseas with USAID, starting an ethically made outdoor dog gear company, or riding around the world to raise funds and awareness for Girl Up, a nonprofit that develops leadership skills in girls in all 50 states and 130 countries. Along with her husband and fellow aid worker, Greg, Stone is creator of the K9 Moto Cockpit, a unique way to carry your dog on your motorcycle.

https://goruffly.com/world-adventure

https://www.goruffly.com/

https://www.youtube.com/c/Ruffly

https://www.instagram.com/goruffly/

https://www.facebook.com/goruffly

https://girlup.org/

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Ed Jamison: When the Dog Catcher Rebrands Animal Control | The Long Leash #37

Fri, 12 Nov 2021 18:01:28 -0000

You know that person at work who has a new idea every five minutes? Who says at least once a meeting, “I was thinking about it, and why don’t we…?”

That’s Ed Jamison. But he’s not some tech entrepreneur – he’s an expert in animal welfare with decades of government experience, and now the Director of Operation Kindness in Carrollton, Texas.

Ed joins us today to explain how he has used data to help governments revamp their animal control programs into animal welfare programs. He’s got a huge catalog of dog stories dating back decades to his days as a newbie Animal Warden in Ohio, where he convinced his bemused supervisors to try new methods to old problems by staying on budget. Or his time as Chief Animal Control Officer in Cleveland, where he rebranded both the agency (to Animal Welfare and Control) and the negative reputation of the city’s rescue pittie population to the very cool City Dogs.

Whether taking dogs out for jogs to leverage their need for exercise into positive marketing for pittbulls, showing up at any dog-friendly business with super awesome rescues, lowering euthanasia rates in Dallas (where he served as Director of Dallas Animal Services), starting a pet food bank for people in need, to literally saving lives – dog AND human – by reducing loose dogs on the street, Ed has been searching for leverage in animal welfare.

Stepping into the directorship of Operation Kindness makes Ed’s work, for the first time, non-governmental. Now that he has private support and funding for his big ideas, he’s able to help the already-pioneering 501c3 to help even more people. As the pandemic rages, he’s got the animals in mind – because as he points out, behind every animal in need, there is a human in need, too.

About Ed Jamison

Ed Jamison became CEO of Operation Kindness in March of 2021. Previously, Ed was Chief Animal Control Officer for the City of Cleveland. He then served as the Director of Dallas Animal Services (DAS), where he led a staff of more than 200 employees, rebuilt the volunteer base, and instituted new, progressive programming. The “Dallas 90” campaign was designed to help create a community where all people and animals are safe, treated with respect, and have access to the resources needed to thrive. Ed’s policies and programs have been copied all over the country. He is currently the President of Texas Unites, Vice President of the National Animal Care & Control Association, and Board Member for the Association of Animal Welfare Advancement and Shelter Animals Count. Ed’s love for animals means that he also has many pets at home, including a few foster fails. His pets include his dogs (Gurble and Esme), cats (Bertram, Deliah, Riley, Weston, Nestor, Merwin, Scrappy, and Kiwi), goldfish (Iragoo), cows (Cookie, Sprout, and Oliver), and miniature donkeys (Fern and Evie).

https://www.operationkindness.org/

https://twitter.com/opkindness

https://www.instagram.com/operationkindness/

https://www.facebook.com/OperationKindness/

https://www.youtube.com/user/OpKindness

https://www.linkedin.com/company/operation-kindness

https://www.tiktok.com/@operationkindness

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Kim Bressant-Kibwe: Pet Protection Agreements & Pet Trusts for Your Dog | The Long Leash #36

Fri, 29 Oct 2021 10:00:00 -0000

Many folks assume that shelter dogs have something wrong with them, and that’s why they are there. But it’s not true.

Some shelter dogs are there only because their owners died without making provisions for their care … and no one stepped up to take them in.

With almost a million dogs euthanized every year in U.S. shelters, that’s a LOT of beloved family members who lose their parent, then get sent to a shelter, are not adopted (because they are too old, or have a pre-existing illness) … and are euthanized.

Kim Bressant-Kibwe, former Trusts & Estates Counsel for the ASPCA, joins us to have a frank and enlightening discussion about what exactly should be done now – today – to protect our pets in an unfortunate future.

According to the latest estimates, about 57% of U.S. households include at least one pet. And yet, only 20-25% of Americans have wills in place … and few of those have provisions in place for their beloved animal family members.

Bressant-Kibwe gives tips on whether to use a will or a trust, how specific your trust should be, how to interrogate a trusts and estate lawyer to determine if they will be able to protect your darling, why microchipping helps prevent fraud, and more.

Her overall message is forceful and convincing: we should be having hard conversations with ourselves and our trusted loved ones today, to protect our furbabies tomorrow.

About Kim Bressant-Kibwe

As the Trusts & Estates Counsel for the ASPCA from 1999 to 2016, Bressant-Kibwe was responsible for the administration of all charitable gifts directed to the ASPCA from national and international donors via their wills, trusts and estates. A Cornell undergrad who went to Georgetown for law school, she’s a passionate animal lover and tireless advocate for their welfare.

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-planning/pet-trust-primer

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/pet-trusts.html

https://legacy.humanesociety.org/documents/h/humane-society-of-the-united-states/pets_in_wills_factsheet.pdf

https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/estate-planning-for-animal-lovers-pet-trusts-101

https://www.akcchf.org/how-to-help/donate/planned-giving/pet-trusts.html

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Rebecca Ascher-Walsh: Entertainment Reporter, Writer & Dog Devotee | The Long Leash #35

Fri, 22 Oct 2021 12:02:08 -0000

Talented writer and journalist Rebecca Ascher-Walsh is known for her inspired and inspiring coverage of everything from entertainment to travel to advertising to U.S. history. She contributes to many newspapers and national magazines, including Entertainment Weekly, the Los Angeles Times, and Adweek.

She’s fast, witty, and full of stories. Oh, and she also LOVES dogs.

Living in her hometown of New York City, gives Ascher-Walsh plenty of opportunities to both meet dogs and help dogs. Whether it’s timing her elevator ascent so her dogs can avoid the bulldog on fourteen heading down for his walk … or giving a shelter dog one last morning stroll before her scheduled euthanasia, she’s seen, heard, and done it all.

Many of her stories eventually make their way into books published by National Geographic. Devoted, Loyal, and Love Unleashed are packed with tales of extraordinary dogs.

When Ascher-Walsh is not writing about our canine companions, she’s rescuing them. As Director and founder of Deja Foundation, she ensures that medical care and training costs of dogs rescued from high-kill shelters are taken care of.

Ascher-Walsh joins us to give us a peek into the world of high-kill shelters, advocacy journalism, and a deep discussion on how we in the media have a responsibility to help pit bulls regain their original reputation of being a “nanny dog.”

About Rebecca Ascher-Walsh

Rebecca Ascher-Walsh is the author of Devoted, Loyal, and Love Unleashed, books about extraordinary dogs and their people published by National Geographic. She lives with her family, which includes a pit bull named Joe and a rabbit named Oreo, in New York.

