Life With Pets Episodes

Did I wait too long? Did I do the right thing? What if I failed them? If you’ve lost a beloved pet, you’ve probably asked yourself these same painful questions. Grief is hard enough, but carrying heavy pet loss guilt can make healing feel entirely impossible. I’ve been there too. When I had to say goodbye to our 34-year-old rescue horse, Cherokee, I was overwhelmed with guilt after pet loss, even with decades of rescue experience behind me. If you’ve ever struggled with that same inner dialog...

Thinking about getting a dog? Hold that thought. Too many rescue dog adoptions fail because people fall for a face or a story without understanding what they’re signing up for. Choosing the wrong dog, whether it's a rescue dog or not, can lead to frustration, heartbreak, and sometimes surrender. In this episode, I talk with Pete Campione about how to avoid the biggest mistakes people make when bringing a dog into their lives. Whether you’re adopting a rescue dog, fostering, or buying from a bre...

Looking for a holiday gift that your pet loving friends will truly appreciate? Before you grab another toy, treat sampler, or pet themed mug, let’s walk through what makes a gift thoughtful, useful, and personal. In this episode, I’m breaking down the simple qualities that turn an ordinary present into something meaningful. You’ll learn how to match the gift to the pet, the pet parent, and their lifestyle so you can feel confident you picked something they’ll love. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTE...

Holiday photos, family visits, colder weather - your pet’s grooming routine matters more than ever this season. In this episode, I sit down with Julia Benning, Lead Grooming Advisor for Well Groomed Pets and a Fear-Free Certified Groomer, to talk about how grooming impacts not just your pet’s appearance but their overall health and comfort. Whether you’re prepping for your pet’s first grooming appointment or managing a high-maintenance doodle coat, this episode is your go-to guide for stress-fre...

You don’t even have to own a pet to benefit from one. In this episode, I sit down with psychologist and communication coach Dr. Denise M. Dudley to explore the powerful ways pets improve our emotional and physical health. Whether you’re living with a dog, cat, or just spending time around animals, you’ll learn why their presence is more than comforting. It’s healing. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: How pets reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and boost mood Why pets are pow...

Think you’re ready to adopt a pet? You might want to double-check. In this candid episode, Amy breaks down 10 common reasons adoption applications get denied, and most people have no idea they’re raising concerns. Drawing from 15 years in rescue and sheltering, Amy shares the subtle signals that make a rescue pause. These aren’t the obvious deal-breakers like animal hoarding or a history of abuse. This is the stuff well-meaning adopters accidentally say or do that screams, “This might not be th...

Thinking about having your dog or cat walk down the aisle on your big day? Many couples dream of including their pets in their wedding without realizing just how much planning it takes to keep everyone calm, safe, and comfortable. This episode breaks it all down—from what roles pets can realistically play to how to decide whether it's even a good idea for your particular pet. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: ✔️ What to consider before letting your pet be part of your c...

Are you pregnant and wondering how your dog will handle the change? A lot of pet parents wait until the baby is home to “see how it goes,” and that’s when stress and behavior issues show up fast. This episode is about what to do now, while you still have time, so your dog feels steady, not blindsided, when life changes overnight. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL LEARN: ✔️ Why the biggest problem is often mixed signals between adults, not a “bad dog” ✔️ The early stress sig...

Ever notice your pet act weird when you’re stressed, angry, or frazzled, even when you never said a word? That’s not in your head. Your emotions can change the whole energy in your house, and your pets respond to it fast. In this episode, Amy sits down with HeartMath resilience trainer and equine-facilitated coach Amy Budd to break down why your pet “catches” your nervous system, how we accidentally create more reactivity, and the simple reset that helps you calm yourself so your pet can calm d...

What do you do when the worst happens and your pet crosses the Rainbow Bridge? For many pet parents, navigating the grief and logistics of pet aftercare is overwhelming, especially if they’ve never faced it before. In this episode, I’m joined by Gia Kondakor, director of Pet Loss Services at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, to talk about what happens after a pet dies and the choices you have to honor them with care and dignity. BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU’LL DISCOVER: The differences be...