The Deja Foundation: http://www.dejafoundation.org/

Devoted: 38 Extraordinary Tales of Love, Loyalty, and Life With Dogs: https://amzn.to/3aZh8Rl

Loyal: 38 Inspiring Tales of Bravery, Heroism, and the Devotion of Dogs: https://amzn.to/3b1NWcp

Love Unleashed: Tales of Inspiration and the Life-Changing Power of Dogs: https://amzn.to/3C5mWEW

*As an Amazon Associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.

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James Gorman: New York Times Science Writer & Dog Lover | The Long Leash #34

Fri, 15 Oct 2021 10:00:00 -0000

James Gorman dog lover, science writer for The New York Times, author and narrator, is stepping away from the newspaper after almost three decades.

He is the author of books on hypochondria, penguins, dinosaurs and the ocean around Antarctica. He writes about animals, viruses, archaeology and the evolution of dogs and he’s also taught science writing at New York University, Fordham University and as part of Stanford University’s online program.

In this conversation he deep dives into many of his articles over the years including his most recent ‘How old is the Maltese really?’. He also lifts the lid on his approach to telling fascinating science stories and shares his thoughts around the science and reporting on the COVID pandemic.

About James Gorman

James Gorman is a science writer at large for The New York Times and the author of books on hypochondria, penguins, dinosaurs and the ocean around Antarctica. He writes about animals, viruses, archaeology and the evolution of dogs. He has been at The Times since 1993, as an editor on The New York Times Magazine, deputy science editor, editor of a personal technology section, outdoors columnist, science columnist and editor of Science Times. From 2013 to 2019 he wrote and narrated the video feature “ScienceTake.” Over the course of his career at the Times and elsewhere, James Gorman has written about everything from the invention of flea collars to the nature of consciousness. Most recently he has covered the lives of animals, the evolution of dogs and viral diseases in animals.

The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/by/james-gorman

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jimgorman

About The Long Leash

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Jane Cowan: Award-winning Journalist’s Biggest Investigative Story, Healing Her Boxer Dog in Supercanine | The Long Leash #33

Fri, 08 Oct 2021 10:00:00 -0000

Jane Cowan is an Australian journalist who has reported from around the world including as a foreign correspondent in the United States. But as life would have it, her biggest assignment as an investigative journalist would be the one that set her on the path to save her dog’s life.

Jane spent 20 years at Australia’s national broadcaster the ABC, reporting on some of the biggest stories. When she returned home to Australia to work as a photojournalist, it was finally time to get a dog.

But in 2018 everything changed when her Boxer dog Shiva got very sick and almost died. He went from a happy, healthy 18-month-old puppy to being unable to bend down or move his neck. He was diagnosed with an autoimmune condition and prescribed steroids as treatment.

But the drug damage that came from that decision, set Jane on an investigative journey that would see her dive head-first into the world of canine health and wellbeing, swapping her decades in news reporting to become a dog blogger and author of a book on how to raise a healthier dog.

About Jane Cowan

The Boxer Dog Diaries: https://boxerdogdiaries.com/

Shiny Happy Doggy: https://shinyhappydoggy.com/home/

Supercanine: https://www.amazon.com/Supercanine-Raise-Healthier-Revitalize-Sick-ebook/dp/B08W9Z2HPF

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Supercanine-103004585163202

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boxerdoglife/

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Rick Bassman: From Pro Wrestling to Pit Bull Rescuing | The Long Leash #32

Fri, 01 Oct 2021 15:35:37 -0000

At the top of his game, Rich Bassman was a high-ranking Disney executive, big-time concert promoter, TV and Movie producer and owned Professional Wrestling and Mixed martial Arts brands & fighting gyms.

But at the bottom he battled Stage 4 testicular and lung cancer, homelessness, poverty, addiction and was shot, stabbed and bitten. So, who and where is he now?

Rick Bassman is an American entrepreneur, talent agent, author and podcaster among other things. He is unlike anyone you’ve probably ever met – in his words, he is a contradiction in terms. Someone who is just as apt at digging a bullet out of his belly as he is to cry at a love story.

He counts, among his best friends, career criminals, environmentalists, hard-drinking street brawlers and business leaders. But as he says, they all have one thing in common, they are good people.

In this Long Leash, Rick talks candidly about his near-death in his teens, the day his mother left and never came home, his love of dogs, love for life and his mission to change perceptions about Pit Bulls.

About Rick Bassman

Like his guests on his podcast Talking Tough, Rick Bassman was also at the top of his world. Also like his guests, he crashed to the bottom in spectacular fashion. From being the highest-ranking executive ever hired by The Walt Disney Company without a college degree and winning an Emmy Award, to travelling the world with artists like Guns N Roses, to owning his own successful Pro Wrestling and Mixed Martial Arts brands. And his “highs” were always interspersed with “lows…” including Stage 4 cancer, the loss of many close to him, countless street fights, a wrecked spine, life-threatening infections which led him to choose three decades-long depression, homelessness and addiction. And also like his Guests, Rick is rising again, taking responsibility for his life, consciously finding an ever-widening path to peace and spirituality, and giving his all to be of service.

Talking Tough podcast: https://www.talking-tough.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wewinnow/about

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wewin2177/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickbassman/

Linda Blair Worldheart Foundation: http://www.lindablairworldheart.org/

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Mark Cushing’s Pet Nation And How Companion Animals Have Transformed Our Lives | The Long Leash #31

Fri, 24 Sep 2021 10:00:00 -0000

In the last 20 years pets have gone from the backyard to sleeping on our beds, then showing up in every corner of America. But what has this complete shift in our relationship with pets meant for society?

Lawyer, strategist and author Mark Cushing has explored this phenomenon in his book Pet Nation, which tells the story of this seismic shift and the economic, media, legal, political, and social dramas springing from this cultural transformation.

So, what was it that happened in the 1990’s when things started to change? What were the forces at play that saw our dogs and pets became treasured members of the family?

In this conversation, Mark speaks widely about the foundation of the book, as well as his work to help regulate, develop policy and provide strategic advice, at state and federal levels, to animal health and veterinary clients across all sectors.

About Mark Cushing

Mark Cushing is the Founder & CEO of the Animal Policy Group. A long-time political strategist, government regulatory advisor, corporate executive and former litigator, Mark focuses his advocacy practice on providing high-level strategic advice and services to clients with needs at any level of government, and key trade/industry associations in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Since 2004, Mark has specialized in animal health, animal welfare, veterinary and veterinary educational issues and accreditation, developing a cutting-edge practice across these sectors. He currently leads several industry coalitions and initiatives. Mark has guided successful accreditations for a growing list of veterinary colleges and is co-founder of the Veterinary Virtual Care Association. Mark has recently penned Pet Nation, a book that tells the inside story of how companion animals are transforming our homes, culture, and economy.

Pet Nation: https://www.marklcushing.com/

Animal Policy Group: https://animalpolicygroup.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marklcushing

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mark.l.cushing/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marklcushing/

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Ciaran Walsh: One-Eyed Leo, A Love Story Told By A Special Needs Dog About Dog Ownership | The Long Leash #30

Fri, 17 Sep 2021 10:00:00 -0000

About Ciaran Walsh

Ciaran Walsh is the Founder at Dog Internet of Things, an internet platform that assists would be dog owners to consider all the responsibilities and all aspects of canine ownership. Ciaran is behind 'One-Eyed Leo', a book for children and parents and the latest innovation in pre-adoption welfare. Seeking partners to bring it global. Dog Internet of Things is an on-line business dedicated to changing dog welfare from pre-adoption to the end of the journey. It provides an on-line basic education in dog ownership. Ideal for anyone considering the idea of getting a dog, or for anyone seeking to improve their relationship with their pet.This venture has been supported by the Local Enterprise Board, Enterprise Ireland and won the Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Academy Award 2019.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ciaran-walsh-169a64150/

https://www.doginternetofthings.ie/

As heard in this episode: Rebound Dog https://reboundog.com/

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Patch Baker: With a PTSD service dog by his side, this former Marine builds multi-million-dollar companies | The Long Leash #29

Fri, 03 Sep 2021 10:00:00 -0000

Patch Baker’s is an inspiring story. One born partly during, and partly after his time in the military. His life has been full of high highs and very low lows, all which have made him the man he is today.

Patch spent nearly 15 years serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa. When his time in the military ended, he joined the State and Secret Service and in 20-13 he was shot in the chest in Bagdad. His next move would be to return to civilian life and the so called ‘real world.’ What would follow would be a challenging and fascinating transition to life after the military.

Now Patch spends most of his time helping businesses create extraordinary results and growth… with a particular focus on the veteran community.

This is a deep and wide-ranging conversation about Patch’s evolution and we start in a very important place, talking about his P-T-S-D service dog, best friend and protector, Reacher.

About Patch Baker

Patch Baker spends most of his time helping businesses create extraordinary results and growth within their respective markets. Although his focus in on the Veteran Community, he works diligently to connect non-Veteran owned businesses, and individual Patriots, with brands and businesses which support our Nation’s Warfighters. Patch spent nearly 15 years serving the United States and is a Service Disabled Veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Patch is a serial entrepreneur, expert marketer, investor, speaker, and has acquired a unique set of skills through multiple acquisitions and business exits. His consulting clients range from Fortune 500 clients to Veteran-owned start-ups.

https://www.patchbaker.com/

https://www.facebook.com/patchbakerusmc/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/patchbaker/

https://www.instagram.com/patchbakerusmc/

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Jim Mitchem – “Gone Dogs” Author | The Long Leash #28

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 15:19:00 -0000

“He was not old. It was not his time, I will spare you the drama, except to say I lived in the pupil of his eye,’ Dead Dog by Lisa Underwood.

That poem is among 52 stories from people around the world in author Jim Mitchem’s book “Gone Dogs” – a tribute to the dogs that have left us, written by the people who loved them.

But the crowd-sourced book only really came to be, after Jim wrote a blog post about his dog’s passing. It was a simple tribute that generated such a strong response, he realized that all dog owners have something important in common — eventually, we must all say goodbye.

Jim and his design partner Laurie Smithwick collected the stories to create a special coffee table book, which may just be the greatest collection of love stories about dogs ever published.

In this Long Leash, Jim tells the story behind the many heart-warming tributes in the book, but also how writing Gone Dogs changed his life.

About Jim Mitchem

Jim Mitchem is a writer based in Charlotte. He's married and is the father of two daughters who are both in college. He has a few human friends but prefers the company of dogs. As a copywriter, he makes a living coming up with ways to get people to think differently about things. He’s written a novel, Minor King, a novella, Mongoose, and has a thousand files containing a thousand other stories and poems that really need my attention. I am also the publisher and editor of Gone Dogs, a crowd-sourced book about the dogs of our lifetimes. Dogs who are gone, but who will never be forgotten. With his partner, designer and artist Laurie Smithwick, the pair pulled together the greatest dog book ever published after five years of falling down and getting up again and again and again. In his own words: “I'm reminded of why this book is important every time someone tells me how much they love it, or how it's helped them overcome the grief of their own gone dogs. That was the idea--to put something beautiful into the world that anyone who has ever loved a dog can identify with. Deeply.”

Buy a copy of Gone Dogs through Amazon by clicking this link

Jim Mitchem’s links

https://www.QuickLikeMongoose.com

https://www.facebook.com/GoneDogsBook/

https://twitter.com/GoneDogs

https://www.instagram.com/gonedogs/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmitchem/

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Victoria Stilwell – World-renowned Dog Trainer | The Long Leash #27

Fri, 20 Aug 2021 10:00:00 -0000

Victoria Stilwell is probably best known as the star of the international hit TV and YouTube series “It’s me or the Dog” where she helps owners tame their unruly pups.

But there is so much more to this world-renowned dog trainer, best-selling author, award winning TV presenter, animal rescuer and dog ambassador, who has been educating and entertaining audiences across 120 countries since 2005.

A passionate advocate for positive reinforcement dog training methods, Stilwell is editor-in-chief of Positively.com and CEO of Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training, via which she has created a global network of world-class positive reinforcement dog trainers.

Victoria originally trained as an actress and had parts in TV shows and on the stage, but it was dogs that stole her heart from when she was a little girl.

In this Long Leash, she shares her story from childhood, and sheds light on one email that would catapult her into homes around the world and give her the perfect platform to show people a kinder way to train dogs.

About Victoria Stilwell

Victoria Stilwell is a world-renowned dog trainer best known as the star of the international hit TV and YouTube series It's Me or the Dog. Having filmed over 110 episodes plus multiple other TV projects, Stilwell reaches audiences in over 100 countries with her philosophy of positive training methods. A best-selling author, Stilwell appears frequently in the media and is widely recognized as a leader in the field of animal behavior. As a passionate advocate for positive dog training methods, Stilwell is the Editor-in-Chief of Positively.com and Positively TV, the founder of the Victoria Stilwell Academy for Dog Training & Behavior, and the CEO of Victoria Stilwell Positively Dog Training – the world’s premier global network of positive reinforcement dog trainers. The recipient of multiple awards, Stilwell is committed to helping the cause of animal rescue and rehabilitation and is heavily involved with organizations around the world to increase awareness of puppy mills, dogfighting, animal abuse, pet overpopulation, dog bite prevention and other animal-related causes, but she is best known as a champion for force-free positive reinforcement dog training methods. She is an Ambassador for the RSPCA, International Ambassador for the Soi Dog Foundation and serves on the Advisory Boards of RedRover, The Georgia Pet Coalition, The Grey Muzzle Foundation, DogTV, Dognition, and Canine Assistants.

https://www.facebook.com/VictoriaStilwell

https://twitter.com/victorias

https://www.youtube.com/victoriastilwell

https://www.instagram.com/victoriastilwell/

https://www.facebook.com/vsdogacademy/

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Grieving The Loss Of A Dog With Lori Levine | The Long Leash #26

Thu, 12 Aug 2021 23:30:00 -0000

As a talent executive for the likes of late show host Conan O’Brien, Lori Levine knows better than most ‘the show must go on’. But how do you do that when you lose three four-legged friends in one year?

That was Lori’s family’s reality in 2020, when amid the Coronavirus pandemic and the many associated stresses, they said goodbye to their dogs Suki, Casey and Kipper one after another.

How she coped and the insights she gained came as a result of some hard-won wisdom from her past, a special Warren Zevon song and a tight knit ‘Brady Bunch’ family unit, who carried each other through a difficult time.

Lori is sharing her story in the hope it will help you face your dog’s death when the time comes. It is probably a good idea to have a tissue on hand … but brace yourself for some belly laughs too, as this dynamo is one waggish storyteller.

About Lori Levine

Lori Levine, founder of Flying Television, is a pioneer in the world of strategic entertainment marketing and events. The driving force behind some of the most recognizable entertainment promotions and parties of the past decade, Lori harnesses the power of celebrity to elevate brands above the clutter of the modern media landscape. As a talent executive for NBC’s “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” Lori earned widespread acclaim for her ability to keep the show at the cutting edge of pop culture and ensure a constant flow of A-list guests. The list of celebrities who look to her for insight and counsel – among them Kate Hudson, Usher, Will Smith, Robert Downey Jr., Jimmy Fallon, and Kim Kardashian – is a testament to her ability to make and keep friends close.

Social Media

Instagram: @FlyingTV, @LoriLevineFTV

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-levine-721b9b4/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FlyingTelevision/

About The Long Leash

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Jess Rona - Dog Grooming Extraordinaire | The Long Leash #25

Sun, 01 Aug 2021 16:35:00 -0000

Jess Rona is a celebrity dog groomer in every way. She styles the dogs of celebrities. She styles the coats of dogs who are (in their own right) Instagram celebrities. And as an executive producer and a reality TV star, Jess Rona is a celebrity.

But the life she lives now is far from her humble beginnings. This one-woman dynamo started grooming dogs in her garage. Things took off when she started making slow-motion music videos of the dogs for their owners – ears and fluff flapping in the wind. Those videos went viral--and so did Jess.

Jess Rona now lists Katy Perry and Zooey Deschanel’s dogs among her celeb clients, she has written a book, appeared on a range of TV shows and is a star judge on the hilarious HBOMax dog grooming series ‘Haute Dog’.

In this Long Leash, dog stylist, actress, comedian, Instagram sensation and filmmaker/producer Jess Rona gives an honest account on how she reached the highest of highs, by going down a very unconventional path.

About Jess Rona

Jess Rona is the most influential groomer today, having built a cult-like following on social media with her signature musical slow-mo blowout videos and impressive celebrity pet clientele. As a skilled groomer, content creator, and comedian, she’s created a multi-dimensional grooming empire. In 2018, Rona released her first book Groomed that features over 100 touchingly real and hilarious moments of her canine clients.

Several brands have partnered with Jess to create and direct original content, including Bissell, Standard Hotels, Apple, Ouai, Outdoor Voices, The Hoxton Hotels, Valentino, Casper – and even a music video for the popular cult band Tegan & Sara. In front of the camera, she’s been a part of television shows New Girl (Fox) and One Mississippi (FX).

When she's not creating poodle content, you can find Jess at her new grooming shop that opened Summer of 2020 in Larchmont Village in Los Angeles. She is also executive producer and star of the Critic’s Choice Nominated HBOMax series Haute Dog, inspired by Jess's life and brand.

https://www.instagram.com/jessronagrooming/?hl=en, https://www.youtube.com/c/JessRonaGrooming/featured

https://www.facebook.com/JessRonaGrooming

https://jessronagrooming.com/

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Nick Paumgarten – The New Yorker | The Long Leash #24

Thu, 22 Jul 2021 10:00:00 -0000

When The New Yorker reporter Nick Paumgarten was tasked with writing a piece on pandemic pets, he never imagined it would take him on a journey through the curious relationship between people and dogs in the time of Covid.

In the past 18 months, adopting pets, especially dogs, has been a global pastime. It has solved many people’s need for companionship and comfort in a time of stress and isolation.

There have been dozens of stories on how the rate of adoption has exploded. There have been dozens more on what will become of the many pandemic pets that now exist in the world.

But has there actually been a pet boom at all? Or has there been a boom of a different kind? One which says far more about humankind and pet culture. We also explore how writing this article changed Nick’s relationship with his own dog?

Nick Paumgarten has been a staff writer at The New Yorker since 2005. His most recent piece in the magazine is about the curious relationship between people and dogs in the time of Covid. He lives with his family in Manhattan. Their dog, Kiekko, is an eight-year-old rescue mutt from Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Twitter @NickPaumgarten

Twitter @NewYorker

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/06/28/what-will-become-of-the-pandemic-pets

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Chris Roy - Doobert And Transporting Animals | The Long Leash #23

Wed, 14 Jul 2021 22:32:00 -0000

By day Chris Roy is an IT professional and by night and weekends, he’s an avid animal rescuer, pilot and superhero who loves to dream up new ways that technology can help people help animals.

Chris Roy started flying animal rescues, transporting shelter dogs from high-kill locations to places where they were more likely to be adopted. But realizing that coordinating the ground and aviation legs was not as simple as it could be, he created a system to coordinate the trips . And he named it after his cat: Doobert.

Doobert is a volunteer based Uber-like service with tens of thousands of volunteers across the US, that any rescue or shelter can use. It is kind of like match.com where rescues and shelters connect with each other and with volunteers who transport the animals wherever they need to go.

The online platform has become a household name in the world of pet rescue, and it all started with a 17-year-old, 15-pound cat called Doobert.

About Chris Roy and Doobert

Chris Roy is the father of several cats and dogs and the creator of Doobert.com, an online software platform for animal welfare volunteers and organizations. As a multi-engine pilot from Milwaukee, Chris has flown hundreds of animal rescue missions and has helped relocate animals from high-kill shelters to no-kill shelters, rescues, and sanctuaries. With his experience and expertise in IT, he continues to look for ways to make it easier for everyone to help animals. Chris is a transformative, global leader in Information Technology and innovative technology disruptor in Animal Welfare.

https://www.facebook.com/Doobertrescue

https://twitter.com/Doobert

https://www.instagram.com/doobert/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/doobert

https://www.youtube.com/c/Doobert

https://www.tiktok.com/#pipsrescue/

About The Long Leash

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Nicole Kincaid - Perfectly Imperfect Pups | The Long Leash #22

Fri, 02 Jul 2021 10:00:00 -0000

Nicole Kincaid has been rescuing dogs for over 10 years, but her journey with special needs pups started with two German Shepherds – Keena and her amputated leg and Mr Magoo who was blind.

There was an instant connection and one that propelled Nicole down the path of establishing Perfectly Imperfect Pups rescue, or PIP for short, which specializes in dogs with special needs.

Whether a dog is missing a leg, deaf, blind, is in a wheelchair or just needs some extra support, Nicole and her team give it the love and care it needs, and then finds the perfect fosters or adopters who are ready to embrace a dog with special needs.

Her story is genuine and heart-warming, from starting the rescue to the many amazing ‘tails’ of the Pip-Abled and all the ups and downs that go along with it.

About Nicole Kincaid & PIPs

Perfectly Imperfect Pups (PIPs) founder and director Nicole Kincaid’s mission is to build a community of like-minded, dog rescue ninjas that strives to save the lives of at-risk dogs. PIPs primary focus are medical and special needs dogs that are often overlooked. We call these dogs “PIP-abled” which means perfectly imperfect. A dog that may need a wheelchair, is missing limbs, deaf, blind or in need of some extra love and care is their niche. While they love and focus on PIP-abled dogs; puppies, healthy adult dogs, and seniors they are inclusive of all dogs in need. All foster pups are kept in foster homes, and while they do not have a permanent location currently, that’s the long-term plan. PIP does not receive funding and runs solely on donations and adoption fees.

https://pipsrescue.org//

https://www.facebook.com/pipsrescue/

https://www.instagram.com/pipsrescue/

https://www.tiktok.com/#pipsrescue/

Links to The Dodo videos mentioned in this episode

The Dodo: Tony does zoomies for the first time

The Dodo: The charmed sisters

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Celebrity Dog Adoptions with Melissa Bacelar | The Long Leash #21

Wed, 23 Jun 2021 20:28:00 -0000

Jennifer Anniston, John Legend and Ariana Grande all have something in common beyond being celebrities. They’ve all been connected to their new furry best friends by celebrity pet matchmaker Melissa Bacelar.

Based in Hollywood, Melissa has a starring role in the pet matchmaking business. She has a driving ambition to build a career focused on rescuing, rehabilitating and finding forever homes for dogs experiencing homelessness. And she’s a blockbuster success: since March, 2020, Wagmor Pets has rescued and rehomed more than 2,500 dogs ... some of them with A-list animal lovers.

Her client list may be packed with stars, but the secret to her success is knowing that even the most prestigious careers don't erase humanity. Her clients are people, like you and I … they’re just looking for a pooch to love and care for and to become a part of the family.

Of course, being a celebrity and adopting a dog is not as straightforward as it sounds. Here Melissa shares her behind the scenes stories of bringing some big stars together with their rescue dogs. She also explains how a chance meeting with a talk show host has changed her life forever.

About Melissa Bacelar

Wagmor Pets is a non-profit international dog rescue devoted to helping solve the issue of dogs experiencing homelessness. It is committed to preventing cruelty and promoting kindness to animals with an overall aim is to reduce animal suffering and increase animal wellbeing. The work to rehome dogs to responsible and caring homes where they can thrive and live happy lives, was founded by Melissa Bacelar, celebrity pet matchmaker and dog expert. During the pandemic, from March 2020 to today, Wagmor Pets has rescued more than 2,800 dogs.

https://www.wagmorpets.org/

https://www.instagram.com/wagmorpets/?hl=en

https://www.facebook.com/Wagmorpets/

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Dean Koontz: Best-Selling Author and Massive Dog Lover | The Long Leash #20

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 10:00:00 -0000

WARNING: May cause excessive cuddling, so have tissues handy.

International bestselling author Dean Koontz joins us for a long and gratifying chat. The subject? Dogs, of course.

Dogs who have strangled him, inspired him, comforted him, and loved him.

Dogs who have strengthened his marriage and kept his family safe.

Dogs whose kisses felt like kismet.

Dogs who laughed, and played, and watched movies.

Dogs who serve Koontz, his wife Gerda, and his many friends with noble service.

Dogs who co-authored several of his books.

Dogs have entwined themselves in, featured in, and shaped Dean Koontz's writing career.

And now, in his seventies, he has a lot of heartfelt, inspiring, and hilarious tails to spin.

Your dog wants you to listen to this chat with one of our most kind, prolific, successful, talented writers.

100% Dog Satisfaction Guarantee:

Dogs, get ready for tasty treats, because this episode will prime your human to dispense them.

About Dean Koontz

International bestselling author Dean Koontz has written more than 105 novels, a number of novellas and short stories, and has sold over 500 million copies to date. Fourteen of his novels have risen to number one on the New York Times hardcover bestseller list, making him one of only a dozen writers ever to have achieved that milestone. After graduating from Shippensburg State College Dean Koontz wrote nights and weekends around other jobs to launch his career as an author. With the support of his wife Gerda, Dean eventually made his mark and she eventually quit her job to run the business end of her husband’s writing career. The couple live in Southern California with their golden retriever, Elsa, and the enduring spirit of their goldens now passed, Trixie and Anna.

https://www.facebook.com/deankoontzofficial/

https://twitter.com/deankoontz

https://www.instagram.com/deankoontzofficial/

https://canine.org/

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“We Don’t Deserve Dogs” with Rose Tucker & Matthew Salleh | The Long Leash #19

Wed, 09 Jun 2021 15:57:00 -0000

Partners in life, as well as art, documentary makers Matthew Salleh and Rose Tucker travelled the world, looking at the simple and extraordinary ways that dogs influence our daily lives.

“We Don’t Deserve Dogs” is described by the pair as a contemplative odyssey across the planet, from former child soldiers in Uganda to the local pub in a Scottish town to a dog walker on the streets of Istanbul, this film is a kaleidoscope of unconventional portraits from fascinating locations.

This is their second feature length documentary following “Barbecue” – about the ritual of cooking meat over an open flame. At the core, their films seek to tell global stories about the power of community, the role of tradition, and how unique cultural experiences shape the human condition.

Those themes are absolutely captured in “We Don’t Deserve Dogs” and this conversation reveals not just the inner workings of the film, but the filmmaking process they used and the impact the Coronavirus pandemic had on its release.

About Matthew Salleh and Rose Tucker

Matthew Salleh and Rose Tucker are an Australian born, Brooklyn based documentary filmmaking duo. Their debut feature Barbecue world premiered at SXSW in 2017, was picked up for a three year global release by Netflix, and won the 2018 James Beard Award for Best Documentary.

Their second feature documentary, We Don't Deserve Dogs, was selected to premiere in competition at SXSW 2020, which was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The film recommenced its festival run later in 2020, with selections at major festivals including Warsaw Film Festival, Miami Film Festival GEMS, and the Brisbane International Film Festival.

Matt and Rosie's films are consistent festival favorites, screening at over 40 film festivals. Their short documentary Pablo’s Villa was the recipient of the 2014 ATOM Award for Best Australian Short Documentary, and Central Texas Barbecue was awarded Best Short Film at the 2015 New York Food Film Festival.

https://www.wedontdeservedogs.com/

About The Long Leash

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Pet Business Success And How To Recover From Burnout with Kristin Morrison | The Long Leash #18

Thu, 03 Jun 2021 00:43:00 -0000

Kristin Morrison is not only a seasoned veteran when it comes to the pet business world, but an inspiration on how to be successful.

Kristin has written numerous books on how to do that, including 30 Days to Start and Grow Your Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Business, and How to Recover From Pet Business Burnout. She also coaches others on how to build a successful pet business through her ‘Six-Figure Pet Business Academy’.

But it’s not been a walk in the ‘dog’ park. When Kristin started her pet sitting business in the 1990’s she was working up to 100 hours a week. She realized there had to be a better way to do the thing she loved, while making money and with a better work-life balance.

That light bulb moment was the catalyst for the incredible success she has had since. There have of course been ups and downs, lots of learning and relearning and a soul-searching recovery from burnout. But as Kristin is about sharing her experiences to help others and she has been generous in sharing her journey with The Long Leash.

About Kristin Morrison

Kristin Morrison has been featured on Yahoo Finance, ABC, NBC, CBS, Good Morning Arizona, and in Marketwatch, New York Post, Yahoo, Dogster Magazine, etc.

Kristin is the founder of Six-Figure Pet Business Academy™ where she offers business coaching, online courses and webinars.

She is the host of the "Prosperous Pet Business" podcast and the author of six books.

https://www.sixfigurepetbusinessacademy.com/

The Long Leash

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Steve Dale - Animal Behaviorist & Trainer | The Long Leash #17

Fri, 28 May 2021 23:51:21 -0000

In this Long Leash conversation,, we’ll find out what Fear Free is and why it’s been a game changer for veterinarians AND dogs, gain insights into how dogs grieve loss, and explore the impact on our furry friends as we emerge from the pandemic.

Steve has been a trusted voice in the world of pet health for over 20 years. You have likely heard him on the radio, seen him on TV, read him in print and online, and watched him speaking at events around the world. His contributions to advancing pet wellness have earned him many awards and recognition around the globe.

https://stevedalepetworld.com/

https://www.avma.org/events/national-dog-bite-prevention-week

https://twitter.com/stevedalepets?s=20

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How to Be There for Your Dog at the End with Lori Levine | The Long Leash #16

Wed, 19 May 2021 21:00:00 -0000

That was Lori’s family’s reality in 2020, when amid the Coronavirus pandemic and the many associated stresses, they said goodbye to their dogs Suki, Casey and Kipper one after another.

About Lori Levine

Social Media Instagram: @FlyingTV, @LoriLevineFTV

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-levine-721b9b4/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FlyingTelevision/

About The Long Leash

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London’s Urban Dogs Pamper Time with Barry Karacostas | The Long Leash #15

Thu, 13 May 2021 23:24:56 -0000

As a “voice for dogs,” Barry Karacostas has a lot to teach us about how to listen and care for our canine companions.

He was once a successful chef/owner in London’s competitive restaurant scene. But like many in that business, addiction and stress hit him hard. His wife Julie handed him their Rottweiler’s leash and said “Leo is YOUR responsibility now.”

Forced to feed and walk Leo, Barry found himself healing and regaining confidence. Buying a dog walking service from a fellow Kensington Park denizen, he became known as the Dog Jogger. He built an off-lead dog pack one dog at a time.

Over the years, Barry deepened his knowledge and commitment to canine health. He also attracted celebrity clients! Today, he's full circle: using his hospitality skills to run a five-star dog hotel.

Chapters:

0:00 London’s Urban Dogs Pamper Time with Barry Karacostas

01:35 London’s Competitive Culinary Scene

02:31 Rise from The Downfall

03:24 Leo, The Rottweiler and Savior

04:38 Barry’s Dog Walking Business -- a Fluke or a Calling?

06:30 20 Dogs Running Unleashed – Okay, What?! How?

08:46 Leo as Wingman

09:42 Tracking Dogs with GPS

10:29 How to Build a Pack of Dogs

11:54 Happy Dog, Happy Human

15:05 The “Voice for Dogs”

16:13 City Dogs vs. Country Dogs

18:00 London Dogs vs. New York Dogs

20:36 The Soho House for Dogs

21:55 The Urban Mutts Experience

22:45 Blueberry Facials, Anyone?

23:35 Get Loose Doggos!

26:08 Sleepy Time … Hmm, Cabin or Penthouse?

28:15 Pandemic Soft Opening

32:01 Partnerships with Dog Charities and Foundations

33:24 Celebrity Patrons – Trust and Friendships

35:12 Expansion … Next!

37:00 Setting The Bar for Dog Daycare Industry

About Barry Karacostas

Barry the Dog Jogger is also the Founder of Urban Mutts Hotels, the UK’s first Dog Club & Hotel. A state-of-the-art facility for the urban canine community, it has a simple mission: making city dogs happier and healthy so they can make their busy urban owners feel the same way.

About The Long Leash

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Iditarod Dreaming with Robert Forto | The Long Leash #14

Mon, 10 May 2021 21:23:55 -0000

Robert Forto is an award-winning dog trainer with nearly thirty years of experience. His approach, called Peak Performance, focuses on leash walking, communication, manners, and creating a balanced mood. He’s an internationally respected podcast advice guru and successful business owner.

In short, he’s got a great life doing good work with people who really love their dogs. A dream life, right?

Yes … and he’s also got a not-so-secret dream: to run the Iditarod before he gets too old. The legendary race is nearly one thousand miles in length over some of the most challenging terrain on the planet.

It takes weeks to run … weeks of snow, and ice, and cold, and strain. Musher and pack must be one in mind and body in order to finish, let alone win, this grueling race.

After decades of building his pack of Huskies, one dog at a time … while running tens and tens of thousands of miles to learn and bond with his dogs … Forto is that much closer to achieving his dream.

Chapters

0:00 Welcome to The Long Leash

02:06 A Bumpy Ride in The Life of a Seasoned Dog Trainer

03:15 An Interesting Love Story for Robert

04:59 Me-Time for Mushers In Love

06:38 Ever Heard of the Rock and Roller Tour??

07:20 From Dog Training to Pursuing the Iditarod Dream

09:26 Hobby Farm Planted the Seed of the Iditarod Dream

13:04 Racing Down the Kenai Peninsula…. And Are Those Pterodactyls?!

15:43 The Life of Any Dog Musher During a Race – Passion Lives

17:38 A Bond and Affection Expressed in a Unique Way

18:19 Fresh Straw Bale = Treats!

19:01 Who Gets the Skittles Every Night??

19:28 Pack of Athletes – The Thoroughbreds

22:57 Who Gets to Be the Lead Dog?

25:00 … When The Symphony Begins – And The Neighbors Couldn’t Care Less

28:14 Summers in Alaska… Time to Relax, Snoopies!

28:58 Coaching Lead Dogs – Basic Commands Matter

31:56 $30,000 A Year in Food Bills

32:30 Alaska Dog Works

34:59 Dog Works Radio

39:01 Almost Reality: Reaching for the Iditarod

About Robert Forto

Robert Forto began mushing in 1994 and became interested in long distance sled dog racing shortly thereafter. He plans to compete in the Iditarod before he gets too old. Forto owns and runs Alaska Dog Works with his wife Michele. They teach dog lovers how to become excellent dog trainers using a unique philosophy and system of training.

He is also the host of a weekly radio show, Dog Works Radio where people all over the world call in to ask questions of Robert and other dog trainers.

About The Long Leash

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Check out Dog Podcast Network for other dog-adjacent shows https://shows.dogpodcastnetwork.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DogPodcastNetwork/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/dogpodcastnet

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dogpodcastnetwork/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR9QKdd9KLXbb-6xOi250fw

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Mom to Millions (and Daisy) with Donna Dees | The Long Leash #13

Wed, 05 May 2021 17:16:20 -0000

Donna Dees worked for U.S. Senator from Louisiana Russell Long. She was David Letterman’s publicist on the Late Show. In 1999, she was birthing the anti-gun violence movement that would culminate with the Million Mom March. Glamour Magazine named her Woman of the Year for 2000.

And right smack in the middle of all that, her husband asked for a divorce. They had two small daughters. How was she going to spin this??

The high-powered word magician leveraged her daughters' yearning for a dog. With no guarantee it would ease their pain, she told them the bad news: they were getting a divorce ... immediately followed by the good news: they were getting a dog.

The resulting search for the perfect dog proved all-absorbing. Her adventure of finding, adopting, and living with Daisy Don't-Call-Her-the-Divorce-Dog is twisty fun.

This is a soul-deep conversation about how dogs are the perfect companions for humans of all ages ... and about how we humans cope with tragedy.

Chapters:

0:00 Welcome to The Long Leash

02:35 On the Job PhD in Politics Working for U.S. Senator Russell Long

04:45 Publicizing Stupid Tricks and Trailblazing for Working Moms at The Late Show with David Letterman

06:20 Tragedy in LA Leads to the Birth of the Million Mom March

08:50 Personal Tragedy of Divorce – Can It Be Softened with a Dog?

09:45 Don’t Call Her Daisy the Divorce Dog!

10:18 Divorce Lawyers Leverage Daisy’s Vet Bills for Billable Hours

11:45 Telling the Kids the Divorce and New Dog News

13:36 Two Dogs. Which One To Choose? The Kids Decide, and Custody Is Arranged

18:55 Daisy Saves a Golden Retriever From Drowning … But the Kids Demand Proof

21:18 Leaving CBS After a Record-Long Career

22:36 Daisy Doesn’t Seem Well

25:05 Tuesdays with Daisy: Quality of Life for the Best Pup Ever

26:25 Goodbye, Wonderful Darling Dear Daisy

29:32 Next up for Donna Dees: Documentary Film Making

About Donna Dees

Donna Dees is a career publicity expert. She started on Capitol Hill with U.S. Senator Russell Long before joining David Letterman.

In 1999 Dees watched the coverage of the shooting at the Los Angeles Jewish Community Center. It made her angry, and sad, and she vowed to use her skills to do something. Within nine months she had birthed the anti-gun violence movement ... and organized the Million Mom March on Mother's Day, 2000. Glamour Magazine named her Woman of the Year.

Dees coauthored a book about her experience called Looking for a Few Good Moms: How One Mother Rallied a Million Others Against the Gun Lobby.

Dees recently ended a thirty-plus year career at CBS ... and is currently conjuring a documentary on creatives in New Orleans.

About The Long Leash

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Leigh Isaacson, Co-Founder of Dig Dates | The Long Leash #12

Thu, 25 Mar 2021 23:54:00 -0000

Casey Isaacson had a problem. Her boyfriend was cool with her dog at first … until he wasn’t. Why’d she waste so much time on someone who would never fit into her life?

Casey’s sister, Leigh, felt her pain. The two sisters created a dating app called Dig. On Dig, dog people find each other based on the most important criteria … compatibility with the soulmates who already occupy their hearts and beds.

Leigh Isaacson, Co-Founder and CEO of Dig, joins host James Jacobson on this Loose Leader episode. They talk about what dog lovers are looking for when they look for love, how the app works, and why they don’t let users search by breed.

It’s a fascinating off leash interview about what happens when start a business around bringing a new person – and a new dog – into your life.

About Leigh Isaacson

Leigh Isaacson and her sister Casey created the dating app called Dig. Dig connects dog-people through one thing that’s already crucial to them—their love for dogs. A former TV journalist, Isaacson also teaches at Tulane University in their Homeland Security Studies Master’s Program.

https://digdates.com/

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Saying Yes to Fate with Martha Teichner | The Long Leash #11

Wed, 17 Mar 2021 01:19:00 -0000

If someone wanted to create a mold of a serious journalist, they would use Martha Teichner as the model. Her career started in 1977, and she has reported on every topic you can think of. Her incredible voice and poised presence has been the vehicle through which we’ve learned about war, apartheid, pandemics, politics, and so much more.

Since 1993, Teichner enters our living rooms every week as a correspondent on CBS Sunday Morning. For many, hearing her voice is like attending a delicious brunch where everything you want is served … from bagels and lox to waffles and whipped cream to roast beef and Yorkshire puddings. Plus: a champagne bar and good, strong coffee.

So, when Teichner’s first book was published, many were surprised. It wasn’t about politics, or behind the scenes at the network, or about her work overseas.

For decades Martha Teichner brought us the world, but in her memoir, she brings us her world. When Harry Met Minnie is about her dog, Minnie, and Minnie’s introduction to a new friend, Harry.

Step into this picture postcard of a tale, in which a chance encounter with an old friend at the Union Square Greenmarket leads to Teichner’s brilliant new friendship with a dying woman named Carol Fertig, and to a love match for Minnie with Carol’s elderly dog, Harry.

They say that we don’t rescue dogs, but they rescue us … and it often feels like we are fated to be together. In Teichner’s case, the guiding hand of fate is evident from the first moment she hears Carol’s name to meeting Harry, to the moment of Minnie’s death several years later.

And all along the way, this remarkable storyteller details how she came to understand the real meaning of love. Of living life fully. Of being part of life, even when your life has shrunk to exist only within the four walls of a NYC apartment.

Whether you believe in fate or not, if you believe in friends, and you believe in dogs, this episode is a must-listen.

About Martha Teichner

https://celadonbooks.com/book/when-harry-met-minnie/

Social Media

@CeladonBooks @CBSSunday

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Science Rooted in Kindness with Paul Owens | The Long Leash #10

Fri, 26 Feb 2021 23:52:00 -0000

Paul Owens, AKA the original Dog Whisperer, wants you to breathe. Oxygenating the blood and calming the mind is essential to being a good dog trainer. It’s also a simple, fast, minute-by-minute way to be kind to yourself.

And he’s all about kindness.

Paul’s positive, force-free training techniques work. Why? Because he uses behavioral science, as do “about 50%” of dog trainers working today. But his scientific understanding of the way neurons learn isn’t the only tool he uses. He also approaches dogs – and people – as natural friends and companions.

Science, rooted in kindness and compassion.

Join host James Jacobson for an insightful, often funny conversation with a trainer who, by his own admission, has had an epiphany. You might just learn something yourself by the end of this episode. And that will be good, for you, and for your dog.

About Paul Owens

Paul Owens, the “original” Dog Whisperer, has been training dogs for over 45 years. Once a classical trainer who used choke collars and shame-based techniques, he has found a new and better way. Now Paul is one of the world’s leading proponents of positive, force-free, nonviolent animal training.

His books and DVDs have been translated into several languages and sold over 600,000 units worldwide. His message of kind and compassionate dog training has reached more than 5 million people through his products, articles, classes, seminars, and television and print interviews.

He is the best-selling author of The Dog Whisperer: A Compassionate Non-violent Approach To Dog Training, The Puppy Whisperer and The Dog Whisperer Presents Good Habits for Great Dogs.

Paul Owens, The "Original" Dog Whisperer: https://originaldogwhisperer.com/dog-whisperer/

A reminder to breathe: Don't Forget to Breathe - Paul Owens, the Original Dog Whisperer

Paul’s eulogy for Molly: Paul's Eulogy For Moly - Paul Owens (originaldogwhisperer.com)

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Making Us All Cry in Public with Mark Bomback | The Long Leash #9

Fri, 19 Feb 2021 19:34:00 -0000

Here’s an unexpected perk Mark Bomback got for writing The Art of Racing in the Rain: he got to make people cry.

The prolific screenwriter is more accustomed to writing big action movies, where trains blow up and buildings fall. But after his script about a dog narrating his last canine incarnation was released, he saw people crying on planes as they watched it on in-flight entertainment.

The movie, which stars Kevin Costner as Enzo, and Milo Ventimiglia as his human, was released right in a weird time for the movie business. We had just stopped going to the theaters and started streaming films instead. Now that The Art of Racing in the Rain is on Disney+, more folks are seeing it and it’s sparking a real conversation.

Do dogs reincarnate as humans, as the book the movie is based upon posits?

Join host James Jacobson for a conversation about love, dogs, and art. It’s a special conversation with a special artist whose movie is the Terms of Endearment for dog lovers.

About Mark Bomback

The Art of Racing in the Rain on IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1478839/

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Dogs of the Silver Screen with Wendy Mitchell

Fri, 12 Feb 2021 18:00:00 -0000

Even if you can't watch dogs on film without crying, you'll love this joyful, funny conversation. It's a backlot tour of the film industry with Wendy Mitchell, author of Citizen Canine: Dogs in the Movies. The insider and journalist has sniffed out the juiciest behind-the-scenes La-la-land tales. She dishes on everything and everybody, canine AND human. You'll laugh about how Lassie's casting went terribly wrong, or how Toto replaced a human actor in a dog suit ... and you'll cry about how Charlie Chaplin's dog died. These and many more stories show how many of the angels in this city wear fur and walk on four legs.

Wendy Mitchell is a contributing editor for film business magazine Screen International. She has been a staff writer and editor at Entertainment Weekly, IndieWire and Rolling Stone and has written for The Guardian, Variety, Time Out New York, the New York Daily News, The Wall Street Journal, Glamour and Billboard. She consults for film festivals including San Sebastian, Rotterdam and Goteborg.

Wendy Mitchell: https://www.filmwendy.com/writing

Wendy’s giant list of films with dogs: https://www.filmwendy.com/dogs-in-film

Watch James meditate with Amber live on CNN: CNN on dog meditation with James Jacobson

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"Best Day of Their Life" Peter Rork of Dog is My CoPilot

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 11:00:00 -0000

How do you find your heart's work in the middle of heartbreak? James Jacobson finds out by speaking with Dr. Peter Rork, pilot-turned-orthopedic-surgeon-turned-shelter-dog-rescuer. The founder of Dog Is My CoPilot traces his personal history and how it intersects with the personal histories of the thousands of dogs he's flown to their forever homes. Along the way, you'll get glimpses of wild mountain ranges and bluebird skies. Fly high and listen in for a conversation that perfectly captures what it is to be a human who loves dogs.

To find out more about Dr. Rork's nonprofit, go to dogcopilot.org

And don't forget, charity starts at home, so Dr. Rork hopes you will support your local shelter!

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Pets at the White House with Jennifer Pickens | The Long Leash

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 18:55:21 -0000

Author and White House social expert, Jennifer Pickens joins James Jacobson in conversation on this episode of The Long Leash. Jennifer Pickens shares some spectacular stories about one of the most historic homes in the world and all of its four-legged inhabitants.

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American Presidents and Their Dogs with Andrew Hager | The Long Leash

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 03:10:00 -0000

On this episode of The Long Leash, Historian-in-Residence at the Presidential Pet Museum, Andrew Hager, shares some fascinating stories about dogs in the White House. He talks to James Jacobson about everything from a presidential dog named Satan to one who could have been the key to preventing a nuclear catastrophe.

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How to Find a Great Veterinarian with Dr. Judy Morgan | Dog Cancer Answers

Tue, 19 Jan 2021 01:34:00 -0000

This episode is from our sister podcast, Dog Cancer Answers:

Could you imagine being able to build an open relationship with your vet? One where you feel comfortable discussing the use of herbs and supplements in place of chemicals and drugs? Believe it or not, it is possible, and this week’s episode tells our listeners how they can do exactly that. Dr. Judy Morgan discusses how pet parents can build stronger relationships with their dog’s medical care team, how to find a great vet if you need one, how to communicate your needs as a client, and everything else that goes into finding and keeping an exceptional team of medical professionals at every stage of your dog’s life! So, listen closely as Dr. Judy provides an abundance of tips that you won’t want to miss!

View more useful links and show notes on Dog Cancer Answers.

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Floof & Dog Haircuts During a Pandemic | The Long Leash

Sat, 19 Dec 2020 00:08:00 -0000

March 2020: the pandemic forces our economy into a temporary coma. As our horror mounted at the number of cases, and as the shut-down lingered, dog parents confined to home recognized a secondary health crisis building. What to do about pets who NEED trimming when all the groomers are shut down? Through the clever use of a timeline and inclusion of real life stories, her book serves as a flashlight in the darkness of 2020. Oh, and if you are wondering what is “floof” - listen to the episode and find out

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While on military deployment, who looks after the dog? | The Long Leash

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 18:59:00 -0000

Dogs on Deployment is akin to a dating service that matches military personnel who are about to deploy with volunteers who will look after their pets while they are away on deployment. Alisa Johnson, the organization's co-founder and president discusses the triumphs and challenges of building and maintaining a national non-profit that has helped over 2,000 dog loving service members find a temporary home for their dogs while they were away defending the country.

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Dogs sell tacos and trucks. Can they sell a President? | The Long Leash

Tue, 03 Nov 2020 15:15:00 -0000

Welcome to the first episode of The Long Leash. To start things off, our guest today is Rob Schwartz who was once described as a "CEO's Creative Director." In other words, the rare creative person who is fascinated by all aspects of a business and finds ways to create breakthrough platforms and campaigns that get results and build brands. So can dogs help elect a President? Listen to this episode to find out.

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